Authority in the Name: Understanding the Power We Truly Possess

Brothers and sisters, if there’s one thing I’ve learned since returning from my mission—and even now, as I continue to study the scriptures and feel the Spirit guide me—it’s that the power of the Gospel isn't in the *words* we know, but in the *authority* we receive through covenants and discipleship.

It’s easy, when we’re first getting our bearings in the field, or even when we’re just studying in our living rooms, to get caught up in the *performance* of faith. We see dramatic accounts, we read about miracles, and we can get caught up in thinking that knowing the right verses or using the right phrases is what makes the difference. But what does the Spirit teach us about true power?

We were recently looking at a powerful message from Jonathan Cahn concerning the exorcists in Ephesus. And as we listened, I kept thinking about the difference between quoting a formula and embodying the Spirit of the Savior.

The Difference Between Knowledge and Authority

These itinerant exorcists were using the name of Jesus—calling out, "We command you by the name of Yeshua!"—but they didn't *know* Jesus. They were using the name like a magic spell, a formula they thought would work. And what happened? The spirit responded, "Jesus, I know. Yeshua, I know. Paul, I know... but who are you?"

Friends, this is a profound lesson for every disciple, whether you are preparing for your mission, serving in a stake presidency, or simply trying to share the restored gospel with a neighbor. The devil is an imitator, and he knows how to take things of God and twist them for his purposes. He can make the Gospel look like a performance!

But the Lord has given us something far more potent than a catchy phrase. He has given us the Spirit, the covenant power, and the authority that comes from being truly connected to Christ. Our power doesn't come from our own eloquence, our clever scripture recall, or even how much we've studied in our Book Club. It comes from being *in* the Spirit and *through* Christ.

Being Christlike is Our Shield

The outcome in that account was dramatic: the man with the spirit overcame them, and they fled wounded and naked. It wasn't the *name* that defeated the spirit; it was the true, Spirit-filled authority that the name represents when it's backed by covenant keeping and righteousness. That's what we are working on, isn't it? Becoming more and more Christlike.

This isn't just for the missionaries in the field. This is for the internet missionary right now. When you are sharing your testimony online, when you are having a challenging missionary discussion, or even when you are just praying for a friend, the power comes from the heart that covenants with the Savior. It comes from the diligence of our missionary preparation.

If you want to dig deeper into this concept of true authority and what it means to live with covenants that grant us power, I highly recommend revisiting the principles laid out in the Iron Rod. It’s always a good reminder that the Spirit is our guide.

🔥 Mission Prep Skill Bite: When you feel yourself relying on rote memorization of scriptures during a discussion, pause. Instead, ask yourself: "What does this scripture *make me feel* about the Savior?" That feeling, that personal testimony, is the Spirit's touch, and that's what the investigator truly needs to feel.

I invite you to join us this week! We're hosting a free Disciple Challenge focusing on covenants. It’s a wonderful, low-pressure way to deepen our understanding of the power we *do* possess. Details are linked below.

Remember, every member can be a disciple anywhere, all the time. Let's keep building that covenant power together!

Join the Free Weekly Disciple Challenge This Week!