Thy Friends Do Stand By Thee

“‘Thy friends do stand by thee.’ How comforting that declaration was to the Prophet Joseph. How comforting to us. Think for a minute what it means to you to know you have someone standing right by you. Someone you can trust to be your friend in good days and bad. Someone who values you and supports you even when the two of you are far apart...

“At times, especially while living away from home, those words have given me a peace and strength. My friends were standing by, although separated by many miles. And at such times I learned one life’s most important lessons. That no matter how long I was away, no matter how great the distance, whenever my friends and I met again it was as if nothing had changed. We picked up our lives where we left off and it was as if time had stood still.

“True friendships are based on love of God and sharing that love with others.

“I am grateful to make new friends who have been a strength and blessing to me as well.

“A very important element of your experience in the gospel is the friends you make and the mentors you follow.

“‘Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.’[Doctrine and Covenants 121:9]”


Thy Friends Do Stand By Thee Ronald A. Rasband CES Fireside 07 March 2010
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Which also brings to mind another CES Broadcast from many moons ago...

"How wonderful it is (and we have all had these experiences) when we can gather in circles of friendship large or small with shared gospel values. Sharing is like gathering around conversational bonfires that grow warm and bright against the horizon. You will find the memories of these bonfires will achieve a lastingness—not of what you wore or of what the menu was, but rather because of the shared expressions of love and testimony. Especially helpful are the memories of those individuals and friends who are exemplars for you and me by the manner in which they strive so steadily and unapologetically to wear the whole armor of God.

"These special moments—one-on-one, in small groups, in corridors, hallways, or wherever—do something so subtle that we are scarcely aware that it is happening. Yet these help to further define our relationships with the Lord and with each other. It is often the one-liners that come from these special moments which have such a long shelf life and which help us long after the dispersal of those friends has occurred."

"Jesus, the Perfect Mentor" Neal A. Maxwell CES Fireside: February 06, 2000