Project Details

In His Name Project

Prepared by Lori M. Smith

February 7, 2016

 

What

For 40 days, do everything in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

Why

During sacrament meeting on August 16, 2015, I was pondering on the sacrament prayers. As covenant people, as Christians, we take Jesus’ name upon us. I thought, what if I were to end every action, every thought, every conversation I had with, “in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen”? What would happen? Would anything change? Would it change what I did or thought? Would it change who I am? Would it affect my environment or the people around me?

After pondering on this for a while, I decided I would like to share a project with some of my covenant sisters to dedicate our thoughts and actions “in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen” to see what a difference this focus could make in our lives. Then, I want to share these experiences with a wider audience by compiling them in a book with the intent to publish it.

The reason I chose 40 days for the duration of the project is that the number 40 is significant in receiving instruction for dedication to the work of God: 

• Jesus prepared himself for His earthly ministry by fasting for 40 days and communing with His Father in the wilderness.
• The resurrected Lord spent 40 days instructing His apostles in preparation for their ministry before He ascended into heaven.
• Moses fasted and spent 40 days with the Lord on Mount Sinai to be instructed of the Lord.
• I feel that 40 days of devotion to the Lord would prepare us, as covenant women, for greater devotion to His service.

 

Forty Days Resources

Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days to prepare himself for His earthly ministry:

Matthew4:1-2; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-2

After His resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days with His apostles, instructing them:

Acts 1:3

Moses fasted and spent 40 days on Mount Sinai with the Lord being instructed by Him:

Exodus 24:18

Who

I am asking fellow latter-day saints women to do this project with me.

 

When

I would like to start on February 16, 2016, so that the 40^th day will be the day before Easter, and that Easter, March 27, will be a day to reflect and celebrate the Savior’s resurrection and our devotion to Him.

 

How

 

Prepare

• Read D&C 88. Especially study verses 118-126. Verse 120 is the theme of the project:

“That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.”

• Another related scripture is Moses 5:8:

“Wherefore, thou shalt do all that thou doest in the name of the Son, and thou shalt repent and call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore.”

•  Read the other project resources in the links at the left.

•  Obtain a journal or notebook to record, reflect and review your experiences for the 40 days.

•  Plan your days as you normally would.

 

Act

• Pray daily.
• Read the scriptures daily.
• Try to consciously dedicate each act in the name of Jesus Christ. You may want to think the words, “in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen” as you dedicate the act to Him. In some cases, you may want to say it out loud. Some acts you will have planned, some you will do without having planned them, since human interactions and circumstances are often spontaneous. You can choose to what level you want to consider this. For example, you could consider getting ready for the day as one task, or you could consider each subtask separately, such as brushing your teeth, and ask yourself, “How do I dedicate brushing my teeth to the name of Jesus Christ?”
• Record your thoughts. Try to dedicate them to Christ as well as your outward acts.

 

Record

Write down the tasks you complete and evaluate whether or not you indeed could say with confidence that you did it in Jesus’ name. By “with confidence,” I mean you would evaluate each task by this measure:  “Could I dedicate this act to Him as an act of devotion as far as I understand the principles and commandments of the gospel?” 

You can use whatever method you prefer for recording. Maybe you want to take photos or draw pictures.

 

Reflect

Write a reflection on the thoughts and activities of each day (if you can’t do it each day, just as often as you can). Consider these and any other questions that come to mind:  What did I feel? What went well? What didn’t go so well? What did I learn? What will I keep doing? What will I change? What are others’ reactions to what I am doing?

Note any scripture references or other resources that relate to your experiences.

 

Review

At end of 40 days, review recordings and reflections. 

Ponder these questions and any others that come to mind: How did this intense focus change your overall perspective? Your actions? How did this experience change your relationship with Christ? With Heavenly Father? With the Spirit? With others? How will you use the experience going forward? 

Create an overall reflection for the entire project. This could be a piece of written prose, a poem, a song, a drawing, painting, scrapbook, video/audio recording, or other art or craft.

 

Motivation

Consider sending participants daily/weekly inspirational thoughts or exercises or reminders to keep them going.

 

Artifact

If each member of the group is comfortable with it, at the very least, I would like to share all or some portion of their experiences with the rest of the group by compiling it in a book for each group member. If we find insightful material that I feel would benefit other sisters, I would like to try to publish the work for a broader audience.