Elder Ronald A. Rasband at CES fireside: 'Thy friends do stand by thee'
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PROVO, UTAH
Choosing good friends who will always stand by you can be a source of peace and strength, Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy told young adults as the speaker at the Church Educational System fireside Sunday, March 7.
"My message tonight centers on the importance in each of our lives of righteous friendships," he told the congregation gathered in the BYU Marriott Center as well as many more worldwide viewing by satellite broadcast or on the Internet. He was accompanied by his wife, Sister Melanie Rasband.
Elder Rasband reminded the young adults of the comforting words the Lord spoke to Joseph Smith while he was suffering in Liberty Jail: "Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands" (Doctrine and Covenants 121:9).
He also said, "Our most prized friend is Jesus Christ Himself. Is there any greater assurance than His: 'I will be on your right hand and on your left, and mine angels round about you to bear you up' (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). So often those 'angels round about' are our friends."
The value of friends needs to be emphasized, he said, "Because in today's world, so many people willingly trade those friendships for video characters and quick text messages. They spend their time identifying with television personalities who, for them, are only faces on a screen. They are choosing to 'hang out' rather than commit to a deep and meaningful relationship that can be sealed in the temple for eternity. Think about it. True friendships are based on love of God and sharing that love with others."
Friends can also be wise and trusted mentors, Elder Rasband said. He gave, as an example from his own life, Elder Jon M. Huntsman, an "Area Seventy, philanthropist, benefactor, founder of the Huntsman Group of Companies and friend."
They met when Elder Rasband was the elders quorum president in a university married student ward and Brother Huntsman was his adviser on the stake high council. As Elder Rasband was nearing the end of his university education, Brother Huntsman hired him as a sales representative, he said. Prior to being introduced to one of his first accounts, Avon, the cosmetic company headquartered in New York City, Brother Huntsman bought his new young salesman a well-tailored gray pin-striped suit to replace the brown one he showed up wearing.
"Jon was teaching me much more than the importance of looking the part," Elder Rasband said. "He was introducing me into a whole new way of thinking, of doing things, of representing myself to others. He was mentoring me."
Later, Elder Rasband added, Brother Huntsman asked him about his service in the Church and informed a stake president about his young protege, leading to Elder Rasband's call to the high council of a university stake and later as a bishop in that stake. Subsequently, he served as a mission president before his call as a General Authority.
"Sometimes," Elder Rasband told the young adults, "we are reluctant to receive counsel; we push back from someone offering us suggestions. We get the notion that we already know what we need to know; pride gets in the way. When that occurs, we forfeit the wisdom, information or experience which would otherwise bless our lives. Imagine the difference it might have made in my relationship with Brother Huntsman, or in my career, if I had been too proud to accept his generous offer of a new suit."
He then counseled the youth to respect such mentors as their parents, grandparents, priesthood leaders, seminary and institute teachers and trusted friends.
"I have benefited from so many of their examples and teachings, and so have you," he said. "Take full advantage of their ideas, and let their influence inspire and bless your lives."
Elder Rasband continued, "The importance of having good friends would be difficult to exaggerate."
He said, "To have friends who live high standards, who stand for virtue and goodness, who are faithful and true to their covenants, you must be such a person to them.
"In this world where there is so much sleaze, permissiveness and immorality, having good friends will go a long way in ensuring our ability to withstand the evils of this, our day. For those who are still single, having good friends will put you in a position to attract the kind of eternal companion you will hope to find. Such was the case with Sister Rasband. We were first great friends. An invitation for marriage came later."
Elder Rasband concluded, "I close tonight where I began, with the verse of scripture spoken by God to the Prophet Joseph when he was in Liberty Jail, and suggest this could equally be spoken to you and me, in whatever condition we find ourselves at this time. 'Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.' "
