Grand principle of Mormonism

So, why does Joseph Smith's comment on friendship bother me? Elder Jensen continues, "Perhaps one reason the scriptures make little specific mention of the principle of friendship is because it should be manifest quite naturally as we live the gospel. In fact, if the consummate Christian attribute of charity has a first cousin, it is friendship."

And perhaps it is the word "Mormonism." Mormonism doesn't have a very good connotation. People think of Mormons as a cult & we're not. Most people still think Mormons are not Christian. Mormon is not the name of the Church, it is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The 6th Article of Faith states it better than I can:

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

The Church of Jesus Christ was restored to the earth. AND The Book of Mormon is not our Bible. I think of the scripture in 2 Nephi 29:3, "A Bible! A Bible! We have got a Bible ..."

OK, I've "ranted & raved." Do I feel better? I don't know. Did I explain it to my satisfaction? I'll see.

One of tonight's quotes was a repeat. I was going to comment on it, but got sidetracked on the "grand principal of Mormonism." But here is one from President Hinckley:

"The Lord's standards have come from Him. Some of them may appear a little out-of-date in our society, but this does not detract from their validity nor diminish the virtue of their application. The subtle reasoning of men, no matter how clever, no matter how plausible it may sound, cannot abridge the declared wisdom of God."

--President Gordon B. Hinckley, "Pursue the Steady Course", Ensign, Jan. 2005, 5

Friendship

I read the quotes tonight & I'm thinking, "I know I just read this about Joseph Smith saying friendship is a fundamental principle of 'Mormonism.' I didn't like it then & it still bugs me." So, I proceeded to search for Jensen, friendship & Joseph Smith in every one of my blogs. No result for that quote. Then I wondered if maybe someone else had used the same quote & there it was. Kathleen Hughes used it in her conference talk in 2005. Here it is: different talk, different speaker, same quote.

"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that "friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of ‘Mormonism.' " That thought ought to inspire and motivate all of us because I feel that friendship is a fundamental need of our world. I think in all of us there is a profound longing for friendship, a deep yearning for the satisfaction and security that close and lasting relationships can give. Perhaps one reason the scriptures make little specific mention of the principle of friendship is because it should be manifest quite naturally as we live the gospel. In fact, if the consummate Christian attribute of charity has a first cousin, it is friendship."

--Marlin K. Jensen, "Friendship: A Gospel Principle", Ensign, May 1999, 64

 And another one about friendship,

"It takes courage to be a real friend ... A friend is a person who will suggest and render the best for us regardless of the immediate consequences. Sir Winston Churchill became Great Britain's greatest friend in his country's darkest hour because he was courageous enough to call for "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" when some would have accepted him more readily as a friend had he advocated peaceful surrender. President Abraham Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. "Why do you try to make friends of them?" asked an associate. "You should try to destroy them." "Am I not destroying my enemies," Lincoln gently replied, "when I make them my friends?"

--Marvin J. Ashton, "What Is a Friend?", Ensign Jan. 1973, 41

I have always liked Abraham Lincoln. I hope some day to meet him & not be tongue-tied in his presence.

Love one another

In Matthew 22:39 Jesus said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. This is kind of tricky if we don't have much respect for our self. It is interesting that both quotes tonight follow this theme.

"Joseph Smith himself was a great friend to many. He said, 'Friendship is one of the grand fundamental principles of "Mormonism"; [it is designed] to revolutionize and civilize the world, and cause wars and contentions to cease and men to become friends and brothers.'"

--Kathleen H. Hughes, "What Greater Goodness Can We Know: Christlike Friends," Ensign, May 2005, 74

My thoughts on this is it shouldn't be just "Mormonism" but all of Christianity. We need to live the Golden Rule, treat others as we want to be treated.

"Kindness, love, patience, understanding, and unity will increase as we serve, while intolerance, jealousy, envy, greed, and selfishness decrease or disappear. The more we give of ourselves, the more our capacity to serve, understand, and love will grow."

--Carlos H. Amado, "Service, a Divine Quality", Ensign, May 2008, 35–37