“Plead”

Ed J. Pinegar, Richard J. Allen

The act of pleading on behalf of the oppressed is a manifestation of charity. In the Book of Mormon, penitent Zeezrom intercedes on behalf of Alma and Amulek, who are imprisoned and abused without cause: “And it came to pass that he began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth …” (Alma 14:7). Similarly, King Lamoni agrees to assist in the release of Aaron and his companions from prison: “And he said unto Ammon: Come, I will go with thee down to the land of Middoni, and there I will plead with the king that he will cast thy brethren out of prison” (Alma 20:7).

The highest manifestation of pleading is administered by the Savior Himself, our Advocate with the Father: “I am Christ, and in mine own name, by the virtue of the blood which I have spilt, have I pleaded before the Father for them” (D&C 38:4). Again: “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him” (D&C 45:3; compare Moses 7:39). In our own day, the prophets have pled the cause of worthy brethren awaiting the blessings of the priesthood: “Witnessing the faithfulness of those from whom the priesthood has been withheld, we have pleaded long and earnestly in behalf of these, our faithful brethren, spending many hours in the Upper Room of the Temple supplicating the Lord for divine guidance” (Official Declaration—2).

Commentaries and Insights on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 1

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