Covenants & Symbols 07: A New Name

I am re-posting the Temple Symbols series under the new title, Covenants & Symbols. Minor edits have been made, but the first 20 episodes remain primarily the same. I will add new episodes on Temple Covenants.
Understanding symbols is a means, but not the end. The goal, as admonished by President Nelsons is “to seek-prayerfully and consistently-to understand temple covenants and ordinances.” He then gave the following promise to those who seek better understanding: “Spiritual doors will open. You will learn how to part the veil between heaven and earth, how to ask for God’s angels to attend you, and how better to receive direction from heaven. Your diligent efforts to do so will reinforce and strengthen your spiritual foundation” (The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation, Oct. 2021).
These videos are my attempt to follow apostolic direction to "to sweep the earth with messages filled with righteousness and truth--messages that are authentic, edifying, and praiseworthy" (“To Sweep the Earth as with a Flood,” David A. Bednar, BYU Educational Week Devotional, 2014).
Disclaimer:
This video is NOT a production of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints nor of the Church Educational System nor of the Seminaries and Institutes Department.
The opinions expressed in this video are Bryce Dunford’s only.
Please visit the official church website:
www.ChurchofJesusChrist.org
to clarify any doctrinal questions or to verify the Church’s stance on a symbol.
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I am diligently trying to follow Elder David A. Bendar’s counsel about speaking of the temple. He stated:
Many Church members are unsure about what appropriately can and cannot be said regarding the temple experience outside of the temple.
President Ezra Taft Benson described why this uncertainty exists:
“The temple is a sacred place, and the ordinances in the temple are of a sacred character. Because of its sacredness we are sometimes reluctant to say anything about the temple to our children and grandchildren.
“As a consequence, many do not develop a real desire to go to the temple, or when they go there, they do so without much background to prepare them for the obligations and covenants they enter into.
“I believe a proper understanding or background will immeasurably help prepare our youth for the temple … [and] will foster within them a desire to seek their priesthood blessings just as Abraham sought his.”
Two basic guidelines can help us achieve the proper understanding emphasized by President Benson.
Guideline #1. Because we love the Lord, we always should speak about His holy house with reverence. We should not disclose or describe the special symbols associated with the covenants we receive in sacred temple ceremonies. Neither should we discuss the holy information that we specifically promise in the temple not to reveal.
Guideline #2. The temple is the house of the Lord. Everything in the temple points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We may discuss the basic purposes of and the doctrine and principles associated with temple ordinances and covenants.
President Howard W. Hunter counseled: “Let us share with our children the spiritual feelings we have in the temple. And let us teach them more earnestly and more comfortably the things we can appropriately say about the purposes of the house of the Lord.”
Across the generations, from the Prophet Joseph Smith to President Russell M. Nelson, the doctrinal purposes of temple ordinances and covenants have been taught extensively by Church leaders. A rich reservoir of resources exists in print, audio, video, and other formats to help us learn about initiatory ordinances, endowments, marriages, and other sealing ordinances. Information also is available about following the Savior by receiving and honoring covenants to keep the law of obedience, the law of sacrifice, the law of the gospel, the law of chastity, and the law of consecration. All Church members should become familiar with the excellent materials available at temples.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
(Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing, April 2019).
If you feel that I have violated either of these guidelines, please let me know.

[@annfritz2753]

Thank you brother Dunford! Wonderful and profound lesson!

[@noskalborg723]

Thank you. This helps my feel more certain of my interpretations of things, in large part by adding the understandings from you that i had not encountered before.

[@rhyspeakman25]

wow some new content cant wait!!! Thanks for consecrating your time talents and energy to helping us all learn more about the Temple and aligning yourself with what the prophet spoke about in April 2024 Conference!

[@stephaniespring9779]

I’m confused because these say that they have been up for 5 days. I know that’s not true… I love these! I’m try to find the one where you talk about the difference in how we think. Thinking celestial. Can you please remind me which one that is? I love that one?❤

[@BryceDunford]

I reposted them under a new title so I can add more videos on covenants. I think you’re looking for #4: significant connections

[@tinysafari1851]

Brother Dunford did you wear the number 23 on your Jersey?

[@BryceDunford]

Yep!

[@tinysafari1851]

@@BryceDunford Awesome \

[@douglasahlstrom4391]

Another new name was when Jacob was given the name of Israel. We are adopted into the House of Israel. I wish you had explained this change and why the name Israel is important. Why do we need to be adopted into this house?

[@BryceDunford]

I appreciate that, but that’s a deeper subject and I think would’ve taken away from the message of a new name. We’ll save that message for another class.