Area Leadership Message
Remember His Name!
Why is it important to remember the name by which we are called?
A story is told of a great general who learned that one of his soldiers, who had the same name as him, was being disparaging towards the men in their garrison. In response, the general paid a brief visit, delivering a clear and direct message: “You change your attitude, or you change your name.”
At birth, a child is given a family name, that of his parents, to show he or she belongs in the family. This name is a sign of paternity. It is a symbol of honor for the family, or dignity for others, for which one is ready to sacrifice oneself. At the moment of our baptism, we take upon ourselves the name of Christ. By doing so, we gain access to the saving power of Jesus of Nazareth. In His sacred name lies the power of transcendence from the natural man to the spiritual man.
Remember His name!
“Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.
“And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see (John 1:45–46).”
Come and see, I invite you. Then, follow Him as Nathaniel did when he received a personal testimony that He is indeed the Promised Messiah! And maybe you’ll hear His voice saying, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47).
Jesus of Nazareth is the name by which salvation has come to us. It is through Him that we are reconciled to God. In His sacred name, there is power. Taking upon us the name Jesus of Nazareth, gives meaning to our existence. We admit our insignificance and become a new creature, a child of the covenant.
Knowing the name by which we are called allows us to turn our backs on the past, to embrace the future with confidence. We obtain the presence of the Almighty and attract blessings from on high.
“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 5:12).”
“And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you (Mosiah 5:7).”
Our hearts can be changed by faith in His name.
“And under this head, ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives (Mosiah 5:8).”
When the Father and the Son appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, he said, “One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:17).
When Joseph Smith was about to obtain the Book of Mormon, he was visited by an angel. He described the interaction in this way, “He called me by name, and said unto me that he was a messenger sent from the presence of God to me, and that his name was Moroni; that God had a work for me to do; and that my name should be had for good and evil among all nations” (Joseph Smith—History 1:33).
Have you ever used the wrong name when addressing someone? Or have you ever been the object of an omission in your appellation by someone else? How did you feel?
Think about these questions for a moment. Do they help you see the names, and the precious name of Jesus Christ that we carry particularly, in a different way? Perhaps we can see it as a treasure to be cherished, a symbol to be defended!
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name,” said the Son (Matthew 6:9).
“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain (Exodus 20:7).”
Those sacred names lead us to sanctification. “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity” (2 Timothy 2:19).
By departing from iniquity, we’re drawing near to the Savior and will inevitably be sanctified. Thus, we see the amplitude and magnificence of the names of the members of the divinity and their saving power.
We will have to give an account of the name by which we are called.
Our future and hope are characterized by the Father’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As a sign of this everlasting covenant, God gave His people a name—that of Israel, which means, “Let God prevail.”
“We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
“For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:10–12).”
It is a great honor and privilege to take upon us the name of the Holy One of Israel by entering a covenant with Him.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).”
I solemnly testify to the importance of always remembering the name by which we are called. By partaking of the sacrament each Sabbath day, we can remember this divine gift. If we adopt the appropriate attitude, which comes with the honor and privilege of bearing the name of Jesus of Nazareth, we will surely be saved from our weaknesses. If we feel the burden of our shortcomings and our attitude does not consistently reflect His name, the Savior’s invitation is not merely a renaming, but a call to come and follow Him. It requires wholehearted surrender to His sacred name, allowing Him to bring about the change we need.
I testify to you that He lives and intercedes for you and me in the Father’s presence. Let us bless this sacred name by the way we live, think, speak, and act.