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
