April 9-15

Song: "What Child Is This" chick here for a fantastic rendition by a married couple


Talk: Knowing, Remembering and Serving the Lord
by David Frischknecht click here to listen

Ponder Brother Frischknecht words:

How well do you know the Redeemer of mankind? How would you explain to someone else who He is - for you?

Anciently the Israelites were careful not to read the name of God aloud. The Bible Dictionary indicates that, “Jehovah was ‘the covenant or proper name of the God of Israel.’ It denotes the ‘Unchangeable One,’ ‘the eternal I AM’ (Exodus 6:3; Psalms 83:18, Isaiah. 12:2; 26:4). The original pronunciation of this name has possibly been lost, as the Jews, in reading, never mentioned it.” To avoid pronouncing His name in former times, they substituted one of the other names of God, usually Adonai (see Bible Dictionary, “Jehovah,” 710–11).


Can you imagine having so much reverence for the name of the God of Israel that you never, ever pronounced His name aloud? If you could not speak His name, how would you refer to Him? How would you describe who He is? What name or expression would you use?


One way we can come to know the Lord better is through studying the names and titles used for Him in the scriptures. The writers of scripture used many names, titles, and descriptions to refer to the Son of God. In many cases they seemed to use the name or title that reinforced the doctrine they were teaching or the action they were encouraging.


For example, the expression “the Holy One of Israel” emphasizes His sanctity and should inspire our reverence and respect. It also recalls His miraculous deliverance of ancient and modern Israel, His covenant people. Another expression, “the Good Shepherd,” reminds us that He cares for and loves us as a true shepherd does his sheep (see John 10:14-15). The Good Shepherd has a fold - the Church, a safe refuge to which He invites us. The Good Shepherd calls after us in His own name (see Alma 5:38). He commands us to keep ravenous wolves away (see 3 Nephi 14:15).


The title “the Lamb of God” connotes His innocence and sacrifice. The Lamb, “without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19), “taketh away the sins of the world [and] is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness” (Alma 7:14). The use of the term “Lamb” must have been particularly poignant for those who lived the law of Moses and sacrificed their lambs in anticipation of the great and last sacrifice. And the expression “the Lamb of God” reminds us who provided the Lamb for that great and last sacrifice.



There are many other names or images that help us understand the Lord. For example, He said He is the Bread of Life (see John 6:48-51). And that Bread is essential to our eternal soul, like physical food is essential to our physical body. He said He is the vine and we are the branches (see John 15:1-8). How does that image help you know Him better? Does it help you understand that we need to be connected to Him to survive, just as branches must be connected to the vine to live and to bear fruit?


In addition to the figurative language that helps us know the Messiah better, we can study the titles that describe His place and service in the plan of happiness. King Benjamin declared that He is “the Creator of all things from the beginning” (Mosiah 3:8), “both in heaven and in earth” (Mosiah 4:9). Lehi referred to Him as “the great Mediator of all men” (2 Nephi 2:27). The Father gave Him “power to make intercession for the children of men,” to stand “betwixt them and justice” (Mosiah 15:8–9), to be our Advocate with the Father and plead our cause before Him (see Doctrine and Covenants 45:3).


The Savior of the world is called the Messiah, the Anointed One, because He was chosen and prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem His people (see Ether 3:14). With each name or image, we learn something more about who He is. Each name or image expresses specific aspects of His character or mission. As we study and ponder His many names, we can learn more about Him and come to know Him better.


Today we pray to the Father in the name of His Son, and perform priesthood ordinances and preach and teach and worship in His name. But, if you were not allowed to pronounce His name aloud, what expression would you use to speak of Him? How would you refer to the Lord God Omnipotent (Mosiah 3:5), the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8), the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the Keeper of the gate (2 Nephi 9:41)?

I know that the Lord and Savior lives and that He is our Good Shepherd, our rock, our hope, our Redeemer, our all. Let us close with a scripture chain from John, Alma, 3 Nephi, and Doctrine and Covenants section 50. Rather than following along in your own scriptures, perhaps you could listen to the words as if the Savior were saying them to you alone. If you are very quiet inside, you will feel the witness from the Holy Ghost testify to your soul that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He knows you and remembers you and serves you.

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11).

“The good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you” (Alma 5:38).

“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

“. . . If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive. . . .

“. . . I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name. . . .

“And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh. . . .

“I am the light and the life of the world. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end” (3 Nephi 9:13-18).

“I am in your midst, and I am the good shepherd, and the stone of Israel. He that buildeth upon this rock shall never fall” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:44).

Additional songs:
There is Peace in Christ
The Miracle
Jesus is My Shepherd