Book of Mormon Examples in Getting Along

What can the Book of Mormon teach us about dealing with other people? This has been my topic of study for the last week or so. Here is some of what I learned:

Nephi had abusive brothers. They beat him with rods (1 Nephi 3:28-29). They were rebellious (1 Ne 7:7). They were disrespectful (1 Ne 18:9) and even threatened to kill Nephi (1 Ne 7:16; 2 Ne 5:2). How did Nephi deal with this? 

• He spoke to them, and tried to tell them what was right. (See 1 Ne 4:1-3; 7:8-15; and 18:10)
• He prayed for God's help. (1 Ne 7:17; 2 Ne 5:1)
• He did what he knew was right, in spite of his brothers. (1 Ne 4:4)
• He forgave his brothers. (1 Ne 7:21)
• He got help from other family members. (1 Ne 7:19; 18:17-19)
• Finally, Nephi distanced himself from his brothers. (2 Ne 5:6-7)

What happened? After Nephi left his brothers, he and those who went with them were able to build a civilization and live happy lives. (2 Ne 5:27)

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Alma the Elder's son was going around trying to tear down everything that Alma had spent his life building up. (Mosiah 27:10) What did Alma do?

• He prayed with faith that his son could know the truth. (Mosiah 27:14)
• He gathered others to join him in fasting and prayer. (Mosiah 27:22-23) 
• When his son had an experience only God could cause, Alma rejoiced. (Mosiah 27:20)

What happened? Alma's son had a life changing experience, repented and became an amazing missionary.

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King Mosiah's sons didn't want to follow their father's footsteps, didn't want to live the lives Mosiah had intended them to live. Instead, they wanted to leave the country, embracing hardship and danger far from home. (Mosiah 28:1-5) What did Mosiah do about it?

• He asked God for guidance, then followed the promptings he received. (Mosiah 28:6-8)
• He did what he could to protect his sons. (Mosiah 29:6-10)
• He figured out another way to take care of what he had wanted his sons to do. (Mosiah 29:25-29)
• He supported his sons' decision. (Mosiah 29:37-38)

What happened? King Mosiah's sons left to teach the Lamanites and became awesome missionaries (Alma 17:4), and Mosiah was loved and esteemed by his people for ever after. (Mosiah 29:40)

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Alma the Younger's son sinned grievously, not only hurting himself, but also making Alma's efforts to teach the gospel harder. (Alma 39:3) What was his reaction?

• He told his son what he had done that displeased him. (Alma 39:2-4)
• He explained why the sin was grievous. (Alma 39:5,11)
• He explained what his son should do. (Alma 39:9-14)
• He bore his testimony to him. (Alma 39:15-19)
• He answered the questions and worries that his son had. (Alma 39:17; 40, 41)

What were the results? Alma the Younger's son repented and preached the word himself. (Alma 43:1-2).

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The chief judge Pahoran was chastised by a friend and accused of many things - neglect (Alma 60:6), being in a thoughtless stupor (Alma 60:7), slothfulness (Alma 60:14) and even of being a traitor (Alma 60:18). He was even threatened (Alma 60:20), all for things that he'd had no control over. He was innocent! How did he react?

• He calmly explained the facts of the situation. (Alma 61:3-8)
• He assured his friend that he wasn't angry, that he hadn't taken offense. (Alma 61:9)
• He suggested a solution to the difficulty that they were in. (Alma 61:15-18)

What happened? Pahoran's friend was happy with Pahoran again (Alma 62:1). He took his suggestion and they were able to join forces to get out of the difficulty they were in. (Alma 62, esp v.6-8, 11, 14, and 26)

Who else in the Book of Mormon has something to teach us about getting along with others?