The Lamb’s book of life contains exactly one name: the name of Jesus Christ. His character is exactly what one needs to be in order to obtain a fulness of eternal life.2
Though each person who seeks to know and live like Jesus will understand him differently, all will be judged according to whether they fully live up to what they understand and blessed in accordance with how much they learned about him.
To have your name written in the book of life means to attain the character of Jesus Christ, or learn what Jesus is like and become like him while in this life, as far as you understand him to be. Your name is “written” in it when you learn about and live like Jesus,3 and “blotted out” when you cease to live up to his example4 as you understand it.
In the resurrection, you will be judged by your similarity to Christ,5 as far as you understood him to be.6 You must be fully obedient to everything you know in order to be saved.
Those who have failed to become like they understand Jesus to be will be cast into a lake of eternal fire.7 Those who have lived as he would in their place, as far as they understand, will be blessed up to the accuracy of their idea of how he actually is.8
Footnotes
- 1. For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? (Mosiah 5:13) ↩
- 2. And now it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall not take upon him the name of Christ must be called by some other name; therefore, he findeth himself on the left hand of God. And I would that ye should remember also, that this is the name that I said I should give unto you that never should be blotted out, except it be through transgression; therefore, take heed that ye do not transgress, that the name be not blotted out of your hearts. I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts, that ye are not found on the left hand of God, but that ye hear and know the voice by which ye shall be called, and also, the name by which he shall call you. (Mosiah 5:10-12) ↩
- 3. For the names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my right hand.... (Alma 5:58) ↩
- 4. And I give unto them a name that never shall be blotted out, except it be through transgression. (Mosiah 1:12) ↩
- 5. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. (Revelation 20:12) The book has to be opened because God’s character is not generally known or perceived. ↩
- 6. For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. (Mosiah 26:24) ↩
- 7. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:12-15) ↩
- 8. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Psalm 91:14) ↩