In the book of Helaman, we meet two brothers named after ancestors with great reputations: Nephi and Lehi. Nephi was courageous leading his people against tremendous opposition, mostly from his brothers. Siblings can be brutal.
Lehi was Nephi's father, also a man of courage who led his family out of Jerusalem to the New World. Yes, this is a cornerstone of our faith--we actually know the origins of Native American Indians.
The Book of Mormon is filled with heroes. The heroes often have exotic names, and sometimes/rarely members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints name their children after these Book of Mormon heroes. It would seem to me, a heavy responsibility for a two year old, a fourteen year old, a grown man, to bear the name Teancum.
Yet, we named our last daughter Paloma not only because I liked the name but because it was a symbol of peace.
Teancum was a great military leader. Thus the name symbolizes faith and devotion to God. For the parents looking for an example for their son to follow, Teancum is a first class choice. As is Moroni, or Lehi or Nephi.
The Church of Jesus Christ is a world wide church. The gospel net welcomes Chinese, Americans, Africans, Irish, Islanders--there is not one person, creed, race or color who is not considered a welcome and wanted child of God.
Sometimes/rarely the children of church members of every ethnicity are given ancient Book of Mormon names. I smiled with delight when I heard on the school intercom the other day, "Could Moroni Wa come to the office?"
In a world of conflict and separation, it's quite unifying to hear Moroni Wa--as similarly satisfying to hear of a Vietnamese family who has named their child George Washington Nguyen.
Lehi was Nephi's father, also a man of courage who led his family out of Jerusalem to the New World. Yes, this is a cornerstone of our faith--we actually know the origins of Native American Indians.
The Book of Mormon is filled with heroes. The heroes often have exotic names, and sometimes/rarely members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints name their children after these Book of Mormon heroes. It would seem to me, a heavy responsibility for a two year old, a fourteen year old, a grown man, to bear the name Teancum.
Yet, we named our last daughter Paloma not only because I liked the name but because it was a symbol of peace.
Teancum was a great military leader. Thus the name symbolizes faith and devotion to God. For the parents looking for an example for their son to follow, Teancum is a first class choice. As is Moroni, or Lehi or Nephi.
The Church of Jesus Christ is a world wide church. The gospel net welcomes Chinese, Americans, Africans, Irish, Islanders--there is not one person, creed, race or color who is not considered a welcome and wanted child of God.
Sometimes/rarely the children of church members of every ethnicity are given ancient Book of Mormon names. I smiled with delight when I heard on the school intercom the other day, "Could Moroni Wa come to the office?"
In a world of conflict and separation, it's quite unifying to hear Moroni Wa--as similarly satisfying to hear of a Vietnamese family who has named their child George Washington Nguyen.
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