Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

    I've been pondering on what this commandment actually means. This post won't contain all of my thoughts, but a basic understanding of where and how I came to my conclusion. The rest will be up to your own study and interpretations.  

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)

    People typically interpret this as cursing His name, saying things like "oh my god"... etc. But if that was it, why wouldn't the commandment simply be to not curse the Lord's name? Why is it specifically to not TAKE His name in vain?

    We see this phrase all over in scripture: 

"I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives." (Mosiah 5:8)

    So, I think this commandment is specifically referring to those of us who have "taken" His name upon us, and entered into covenants with God. Those who are apart of His church:

"And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses’ name then it be Moses’ church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel." (3 Nephi 27:8)

    We must take His name upon us, but not do so in vain. What does that mean? One definition of vain:

Having or showing excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments; conceited.

    I've concluded that one interpretation of this commandment from the Lord is that we must not take His name, or "use" it, for the intent and purpose of getting gain. To not be full of pride while acting in His name. To be vain is to be proud.

    Now to the uncomfortable part. Who does the BoM call out as prideful in the last days?

*This includes far more than the LDS org, but I use them as a specific example because 1) they claim to be the only true church and 2) most readers have a personal connection to the org*

"And the Gentiles are lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and have stumbled, because of the greatness of their stumbling block, that they have built up many churches; nevertheless, they put down the power and miracles of God, and preach up unto themselves their own wisdom and their own learning, that they may get gain and grind upon the face of the poor." (2 Nephi 26:20)

    This is a perfect example of what the LDS organization has done in the last 2 years, IMHO. Putting down the power of God, counseling us to put our trust in the arm of flesh; To follow the precepts of men and their own understanding.

    But wait, there's more... 2 Nephi 28:

12 Because of pride, and because of false teachers, and false doctrine, their churches have become corrupted, and their churches are lifted up; because of pride they are puffed up.

13 They rob the poor because of their fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.

14 They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ; nevertheless, they are led, that in many instances they do err because they are taught by the precepts of men.

15 O the wise, and the learned, and the rich, that are puffed up in the pride of their hearts, and all those who preach false doctrines, and all those who commit whoredoms, and pervert the right way of the Lord, wo, wo, wo be unto them, saith the Lord God Almighty, for they shall be thrust down to hell!

    What we are seeing today has been prophesied all throughout the BoM, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.

"And thus commandeth the Father that I should say unto you: At that day when the Gentiles shall sin against my gospel, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, and shall be lifted up in the pride of their hearts above all nations, and above all the people of the whole earth, and shall be filled with all manner of lyings, and of deceits, and of mischiefs, and all manner of hypocrisy, and murders, and priestcrafts, and whoredoms, and of secret abominations; and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them." (3 Nephi 16:10)

    I'd like to also point out that 3 Nephi 27:8 gives a very interesting qualifier:

"but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel."

    What is Christ's gospel? That salvation comes through:

- Faith

- Repentance

- Baptism in His name

- Receiving the HG

    This is taught all over in the BoM, also by Joseph in the original articles of faith 3-4 (see this essay). Christ does not take it lightly when people attempt to alter His doctrine:

"And whoso shall declare more or less than this, and establish it for my doctrine, the same cometh of evil, and is not built upon my rock;" (3 Nephi 11:40) (see also D&C 10:67-68)

    The LDS org has altered Christ's doctrine, literally changing Joseph's original AoF #4 so that they could justify "declaring more or less than this" and establishing it as His. They have rejected the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as was prophesied in 3 Nephi 16:10...

"...and if they shall do all those things, and shall reject the fulness of my gospel, behold, saith the Father, I will bring the fulness of my gospel from among them."

They would be His church "if... they [were] built upon [His] gospel." But they are not. They have altered it. My conclusion:

    The LDS org is taking the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in vain by using it to get gain while changing the very doctrine He established. This is evident after examining what Christ taught about His doctrine and reading the prophecies in the BoM about the Gentiles in the last days.