To Be Humble

[Avatar4321]

I was teaching president Benson's beware of pride talk last week. Not my best work despite the material being amazing.

Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm a very proud man and I known the Lord wants a humble people. And I've read many things on being humble, I just don't feel like I know how to be so.

It's been in my heart and prayers so much lately. This is something I truly desire. I'm just not sure I'm making any meaningful impact in changing yet and it's frustrating.

Does anyone else struggle with this? What can we do to be humble? Any good in as instruction? How do we translate teaching into actions?

[ERayR]

I was teaching president Benson's beware of pride talk last week. Not my best work despite the material being amazing.

Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm a very proud man and I known the Lord wants a humble people. And I've read many things on being humble, I just don't feel like I know how to be so.

It's been in my heart and prayers so much lately. This is something I truly desire. I'm just not sure I'm making any meaningful impact in changing yet and it's frustrating.

Does anyone else struggle with this? What can we do to be humble? Any good in as instruction? How do we translate teaching into actions?

 

Nah but my favorite song is: "Oh Lord its Hard to be Humble".

[Duncan]

Read Elder Marlin K. Jensen, April 2001 GC talk, 

 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/to-walk-humbly-with-thy-god?lang=eng

 

Personally I think the most arrogant people in the Church, that i've known, have been just insecure, they feel so bad about themselves they go to the opposite and broadcast how wonderful they are and show off this or that.

 

Elder Hartman Rector Jr. said, "Self-esteem is different than conceit. Conceit is the weirdest disease in the world. It makes everyone sick except the one who has it."

[HappyJackWagon]

I was teaching president Benson's beware of pride talk last week. Not my best work despite the material being amazing.

Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm a very proud man and I known the Lord wants a humble people. And I've read many things on being humble, I just don't feel like I know how to be so.

It's been in my heart and prayers so much lately. This is something I truly desire. I'm just not sure I'm making any meaningful impact in changing yet and it's frustrating.

Does anyone else struggle with this? What can we do to be humble? Any good in as instruction? How do we translate teaching into actions?

I think it's hard to be humble when we have a savior complex. You know, the non-members around us will be relegated to an eternity of lesser glory, unless I help to save them. Or, the dead are doomed unless I do the temple work and become a savior on Mt. Zion.

 

There is so much built into our expressions of worship that we feel we have all the answers and have all the saving power. As long as we feel that we are building ourselves up to be more important, or at least, more privileged than 99.999% of all people who have ever lived. We have been saved as Saturdays warriors to usher in the Savior's return. There's not a whole lot of humility if we are constantly comparing our light, knowledge, righteousness, and priesthood against those around us.

 

I don't mean this to be a negative post but it does seem that when we set ourselves up as God's chosen people, we are pridefully setting ourselves up as mini-saviors of the world. It's hard to be humble when we are so special.

[jkwilliams]

For me, being married to someone who is a much better person than I am keeps me humble. I struggle with being opinionated, and that sometimes leads me to being arrogant and unkind. I just remind myself that I don't know much of anything, and other people's perspectives are just as valid and important as mine.

[VideoGameJunkie]

I've been humbled by all the mistakes I've made in life.

[JAHS]

I was teaching president Benson's beware of pride talk last week. Not my best work despite the material being amazing.

Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm a very proud man and I known the Lord wants a humble people. And I've read many things on being humble, I just don't feel like I know how to be so.

It's been in my heart and prayers so much lately. This is something I truly desire. I'm just not sure I'm making any meaningful impact in changing yet and it's frustrating.

Does anyone else struggle with this? What can we do to be humble? Any good in as instruction? How do we translate teaching into actions?

The best thing to do is to not worry about whether you are humble or not. I heard someone once say that the moment you think you are humble, that's the moment you have lost it.   So don't think about it and just keep doing what's right the best you can. Humility will come naturally as you live and struggle through life's challenges yet remain faithful.

[The Nehor]

Humility comes easy to me. I just look at all the flawed people around me, thank God I am better then them, and am humbled that God is as good as I am and there is another like me in the Universe and I am only kind of special.

[Ginger Snaps]

I was teaching president Benson's beware of pride talk last week. Not my best work despite the material being amazing.

Anyway, I can't stop thinking about it. I'm a very proud man and I known the Lord wants a humble people. And I've read many things on being humble, I just don't feel like I know how to be so.

It's been in my heart and prayers so much lately. This is something I truly desire. I'm just not sure I'm making any meaningful impact in changing yet and it's frustrating.

Does anyone else struggle with this? What can we do to be humble? Any good in as instruction? How do we translate teaching into actions?

It's been on my mind too. Ether 12:27 is a good place to start I think.

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

[ERayR]

Humility comes easy to me. I just look at all the flawed people around me, thank God I am better then them, and am humbled that God is as good as I am and there is another like me in the Universe and I am only kind of special.

I have my own rameumpton in my backyard too.

[The Nehor]

I have my own rameumpton in my backyard too.

 

I am not like those apostate Zoramites. I do not climb a stand once a week to repeat a rote prayer.

 

I built one for each day of the week and say the prayer every day....while observing proper dress standards and not letting those filthy poor people come near my holy stands. I suppose I should be more charitable. When they come forth in the evening of the middle resurrection I will condescend to wave to them.

[Five Solas]

On a Mormon discussion board you post about humility the day after BYU's crushing 0-31 loss to Michigan.  Not exactly the milkman of human kindness, are you Avatar4321?

;0)

 

--Erik

 

[VideoGameJunkie]

A question I have been wondering is if the church is humble with it's temples. They're worth millions of tithing paying dollars and have the nicest looking chandelliors and carpets and marble from Italy. And on top of each temple is a golden idol of Moroni which can make some think of Moses' people. I personally think temples should be more modest and money go elsewhere, because why does God require pricey rich materials? Isn't God humble?

[Tacenda]

A former neighbor worked for the church in the particular department having to do with temple building and said there is no budget for temples. Back then, 16-18 years ago, I thought how cool. But not now. In my current ward a gal told in a primary sharing time that she helped buy items for the temple and a vase was in the thousand range. I guess it's something to be proud of for some TBM's, to sacrifice for the Lord's house.

[Calm]

"a golden idol of Moroni"

 

No, an idol is something people worship.  Have you ever heard of a LDS worshipping the Moroni statures?

 

We are not humble with God's temples in their appearance, but we can be humble in the sacrifices we make towards them by paying our tithing humbly to the Lord, by sacrificing time and effort to work in the temples in a humble way...all while glorifying God.  They are not meant to look humble because they are not our temples, but the Lord's.  Just as the Israelites use what riches they had to build a tabernacle of great beauty even while they were wandering for 40 years, we put our best into the temples which are the houses of the Lord.

 

And Nephi's people were barely settled in their new home and they built the best temple they could with what riches and crafts they had available to them.

 

Why wouldn't we want to give our best to God to show that we rejoice when we come to seek him and care enough to present our service and our love and our desire to be with him to the best of our ability?

 

Whatever God's reasons are for commanding his temples be built the way they are (at least in general), I am sure he has his reasons.  Maybe if one goes to the temple looking to fully place one's heart and mind and body at his service enough he will be willing to share it with you.

Edited September 29, 2015 by Calm

[Calm]

A former neighbor worked for the church in the particular department having to do with temple building and said there is no budget for temples. Back then, 16-18 years ago, I thought how cool. But not now. In my current ward a gal told in a primary sharing time that she helped buy items for the temple and a vase was in the thousand range. I guess it's something to be proud of for some TBM's, to sacrifice for the Lord's house.

Brother Erying iirc talked in the Temple Dedication for the Payson temple of having to restructure one of the temples in order to fit the budget they were given, so I think your neighbor was wrong.

[Tacenda]

Brother Erying iirc talked in the Temple Dedication for the Payson temple of having to restructure one of the temples in order to fit the budget they were given, so I think your neighbor was wrong.

Did you see that it was 16-18 years ago? It may be that he was being sarcastic... that's a possibility, and we took it serious. Still though, back then it very well could have been that way.

[Meadowchik]

Read Elder Marlin K. Jensen, April 2001 GC talk, 

 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/to-walk-humbly-with-thy-god?lang=eng

 

Personally I think the most arrogant people in the Church, that i've known, have been just insecure, they feel so bad about themselves they go to the opposite and broadcast how wonderful they are and show off this or that.

 

Elder Hartman Rector Jr. said, "Self-esteem is different than conceit. Conceit is the weirdest disease in the world. It makes everyone sick except the one who has it."

 

Bingo. Counterintuitive, yes, but love, forgive, and be patient with yourself and then it helps you see that others really are others, not just objects, who are their own mix of magnificent, mad, and mundane

[Calm]

Did you see that it was 16-18 years ago? It may be that he was being sarcastic... that's a possibility, and we took it serious. Still though, back then it very well could have been that way.

Elder Eyring himself was talking about one of his older assignment. I will have to talk to friends and family to find the temple and thus time.

[The Nehor]

A question I have been wondering is if the church is humble with it's temples. They're worth millions of tithing paying dollars and have the nicest looking chandelliors and carpets and marble from Italy. And on top of each temple is a golden idol of Moroni which can make some think of Moses' people. I personally think temples should be more modest and money go elsewhere, because why does God require pricey rich materials? Isn't God humble?

Beauty is often worth sacrificing for. People like to whinge about what the money for temples could do elsewhere but carried to its logical conclusion that means we should throw art and beauty to the wayside until we have dealt with poverty (i.e. Maybe the Millenium). The experience of sacrifice combined with the power of temple experiences is more then worth the cost.

[KevinG]

While we are at it...  why did Mary waste that expensive oil on Christ's feet.  That could have been sold to feed the poor.  Prideful Mary!

[jkwilliams]

Beauty is often worth sacrificing for. People like to whinge about what the money for temples could do elsewhere but carried to its logical conclusion that means we should throw art and beauty to the wayside until we have dealt with poverty (i.e. Maybe the Millenium). The experience of sacrifice combined with the power of temple experiences is more then worth the cost.

I'm reminded of the Catholic priest who is constructing elaborate cathedrals in some of the poorest areas of Bolivia.

http://ncronline.org/news/global/german-priest-sees-churches-central-communities-bolivian-city

He was the local parish priest in my first area, so he, like us, would have lived without running water and with sporadic electricity. Some might say it's inappropriate to build these ornate cathedrals in the midst of crushing poverty, but I think he has a point, both in the sense of "if you build it, they will come," but also in believing that beauty uplifts even in the midst of suffering.

[pogi]

Does anyone else struggle with this? What can we do to be humble? Any good in as instruction? How do we translate teaching into actions?

 

I think the greatest guide to humility comes from the temple and Genesis.  The temple story helps us to understand the path from pride to humility through Adam and Eve.  It helps us to discover the roots of pride (which may be surprising) in order to address them.  Here are some of my notes:

 

“And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25), (Moses 3:25), and (Abraham 5:19).  

 

After eating the fruit, the Lord called out for Adam.  It was upon Adam hearing the voice of the Lord that Lucifer cunningly distracted their attention from God and placed it upon their own nakedness, causing them to hide in fear and shame.

 

There are depths of learning to be had from that interaction.  Entire volumes could be written.  

 

I can imagine Lucifer whispering, “You have done it now, you have destroyed the plan of God, you have ruined everything, it’s all your fault, you are a big mistake, you are better off hiding from Him now, He will never accept you like this, can’t you see that you are naked, quick hide!”  How quick Lucifer can transform healthy guilt into toxic shame.  The difference being that sorrowful guilt influences us to seek reconciliation before the Lord, while toxic shame influences us to hide from the Lord. 

 

Before partaking of the fruit, they were completely dependent on the Lord for everything; they were provided everything they needed for eternal survival so long as they obeyed his command. Now that they had disobeyed, there was no promise.  

 

Out of this state of shame, fear, and self-judgment, was born a new perspective on life.  This new perspective says that I have to look out for myself now; I am broken, I am not acceptable.  Their mindset had changed from dependence on the Lord for preservation, to a self-preserving/protecting paradigm.  Pride begins to build a wall of enmity (represented by the wall of bushes and trees that Adam hid behind) between us and God as we pit our will against God’s, in a spirit of my will and not thine be done.  So we can see that it is out of shame, fear, and self-judgment that ironically the antonym of shame is born, even pride.

 

 

The reason it is hard to change, is not always because of conceit, but because of deep and often unconscious fears.  Real change requires the courage of Adam, to stand completely and utterly exposed and naked before his creator saying, "here I am".  We have to come out of hiding (we are all in hiding to some degree or another). That's the secret.  But that is why it is so hard to change.  We are comfortable in hiding.  It requires sacrificing our self-preserving/protecting paradigm and concede to the Lord in complete submission to his will.  It is a process.  Be patient. 

Edited September 29, 2015 by pogi

[pogi]

I think it's hard to be humble when we have a savior complex. You know, the non-members around us will be relegated to an eternity of lesser glory, unless I help to save them. Or, the dead are doomed unless I do the temple work and become a savior on Mt. Zion.

 

There is so much built into our expressions of worship that we feel we have all the answers and have all the saving power. As long as we feel that we are building ourselves up to be more important, or at least, more privileged than 99.999% of all people who have ever lived. We have been saved as Saturdays warriors to usher in the Savior's return. There's not a whole lot of humility if we are constantly comparing our light, knowledge, righteousness, and priesthood against those around us.

 

I don't mean this to be a negative post but it does seem that when we set ourselves up as God's chosen people, we are pridefully setting ourselves up as mini-saviors of the world. It's hard to be humble when we are so special.

 

True humility is distinctly different from the false humility that you hint at.  False humility consists of deprecating one's own divine potential, calling, inheritance, gifts, talents, accomplishments, and position in the world.  True humility, on the other hand, consists of acknowledging God in one's heart in all of these things.  It is not about our position to others that makes us humble, but our position to the Father.  True humility consists of acknowledging your utter and complete dependence on the Lord for all things.  True humility holds the mantra in its heart of "thy will, and not mine, be done".  Humility requires the obedient servant to submit to the command to be saviors on mount Zion.  On the contrary to what you portray, It is a humbling work and calling for me personally.  Humility is born out of courage, not weakness.  Humility is strengthening, not weakening. Humility is service to others.  We are called to serve, Happy, nothing more. 

 

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." - C.S. Lewis

Edited September 29, 2015 by pogi

[HappyJackWagon]

True humility is distinctly different from the false humility that you hint at.  False humility consists of deprecating one's own divine potential, calling, inheritance, gifts, talents, accomplishments, and position in the world.  True humility, on the other hand, consists of acknowledging God in one's heart in all of these things.  It is not about our position to others that makes us humble, but our position to the Father.  True humility consists of acknowledging your utter and complete dependence on the Lord for all things.  True humility holds the mantra in its heart of "thy will, and not mine, be done".  Humility requires the obedient servant to submit to the command to be saviors on mount Zion.  On the contrary to what you portray, It is a humbling work and calling for me personally.  Humility is born out of courage, not weakness.  Humility is strengthening, not weakening. Humility is service to others.  We are called to serve, Happy, nothing more. 

 

"Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." - C.S. Lewis

Good points, but I was thinking more in the direction of institutional rameumptums. "We thank thee God for making us more chosen, more righteous than our non-member neighbors. We thank thee that we have the one true gospel whereas everyone else is deceived." Etc. etc.

 

I think there is significant self-righteousness institutionalized in the doctrines of the church that can easily be taken as a form of pride individually.