The Book of Mormon tells of the Savior’s visit to a group of people who lived on the American continent during Jesus’ lifetime. This visit was made just after His crucifixion. While there, He organized His church among them. The Nephites disagreed about what the church should be called, so they asked the Savior to name the church for them.
Jesus answered, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing? Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day.” (3 Nephi 27:4-5, Book of Mormon)
In the Book of Numbers, in the Old Testament of the Bible, the Lord told Moses to teach Aaron and his sons how to bless the people. Moses was told to teach them the following blessing: “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them. (Numbers 6:24-27) Throughout the Bible, the people were counseled to take upon themselves the name of the Savior, and this admonition was repeated to the people He was teaching. They had brought with them to their new home some of the Old Testament scriptures, and so, should already have known this, as the Savior reminded them.
Jesus went on to explain:
And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. Therefore, whatsoever ye shall do, ye shall do it in my name; therefore ye shall call the church in my name; and ye shall call upon the Father in my name that he will bless the church for my sake. And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. Verily I say unto you, that ye are built upon my gospel; therefore ye shall call whatsoever things ye do call, in my name; therefore if ye call upon the Father, for the church, if it be in my name the Father will hear you; And if it so be that the church is built upon my gospel then will the Father show forth his own works in it.” (3 Nephi 27:6-10, Book of Mormon)
The Book of Mormon teaches us the importance of naming a church built to worship the Savior. One wise little girl, when asked if Mormons are Christians, said, “Jesus’ name is right in the center of the name of our church. That’s so we’ll remember He’s in the center of the church.”
One test to apply when seeking a true church is to find out whose church it is. You must kneel, and using the admonition of Moroni, ask Heavenly Father with a sincere and humble heart, if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church. If you really want to know, if you are truly seeking Him, Heavenly Father will answer you.
The late Terrie Lynn Bittner—beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend—was the author of two homeschooling books and numerous articles, including several that appeared in Latter-day Saint magazines. She became a member of the Church at the age of 17 and began sharing her faith online in 1992.
