Perhaps no other commandment is so routinely broken — especially in the Western world — than the taking of the name of God in vain. The profane use of the Lord's name has become so commonplace in everyday utterances, many people probably don't even realize they have broken this commandment.

"Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips — For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority . . . . Remember that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit: and in this there is no condemnation." (Doctrine and Covenants 63:61-64.)

President Gordon B. Hinckley has observed this by quoting an earlier Church leader:

"President George Q. Cannon, who served long and faithfully as a counselor in the First Presidency, said on one occasion: 'Do angels take the Lord's name in vain? The idea is so ridiculous that we scarcely like to ask the question. . . . How dare we do that which angels dare not do? Is it possible for us to argue that that which is forbidden in heaven is praiseworthy on earth? . . .'

" 'Though we are sure no boy can tell us any advantage that can arise from the abuse of God's holy name, yet we can tell him many evils that arise therefrom. To begin,' Brother Cannon said, 'it is unnecessary and consequently foolish, it lessens our respect for holy things and leads us into the society of the wicked; it brings us the disrespect of the good who avoid us; it leads us to other sins, for he who is willing to abuse his Creator is not ashamed to defraud his fellow creature; and also by so doing we directly and knowingly break one of God's commandments.' " (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, p. 496.)

President Spencer W. Kimball noted, "It is not enough to refrain from profanity or blasphemy. We need to make important in our lives the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the waters of baptism we take upon us the name of Christ. And as we partake of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, we renew that commitment. While we do not use the Lord's name lightly, we should not leave our friends and our neighbors or our children in any doubt where we stand . . . and where our allegiance lies." (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 200.)

As we pray, testify and even converse one with another, do we hold the name of God in reverence? Are we respectful in our dealings with Deity? Do we honor the names of God? As members of His Church, we have covenanted not to take the name of God in vain. But by our too frequent use of His name — in prayers or discourse — we may dishonor Him. The Savior was quick to condemn the hypocrites who thought their various forms of worship elevated themselves above their fellow beings, and He moved even more quickly to silence demons and others who spoke of Him unworthily. In Luke, there appear these examples:

"And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not." (Luke 4:33-35.)

And later in the same chapter: "And the devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ." (Luke 4:41.)

The Savior's reaction should give us pause as we ourselves speak His name. Would He stop us from testifying of Him, too? Are our utterances offensive or unclear?

One scripture should comfort us: "Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." (Matt. 12:31-32.)

May we reverence the name of God at all times and urge others to do likewise.