Section 9.11 - Meekness

Meekness

Meekness is perhaps one of the most misunderstood leadership traits on my list.  It is often considered to be synonymous with weakness, but that is far from the truth.

We do know that meekness is required to be acceptable before God.  “...for none is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart..” (Moroni 7:44)

Meekness is a trait of Christ, 'Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest to your souls.' Matthew 11:29.

Meekness is often used in the scriptures with humility.  If they are synonymous, then there would not be a need for them both to be used.  It is instructive to understand the difference between the two.   Look at the Definition from Websters 1828 Dictionary.

MEEK, adjective [Latin mucus; Eng. mucilage; Heb. to melt.]
1. Mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries.
2. Appropriately, humble, in an evangelical sense; submissive to the divine will; not proud, self-sufficient or refractory; not peevish and apt to complain of divine dispensations. 

Meekness is a trait that is an outward expression of your inward character.  When we are humble and submissive to God’s will then we begin to emulate him by being gentle, mild tempered, and not easily provoked.  Meekness is the outward demonstration of inward humility.  The desirable leadership trait of meekness will improve your relationships with those who you serve as their leader.  By cultivating the trait of meekness you are developing other characteristics that are manifest in your interactions with others.  Neal A. Maxwell said:

Required, in particular, is meekness of mind which recognizes God’s perfect love of us and His omniscience. By acknowledging these reassuring realities and accepting that God desires our full development and true happiness, we are readied even as the learning experiences come. Such meekness requires genuine intellectual honesty, owning up to the learning experiences of the past and listening to the Holy Ghost as he preaches to us from the pulpit of memory.
As the Lord communicates with the meek and submissive, fewer decibels are required, and more nuances are received. Even the most meek, like Moses (see Num. 12:3), learn overwhelming things they “never had supposed.” (Moses 1:10.) But it is only the meek mind which can be so shown and so stretched—not those, as Isaiah wrote, who “are wise in their own eyes.” (Isa. 5:21; see also 2 Ne. 9:29 and 2 Ne. 15:21.)  (Neal A. Maxwell, “Willing to Submit”, April 1985 LDS General Conference) 

In addition, consider these cross references:
Matthew 11:29
Psalms 37:11
3 Nephi 12:5
Moroni 7:43-44
Alma 37:34
Matthew 5:5
D&C 52:16
Ether 12:26