Friday, October 2, 2009

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

5 comments:

  1. 1. What a good friend to help out in that way, to be there for her.

    2. Good analogy. I've served on a jury before and the whole courtroom proceeding fascinated me.

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  2. That's lovely. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. What an awesome post..... especially right before General Conference! I can't wait to watch today & to strive to change my life for the better the next 6 months!!

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  4. The only time I have been to court was divorce issues too. It's not somewhere I would ever want to be again. The fate of your life resting on a judge. This is one of the reasons I chose to leave SLC and move away -- I didn't want to face the possibility of living in the same place as my ex and end up in a situation where I would be in a courtroom again.

    I love your sweet testimony of our Savior, who paid the price for us. I am thankful for his sacrafice for me and that I can repent. I look forward to General Conference this morning (how I love it). Thanks for an uplifting thought to start the morning off with. You are awesome!

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  5. Valerie, I have pondered this post throughout the weekend. It really touched me. I'd like to asks permission to use it as a motivational monday on my blog. Please email me at ladysondradee@yahoo.com if I can use it. Thanks! Sondra

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