the power of meekness

"...declare my gospel and learn of me, and be meek and lowly of heart" Doctrine and Covenants 32:1

" Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

Likening the scriptures to my own situation has been quite enlightening. Here we are again with Jesus telling us to be meek, but now he is telling us that it mirrors his own character. That is the goal is it not to learn of Him and strive to emulate Him. He also promises us that learning to be meek and learning of Him will give us rest.

My favorite educator said a similar thing. “The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days; while she who lets their habits take care of themselves has a weary life of endless friction with the children.” Charlotte must have been familiar with Jesus' words.

There is also one other point here. We are to declare His gospel.

As a stay-at-home mother/home school teacher, it seemed logical that my time should be spent teaching the gospel to my children and being an example to my neighbors. To varying degrees, I was successful. For a long time I carried guilt on this score. That is until I realized a few things.

Children come to us as persons with a history not blank slates on which we can write our will into their lives. We may teach them and declare truths unto them. However, they have agency to choose. Some may not be easily led or taught.

Every family has standards from the most strict to the most lenient. Some want their children to attend church, learn of God, and participate in family activities and work. Others want their children to study and gain a world class education. Others are into sports or socializing. Strangely, some promote premarital sex, drugs and alcohol, and other questionable or illegal activities. Whatever a parent's values are, they believe it best to instill these in their children. Once again a child might embrace parental values or reject them.

As a parent who believes in being firm and kind, I attempted to teach values of the gospel to my children. Additionally, I believe in requiring the acquisition of a good education, moderate daily exercise, good work habits, and participation in family activities. When I have acted on the meek side of the personality scale, my children were accepting of my values. On the other hand, harshness and force did not generally result in achieving my desired goals. Meekness seems to give us power to influence those we love much more than contention ever will.

“Parley P. Pratt was admonished to be meek and lowly of heart. In the year 1837, there were ‘jarrings and discord’ in the Church at Kirtland, and he was overcome with that spirit. He even tried to turn John Taylor from the Prophet by pointing out to him what he regarded as Joseph’s error. Elder Taylor rebuked him as a brother, and Parley P. Pratt went to the Prophet in tears and confessed his sin, whereupon the Prophet frankly forgave him, prayed with him, and blessed him. This was meekness. It was also manliness. Only a really strong character can possess true humility.” (Smith and Sjodahl, Commentary, pp. 170–71.)