What is a friend?
Last night I had a discussion about people with Brett. Brett and Marnie Talbot have been staying with us for a little while. He's a great guy and has a lot of really good insights into things. I mentioned to him that I think there are some people who you will not ever be able to like. I don't know why that is the case, but I have noticed that it is true. Most people in my life I am able to get along with in some fashion or another, and achieve at least a passable working level of respect. But some people, and they are very few, are just completely despicable. They are the complete opposite of anything and everything that I hold near and dear.
On the other hand, I mentioned, there are some people who are your friends forever. Across the reaches of space and time, these friends know you and love you. And even after not having any acquaintance for YEARS sometimes, the thought of them is like a warm embrace. One of the joys of the Internet is to be able to "find" these lost friends and embrace them again.
I am reminded of the relationship that Joseph Smith went through with the Savior as recorded in the Doctrine and Covenants: he went from (early on) being severely chastised, to forgiven, to being called "My servant Joseph" to eventually this verse:
And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them, traveling to preach the gospel in my power... - Doctrine and Covenants 84:77.
There have been only a select few people in the history of the world who have been referred to as "friends" of God. Abraham, Peter, James, and John, Joseph Smith, and I believe (although it is not referenced in the scriptures, probably because it is too sacred) many - if not all - of our current Apostles and leaders would fit into this category. What a blessing! What a goal!
I think what it would take for me to be like this and referred to as such. His friends in days past have been willing to give all they had for each other and for Him. Not even sparing his own son, Abraham was willing to sacrifice all that he had. And that's what qualified him to be a friend. Peter, James, and Joseph Smith all suffered death for what they know was true and right, giving the greater love by laying down their lives. And John the Beloved (and probably, by extension, the three Nephites) have abandoned their will and lives in a different way for the Lord and His Glory.
What's ironic about this is that they gained everything through their sacrifice. So is it in fact a sacrifice? Or is it a blessing? When we are willing to live and love someone with that kind of purity and hope and spirit, are we giving up anything? Or are we becoming who we need to be and being a real friend? Who is blessed more abundantly than those who are able to do these things? And how can we show our love for God? By loving His children... Which, in turn, makes us happy because our hearts are knit together in love and unity... All I want is for people to love me. Therefore, I must love them.
And I do. I love you.
Comments
Just need to find a way to serve my co-worker *wink* Luckily I got a break today so I didn't come home frustrated, but something is surely missing from her life that makes her the way she is. I am sad that anyone person can be that unhappy.
And I agree, what a truly amazing thing to be able to hear God call you His friend. I can only imagine the trials these men had to go through to earn the title, but you are right, the reward is more magnificent than any trial could ever tarnish.