april.12

mosiah 6:1 - 7:7

what does it mean to you to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ?

--> i love the talk by elder oaks called "taking upon us the name of Christ".  i feel like it illustrates beautifully what it means, in so many senses, to take upon us His name.  you can read this talk by clicking on the link below.  but i would just like to summarize what he says. 

first, to take upon us His name means to renew the covenant or promise that we made when we were baptized. 

secondly, we take upon us His name when we become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  this church bears His name, and because of the covenant which we make (which is talked about in these verses in mosiah), we also bear His name. 

third, we take His name upon us whenever we declare publicly our belief in Him.  whether formally or in casual conversation. 

fourth, when we take upon us His name, we covenant to serve Him.  it's an obligation.  if we love the Lord, we will do the work of His kingdom. 

elder oaks suggests that when we take the sacrament, we don't take His name upon us, but we signify that we are willing to do so.  this suggests a later covenant (he suggests the temple or perhaps in the last days or after death) when we will fully take upon us Christ's name, and be called as He is called.  mosiah 5:9 says "and whosoever doeth this (enters the covenant with God to be obedient all our lives), shall be found at the right hand of God, for he shall know the name by which he is called' for he shall be called by the name of Christ." 

think about that for a minute! 

to read elder oaks' talk, click here.