The ancient prophet Micah urged his people to simplify their worship. “Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,” he asked, “or with ten thousand rivers of oil?” (Micah 6:6). Instead of making dramatic gestures like these, we might consider what actually makes Him happy:
What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Micah 6:8
When the Jaredites arrived in their promised land after nearly a year at sea, “they bowed themselves down upon the face of the land, and did humble themselves before the Lord, and did shed tears of joy before the Lord, because of the multitude of his tender mercies over them” (Ether 6:12).
As they settled in their new home, they taught their children “to walk humbly before the Lord” (Ether 6:17). One of Jared’s sons, Orihah, became their first king. He was a good king:
Orihah did walk humbly before the Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for his father, and also taught his people how great things the Lord had done for their fathers.
Ether 6:30
There is clearly a connection between walking humbly and being grateful. Elder Dale G. Renlund said, “Individuals who walk humbly with God remember what Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have done for them” (“Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with Go,” General Conference, October 2020).
In May 1829, in Harmony, Pennsylvania, Joseph Smith received a revelation on behalf of his brother Hyrum. Among other things, the Lord counseled Hyrum:
Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.
Doctrine and Covenants 11:12
So a key to walking humbly is to learn to recognize and follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. God can teach us how to walk more humbly with Him if we are willing to listen.
Today, I will walk humbly with God. I will remember the great blessings I have received from Him and express gratitude for them. I will also strive to hear and follow His personalized guidance for me.
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