If you would’ve asked high school Cali what it meant to be a good friend, I probably would have said something like:⁣

“Someone who invites you to their parties, is super fun to hang out with, and responds to your texts!”⁣

But since my high school days of tons of friends, (very G-rated) parties every weekend, and texting all day (as long as I didn’t go over my monthly limit), my experiences with friends have changed. ⁣

I’ve had periods of time where I’ve made friends quickly.

And I’ve had other periods where I’ve moved to a new place and never felt like I quite fit in. ⁣

And I’ve learned to change my definition of “friend”. ⁣

I’ve learned that I can make friends with anyone, of any age, in any life circumstance. ⁣

I’ve learned that while I can’t control who “likes” me, I can control who I reach out to. ⁣

Sisters that I’ve ministered to, served with, called, accidentally cried with, reached out to…⁣

Those are the people I consider my friends. ⁣

Who were Jared and his brother concerned about, as much as their families?⁣

Their friends. ⁣

Cry again unto the Lord, and it may be that he will turn away his anger from them who are our friends, that he confound not their language.” (Ether 1:36)

When Jared asked his brother to pray for the Lord, he requested that the Lord specifically spare their friends, and they all travelled together to the new land. ⁣

We don’t get many stories of friendship in the Book of Mormon, so this really stood out to me as I studied. ⁣

Jared and the Brother of Jared wanted to be with their friends.⁣

Maybe they hung out together every evening and enjoyed each other’s company. ⁣

And I bet that they bore each other’s burdens. ⁣

They had sympathy, they jumped up in the middle of the night, they went out of their way to serve…⁣

And when we serve, we grow our love toward that person. ⁣

I’m grateful for the amazing friends that I have – the ones who have served my family, and the ones who allow me to serve them. ⁣

And I’m grateful that the friendships, not just the family relationships, that I make in this life will continue into the eternities.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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