By partaking of the sacrament each week, Latter-day Saints witness to God the Eternal Father, that they are "willing to take upon them the name of [His] Son, and always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them." (D&C 20:77, Moro. 4:3.)
At the April 1985 general conference, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve spoke on what it means to "take upon us" the name of the Son, Jesus Christ:"Our witness that we are willing to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ has several different meanings. . . . One of the obvious meanings renews a promise we made when we were baptized. Following the scriptural pattern, persons who are baptized `witness before the Church that they have truly repented of . . . their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.' (D&C 20:37; see also 2 Ne. 31:13, Moro. 6:3.)
"As a second obvious meaning, we take upon us our Savior's name when we become members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. By His commandment, this Church bears His name. (See D&C 115:4, 3 Ne. 27:7-8.) Every member, young and old, is a member of the household of God.' (Eph. 2:19.) As true believers in Christ, as Christians, we have gladly taken His name upon us. (See Alma 46:15.) As King Benjamin taught his people,Because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you.' (Mosiah 5:7; see also Alma 5:14, 36:23-26.)
"We also take upon us the name of Jesus Christ whenever we publicly proclaim our belief in Him. Each of us has many opportunities to proclaim our belief to friends and neighbors, fellow workers, and casual acquaintances. As the Apostle Peter taught the Saints of his day, we should `sanctify the Lord God in
ourT hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
usT a reason of the hope that is in
usT.' (1 Pet. 3:15.) In this, we keep the modern commandment: `Take upon you the name of Christ, and speak the truth in soberness.' " (D&C 18:21.)
