Even as it is an obligation in these latter-days to record the names of those who have covenanted to serve the Lord, so also was it with the Nephites under the rule of King Benjamin. The custom to keep in touch with every Church member through the recording of every name was practised by all generations of the Nephites. Keeping a record of the membership is an important part of the Gospel Plan. Here it is written as plain as word can be:
And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the Church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone on the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith. (Moro. 6:4)