The Scriptures are my Friends

Nephi, Moroni, Noah, Abish, Moses, Jonah and many others are my friends. I have never met them but I am able to connect with them as I read the scriptures. As I read their accounts I am able to receive strength for my life. Elder Scott said, "Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like a filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world." How great that is! Our friends aren't always able to be with us. But our scripture friends can be. I love the scriptures. I had never thought of them as friends until Elder Scott gave this talk. But I am now grateful that I am able to look to them as friends. I cherish the words they speak to me.

Read the scriptures. Memorize scriptures and make new friendships yourself!

In the Bible and the Book of Mormon there are many friendships to make. If you don't have a copy of either book click here.
Bible or Book of Morom

Friend of Christ

I  was reflecting being a friend of Jesus Christ when I came across this story:

I was sitting on the curb of a dirt road on the edge of a town somewhere in the middle of Argentina. I was a missionary, and this was my first area. My companion was doing an interview, and rather than waste my time I figured I would sit down and study the missionary discussions. Just as I opened the fifth discussion, I noticed a little boy running playfully across the street as though he was being chased. What was he running from? I wondered. What could be so terrible? Then I spotted the dreaded assailant coming at him from behind. It was a girl. He must have been considering the dreadful things that might happen if she ever caught up with him. Just in time, the boy saw me. Surely she wouldn’t dare follow him to an American in a suit. He was right. Pretty soon it was just me, an empty street, and a 10-year-old boy hiding behind my coat. Suddenly we were in the middle of a gospel discussion as he snatched the fifth discussion out of my hands and read the title. “Living a Christlike Life,” he said. I’m not sure what he said after that, but I gathered that his question was something like, “Who are you guys, anyway?” I tried to give him a shallow explanation of what missionaries do, only to be humbled by his profound response. In an attempt to summarize everything I had said, he replied, “¿Ustedes son amigos de Jesucristo?”—“You are friends of Jesus Christ?” “Yes,” I answered as he ran off to play, unaware of the effect he had had on me.I couldn’t get his voice out of my head. “¿Ustedes son amigos de Jesucristo?” There was something about the way he said it in Spanish. Did he mean it as a mere statement of fact or as an actual question? Am I a friend of Jesus Christ? I thought. What is a friend of Jesus Christ? A friend to Christ? A friend like Christ?

"Are you His Friend?" Michael Griffith

 In my life I try to be His friend. President Eyring said, "We become His Friends as we serve others for Him." We can be a friend to those around us. We need to follow His example in our lives. As we do so we can be His friend. Which friendship will bring so much joy!

Friends- The Posse

I have been blessed with great friends! I am so grateful that my friends also have a testimony of Jesus Christ. "Living the gospel and being true to gospel principles is the key to true, lasting, triumphant friendship." -Elder Holland 

The summer before I left for my mission I was living at home. Many of my friends lived other places or were busy with their lives. I needed friends. I went to church; as I attended the YSA  ward (young single adult congregation) I was able to make friends. There were 5 of us that spent a lot of time together. Someone named us the posse. So that is what we became known by. We enjoyed ourselves so much. We were creative in the activities we did, we would build each other up and we would laugh. I am so grateful for those friends that summer. They were such a blessing to me. 

"Everyone needs good and true friends. They will be a great strength and blessing to you. To have good friends, be a good friend. Show genuine interest in others; smile and let them know you care about them." -For the Strength of Youth

Click here to learn more about friends

A Life

The other night we went over to a families home. The mom showed us a paper that was all crumpled up, she told us she was about to throw it away when she read it. It was written by her 10 year old girl. I loved it and wanted to share. I hope you enjoy it. 

It is so important to choose to be happy. "[men and women] are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." 2 Nephi 2:27

Gods Love

I was having a hard few days. It is not an easy thing being a missionary and I was kinda down. Yesterday I had a meeting with some other missionaries. One Elder talked about how much God loves each of His children. He shared how important it is for us to help his other children learn of His love for them. The spirit was so strong as he shared these things. The spirit spoke to me and I was able to remember how much I am loved by our Father in Heaven. I had a greater desire to the best missionary I can be and help His children feel of the same love I have felt.
I urge you to pray that you too might be able to feel of our Heavenly Fathers Love for you. I know He loves you! I also know that He will answer your sincere prayer.

"I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love."
2 Nephi 1:15