Many of the great revelations in the scriptures came as a result of questions prophets have pondered in regard to difficult issues. Those recorded in this chapter, one of the most significant in 3 Nephi, came in that way. The twelve were seeking the answer from the Lord as to what the new Church he had established among them should be called.
There had been disputations among the people concerning this matter. We do not know the specific nature of these disputations, but we can assume that they were serious enough that the disciples were deeply troubled by the matter and had come before the Lord in “mighty prayer and fasting” to petition him for clarification. As they had wrestled with the issue, pondered deeply upon it, and come to no resolution of the problem, they then were spiritually prepared to turn to the Lord for guidance and direction beyond their own reasoning. This is the process by which revelation comes (see D&C 9:8-9).