What Greater Goodness?

During my junior high and high school French classes, we watched a lot of movies. What do movies in a French class have to do with tender mercies? Well, among all the Disney in French with English subtitles and the Les Miserable and Phantom of the Opera, there was one movie that really touched me. This movie took place during WWII at Christmas time. It was one of the many stories of the unofficial armistice on Christmas. That night the soldiers from across enemy lines made friends and the next day when the artillery was going to bomb them . . . or whatever it is artillery does . . . they warned their new friends and kept them safe for at least a short time.

Now as you can tell, I don't know much about war, but I do know a lot about friendship! I wrote a little while ago about family, I love my family! I think they are the best and I wouldn't trade them for a mountain of gold, but I am also incredibly grateful for my wonderful Friends.

"There seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of some men today as to what it means to be a friend. Acts of a friend should result in self-improvement, better attitudes, self-reliance, comfort, consolation, self-respect, and better welfare. Certainly the word friend is misused if it is identified with a person who contributes to our delinquency, misery, and heartaches. When we make a man feel he is wanted, his whole attitude changes. Our friendship will be recognizable if our actions and attitudes result in improvement and independence." - Marvin J. Ashton

I have a friend who has had a great impact on my life. She is a tender mercy, well, she is more of an angel. . . God sent her to me in 8th grade and she has been a HUGE part of my life. I know that I would not be where I am. I would not be a missionary right now without her influence in my life. The friends that we make should be the kind that will make us better, who will improve us and who will inspire us to develop the friendship that should be first in our life. The friendship of Jesus Christ.

2 of my wonderful Christlike friends

Kathleen H. Hughes (former Relief Society general president) in her talk What Greater Goodness Can We Know: Christlike Friends, says,

"It should be obvious to each of us that our ultimate friendship should be with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The Savior has affectionately said to us, “I will call you friends, for you are my friends” (D&C 93:45). His greatest desire for us, His brothers and sisters, is to bring us back to our Father. And the way for us is clear: develop in our lives, to the degree that we can, the qualities and attributes of Christ. Obey His commandments and do His work and His will."

As we develop our friendship with Christ, we will start to see His influence make us better. As we become better we become an example for our friends. I invite you to think about ways you can be a christlike friend to somebody else this week, and if you can't think of anything, remember . . . General Conference is this weekend, answers ALWAYS come when you listen!

P.S. I wouldn't trade my friends for a mountain of gold either...in case you were wondering :)