Babbling about Babel

Readings:  Genesis 11:1-9; Helaman 6:28; Ether 1:3-4; Acts 4:12; Mosiah 3:17, 5:7-15; Doctrine and Covenants 18:21-25

We read in Genesis that the children of men were all of one language after the great flood of Noah.  They journeyed and found a plain in the land of Shinar and while there decided among themselves to make bricks to build a city and a tower.  They wanted the top to "reach heaven," so the scriptures state so that they might "make a name for themselves."  This city and tower were called Babel.  As I read this, I could picture a people that was searching for recognition.  They wanted to be known among men.  They wanted to be praised for their accomplishments.

The Lord, seeing what they were doing, was displeased.  Perhaps it was displeasing to see the pride and desire for personal gain that the people were developing.  The Lord wants His children to prosper and to be successful, but He also wants a humble people--a people who will worship Him and none else. He confounded their language so that they could not understand one another.  Not being able to communicate one with another, they were then scattered across the face of the land.  It is interesting to know that in Hebrew, the word balal (quite close to Babel) means to 'mix' or 'confound.' 

Now, at this time of the confounding of languages at Babel, there was one Jared, who had a brother.  Jared's brother was a strong and mighty man, who was favored of the Lord.  When the Lord began to confound the language, Jared asked his brother to pray to the Lord that they and their friends and families might retain the same language.  Because he was favored of the Lord, the Lord had compassion on them and his prayer was answered. Jared then asked his brother to inquire of the Lord as to where they might be scattered, and if it were possible to be sent to a land that was "choice above all the earth."  The Lord granted his prayer, and told them that He did so because of their prayers unto Him.  I think it is important to point out that Jared promised that if the Lord would direct them to this choice land, they would be "faithful unto the Lord." 

These people traveled to the American continent and became known as the Jaredites in the Book of Mormon. 

As I reflect on this event, I think about Satan and how he will stop at nothing to deceive the children of men.  He will take innocent things and distort our vision to make them into something awful.  The desire that the people at Babel had to be prosperous and successful was not initially a bad one.  But, perhaps, Satan put it into their minds to build it as high as heaven, or to search for that recognition and make a name for themselves. 

As followers of the Lord, we are taught to take upon us the name of Christ.  We are taught to be humble and meek, and to give all praise and glory to Him.  In Acts 4:12 we read that "there is none other name under heaven given among man, whereby we must be saved."  That name is Jesus Christ.  Often, as humans, we forget that we are not all powerful.  We try to accomplish everything on our own, including working out our own salvation.  We get preoccupied, or sometimes deceived by Satan, and we don't spend the time and energy into the things that really matter most and that will help us return to God's presence.  We try to make names for ourselves, instead of acknowledging that we are nothing compared to God.  We owe everything to Him, even our very breath.

The only way to truly make a name for ourselves, is by taking that name of Christ on ourselves.  To do this, we must first have faith that He is who can help us achieve our goals.  Then we must repent.  After we have repented, we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  By doing this action, we are taking on His name--His saving name.  But this is not all...we must then endure.  We must work at this devotion each day.

In the Doctrine and Covenants, it talks about this very process and I think the most important part to remember is in section 18 verse 25.  It reminds us that if we do not know the name by which we are called, we will have no place in the kingdom of the Father.  Not only do we need to know the name, but we need to know the person who's name it is.  We need to know our Savior.  How can we really know Him if we do not follow Him?  How can you know anything without studying it?  We must learn of Him.  Read His words in scripture.  Apply them into our lives.  Strive to live the way He would. 

I was baptized when I was eight years old.  I have learned the stories of Jesus since I was a little girl.  I have been taught to try to live a "Christ-like" life.  I am not perfect.  I make mistakes every day.  But I love Jesus Christ.  I want to follow Him.  When I was a missionary in Italy, I wore a nametag that had on it "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints."  It was easy to remember each day as I put that on, that I had taken on myself the name of Christ.  It was easier to remember to try and live up to that name.  I no longer have that tag to put on everyday, but I do have the name written in my heart.  I try my best to remember that I represent that name--the name of Jesus Christ.  Being known by that name--or being associated with that name--is better than any other name I can think of.