"As I have pondered the covenant words and corresponding blessings promised, I have wondered what it means to be willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ....
"The statement that we are 'willing to take upon [us]' His name tells us that while we first took the Savior’s name when we were baptized, taking His name is not finished at baptism. We must work continually to take His name throughout our lives, including when we renew covenants at the sacrament table and make covenants in the Lord’s holy temples.
"So two crucial questions for each of us become 'What must I be doing to take His name upon me?' and 'How will I know when I am making progress?'
"The statement of President Nelson suggests one helpful answer. He said that we could take the name of the Savior upon us and that we could speak for Him. When we speak for Him, we serve Him. 'For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?' (Mosiah 5:13.)
"Speaking for Him requires a prayer of faith. It takes a fervent prayer to Heavenly Father to learn what words we could speak to help the Savior in His work. We must qualify for the promise: 'Whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.' (D&C 1:38)
"Yet it takes more than speaking for Him to take His name upon us. There are feelings in our hearts we must have to qualify as His servants.
"The prophet Mormon described the feelings that qualify us and enable us to take His name upon us. These feelings include faith, hope, and charity, which is the pure love of Christ. (Moroni 7:39-44, 47-48) ...
"My testimony is that the Savior is putting His name in your hearts. For many of you, your faith in Him is increasing. You are feeling more hope and optimism. And you are feeling the pure love of Christ for others and for yourself."
- Henry B. Eyring, "Try, Try, Try," General Conference October 2018
Click here to read or listen to the full talk
One of the greatest invitations of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to take the Savior's name upon ourselves, individually, one by one. And it is our willingness to do that, that is so crucial in our covenants and in our daily efforts. One who has a willing heart will be continually striving to do better, to understand the process, and to more faithfully comply with the guidelines that will lead to that blessing. President Eyring teaches that the sacrament and the temple are crucial parts of our efforts:
As we strive to live up to those covenants, we will strive to serve as He served, to live the kind of unselfish and giving life that He lived. Our hearts, and our lives, will be filled with charity, and our actions will demonstrate that.
I loved President Eyring's testimony that "the Savior is putting His name in your hearts." The Savior does all that He can to bless us, as we are willing to allow Him to and as we whole-heartedly participate in the process.
(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)
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