meekness

last night in our family home evening lesson, we talked about what it means to be meek.  we started off asking the kids what they thought the definition was.  they did not know, but after a bit of prodding, we got them to describe what the opposite of meek is and then we were able to define what meek is.

one of the first descriptions that they thought of was: calm.

elder soares noted this in his october 2013 general conference talk.  "meekness is the quality of those who are 'godfearing, righteous, humble, teachable, and patient under suffering.'  those who possess this attribute are willing to follow jesus christ, and their temperament is calm, docile, tolerant and submissive."

later on, he says, "by controlling our reactions, being calm and temperate, and avoiding contention, we will begin to qualify for the gift of meekness."

we further talked about what the opposite of meekness is.  we got responses like: loud, crazy, brags.  we followed up on the word "brags" with the question: what does a person usually brag about?  the answer: himself or herself.  so we further concluded that the opposite of meekness is also selfishness; and therefore we talked about how to be meek means to put others first or POF.

my wife's mother used to make these little heart-shaped wooden tokens that you can carry around in your pocket.  on the little token were the letters POF.  it was a gentle reminder of always trying to serve others.

we then watched a video about meekly serving others (see unselfish service).  after the video, we talked about how there are many paths in this life and that everyone is free to choose which path to follow.  but we have observed, been taught and have lived one path that, although difficult at times, it nonetheless bring lasting joy and happiness: and that is a life dedicated to raising a family and serving others.

we then ended the lesson by reminding the kids to always follow christ.  and if ever they strayed from following christ, they can always find the way back through repentance and using the atonement.

Poor In Spirit

Recently, I've been deeply impressed to minimize the breadth of my scripture study to two things: reading the Book of Mormon and studying the New Testament.

To help with my studying of the New Testament, I decided to delve deep and truly learn and understand what the Savior taught.  Too often I have brushed over the words and have not internalized what has been taught.

As I learn and internalize, I will post my notes to this blog.

By the way, the complete Sermon on the Mount is up at biblevideos.org.  I watched all four parts this morning and was deeply moved by the production.

Matthew 5:3, Luke 6:20 and 3 Nephi 12:3 all discuss the topic of the "poor in spirit"

Matthew 5:3 reads, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Luke 6:20 reads, "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of heaven."

3 Nephi 12:3 reads, "Yea, blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

If one were poor in wealth or money, that would mean that person does not have much money - they experience some degree of poverty in which their needs are not met or their needs are barely met.  They do not have much or any money in their account.

Therefore to be poor in spirit would seem to mean that ones spiritual needs are not met or are barely being met.  They do not have any or they have very little spiritual assests.  Spiritually speaking, they have everything to gain and nothing to lose.  In which case, if they "come unto [Jesus]" and follow his teachings, they will inheirit the kingdom of heaven.

In the October 1974 conference, Elder O. Leslie Stone gave a talk on The Beatitudes and had this to say, "What is meant by 'poor in spirit'? Is it not humility, which renders us teachable and eager to learn? They who feel themselves spiritually poor approach God, asking him to supply their needs. They who have faith in him, learn his laws and try diligently to obey him. They thus become eligible for the great blessings he has promised, including salvation, exaltation, and eternal life, which are the greatest of all the gifts of God."

I also like what the NIV Bible footnote as to say about what poor in spirit means, "poor in spirit, In contrast to the spiritually proud and self-sufficient."

To be poor in spirit means to be:
humble
contrite
meek
teachable
dependant on God and Jesus
submissive

Related scriptures:
Mosiah 3:19
Mosiah 4:11
Helaman 3:35