The Talent of Friendship

Today in the third hour of church (during Relief Society), we discussed talents. Some people automatically think of the visible talents such as dancing, singing, drawing when the word talent is uttered, but I was so proud to sit among women that shared some of their desires to build up their spiritual talents. A few sisters mentioned attributes that make for a wonderful friend. Such as, the ability to see a need in those around them, the ability to listen and validate, and the ability to serve.

I have been struggling with not resenting some people that I feel aren't doing a good job at reciprocating friendship to me. It is hard for me not to get my feelings hurt when I see or hear about certain people getting together without a single invite to me or my family when I have reached out to be their friend countless times. How have some of you dealt with that? Or maybe you're a person with whom everyone reciprocates friendship with.

As I have been struggling with these feelings, I decided to read some articles regarding friendship. Here are a few excerpts that stood out to me.


"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." - Friendship a Gospel Principle by Marlin K Jensen

I love this quote because I know that the more I have grown spiritually the more I notice a need in others and have learned to come out of my shell and reach out to those around me.

"God knows the needs of His children, and He often works through us, prompting us to help one another. When we act on such promptings, we tread on holy ground, for we are allowed the opportunity to serve as an agent of God in answering a prayer." - What Greater Goodness Can We Know: Christlike Friends by Kathleen H. Hughes

I love that she says, "we tread on holy ground" if only we all had that same perspective. I think we would be more inclined to act on promptings. I know that I never regret it when I follow through on a feeling to call someone or pay them a visit. I have had some feelings to write notes to some people to thank them for their friendship, but felt they would think it was cheesy, but I know that I appreciate it when some pays me a kind word so why wouldn't they?

'If you are watching, you will see someone carrying a heavy burden. It may be a burden of sorrow or loneliness or resentment. It may be visible to you only if you have prayed for the Spirit to give you eyes to see into hearts and have promised to lift up the hands that hang down." - Faithful Friends by President Henry B. Eyring

I really want to be better at this last thing. I have seen some friends who have this special talent and I know it comes from sincere prayers. I have prayed for this in the past, but not as consistently as I should. I am turning over a new leaf.


One of the things we talked about in our Relief Society Lesson today was that developing talents takes time and effort. I consider a great friend to be a talent. So I have decided that I have a talent that I want to develop further. Even though my feelings have been hurt from some people that shall remain nameless, I know that Heavenly Father would not want me to shun those individuals, but stay true to the covenants I made at baptism. This is something I know I will need lots of help in because I am not perfect in the least bit, but I know that through prayer I can receive the help I need to be a better friend.