Thinkin' about True Friends



Best Friends in the world - clockwise from top:
Scott, Dano, Nate, Jon, Ben, Jake - and me in the middle.



I heard a quote once that if a man had 5 friends that he could count on to stick with him through to the end, through thick and thin, through every trial of life and never turn his back on him, he was a lucky man. When I heard that, I started thinking of my friends and what they meant to me. I counted out my best friends - the ones that never ever turned on me or blamed me for my (very many) mistakes that I've made, and I realized that I am indeed very lucky to have my brothers in the Gospel. I have a lot of other good friends as well, but my friends Scott, Dano, Jake, Jon, Nate, and Ben - they are the 6 who have helped me through my trials, and always been there for me whenever I needed it. Even on my mission, I have felt their support and strengthening.

What makes a friend? I like to think of it that its someone who holds you to your true self, and doesn't try to change you to fit to society's standards. I've always been blessed to have friends who have supported me in my decisions, and who have always helped me become better. Even though we're thousands of miles apart right now, while we are serving our missions, its still amazing to me how my friends will build me up and support me while I'm here in Tennessee. I know these guys have my back.

The other important thing is that they help me live the Gospel. I have standards, and they know it, and I know their standards. We help keep each other up, and I know that if I have a problem, I can depend on them. Choose friends who are going to do that - and not bring you down. A "friend" is not someone who puts you to shame because they think you should be something better. A true friend is going to help you become the best you can be.

I love this video that LDS.org just released - it describes how friendships can exist and help us come closer to the Gospel and the Savior.

Thinkin' about Life after Death

"Jacob Cody Pratt "Jake" - The bright candle that was ignited on August 29, 1989 when Jacob Cody Pratt was born to Jessica Jensen Pratt and Donald A. Pratt was extinguished in a tragic automobile accident during the evening of May 27, 2005. Jake's incandescent smile, cheerful outlook, and genuine love have blessed the lives of all who know him. Jake died at age 15. He would have graduated from the ninth grade at Farmington Jr High on the day of his viewing. He was looking forward to sophomore football at Viewmont High School this fall. He loves his long, naturally curly hair, making music with an acoustic guitar, his many friends, and literally everyone he meets. He has no enemies because he makes a friend of anyone who tries to be his enemy. Jake is so very greatly missed by his Dad, Don Pratt, his Moms; Jessica Barona (and her husband Pascual Oscar Barona) and Jennifer Pratt; his brothers, Jason and Colton; his sister, Mikayla; his grandparents Isabel and Lyle Jardine, Jody and Pete Pratt, and Lynadale and Ken Powell; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends."

I remember getting home from a trip to Idaho to visit my grandparents - I went in and checked my email and saw an email that said "In Memory of Jake Pratt." I thought to myself that it was probably just a joke. But as I read through some more emails, I saw a couple of links to a statement that was related to a teenage girl getting killed. I thought that it didn't make any sense, and it didn't. I called a friend and he said "Dan, Jake got killed in a car accident on Friday."

My heart sunk. I wasn't blood-brothers with Jake Pratt, but I knew him and talked with him and had hung out with him a few times with some other friends. He was a good kid. I had gotten along well with him. And now here, 4 days before the end of my Jr. High experience, I was being told he had died, and that another other friend, Eric, and a girl that I didn't know who was riding in the backseat, were both in critical condition at the hospital.

Now what if I did not have the knowledge that I could live with my Heavenly Father again after this life? What if I did not know that because Jesus Christ lives again, I can also. My friends and family can also. If we keep the commandments and live with the peace the Gospel brings, we can know that. It would save a lot of heartache for a lot of people.

It is sad to see someone pass away. But I am a firm believer and I know that because our Savior lives, we too can live. I know that. It brings peace to me.

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