Book of Mormon Sunday II- Mosiah 1-7

    The reading this week was pointedly discussing the power of atonement and the strengthening that comes from that power. No other account is as clear as the King Benjamin sermon when it comes to understanding how mere mortals can be changed spiritually to be united with Jesus Christ in an alive and vibrant relationship.
   The book begins with a statement of the importance of scripture.
   Mosiah 1:5 "I say unto you, my sons, were it not for these things, which have been kept and preserved by the hand of God, that we might read and understand of his mysteries, and have his commandments always before our eyes, that even our fathers would have dwindled in unbelief, and we should have been like unto our brethren, the Lamanites, who know nothing concerning these things, or even do not believe them when they are taught them, because of the traditions of their fathers, which are not correct."

   King Benjamin tells his son Mosiah that the people should prepare for a special experience. The event will culminate with a name given to his people whereby they will be known and whereby they will exercise power.

   Mosiah 1:11 "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. And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression."

    Bro.Cummings, a member of our branch, gave a talk about the name Jesus Christ which put into words some of my own thoughts.  
   "Well, when we do something “in Jesus’ name” we are invoking priesthood power and invoking the promise Jesus made when he called us “friend” that whatsoever we ask in his name God may grant to us. When we invoke the “Name of Christ” we are invoking the power of the role of Messiah. I believe that this is invoking the power of the atonement. It is by the power of the atonement that the priesthood was returned to earth and by the power of the atonement are we able to engage in the ministering of angels, receive the gospel of repentance and administer the baptism by immersion for the remission of sins."
    Mosiah 3:17 "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."

   Through the Holy Ghost this whole group of people came to the truth of their state before God and desired to be be made whole.

     Mosiah 4:2 "And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who created heaven and earth, and all things; who shall come down among the children of men. And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, 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."

   I believe to take "His name" upon us means to submit to his power to make us one again with our Heavenly Father. We bring our fervent faith in Him and our desire to do his work to call upon His name for our own salvation and for others who seek him and require our testimony as a witness for Him. All this is done through the power of atonement.

   Mosiah 5;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. 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."