This semester I am taking a Book of Mormon class and in this class we spend all semester on a Book of Mormon project. This project is to specify study so that we better understand the Book of Mormon.
My favorite way to study the Book of Mormon is by topic. So I decided to use this opportunity to better understand the attributes of Christ. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. We are to try to become like Christ in this life. Seemed like a perfect combination.
The first attribute that I studied was Humility.
2 Nephi 31:7 says: "Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnessesth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments."
Christ is the Only Begotten. This entitled him to power. He is holy, as Nephi said. However, he still humbled himself and submitted to the Father. What does that say for us?
We are children of our Heavenly Father. We have been given power through the Holy Ghost and Priesthood power. In order to have the "power of the Lord with [us]" we need to "humble [ourselves] before the Lord" (1 Nephi 13:16).
How do we become humble? Many think that it means that we need to be down on ourselves all of the time and to be a welcome mat for others to walk all over. But that isn't really the case.
Really what is recognizing that we have blessings, where they come from, and where our strength and abilities come from (1 Nephi 16:32, 1 Nephi 18:4).
One of the major themes of the Book of Mormon is the pride cycle. This is where the people start out humble, they receive blessings, so they become prideful. As a result, they are chastened, then they become humble again. A way to counteract that? Be humble "be in whatsoever circumstances [you] might (Alma 32:25) and don't let prosperity get in your way (Alma 62:49).
This does not mean that because you are humble, life will always be prosperous and you will never have trouble. I wish that were the case but that is not true. Another theme that we read a lot in the Book of Mormon is afflictions that the humble received from the wicked. However, that is not to discourage being humble. A perfect response comes from Helman 3:34-35: fast and pray oft, wax stronger in humility, wax firmer in the faith, and yielding your heart unto God. Doing this will result in joy and consolation, purifying and sanctification of your heart. The people of Alma at the waters of Mormon were delivered from their trials and heavy afflictions because of their humility and mighty prayers (Mosiah 24:13-17). See also Mosiah 29:20.
Ultimately, the reason why we should be humble comes from Mosiah 3:18: "men drink damnation unto their souls, except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent."
When we are humble through this life, we are worthy of the atoning blood of Christ and will receive exaltation. That is why we need to be humble.
Scriptures for further reading (sorry I am not linking all of these):
Why be humble: 1 Nephi 16:5, 1 Nephi 16:24, 2 Nephi 12:9, Mosiah 4:10-11, Alma 5:54, Alma 7:3,23, Alma 13:13-14,28, Alma 15:17, Alma 32:12-16, Alma 34:38, Helaman 11:9-11, 3 Nephi 4:33, Ether 6:12,17, Ether 9:35, Ether 12:27
How to be humble:
1 Nephi 15:20, Mosiah 3:19, Alma 5:13,27, Mosiah 21:13-14, Alma 32:6, Alma 42:30, Alma 48:20, Helaman 6:5, 3 Nephi 6:13, 3 Nephi 12:2, Mormon 5:24, Ether 6:30, Moroni 8:10
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