This post is a continuation of the discussion from Part 1 on meekness and its relevance to becoming a Zion person and establishing Zion as a collective entity.

The meek don’t misuse power. They have no need to; they have nothing to prove and nobody to compete with. A lack of meekness leads one to exercise unrighteous dominion, while possession of the attribute prevents it. When one ceases to control, manipulate, exploit, or infringe upon the agency of others, his own agency increases. The gentle and prudent use of our own agency thus constitutes grounds for the Lord to increase our dominions. This is why the meek shall inherit the earth.

The respect of agency inherit in the attribute of meekness includes honoring the agency of God, which leads one to be “willing to submit to all things the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him.”

The meek refrain from complaining while in the midst of divine tutoring—whether it be through direct communication or circumstantial orchestration. Because they understand the dealings of God, not only can they take divine correction and instruction, they thrive on it. They are thus teachable in every situation, leading to increased knowledge and power.

A lack of meekness will prevent the establishment of Zion because it hinders the submission of one’s will and the consecration of one’s worldly goods. To Martin Harris, who was coveting his own property, tentatively holding back the consecration of his farm for the printing of the Book of Mormon, the Lord asked: “canst thou be humble and meek, and conduct thyself wisely before me?”

The meek see past the illusion of merchandise, fine apparel, and praise of the world. Because of this, they are often associated in tandem with the poor.

The meek feel no need to find fault with others, especially not for temporal differences. "He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God."

"Some of the company thought I was not a very meek Prophet; so I told them: 'I am meek and lowly in heart, and will personify Jesus for a moment, to illustrate the principle, and cried out with a loud voice, 'Woe unto you, ye doctors; woe unto you, ye lawyers; woe unto you, ye scribes, Pharisees, and hypocrites!' But you cannot find the place where I ever went that I found fault with their food, their drink, their house, their lodgings; no, never; and this is what is meant by the meekness and lowliness of Jesus."

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The meek are patient and even long-suffering with the imperfections of others, never mocking people for their shortcomings. Because of this forbearance the Lord bestows His grace on the meek. "Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness."

The meek forgo defending themselves in the face of opposition and negative feedback. When the people in the Nephite society “began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning. . . Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.”

Those lacking in meekness can be peevish—which is to be fretful, apt to complain, easily vexed or fretted, hard to please, childish.

Jesus can invite us to “learn of me, and be meek and lowly of heart,” because He is the meekest of all.

After the high priest asked Jesus concerning His disciples and His doctrine, Jesus queried why they were asking Him, and invited them to seek out those whom He had taught, who heard Him. At this, “one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?”

In order to fulfill their missions the 144,000 must make sure their calling and election and have the faith to perform and experience miracles. Meekness is required for these—it is a precursor to faith which enables miracles, and to obtaining a hope which is the equivalent of receiving a promise of eternal life. Remember Mormon’s words:

“Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope. And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart. If so, his faith and hope is vain, for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart.”

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Meekness will be required to receive the Lord’s Davidic servant and the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon which shall come forth. The proud will cling to their current orthodox paradigm, thinking “the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men.”

“Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more! And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness.”

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As we ponder the importance of this timeless virtue and it’s pertinence to the establishment of Zion, we are filled with a desire to follow Jesus’ admonition to: “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.”

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