For my theological blog I shall examine the ways in which the words of the Scriptures persuade the practicing Christian to honor the name of the Lord.

The Persuasion model advises us that Communication is about understanding your audience.

The form of compliance gaining from Maxwell & Schmidt’s Taxonomy of Influence known as punishment is highly motivational to people, because only those with masochistic tendencies seek punishment. The following four verses are examples of the punishments threatened for abuse of the Lord’s name.

In Exodus 20: 7 and Mosiah 13: 15 the Lord states, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vein; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain”.

Leviticus 18: 21 & 29 neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God.... even the souls that commit ... shall be cut off from among their people.

Leviticus 24: 16 And he that blasphemeth the n. of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him ... when he blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall be put to death.

D&C 19: 18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.

If we look at this peripherally we see just that, punishment. By central processing we also see the use of Maxwell & Schmidt’s positive expertise, as the Lord is the expert about what He is going to do or not do. This specific form of positive expertise will appear in other examples as well.

Maxwell & Schmidt’s negative expertise is used in that bad things are promised, but that may be a stretch as it really crosses over into actual punishment. Thus it may apply more to not being found guiltless with an implied bad thing happening, than to the ‘put to death’ or “trembling pain’ consequences.

Another form of compliance gaining found in the above is that of the negative esteem of others, as when the perpetrator is “cut off from among their people”.

Maxwell & Schmidt’s reward is another form of compliance gaining that is found in discussions on the use of the Lord’s name. One of the rewards is found in the following verse:

D&C 6: 32 Where two or three are gathered together in my name, ... there will I be in the midst of them.

Here the Lord promises his presence, which to a ‘children of God’ is a substantial reward, just as any mortal father’s loving presence is a reward to his children. I say loving presence as a child who has been told by his/her mother “Wait till your father gets home” may not see his presence so much of a reward at the time.

Another reward that is offered is being blessed as found in:

Ether 4: 19 And blessed is he that is found faithful unto my name at the last day, for he shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom prepared for him from the foundation of the world. And behold it is I that hath spoken it.

Maxwell & Schmidt’s positive self-feeling is also intrinsic within this promise of being blessed as knowing one will be receive a reward can increase one’s self esteem.

Notice again the use of authority or positive expertise in the last sentence.

A reward is offered in the following verse for proper use of the Lord’s name.

John 15: 16 Whatsoever ye ask of the Father in my name He may give it to you.

Acts 10: 43 through his name whosoever believeth ... receive remission of sins.

John 20: 31 believing ye might have life through his name.

The previous examples demonstrate an understanding of the audience mostly from a Theory x point of view. If we examine the histories found within the Bible and the Book of Mormon we can clearly see that the majority of the Lord’s people respond as if they are a Theory x audience.

Hopefully this does not hold true in all cases. And for those cases there are plenty of higher-level motivations available, as are found in Maxwell & Schmidt’s moral appeals used as found in the following verses:

Luke 9: 48 whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me and whoever receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Mosiah 5: 12 remember to retain the name written always in your hearts.