Ideas that come to our minds

I have spent the last few weeks studying for several certifications that I was taking to improve my job.  Because of the time that I had to spend studying for these certification exams, I was able to do little more than my daily scripture study.  I am grateful that I am done with the tests, for now, so that I can get back to my habit of deeper study in the scriptures.

Last week, as I was teaching the Gospel Principles class, I had a really neat experience where the Lord put thoughts and ideas into my mind as I taught, that were of great benefit to the class, and to me as well.  I love having those experiences, and it is always a testimony to me of how, as we study the scriptures, the Lord can use the knowledge that we have gained from our study to bring new knowledge and understanding to our lives.

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Our lesson last week was Chapter 15: The Lord's Covenant People.  We were starting to talk about the Abrahamic Covenant and I asked the class members to tell me what they knew about Abraham, other than the story of Abraham and Isaac.  I got answers like, he paid tithes to Melchizedek, he was married to Sarah, etc..  One of the missionaries said that his name used to be something else.  I agreed and said that Abraham's name used to be Abram, and the Lord changed it.

I began to go into more detail about Abraham's name change, and I talked about how the Lord often changes people's names when He makes covenants with them.  I said that it was symbolic of the change from the person they used to be to the person that they become as they keep the covenant.  Saul became Paul, Jacob became Israel, the converted Lamanites became the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's, etc..

As I was speaking, I questioned myself in my mind why I was spending so much of the lesson talking about a name change.  

A few minutes later, we read the scripture in Galatians 3:26-29, which talks about how as we are baptized we are adopted into the lineage of Abraham, "by accepting and living the gospel of Jesus Christ."

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

"And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise."

As we read this, a clear and radiant thought came to my mind, and I immediately understood why the Lord had prompted me to focus on the name change.

As I explained the scripture to the class, I asked what we promise, or covenant, to do when we are baptized.  I got several answers, but the one I was waiting for was, we promise to take upon ourselves the name of Christ.  "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."  (Emphasis added)  When we make the covenant with God to be baptized, we promise to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ, always remember Him, and keep His commandments.  In return Heavenly Father promises that we will always have His spirit to be with us.  (Sacrament prayer: Moroni 4:3)

We promise to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ!  As we make this covenant, we effectively change our names to the name of Jesus Christ.  It is symbolic of the change from the person we used to be to the person that we can become as we keep the covenant.

As I said that, a look of enlightenment came across the faces of the class members.  I LOVE that look!!  When the understanding of God is poured out upon our minds and the Spirit confirms that it is true!  I love epiphanic moments like that!  It is wonderful!  I know that thought didn't come from me.  I was just as enlightened as the class members were!  

Frequently, people come up to me after class and thank me for what I taught that day.  I know that Heavenly Father has blessed me with spiritual gifts, including the gift of teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ, but I always tell them, "That wasn't me!  You were taught by the spirit of God."  I also know that without my study of the scriptures, I would not have the foundation of knowledge and revelation that the Lord needs to inspire thoughts and ideas like that, those that uplift and guide us to a deeper, more personal, understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and our place in it.  

"Oh, it is wonderful!!  Wonderful to me!"  (Hymn 193 "I Stand All Amazed")