In His Name
Our time on the mission is flying by so quickly and I find myself savoring every moment. Yet it has taken an unexpected turn. Less than two weeks ago, as we were driving on a mountain road on the way back from a District Conference in Mollendo, the President and I got a message on our phones that our daughter had an emergency c-section. The news was very sobering because our long-awaited little grandbaby was born extremely early weighing 1.1 lbs. Within days, I flew to be with our daughter and her husband so I could give them support as they navigate the challenges of the NICU with their first child. It has been a rollercoaster of heart-breaking emotions and a very challenging time, yet it has also been a sacred privilege to experience this with them. While we celebrate little Davey’s arrival, we are sobered by the intensity of his care and the long road ahead. There is nothing to be done other than to trust God as we move forward with hope.
Within the first days after his birth in one of our family prayers offered on his behalf, my daughter invoked the Lord by saying, “In the name of Jesus Christ, and as his mother.” Her words brought power to her pleadings and this reminded me of what I learned as I studied the scriptures earlier that morning. I was reading Acts 3:2-10 where Peter and John performed the first miracle in Christ’s name after he died and was resurrected.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple … , to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
As soon as I read this account, I realized that even though Christ is no longer on the earth to perform miracles himself, he has freely given us his name so that we can continue His beautiful work. ‘In the name of Jesus Christ’ is not a statement that merely denotes the end of a testimony or prayer, rather it is a declaration of whose power we can access as we exercise faith in Him. In His name is what invites the spirit to testify truth. In His name is how we as missionaries are able to represent Him with power and authority. In his name is what cleanses us as we take the sacrament. In His name is how we too can expect and witness miracles in our individual lives. Just like my daughter, we can draw upon heavenly power as we seek blessings from the Lord in His name. It is a beautiful and powerful gift enabled through our Savior’s atonement. This new realization has given me a deeper sense of gratitude and hope during this time. Just as Peter and John had access to our Savior’s power, my family can also invoke heavenly power as we pray for our tiny grandson in the NICU. Doing things in Jesus Christ’s name is what heals our hearts with hope.
