Scripture Squiggle: Helaman 3:21; 5:5-7

"And it came to pass that he had two sons. He gave unto the eldest the name of Nephi, and unto the youngest, the name of Lehi. And they began to grow up unto the Lord."

"For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake: Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that is is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good, that it may be said of you, and also written, even as it has been said and written of them."

Helaman chose his sons' names carefully. He wanted them to remember the examples of Nephi and Lehi and try to pattern their lives after these valiant men. As I read these verses I thought of my own children and the names my husband and I chose for each of them. Each name has meaning to us and we have tried to share these special meanings with our children, as Helaman shared with his sons. But I was also reminded of another name, not a name that we are given, but a name that we earn through the waters of baptism--the name of Christ.

Nephi and Lehi, Helaman's sons, were wonderful representatives of their Savior's name. Helaman 11:18-19 tell us that the people "did esteem [Nephi] as a great prophet, and a man of God, having great power and authroity given unto him from God. And behold, Lehi, his brother, was not a whit behind him as to things pertaining to righteousness." Through their faithfullness, the people were brought back to the Lord and peace was established in the land.

We don't have to be prophets to represent Christ. Jesus allows all of us who join his Church to be called after his name, to be an example to others and show the way unto him. Yet how often do we remember that we have this responsibility?