Family Home Evening for 3 Nephi 27-4

 What question did Jesus’s Disciples have?

Read or summarize 3 Nephi 27:3

3 And they said unto him: Lord, 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.

Discuss

Why are our names important?

Talk about your children’s names and why they were chosen.

Read or Summarize Jesus’s Response 

4 And the Lord said unto them: Verily, verily, I say unto you, why is it that the people should murmur and dispute because of this thing?

5 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.

7 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.

8 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.

Discuss

Just as Jesus Christ asked His disciples in the Book of Mormon to call His church after His name, He asked the prophet, Joseph Smith, to do the same in the Latter-days. Many people refer to members of  the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as Mormons, because we are the only church to study scriptures from the Book of Mormon. Although Mormon was a great prophet of old, we do not worship him. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and He is the Son of God. This is His church, and it is important that people understand this. Our Latter-day prophet, President Nelson has said, 

“Thus, the name of the Church is not negotiable. When the Savior clearly states what the name of His Church should be, and even precedes His declaration with, 'Thus shall my church be called,’ He is serious. And if we allow nicknames to be used and adopt or even sponsor those nicknames ourselves, He is offended.”

“"If someone should ask, 'Are you a Mormon?' you could reply, 'If you are asking if I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, yes, I am!'

"If someone asks, 'Are you a Latter-day Saint?' you might respond, 'Yes, I am. I believe in Jesus Christ and am a member of His restored Church.'”

If Jesus sees it important to tell His prophet to tell the members of His restored church to call the church by His name, then He sees it as important, and we should too. 

Watch

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