Families aren’t the only relationships that matter.

We know that eternal families are a fundamental part of the gospel. But our friends—the “family” we choose—can be important to our happiness too.

Did you know that our physical, emotional, and spiritual health is stronger when we develop loving relationships with others? It’s true! Heavenly Father wants us to love those around us. And in return, friends can share support, encouragement, and honest feedback to help us cope with life’s challenges. It’s a pretty good system.

Meanwhile, the adversary, like all abusers, wants to isolate us from our loved ones. He wants to control us himself! He wants to deprive us of the blessings that come from loving relationships.

The Prophet Joseph Smith once said that “friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles” of what we believe. Years later, a Church Historian named Elder Marlin K. Jensen added, “That thought ought to inspire and motivate all of us because I feel that friendship is a fundamental need of our world.”¹

What can you do to be a good friend today?

Notes

This is part of an ongoing series about emotional resilience, adapted from this manual.

1. Both quotes are from Marlin K. Jensen’s article, “Friendship: A Gospel Principle,” general conference, Apr. 1999.