Witness for His Names

by Jeffrey R. Holland

When Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was first called to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he quickly learned that “among the most important responsibilities {he} had was to be one of the ‘special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world.’” This understanding prompted a habit in his daily scripture study of “jotting down or otherwise noting the references to Jesus’s various names” in the standard works. With study, “the name of Christ was growing and swelling, expanding and emerging into the names of Christ.” In this beautiful new book printed in metallic inks, Elder Holland shares his notes and insights about each of the many names of Christ he has studied in his twenty-five years as an Apostle. Elder Holland promises that “as we study these titles to learn more about who He was and is, we will find ourselves learning more about who we are and what we may become.” In so doing, we will gain a greater understanding of our covenants and how each of us can more fully bear witness of Christ’s holy name.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction, Church, Lds, Spirituality, Inspirational, Christian

176 pages, Hardcover

Published December 2, 2019

About the author

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was ordained a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 23 June 1994. At the time of this call, Elder Holland was serving as a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, to which he had been called on 1 April 1989. A native of St. George, Utah, he has spent most of his professional life in Church education. He received his bachelor and master degrees from Brigham Young University and a master degree and Ph.D. from Yale University.
From 1980 until his call as a General Authority in 1989, Elder Holland served as president of Brigham Young University. He is a former Church commissioner of education and dean of the College of Religious Education at BYU.
Elder Holland is the author of several books, one of which he co-authored with his wife, Patricia. They were married in 1963 and are the parents of three children and the grandparents of 12 grandchildren.

Reviews

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous format, but not the most engaging book to read cover to cover. It would be a great resource to have in your gospel library though!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should have looked up all the scriptures to get the full experience but I have a quota to meet!!

[Travis Standley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read through in just 2 days like I did. Quickly reading through and about the Savior’s names created a feeling of the depth and richness of the Character, divinity, and completeness of Jesus. His life is so wonderful and His names attempt to illustrate (as words fall short as Elder Holland adds) the many qualities and the nature of our Savior.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this beautiful book by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. I enjoyed reading his insights about Christ through exploring some of His different titles and names found in the scriptures.

Some of my favorites:

Bread- ability to daily nourish us

Confidence- source of our confidence and unfailing object of our trust

Counselor- attentive, sympathetic and wise

Deliverer- delivers us from difficulty and danger; also gives us new life and rebirth spiritually

Framer of Heaven and Earth- carpenter, craftsman, brings definition and completeness to a project

Helper- companion, supporter, assistant, ally

High Priest of Good Things to Come- our hope, The Father and Son are constantly at work to bless us with good things to come

Hope- Christ is Hope personified

I Am- carries the impact of presence, permanence, constancy, even eternity

Law- Jesus is the perfect lawgiver, combines perfectly love and law

Potter- Christ is the Master Potter and we are the clay He shapes, forms and fires into beauty

Refuge from the Storm- He can calm our storms and give us refuge from them until they dissipate and life is calm again

Rock- how dearly we need something firm, steadfast, and immovable, rock of salvation, rock of strength, refuge, protection

Savior- to save means to preserve or protect, to deliver one from danger

Bright and Morning Star- light, guidance, hope, glory of God’s celestial handiwork. He is the last star visible in the heavens before dawn, constantly in place through the dark night. He will stay with us through even our darkest hours and then bring those nights to an end when His role changes to “the Sun of righteousness,” with warmth, radiance and redemption

Tower- strength and salvation, protection, far-reaching view

Unchangeable One- consistent so we can have faith in Him and trust in His judgments

Wonderful- that which astonishes fills with surprise, or at which one marvels

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not the most engaging format for a book and so that's why I've given it 3 stars. And I had just done an advent for Christmas with everyday focusing on a different for Christ, that one was more interesting than this one. Props to Elder Holland for the serious study he undertook to compile this list.

[Chrisanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous format and style. The book itself is good, just not what I expected. It is less a book, than an index or study guide-- which is fine. But makes it more worth borrowing than really owning.



*Also, there are two typos that I'm sure were a product of the printing manuscript.

[Jamille Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really is a cool book. I'm glad he did this project because it's really nice to have all of the names of Christ in one book with an explanation of their meaning.

[Vibeke Hiatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a string of disappointing secular books, I needed a spiritual boost. This book is both simple and profound at the same time. Elder Holland goes through the various names and titles of Jesus Christ, giving explanations and scriptural references for each one. When read with the right spirit, this is a valuable resource. My soul feels richer for it.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I have filled a number of pages with many words in an effort to sketch even the briefest dimensions of Jesus Christ's mission and majesty. But ultimately words fail us, and, in that sense, I have failed the Word. No matter how much we write or how many titles we apply, mortal man and the human vocabulary will never do justice to Him whose impact and power, whose importance and presence, are “clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.””

[Erika B. (SOS BOOKS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected but a delightful resource to have on hand.

[Drew Wolsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading “Witness for His Names” by Jeffrey R. Holland

Quick Take: Interesting little book on the many names/titles of Jesus Christ in scripture.

Longer Take:

In “Witness for His Names,” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gives a brief explanation of 158 different names/titles of Jesus Christ in scripture.

For each of the names, Elder Holland provides the locations in scripture and a historical and religious explanation. Each page has 1-3 names/titles of Jesus. For many titles, I would have liked more detail (most only provide a paragraph or two), but I am sure his goal was not to give an exhaustive explanation.

I’m not sure most people would enjoy reading this cover to cover. I chose to read a few pages each night before bed. So, it took me a while to get through such a short book. But it was nice to go to sleep with Jesus on the brain. This will be a great reference when I come across the various names of Jesus in my scripture study. I could also see it being excellent reading material during the sacrament.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Some of My Favourite Quotes:
“The entire manuscript is devoted to just One Person and how His distinctive characteristics, His Virtues, and accomplishments, affect all who make covenant with him. … As we study these titles to learn more about who He was and is, we will find ourselves learning more about who we are and what we may become.”

“…Christ will complete our piecemeal and uneven faith.”

“…to save means to preserve or protect, to deliver one from danger. We all respond to stories of heroism in which a child is saved from a burning home or a soldier is saved from the field of battle. Jesus is that Savior to the entire world…”

“After all the titles and testimonies noted here are tallied up, ‘this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!’ (D&C 76:22). It is an unmerited, unanticipated, and unspeakable privilege to be a witness for His names.”

A few interesting names/titles I had not noticed previously:

• Buckler (2 Samuel 22:31)
• Dayspring (Luke 1:78)
• Habitation of Justice (Jeremiah 50:7)
• High Priest of Good Things to Come (Hebrews 9:11)
• JAH (Psalms 68:4)
• Minister of the Sanctuary (Hebrews 8:2)
• Shiloh (Genesis 49:10)

www.divineparadox.ca

[Michelle Llewellyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book has no real chapters just two introductory sections: "No Sweeter Sound Than Thy Blessed Name" and "Whom say ye that I am?" where Elder Holland explains his inspiration for writing this book and being a witness for His name before diving in with THE LIST. Only 161 pages long too.

One such source for undertaking this project was a little book published back in 1998 by his "apostolic brother" Elder Dallin H. Oaks titled "His Holy Name" which I also recommend as a companion book to this one.

After repeating much of what Elder Oaks covered in the six chapters in his little book of all the many ways we use His name, Elder Holland then gives readers ALL the Names and Titles of Jesus Christ which I took the liberty of listing and numbering myself on some lined paper.

Final count-158!

Each "name" is listed in alphabetical order followed by a short paragraph of explanation and most of the scripture references (I KNOW Elder Holland did not list every single scripture for each entry but that's what your Bible's topical guide, dictionary and the index in your triple combination are for!) It is a very impressive list.

This is a helpful little resource where you can find all the names and titles of the savior accompanied by some nice graphic designs for several of the more prominent "names" some you may not have heard of like "Buckler," "Jah," and "Potentate." So grab your scriptures and discover new names to take upon yourself and just how important it is to God that we involve Him and His Son in every aspect of our lives and in all that we daily do.

[Daisy Dandelion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeffrey R, Holland is one of my favorite speakers and writers.
His languages is elegant, yet relate-able.
I read this as a borrowed eBook from the library, but would prefer to have a paper copy to have on hand for reference purposes.

From the epilogue:
"I have loved writing about this greatest of all men; nevertheless, I admit failing in my effort to capture on paper the proper respect and admiration that should be given the living Son of the living God. Even if I were better at using them, there aren't words precise enough, or grand enough, or plentiful enough to praise adequately the Redeemer of our souls. As the frustrated Ammon said, so say I: 'I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.' (Alma 26:16). But what I feel is worth everything I possess. After all the titles and testimonies noted here are tallied up, 'this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: that he lives!' (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22)"

[Avery Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I was going to finish this book while I was on my trip, and I did read a little, but I didn't finish till I got home yesterday. Elder Holland has always blown me away with the eloquence of his words and the way he speaks. This small but powerful book covers all the names that Jesus Christ is referred to as in the scriptures. I know that I will use this book for reference in the future for talks and essays. It was very well researched and I was so touched at the way each name reminds me of the Savior, His sacrifice for me, and His everlasting love. You might know what Jesus was, (a teacher, a prophet, a minister), but do you know who He was/is (the savior, redeemer, son of God). I loved this book and its heartwarming reminders of all that Jesus is and especially who He is to me. I am a witness for His names. 5/5 stars.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I worried that this was just a prettily designed gift book, but I should have known better from Jeffrey R. Holland. The book is well-designed, but it reflects Elder Holland's study of the many names of Jesus Christ in the scriptures (Shepherd, Son of Man, Prince of Peace, and many more), with a thoughtful, informative, and enlightening (but brief) statement about each name and references to where it appears in the scriptures. The book is obviously the result of many hours of study, research, and reflection, with Elder Holland's warmth and his love and testimony of the Savior shining through each entry. I found my appreciation for the Savior growing more as I read each entry.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is really a dictionary of all the names of Jesus Christ that Elder Holland has researched and recorded in his study of the scriptures. The graphics are beautiful. Each entry includes the scriptural verses that use that particular name.

Many of the names we recognize. Some are more obscure or names I had not used as a noun before.
This is a book I will reference as I do my own study. It has already caused me to read with more attention.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the insights into the roles, character, and purpose of Jesus Christ that His names give us. Jeffery Holland did the hard work and allows us to ponder and increase faith.

Tye-setting-wise, I wish another method had been found to list the other ways the names were used. The emphasized name is sometimes offset by a comma, but sometimes that comma is in the original scriptural text. Yes, I could look up those references, but a clearer way could have been devised.

[Hila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so different from what I was anticipating, but it was still lovely. It has more of a dictionary/encyclopedia feel: entries written in alphabetical order with explanations and scriptural references to further enlighten the significance of the term being used as a name for Jesus Christ.

I'm grateful to have this book to add to my personal library. It is one I think I can reference or read many more times and learn something new each time.

[Liz Kazandzhy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent reference book (though, like others have mentioned, it isn't very engaging if just read cover to cover). The many titles and names for Jesus Christ makes for an interesting topic, and I'm glad someone has taken the time to research them and present them in such a beautiful format.

I'm currently writing a book that will delve deeper into who the Savior can be for us personally, and this book has formed a wonderful foundation on which I'm building.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief book contains an alphabetical list of many names and titles of Jesus Christ, with a brief description of what each name or title means, along with scripture references for that name-title and other similar variations. It was a brief and inspiring book to read on its own, but it is also really valuable as a reference for further study in the standard works or to refer back to when studying other related subjects in the future.

[Natalie Gubler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The only thing I didn’t like and it’s because I didn’t realize that the book was more of a study guide so I will have to go back through and look up all the scriptures and take notes.

My testimony of Jesus Christ is too sacred to share on good-reads but the meanings, verbiage, and names Elder Holland expressed deepened my testimony of Him. The day Elder Jeff Holland gets to meet Christ… that’ll be beautiful!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is short but it took me months to read it, partly because I’d read a particular name that I wanted to reflect on more so I paused my reading and kept thinking about that meaning. Another thing I did for some of the names is open the Gospel Library app and highlight the scriptures given for the name, then “tag” those scriptures with the label of the associated name. Now I can reference it later in the app.

[Lana · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a stretch to call this a "book." It seems like a bible dictionary with some notes; then, some large, pretty fonts. That being said, I enjoyed the many different inspired names in scriptures for Christ and the effort it took to put them all together. This would be a good book to borrow from the library or a friend.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book that discusses many of the names Jesus Christ is known by. Some of these names or titles I had never even caught in the scriptures. It's a very enlightening book with many scripture references on each page that lists names Christ is known by. Some examples include Son of God, Savior, Sanctuary, Word, Star, Holy One. There are so many more.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and thoughtful study of many of the titles of Christ found throughout scripture.
A few of my favorite are:
- Advocate
- Confidence
- Desire of All Nations
- Author & Finisher of Our Faith
- Deliverer
- Foundation
- Habitation of Justice
- Sanctuary
- Righteous
- Sweet Savor
- Wonderful
- Word

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that when I first started reading this book, I was disappointed. I wanted it to be more personal applications of the names of Christ and not just the name and brief description. As I read further, I began to love it. Unfortunately, I was reading this as an ebook borrowed from the library, but it would be great to study this with the scriptures side by side.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful, but hard to just sit down and read because of the type of book it is. Worth a read, though. But it may be better served as a reference book.

I would’ve preferred something with stories or testimonies now and then of how the names are personalized in people’s lives. But that may be too personal to share. Still, it made me reflect on how Christ has been many of these names for me.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Jeffrey R. Holland. He is amazing. This book read more like a dictionary so that is why the three stars. It is unbelievable the work that went into this book and it is wonderful for reference and studying.

[Rick Humphreys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything written by Elder Holland is worth reading.

Very informative . Not a page turned but worthy of spending the time reading. You can't go wrong following the Elder Hollands works.

[Kalee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this short book on Sunday. I learned a lot about the names used to reference Jesus Christ. It was short and sweet and it was a wonderful Sunday activity to read and ponder about Christ's role in my life.