Advocate

There are many scriptures that speak of Jesus as our Advocate with the Father.  Here are two beautiful examples.

29:5. Lift up your hearts, and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the father, and it is his goodwill to give you the kingdom.

62:1 Behold, and hearken, O ye elders of my church, says your God, even Jesus Christ, your advocate, who knoweth the weaknesses of man and how to succor them who are tempted.

It is really important to define the word Advocate so that you see the beauty in these two verses of scripture.

Advocate: (verb)

• To speak or write in favor of
• To support or urge by argument
• To recommend publicly

Advocate: (noun)

• One who does all the above
• One who pleads in behalf of another
• Intercessor
• Court related advocate

Synonyms for Advocate (noun)

• apostle
• backer 
• campaigner 
• champion 
• defender 
• promoter 
• proponent 
• supporter 
• upholder 

Also (but different) 

• attorney 
• counsel 
• defender 
• lawyer 
• pleader

Synonyms for Advocate (verb)

• bless 
• bolster 
• boost 
• brace up 
• build up 
• campaign for 
• defend 
• encourage 
• favor 
• go to bat for 
• promote 
• recommend 
• root for 
• support 
• uphold 

Also (but different)

• defend 
• plead for 
• speak for
• vindicate

Succor (noun) 

• help 
• relief 
• aid 
• assistance

Succor (verb)

• To help or relieve

Synonyms for succor (noun)

• support 
• sustenance 
• comfort

Synonyms for succor (verb)

• comfort 
• help 
• rescue 
• support

With:

• along 
• along with 
• beside 
• including 
• plus
• accompanied by

Because definitions are everything - because how we define words brings meaning to everything we hear or read - our understanding of scripture is based on definitions, of what we were taught words mean.

I was taught the word advocate when applied to Jesus meant that it was His role - as our legal representative - to plead with God the Father to not punish us because of our mistakes and failures in life. It is the old story that paints Heavenly Father as the judge, demanding that the demands of the law of justice be met. Jesus offers Himself in our place and if we believe in Him, He offers us mercy. He asks the Father to let us into heaven based on our faith in Him (Jesus).

That interpretation is a very legalistic approach to the gospel and is rooted in Augustine's teachings and Reformation or Calvinistic thought.

It is inconsistent with Restored truths that teach that God is our literal Father in Heaven. He loves us dearly and created this Earth for us and sent us here to learn to distinguish for ourselves through experience both good and evil. He knows that until we know evil we can never truly choose good. The textbook learning never does what real hands-on learning can do and we as his Spirit children had progressed as far as we could in that heavenly home.   It was time for us to have a real experience in exercising our agency.

By allowing us to exercise agency and to experience the consequences of our choices, He knew we would make mistakes that we could not undo or make right. He knew we would both hurt others and in turn be hurt by the actions of others. He knew that life would be complicated and messy, sometimes horrific. But he promised He would make it all work toward our ultimate good.

Jesus volunteered to come to Earth as the Son of God, experience all the pains of life here, so that by suffering with and for us He could draw us unto Him. When there is no one else who understands, He is there.

Using the definitions above in a non legalistic way and with the more supportive definition of Advocate, I would read this verse as follows:

Doctrine and Covenants 29:5 says Lift up your hearts and be glad. For I am in your midst [I am always available if you need me] and am I am your Advocate [I am here to cheer you on, bless, bolster, encourage, support and uphold] with the Father [he is accompanying me in this. His work and mine are the same. We love you and are here to help you through your mortal journey] and it is His goodwill to give you the kingdom [for this is my work and my glory and Father's work along with me is to do everything we can possibly do to help you along this journey!]

And if I were Jesus speaking to us I would continue with the following:

"What we can't do is remove your agency - you cannot grow into godhead by being a puppet. We cannot remove the consequences of your choices. They are your mortal teachers. Please listen to them.

We cannot manipulate your behavior or infringe upon your agency by handing out rewards whenever you choose right or punishments when you choose wrong. You must learn for yourself and you will soon see how each good choice is its own reward just as each wrong choice will bless you with the knowledge you need to choose better; to price the good if you will remain open to its lessons.

What we promise you is this - there lies before you total understanding, total healing, forgiveness and you will soon learn how important it is to forgive others.

Just remember, we have now made you the creator of the life you desire. Your final destiny - your infinite potential is to be like us and live with us and all those you love forever enjoy and eternal progressions. We hope that is what you will also choose. Will do everything we can to help you get there.

We are forever advocating for you - cheering you on. With all our love Father, Mother, Jesus, Holy Ghost AKA God."