Mormon Dilemma 57

Name of Jesus

2 Nephi 10:3; “Wherefore, as I said unto you, it must needs be expedient that Christ—for in the last night the angel spake unto me that this should be his name—should come among the Jews, among those who are the more wicked part of the world; and they shall crucify him…” – BC 545

Matthew 1:21; “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

There are a number of problems with this verse in the Book of Mormon, but for now we’re just taking a look at one thing.

For this mini-study we’re taking a look at the vocabulary in the Book of Mormon and what it refers to as the name of Jesus.

Christ was/is not Jesus’ name.  It’s His title.  The English rendering of the term “Christ” is Christos, meaning “anointed”.  In the Hebrew the term “anointed” is Mashiach, or Messiah for the English rendering.

It’s a title, not a name.  What if your name is John Doe and someone insisted your name is Mr.?  Let’s say this person told you that he/she really wanted to hang out with you and spend time with you as a friend?  Wouldn’t it give you pause to wonder what their intention really was if they can’t even get your name right?