The Book of Commandments
The Book of Commandments Section 37 - Friends
1Hearken all ye children, who are the friends of the most high God. Hear ye all my voice, which is the voice of Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of your faith.
2Verily, verily, I say unto you all who call yourselves by my name; ye must become friends and be one in all things, repenting for your sins and confessing your iniquities both to me and amongst yourselves. For there are no secrets among friends; nay of a certainty, there are no secrets in the house of God.
3Thus Sayeth the Lord; ye shall love the Lord thy God with all your might, mind and strength, being repentant unto salvation, humble, meek and kind in all things, even as a little child; wasting and wearing out your lives in the spirit of truth, bringing to light the works of darkness, preaching repentance and seeking to establish the cause of Zion upon the earth. This is the first and great commandment given under the heavens to all mankind, even to all who call themselves by my Holy name, which is Jesus Christ. And then, my dear children, when you have given your whole selves freely for salvation and sanctification, willing to submit yourselves happily to whatsoever the Lord your God shall bring upon you - for your good and your salvation - then, my dear and precious children, ye shall love your neighbor as yourselves. This is the second great commandment. And upon these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
4Lo, and behold, my dear children! There shall be friends found among you who shall hear my voice and do my will; for when two or three are gathered in my name, I shall be in your midst. The journey of a man should not be one of solitude or of selfishness, but the greatest gifts shall henceforth be given to all who are friends of the most high God of the heavens and the earth and all things therein.
5Verily, verily I say unto you, my dear and noble friends; ye must cleanse yourselves of all your iniquity and sin; for I, the Lord, shall not dwell in unholy temples. Ye must strive to purify your hearts and become again like little children, for in no wise shall ye enter into the kingdom of God if ye are not clean.
6I have called my Saints from the four corners of the earth to once again labor in my vineyard and to build up mine Holy city upon the hills.
7My word rolls forth unto the children of men, calling upon all who will hear; repent! Repent and come unto me, forsake your sins, and be one in all things. Be friends, my children; for disciples of mine shall find no favor in the heavens if they are not friends.
8My friends have been with me since the beginning, when the earth was formed and the seas were brought forth. We toiled and strove to bring the glory of God from the heavens down into the dirt. We, the Gods, created the earth and the seas, the plants and the cattle so as to set the stage for the fall and the redemption of all mankind - even the sons and daughters of the heavens to experience the great and noble trials of eternity.
9Ye shall be my friends again, set before the great councils of the heavens, guiding the inhabitants of the earth on towards salvation.
10Yea, the time is at hand for the redemption of Zion and the gathering of Israel. My dear friends, even my children, be one in all things. Be humble, meek kind and full of love, hope, faith and charity.
11Gird up your loins and put my armor upon yourselves; the fire has been kindled for the tares and the weeds. The great day of cleansing is nigh at hand, and the stewardship of my vineyard is now in the hands of my friends, even the High Priests of the Order of the Son of God, who am I, even Jesus Christ.
12Thus I have spoken, Amen.