(I am finally here!)
Three times it took the people to lend an ear toward the voice that they heard from the heavens, and this is what they hear:
Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him.
Vs. 7
The Father’s form of introduction of His Son, the Savior Jesus Christ, is both signature and instructive in its significance.
“Behold my Beloved Son”
There are four passages of scripture where we hear the voice of the Father testifying of His Beloved Son:
- Matthew 3:17 (the baptism of Jesus)
- Matthew 17:5 (the Mount of Transfiguration)
- here
- Joseph Smith—History 1:17 (the First Vision)
Of the four accounts, this is perhaps the most inviting and instructive. The Father’s title of choice in presenting the Savior of the world is “my Beloved Son”.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
John 10:17-18
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
John 15:9-10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
John 17:26
“In Whom I Am Well Pleased”
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matthew 25:21
Finding references that immediately corroborate this statement are tricky. But the sentiment is an important one. I know I’ve heard others talk about hearing the voice of the Father at the Final Judgment.
The feeling of being accepted by someone we love is a basic human need. Being accepted by good people motivates us. It increases our sense of self-worth and self-confidence. Those who cannot find acceptance from desirable sources often seek it elsewhere…
Even in the Church we are not always free from this type of thinking. Seeking acceptance from the wrong sources or for incorrect reasons puts us on a dangerous path—one that is likely to lead us astray and even to destruction. Instead of feeling cherished and self-confident, we will eventually feel abandoned and inferior.
Elder Erich W. Kopischke, Being Accepted of the Lord
(I have read the whole of his remarks.) Christ as the examplar has his Father’s witness that his actions, his life and his example have been accepted of the Father. Just the statement alone suggests that we should also seek to be properly accepted of the Lord.
“In Whom I Have Glorified My Name”
How did the Father glorify His name via the Son? What does it mean that the Father glorified His Name through Jesus Christ?
To glorify is to praise or honor something or someone to an extreme degree. If you like someone, you might compliment or praise them, but glorifying takes that a step further. When something is glorified, it is praised to the highest degree possible.
glorify – Dictionary Definition : Vocabulary.com
Verily I say unto you, I commanded my servant Samuel, the Lamanite, that he should testify unto this people, that at the day that the Father should glorify his name in me that there were many saints who should arise from the dead, and should appear unto many, and should minister unto them. And he said unto them: Was it not so?
3 Nephi 23:7 (emphasis added)
With the definition in context, this scripture above points to a time or a day wherein the Son glorified the name of the Father. That day appears to be the fulfillment or the completion of the Atonement.
For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.
Moses 1:39
The Atonement of Christ glorified the name of the Father. It exalted the Father and His work above all other purposes and activities. It made God’s plan for his children effective and opened up the only way for their salvation to be realized.
But why does he say “my name”? Why didn’t the Father say, “in whom I have glorified my plan” or “in whom I have glorified my purposes” or “my objectives” or “the ends of my creating you” ? What is it about all this that is so inseparably connected to his identity or his name?
“In the Name of the Father”
But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.
Ether 12:8 (emphasis added)
This whole book of Ether is a very interesting and compelling discussion on faith. Man is the volitional agent in terms of faith.
One final thought on the phrase “in whom I have glorified my name”: Out of the four recorded instances where the Father’s voice is heard bearing witness of His son, this is the only time where this phrase is added. It is a reference to the Atonement, and the addendum here is fitting because Christ had just completed the requirements of the Atonement.
Verse 11 in this chapter offers more of an explanation on how Christ has glorified the Father through his sufferings and obedience.
“Hear Ye Him”
An invitation to act. When I think of “hearing the word” I am reminded of the parable of the sower, and the Savior’s interactions with his disciples. That the Father ends this brief declaration with an invitation to do something is important and characteristic of true gospel messages.
Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.
Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;
Alma 5:33-34 (see also vs. 62)