Elder Eyring's "A Child of God" Response

Whenever I watch Elder Eyring speak, his words resonate with a strong sense of humility. His experiences in life - and those which he does share - reflect that he has learned a great deal by the critiques of others. The end result of one who did not allow his pride to be in control of him is the man who is an apostle of the Lord before I very lives. This humility which he emulates, resonates, is what he strongly discusses to his audience.

He spoke of the key factor in all learning, whether it be in school or outside in any institutionalized program: humility. Humility is key for one to receive much understanding, he stresses, for in being humble one is able to set aside what goes against your own wisdom in pursuit of a higher, more better way of wisdom. He relates that one who reflects humility is capable of receiving criticism, and he discloses why criticizing in what we do is crucial to becoming more wise and knowledgeable, therefore being able to fulfill the commandment which God has given to us, that of pursuing educational excellence. What came as a surprise to me while teaching this concept - of how receiving criticism is favorable for not only us but for others around us - comes when he discusses of a renowned mathematician, who soon after he passed away, "...it was found that he had never shared some of his best work with anyone. My response is that there would have been more if he had shared it." If that is the truth concerning humility and pride, I would be a different person if I would have but taken my stubbornness and placed it under my feet so that I may welcome criticism from others.

Yet, what I lack now, or rather what is impeding my rightful position and possibility, is more than possible to be achieved. "The great learner expects resistance and overcomes it." I myself am able to attest that I get discouraged about the work load that I am given, that I usually put upon myself (perhaps due to my stubbornness). I have had my battles with discouragement, failure, abandonment. I have lost some battles, but I have learned over time that I should expect to face opposition to that which I seek. I have learned to look those opponents in the eyes and take in all that comes in and say to myself, "I will find a way to overcome this." I refuse to be trodden down by resistance. That's why I am here, right? To not succumb to the easiness of the way?