It's Nice To See You

I saw a friend at church that I see on rare occasions.  It was nice to see and visit with her.  I am especially grateful for people that remain my friends, even though we rarely see each other.  Friendship is a power word.  "Aristotle said once that friendship is a single soul dwelling in two bodies." (Jeffrey R. Holland~1998)

The Book of Mormon teaches of a very special friendship that became stronger when it was focused on gospel principles. Early in their lives Alma and the sons of Mosiah rebelled against the teachings of their faithful parents and went about destroying the church of God. They were very cunning and very successful, later confessing that they were the “vilest of sinners” in their efforts to destroy the faith of other members of the church (Mosiah 28:4).

But in response to the prayers of their parents, other members of the church, and the power of God and his angels, these young men were dramatically converted to the truth and immediately set out to “repair all the injuries which they had done to the church” (Mosiah 27:35).

The sons of Mosiah declined the kingship which their father held and chose rather to be missionaries to the Lamanite people. Alma followed in their footsteps, choosing to serve a mission among the Nephite people. What had been an unworthy and destructive association now turned into a powerful and binding friendship, solidified by acts of personal righteousness and devotion.

After 14 years of long, hard, demanding missionary service—service that had included sorrow and opposition as well as miracles of every kind—Alma and the sons of Mosiah were reunited briefly before continuing their work for the Lord. The description of that reunion reveals how strong their friendship and love had become, even in their prolonged absence from one another.

“Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2–3).

I had a friend, in high school, who couldn't have been more different than me.  Aside from our differences was a real brotherhood, filled with trust  and love for one another.  That friendship was never the same once I left on a full-time mission for the LDS church.  I have often thought of the conversations we once had.  When we did things together, we felt safe.  Home life in our respective homes was very different from one another.  If I saw him today, I would be very grateful.  After graduation from high school, my friend and I took a week long trip to southern California.  It was a trip filled with memories that I still think about.  We learned some valuable things during that friendship that have made me the man I am today.

Don't ever underestimate the power of being a friend.  The words that you speak have a power in and of themselves.  Your example, of goodness, will penetrate your friends hearts and have an everlasting effect on their lives.

I have many people who are my friends.  I love each one of them.  I am eternally grateful for the friendship I have with my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I feel of His love for me.  His life brings me a great deal of comfort.  His perfect example gives me the pattern by which to live my life.

We All Want A Friend

I love a good story.  Here is one for you that I read and enjoyed immensely.

There was a time when Whitney didn't have a lot of friends. She was a bit shy and reserved. She never really wanted to be popular, but she did want to have someone to share secrets and laughs with. All through high school, though, she just slipped in and out of "light" friendships where she didn't find a lot of comfort or companionship.

When it came time to go to college, Whitney was quite nervous. She was going to be rooming with someone she didn't know and living in a town 300 miles away from home. There wouldn't be a single person she knew in town. She had no idea how she was going to make friends in this new environment. The first week of classes, something happened that changed Whitney's life forever. In her English Composition class, she was asked (as were all the students) to share a little about herself. She told everyone where she called home and all of the other ordinary details that students share in such situations. The final question for each student was always the same: "What is your goal for this class?" Now, most of the students said it was to get a good grade, pass the class or something similar, but for some reason, Whitney said something entirely different. She said that her goal was to make just one good friend.  While most of the students sat in silence, one student came to Whitney and held out his hand and introduced himself. He asked if she would be his friend. The whole room was silent – all eyes focused on the Whitney and the hand extended just in front of her. She smiled and stretched her hand out to take his and a friendship was formed. It was a friendship that lasted all through college.

Everyone wants to feel needed.  Several years ago, I was leading a group of young men at church.  After church, on Sunday afternoon, I would take two boys to visit a few elderly people.  One visit was to a ninety-two year old woman.  She was very friendly but old and fragile.  She didn't remember who we were until we had been there a few minutes and then her mind would spin into action and she remembered precisely who we were.  One Sunday afternoon, we stopped by for our visit and her seventy year old daughter answered the door.  She invited us in.  I said hello to this elderly friend of ours.  She sat silent and starred at me.  "You are the most handsome man I have ever seen," she said.  I didn't know who she was talking about but I took what she said as a compliment.  I walked over and sat next to her on the old couch.  I reached over and held her hand.  When I looked at her face she smiled and gently squeezed my hand.

Each one of us longs for someone to love and care about us.  We can brighten someone else's day by acts that we consider simple.  Let's be that friend.
I want to try something a little different beginning on Monday.  I hope that all next week the blog will be devoted to uplifting personal stories from the readership of this blog.  Will you please send me your own personal stories about friendship and the impact a good friend has had in your life? I would like to hear from some of you all next week.  Email those to dfish0223@yahoo.com.