Day 306

  • Principle: Jesus Christ is your advocate with the Father. 

  • Book of Mormon Reading: 3 Nephi 19:15 - 19:36

  • Joseph Fielding Smith taught

    • “An advocate is one who defends or pleads for or in behalf of another. … That is part of [the] great mission [of Jesus Christ]. … When he was upon earth, he prayed frequently for his disciples, pleading with his Father in their behalf, and he has been pleading ever since” (Doctrines of Salvation, comp. Bruce R. McConkie, 3 vols. [1954–56], 1:26–27).

  • Cross reference these verses with Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5.  

    • How is Jesus Christ your advocate?

  • Bruce R. McConkie shared some insight on the phrase “They did pray unto Jesus” (verse 18

    • There was a special reason why this was done in this instance and on a onetime basis. Jesus had already taught them to pray in his name to the Father, which they first did. … Jesus was present before them as the symbol of the Father. Seeing him, it was as though they saw the Father; praying to him, it was as though they prayed to the Father. It was a special and unique situation” (The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ [1978], 560–61).

    • Jesus also clarified in verse 22 that they prayed to Him because “I am with them"

  • From these verses what do you learn about prayer?  What does Jesus’ example teach you about prayer?

  • Additional Study: