The Lord was so serious about this commandment that, in the days of Moses, its violation was punishable by death. Moses asked the Lord what he should do with a young man who had blasphemed. The answer, Bring forth him that hath cursed without the camp; and let all that heard him lay their hands upon his head, and let all the congregation stone him (Lev 24:14). Indeed, the Law of Moses was a very strict law (v. 29). If the same punishment was rendered today, most of the people in this country would have been stoned to death. Indeed, Satan has made the phrase, “Oh my God!”, an exclamation of everyday use. It must have been first uttered in holy supplication to the Maker but Satan cheapens and trivializes everything. So that now, this phrase and many others are used all the time without any deference to the individual whose name they blaspheme. The one who swears may soon forget their idle words but the Lord won’t forget for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
’Behold, I am Alpha and Omega, even Jesus Christ.
Wherefore, let all men beware how they take my name in their lips—
For behold, verily I say, that many there be who are under this condemnation, who use the name of the Lord, and use it in vain, having not authority…
Remember that that which cometh from above is sacred, and must be spoken with care, and by constraint of the Spirit’ (DC 63:60-64).
Gordon B. Hinckley
“Let me tell you of an experience I had when I was a little boy…I came home from school one day, threw my books on the table, and took the name of the Lord in vain…My mother heard me. She was shocked. She took me by the hand and led me to the bathroom. She…then proceeded to wash my mouth out with that terrible soap. She…said, ‘Don’t let me ever hear such words from your lips again.‘ I hope I have never used the Lord’s name in vain since that time. When President Spencer W. Kimball underwent surgery years ago, he was wheeled from the operating room to the intensive care room. The attendant who pushed the gurney which carried him stumbled and let out an oath using the name of the Lord. President Kimball, who was barely conscious, said weakly, ’Please! Please! That is my Lord whose name you revile.’ There was a deathly silence; then the young man whispered with a subdued voice, ‘ I am sorry’ (See Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 198).” (Ensign, May 1996, p. 94 as taken from Latter-day Commentary on the Book of Mormon compiled by K. Douglas Bassett, p. 219)