Wherefore, Lehi said to his son Jacob, “I know that thou art redeemed, because of the righteousness of thy Redeemer” (2 Nephi 2:3, italics added). That is to say, before the Father, the Lord Jesus intercedes for us on the basis of his works. “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father,” the Savior urges in a modern revelation, “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.”
What an unusual defense! What an unnatural scene! What a glorious message! The Mediator pleads our cause on the basis of his works-his atonement. What, then, is our role? “Wherefore, Father,” he continues, “spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.” (D&C 45:3-5, italics added.)