4 Lessons from the Savior on Being a Good Friend

For the Strength of Youth says, “To have good friends, be a good friend.”

And when it comes to being a good friend, no one is a better example than the Savior.

Here are 4 things we can learn from the Savior about being a good friend:

1. Be a good example.

Above all else, the Savior set a good example for His friends.

He was baptized although he was perfect. He submitted to Heavenly Father’s will. When He instituted the sacrament, He did so by eating the bread and drinking the wine Himself. He withstood temptation.

We may not be able to set a perfect example as He did, but we can at least set a good example.

“To me that means we strive to have in our lives kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, and goodwill,” President Thomas S. Monson said in an October 2015 General Conference address. “These qualities will provide for us a spirit which will touch the lives of those around us.”

 2. Serve them.

From feeding thousands of people to washing His disciples’ feet to healing the sick, Jesus was constantly serving the people around Him.

It was acts of service such as these that often caught people’s attention and gave Him further opportunities to teach, love, and serve them.

We, too, should strive to serve the people around us.

President Thomas S. Monson said, “Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.”

3. See the best in them.

The Savior sees our potential like no one else can.

When the scribes and Pharisees brought the woman taken in adultery to Him, all they saw was someone who had committed a very serious sin. Jesus’ answer is a lesson to us all in how to deal with the mistakes of those around us:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Jesus didn’t pretend that she hadn’t sinned. He simply chose not to condemn her and admonished her to “go, and sin no more.”

4. Testify of the gospel.

The Savior spent the entirety of His short life spreading the good news of the gospel.

If it’s a little uncomfortable to think of preaching the gospel as being a good friend, consider what Elder D. Todd Christofferson said in an April 2017 General Conference talk:

“The motivation for raising the warning voice is love — love of God and love of fellowman. To warn is to care.”

If we truly believe in the gospel, we should want to share it with the people we care about. After all, there’s a reason it’s called the Plan of Happiness.

Whether your friend is already a member of the Church, isn’t a member, or has left the Church, sharing your convictions in an appropriate and loving manner is a sign of your love for them.