Some thoughts on Beckie’s question on whether or not to continue a friendship (see her blog)….
It’s a good one, and one to which much thought has been given. In the Book of Mormon, Jacob speaks of 3 ways to find truth – 1. the scriptures, 2. the prophets and 3. the Holy Ghost. Some exploration of each of these would be appropriate to come to any reasonable conclusion.
First, the scriptures. We are counseled not to judge anyone. How do you choose good friends without judging? In one sense you can’t, because choosing is a process of making judgments. The Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 7:1 says, “Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.” [JST, Matt. 7:1]
What is righteous judgment? For one thing, it is necessary judgment. We have no need to judge most of the people we meet. When we must judge to some extent, as in choosing friends, we should not “write people off” with negative labels such as “no good,” “worthless,” “wicked,” “immoral,” or “dishonest.” There is good in everyone, and to see only the bad is both unjust and foolish. It is unrighteous judgment.
Although you shouldn’t condemn people for the decisions they have made, you don’t have to place yourself at risk by going along with their bad decisions either or place yourself in situations which bring you down. You’re not required to be blind or stupid.
In the broadest sense we should be friends with everyone, showing respect and kindness even to those whose standards are different from our own.
We must be careful, however, in choosing our close friends, because they will have a great impact on our lives. We need to be sure that close friends are also good friends—friends who are good for us.
How do you know if a friend is good for you? By the kind of person you are when you are with him.
Good friends help you live the standards you want to keep. Good friends help you to be happy and healthy and righteous. Good friends help you through moments of weakness or sorrow.
Good friends don’t encourage you to break any of God’s commandments. When you are with this person, are you better? A true friend will help you be better, simply through your association with that person. A true friend would never want you to lower your standards.
Jesus taught that ‘if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell”. Now, this scripture of course, refers to those things – bad habits, sins, etc, that are such a integral part of us that it is painful to shed them and remove them from our lives. But it also refers to those influences around us, including friends, and possibly even family members, that would lead us to bad choices and consequently to the loss of our exaltation. In other words, choose friends carefully, but be friendly to everyone.
The Prophets - President Monson stated simply, “Friends help to determine your future. You will tend to be like them and to be found where they choose to go. A true friend makes it easier for us to live the gospel by being around him or her. Remember, the path we follow in this life leads to the path we follow in the next.
In a survey made in selected wards and stakes of the Church, we learned a most significant fact: Those persons whose friends married in the temple usually married in the temple, while those persons whose friends did not marry in the temple usually did not marry in the temple. This same fact pertained also to full-time missionary service. The influence of one’s friends appeared to be a highly dominant factor—even equal to parental urging, classroom instruction, or proximity to a temple.
The friends you choose will either help or hinder your success.”
The Holy Ghost – What more can we say but, “let the Holy Spirit guide”. Is there a greater gift than that of His direction? If we are living worthy of His presence in our lives, we will know through revelation what we need to do, and how to handle each situation that arises. He will never lead us to do anything that is inconsistent with the counsel of the scriptures and the prophets….the Lord in keenly aware of the choices before us and has provided clear direction…not necessarily easy, but He will confirm that decision in our heart and in our mind, giving us confidence and reassurance.
Any more thoughts on the subject by anyone else??
Our stay in Tallinn, Estonia was great! We were able to walk a lot! The weather was good, so we walked all over the Old Town of Tallinn. The only hard part was navigating the cobblestones in heels. The streets are narrow and lined with old buildings…just as one would imagine a very old European town. 
