BYU (Brigham Young University) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
In this series (see below), students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the Book of Mormon in the form of letters to someone they know. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures.
In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to speak to all of us of the relevance, power and beauty of the Book of Mormon, a second witness of Jesus Christ and complement to the Bible. The Book of Mormon includes the religious history of a group of Israelites who settled in ancient America. (The names they use are those of prophets who taught the Book of Mormon peoples to look forward to the coming of Christ—Nephi, Lehi, Alma, Helaman, and other unfamiliar names. We hope those names will become more familiar to you as you read their inspiring words and feel the relevance and divinity of their messages through these letters.)
Let us know if you’d like to receive your own digital copy of the Book of Mormon, and/or if these messages encourage and assist you spiritually as well.
Mormon Thoughts: How Do You Want to be Remembered?
In Helaman 5:7 it reads, “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.” This verse is Helaman’s advice to his sons Nephi and Lehi. He is telling Nephi and Lehi to remember the example of their past fathers and to follow that example. He says they should do that which has been said and written of [their fathers].
Our life on earth influences more than just the people we are acquainted with in our life. Those who come after us, look to our example of how we live our lives. This leads you to think, “How do I want to be remembered”? Nephi and Lehi were named after two great prophets. They are always given the constant reminder of the righteousness of their fathers. Each one of us has a name, with some history behind it. If we have a name that symbolizes righteous grandparents who crossed the plains, or dedicated their life to the service of others, just like Nephi and Lehi, we have a name that can constantly remind us of the name that we need to uphold. I was named after my sweet, righteous Great Grandma Nell. My last name is a strong last name. Bullock goes back all the way to Thomas Bullock, one of the pioneers who crossed the plains. If your family doesn’t consist of any outstanding individuals, you can set the precedence behind your name. You can put behind your name acts of good works and kindness.
Our ancestors are important examples that we can look up to. When we think about the future, we will be those ancestors that our children and grandchildren will look up to. What example do we want to leave for them? What characteristics do we want to be remembered for? The good works we do on earth will benefit us up in heaven, and those who are living on the earth after us.
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