One night a few years ago, I was busy doing something many teenage brothers find entertaining: annoying my sister. As usual, she tried many things to get me to stop. Eventually, she pulled out her phone and started looking at scriptures. She checked Genesis chapter 6 and moved on when she saw it only went to 22 verses. Exodus 6 has 30, so she read verse 27 to me. I realized what she was doing. My birthday is June 27th. She was reading scriptures that were numbered with my birthday, just to distract me.
Next was Leviticus 6:27, then Numbers 6:27. The scriptures went by, every single book, and we found a couple that were interesting, but nothing life-changing.
Not to worry, though; the American dating system isn’t the only one. My birthday can also be written as 27/6, I reasoned. We went through every book once again, opening every 27th chapter and reading the 6th verse. And that is when we found something truly special. The verse 3 Nephi 27:6 reads: “And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day.” This idea of taking up the name of Christ and enduring to the end is implied over and over, repeating throughout the scriptures, echoing through many Christian religious texts.
“And whoso taketh upon him my name.” It’s a short and simple phrase. Found in innocence, prompted by the annoying presence of one little brother. Yet it is infinitely wise and powerful. To be Christian, one must not only worship Christ, but constantly be making an active effort to be like him. This verse is a call to action to let the teachings of Jesus Christ permeate everything we do. Being Christlike is what every single commandment we have ever received boils down to.
“And endureth to the end.” It is not simply enough to go out today and do everything we can to act how Christ would act; we must also endure to the end. Endure everything that Satan throws at us. Endure unkind words, endure accusations, endure betrayals, all while continuing to take upon ourselves his name. And when we have lived a good life, we will be “saved at the last day.”
The scriptures contain so many amazing messages, and in many ways, it doesn’t matter where we turn in them. We can find life lessons that will help us every day of the year.
—Jesse Francis, Spring 2025 Latter-day Saint Insights Contest Winner
FEATURE IMAGE BY AARON BURDEN