The book of Helaman records both triumphs and tragedies among the Nephites and Lamanites. It begins with "a serious difficulty among the people of the Nephites" (Helaman 1:1), and the difficulties keep coming throughout the record. Here we read about political intrigue, bands of robbers, rejection of the prophets, and pride and disbelief throughout the land. But we also find examples like Nephi and Lehi and "the more humble part of the people," who not only survived but thrived spiritually (Helaman 3:34). How did they do it? How did they stay strong while their civilization began to decline and fall apart? The same way any of us stay strong in the "mighty storm" the devil sends to "beat upon [us]"—by building our lives "upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, ... a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall" (Helaman 5:12).
President George Albert Smith's deceased grandfather George A. Smith appeared to him in a dream and asked, "I would like to know what you have done with my name." President Smith responded, "I have never done anything with your name of which you need be ashamed" (in Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith [2011], xxvi). After reading Helaman 5:6–7, perhaps you could talk to your family members about remembering and honoring the names we carry ...
"I [George Albert Smith] have been trying, more than ever since that time, to take care of that name. So I want to say to the boys and girls, to the young men and women, to the youth of the Church and of all the world: Honor your fathers and your mothers. Honor the names that you bear, because some day you will have the privilege and the obligation of reporting to them (and to your Father in heaven) what you have done with their name." (George Albert Smith, Your Good Name, Improvement Era, March 1947, pg 139)
In a 2020 RootsTech presentation, Sister Lesa Stevenson talked about the Book of Mormon being a collection of family names and also about how the "Book of Mormon shows the power of family names.
"For example, Helaman named his sons Lehi and Nephi. The significance of their family names gave them strength to stay righteous during a time of wickedness (see Helaman 5:6-7).
"Do you ever think about your name? Where it came from? What people think when they hear it? ... Names are always important, and names have meaning. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, naming is a priesthood ordinance, and it comes with a blessing. It is significant that we are known by the name our parents choose for us 'on the records of the Church' and throughout our mortal lives. This given name has importance in all the priesthood ordinances, including the endowment and the sealing temple ordinances." (Janette C. Hales Beckham, Your Good Name, CES Fireside Address, September 3, 1995)
My Name
Do you know how you got your name? Check out the My Name activity. Learn more about the connection between your names and the names of your ancestors, with this What's In a Name? activity.
The Meaning of Your Name
"Discuss with your family the meaning of each of their names if you know it. Discuss with them also why you gave them their names. Tell a story about the time each child was given a name and a blessing. You might keep secret the name of the child you are talking about and let the children guess who the child is. If you have a picture of each child when he was very young, show the picture after telling the story. A child loves to hear about what happened to him when he was a baby." This lesson also has an adaptation, including a story, for younger children you may want to check out. (Lesson Twenty-eight: A Name and a Blessing, Family Home Evening Resource Manual)
All About Me
Where in the world does your name come from? How many people share your names? See what you can discover for each family member at All About Me. Check out the What Does My Name Mean? blog article on FamilySearch.
What Makes a Great Name?
Does your name make you great or do you make your name great? Names are often passed down generation to generation to help you remember the good things done by earlier ancestors. But consider: Did their names make them great or did they make their names great? People we admire and want to emulate were not just great because of their names, but they made their names great by the kind of people they were. (See A Good Name, Friend, 1995)
"When the beloved prophet Helaman and his wife were blessed with two sons, they named them Lehi and Nephi. Helaman told his sons why they were named after two of their ancestors who had lived upon the earth almost 600 years prior to their births. He said:
'Behold, my sons, ... I have given unto you the names of our first parents [Lehi and Nephi] ... ; and this I have done that when you remember your names ... ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it 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 5:6-8]
"Brothers and sisters, in 600 years, how will our names be remembered?" (Mervyn B. Arnold, What Have You Done with My Name?, October 2010 General Conference)
It is one thing to honor the name of someone who has gone before you and think about being asked, "What have you have done with my name?" such as George Albert Smith experienced. However, have you ever considered how your own name will be remembered in 600 years such as Elder Arnold asked?
How Will Your Name Be Remembered?
How would you like your obituary to read? What do you hope would be remembered and said of you at your funeral? Now, write your own obituary as you hope you would be remembered. Are your thoughts and actions leading you in that direction? Are you creating the "strong foundation" (Helaman 5:12) you desire? How will your name be remembered? Write down three goals that will help you live your life the way you want to be remembered. Work to achieve them.
Your Personal History
Write (or audio-record) one story about your life as you study each Come, Follow Me lesson to have 52 by the end of the year. Save as a story and add it to your FamilySearch memories to preserve it. Use your own questions, those from (or inspired by) Come, Follow Me, or the #52 Stories Project. See below for ideas:
What experiences have you had with recognizing the voice of God in your life?
