THE ADVOCATE

 

“We must always seek to be on the Lord’s side; but what good news it is to know that HE IS ON OUR SIDE.

“His powerful advocacy in our behalf is not limited to pleading our case before the Father, for “your advocate…knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted” (D&C 62:1).  It is the advocate’s role to present our case in its most favourable light, refuting the challenges of the adversary who opposes us and who presents our case in its worst possible light.

“Even in our thoughts about ourselves, we must resist the adversary’s attempts to convince us of our worthlessness by interpreting our life circumstances in a negative light; rather let us listen to him who knows our weaknesses fully yet believes in us more than we may believe in ourselves. What glorious news, not only that the greatest advocate of all is willing to represent those who are guilty, but also that he will take OUR case!

“I am the first and the last; I am your advocate with the Father….Therefore, lift up your heads and rejoice….Let the hearts of all my people rejoice.”  (D&C 110:4-6)”

-          Elder Bruce C. Hafen, “The Belonging Heart”, p 155

This should be the most comforting knowledge we could possibly have, especially for those of us who are hard on ourselves; and on those who have been damaged by life in some way and cannot lift their view of themselves onto higher ground. Know that, if not in this life, then in the next, we will be cleansed of all our sorrows and all the damage we have suffered at the hands of others will be washed away to make room for our eternal joy.

“And I John saw the holy city…and I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people…and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.

“And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new……I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Revelation 21:2-6)

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Our Advocate by Jay Bryant Ward)