Scripture Blog

This weblog is my personal online scripture journal. I try to read the scriptures each morning as I exercise on my cross-trainer. It has a great impact on my life and my testimony of the Savior and his restored church. The journal is really for my own benefit but I have set it up as a web log in hopes to benefit anyone else that may be interested. "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost..." 1 Nephi 10:19

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

JC - Chapter 39

Having already been counseled that there should be no disputations or contention among the saints, the Savior appeared to the chosen twelve asking what He should give them.  With that request, these apostles asked -

"...we will that thou wouldst tell us the name whereby we shall call this church; for there are disputations among the people concerning this matter."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:3)

To which the Savior responded -

"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;
6 And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:5 - 6)

To me, that leads to the question, what does it mean to take upon themselves the name of Christ?  The Savior continues -

"...no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.
21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:19 - 22)

I note then that taking upon us His name suggests "works", "for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do.

I also find it interesting that the Savior told His apostles -

"Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden."  (Book of Mormon | 3 Nephi 27:23)

"For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have..." (Book of Mormon | Alma 29:8)

Which suggests that there is more doctrine, covenants, and ordinances that were taught but forbidden to be written in the scriptures we now have.