Be Thou Humble, by Julie Rogers
God calls upon ordinary people to help Him accomplish His work. They don’t have to be perfect, but they do need to be humble.
In July 1837, the Lord gave some instruction to Thomas B. Marsh, who was serving as president of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles (Doctrine and Covenants 112). The guidance in this revelation was for him, but it was applicable to all of the apostles. “What I say unto you, I say unto all the Twelve,” the Lord declared. By extension, we can infer that this guidance applies to each of us as we contribute to God’s work.
The importance of humility is a constant theme in this revelation. For example:
- “Inasmuch as thou hast abased thyself thou shalt be exalted” (v. 3).
- “By thy word many high ones shall be brought low, and by thy word many low ones shall be exalted” (v. 8).
- “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers” (v. 10).
- “Pray for thy brethren of the Twelve. Admonish them sharply for my name’s sake, and let them be admonished for all their sins” (v. 12).
- “Exalt not yourselves; rebel not against my servant Joseph; for verily I say unto you, I am with him” (v. 15).
- “Whosoever ye shall send in my name … shall have power to open the door of my kingdom unto any nation … inasmuch as they shall humble themselves before me, and abide in my word, and hearken to the voice of my Spirit” (v. 21-22).
These passages indicate that humble people are willing to receive correction. They respect those whom God has called to lead them. And they are willing to follow the guidance He provides by the Holy Ghost.
The Lord promises to lead His humble servants by the hand, to answer their prayers, and to empower them to open doors. As we intentionally humble ourselves in His service, we will receive these blessings.
The other revelations in this week’s reading also support this principle:
- In Doctrine and Covenants 111, we see the Lord guiding a group of his servants to many kinds of treasures, in spite of their “follies.”
- In Doctrine and Covenants 113, the Lord teaches church leaders about their role in establishing Zion in response to a set of questions about two chapters in Isaiah.
- In Doctrine and Covenants 114, God calls one of the apostles, David Patten, to prepare for a mission with the other apostles the following spring. The Lord promises that if some of the apostles fall away, others will be called to replace them.
Here are some of my favorite passages from these revelations with relevant blog posts and Book of Mormon connections.
Scripture Highlights and Related Blog Posts
1. God will help us use our time wisely.
Doctrine and Covenants 111:3, 8
Therefore, it is expedient that you should form acquaintance with men in this city, as you shall be led, and as it shall be given you. …
And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the peace and power of my Spirit, that shall flow unto you.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:10
Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Blog Posts
📄 Day by Day
If you want to change the shape of your life, change the shape of your day; God will lead you from moment to moment.
Book of Mormon connection: Alma 37:40
2. We can choose to be cheerful.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:4
Let thy heart be of good cheer before my face; and thou shalt bear record of my name, not only unto the Gentiles, but also unto the Jews; and thou shalt send forth my word unto the ends of the earth.
Blog Posts
📄 Choosing to Be of Good Cheer
With faith in the Savior, we can hush our fears, take courage, and replace fearfulness with cheerfulness!
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 1:13
3. We should share the gospel constantly.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:5
Contend thou, therefore, morning by morning; and day after day let thy warning voice go forth; and when the night cometh let not the inhabitants of the earth slumber, because of thy speech.
Blog Posts
📄 “None Shall Slumber”
Share the gospel continuously and naturally; don’t hold back from sharing what matters most and inviting others to learn more.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 15:26-27
4. Prepare now to receive future assignments from God.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:7, 14
Therefore, gird up thy loins for the work. Let thy feet be shod also, for thou art chosen, and thy path lieth among the mountains, and among many nations. …
Now, I say unto you, and what I say unto you, I say unto all the Twelve: Arise and gird up your loins, take up your cross, follow me, and feed my sheep.
Blog Posts
📄 What Does It Mean to “Gird Up Your Loins”?
“Gird up your loins” by being ready to serve, courageous in doing what must be done, and mentally prepared for the continued unfolding of God’s work on the earth and in your life.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 21:5; 2 Nephi 30:11; Alma 46:13, 21
5. God will open doors.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:19
Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word.
Blog Posts
📄 An Effectual Door
Even when things haven’t gone well, keep watching for the opportunities God will provide.
Book of Mormon connection: Mosiah 7:18; Mosiah 8:7-8; Mosiah 21:6-14, 25
6. God will dispel darkness.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:23
Verily, verily, I say unto you, darkness covereth the earth, and gross darkness the minds of the people, and all flesh has become corrupt before my face.
Blog Posts
📄 Gross Darkness
God’s light can pierce even the thickest darkness.
Book of Mormon connection: Helaman 5:28-43; 3 Nephi 8:20-23
7. Share the gospel with everyone.
Doctrine and Covenants 112:28-29
But purify your hearts before me; and then go ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every creature who has not received it;
And he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not, and is not baptized, shall be damned.
Blog Posts
📄 The Great Commission
The Savior expects His disciples to bless all of God’s children by sharing His teachings.
Book of Mormon connection: Mormon 9:25
8. Remember that Jesus is the source of our strength.
Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-6
Who is the Stem of Jesse spoken of in the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th verses of the 11th chapter of Isaiah?
Verily thus saith the Lord: It is Christ.
What is the rod spoken of in the first verse of the 11th chapter of Isaiah, that should come of the Stem of Jesse?
Behold, thus saith the Lord: It is a servant in the hands of Christ, who is partly a descendant of Jesse as well as of Ephraim, or of the house of Joseph, on whom there is laid much power.
What is the root of Jesse spoken of in the 10th verse of the 11th chapter?
Behold, thus saith the Lord, it is a descendant of Jesse, as well as of Joseph, unto whom rightly belongs the priesthood, and the keys of the kingdom, for an ensign, and for the gathering of my people in the last days.
Blog Posts
📄 The Stem, the Rod, and the Root
Those who represent the Savior must emulate Him and receive power from Him. He is the stem or the root, and we are the branches, drawing strength from Him.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 21:1-2, 5
📄 Old Testament Prophecies of the Second Coming
We can prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ by strengthening families with priesthood power, gathering Israel and preaching the gospel, hearing and following the teachings of Jesus, and increasing our capacity to receive personal revelation.
Book of Mormon connection: 3 Nephi 21:22, 25
📄 The Root and the Offspring
Jesus was both the Creator of the earth and a descendant of King David. These seemingly contradictory roles testify of His love for us.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 21:1, 10; Mosiah 3:8; Mosiah 5:7
9. God encourages us to actively invite His power into our lives.
Doctrine and Covenants 113:7-8
Questions by Elias Higbee: What is meant by the command in Isaiah, 52d chapter, 1st verse, which saith: Put on thy strength, O Zion–and what people had Isaiah reference to?
He had reference to those whom God should call in the last days, who should hold the power of priesthood to bring again Zion, and the redemption of Israel; and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood, which she, Zion, has a right to by lineage; also to return to that power which she had lost.
Blog Posts
📄 “Put on Thy Strength”
Receive God’s power by learning about Him, following Him, keeping covenants with Him, and reaching up to Him in faith.
Book of Mormon connection: 2 Nephi 8:9-10, 24; 3 Nephi 20:36
10. Fulfill your callings with diligence and humility.
Doctrine and Covenants 114:2
For verily thus saith the Lord, that inasmuch as there are those among you who deny my name, others shall be planted in their stead and receive their bishopric. Amen.
Blog Posts
📄 In Their Stead
Callings are temporary. Fulfill them to the best of your ability and with humility, remembering that someone else will fulfill them after you.
Book of Mormon connection: 4 Nephi 1:14
Questions to Ponder
Here are some questions and topics I intend to study this week:
- What treasures are available to me that I might not see? (Doctrine and Covenants 111:2, 10)
- What doors are open to me because my callings are less visible? (Doctrine and Covenants 112:17)
- How can I avoid being unduly troubled about things I can’t control? (Doctrine and Covenants 111:5-6; 112:27-28)
- How does the Lord feel after me? (Doctrine and Covenants 112:13)
- How did Joseph Smith fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 11:1-5, 10? (Doctrine and Covenants 113:1-6)
- What can I learn from the life of David W. Patten? (Doctrine and Covenants 114)
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