“Honorably hold a name and standing in this thy house, to all generations and for eternity” Doctrine and Covenants 109:24
Importance of Names
President Nelson in the fall of 2018 released a course correction for the name of the Church. He said that it wasn’t rebranding, cosmetic, a whim, or inconsequential. “So, what’s in a name? When it comes to the name of the Lord’s Church, the answer is ‘Everything!’ Jesus Christ directed us to call the Church by His name because it is His Church, filled with His power” (Russell M Nelson, Facebook Post, 7 Oct 2018).
What about names? The Bible itself, in the Book of Samuel (1 Sam 25:25), clarifies that, ‘As his name, so is he.’ Rabbi Benjamin Blech, a Professor of Talmud at Yeshiva University states: “Names represent our identity not simply because they are a convenient way to allow us to be distinguished one from another. It is because they define us. The names we are given at birth aren’t accidental. They are to some extent prophetic. They capture our essence. They are the keys to our soul” (“Judaism & the Power of Names”).
In Hebrew tradition, names are intrinsically tied to a being’s spiritual essence, or neshama (soul). The Hebrew word shem (name) comprises the central part of the word neshama. The ancients asserted that a person’s name is the very essence of his being and is his soul. A person’s name was thought to foreshadow their future. When their mission changed, it was sometimes necessary to transform the name to align with the new status. For example, Abram to Abraham; Jacob to Israel; and Sarai to Sarah.
Names Can Be Symbolic
Our Bible Dictionary states: “Biblical names especially are symbolic” (page 777). Many Old Testament prophets’ names contain answers and perspectives to issues in their writings, helping to understand and remember their messages. Habakkuk (meaning “to clasp or embrace,” or “one who embraces”): His message encourages embracing God’s counsel and will, as the prophet himself came to “embrace” God’s plans despite initial frustration. Zephaniah (meaning “one who is protected or hidden by the Lord”): His name summarizes his message of hope, promising that if people seek the Lord and live righteously, they “may be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger”. Nahum (meaning “a comforter or consoler”): His prophecy offered comfort and perspective to his contemporaries by assuring them that their oppressors (Assyria) would be destroyed, signifying that faith can offer comfort in times of distress by knowing God will ultimately triumph.
I love the names in the story of Ruth. Dr Stephen D. Cook writes: “In the opening verse which says ‘there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem [which literally means ‘house of bread’ or ‘place of food’] in Judah went to live in the fields of Moab’. That may be a coincidence, but in the very next verse we learn that his two sons were named Mahlon (which means sickly) and Chilion (which means frail). . . The next two characters to be introduced are named Orpah and Ruth. The name Orpah is probably related to the Hebrew word for ‘neck’ and so some scholars have suggested that it means ‘stiff-necked’ or obstinate, although the Hebrew word more precisely means the back of the neck and is related to a verb which means ‘to turn ones neck’ or ‘turn around’. Ruth is probably derived from a common Hebrew word for ‘friend’ or ‘friendship’. It’s hardly surprising that as the story progresses Orpah turns around (although not with any negative connotations, she simply returns to her own country, following Naomi’s instructions) while Ruth becomes Naomi’s friend (Ruth 1:14-17).
“This leaves just two more main characters: Elimelech, Naomi’s husband, and Boaz, who becomes Ruth’s husband. Elimelech is fairly straightforward and means ‘my God is king’ – a good Hebrew name for a faithful Israelite – while the meaning of Boaz is less certain and may come from a root meaning ‘to be strong’ (it was the name given to one of the two pillars at the entrance to Solomon’s Temple [1 Kings 7:21], where ‘strength’ would seem to be appropriate) or quite possibly ‘lively” . . . Whatever it means, it is fairly certain that these two names are positive (in contrast to Mahlon and Chilion). After being married to Mahlon/Sickly, Ruth does much better with husband number two – Boaz/Strong. Ruth and Boaz have a son named Obed, which means ‘worshipper’ and he becomes the father of Jesse, the father of David. The story which began with ‘My God is king’ and journeys through death and despair in a foreign land, ends fairly appropriately with ‘Worshipper’ back in the Promised Land” (“Name Puns: Names In The Book of Ruth”).
Names Represent One’s Essence
Another aspect of names is the power of taking on someone else’s name or essence. While not addressing the individual’s given name and soul in the same mystical sense as some ancient traditions, Latter-day Saints understand “willingness to take upon them the name of thy Son” (Jesus Christ) during the sacrament as a profound spiritual commitment and identity. This covenant renews baptismal promises to take upon Christ’s name and serve Him. It signifies membership in His Church and a public profession of belief, becoming “children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters”.
More deeply, “the name of Jesus Christ” often refers to His authority. Willingness to take upon His name signifies willingness to participate in sacred temple ordinances and receive the highest blessings available through His authority.
Ultimately, taking upon His name affirms a commitment to achieve eternal life and exaltation in God’s kingdom, becoming His sons and daughters and being called by His name at the last day, thereby becoming “heirs to his kingdom”. This represents the “ultimate significance of taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ”.
A New Name
A “name is his very self. Thus, when a radical change in a person’s character took place so he became a new man, he was given a new name” (Interpreter’s Dictionary, 2:408). Thus, a king receives a new name on his ascending the throne.
“Anciently, when one made a covenant, one received a new name. In Isaiah 43:1 God states not only ‘I have redeemed thee’ but also ‘I have called thee by a new name.’ This association between covenants and new names exists today, even in temporal matters. When a professional athlete signs a contract with a new team, he takes on the name of that team. When a person receives all the appropriate medical training, he takes the Hippocratic oath (a kind of covenant) and takes on the new name of doctor. Most commonly, when a man and a woman marry, the bride traditionally takes on the name of her husband. When we enter into Christ’s church by covenant, we receive the name of Christ. ‘In ancient times, a name was more than an identifying label. Your name was your essence, what you were all about, your identity rather than just your identification’ (Harold S. Kushner as cited by Dallin H. Oaks, His Holy Name, 4, 6). Thus, to take on Christ’s name is both a privilege and an obligation. It requires us to also take on his identity, his way of being, and his mission of saving souls. The only way to accomplish this formidable task is through the covenant itself. With this covenant comes the gift of the Holy Ghost, which purifies our nature, reshapes our hearts, and fills us with the desire to live higher and holier lives. Gradually everyone that is called by his name is created, or recreated, for his glory (Isaiah 43:7). This is the whole essence of our covenants. They have been given by a loving God to strengthen our commitment and to keep us on track”. (Amy Blake Hardison, Being a Covenant People, Covenants, Prophecies and Hymns of the Old Testament, 31-32)
Special Witnesses of the Name of Christ
President Oaks points out: “Twelve Apostles are called to be ‘special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world’ (Doctrine and Covenants 107:23). They have a unique testimony of Jesus Christ. They witness of His reality, His divinity, His mission and Atonement, His Resurrection, His holy priesthood, and our potential for eternal life” (“The Sure Witness of Modern Prophets,” Liahona, Oct, 2023). This name of Christ implies authority and power.
Elder Bednar adds: “The role of an Apostle today is the same as it was anciently (see Acts 1:22; 4:33). Our commission is to go into all the world and proclaim ‘Jesus Christ, and him crucified’ (see Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 2:2). An Apostle is a missionary and a special witness of the name of Christ. The ‘name of Christ’ refers to the totality of the Savior’s mission, death, and resurrection—His authority, His doctrine, and His unique qualifications as the Son of God to be our Redeemer and our Savior. As special witnesses of the name of Christ, we bear testimony of the reality, divinity, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His infinite and eternal Atonement, and His gospel” (“Special Witnesses of the Name of Christ,” The Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel, vol. 12, no. 2 [2011], 1).
