“Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” (Exodus 20:7)

As I try to follow in the Savior's footsteps, one small, very small step at the time, I decided to review the 10 Commandments. I know them, I learned them, but I never quite "studied" them. 

As I was reading and studying about this topic, it struck me that this one did not have a "modern" explanation, like for example "Thous shalt have no other gods before me" and "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image." The other gods and graven images of modern times are money, fame, other material possessions... you get the drift.

This one has exactly the same application/meaning that it had when it was given. 

I started pondering what the meaning of this commandment is. I grew up thinking and believing that it meant I should not use crude language that included His name in it. So many expressions of anger or even amazement are used with His name in it. And I was not incorrect. 

However, I felt that it had to be more than that. So, I asked myself, what if we read this commandment as "Thou shalt honor the name of the Lord thy God" instead? If we read it this way, then we need to ask, what does it mean to honor His name?

My thoughts on this are that to honor His name means that we do our best to act like the Savior acted: we serve one another, we diligently fulfill our duties as parents, children, grandchildren, workers, church members...; we speak as the Savior spoke: we can be firm and loving at the same time, we use words of encouragement and support; we love as the Savior loved: we are kind to everyone, independently of their creed, sex, job, family status...

The Savior was perfect and, for us, perfection, is not attainable in this life. We all fall short. Heaven only knows how imperfect I am, how many times I have failed in all areas of my life, especially as a parent. But all He asks of us is to keep trying, to keep progressing, one step at the time. 

I have challenged myself to follow this commandment more fully that I have been. I know I will falter, and that is why I am grateful to our Savior and His Atonement. 

If you feel like you need to improve in following this commandment as well, you can do it! Rely on the Savior and, line upon line, precept upon precept, you will make it.