King Benjamin

Over the last few years, I have recognized more often how the things I read and ponder in the scriptures and the thoughts I have relate to other experiences I have in learning the gospel at Church or in conversations or other ways. Often, scriptures or exact words are repeated in another instance.

This "In His Name" project, of course, has the potential to relate to everything in the gospel, but it most directly relates to the Primary lesson I taught today about King Benjamin. The objective of the lesson is "To strengthen the children's commitment to keep their baptismal covenants and follow Jesus Christ."  Well, that's exactly what this project is about.

We studied King Benjamin's words to his people in Mosiah 2 and 3.

A major point of the lesson is taking the name of Jesus Christ upon us.

We talked about how when we are born into the world, we are born to a family and take that family name upon us.  We are given a heritage.  In a similar way, when we are baptized, we are spiritually born of God and take Christ's name upon us:


In Mosiah 3:17, King Benjamin says,

"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."

King Benjamin explains the role of Jesus Christ and asks the people to enter into a covenant to keep His commandments. The people make that commitment.

I am thankful for the Book of Mormon and how clearly it testifies of the plan of salvation. I am thankful for the Primary program and the other auxiliaries and meetings of the church that allow us the opportunity to feel of the Spirit and grow in our knowledge and conviction of the truth.

Testimony

I did something today that I might not have done if it weren't for this project:  I bore my testimony in sacrament meeting. It's been several months since I have done so. I usually get so concerned about what I'm going to say and how I'm going to say it, that I avoid even thinking about sharing it. Yet, I considered the idea yesterday and didn't think of it again, until this morning, when I thought, for the sake of this project, bearing my testimony would help me do something more "in His name." Then the Spirit compelled me, you know—with the rapid and strong heartbeat, sweaty palms and butterflies in the stomach, so I had to do it.

But I kept it simple and short, just to the basic testimony of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; the Church; and prophet and leaders. And I shared how a line in the sacrament hymn we had sung related to the Primary lesson we were teaching today about renewing our baptismal covenants by keeping the commandments. The hymn was No. 113 "Our Savior's Love," and the line was "We love thy law; we will obey."

During the sacrament ordinance, I pondered on that line and how I do love God's law: I love the safety and peace that the commandments bring. I don't see them as limitations but as opportunities to grow, to feel peace and joy, and to have the guidance of the Holy Spirit in my life. I want to live God's law and live the way He lives. I know that may sound simplistic, since I don't have a clue about what trials and hardships may come my way and how difficult I may find it at times to live His law, but I want to put greater trust in Him that He can lead me forward, repenting as I go, on the path that leads to eternal life. And I am happy to know that you, my friends, and others around me are striving toward the same goal.  Thank you for your friendship and examples. You don't know how much you mean to me!