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What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Chieko N. Okazaki

4.37 · Rating details · 93 ratings · 27 reviews

"We must believe that God not only has the power to help us, but also the will," writes bestselling author Chieko Okazaki. Her latest book is filled with evidences of the Savior's unlimited love for us. Chapters on the power of prayer, trusting in the Lord, and the joy of living the gospel invite us to claim the blessings our Savior has in store for us and demonstrate how ...more

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Hardcover, 160 pages

Published March 5th 2008 by Deseret Book

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Jul 07, 2019 Heather rated it really liked it

Shelves: religious

This is a wonderful book! Chieko Okazaki teaches us the importance of being Jesus' friend. He is already ours. We are His friend when we seek to know Him, really know Him, and by trying to be His disciple by loving others. I love Sister Okazaki's examples and the open and wonderful way that she teaches us to love everyone. She beautifully expresses the blessings of diversity and unity and most importantly loving God. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"'What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our This is a wonderful book! Chieko Okazaki teaches us the importance of being Jesus' friend. He is already ours. We are His friend when we seek to know Him, really know Him, and by trying to be His disciple by loving others. I love Sister Okazaki's examples and the open and wonderful way that she teaches us to love everyone. She beautifully expresses the blessings of diversity and unity and most importantly loving God. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"'What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer....
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear.
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer (p. 1)!'"

"Is there anything we cannot take to the Lord in prayer (p. 5)?"

"'Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths' (Proverbs 3:5-6) (p. 6)."

"'The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus' (Philippians 4:7) (p. 7)."

"God has not only the power to help us but also the will (p. 7)."

"It was a special not a general prayer that was needed. I knelt and sobbed out a few simple words (p. 9)."

"I stood up alone, no interpreter... Suddenly, everyone was sitting up, leaning forward. They were staring at me. Their mouths dropped open. They looked at each other disbelievingly. As I continued, tears came to their eyes. They listened with their whole hearts.... 'Thank you... You are like us!' That was the message of the heart that I wanted to convey. I was like them. They were like me. We were sisters in the gospel (p. 13)."

"Remember that Jesus is a friend (p. 15)."

"Who was really blind--the man who was healed or the neighbors and the Pharisees who refused to admit that a miracle had been performed (p. 17)."

"Jesus honors their agency by asking them to put into words the request that he could have guessed (p. 19)."

"I wonder who the people were who brought the blind man to Jesus (p. 20)."

"We might be tempted to think that there is something routine about such healings. Yet in each of these cases, Jesus did something different. I think there's a lesson here about diversity (p. 20)."

"We can have unity in diversity in the Church when we are willing to follow the principles that the apostles describe: to love as members of the same family, to live in peace with each other, and to love God (p. 21)."

"Being the same is not at all a requirement of righteousness (p. 23)!"

"Are there other secret criteria that you keep on a mental checklist of your own? If you have such a checklist, I hope that you'll rip it up into little tiny pieces and throw it into the air to become confetti for a party celebrating diversity (p. 26)!"

"Sometimes he asked them directly and bluntly if they had faith to be healed... And sometimes I think the Savior takes us gently by the hand and leads us away from whatever constitutes our city, talking to us quietly until we learn to listen to his voice. And sometimes when his healing hands are upon us, we feel confused. We know things are changing, but we're not sure that we like what they're changing into. And patiently he continues to work with us until the confusion falls away and a glorious clarity fills our minds and and our hearts (p. 27)."

"We spend a lot of time in meetings, participating in lessons, going visiting teaching and home teaching, and participating in activities. But it is in our compassionate service that we are most like the Savior (p. 30)."

"A little visit, a little money, a little caring at just the right time had saved the sight of this good sister's eye (p. 32)."

"'The bond is far deeper and greater...[one based upon] a desire to love all humankind, to serve one another and to serve God and become more Christlike (p. 39)."

"When we really see each other as individuals who are precious to the Savior and precious to each other, there is a common and precious bond. But given our shared beliefs in the gospel, why are there women who feel that they have no place in the Church (p. 40)?"

"The visiting teacher found a way to meet that need, whether it was in providing nonjudgmental inclusion, sharing a baby, or the giving of a Christmas tree (p. 43)."

"'I turned every criticism into a prayer of intercession for the other person. That not only helps me stop when I start being critical, it turns a negative thought into a positive action (p. 48).'"

"'Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself (p. 49).'"

"'Love everyone. And if you love someone who doesn't deserve it, God will certainly not be mad at you (p. 50).'"

"I remember once when a kind act from a stranger made me feel cherished... 'I've been studying in my car and I noticed that you've driven past several times. Are you waiting for a parking space?... You can have mine (p. 52).'"

"How can we put on the whole armor of God so that we can live, even in difficult circumstances, with the peace of knowing that our eternal life with our Heavenly Father is sure (p. 56)?"

"Don't live a secondhand life spiritually (p. 56)."

"You have things to learn from almost everyone you encounter (p. 58)."

"Have a firsthand experience with education, not a secondhand one. Ask every question. Follow every line of inquiry (p. 59)."

"Have the courage to offer yourself honestly and sincerely for who you are, even if who you are has some limitations (p. 60)."

"An authentic relationship may ultimately hurt you because it means that you have to engage people where they live their lives (p. 61)."

"In my experience, the love and the joy that come from those shared hours of mutual burden and grief and need for comfort are sweeter than anything we can imagine this side of heaven (p. 61)."

"'Genuine purpose in life does not come because others set it up for you; it comes as you pursue what you desire to achieve and to be (p. 63).'"

"We need to know him. Not about him. Him. Not things he's said or done. Not things other people have said about him. Him. We can't have a secondhand relationship with Christ... There's no way we can fool Jesus. He knows us. He knows all about us. He has known us forever. Do we really think we can impress him by pretending to be saintly (p. 63)?"

"I can think of nothing more tragic than realizing at some moment in this life or the next that we cannot recognize the voice of the Savior because we have spent all of our time listening to secondhand voices... These people are wonderful...but do not ever mistake them for the Savior. Do not ever let their voice substitute for the voice of Jesus calling directly to you, or the still small voice whispering quietly but piercingly to your own soul (p. 64)."

"A testimony is a living, growing thing (p. 67)."

"'Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief' (Mark 9:24). Have you ever imagined what it would be to face the Savior and confess that there were lots of problems you didn't really understand--a lot of questions? [This man's] son's life and well-being were at stake, and he had the integrity to ask the Savior for help, professing and acknowledging that he did believe...but also pleading... We don't have to pretend to know everything (p. 69)."

"Real families have real problems. Serious problems. Families come in all shapes and sizes and configurations. But every family is precious (p. 75)."

"The gospel works like the very best kind of medicine. It's both a preventative and a remedy. It fortifies us and our families (p. 78)."

"'Today I had to bring an empty pot without a flower. It was the best I could do.'... 'The seeds I gave you had all been cooked. So it was impossible for any of them to grow (p. 81).'"

"This new General Authority listened to all of these comments and then, very simply and very humbly, he said, 'I cannot see the sisters in my area in this video. The women in this video are rich. They have cars. They have living rooms with sofas and overstuffed chairs for their presidency meeting. They have manuals, handbooks, notebooks, scriptures, and pens and pencils. They have telephones. They are all wearing shoes. What is the message that my sisters will see in this video?' We all instantly felt what he was saying (p. 83)."

"It takes courage to tell the truth when dishonesty would be easier. It takes courage to speak when silence would be easier. Please remember the Lord knows you, loves you, and calls you to act with integrity (p. 84)."

"Develop a personal relationship with Christ... How does Christ become central in your life? How does he become a real person to you, one who is a powerful presence for good in your life (p. 86)?"

"Spend time with Christ. He needs to be a face in our minds and a feeling in our hearts, not just a picture on the wall and a list of scriptures handing on the refrigerator (p. 87)."

"He loves us for who we are. Our best is good enough for him (p. 91)."

"Jesus is the more excellent way (p. 93)."

"Think of the abundant generosity of Jesus' miracles... He not only turned water into wine, but he made the best wine that anyone had ever tasted (p. 96)."

"Are we able to see the world we live in as one of the miracles that reflects the abundant love and generosity of the Savior (p. 98)?"

"Why are you so upset by your sister's problem, or inconsistency, or weakness, when you have successfully managed to ignore the fact that you have the same problem (p. 99)?"

"Loving our Heavenly Father and loving each other are essential if we are to gain eternal life (p. 102)."

"I think the fear that we must confront and deal with is just as real, even though it may not endanger our lives. How much courage does it take, when gossiping is going on, to say, 'I can't imagine saying things like this if Sister So-and-So were here, so I don't feel comfortable talking about her in her absence (p. 106).'"

"Jesus did not overlook people. He looked into eyes and into hearts. He valued, he taught, and healed each person who came to him (p. 108)."

"Recognize that no one can carry our burdens for us, except the Savior (p. 108)."

"Knowing the Savior's love and feeling it within me makes it joyful to reach out to others with the same love. I think that this is what it means to bear one another's burdens (p. 109)."

"I want to become one who loves and responds to the voice of Jesus Christ so that he can call me forth into new life even from the bondage of spiritual death (p. 113)."

"What is the 'one needful thing'--the one thing that is essential, indispensable...? I believe it's to choose Jesus--to be his disciple, to learn from him (p. 115)."

"We do not need to judge another's service. We do not need to try to persuade or force anyone else to serve in our way. Jesus calls each one of us to discipleship and from each one of us he accepts our gestures of devotion and our acts of service (p. 124)."

"Jesus accepts all discipleship, all worship, all service...learn to free ourselves from the burden of judging and coercing others to serve our way or to worship after our fashion (p. 129)."

"'Our God can be trusted to the very uttermost (George Q. Cannon, p. 132).'"

"Heavenly Father represents a perfect example of two perfect qualities in perfect balance: he loves us completely, and he respects our agency completely (p. 133)."

"Know that it is your right to ask God for help and light (p. 136)."

"Judgement will eventually come, but the work of salvation comes first and it requires us not to judge (p. 137)."

"We don't have to decide whether someone is following the prophet with sufficient rigor. We don't have to look around Relief Society...and label who is appropriately dressed or who should have taken her baby to the nursery or who is likely to make a comment in class that we won't agree with. We can just sit down next to the first sister that we come to, greet her with love and acceptance, help her if we see a need, and enjoy the spirit of sisterhood during the lesson with her (p. 138)."

"You may not think that shining shoes is a very vital skill or a very important service, but that neighbor's service comforted that husband's grieving heart and gave the daughter an example of loving, generous service that she has never forgotten (p. 143)."

"We have nothing to give if we do not have this vital connection to the Lord (p. 143)."

"You do not know what miracles you may help happen if you are willing to pray for yourself and for others (p. 146)."

"Because of Jesus' love for us, our different natures are not a barrier. He wants to give us his nature so that holiness and divinity and love will spring up within us like living water (p. 149)."

"You know someone's ways when you've spent a lot of time with him or her. You know how he or she thinks about things, feels about things, how he or she will react, what's important, what's funny... 'Most Christians would prefer to see God perform mighty miracles rather tan to have fellowship with Him and learn His ways... 'Many people work for Me, but very few are willing to be My friend (p. 152).''"

"Think about him during the day. Let thoughts about Jesus come to your mind with sweetness. Ask him questions. Talk things over with him. Let a running prayer-conversation fill your life with the sound of living water (p. 153)."

"When we love the Savior, we will love the scriptures, and they in turn will increase our love for the Savior.... Once our lives are connected to the Savior and to the scriptures, then love for others will rise up easily and spontaneously (p. 158)."

"'Love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man [or woman] filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his [or her] own family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race (Joseph Smith, p. 159).'"

"We didn't know each other, but we loved each other and could teach each other because we both loved Jesus (p. 161)."

"Sometimes we don't realize that we are always testifying. We are testifying by example. We are testifying about the reality of Christ by the vibrancy of our own faith (p. 161)."

"We are chosen to bear his name, to become Christians, to have a Christian identity... What is the identifying characteristic of a Christian?... 'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (p. 167).'"

"Have you ever loved someone with such purity and such intensity that this individual could sense your love without your saying a word (p. 175)?"

"'Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile (Einstein, p. 177).'"

"Not one of us is without problems and challenges.... The Savior did not serve his mission among people who were already happy, healthy, contented, wealthy, and well-educated. Rather, he looked for those who were in misery and pain, those who lacked hope, were crippled with handicaps, or hungry, despised, and outcast (p. 178)."

"The greatest recognition that a person is 'somebody' is the revealed knowledge that he or she is literally a spiritually begotten child of our Heavenly Father with the potential to ultimately become like God (p. 179)." ...more

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Feb 12, 2017 Kerra rated it really liked it

This book was so sweet and comforting. Loved it.

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Jun 11, 2015 Sally marked it as to-read

Shelves: theology

facebook meme. in book?

"I don't think I'm going out very far on a limb to say that I know that you either have someone in your family with at least some of these problems or you know somebody has some these problems. This is what real families deal with the real world. And they don't stop being families.

A divorced family is not a broken family. It's a family with a particular set of circumstances that it needs to work with. A family with a gay child is not a failed family. It's a family with a ...more

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Jan 05, 2011 Becky Keeley rated it really liked it

This is a great devotional reading. I usually read a chapter or two every few days and especially on Sunday. Chieko Okazaki cover many Gospel topics and brings in her experiences, insight and humor to bring the point home. It is too bad that we don't have this hymn, "What a Friend We have in Jesus" in the LDS hymnbook. But Chieko Okazaki is not going to let that stop her from using it as the heart of her book. Thanks, Jeri, for getting me to read this book! ...more

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Apr 20, 2009 Courtney Smith rated it it was ok

Recommended to Courtney Smith by: Mindi Bennett

I really wanted to like this book (in fact, I felt like I should since it is a "church book" after all). It just was slow for me. Part of the problem for me could be that I do not like self-help books and this book read a lot like one. There were some good moments, though, when she really got into stories from the scriptures. She has good insight on the scriptures. I think it would have been better if it had been a shorter book because I found it to be repetitive. ...more

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Apr 24, 2011 Rachael Baggett rated it really liked it

The layout of the chapters in this book was a little irritating or tedious, but once I got over that I was so grateful that I read this book. Sister Okazaki's tender testimony about how we as sisters in the Relief Society can not only be more service-oriented and a strength to each other, but gain a personal testimony with our Savior Jesus Christ radiated throughout. ...more

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Aug 31, 2015 Faye rated it it was amazing

Sister Okazaki is an amazingly in tune writer. She shares compelling stories, boils the scriptures down to their basic and profound meaning and understands what it means to be different in the church. This book is a powerful testimony of solid Christian principles. I was especially compelled by the last chapter and I am determined to develop more true Christ like love for those around me.

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Jun 18, 2011 Connie rated it liked it

Sister Okasaki is an amazing woman. I think she gets to the heart of some of the toughest issues facing women and she tackles them with faith and a sense of humor. I liked the book. What made it even more special was it was given to me by someone special on my birthday...thanks.

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Apr 14, 2008 Berdean rated it it was amazing

We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in Prayer. Be very careful NOT to judge others!
Christ needs to be a face in our minds and a feeling in our hearts, not just a picture on the wall and a list of scriptures hanging on the refrigerator.

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Oct 28, 2013 Sheryl rated it really liked it

This was another book that I inherited from Mother. I really enjoyed it. Her perspective on what really happens in families was very good and it was interesting to hear what it was like in post World War 2 for Japanese people. Also, she had some good advice for helping converts.

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May 09, 2011 Lisa rated it really liked it

Cheiko Okazaki is so down to earth and compassionate. She is very direct and easy to read. Good pondering points, too. I think my favorite chapter was 5, "Turning Hearts to the Family." I'll probably reread that one. ...more

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Jun 16, 2008 Susan rated it it was amazing

I love Sister Okazaki!!! This book really made me think about what I'm doing to make sure I have a personal, not a "secondhand" relationship with Christ. I love the way her books feel as if she is right in the room talking to you. ...more

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Mar 09, 2016 Kim Dennis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: z-2016-religious, nonfiction

I do so love Sister Okazaki. She says so many things I need to hear. Her reminders about a personal relationship with Christ, not judging others and service are things I can always stand repeats on. It was a fabulous book.

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Jan 02, 2011 Joann rated it really liked it

Shelves: religion, self-improvement

I really enjoyed this book. Sister Okazaki has such a sweet, simple style it feels as though she is sitting in my living room sharing her experiences with me. This had beautiful ideas and really helped bring me peace at a time I needed it.

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May 01, 2011 Tisha rated it really liked it

This book was so uplifting and motivational. It made me want to be a beter person. I loved the stories.

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Jul 24, 2014 Marci rated it really liked it

Loved this. It was a slow read for me, but there are definitely pearls of wisdom to be found here. She has great insights.

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Apr 16, 2009 Julie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: inspirational, lds

I don't think there is a book by Chieko Okazaki that I didn't love.

Very uplifting, full of hope, full of love, full of faith in Christ. That describes the book and how I felt when reading it. ...more

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Oct 12, 2008 Julie rated it it was amazing

I always come away from Sister Okazaki's books a little more tender hearted. She is a lovely teacher - no guilt, just love. ...more

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May 12, 2009 Rachel rated it really liked it

I always enjoy Sister Okazaki's books. This one was great as well. It is full of hope which is always a great thing to have. ...more

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Oct 14, 2008 Suzan rated it liked it

Shelves: religion

Good, but seemed repetitive of her other books, and from other books, like "Believing Christ" ...more

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Feb 23, 2016 Melissa Nakaya rated it liked it

It opened my eyes to a new way to view Jesus and my relationship with him.
In my 34 years I've never thought to do it quite the way she teaches.
I'm glad I read this. ...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Jerianna rated it really liked it

I really love this woman!

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Nov 28, 2011 Abby rated it really liked it

I love Chieko Okazaki's approach to the Gospel. ...more

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Jun 28, 2008 Michelle rated it really liked it

With this book I didn't read it from cover to cover instead I picked a chapter and read what I wanted. I liked the concepts the author was giving us.This book made me stop and think. ...more

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Jun 25, 2017 Becca rated it really liked it

This was the perfect book to read for my year's theme of "knowing Christ". I especially loved the chapters on Mary/Martha/Lazarus and chapter 9 about the living water. It also pointed me to a scripture (D&C 93:1) that I had highlighted and liked before, but has been on my mind a lot since I saw it in her book and has made me excited to continue striving to make my friendship with the Savior better. ...more

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May 02, 2020 Louise Hartvigsen rated it really liked it

I bought this as a used book during the Holiday season. The author was a powerful leader who was direct and real in her teaching. Although parts seem a bit dated now, I enjoyed reading it.

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Oct 10, 2018 Katie rated it really liked it

Loved this book. I wasn’t even halfway through it before I ordered my own copy online because I knew I needed it.

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Linda rated it it was amazing
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About Chieko N. Okazaki

Chieko N. Okazaki

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Chieko N. Okazaki was the first non-Caucasian to serve on a general board of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was a counselor in the general Relief Society presidency from 1990 to 1997. She is the author of several bestselling books and tapes. She and her husband, the late Ed Okazaki, have two sons.