John 14

Believe also in me

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1

Jesus asks His disciples to trust Him just as they trust God — the cure for a troubled heart.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

He prepares a place and will come again

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2–4

Jesus goes ahead to prepare an eternal home for His followers and promises to come again to bring them where He is. Latter-day Saints see the "many mansions" as the degrees of glory.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by D&C 98:18 — "In my Father's house are many mansions, and I have prepared a place for you."

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

The Way — the only path back to the Father; the Truth — the reality of all things; the Life — the source of eternal life

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? John 14:5–6

Thomas asks for directions; Jesus answers that He Himself is the road. No one returns to Heavenly Father except through Christ.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 2 Nephi 31:21 — "This is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven."
• alluded to by 2 Nephi 9:41 — The keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel.
• the same title in John 11:25 — "I am the resurrection, and the life."

The Son who reveals the Father

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. John 14:7–11

Jesus is so perfectly one with the Father in purpose, character, and works that seeing Him shows us exactly what the Father is like.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by Hebrews 1:3 — The Son is "the express image of his person."

Asking in His name

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12–14

Disciples pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, and He answers so the Father is glorified through the Son.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alluded to by 3 Nephi 18:20 — "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name... it shall be given unto you."
• alluded to by Moses 5:8 — "Call upon God in the name of the Son forevermore."

Love shown by obedience

If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

Love for Jesus is shown by keeping His commandments.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by D&C 42:29 — "If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments."

The first Comforter who prays the Father

Comforter / Advocate — Greek parakletos, one called alongside to help and plead

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16–17

Jesus intercedes with the Father for His disciples. By promising "another Comforter," He implies He has been their Comforter; John later calls Jesus our Advocate using the same Greek word.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in 1 John 2:1 — "We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."
• alluded to by D&C 88:3 — "I now send upon you another Comforter."

The Second Comforter — His personal manifestation

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John 14:18–23

Jesus promises that He, and the Father with Him, will personally come to those who love Him and keep His commandments. Joseph Smith taught this is a literal appearance, not only a feeling.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by D&C 130:3 — "John 14:23—The appearing of the Father and the Son, in that verse, is a personal appearance."

Because I live, ye shall live

Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 14:19–20

Jesus foretells His death and His return to His disciples alive. His Resurrection guarantees ours.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by John 20:20 — "Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord."

The Holy Ghost sent in Christ's name

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26

The Holy Ghost comes in Jesus' name and brings His words back to the disciples' minds. The Spirit's work centers on Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by John 12:16 — After He was glorified, the disciples remembered what was written of Him.
• fulfilled by John 2:22 — After He rose, they remembered His words.

Giver of His peace

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

The Prince of Peace gives a peace the world cannot give or take away.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfils Isaiah 9:6 — "The Prince of Peace."
• alluded to by D&C 19:23 — "Learn of me... and you shall have peace in me."

The Son who returns to the greater Father

Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I. John 14:28–29

Jesus teaches that the Father is greater and that He is returning to Him — reason for His disciples to rejoice. Father and Son are distinct Beings.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

The sinless, obedient Lamb

Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me. John 14:30–31

Satan has no hold on Jesus because He is without sin. He goes to His sacrifice freely, out of love and obedience to the Father — the Lamb without blemish.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• typified by Exodus 12:5 — The Passover lamb must be without blemish.