September 2, 2006

Humility is not convincing yourself you're not the best (even though you aren't)

Taking some instruction from Hugh Nibley and C.S. Lewis, the subject of humility is very interesting. The true nature of humility was described well by Lewis in his book "The Screwtape Letters." The book is a fictional collection of letters written by a senior devil to his young nephew, Wormwood, advising him on how to tempt a man into damnation. If you haven't read it I suggest you do, it's a short book, and really insightful as well as entertaining. At one point in the story, Wormwood's assigned man becomes a Christian. Wormwood is worried, but Screwtape encourages him to exploit the man's newfound religion. He explains how to warp the concept of humility.

The true concept of humility does not involve trying to convince yourself that you are not a great person. Individual worth is important. This isn't to say God wants us to be prideful, however. For example, in the Pearl of Great Price Moses is shown an awesome vision of the world and the whole human race. After the vision he is so amazed and says "man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed." God didn't correct him in saying that, but later explained that his very 'work and glory' is to exalt man, because they are all His children. This is a great paradox the gospel presents, that we are the children of God, but are "less than the dust of the earth." (Mosiah 2:25) This conversation God has with Moses demonstrates what true humility is. Other prophets have had similar experiences, and they can help illustrate my point here, as Nibley pointed out. In the Book of Mormon, Moroni said Jesus spoke with him "in plain humility, even as a man telleth another," (Ether 12:39.) Of this experience, Nibley said:
"Now that's what humility is. It is not bowing the knee in the presence of overwhelming superiority, power or glory. Anybody can do that. But it is recognizing that other creatures, small, very unimportant [to you] creatures, are just as good as you are and are on an equal basis with you. That's what humility is. You are listening and you put yourself on the same level with them." (Nibley, Teachings of the PoGP, pg. 214).
Humility is an opposite of pride. I'm talking about the bad kind of pride, not the kind where a dad says "I'm proud of my son," indicating a warm love and appreciation. I mean the kind of pride that sets us up on different levels above other people. President Benson said pride was the universal sin, the one the Saints would likely struggle with most. He's probably right. Pride makes us unaware of those around us who may need some cheering up, or a helping hand. The funny thing about pride is, it believes it is so great, so smart, yet it is not smart enough to even recognize itself. That's where the danger lies. Lewis said it best: