I was recently studying for a lesson and the author referenced a talk given by Tom Christofferson January 19, 2021. His talk was entitled “What would it be like to hear the Savior pray for you?” What a profound thought to ponder and reflect upon. I have been reflecting on his question for the last few days and today while in the temple I found myself asking that question and wondering what words, would the Savior use to describe me.
Throughout our scriptures our Lord and Savior is described as one with compassion and filled with pure love. I love the stories where the recipients bathe His feet with their tears and where one washed and anointed his feet with precious oils and her tears. Like the author shared, tears run freely as I too yearn for that day when I too may kiss his feet and bathe them with my tears.
The greatest act of His love was His eternal and infinite atonement. What a great testimony to his pure love for each and everyone of us! After all He endured He still pleads unto our great eternal Father in our behalf. Overcoming death for all of us and opening a grand door back to Him, I am amazed that He still pleads with our great Eternal Father in our behalf. A group of people witnessed His pleading in their behalf first hand and documented, "And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great a marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father." (3 Nephi 17:17)
In the Doctrine and Covenants section 43:3-5 we have a glimpse of our Savior's pleadings to our great and Eternal Father: "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him--saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spared these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." Many of our scriptures tell us that narrow is the way and strait is the path, no unclean thing can dwell in our Father's presence, mercy and justice, and the only way to our Father's presence is thorough His beloved son who is our advocate. I am familiar with many advocates but the one true advocate that I need is my Lord and Savior. My elder brother and best friend.
Brother Christofferson asked, "Have you ever closed your eyes and imagined what it would feel like to see and hear your Savior pray to His Father for you? Perhaps He would express gratitude for the desire of your heart to follow Him, for the gifts you bring, for your kindness to His children, for your patience in bearing up in challenging situations, for other things that only He and you know about yourself. Imagine hearing Him plead that your faith will hold strong and continue to grow, that your ability to be His hands in the world will be enhanced, that your courage will not fail, that the challenges and worries only you and He know you bear will become a source of strength, that you will have everlasting life through your faith in Him. What would it feel like to see and hear Him express his love for His Father and for you?" I have had glimpses of where I have felt His love for His Father and for me and the joy that fills the soul is so incomprehensible words fail to describe but it forever lingers in ones heart where during your dark times that brilliant light of peace and love chases away the darkness. As I have studied my scriptures I have found that others have also felt that pure unconditional love and at times they cannot even put that wonderful feeling into words but their experiences speak as a witness to the truthfulness of what I have witnessed and felt. "By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established." (2 Corinthians 13:1)
Brother Christofferson then closes with this thought, "Having absorbed these things, is there anything you would hold back from Him? Is there anything He could ask that you would not want to offer, and offer wholeheartedly? And then, could you imagine that you know any individual you would not wish to likewise experience this same overwhelming miracle of love? How would such an experience change your life, your focus, your gratitude and your prayers?"
As I was typing Brother Christoffersons closing thoughts I found myself answering, "No, there is nothing I would hold back from Him, because He is the only one that truly understands my struggles. No, there is nothing that I would not offer, (I just wish I had more to offer) and yes He has my whole heart. Yes, like Alma, "Oh that I were an angel..." I have personally tasted His great love and joy and peace to which you want to shout it off a mountain top for all to hear because truly there is no greater gift than understanding and feeling His divine love for you! My experiences with His love has totally changed my life. Like Alma the younger, "I became a new creature." My focus is always on Him and how can I please Him, my heart is full of gratitude and I feel like I can never repay or thank Him enough for loving a soul that was so proud and rebellious as mine. My prayers are intimate because I know He hears and understands. He is truly my best friend. In my darkest hours of gloom He is always near bringing peace and comfort to my troubled heart.
If I was present and heard my best friend praying for me, I would be on my knees kissing His feet as my tears freely flowing; my heart would be so full it would feel like it was bursting out of my chest and then I would throw my arms around Him and lean my head against His chest and thank Him for all He has done for me and then I would cry and cry and cry until the tears were gone and letting Him know oh, how much I love you! and He then would wrap His arms around me and He would softly answer, "I love you too." Then at that moment all the heartaches from my mortal journey would be healed.
There is my answer even now tears of joy are flowing just typing what I would feel if I witnessed my best friend praying for me. As you go through your days reflect on this :
"What would it be like to hear the Savior pray for me?"
