According to Dallin Oaks, the word name occurs in the scriptures about 1500 times, mostly as references to Deity or to the name of Deity. Instead of directly referring to God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ, many passages of scripture refer only to "the name of the Lord," to "his name," or to "my name" (for example, see 3 Nephi 8:1). . . . What is the significance of the word name when it refers to Deity? Or more especially, What does it mean to "take upon you the name of Christ"? (3 Nephi 27:5)
The first dictionary meaning of the word name is a word or words by which a person is identified, designated, or known. Consequently, a scriptural reference to the "name" of the Father or the Son can be simply a reference to God himself (see 2 Nephi 9:52). . . .
Many scriptural references to the "name" of Jesus Christ seem to be references to the authority or priesthood or power of Jesus Christ. . . . A prominent Bible dictionary observes, "The prophets spoke in the name of the Lord--i.e., with divine authority (James 5:10)" . . . For example, the Book of Mormon prophet, Nephi, "[did] many more miracles, in the sight of the people, in the name of Jesus" (3 Nephi 7:20). . . . Dictionaries note that when one person acts in the "name" of another, he acts as the deputy or representative of the other or in behalf of the other.
The most frequent single meaning of the scriptures that refer to the name of the Lord seems to be work of the Lord (or His work or My work). . . . The Book of Mormon records an impressive illustration of the use of "name" to not just identify the Lord's Church, but to declare that something more is required:
And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called in Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel. (3 Nephi 27:8)
There is one more meaning of the word name, as applied to Jesus Christ or God the Father, that incorporates all the other meanings and goes beyond. It comes from the meaning of the word name as signifying (or even embodying) the essence of the one named. In this meaning the scriptural words name of the Lord or His name or My name not only incorporate the ideas of His identity, His authority (priesthood), and His work, but also include the idea of His essence, including His Godliness . . . When we read some scriptures to embody this meaning, we also find strong confirmation of the ancient Christian doctrine of deification and of the Latter-day Saint belief in exaltation. . . . There are numerous occasions where the Lord identifies Himself (or His prophets identify Him) by names that describe one of His qualities. [Note* There are over 500 different descriptive titles for Deity in the Book of Mormon alone--see Volume 1, Appendix B] This revealing of the attributes of God has the important purpose of helping us to know God and thereby helping us toward eternal life (see John 17:3)
In the ancient world, a name represented the essence of the person named. Thus, a prominent Bible dictionary declares:
In biblical thought a name is not a mere label of identification; it is an expression of the essential nature of its bearer. A man's name reveals his character. . . . Hence to know the name of God is to know God as he has revealed himself.
The dictionary explains, "Nothing exists unless it has a name. . . . It's essence is concentrated in its name" (Interpreter's Dictionary, 3:501). . . . One of the names of the Lord is "I AM" (Exodus 3:13-14; see also 3 Nephi 9:15; 11:15; 15:5). In English the words I am signify the state of being (the first person present tense of the verb to be). (In Latin, the verb of being is esse, which is the root source of essence.) Thus, when Moses asked to know the name of God, he was asking to know the essence or nature of God, and God answered in those same terms. The Bible dictionary quoted above concludes:
The uses of the word "name" in the Old Testament are all related to the central conception of name as denoting essential being. This applies with regard to both man and God. . . . The name in the Old Testament is the essence of personality, the expression of innermost being. (Interpreter's Dictionary, 3:501)
The resurrected Lord taught the covenant concept of "taking upon you the name of Christ" when He appeared to the Nephites:
Have they not read the scriptures, which say ye must take upon you the name of Christ, which is my name? For by this name shall ye be called at the last day; And whoso taketh upon him my name and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day. (3 Nephi 27:5-6).
This reference to taking upon us the name of Christ and being "saved at the last day" is a clear reference to exaltation, which means attaining the essence of Christ. Thus, in the concluding lecture on faith, the Prophet taught that "salvation [exaltation] consists in the glory, authority, majesty, power and dominion which Jehovah possesses and in nothing else; and no being can possess it but himself or one like him." (Lectures on Faith, 7:9) In other words, to be saved we must take upon us--attain to--the essence of Christ. This is the purpose and goal of His plan, including His atonement, His authority, and His commandments, under which we give obedience and service, receive ordinances, and make and keep covenants. [Dallin H. Oaks, His Holy Name, pp. 1-56]