Lessons of 2026
Lesson No. Twenty-Seven

Humility and Faithfulness, Essential Pioneer Virtues

Humility. Many of us have pioneer ancestors who came to Utah by wagon train or handcart between July 24, 1847, when the first company of pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, and May 10, 1869 when the golden spike was driven in northern Utah connecting the transcontinental railroad. (All members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can have part in this spiritual legacy) Our pioneer forebears were capable, committed, courageous, and they were humble. I believe our pioneer forebears greatest strengths were humility and faith. These virtues made it possible for them to conquer pride.

Pride. In the scriptures “pride” is always to be avoided and it is never spoken of in a positive way. Pride is the basic doctrine of Satan’s plan. We should be aware of the two kinds of pride, the pride of comparison which can afflict the rich, and the pride of conceited intellectualism which can afflict the learned.

Humility is the gospel antidote for both the pride of comparison and the pride of conceited intellectualism. “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, underlining is mine).

What is humility? It may be helpful to begin with what humility is not. Humility is not thinking less of ourself, nor is it putting our head down and playing small. Rather, humility is to have an accurate view of ourselves. It is to be able to understand our ability and limits. Many people misunderstand their potential because they have an inaccurate view of their ability and/or their limits. Some people think too much of themselves, and others lack self-confidence and think too little of themselves.

Humility is to know that we are all unprofitable servants (meaning our redemption cost more than we can ever repay) and to recognize our total dependence on the Lord. King Benjamin expressed it so well: “I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—
“I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants” (Mosiah 2:20-21).

We are mortal and weak, but with humility and faith the Lord will make us strong. The Lord explained to Moroni: “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).

Rather than removing Paul’s persistent hardship (“thorn in the flesh”) the Lord’s grace enabled Paul to accomplish all that was expedient to the Lord. Paul responded: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).

Our pioneer forebearers were capable, but most importantly they had faith and were humble. Therefore, they received grace, the enabling power of the Lord. Grace enabled them, and it will enable us, to do all things the Lord may require.

Like many others, I have faithful pioneer forebearers who in hardship humbly did as the Lord asked because they knew Brigham Young was a prophet. Henry Lunt was asked to settle in Cedar City and became its first mayor. Thomas Cottom was sent to St George where, as a skilled furniture maker, made furniture for the St George Temple. Albert Petty was first sent to settle Manti, and then on to Springdale, where his family built a saw mill on top of Cable Mountain in what is now Zions National Park. Joel Johnson was asked to settle the Kanab Utah area. Each of these men could not do what they did without the support of a faithful humble wife.

Testimony. The legacy of the Mormon pioneers can be both literal and spiritual. In either case we need to remember their example of humility and faith. They made it possible for us to live in a miraculous time where the promises of the Lord continue to be fulfilled. We owe the same pioneering, persevering legacy to our children and our children’s children.

Released on July 26th. 2026.