Be a Good Man in a Storm — 1 Nephi 6–10

Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2024 (January 15–21)

“To be cheerful when others are in despair, to keep the faith when others falter, to be true even when we feel forsaken–all of these are deeply desired outcomes during the deliberate, divine tutorials which God gives to us–because He loves us. These learning experiences must not be misread as divine indifference. Instead, such tutorials are a part of the divine unfolding” (Neal Maxwell).

If hard times are inevitable, then why not decide ahead of time what kind of person you want to be as you respond to them? Just as we plan holidays, birthdays, and good days, we can plan for hard days. We may not control the details of the trial or challenge, but we can learn to control our attitude, behavior and what or who will be our focus as we go through “mists of darkness” and days in the “dark and dreary wilderness”.  

Here are two examples of divine intentions on how to do hard:

 “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded…” (1 Ne 3:7). “And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” (1 Ne 3:6).

“…they came and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press their way forward, continually holding fast to the rod of iron until they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree” (1 Nephi 8:30).

Determining the person you want to be during difficult times greatly increases the chances of you being able to do so.  

Lesson #2:  In a sentence or two, write who you want to be, especially in hard times.

Here are a few more examples: 

I will be “…firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!” (1 Ne 2:10)

I will “be a good man in a storm” (Coach John Wooden).

I will be like Lehi, who stayed by the tree. (1 Ne 8:19-21) 

I will be a disciple of Jesus Christ. (YM/YW 2024 Theme)

I will be a humble student during my divine tutorial. (my motto)