(It’s uncertain as to if this was properly posted. . . . so here it is again. . . .)

From President Dallin H. Oaks and his book “Life’s Lessons Learned”

I have had to learn lessons about humility: first, what it is, and second, how to seek it and keep it.

I have been profoundly influenced by that teaching and Comforted by the next verse: “But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God” (2 Nephi 9:29).

I have been favored to learn from the humility of many, well educated Latter-day Saints. During my service at Brigham Young University, I was also blessed with the close association of President Spencer W. Kimball. The self-effacing demeanor and tender approach of this remarkable man made him a great role model of humility.

Church callings, especially visible callings, pose new challenges to seeking and maintaining humility. In his assigned charge to newly called members of the Quorum of the Twelve, Oliver Cowdery included this warning: for I know the pride of the human heart. Beware lest the flatters of the world lift you up; beware, lest your affections be captivated by worldly objects.”2

Similarly, in and 1830 sermon, the Prophet Joseph Smith gave this warning to the Twelve: “Let the Twelve and all Saints . . . be humble, and not exalted, and beware of pride, and not seek to excel one above another, but act for each other’s good, and pray for one another, and honor our brother.

In my current position, my greatest stimulus to humility is seeing General Authorities doing many things—such as giving talks in general conference or or offering counsel on matters being discussed—with far greater skill and wisdom than I could do them.

Each of us has personal strengths that can detract from our humility. If we engage in self-congratulation over those strengths, we lose the protection of humility and are vulnerable to Satan’s using out strengths to produce our downfall.4 In contrast, if we are humble and teachable, hearkening to the commandments of God, the counsel of His leaders, the promptings of His Spirit, we can be guided in how to use our spiritual gifts, our accomplishments, and all our other strengths for righteousness.~~~Dallin H. Oaks, Prophet, Seer, Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . From his book “Life’s Lessons Learned” ~~~Dallin H. Oaks, Prophet, Seer, Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. . . . From his book “Life’s Lessons Learned” (continued)

                                                                                                                                                                                                 ∞                ∞                 ∞               ∞

   We must be watchful to prevent pride in our educational accomplishments, our professional or Church positions, or other personal strengths from weakening the humility we need to continue learning and progressing.