I need to set some humility goals. I know we have all read this talk but I didn't know it was delivered by Pres. Hinckley.
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng
I also like Pres. Uchtdorf's talk Pride and the Priesthood.
What talks/thoughts about humility are your favorites? Any specific suggestions to reduce pride?
Wow! I never knew that President Hinckley read it for President Benson!
ReplyDeleteI wish that I had good advice for decreasing pride, but I must admit that it is something that I find myself struggling with on a regular basis.
I have become fairly good at monitoring my heart. I can often discern when my heart and my thoughts are not soft and open the the spirit.
And when I do notice, I try to change. The best way for me to regain and retain the Spirit and be more humble in those moments is to have a quality study in the Book of Mormon, and to pray for forgiveness, for humility and for the Spirit.
I'm a big believer that self-awareness precedes self-regulation. So, I first try to be aware of when I am proud. Then I try to change, with the help of the Savior.
Usually my pride is looking down (particularly within the young student branch I attend). But today I was noticing my pride looking up. I was hesitant to share talents (I'm doing a musical number at youth conference) because I feel like my talents aren't as good as other people's talents and that it shouldn't be me doing it. Something that is helping me is focusing on my desire to serve the youth and act in love for the Lord.
And, I also draw strength from the scriptures. I think of Ether 12 and how Moroni felt insecure about his writing skills, and how it made him end that chapter making it shorter than it could have been. I wish he'd kept writing because I learned a ton despite his perceived weakness. I want to make sure that I don't let my comparing and insecurities keep me from being an instrument through which others can feel the Spirit.
I didn't know that President Hinckley read it either. Was President Benson sick, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, funny you should ask... This week I was reminded of a talk about receiving correction and have been meaning to look it up. I think that accepting and even seeking correction is one important aspect of humility. Here's the link to the talk: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/as-many-as-i-love-i-rebuke-and-chasten?lang=eng. Elder Christofferson speaks of both divine correction and correction that comes through others: Church leaders, a spouse, parents, and even "persons who have little regard or love for us" (which is often more difficult to accept).
P.S. One of my favorite lines in the talk is this: "Even when we encounter mean-spirited criticism from persons who have little regard or love for us, it can be helpful to exercise enough meekness to weigh it and sift out anything that might benefit us." It reminds me of one of Grandpa's favorite scriptures, which he has repeated to me often: "Examinadlo todo y retened lo bueno." Or in English, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." (That's 1 Thess. 5:21. I like the Spanish version better.)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part of Pte. Benson's talk has always been, "There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up" -Pte. Benson. This has always been something that I've struggled with and it wasn't until I read these talks that I started understanding it better. I had always confused the true definition of humility.
ReplyDeletePte. Uchtdorf explains, "Some suppose that humility is about beating ourselves up. Humility does not mean convincing ourselves that we are worthless, meaningless, or of little value. Nor does it mean denying or withholding the talents God has given us. We don’t discover humility by thinking less of ourselves; we discover humility by thinking less about ourselves. It comes as we go about our work with an attitude of serving God and our fellowman." I think that Satan works to confuse us what humility really is. Along with all the other Christlike attributes, there are Satan's counterfeits, such as humility and self-degradation.
So I have to agree with Alisson in that the first and important step is self-awareness. I know when I am more aware of this counterfeit, I am more willing to change. Then I try to take Pte. Uchtdorf's advice by thinking less about myself and thinking more about others. Service is the perfect way for me to repent of pride.