Question
Dear Gramps,
What does it mean to take upon you the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? If you have any scriptures to help out they would be appreciated. Thanks!
Chris
Answer
Dear Chris,
Taking upon ourselves the name of Christ can mean several things: In the first place, if we take upon ourselves his name, we are his–we belong to him. This would be similar to having the surname of our father. Our surname identifies the family that we belong to.
Another aspect of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ is that we become his representatives, we may act officially in his name. This would include official acts of the priesthood, but it would also include acts of compassion and kindness that stem from our own initiative,
For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward (Mark 9:41).
A third aspect of taking upon ourselves the name of Christ is the implication of obedience to his word. We should be able to sign his name to our every action. Nephi explained this in 2 Nephi 31:13—
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I know that if ye shall follow the Son, with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent, repenting of your sins, witnessing unto the Father that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism–yea, by following your Lord and your Savior down into the water, according to his word, behold, then shall ye receive the Holy Ghost; yea, then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost; and then can ye speak with the tongue of angels, and shout praises unto the Holy One of Israel.
Gramps