Dear Alexa,
Names are always interesting to me. I
love to look up names and search for their origin or meaning. To me, it
can be a source of direction in life.
Alexa is a female form of Alexander, and is
sometimes also a short form of Alexandra, both of which come from the Greek,
Alexandros. It can be broken down into alexo meaning "to defend" and
ander, meaning "man"' making both Alexa and Alexander mean defender
of man.
Today as you enter the waters of Baptism you
are entering a covenant to take upon yourself a new name. That new name
is Jesus Christ.
For "There is no other name given whereby
salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of
Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be
obedient unto the end of your lives." (Mosiah 5:8)
And what does Christ's name mean?
To me it means; Savior, Friend, Redeemer,
Helper, Counselor, Light, Truth, Love, Kindness, Compassion, Virtue, Purity,
Integrity, Honor, Holiness, Complete and Utter Selflessness, Hope, Grace, Joy,
Healer, Forgiveness, The Way Through, The Way Back, The Way Home
Alexa, all your life, since you were very
little, you have desired with your whole heart for pure and honest truth, to
surround yourself with purity, goodness, and virtue. Do you remember a
couple years ago the summer before school started we had that discussion about
the friends we choose and how you ached so much and longed to find friends who
you could share these deep desires with, friends you could have spiritual
discussions with, and talk about the fuller and richer meaning of life?
Do you remember how you prayed with all your heart for this? Do you
remember the Priesthood Blessing Joseph gave you before that school year?
And do you remember how things unfolded and the new people that miraculously
came into your life? These were the friends and the people you and I and
grandma and grandpa had been praying for. The way your life aligned with
these new friends was not a coincidence. Through this experience, you
witnessed a very real and personal Father in Heaven who answered your deep and
heart-felt prayer.
President Spencer W. Kimball taught: “God does
notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person
that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.”
And just as much as these friends were an
answer to your prayers. I am confident that you were an answer to theirs.
Do you remember when you were nervous to take
seminary because you were afraid you didn't have enough gospel knowledge or
that because you weren't a member, you were afraid you might embarrass yourself
or stand out too much?
Do you remember what I said?
I said, "Alexa, you have no idea how much
those other students in Seminary will need you. You WILL stand out, of
that I'm sure! You will stand out because you will be the girl who goes
to Seminary without having to be told to, you'll go because you WANT to,
because you CHOOSE to... even when you face strong opposition and opinions from others that tell you going to church and seminary is nonsense, that it's
foolish, and that you could occupy yourself with better things. Your friends in
Seminary will need you not because you are a gospel scholar or
have all the answers but because you will be an example to them of immense
courage and powerful faith. You will be a bright light and a beautiful
example to them."
Alexa, you have been living with the name of
Christ on your heart all of your life, even when you didn't realize it. But now this sacred ordinance is eternally
binding and you are proving to God through covenant and Priesthood authority,
which will make His name much powerful in your life.
Before I close my talk, I want to share one
more thought about your name. Your middle name, "Lee" means
something very significant, it means "Shelter" Why would this
be important? Well if "Alexo" or "Alexa" means "Defender" then
"Alexa Lee" means "Defender of the Shelter" I'll
explain why that's significant:
The Prophet, Isaiah, speaks of a shelter in
reference to the House of the Lord, to the Temple, "And there shall be a
tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of
refuge, and for a covert (or shelter) from storm and from rain." - Isaiah
4:6
Baptism is the gate that leads you to that
beautiful home away from Home (spelled with a capital H). There are many
in the world who mock the work that goes on in the temple, many who do not
understand the sacredness and beauty of how and why we do what we do there. I
suppose someone who has never witnessed a graduation ceremony with
processions, robes,caps, and gowns, (you know... ceremonial things we don't see
every day) they might find it somewhat strange...
but we are so used to graduation ceremonies in
our culture that we don't even bat an eyelash at them. The robe, cap, and
gown are all symbols of victory and honor. It's a beautiful thing.
To be honest, I didn't understand the temple
when I first went through but I have gone hundreds of times since and I can
stand here and say with all my heart that I love temple. the ordinances, the
ceremonies performed, the covenants, the promises pronounced on my head, I love
it all!! The temple is my refuge, my safe place, my "shelter" from
the storm.
So when you see or hear your name "Alexa
Lee" I want you to think of it as "Defender of the
Shelter" or "Defender of the Temple." You will have plenty
of voices and forces that would oppose you and the Temple, many who don't
understand that would keep you from this most beautiful place. But do not
let them. It will never be popular. But it's not about popularity, it's
about PURPOSE. Be strong Alexa Lee, and always defend it. Defend
it by the way you live, by the words you speak, by the example you set, and the
choices you make. Renew your covenants you make today each Sunday with the
Sacrament.
Someday, when you build your family, you will
strive to make a sacred place within the walls of your own home, your place of
shelter. You will be key in setting the tone of the Spirituality level
for your children. A loving family unit centered on gospel principles is
a very real shelter in any community, any place that it is established in the
world. Let Alexa Lee also mean "Defender of the Family".
Be the light you have always been but now go
forward shining even brighter, more boldly and more confidently, because heaven
and earth know and it is recorded in the eternities that you are committed
through covenant and endowed with Priesthood power.
Make diligent scripture study, sincere
heart-felt prayer, and journal writing part of your every day life and
you will never have to walk in darkness.
I love you Alexa. I love this
gospel. What you are doing is right. I know it is true forever and
always!
Bless you for your courage, for your faith, we
are all cheering you on here today and so are thousands upon thousands of
unseen angels.
"Press forward with a steadfastness in
Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.
Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and
endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal
life."- 2 Nephi 31:20
Love,
Alicia
