The power of the name -- Part 2

In part 1 we saw how the name of Christ establishes a connection that binds us to him as a prerequisite for our exaltation. There are many examples listed in that blog post to demonstrate it, but the most profound example, in my opinion, is saved for this post. It is found in King Benjamin's talk in the Book of Mosiah. Already before the talk, King Benjamin asks his son, Mosiah, to make a proclamation to the people to gather together. King Benjamin gives two purposes. In Mosiah 1:10 he says that he will retire as king and announce Mosiah as his successor. The other purpose is given in verses 11 and 12

11 And moreover, I shall give this people a name, that thereby they may be distinguished above all the people which the Lord God hath brought out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I do because they have been a diligent people in keeping the commandments of the Lord.
12 And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression.

He does not yet say what name he will give them. Just a name that they may be distinguished. He goes on to give a long talk in chapters 2-4 but does not give the people a name until chapter 5, when the formal part of the talk is over. But notice how he brings up the topic of "the name" in his talk.

9 And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; and even after all this they shall consider him a man, and say that he hath a devil, and shall scourge him, and shall crucify him.

There is something special about this name and a reason we should have faith on it

17 And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent...
21 And behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent.

But King Benjamin still waits to give the people a name. He does not only want to teach them about the power of the name but he wants them to experience for themselves. In the next chapter they fall down to earth and ask for a remission of their sins. They receive it immediately "because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come, according to the words which king Benjamin had spoken unto them." (Mosiah 4:3). King Benjamin is pleased with that and goes on to talk for the rest of chapter 4, but still does not give them a name. Not until chapter 5 when the people were "willing to enter into a covenant with our God" (Mosiah 5:5). I will quote each of the verses 7-11 and comment along the way

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters.

Here they finally get the name that he promised. The name is Christ and they shall be called the children of Christ. But it is more than just a name. It is the establishment of a familial connection. This happens because of the covenant and through faith on his name. Compare this with all the verses quoted in part 1 about becoming his sons or belonging to him. 

8 And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

When Christ is the father (head) of our spiritual rebirth, we are made free and we are saved. Notice how King Benjamin repeats the statement that I quoted from Mosiah 3:17 ("no other name") to connect it to the covenant they just had made.

9 And it shall come to pass that whosoever doeth this shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called; for he shall be called by the name of Christ.

 Again, we see the doctrinal consistency with the scriptures I quoted in part 1, especially Mosiah 26:18-24. The right hand of God places them in a unique position and distinguishes them "above all people" as King Benjamin promised. There is a fun Hebrew wordplay being used here, by the way. Benjamin means "son of the right hand". Verse 6 states that "this was what Benjamin (son of the right hand) desired of them". He goes on to say that his people have now become sons and daughters of Christ (v.7) and shall be found at the right hand of God (v.9). 

10 And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God.

Here is another manifestation of the Two Ways. If there is a possibility to take upon yourself the name of Christ, there is also a possibility not to do it. If there is a possibility to be found at the right hand, there is also a possibility to be found on the left.

11 And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts.

Here, Benjamin refers to chapter 1 and the promise he made that he would give the people a name. I go deeper into this verse in a recent post. 

We see that "the name" is a main theme in the first chapters of Mosiah. A name is an identifier so when someone calls your name, you respond. Both Mosiah 5:9 and other scriptures quoted in part 1 state that we will be called by the name of Christ. I find that particularly interesting. Christ wants us all to have faith on his name, take upon us his name and become his sons and daughters. We become "<first name>, son/daughter of Christ" after the father of our spiritual re-birth. If we "take heed" and stay in that covenant relationship, we are so intimately familiar with this name that we naturally respond when we are called by it.