July 19, 2010

Tonight I read the First Presidency message for this month by President Henry B. Eyring called Faithful Friends. It goes along with the same principles that I read and wrote about yesterday. Jesus Christ offers us the perfect example of how to be a friend to others. I want to be among those whom the Savior calls His friends. He is certainly on my list of friends. I think of my best friends being those that I share a common vision with. There are many more people who I call my friends however, and I think that's because for some reason we have been brought into each others' lives. We are connected through shared memories and share experiences. And I can never know when one of those many friends may be an answer to one of my prayers, or me to one of theirs. I think it's important to always treat each of Heavenly Father's children with love and respect.

I loved this part of President Eyring's message: "When we reach out to give succor and to lift a burden, He reaches with us. He will lead us to those in need. He will bless us to feel what they feel. As we persist in our efforts to serve them, we will more and more be given the gift of feeling His love for them." Being this kind of friend to others is part of what I covenanted with the Lord to do when I was baptized. As my testimony has grown and my faith and understanding increased, so has my desire to fully honor the covenants I have made. I have noticed the Lord's guidance in helping me to be a good friend to others. He helps me to see and feel things I didn't before... and I believe they are the things He sees and feels about that particular person. Being a friend fills me with the love of God and I love the feeling. I am so grateful for my friends.