Significance of Names

I had an experience this week that got me thinking about the importance of names. We were able to attend the temple this week to perform some proxy sealings. At one point during our session, the sealer stopped and thanked us for serving in the temple and shared his thoughts with us about how exciting it must be for those on the other side of the veil who have been waiting for years and years to be able to hear their names said in the temple in connection with the sealing ordinance and what joy they must be experiencing in heaven to finally be able to have their work done. Since that lesson I’ve been thinking about the importance of names.

As part of the creation story we learn about the importance God places on naming things (he called the light day and the darkness night, Genesis 1:5). It’s so important that it’s the first assignment God delegates to Adam-to name all of the living creatures (Genesis 2:19). Names are important to God and we know that He knows us by name (Joseph Smith-History 1:17, Moses 1:6). When we realize that God knows us by name, it makes our relationship with Him more personal and intimate.

Names carry meaning. When we are baptized we covenant to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ and we renew that covenant each week when we partake of the sacrament.

Names can help us remember. In Helaman 5:6, Helaman tells his two sons Lehi and Nephi that they were given the names of their ancestors so that when they heard their names, they would remember their ancestors and the good works they performed.

Names carry power. In Moses chapter 1 we read about how Moses unsuccessfully asks Satan three times to leave him alone, but when he invokes the name of Jesus Christ, Satan immediately leaves. 

Names are central to the covenants we make. In April 2019 General Conference Elder Christofferson shared the following anecdote. "I once read an article by a poorly informed newspaper reporter who explained that the way we perform baptisms for the dead is to immerse rolls of microfilm in water. Then all those whose names appear on the microfilm are considered baptized. That approach would be efficient, but it ignores the infinite worth of each soul and the critical importance of a personal covenant with God."

If God has the capacity to remember all names, then remembering names can also be a spiritual gift we can strive for. In a talk about spiritual gifts called "Why Not Ask" by Elder Larry Lawrence he shares this story: "Years ago, I was preparing to set apart a newly called bishop. Before I laid my hands upon his head, he turned and asked in great humility, 'President, while you are setting me apart, could you bless me with the gift of remembering names. This is a weakness of mine, and I want to improve myself. I believe this gift would help me magnify my calling.’…The spirit whispered to me that the Lord was pleased with such a righteous desire."

When we know and use someone's name, we create a deeper connection with them. When someone uses our name there is an understanding that we are seen and known by them. Names are an important part of connecting us with the world and with other people. Knowing and using names is one way we can create unity in a divided world.