Sabbath Reflections - Meekness

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)

“Meekness is one of the attributes of Deity. Instructively, Jesus, our Lord and exemplar, called attention to Himself as being ‘meek and lowly in heart.’ (Matt. 11:29.) Paul extolled the ‘meekness and gentleness of Christ.’ (2 Cor. 10:1.) The Greek rendition of the word meek in the New Testament, by the way, is ‘gentle and humble.’”1

Meekness is needed in order to be spiritually successful, whether in matters of the intellect, in the management of power, in the dissolution of personal pride, or in coping with the challenges of daily life. Jesus, the carpenter – who, with Joseph "undoubtedly had experiences making yokes" – gave us that marvelous metaphor. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart." (Matt. 11:28-30.)

“Actually, meekness is not an attribute which is essential only in itself, said Moroni. It is also vital because one cannot develop those other crucial virtues—faith, hope, and charity—without meekness.
In the ecology of the eternal attributes, these cardinal characteristics are inextricably bound up together. Among them, meekness is often the initiator, facilitator, and consolidator. In fact, if one needs any further persuasion as to how vital this virtue is, Moroni warned, “none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.” (Moro. 7:43–44.) If we could but believe, really believe, in the reality of that bold but accurate declaration, you and I would find ourselves focusing on the crucial rather than the marginal tasks in life! We would then cease pursuing lifestyles which, inevitably and irrevocably, are going out of style!”1

As noted in Matthew we are tenderly entreated to Come, to learn and to know our Savior and Redeemer, to become one with Him. If we submissively heed the counsel offered, we are promised peace, or rest unto our souls, being a spiritual rest or comfort. Notwithstanding, it requires a proactive effort on our part to, learn of Him, to know Him and to be one with Him. In repetition, it is interesting to note that of all the qualities perfected in Christ, He encourages us in our own perfection by stating, in conjunction with the tender call to “come unto Him,” that He is “meek and lowly.” Of all His qualities, He highlights that of being meek and lowly with the clarion call that such is what we should become. For it is in meekness and humility that we become submissive. And it is in submissiveness that we become obedient and teachable. Therefore meekness becomes the basis of our progression on the pathway of discipleship, thereby leading to a submissive heart. And it is with a submissive heart that we become one with the Master and our Heavenly Father.

Even so, as counseled by further by Mosiah, we must “become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19)

We must adopt the perspective of spiritual beings in a human, or “natural man,” environment, rather than human beings seeking for a spiritual environment. Accepting the atoning gift, freely and submissively given by He whose love is infinite, can only be accomplished in meekness and submissiveness.

Fundamental to the development of Celestial Attributes, or in our discipleship to He whose love for us was manifest in His Atoning sacrifice, is the foundational attribute of meekness. Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Meekness implies a spirit of gratitude as opposed to an attitude of self-sufficiency, an acknowledgment of a greater power beyond oneself, a recognition of God, and an acceptance of his commandments” (“With All Thy Getting Get Understanding,” Ensign, Aug. 1988, 3–4).

Notwithstanding the tugs and pulls of the world that would have us believe there is strength and reward in pride, even the bounty of the earth, it is ironic that in the antithesis of pride or in Meekness, the meek will inherit the earth.

1Neal A. Maxwell