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Dear
Gramps, After teaching a lesson in adult institute class, I bore my
testimony and closed it by saying “I say these things in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.” After class one of the sisters asked me about that
statement. She said the missionaries had told her that no one except the
prophet, and perhaps apostles, should use that phrase because it meant that
we were speaking for Christ. I went through the last conference edition of
the “Ensign” and found that most of the brethren closed their talks with
“I pray we will.... in the name of Jesus Christ....” Since then, I have
observed many others close their talks the same way I did, with the phrase
“I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.” I know you shouldn’t
close your whole talk that way, but what about your testimony? Would you
please enlighten me on this subject? Thank you. |
Dear
Barbra,
When
you were baptized you took upon yourself by covenant the name of Christ. What
does that mean? That means that we promise to conduct our lives is such a way
that we could sign his name to all that we do. Further, if we thus take upon
ourselves his name, and are inspired by the Holy Spirit, we may speak or act
officially in his name. Therefore, it is perfectly in order to end a lesson
given in Church or a talk in Sacrament meeting in the name of Jesus Christ. The
congregation, by saying “Amen” affirms the declaration—in effect, saying,
“So be it.”
Gramps