"In a survey which was 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. The influence of one's friends appeared to be a more dominant factor than parental urging, classroom instruction, or proximity to a temple." (CES Fireside for Young Adults, Nov 6, 2005 BYU, President Thomas S. Monson.
"Children will never go astray while they are in good company." - Conference Report, Oct 7, 1915, Elder Francis M. Lyman.
"Always keep good company. Never waste an hour with anyone who doesn't lift you up and encourage you." - Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, p. 262
"Have good associates or don't associate at all. Be careful in the selection of your friends. If in the presence of certain persons you are lifted to nobler hights, you are in good company. But if your friends or associates encourage base thoughts, then you ahd best leave them." - Ezra Taft Benson
From:
25 Mistakes LDS Parents Make and How to Avoid Them
by Randal A. Wright.
I asked a large group of youth teachers to make a list of some of the indicators that a youth might be struggling, almost everyone mentioned the quality of his or her friends as a huge factor.
What can we do to help ensure that our children have friends that lift them up instead of bringing them down?
1. Pray for Good Friends.
2. Invite Families Over:
We must take an active role in ... having lots of friends ourselves. Invite exceptional families over with children similar in age to your own children. Play games, go camping, and do things that will help bond your families. Expose ... children to friends who will lift and encourage them.
3. Open Your Home
Clean up after them,provide food for them, make your home the "place to be." Observe your children's friends, and influence them in a positive way.
4. Become Friends with Children's Friends
...Melinda went upstairs and talked to my wife for over an hour. When that happened, I had a very warm feeling pass over me and a new love and appreciation for my wife. I knew that she was Melinda's friend and that somehow she was helping our own daughter in the process.
5. Social Skills
As parents, we should help our children develop the skills that it takes to form healthy friendships with others.... If we isolate ourselves socially, then chances are that our children will follow our example.... Those without the social skills needed to develop healthy friendships are often drawn to anyone who will accept them...
6. Friendly Greetings
If we want to have friends, we must be friendly.
President Spencer W. Kimball "In Salt Lake as I go down the street, I say hello to everybody, a stranger or otherwise., I know that they do not know me, but I like to say hello and I think they appreciate it. I notice their faces light up with a smile."
7. Call People By Name
... as a junior, he moved to a new high-school where he didn't know a single person. This was a hard move, and he was uncomfortable going to school without friends. Talking over the problem with his parents, they came up with a plan. He bought a yearbook from the previous year and began to study the names of everyone in his school. Then, when he walked down the hall at school, he said hi and then called people by name. Most of his classmates seemed surprised that he knew their names, but not one person asked how he learned their names or what his name was. Before long, however, he would say hi and call the person by name and they would greet him, calling him by name.... Soon almost everyone at the school knew Jim. He was elected the student body president the following year.
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