Last Word

The Sacrament and Taking upon Us the Name of Jesus Christ

By President Dallin H. Oaks

First Counselor in the First Presidency

From an April 1985 general conference address (Ensign, May 1985, 80–82).

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are commanded to partake of the sacrament each week (see Doctrine and Covenants 59:9, 12). In doing so, they witness unto God the Eternal Father that they are “willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:77; Moroni 4:3).

Our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ renews a promise we made when we were baptized. Persons who are baptized “witness before the Church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:37).

We also take upon us our Savior’s name when we become members of His Church which, by His commandment, bears His name (see Doctrine and Covenants 115:4; 3 Nephi 27:7–8). As true believers in Christ, we gladly take His name upon us.

We also take upon us the name of Jesus Christ whenever we publicly proclaim our belief in Him to friends and neighbors, fellow workers, and casual acquaintances. By witnessing our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, we also signify our willingness to serve Him and to do the work of His kingdom.

King Benjamin told his people, “There shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17).

Those who exercise faith in the sacred name of Jesus Christ and repent of their sins and enter into His covenant and keep His commandments can lay claim on the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Those who do so will be called by His name at the last day.

This is what we should ponder as we partake of the sacred emblems of the sacrament. As we do so, we glory in the mission of the risen Lord, who lived and taught and suffered and died and rose again that all mankind might have immortality and eternal life.