The Friendship of the Messiah

A close colleague of Toronto Sketches, Ammon Johnson, provided his insights on developing a friendship with the Savior

Good morning my friends. The topic of interest today is “The Friendship of The Messiah”; it is not ironic that I name you as such.

Traditionally, a friendship can occur in any one or more of the following ways:

1. An occurrence in your life places you within the same time and place as someone else. By being in the same place at the same time, a positive or negative interaction takes place, escalates and a bond of empathy is formed.

2. Through a desire to emulate another individual who excels in an area of personal interest.

3. Unconscious bias. An interaction either directly or indirectly where a bias in favor of the viewed metaphysically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, psychologically, occurs based on past experiences – both positive and negative – that make the viewer feel drawn to that person, place or thing.

4. By seeking, initiation and supplication.

5. Through mutual agreement based on no typical written contract, but by way of consistent and regular communication between both parties.

6. Through consistent, repetitive and then predictable interactions of two individuals, there will be granted in any relationship type the opportunity for further development (regardless of whether the interaction is positive or negative).

7. One-sided transactions. The beneficiary receives growth to no feasible surplus of the benefactor.

8. Through partnership in a troubling, difficult or in any way damaging time.

9. Through gifts and offerings. Offerings of high value are those considered of high value to the giver, not the receiver. A gift of ultimate uniqueness and obstinence is considered the most treasured of offerings.

10. Through heightened levels of emotion, usually an onset of intangible sense triggering memories matching the emotion. Often referred to as unconditional love and encompasses all attributes of charity with demonstrated consistency and equanimity.

As I seek the spirit to guide me, I would like to tell you of how I came to know that the Savior is the exemplar in each of these 10 Friendship design plans.

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An occurrence in your life places you in the same time and place as someone else. By being in the same place at the same time a positive interaction takes place, escalates and a bond is formed. ----

"And there was war in heaven Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe unto the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! For the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time. And when the dragon saw that he was cast out unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” – Revelation, Chapter 12 (Bible)

This scripture discusses the life which we lived in as spirits before we came to this physical life, we know that we were friends of Jesus Christ there. We were with him. We metaphorically caught subway trains and spoke of coronavirus together. We conversed and we planted seeds of faith and of his countenance in our spiritual selves so long ago. It is our very spiritual nature to be his friend because of the occurrence of the war in heaven and the bond that was formed thereby. That bond is the tether by which we descended (not condescended), from above to inhabit, try and test these mortal forms, “To see if we would be obedient unto all things which the Lord doth see fit to inflict.” That bond is referred to as the light of Christ, and if a man has breath, a man is tethered to the pre-earth mountain.

Therefore, no man walking this earth who is meant to be a friend of the adversary, for no man walking the earth may have empathy with that dragon from the beginning. A man may become friends with the adversary through many other ways. One of the most common is unhealthy anger. For we know that in the last days the devil will rage in the very hearts of the children of men to stir them up to anger one with another.

Our very nature condemns the friendship of the foe; however, by our nature of clay (i.e., the natural man) and the Fall (Mosiah 3:19 and 2 Nephi 2), we are born enemies to the will of the Father and oft may go about seeking to destroy His church.

We need to turn to the true Friend – The Messiah, Jesus Christ, and accept his friendship as He has willingly demonstrated long ago, has been available to us in every place and at any time we choose. We must master being able to recognize him in every occurrence.

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Through a desire to emulate a master in an area of our own personal interest. ----

"For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil. For the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream brat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great." – Luke, Chapter 6 (Bible)

As we seek to bring forth fruit through the investment of our personal spiritual interest, we will be led to say and do the things that The Messiah would say and do. By so doing, we will become more and more like Him! Until his image truly shines in our own countenances. “He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it, ye are my friend if ye do whatsoever I command you. Iron sharpeneth Iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

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Unconscious Bias. An interaction either directly or indirectly where a bias in favor of the viewed: metaphysically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, or psychologically; occurs based on past experiences (both positive and negative) that make the viewer fell drawn to that person, place or thing. ----

"Now it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you? And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts!" – Mosiah, Chapter 18 (The Book of Mormon)

Many times, in life we will make and meet acquaintances with individuals to whom we become friends almost instantly. A common ground is formed based on similarities and relatable points of view or upbringing. This unconscious connection comes because of an understanding that takes place when two individuals have undergone the same pedagogy or practice. They share the same language. Similarly, as we desire to be true friends with Jesus Christ, we will develop an unconscious bias to behave and to make decisions the same as He would behave and make decisions. We will unconsciously seek to do the things He would do because we are aligned with relatable desires to serve the will of the Father and to follow the two great commandments (to love God and love thy neighbor). As we become more like Him, we become even more closely in tune with Him so that He can support us in any time of need. This bias to have Him near us constantly can play a vital role in enduring to the end. We can endure in and through, and only by, the help of our Friend.

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By seeking, initiation, and supplication. ----

"Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen." – 2nd Nephi, Chapter 4 (The Book of Mormon)

If we truly feel in the need of aid from an all-loving Friend, we need only ask. As we ask in faith that we will be comforted and attended by someone we can trust, then we will feel overwhelmingly the closeness of Jesus Christ.

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Through mutual agreement based on no typical written contract, but by way of consistent and regular communication between both parties.

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"I baptize thee, having authority from the Almighty God, as a testimony that ye have entered into covenant to serve him until you are dead as to the mortal body; and may the Spirit of the Lord be poured out upon you; and may he grant unto you eternal life, through the redemption of Christ, whom he was prepared from the foundation of the world." – Mosiah, Chapter 18 (The Book of Mormon)

When two friends are truly honest in their intention to have a relationship with one another, they maintain intermittent, if not infrequent, communication intuitively. If such communication of ideas, happenings, occasions, or events in their lives is neither shared nor exchanged, then the relationship will decease or enter distress. As we muster the strength to bear the name of Christ and to always remember Him, we become lifelong friends while being offered – not a share – of all that He has, from a friend who is truly invested in our happiness and our well-being.

Think on the last time you had a friend who cared that much about you? A friend that cared so much that they are always checking up on you? Even when they weren’t, you knew that their hand [would be] stretched out still.

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Through consistent, then repetitive, then predictable interactions of two individuals. ----

"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." – Doctrine & Covenants, Section 88

As we interact in repetitive and even predictable and planned ways with the Savior, we will become more closely connected to Him in friendship. We will begin to understand the world as He sees it and through His eyes and on His terms. These new views will be enrichening and enlivening as they will be views that we were unable to see before. The experience will cause us to want to draw even closer and more upward towards Him. He becomes the only friend that we truly ever need, for He will Lead [us] along for He loveth [us]. He has promised I will not forsake you, neither shall I leave you comfortless. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

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One-sided transactions. The beneficiary receives growth to no feasible surplus of the benefactor. ----

And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him. And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted to him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast? – Mosiah, Chapter 2 (The Book of Mormon)

Because of the Savior’s gift to us, The Atonement; coupled with His creating us, we are eternally indebted to Him for the life that we experience in this very instance of our consciousness. Does not such a loving being who created us and then created conditions whereby we may continue to exist in a state of happiness and joy, deserve the utmost exertion of our commitment? An individual who cannot offer to another to ascend to a higher state of being should be labeled as a benefactor or, one who can help or aid for a specific need at a specific time. The Savior excels beyond those parameters of friendship; knowing how to succor his children according to their infirmities, for greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for His friends.

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Through partnership in a troubling, difficult or in any way damaging time. ----

And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves, but he was asleep. And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O Ye of little faith” Then he arose, and rebukes the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. – Matthew, Chapter 8 (Bible)

As we demonstrate faith in our Master Friend to be able to help us accomplish the wave-like tasks of the latter-day era, let us be like Nephi when He went in search of plates, a bow, and ore wherewith to build a giant boat to traverse the sea with his entire family on board. He went not knowing beforehand the thing which He should do. Be vigilant to watch and wait for the Master to awake and calm the sea. Be of great Faith, do not proclaim that ye perish! But look to Christ and live – in the light of His friendship; you can find great and meaningful calm.

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Through gifts and offerings. Offerings of high value are those considered of high value to the giver, not the receiver. A gift of ultimate uniqueness and obstinance is considered the most treasured of offerings. ----

And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost, even as the Lamanites, because of their faith in me at the time of their conversion, were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not.

– 3rd Nephi, Chapter 9 (The Book of Mormon)

As we offer the only thing we have to give – our will – to God, we will have a mighty change of heart through the sanctifying power of the Spirit. This baptism of fire comes each time we repent and realign ourselves with Christ. We become more steadily and efficiently connected to Him through constant purifying of the spirit. It may seem overly pious and saintly at times to be so anxiously engaged in a perfecting cause, however, this is why it is so crucial to begin the journey of friendship with a desire to befriend Christ; the principle of sanctification is a principle from which there is no turning back.

To be sanctified and then to be re-tainted as it were, rejects the plan of redemption and Christ’s gifts for us. That said, “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.” - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk, “The Laborers in the Vineyard”.

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Through heightened levels of emotion, usually an onset of intangible sense triggering memories matching the emotion. Often referred to as unconditional love and encompasses all attributes of charity with demonstrated consistency and equanimity. ----

Wherefore, there must be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God, neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if ye have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. And if ye have no hope ye must needs be in despair, and despair cometh because of iniquity. – Moroni, Chapter 10 (The Book of Mormon)

As we have the experience of imparting Charity unto those around us – thereby bolstering their faith and their hope and thus our faith and our hope – we will become more closely connected with the nature of our Creator and we will begin to understand Him for who He truly is and we will begin to look like Him. We will begin to receive His image in our countenance. We will receive joy in sharing the message of His Atonement and Restoration of His gospel. Through this joy we will be made heirs of His kingdom if we can only but endure the cross of the world and the shame of it.

I bear my testimony that the desire to become friends with Jesus Christ, our Savior, is one that can take an entire lifetime of cultivation and diligent seeking to nurture and to sustain. This is because our Savior must be felt in a spiritual sense in our lives before He can be seen through spiritual eyes and heard through the whisperings of His spirit. Regardless of this difficulty, and amid the noise and turmoil of our modern day, we can develop a new bond and friendship with Him strong enough to defeat the distractions and demonstrations happening around us daily. If we cleave unto the Father and His Son with all our heart, might, mind and strength, then we will come to find purposeful calm in our lives having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of all mankind.