According to David Lamb, though the scriptures abound with numerous covenant terms and statements, one of the most beautiful is the usage of the word "friend." In its covenant context, the word "friend" means more than just an acquaintance or one who is known, liked and trusted; it signifies that a covenant has been made between two individuals. . . . Abraham is referred to as a "friend of God" because of his covenant relationship with the great Jehovah. Isaiah 41:8 states: "But thou, Israel, art my servant Jacob whom I have chosen, The seed of Abraham my friend."
As with the Bible, recognition of the word "friend" as a covenant term may greatly enhance our understanding of certain passages encountered within the Book of Mormon scriptures. A prime example of this is found in 2 Nephi 1:30 as Lehi extends his final blessing to Zoram, the former servant of Laban:
And now, Zoram, I speak unto you:
Behold, thou art the servant of Laban;
Nevertheless, thou hast been brought out of the land of Jerusalem,
And I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, for ever.
The usage of the word "friend" in this context refers to more than just a friendly relationship; it is a covenant term which tells us that Nephi and Zoram are in covenant. As Lehi's blessing over Zoram continues, he states that because Zoram has been faithful (to his covenant with Nephi), his seed will be blessed even as the descendants of Nephi, his covenant partner. [David Lamb, "Friend: A Covenant Term," in Recent Book of Mormon Developments, Vol. 2, p. 51] [See the commentary on Mosiah 4:4]
"And I Know That Thou Zoram Art a True Friend"
In 2 Nephi 1-4, the prophet Lehi is pronouncing upon the heads of his children certain covenant blessings. In this regard it is interesting that he blesses Zoram, who was given a "place" among the family according to the covenants Nephi made with him (see 1 Nephi 4:31-35).
Amy Hardison writes that anciently, covenants were written with a specific vocabulary. Inside the covenant context, certain words had official and legal meanings that sometimes differed from their normal, everyday use. For instance, one of the words is "friend." In Isaiah 41:8 God chooses and blesses Israel because she is "the seed of Abraham my friend." Friendship is a binding of hearts and souls. We often describe this relationship with such phrases as "bosom buddies" or "soul mates." We attain a similar but far more sacred friendship with God by making covenants with him. Each covenant raises the level of our purity so we are more like him. Each covenant binds us to him in purpose and heart. This covenant unity, or sacred friendship, grants great blessings to us and our posterity. President George Q. Cannon stated:
When my boys go out on a mission, I say to them, "Boys, God is your father's friend; He has always been his friend; you can trust Him and can call upon Him with confidence; for I tell you that while I live and keep His commandments, God will watch over my children and will preserve and bless them." And He has done it. So it will be with every faithful man and woman.
It should be noted also that God intends his covenants to span generations and even eternities (as with Zoram and Nephi--"forever"). [Amy Blake Hardison, "Being a Covenant People," in Covenants Prophecies and Hymns of the Old Testament, pp. 24, 26-27] [See the commentary on Alma 20:4]