Stand at the Bar

Last week I accompanied a friend to court as she had to go for another issue in her divorce. I was there for moral support. It was the first time I had ever been in a courtroom. (Can you believe I’ve never been called for jury duty?) My friend had an attorney representing for her so she didn’t have to talk at all. However, her almost-ex-husband was representing himself.
As he struggled to understand the judge and the other attorney, as well as tried to prove something that was proven not to be true, I imagined myself in front of the judge, alone and without someone to help represent me. Then (as my mind always wanders) I thought of being in front of my Heavenly Father one day, alone and without an advocate. I was flooded with gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that because of him, I will not stand alone on judgment day. But He will be more than my advocate, asking for leniency, with no personal stake in the outcome.

He will say to my Heavenly Father, “Yes, it is true. Valerie did all of these things, but she has come unto me and asked to be forgiven. She has tried to do better. (I hope He can say that!) I have already paid the punishment you have set which has made her clean, despite every weakness and sin she had." Although it is incomprehensible how He can do it, I know that He is willing to do it for me and for each of us. I am so glad I won’t have to stand alone because His love.

"Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we need not fear, for we will live forever, never to taste of death again. Because of His infinite Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin and stand pure and holy before the judgment bar. The Savior is the Author of our Salvation."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Infinite Power of Hope", Ensign, Nov. 2008, 22