“Friendship in the Book of Mormon,” For the Strength of Youth, June 2024.
Friendship in the Book of Mormon
These four examples in the Book of Mormon can teach us some interesting lessons.
It can change lives, end wars, and unite the world in peace. What are we talking about? Friendship! These Book of Mormon buddies grew closer to Jesus Christ while growing closer to each other. What can we learn from them?
Illustrations by Alex Nabaum
Embracing the Unexpected: Nephi and Zoram (Read their story in 1 Nephi 4)
When Nephi faithfully set off to get the brass plates, he didn’t expect to return with Zoram, who would become a lifelong friend (see 2 Nephi 1:30). Because they were both willing to follow the Spirit even when it took them to unexpected places, they were able to build a friendship that blessed generations.
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Quick takeaway: Relationships can come and go throughout life. As we stay faithful to God, include others, and try new things, we never know when our next friend will appear.
Bridging Differences: Ammon and King Lamoni (Read their story in Alma 18)
These men came from very different cultural and religious backgrounds. In fact, their people were often at war with each other! But Ammon came among Lamoni’s people to try to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. They did what the prophet has encouraged us to do in recent conference talks—they made an effort to see past differences and get to know one another as fellow children of God. They discovered shared beliefs and eventually became such good friends that they were willing to risk their lives for each other.
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Quick takeaway: Friends can be found in people of all cultures and faiths. We can choose to treat others with respect and look for a common ground of faith, virtue, and goodness.
Lifting Others: Abish and the Queen (Read their story in Alma 19)
We don’t know if these women became friends, but they exhibited qualities of a true friend. They shared a miraculous spiritual experience and each blessed others with their testimony. Even though they belonged to different socioeconomic circles—one was a servant and the other was nobility—they didn’t focus on those differences. They lifted people up, both physically and spiritually, and helped change an entire kingdom.
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Quick takeaway: As we look beyond the worldly things that might separate us, we and other faithful people can reach out and change the world.
Talking and Forgiving: Pahoran and Captain Moroni (Read their story in Alma 61)
Pahoran and Captain Moroni were both trying to save their country from war. Because long-distance letters were their only way to communicate, they didn’t always know what was happening in the other person’s life. This led to some major misunderstandings! But instead of staying offended and angry, they followed the Savior’s teachings and humbly forgave each other. Eventually they helped one another—and their entire country—move forward.
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Quick takeaway: We can resolve problems with forgiveness and focus on the best in each other, even when we don’t understand why others act the way they do.