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.

Barbra from Wyoming

Dear Barbra,

When you were baptized you took upon yourself by covenant the name of Jesus 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