Dale G. Renlund and Ruth Lybert Renlund, in their 2018 book on the Melchizedek Priesthood, have a good discussion of how Jesus is our "friend," and it is based on faithfulness to Him as our Lord, not our modern view of "friendship":
COMMANDMENT 4: Become the
Savior’s friend
The fourth commandment associated
with magnifying one’ calling in the priesthood is an all-encompassing and
intimate invitation: “And again I say unto you, my friends, for from henceforth
I shall call you friends, it is expedient that I give unto you this
commandment, that ye become even as my friends in days when I was with them,
traveling to preach the gospel in my power” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:77;
emphasis added).
The commandment stated
imperatively, is: “Be My Friend.” The Savior told His Apostles of old: “Ye are
my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants,
for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends;
for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John
15:14-15).
The way to become His friend
today is no different than in days of old. It starts with a commitment to keep
HIs commandments. The Savior cannot share all that Heavenly Father has
communicated to Him unless the priesthood holder is willing to completely align
his will with God’s. Once a priesthood holder is so aligned and willing to
consecrate his life to the Savior, his standing with the Savior changes. He is
not simply a disciple; he is certainly not a hireling or an evangelical
mercenary. He is the Savior’s friend, and the Savior will be his friend—but not
an ordinary friend. He is a friend who carries burdens, cares for needs, and
sustains a priesthood holder on His errand.
The Savior says to the priesthood
holder that he will receive help in teaching the gospel: “Neither take ye
thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually
the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that
shall be meted unto every man” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:85).
In addition, the priesthood
holder is not left to labor alone. The Lord Himself will work with him just as
a friend would. In the allegory of the olive tree, the Lord of the vineyard,
who represents the Lord, joins the priesthood holders in the vineyard. “And it
came to pass that the servants did go and labor with their mights; and the Lord
of the vineyard also with them; and they did obey the commandments of the Lord
of the vineyard in all things” (Jacob 5:72).
Through Joseph Smith, the Lord
revealed: “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before
your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall
be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (Doctrine
and Covenants 84:88).
Our Friend is in the vineyard
laboring today, supporting the priesthood holder in his responsibility. He has prepared
the way over decades for those priesthood holders who trust the Lord as a
friend. Friends trust each other. They work together to build God’s kingdom.
God has given man the Melchizedek
Priesthood, with an oath and covenant, and instructed him how to magnify this
priesthood. He promises great blessing to those who heed the words of eternal life,
bear testimony to the world, do not boast of themselves, and become His friends.
Armed with such knowledge and promises, it is time for priesthood holders to go
to work.
God implores: “Therefore, let
every man stand in his own office, and labor in his own calling” (Doctrine and
Covenants 84:109). (Dale G. Renlund and Ruth Lybert Renlund, The Melchizedek
Priesthood: Understanding the Doctrine, Living the Principles [Salt Lake
City: Deseret Book, 2018], 82-84)
