Jesus Prays for the Apostles and All the Saints
John 17:15, 24–26
15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. . . .
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
Elder Robert D. Hales said:
“Oh, how Jesus wanted us to know the Father as He did. He prayed:
“‘O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these [the disciples] have known that thou hast sent me.
“‘And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them’ [John 17:25–26].
“Jesus showed His great love for those who choose to follow Him as He prayed for their protection: ‘I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil’ [John 17:15]. He was praying for us, brothers and sisters.
“And then our Savior tenderly asks that they, meaning us, may be with Him again: ‘Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am’ [John 17:24].”
(“Gaining a Testimony of God the Father; His Son, Jesus Christ; and the Holy Ghost,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2008, 31.)
