This quote by Elder Oaks has peaked my interest and overtaken a few study sessions. I don't fully understand these deeper meanings of taking the name of Christ upon me but I hope to. Please read and share your thoughts and feelings about this wonderful quote.
“We see that we take upon us the name of Christ when we are baptized in his name, when we belong to his Church and profess our belief in him, and when we do the work of his kingdom. . . .
“There are other meanings as well, deeper meanings that the more mature members of the Church should understand and ponder as he or she partakes of the sacrament.
“It is significant that when we partake of the sacrament we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77.) The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the most important sense.
“What future event or events could this covenant contemplate? The scriptures suggest two sacred possibilities, one concerning the authority of God, especially as exercised in the temples, and the other—closely related—concerning exaltation in the celestial kingdom. . . .
“Willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ can therefore be understood as willingness to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ. According to this meaning, by partaking of the sacrament we witness our willingness to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and to receive the highest blessings available through the name and by the authority of the Savior when he chooses to confer them upon us. . . .
“. . . Our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ affirms our commitment to do all that we can to be counted among those whom he will choose to stand at his right hand and be called by his name at the last day. In this sacred sense, our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ constitutes our declaration of candidacy for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is eternal life, ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ (D&C 14:7)” (Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Apr. 1985, pp. 102–3, 105; or Ensign, May 1985, pp. 80–81, 83).
Again I would love to hear your insights and thoughts on this topic. Thanks for reading.
This particular quote was found in the Book of Mormon Student Manual.
“We see that we take upon us the name of Christ when we are baptized in his name, when we belong to his Church and profess our belief in him, and when we do the work of his kingdom. . . .
“There are other meanings as well, deeper meanings that the more mature members of the Church should understand and ponder as he or she partakes of the sacrament.
“It is significant that when we partake of the sacrament we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77.) The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the most important sense.“What future event or events could this covenant contemplate? The scriptures suggest two sacred possibilities, one concerning the authority of God, especially as exercised in the temples, and the other—closely related—concerning exaltation in the celestial kingdom. . . .
“Willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ can therefore be understood as willingness to take upon us the authority of Jesus Christ. According to this meaning, by partaking of the sacrament we witness our willingness to participate in the sacred ordinances of the temple and to receive the highest blessings available through the name and by the authority of the Savior when he chooses to confer them upon us. . . .“. . . Our willingness to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ affirms our commitment to do all that we can to be counted among those whom he will choose to stand at his right hand and be called by his name at the last day. In this sacred sense, our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ constitutes our declaration of candidacy for exaltation in the celestial kingdom. Exaltation is eternal life, ‘the greatest of all the gifts of God’ (D&C 14:7)” (Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Apr. 1985, pp. 102–3, 105; or Ensign, May 1985, pp. 80–81, 83).
Again I would love to hear your insights and thoughts on this topic. Thanks for reading.
This particular quote was found in the Book of Mormon Student Manual.
Pictures Courtesy of LDS.org
3 comments:
This is cool stuff. I'm going to have to read and study it a little more, but I've always thought that this concept is closely tied to having "his image in your countenance." I think when you are truly converted, you take on his name and his image (somehow tied to light of Christ). With youth, I sometimes compare it to being on His "team" and there's a team jersey... You figuratively wear his name and look the part.
I believe it is simply that when you are baptized you promise that you WILL take His name upon you. As you continue your gospel progression and journey, the first gate of baptism, leads to the gate of the temple. It is in the temple that you receive His name.
IMHO The willingness to take His name upon you at Baptism is simply the promise or covenant you make to keep moving forward.
This is one of my most favorite talks by Elder Oaks, great choice to study.
The first principle that came to my mind as I was reading through the quote was consecration. When we are willing to take His name upon us, that could mean that we're willing to act as He would act. That means giving all that we have, or consecration.
I agree that it also means you are willing to keep moving forward, that you'll take what you've learned and continue to apply it toward returning to Him.
Post a Comment