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How Do You Know A Real Brother?

Strange title? Yes, I suppose it is, but a very important one. How do you know if someone will really help you, be there for you, help you and most of all be a spiritual guide? The reason I wrote this here is because I thought we could discuss this from an LDS point of view rather than a secular perspective as in the psychology board. What is the point of it?

How many times have you had as a companion, a teacher, a fellow Brother or Sister someone that you really admire, or think that you admire in the Church? What do you really admire about them?

For me, I liken a true friend and leader to be someone that I would feel comfortable going into war with. I use war, because that is the time when you really know where a person stands... will they run when they see the enemy, or will they stand? If you fall injured, will they try to risk their own death to pick you up or will they rather stay behind the sand bags?

If you feel that the Brother or Sister you admire would do that for you then maybe yes, they truely are a friend. However, if you are skeptical then you may wish to evaluate what it is that you admire.

This topic originates from the scenario of seeing many members claim such a 'love' for members or for individuals, but you wonder...

What is your feelings?

Brother Real Know You How

There are several people at my branch that I truly admire and strive to emulate.
Couple A are in their 60's, I first met them 13 years ago when I was inactive and they had just moved here. You can really feel their spirituality, their love for mankind. When I was at my lowest I turned to Brother A for a blessing. I hardly knew them, but his name was all I could think of. He didn't even hesitate, all he said was Give me directions to your house,

Couple B are in their late 70's. Sister A was BIC, Brother A joined when he was 60. She is so down to earth, yet she is NOT a Molly Mormon. Her idea of cooking dinner is making dinner reservations. Brother B is the Grandpa I wish I had. He came into the store where I worked, saw that I was fighting tears and placed his hand on my cheek. He said, come home to us when you get off work. They were both there waiting for me with open arms, a box of tissues and a carton of Ice Cream. After I was spent crying, the Missionaries were at the door and I looked at them and said Of course, I want a blessing.

I would go to war, side by side with these people, I would gladly give my life to protect them, because they have given me unconditional love,spiritual love and spiritual guidance.

Brother's A & B are the Priesthood personified.

Offtopic but, Actually, JB, I feel this of you too. Across the miles and cyberspace I can feel the spirituality of the Priesthood from you.

How Do You Know A Real Brother? Studies Doctrine Mormon

Thanks for sharing, it is good that you were able to find some that you could go to 'war' with. I am sure that you find that those who constantly say, 'We love you publicly' are those you really do not know if you could go to 'war' with?

Offtopic but, Thanks, but I am not worthy of such praise, indeed, I am lacking in many things and fumble at the moment.

Brother Real Know You How

I have a few good members I think I admire and could "go to war with."

What I have found though, is we often look for someone we think is more spiritual than we are when making this judgment. Then when we find they are human, we are let down. At least, that is how it has been for me in the past. Now, I recognize that all are human, none are perfect. Yet, many truly strive to live their beliefs.

I think many of the people at Church that appear to be stalwart, loving members would have nothing to do with me if I weren't an active member. This doesn't make them bad people, but to me they aren't the one's I would go to war with. It just means our relationship is more Church based. I am not saying they only will deal with active members, but I am not one of their close friends with whom they would continue a relationship if I were not active.

So, in reality there are only 1 or 2 people in my Ward with whom I would go to war, but there are probably many paired up with other's with whom they would go to war. These people are they who honest do their best to live the Gospel each day and also have establishe a friendship of some kind with me. Do you know what I am trying to say?

There are others I think are probably good war buddies, but since we don't have a close friendship, I cannot be sure. I believe we never can be truly sure if our relationship with someone (friends or otherwise) will stand the test of adversity until we have some adversity and see how these people act towards us.

Brother Real Know You How

A real brother or sister encourages you to do the right thing, they are concern about your temporal and spiritual welfare, they are not just all smiling and nice, they are workers, they do things to make other people feel happy, they seek after their needs.