Area Presidency Message
My Lord, My Friend
The beginning of a new year always fills us with hope and enthusiasm.
The new year appears before us as a blank page on which we write our wishes, goals and promises of renewal.
What are our goals for the year ahead? How will we achieve those goals? Without a doubt, the words of the Savior in His response to the lawyer can shed light on where to look and how to act to have a successful year, in the Lord’s way.
The question: “Which is the great commandment in the law?”
The answer: “Jesus said unto him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:36–39).
If our plans have this in mind, to keep all the commandments of God, which is an expression of sublime love towards Him, then the goals we set in different areas of our development will be focused on our main objective, which is to become like Christ.
Perhaps the following story can guide us towards that goal.
Barbados is a charming island belonging to the Lesser Antilles. On its beautiful beaches, as well as on other Caribbean islands, there are protection zones for sea turtles.
On a mission tour, we had the opportunity to visit the island. One morning, Norma and I went for a walk on the beach, which is in front of the hotel where we were staying. As we did, we saw one of the senior missionaries who was working on the side of the path that separates the beach from the road.
As we got closer, we asked her what she was doing. She told us: “A large turtle had spawned in that part of the beach. The tortoise had found a good place to lay its eggs. She covered them and then left.”
The challenge would be for the little turtles, who, at birth, would search for the ocean and a recently built pedestrian path that had left a slope, would be an impossible hurdle to avoid on their way to the ocean. On the other hand, during the night the little turtles would mistake the lights of the vehicles and the city for stars and when going towards them they would die either by the vehicles or by starvation going in the opposite direction of the ocean.
Inspired by the missionary, we set out to look for baby turtles. Some were trapped among the plants, others had died, and others were struggling to climb the causeway that separated them from the beach and the ocean. We rescued as many as we could. Some people passing by told us that what we were doing was a waste of time.
Later, in a service activity, the missionaries leveled that path so that in the future the turtles that were born could find their way to life.
Personally, I felt an indescribable joy at being able to hold a little turtle in my hands and put it on its way to the sea.
If rescuing a defenseless animal brings us joy, how much more when we look for a way to help rescue one of our brothers or sisters?
How similar this is to the journey of this life: the stumbling block of the path, the obstacles of life; the lights of the cars, the distractions around us, the people who said it was a waste of time, or those who concentrate on themselves and do not find time to help others.
In the premortal life, we had a similar experience. The plan was presented, and we were happy for this great opportunity. It was the way to the beach. The adversary appeared like the lights of the cars, with distractions to divert us from the plan.
Today it is also similar; there is an active and dangerous war. It is full of obstacles, distractions, and double messages. How do we survive all this and move forward?
The saying goes: “If you want to go fast, travel alone; If you want to go far, travel together.”
On this journey, we are all united by the initial decision: to leave the Father so that we can return to Him later.
How can we achieve this blessing?
There are words associated with this journey such as love, friendship, rescue, share, visit, and invite.
In our personal experience, one way is through the Church family.
It is evident that the food to give us strength in our fight towards the ocean is a personal testimony, which must be obtained and maintained through prayer, study of the scriptures, ordinances, and perseverance each day.
But after this, even with this testimony, the journey is dotted with obstacles; some easy to get around, others more complex, and sometimes others that are not easy to identify. Stars towards the ocean or life, or the lights towards death.
We are not alone on this journey.
Fellow travelers: family, Church members, and friends.
The Lord calls us His friends (See John 15:15). Friends. I will call you friends.
This friendship is unconditional, but the blessings of what this friendship can bring are not; they are conditional on obedience to the commandments.
The word friendship is related to the first and second commandments: Love God and love your neighbor (See Matthew 22:36–40).
The word friendship comes from the Latin amicĭtas, and which, for its part, comes from the verb amāre, which means “to love.”
Friendship is associated with fundamental values such as love, loyalty, solidarity, unconditional support, sincerity, and commitment, and is cultivated with regular treatment and reciprocal interest over time.
The Lord has called us friends and has invited us to be His friends. What a warm phrase that fills the heart with peace and hope, and that dispels fear and loneliness.
I always want to be worthy of being called His friend.
At church, we should be surrounded by friends to help us on our journey home.
I wonder, are we those friends?
What would it all be like if we Church members could say every morning at the beginning of the day, which of my friends will I serve today? This day, how will I apply the words “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me? (Matthew 25:40)”
It is an attribute of Christ.
The true follower does not live or strive to live the attributes of Christ only on Sunday. These must be an internal and external garment that accompany them daily, and thus we can be friends with each other and friends of the Savior.
In a personal evaluation we could ask ourselves:
Do we treat new converts with love and friendship? Do we do the same with those who are of a different race? How do we treat those who think differently because of their ideas, or their origin, or their gender? Do I treat children with disabilities lovingly and understandingly as the Lord would? Do I treat those who beg for alms or who are on the side of the road as my friends, without judging?
In order to develop this friendship as the Lord taught, perhaps we can:
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Visit members who are less active in the gospel; get to know them better, and extend our hand (see Mosiah 2:17), and invite them to participate in Sunday meetings.
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Share the gospel with friends and family. Send a gospel message, invite someone to a Church meeting, baptismal service, devotional, or service activity.
I cease to be a friend of the Lord when I treat others with indifference, with harsh words, or with silence. Husbands and wives may say, “He or she is my friend,” and therefore my way of acting is based on love and understanding.
He is our friend; He will never forsake us as we travel through green pastures.
Let’s look around us, at our family, at the members of our ward in the Church. Who is missing today?
Who needs to hear today the words My friend, you are not alone, I am here?
Young people, use your energy and influence to say, “You have a friend in me as the Lord is my friend.” Let this practice be a preparation for the time when you will serve a mission.
The invitation for this year for children, youth and adults is:
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Visit someone who is less active in the gospel; Get to know them better and reach out to them (see Mosiah 2:17) and invite them attend Sunday meetings to partake of the sacrament. At the appropriate time, accompany them to the temple.
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Share the gospel with your friends and family and even with those you don’t know well. Send a text message, invite them to a Church meeting, a baptismal service, a devotional, or a service activity. The invitation to come and see, come and help, and come and stay are part of this great commandment to love and share.
May we be the hand that heals the wound, may we be friends of the Lord and follow Him, may we be His faithful friends so that He can tell us: My child, my friend, “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things” (Matthew 25:23).