The Savior is a friend of mine. This can be true for all of us. The Savior refers to his followers as friends (D&C 50:41, D&C 84:63, John 15:14-15). I am a follower; therefore I think it’s reasonable to call Him-my Friend.

Friendship is a two way street. Friends do things for one another. They help each other and share in the joy of their friendship. My friendship with the Savior has brought me great joy. I hope, in small ways, I’ve done the same for Him.

Like you, I call upon the Father in the name of His Son. From what I’ve learned from the scriptures and the living prophets the Savior is the one who answers our prayers through the power of the Holy Ghost (even the Savior can only be in one place at a time-in person).

There have been times in my life when I have drifted in my friendship with the Savior. Mortal friends do that, but the Savior is more than a mortal friend, He doesn’t drift. His friendship is constant. I don’t know who said it, but I’ve found it to be true, I’ll paraphrase: If you’re not as close to the Lord today as you were before, who moved?

As spirit beings having a mortal experience in a fallen world we inherit the legacy of the fall: we’re dead to things of the spirit. The scriptures even refer to us as enemies of God. And until we yield to the enticings of the Spirit we remain spiritually dead.

I’m thankful I was born in a family where the gospel was available. I wasn’t born into the covenant, my father never joined the church and my mother was not active until her old age, but being born in Utah has its advantages (I’ve learned that my birth family and location are part of the Savior’s plan for me).

As a young man I got entangled in the ways of the world. After awhile, my Friend came for me and loved me back to His church. As an “old man” now I look back over the years and realize what a wonderful Friend I have. I’ll give one example of how my Friend has been there for me (but in fact He has been with me in every major aspect of my life). I’m sharing this experience to draw attention to the ways of the Lord. Hopefully this will add to your faith and maybe you’ll be prompted to share an experience in the comment section that will be helpful to others.

Nearly thirty years ago I was under-employed with a wife and children. I had bills, but lacked a viable job to support my family. Because of my covenants I decided to pay all my bills instead of trying to avoid them. I asked those I owed, to accept small monthly payments without charging me interest, and in turn I promised to pay them back over time. All of them agreed, and some even offered to forgive my debt. I thanked them, but said I would pay back everything I owed.

During the next three years I prayerfully sought the Lords guidance. I worked in Real Estate (mortgage rates were over 10%) and opened a retail store. Each of these endeavors was slow financial death. One day my dad told me something that changed my course. I started to look in new directions based on his counsel. I applied for a position with a large company. After working with the recruiter for several months he told me he wanted to hire me, but was prevented from doing so because of hiring quotas . He said they had to hire some women and minorities before they could hire me. He said to call him sometime next year.

I was very disappointed and told Heavenly Father how I felt. I wasn’t angry, but I was hurting badly and asked the Lord how long it would be before He answered my prayers. I explained I was doing everything I could, and pleaded with Him for help. The next morning I opened the newspaper and began looking at the help wanted ads. Suddenly, in a miraculous answer to prayer, while reading the newspaper, I was informed that I had a job!

I closed the newspaper, picked up the phone and called the recruiter. I told him that I was ready to go to work when there was an opening. Again he explained that it could be a year or more before I could be hired. I told him I felt things would work out, and that I would look forward to hearing from him. Two weeks later he called and said he was completely blown away. He explained that he was able to hire me because the hiring quotas had been unexpectedly filled in another state. Shortly thereafter I took a position with the company.

I’ve had many wondrous experiences with my Friend like this. He amazes me!

As I’ve commented in various blogs in the Bloggernacle I’ve had a constant desire to tell others about my Friend and what He has done for me. I know many in the Bloggernacle have appreciated my straight forward honesty about things of the Spirit, however others have chided or ignored me, and a few have felt I was bragging or worse, deluded.  I admit, I’m bragging. But not about myself, I know I am nothing, I’m bragging about my Friend, Jesus Christ. Who can say too much of His friendship?

At this Easter season I desire to testify of His Friendship and goodness to me, a struggling soul, with the hope that others will be inspired to further their friendship. And if a friendship doesn’t yet exist I hope that you’ll have the desire to establish one right away. God Bless.


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