Meekness is the principal protection from the prideful blindness that often arises from prominence, position, power, wealth, and adulation."
- Elder David A. Bednar - April 2018 General Conference
I've been thinking alot about the virtue of meekness over these past couple weeks. And these last several days, I've revisited one of my favorite talks several times from Neal A. Maxwell given at BYU in 1982, "Meekly Drenched In Destiny."
This one is right up there with all the classics! It's packed with saving principles.
Meekness is a virtue I'm ever striving to learn. I know that meekness is the key to healing, the key to peace in my heart, and vital to being a true disciple of Christ.
I've copy-pasted bits and pieces of Maxwell's talk below that I really love...
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"Moreover, if one needs any further persuasion as to how vital this virtue is, Moroni warned, “none is acceptable before God save the meek and the lowly in heart” (Moroni 7:44). If we could but believe, really believe, in the reality of that bold but accurate declaration, you and I would then find ourselves focusing on the crucial rather than the marginal tasks in life! We would then cease pursuing life-styles which, inevitably and irrevocably, are going out of style!
We live in coarsening times... Meekness is misunderstood and despised... It still remains a non-negotiable dimension of true discipleship.
How crucial it is to be teachable!
...The meek less easily offended, but they are less likely to give offense to others. In contrast, there are some in life who seem to be waiting to be offended. Their pride covers them like boils which will inevitably be bumped.
Meekness also cultivates in us a generosity in viewing the mistakes and imperfections of others:
...Meekness does not mean tentativeness, but thoughtfulness. Meekness makes room for others: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3) you.
...None of the divine virtues is easy to develop. But each is possible and portable. None of them will ever be obsolete. Besides, what are the alternatives? Genius unmodified by meekness? History amply attests that such is both a blessing and a curse! Expertise wrapped in overmuch ego? It is so difficult to utilize. Boldness and swiftness unrestrained by gentleness? Such traits are as likely to trample on people as to lift them!
It is meekness, therefore, that helps us to step gratefully forward to place on the altar the talents and time and self with which we are blessed—to be at God and His children’s disposal. The offering is of a gentled self, a self concerned with charity—not parity.
Yes, there are real costs associated with meekness. A significant down payment must be made. But it can come from our sufficient supply of pride. We must also be willing to endure the subsequent erosion of unbecoming ego. Furthermore, our hearts will be broken in order that they might be rebuilt. As Ezekiel said, one’s task is to “make you a new heart and a new spirit” (Ezekiel 18:31). There is no way that such dismantling, such erosion, such rebuilding can occur without real cost in pain, pride, adjustments, and even some dismay. Yet since we cannot be “acceptable before God save [we are] meek and lowly in heart” (Moroni 7:44), the reality of that awesome requirement must be heeded. Better to save one’s soul than to save one’s face."
-Neal A. Maxwell given at BYU in 1982, "Meekly Drenched In Destiny."
