Elder Joni L. Koch
Elder Joni L. Koch shares personal experiences and insights on the importance of humility in following the counsel of the Lord and accepting our dependence on Him. He teaches how humility is essential for our readiness to return to God’s presence.
Humility Leads to Avoiding Humiliation
Elder Koch emphasizes the need for humility by sharing a personal story where his lack of humility led to embarrassment. He took his family to his workplace, but left his badge at home so the security guard would not let him drive in. He tried to play the “Do you know who I am?” card. It didn’t work. He apologized to the guard and returned home to get his badge. Humility is about submission to the Lord’s will and is vital for spiritual growth.
“When we choose not to be humble, we end up being humiliated.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Proverbs 29:23: “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
- Preach My Gospel: “It is being teachable… a vital catalyst for spiritual growth.”
Following the Prophet and Developing Humility
Elder Koch encourages us to evaluate our humility in following the counsel of our living prophet. He poses questions to help us assess our commitment to these teachings and quotes President Nelson on the importance of using the full name of the Church.
“Remember, all the people of Moses had to do to be healed was to look at the brass serpent which he had lifted up. But ‘because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.’”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Doctrine and Covenants 128:20: “And again, what do we hear? Glad tidings from Cumorah! Moroni, an angel from heaven, declaring the fulfilment of the prophets—the book to be revealed.”
- Helaman 8:14: “Yea, did he not bear record that the Son of God should come? And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come.”
Depending on God’s Grace
Elder Koch stresses the importance of recognizing our dependence on Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He discusses how the world often teaches self-reliance, but through the restored gospel, we understand our reliance on God’s grace. P articipating in ordinances and keeping our covenants allow us to fully access the power of the Atonement.
“Attending sacrament meeting weekly and worshipping in the temple regularly … to receive and renew covenants is a sign that we recognize our dependence on Heavenly Father and our Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 2 Nephi 25:23: “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”
- Moroni 10:32: “Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.”
Calls to Action:
- “Today I call upon our members everywhere to lead out in abandoning attitudes and actions of prejudice.”
- “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication.”
- “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.”