“And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvellous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.” – 3 Nephi 17:17
In the account recorded in 3 Nephi 17:17, the people of ancient America witnessed an unspeakable manifestation of divine love and power. As Jesus Christ prayed for them, they felt the ineffable joy that only comes from being in the presence of the Saviour and hearing His sacred words of intercession. The depth of their experience transcended mortal language and understanding, as they realised the marvellous nature of Christ’s love and the majesty of His relationship with His Father. This moment exemplifies the significant connection between heaven and earth that Christ offers to those who believe in Him. The passage also shows that no human language can adequately convey the magnitude of divine experiences, and no heart can fully comprehend the joy they inspire. This idea parallels the Apostle Paul’s testimony to the Corinthians: “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9). Both passages reflect the limitations of human perception when faced with the divine and allude to the life changing power of Christ’s ministry. Through His Atonement and His continued intercession for us, we are promised access to blessings beyond anything we can ever imagine or describe.
What makes these verses so compelling is their reminder of how personal Christ’s relationship with His disciples is. Just as the Nephites heard Him pray for them, so too does Christ continue to pray for each one of us. The Saviour’s great High Priestly Prayer in the New Testament mirrors this sentiment: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” (John 17:20) Jesus prayed not only for His immediate disciples but also for all future believers—for you and for me. The personal nature of His intercessions for His people spans both time and place, creating a thread of connection through the ages. These moments of prayer and communion with Christ, whether for the Nephites in the ancient Americas or His disciples in Jerusalem, admonish us to think of the wholehearted intimacy Christ offers. We are not distant subjects in His kingdom but beloved children for whom He prays, pleads, and atones. The joy that filled the Nephites as they heard the Saviour’s prayer mirrors the joy we can feel as we strive to come unto Him in prayer and righteousness.
As I think about this passage, I realise that what Christ offers me is a joy beyond human comprehension—a joy that fills my soul when I fully embrace His love and sacrifice. This joy is a gift of the Spirit, one of the fruits of living a Christ-centred life. Even as I live in a world filled with trials and challenges, I can take heart in knowing that my Saviour not only lived for me, but He continues to intercede on my behalf, offering peace, joy, and eternal hope that cannot be fully articulated but must be felt.
In the name above all names, Jesus Christ, amen.
