Question
Dear Gramps,
A couple questions. I know that I am supposed to have humility in order to be humble. But what is humility and how do you get it? What does it mean to be humble? Thanks.
Cindy
Answer
Dear Cindy,
Words can often be described by comparison with their opposites. The opposite of humility is pride. To have pride is to have inordinate self esteem or conceit. A proud person would recognize himself as the author of his good qualities and good fortune and would tend to think of himself as better than others.
A humble person recognizes, acknowledges and appreciates the Lord as the true source of the qualities that he may possess. We should not equate humility with self deprecation. Humility and confidence are two sides of the same coin. Humility says, “Without the Lord’s help I can do nothing,” recognizing the Lord as the author, provider and inspiration for all the good qualities that we possess. Confidence say, “With the Lord’s help I can do anything,” recognizing the Lord as the author, provider and inspiration for all the good qualities that we possess. The Lord has said,
And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments (D&C 59:21).
