After understanding why we really need humility with these ten great reasons, you can learn ten ways to develop humility.
1. Humility is a Commandment
Of God's many commandments one of the most important is to be humble. Without humility why would we obey God's other commandments? How can we be submissive, gentle, patient, and long-suffering without humility? How can we be willing to do the Lord's will if our hearts are full of pride? We can't. We must develop true humility to be able to subject ourselves to all of God's commands.
"What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Michah 6:8).
2. We Cannot Enter God's Kingdom Without Humility
Jesus clearly taught that without humility we cannot enter the kingdom of God. He said:
"Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
"Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 18:3-4).
3. Humility Required for Forgiveness
To be forgiven of our sins we need to be humble. Developing humility is a part of the repentance process. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin..." (2 Chr 7:14).
4. Humility Needed for Answered Prayers
If we are to receive answers to our prayers (an important part to receiving personal revelation and knowing the truth) we must be humble.
"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers" (D&C 112:10).More »
5. Humility Shows Gratitude
Giving sincere thanks to God, and others, requires humility. Giving of ourselves with humility is an act of selflessness, but when done so grudgingly it is an act of selfishness.
"For behold, God hath said a man being evil cannot do that which is good; for if he offereth a gift, or prayeth unto God, except he shall do it with real intent it profiteth him nothing.
"For behold, it is not counted unto him for righteousness.
"For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God" (Moroni 7:6-8).More »
6. Humility Opens the Door
To seek God, and His truths, we must become humble. Without humility God will not open the door, and our seeking will be in vain.
"And whoso knocketh, to him will he open; and the wise, and the learned, and they that are rich, who are puffed up because of their learning, and their wisdom, and their riches—yea, they are they whom he despiseth; and save they shall cast these things away, and consider themselves fools before God, and come down in the depths of humility, he will not open unto them" (2 Nephi 9:42).
7. Baptism Requries Humility
Being baptized is an act of humility as we witness to God by our "works" that we are willing to do His will.
"All those who humble themselves before God, and desire to be baptized, and come forth with broken hearts and contrite spirits, and witness before the church that they have truly repented of all their sins, and are willing to take upon them the name of Jesus Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end, and truly manifest by their works that they have received of the Spirit of Christ unto the remission of their sins, shall be received by baptism into his church" (D&C 20:37).More »
8. Humility Protects One from Apostasy
Apostasy is the turning away from God and the true gospel of Jesus Christ. As a humble follower of Christ we will be less likely to go astray (because of pride) if we have enough humility, as prophesied in The Book of Mormon:"They wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ..." (2 Nephi 28:14).
9. God's Spirit Leads Us to Humility
Righteously discerning what we should or shouldn't do in life is often difficult, but we can trust God's Spirit. One way to recognize His spirit is by what it prompts us to do.
"And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, 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" (D&C 11:12).
If we feel prompted to pray, repent, or be humble, we can be sure that those feelings come from God and not from the adversary- who desires to destroy us.More »
10. Weaknesses Become Strengths
One of the aspects of humility that I feel is very rewarding during our time on earth, is to be blessed with weaknesses. It's not that I particularly like weaknesses, because I don't, but I know they are necessary for us, and are an important part of life's trials.
"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them" (Ether 12:27).
Developing sincere humility is a process, not something that is created overnight, but through diligence and faith it can be done- and it's worth it!