Lessons of 2025
Lesson No. Twenty-Five

G-R-I-T Keeps the Walk of Life From Becoming Slippery

Dictionary Definition of grit includes “firmness of character; indominable spirit” – it is very helpful, especially to the younger generations who have their life in front them, to have confidence (see last week’s Lesson) and to show grit. Showing grit (G – R – I – T) will help us keep our footing when life becomes slippery and difficult.

Show G – R – I – T; G = Be Grateful – President Nelson spoke on gratitude and reminded us that “there is no medication or operation that can fix the many spiritual woes and maladies that we face” as a collective global society. “These include the vices of hate, unrest, racism, violence, dishonesty and incivility. There is, however, a remedy—one that may seem surprising—because it flies in the face of our natural intuitions. Nevertheless, its effects have been validated by scientists as well as men and women of faith. I am referring to the healing power of gratitude” (The Healing Power of Gratitude, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , Media Library).

Living with gratitude brings the power of God into our lives – As we look for blessings and live with gratitude, no matter what challenges we face, we will find joy and experience the power of God’s love.

Show G – R – I – T; R = Be Resilient – The dictionary defines resilience “as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; It also means toughness; Or the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape, elasticity.”

When I was a pilot in the United States Air Force my left hip became so painful that the only solution was hip replacement surgery. The flight surgeons were certain that I would not be able to pass the flight physical, but I was determined not to be “grounded.” After several months of rigorous physical therapy, my hip was strong and flexible enough to get in and out of the airplane in emergency situations. I passed the flight physical and continued my career in the Air Force.

It is the hardships, the struggling and stretching, that enables resilience – Resilience is the ability to get up, dust ourselves off, and continue on the strait and narrow path.

Show G – R – I – T; I = Individual accountability/Self-Reliance – “The Lord has said that all people are responsible (accountable) for their own motives, attitudes, desires, and actions. Even though we are free to choose our course of action, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions. The consequences, whether good or bad, follow as a natural result of any choice we make” (LDS Library, Self-Reliance).

The purpose of becoming spiritually and temporally self-reliant is to better serve the Lord and care for others. The Savior invites us all to act, to stand independent, and to become as He is” (LDS Library, Self-Reliance). Too many people of all ages and situations are losing their self-reliance. There is a growing tendency to expect and even demand that the government or others do what we should do for ourselves. Latter day prophets have warned against this trend. President Marion G. Romney said: We believe that seldom do circumstance arise in which men of rigorous faith, genuine courage, and unfaltering determination, with the love of independence burning in their hearts, and pride in their own accomplishments, cannot surmount the obstacles that lie in their paths” (Ensign, March 2009).

The attributes of individual accountability and self-reliance are handed down from generation to generation. To be willing to accept individual accountability and to be self-reliant, or to be the opposite, are taught by example. Accountability and self-reliance are among the most important examples that are passed to children and grandchildren.

Show G – R – I – T; T = Be Trustworthy – To be successful in life we must be trusted. If we have been broken a trust, fortunately, we can take steps to regain that trust.

Like the stripling warriors from the Book of Mormon, most of us have been taught to keep the commandments of God. Therefore, we should live so that it can be said of us as it was said of them: “And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold this was not all – they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him” (Alma 53:20-21, emphasis added).

Most often it is more important to be trusted than to be loved – We don’t necessarily love the doctors and emergency room technicians who save lives, but we trust them when they care for us. We don’t necessarily love the policemen and soldiers who stand guard, but we trust them to protect us.. The same can be said for competent teachers, lawyers, accountants, etc.

Testimony – People who show G – R – I – T are willing to do hard things. The hardest thing that ever was done or ever will be done is the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Exemplar of gratefulness, of resiliency, of individual accountability, and of being trustworthy. In our lives we are often asked to do hard things such as serving missions, giving military service, getting an education, earning a living, and raising a family. Remember, the path of least resistance makes both men and rivers crooked.

If we are humble, showing G – R – I – T and doing hard things increases our trust in the Lord – This is because humility brings a recognition that without Him we are nothing. (See Helaman 12:6-7)

Released on June 28th. 2025.