1. We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond.(Lionel Kendrick) How did Nephi’s response compare to that of his brothers? Does blaming others ever contribute to a solution?

2. How can having a “soft heart” relate to being a strong person?
[Example. “In spite of all the enforced physical and mental primitiveness of the life in a concentration camp, it was possible for spiritual life to deepen. Sensitive people who were used to a rich intellectual life may have suffered much pain (they were often of a delicate constitution), but the damage to their inner selves was less. They were able to retreat from their terrible surrounds to a life of inner riches and spiritual freedom. Only in this way can one explain the apparent paradox that some prisoners of a less hardy make-up often seemed to survive camp life better than did those of a robust nature.” (Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning, pp.55-56)]

3. Nephi survived and went on to become a leader because he met the challenges that Life handed him. The point is not what you ask of life, but what life asks of you. In other words, “Don’t bring me your problems. Bring me your solutions.” How did Nephi adapt, improvise, and succeed?

The first thing he did was to gather all the information he could, and explore all his resources. Build a network. Make a list of everyone you know, and ask them questions, like, who do they know?

4. Most people are rather familiar with the usual process of dealing with change in employment or a comparable challenge, but many fail to tap into the spiritual process of dealing with challenge. After Nephi had used the physical resources around him and constructed a bow and arrow, what if he had stopped there? He had only used half of the resources available to him. Many people quit just before they reach a solution. But Nephi asked his Father in Heaven for further guidance. What process might he have employed?
[Suggestions.]

First, Trust in God. When Sarah was informed that she was to bear a son, she laughed. Have a baby at age ninety? It seemed ludicrous. The Lord replied, “Is any thing too hard for the Lord?” Indeed, God is absolutely reliable, and will never let you down, as long as you are humble and obedient. His power for miracles has not diminished. Even today, faith can still precede miracles.

Study God’s instruction books— scripture.

Fasting. Fasting helps you draw upon the powers of heaven.

Inquire of God. Many people say they don’t understand scripture. They don’t understand scripture because they don’t ask. They don’t ask because they don’t believe they will get an answer. There are numerous invitations in scripture to pray: “Ask and ye shall receive.” If you lack wisdom ask God. He will give you answers generously, and he will not scold you for asking. (James 1:5)
This process is guaranteed to work as long as you follow instructions with faith, heed, and diligence. If you do, it will open up a whole new dimension in problem-solving for you.

[!]Note to Parents. In the story, Nephi is a young man, probably a teenager. Remind your young people that they are not too young to make a difference. Some prophets, such as Samuel, began at a very young age. If the young man above had chosen to give up, he could have starved to death and a whole nation would have been doomed. Epic heroes do not have to be a thing of the past. Our nation is again in crisis, and if we teach our youth to walk uprightly before the Lord, they will rise to the challenge.