Friends

This weekend we had some of our closest friends visit...it was a wonderful time! After they left, I took a few minutes to reminisce on the blessings of such good friends. There are a lot of people who have touched our lives and there are a handful of people who have had a deep and profound impact, I can't imagine what our lives would have been like without having those associations.

I want to cite a few examples from scriptures of the powerful impact friends have had on some of my heroes throughout history:

2 Nephi 1:30 "And now, Zoram, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant of Laban; nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever." Imagine the strength and bond that existed between Zoram and Nephi, we only get hints into what a strength they were for each other.

Alma 62:37 "Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful." Imagine fighting side-by-side and all the experiences they shared together. Imagine the incredible respect and love these three men had for each other. I'm sure they trusted their lives and everything they had to each other.

Alma 27:16-17 "And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting. Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth." After more than a decade of being apart, these men who had once rebelled and repented, were united again. So great was there joy that Ammon lost his strength and fell to the ground.

D&C 121:9 "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. During four arduous months in Liberty Jail when Joseph felt abandoned at times, the Lord reminded him that his friends still stand by him and will greet him with warm hearts. This had to provide encouragement for Joseph when he felt alone and in despair.

D&C 135:3 "He lived great, and he died great in the eyes of God and his people; and like most of the Lord’s anointed in ancient times, has sealed his mission and his works with his own blood; and so has his brother Hyrum. In life they were not divided, and in death they were not separated! Joseph and Hyrum were brothers and relied on each other on many different occasions. There was a bond and a trust. I love the phrase, "in life they were not divided." Joseph lost many of his "friends", but he never lost that bond and friendship with Hyrum.

The examples go on and on. In most cases, where there are great men, they've had close friends who were an anchor and rod of support for them. I'm grateful for all the people we've associated with in this life who have blessed us. I'm especially grateful for some close friends who (to us) are like Zoram, Ammon, and Hyrum were to their associates in these examples. These type of friendships are a tender mercy from the Lord!