My dear sisters and brothers, fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, fellow disciples of Jesus Christ, and all those who are redeemed by and worship the Son of God, the Savior of the World, I add my testimony to that of our modern prophet, Russell M. Nelson, that the complete and correct name of the Church organized by Christ on the earth today is a critically important part of that Church. In the very few minutes allotted to me this evening, I would like to offer you five points to ponder regarding the significance of the correct name of the Church.
First: Obedience. On August 16th this year, President Russell M. Nelson announced a revelatory commandment from the Lord. If you have not read the short statement, I urge you to do so, for President Nelson leaves no doubt that this message comes directly from Heavenly Father and is a critically important instruction in the nature of “thus sayeth the Lord.” “The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Pres. Nelson stated, recognizing that “We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will.” This is a divine directive, not a policy preference.
In General Conference last month, President Nelson reiterated how significant using the correct name of the Church is. He calls this “a matter of great importance” and indicated that he felt “compelled to discuss” the issue with us. In case that wasn’t clear enough, President Nelson explicitly stated: “It is the command of the Lord."
This commandment is not a new one. The name of the Church was mandated at its organization. It also reflects the prescribed name of the Church organized by Christ when he was personally upon the earth, both among his disciples in Israel and among the inhabitants of this continent. In 3 Nephi 27, Jesus decreed “Ye shall call the church in my name,” and further explained, “if it be called in my name, then it is my church.”
Which brings us to the second point: Worship. We worship Jesus Christ – he is the object of our devotion and the head of the church. Central to our faith is faith in Jesus Christ, the Doctrine of Christ, and the Atonement of Christ. Without Christ, the church is nothing, and if we have adequate belief in and focus on Christ, everything else follows naturally. Throughout my life, I have struggled with the fact that many – in fact, probably most – people who know of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do not know or believe that our church is really “Christian.” For example, my Catholic friends have explained to me that “Mormons” cannot act as “Christian witnesses” at Catholic christenings. Growing up in Virginia in the 1970s and 80s, I frequently found myself called upon to define and defend the beliefs of the Church, and usually was met with disbelief when I asserted that I was a Christian. Even two months ago, I found myself embroiled in a Facebook debate with the son of a non-Member friend who had asserted that it was insincere and “confusing” for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to reassert its proper name because, as he put it, “you’re not really Christian.”
But we ARE really Christian. As President Nelson put it, this is “not a name change” and “not a rebranding.” We worship Christ, we witness of Christ’s divinity to the world. We heed his call to “Come, Follow Me.” And we revere his sacred, holy name. Using a shortened, nickname for the church, missing reference to the Savior, not only “offends” God – as President Nelson clearly stated – but also creates a misapprehension regarding what we believe and who we worship. To discard the name of Christ is to disregard Christ’s doctrine, plan, church, and Atonement. We should identify ourselves as worshipers of Christ.
Third, Redemption. We are spiritually begotten by Christ and partakers of His Atonement, and one of the chief ways we identify ourselves as ones who have been spiritually born of God is by taking upon us the name of Christ. Like those baptized by Alma at the Waters of Mormon, we make a covenant at baptism to join together in His church, to always remember Him, and keep His commandments which He has given us. We renew this covenant each week when we take the sacrament – a covenant that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Re-reading Mosiah lately made it abundantly clear that the name of Christ is key – and tremendously significant. He is the “Word” of God, and the source of power for the Atonement. Being spiritually begotten by the Savior involves taking his name upon us and into us, just as we show how we partake of his redemption through eating the symbolic bread and water.
Fourth, Discipleship. When we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we do more than identify ourselves as being spiritually born of God and receiving his “image in our countenances.” We entrust ourselves into his hands to become instruments for his will. We become disciples. Christ doesn’t just want a cosmetic re-naming of ourselves with reference to Him, He wants us to transform ourselves from primal “natural men” into “saints” by submitting to His will, developing meekness, and becoming truly full of love. We do everything in His name, and we do everything as He would have us do. Christ is the head of the Church and the example we follow. The more we keep that discipleship commitment at the forefront of our thoughts, the better we will be able to follow through with our covenants in this regard.
One thing we learn over and over in the gospel – from the scriptures to the temple ceremony – is that names matter. Spiritual naming isn’t just a taxonomy for convenience. Names are important and God-given. Names of concepts and covenants. Names of our Savior - and names given to each of us – these are holy and sacred. Taking upon us the name of Christ, praying in the name of Jesus Christ, constantly recognizing the power and authority of Christ in our lives – this is an essential element of making and keeping our covenants - and helping us to “always remember Him.”
Finally, fifth, Unity. Christ tells us to “be one,” and if we are not one, then we are not His. I’ve heard many complaints that the hardest part of using the full name of the Church is that there is no adjectival form. “LDS” and “Mormon,” on the other hand, can be used as adjectives to connote a certain grouping of people and certain group-based identity. I’ve been pondering this quite a bit over the past few months, so allow me to share the answer I have received on this very point: We are not supposed to have an adjectival form for our church membership! Although it is fundamental that we assume the name of Christ and meet together and fellowship and strengthen one another, the important thing about the name of the Church is NOT the group identity piece.
The Book of Mormon, written specifically for us today, warns us again and again about breaking into factions and about seeing the world as an “us vs. them” reality. Today, identity politics are a curse that divides and endangers this country more than ever before. It is therefore even more important and fitting for the Lord to emphasize again that we who have joined in worshiping Jesus Christ are not an “us” in a political/identity politics way. We are beloved daughters and sons of a Father in Heaven and worshipers, spiritual children, and diligent followers of Christ. In that role, there is no “them.” Our Savior is saddened when we are sucked into the competitive outlook that the world projects. Jesus Christ preaches cooperation, not competition. Christ wants us to see each and every other human being as a fellow child of God, and we are to knit our hearts and efforts together as we follow Him. The more souls we can bring unto Him, the happier He – and we – will be. The Savior offers us a joy - far greater and more durable than the joy of “winning” and beating someone else. The joy comes from unity, as people of Christ.
Our prophet has instructed us that using the correct name of the Church is “non-negotiable.” And this must be so. We obey Christ, we worship Christ, we are redeemed by Christ and attempt to become disciples of Christ. It is my hope that we can “always remember Him” and become more loving and united - behind Jesus Christ, our inspiration, guide, and redeemer.
Why does the correct name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints matter so much? It is significant in terms of our obedience, our worship, our redemption, our discipleship, and our unity. I testify to you that President Nelson is articulating God’s will with respect to the name of the Church, and I truly believe that if we “do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church,” Jesus Christ will, as President Nelson promises, “pour down His power and blessings” upon us. This is an important period of growth in the church – and we are moving closer to Jesus Christ in terms of learning how best to teach, learn, worship, and minister. A critical part of growing closer to Jesus Christ is the renewed emphasis on the name of Jesus Christ and the central role our Savior plays in our lives.
I say all these things in the holy and sacred name of our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
Andrea Boyack
Stake Conference, Adult Session
Topeka, Kansas Stake
November 17, 2018
First: Obedience. On August 16th this year, President Russell M. Nelson announced a revelatory commandment from the Lord. If you have not read the short statement, I urge you to do so, for President Nelson leaves no doubt that this message comes directly from Heavenly Father and is a critically important instruction in the nature of “thus sayeth the Lord.” “The Lord has impressed upon my mind the importance of the name He has revealed for His Church, even The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,” Pres. Nelson stated, recognizing that “We have work before us to bring ourselves in harmony with His will.” This is a divine directive, not a policy preference.
In General Conference last month, President Nelson reiterated how significant using the correct name of the Church is. He calls this “a matter of great importance” and indicated that he felt “compelled to discuss” the issue with us. In case that wasn’t clear enough, President Nelson explicitly stated: “It is the command of the Lord."
This commandment is not a new one. The name of the Church was mandated at its organization. It also reflects the prescribed name of the Church organized by Christ when he was personally upon the earth, both among his disciples in Israel and among the inhabitants of this continent. In 3 Nephi 27, Jesus decreed “Ye shall call the church in my name,” and further explained, “if it be called in my name, then it is my church.”
Which brings us to the second point: Worship. We worship Jesus Christ – he is the object of our devotion and the head of the church. Central to our faith is faith in Jesus Christ, the Doctrine of Christ, and the Atonement of Christ. Without Christ, the church is nothing, and if we have adequate belief in and focus on Christ, everything else follows naturally. Throughout my life, I have struggled with the fact that many – in fact, probably most – people who know of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints do not know or believe that our church is really “Christian.” For example, my Catholic friends have explained to me that “Mormons” cannot act as “Christian witnesses” at Catholic christenings. Growing up in Virginia in the 1970s and 80s, I frequently found myself called upon to define and defend the beliefs of the Church, and usually was met with disbelief when I asserted that I was a Christian. Even two months ago, I found myself embroiled in a Facebook debate with the son of a non-Member friend who had asserted that it was insincere and “confusing” for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to reassert its proper name because, as he put it, “you’re not really Christian.”
But we ARE really Christian. As President Nelson put it, this is “not a name change” and “not a rebranding.” We worship Christ, we witness of Christ’s divinity to the world. We heed his call to “Come, Follow Me.” And we revere his sacred, holy name. Using a shortened, nickname for the church, missing reference to the Savior, not only “offends” God – as President Nelson clearly stated – but also creates a misapprehension regarding what we believe and who we worship. To discard the name of Christ is to disregard Christ’s doctrine, plan, church, and Atonement. We should identify ourselves as worshipers of Christ.
Third, Redemption. We are spiritually begotten by Christ and partakers of His Atonement, and one of the chief ways we identify ourselves as ones who have been spiritually born of God is by taking upon us the name of Christ. Like those baptized by Alma at the Waters of Mormon, we make a covenant at baptism to join together in His church, to always remember Him, and keep His commandments which He has given us. We renew this covenant each week when we take the sacrament – a covenant that we are willing to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ. Re-reading Mosiah lately made it abundantly clear that the name of Christ is key – and tremendously significant. He is the “Word” of God, and the source of power for the Atonement. Being spiritually begotten by the Savior involves taking his name upon us and into us, just as we show how we partake of his redemption through eating the symbolic bread and water.
Fourth, Discipleship. When we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, we do more than identify ourselves as being spiritually born of God and receiving his “image in our countenances.” We entrust ourselves into his hands to become instruments for his will. We become disciples. Christ doesn’t just want a cosmetic re-naming of ourselves with reference to Him, He wants us to transform ourselves from primal “natural men” into “saints” by submitting to His will, developing meekness, and becoming truly full of love. We do everything in His name, and we do everything as He would have us do. Christ is the head of the Church and the example we follow. The more we keep that discipleship commitment at the forefront of our thoughts, the better we will be able to follow through with our covenants in this regard.
One thing we learn over and over in the gospel – from the scriptures to the temple ceremony – is that names matter. Spiritual naming isn’t just a taxonomy for convenience. Names are important and God-given. Names of concepts and covenants. Names of our Savior - and names given to each of us – these are holy and sacred. Taking upon us the name of Christ, praying in the name of Jesus Christ, constantly recognizing the power and authority of Christ in our lives – this is an essential element of making and keeping our covenants - and helping us to “always remember Him.”
Finally, fifth, Unity. Christ tells us to “be one,” and if we are not one, then we are not His. I’ve heard many complaints that the hardest part of using the full name of the Church is that there is no adjectival form. “LDS” and “Mormon,” on the other hand, can be used as adjectives to connote a certain grouping of people and certain group-based identity. I’ve been pondering this quite a bit over the past few months, so allow me to share the answer I have received on this very point: We are not supposed to have an adjectival form for our church membership! Although it is fundamental that we assume the name of Christ and meet together and fellowship and strengthen one another, the important thing about the name of the Church is NOT the group identity piece.
The Book of Mormon, written specifically for us today, warns us again and again about breaking into factions and about seeing the world as an “us vs. them” reality. Today, identity politics are a curse that divides and endangers this country more than ever before. It is therefore even more important and fitting for the Lord to emphasize again that we who have joined in worshiping Jesus Christ are not an “us” in a political/identity politics way. We are beloved daughters and sons of a Father in Heaven and worshipers, spiritual children, and diligent followers of Christ. In that role, there is no “them.” Our Savior is saddened when we are sucked into the competitive outlook that the world projects. Jesus Christ preaches cooperation, not competition. Christ wants us to see each and every other human being as a fellow child of God, and we are to knit our hearts and efforts together as we follow Him. The more souls we can bring unto Him, the happier He – and we – will be. The Savior offers us a joy - far greater and more durable than the joy of “winning” and beating someone else. The joy comes from unity, as people of Christ.
Our prophet has instructed us that using the correct name of the Church is “non-negotiable.” And this must be so. We obey Christ, we worship Christ, we are redeemed by Christ and attempt to become disciples of Christ. It is my hope that we can “always remember Him” and become more loving and united - behind Jesus Christ, our inspiration, guide, and redeemer.
Why does the correct name of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints matter so much? It is significant in terms of our obedience, our worship, our redemption, our discipleship, and our unity. I testify to you that President Nelson is articulating God’s will with respect to the name of the Church, and I truly believe that if we “do our best to restore the correct name of the Lord’s Church,” Jesus Christ will, as President Nelson promises, “pour down His power and blessings” upon us. This is an important period of growth in the church – and we are moving closer to Jesus Christ in terms of learning how best to teach, learn, worship, and minister. A critical part of growing closer to Jesus Christ is the renewed emphasis on the name of Jesus Christ and the central role our Savior plays in our lives.
I say all these things in the holy and sacred name of our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ, Amen.
Andrea Boyack
Stake Conference, Adult Session
Topeka, Kansas Stake
November 17, 2018
Andrea, I have thought so much about your insight that losing the easy adjective is a benefit of this move. I like to think that I am inclusive and open-armed to members not of our faith, but losing the adjective was/is hard for me. And when I read this talk, I felt a zing zing zing in my heart telling me that I have too much wrapped up my own identity in this adjective. That there's something big and real and good for me to learn about being an active worshiper of Jesus in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while not priding myself on the label of it. I love that kind of zing! It feels like the nicest invitation to enter a cavern of riches (i.e., to change for the good). Thank you for writing this talk and doing the work to get the inspiration behind it!
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