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Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3

Being Humble and Teachable

"Lesson 42: Being Humble and Teachable," Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3, 170

OBJECTIVE

Each young man will desire to be humble and teachable.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

Servants of the Lord Must Be Humble

Handout activity

After the class members discuss this question, give each young man a copy of the word list and a pencil. Have them circle the words that describe humility and cross out those that do not. This activity should take no more than five minutes.

Explain that a humble person is meek and teachable. He recognizes that he is dependent on God and wants to submit to God's will. He recognizes the great value of other people. Those who want to be valiant servants of the Lord must be humble.

Scriptures and discussion

Explain that Moses was an example of humility (see Numbers 12:3). He led 600,000 men, plus women and children, through the wilderness to the promised land (see Exodus 12:37). He was the prophet through whom the Lord spoke to the people. Moses could have been jealous of others who exercised priesthood powers. But instead he acted with humility when two men in the camp prophesied to the people.

Have the young men read Numbers 11:27-29.

Have a young man read Exodus 18:13-18, 21-24.

Point out that Moses was over eighty years old at the time, but he was still anxious to learn. He gratefully accepted the counsel from Jethro and applied it immediately. He was teachable.

These examples show that Moses was meek and humble. There are also examples that show Moses' courage and strength.

You may wish to point out two such examples. Moses courageously spoke the will of the Lord to the Pharaoh of Egypt (see Exodus 7:10, 20; 8:5-10, 29; 10:24-29). He rebuked the Lord's people when they turned to idol worship (see Exodus 32:15-20, 30). Explain that these examples remind us that meekness does not mean that a person is weak.

Story

Explain that Joseph Smith had qualities of kindness and humility that are identified in the following story related by William F. Cahoon, Joseph Smith's seventeen-year-old home teacher. Ask the young men to listen and identify how both the Prophet and the young man were humble and teachable.

"I was called and ordained to act as a teacher to visit the families of the Saints. I got along very well till I found that I was obliged to call and pay a visit to the Prophet. Being young, only about seventeen years of age, I felt my weakness in visiting the Prophet and his family in the capacity of a teacher. I almost felt like shrinking from duty. Finally I went to his door and knocked, and in a minute the Prophet came to the door. I stood there trembling, and said to him:

" 'Brother Joseph, I have come to visit you in the capacity of a teacher, if it is convenient for you.'

"He said, 'Brother William, come right in, I am glad to see you; sit down in that chair there and I will go and call my family in.'

"They soon came in and took seats. He then said, 'Brother William, I submit myself and family into your hands,' and then took his seat. 'Now, Brother William,' said he, 'ask all the questions you feel like.'

"By this time all my fears and trembling had ceased, and I said, 'Brother Joseph, are you trying to live your religion?'

"He answered, 'Yes.'

"I then said, 'Do you pray in your family?'

"He said, 'Yes.'

" 'Do you teach your family the principles of the gospel?'

"He replied, 'Yes, I am trying to do it.'

" 'Do you ask a blessing on your food?'

"He answered, 'Yes.'

" 'Are you trying to live in peace and harmony with all your family?'

"He said that he was.

"I then turned to Sister Emma, his wife, and said, 'Sister Emma, are you trying to live your religion? Do you teach your children to obey their parents? Do you try to teach them to pray?'

"To all these questions she answered, 'Yes, I am trying to do so.'

"I then turned to Joseph and said, 'I am now through with my questions as a teacher; and now if you have any instructions to give, I shall be happy to receive them.'

"He said, 'God bless you, Brother William; and if you are humble and faithful, you shall have power to settle all difficulties that may come before you in the capacity of a teacher.'

"I then left a parting blessing upon him and his family, as a teacher, and took my departure" ("Recollections of the Prophet Joseph Smith," Juvenile Instructor, 15 Aug. 1892, pp. 492-93).

Discussion

Relate some examples of humility you have observed in members of the ward or branch or in other people you know.

We Must Avoid Pride

Quotation

Read the following statement by President Ezra Taft Benson:

"In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride. It is always considered as a sin. We are not speaking of a wholesome view of self-worth, which is best established by a close relationship with God. But we are speaking of pride as the universal sin. ...

"Essentially, pride is a 'my will' rather than 'thy will' approach to life. The opposite of pride is humbleness, meekness, submissiveness (see Alma 13:28), or teachableness. ...

"Pride is characterized by 'What do I want out of life?' rather than by 'What would God have me do with my life?' It is self-will as opposed to God's will. It is the fear of man over the fear of God" (in Conference Report, Apr. 1986, pp. 5-6; or Ensign, May 1986, pp. 6-7).

Scriptures and discussion

Explain that the scriptures show examples of people who were filled with pride. King Noah was filled with uncontrolled pride and selfishness (see Mosiah 11-12, 17). He was a very wicked king who felt that he was so powerful and wise that he did not need help from the Lord or the prophet Abinadi.

Have the young men read Mosiah 11:1-5, 27-28; 12:1, 9; and Mosiah 17:5-13.

Point out that since King Noah and his people were unwilling to humble themselves, they were taken into bondage by the Lamanites, and King Noah died by fire (see Mosiah 19).

Encourage the young men to discuss this question. They may mention such things as disobeying God's commandments, feeling that we know better than God what to do with our lives, refusing to repent of our sins, thinking we are better than other people, and treating them badly.

Being Humble Brings Great Blessings

Picture discussion

Display picture 16, Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet (see John 13:3-9).

Scriptures and discussion

Explain that some of the Lord's greatest promises are given to those who are humble. Assign each young man one of the following scriptures to locate and read to himself. Then read aloud the following promises and have the young men identify which scripture describes each promise. Have the verses read to the entire class. If there are more than six young men, assign each scripture to several young men.

Scriptures

Promises

Conclusion

Challenges

Give the young men the following challenges:

Word List

meek

 

demanding

 

gentle

 

critical

 

follower

 

boastful

 

rebellious

 

critical

 

self-important

 

thoughtful

 

submissive

 

vain

 

childish

 

serves others

 

selfish

 

kind

 

egotistical

 

tolerant

 

childlike

 

patient

 

conceited

 

teachable

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Next Chapter: Lesson 43: Thoughts and Language »

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