A Voice and A Hand

I decided to follow Russell M. Nelson’s example to learn all I can about Jesus Christ using the references in the topical guide. This week I studied Advocate, Antemortal Existence, Antemortal Appearances, and Postmortal Appearances.

Advocate

When my daughter was in 4th grade, she went to the high school football game. She wanted to be with friends, not watch the game. On the way to the snack bar, she saw a group of kids from school gathered around a boy who didn’t fit the mold. She heard loud voices and saw the boy get pushed to the ground. McKenna stepped into the cluster and said, “Hey! What are you doing? Stop!” She helped the boy up and asked if he was okay. 

She doesn’t remember much of the story. I remember because she found me in the bleachers and told me about it. I remember because I was inspired by her courage to speak out and to take action. 

I wonder how the boy felt being targeted by his classmates, hearing the taunts. I wonder how he felt when he fell to the ground, his face in the dust, his eyes on their shoes. 

I wonder how he felt when someone saw him. Really saw him. When someone stood by him and stood with him. I wonder how he felt when someone lifted her voice and offered her hand. 

This story came to me as I studied the Savior’s role as Advocate, a word that comes from Latin roots meaning a ‘voice for,’ or ‘one who pleads for another.’ 

Christ’s advocacy is, at least in part, to remind us that He has paid for our sins and that no one is excluded from the reach of God’s mercy. For those who believe in Jesus Christ, repent, are baptized, and endure to the end — a process that leads to reconciliation — the Savior forgives, heals, and advocates. He is our helper, consoler, and intercessor — attesting to and vouching for our reconciliation with God.

Dale G. Renlund

“For Christ…entered…into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.” (Hebrews 9:24)

For us.

“… no one is excluded from the reach of God’s mercy…”

The Savior of the world is on your side. You’re not alone. You never have to be alone. He knows you as you were and as you are. He knows who you will become with Him.

He loves you right now, in all your imperfection. He has always loved you. 

He’s chosen you. To be on His team. You are one of the chosen. 

Accepting the invitation to be on His team begins with a single act — turning to Him. Turning your face toward the warmth and brightness of the Son. 

If you look up from the dust

If you listen to his voice

If you take his hand

If you follow him

You will find the single decision — to turn to Him — the best you ever made. After all you made it before. When you listened to the plan and voted for him. To follow him. 

The reality is this. We’ve all been on the ground. We’ve been hurt by someone; we’ve inflicted hurt. We’ve been broken by our own actions. We need forgiveness, healing, and advocacy.

But we always have the Son of God on our side.

The perfect, consistent Advocate.