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 who humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, I will make weak things become strong unto them (Ether 12:27).
At least three questions arise from this verse. They include:
- What is the weakness which God gives unto men?
- What are the weak things (plural) that become strong unto them? and
- What is the means by which God makes the weak things become strong?
In response to the first of these questions, it is best to point out a significant misunderstanding that is too frequently perpetuated across the pulpit in our Sacrament Meeting. The reader will note that the quality identified in the foregoing verse is "weakness", and not "weaknesses" as is so frequently misquoted. This plural tense of the word is found nowhere in the four volumes comprising our Standard Works. Although included once in the chapter heading of Ether 12, the head-notes of each chapter do not, of themselves, constitute scripture (see blog entitled "Taking the Holy Spirit as our Guide"). Concerning the scriptural-status of the head-notes included in the LDS version of the scriptures, Elder Bruce R. McConkie noted:
I received a letter from a seminary teacher in which he criticized our new scriptural publications because they had footnotes, cross-references, and teaching aids. He argued that these were crutches which kept people from that intensive study in which they would make their own cross-references.
Well, I for one need these crutches and recommend them to you. They include the Joseph Smith Translation items, the chapter headings, the topical guide, the Bible dictionary, the footnotes, the gazetteer, and the maps.
None of these are perfect; they do not of themselves determine doctrine; there have been and undoubtedly now are mistakes in them. Cross-references, for instance, do not establish and never were intended to prove that parallel passages so much as pertain to the same subject. They are aids and helps only. Certainly [on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being "most important"] they rate a four or five in importance. Use them consistently. (Teaching Seminary Preservice Readings Religion 370, 471, and 475, (2004), 123–32).
Hence, what is the singular weakness of man? It is that condition of which you and I are most acquainted; it is our fallen nature (see Ether 3:2). We often view this weakness only under negative light. However, Jesus Christ, who “knoweth the weakness of man” (D&C 62:1) and is merciful unto our weakness (see D&C 38:14), does not -- for, if we will humble ourselves and have faith in Him, it is through our weakness that His strength is seen and made perfect (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). As to our strength we are weak, but in the strength of God we can do all things (see Alma 26:12). Therefore, God has chosen the “weak things of the world [to] come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones” (D&C 1:19), to thrash the nations by the power of His Spirit (see D&C 35:19), to confound the wise (see D&C 133:58), and to show forth His wisdom (see D&C 124:1). And “the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions [i] unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things” (Jacob 4:7).
Due to this weakness, what are the weak things (plural) that eventually become strong unto us? The attributes of our Heavenly Parents, who produce fruit after their own kind (see Alma 32:31), are native in our being—each of us possess them from birth. “An intelligent being,” confirmed Elder Parley P. Pratt, “in the image of God, possesses every organ, attribute, sense, sympathy, affection, of will, wisdom, love, power and gift, which is possessed by God himself. But these,” he stated, “are possessed by man, in his rudimental state, in a subordinate sense of the word. Or, in other words, these attributes are in embryo; and are to be gradually developed. They resemble a bud—a germ, which gradually develops into bloom, and then, by progress, produces the mature fruit, after its own kind.”[ii]
Thus, the “weak things” that God causes to become strong unto us are these embryonic attributes. Fortunately, our Father cares greatly for our welfare and has not left us alone to develop these attributes. Describing the means by which He makes the weak things strong, Elder Parley P. Pratt continued:
Thus, the “weak things” that God causes to become strong unto us are these embryonic attributes. Fortunately, our Father cares greatly for our welfare and has not left us alone to develop these attributes. Describing the means by which He makes the weak things strong, Elder Parley P. Pratt continued:
The gift of the Holy Spirit adapts itself to all these organs or attributes. It quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use. It inspires, develops, cultivates and matures all the fine-toned sympathies, joys, tastes, kindred feelings and affections of our nature. It inspires virtue, kindness, goodness, tenderness, gentleness and charity. It develops beauty of person, form and features. It tends to health, vigor, animation and social feeling. It develops and invigorates all the faculties of the physical and intellectual man. It strengthens, invigorates, and gives tone to the nerves. In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being. [iii]
Confirming this part the Holy Spirit plays in developing the attributes of God within us, the prophet Joseph Smith wrote: "He that is weak among you hereafter shall be made strong” (see D&C 50:16). The prophet then described that this strengthening, or edification (see D&C 50:22), comes about as we invite the Comforter into our lives and, thereby, become “a tabernacle of the Holy Spirit to [our] edification” (D&C 88:137). In other words, it is by the gift and power of the Holy Ghost that the budding attributes or “weak things” of their character will be cultivated, developed, enlarged, matured, and adapted into features of strength and usefulness. It is the Spirit that strenthens weak faith and causes weak love to become charity.
Once immersed in the power of the Holy Spirit, those so baptized will turn towards others in service; this bestowal will not solely be for personal enrichment. Rather, it will be given that all may profit thereby (see D&C 46:10-12)[i]—it will be given so that “he that is weak among you . . . shall be made strong” (see D&C 50:16, 17-22). When we qualify to have the gift of the Holy Ghost poured out more abundantly (see Mosiah 18:10) upon us and it abides in us, it will develop, increase, expand, and purify all our natural passions and affections. It will keep them within the bounds the Lord has set and, through the gift of wisdom, adapt them to their lawful use. It will inspire, develop, cultivate, and mature all the attributes of Deity within us. In short, this gift will edify, sanctify, and restore us to a spiritual being enjoying all the attributes of godliness.Importantly, it is within temple walls that a fullness of the Holy Ghost is obtained (D&C 109:15).
FOOTNOTES
[i] The condescension of God is often viewed in context of 1 Nephi 11:26 wherein Christ condescends to take on the form of man and walk among men in the flesh. However, Jacob reminded us is this verse that God continues to condescend to strengthen his children. This condescension is reflected in D&C 38:18 wherein the Lord states: “And I hold forth and deign to give unto you greater riches”. Deign literally means “to stoop” or condescend.
[ii] Pratt, Parley P., Key to the Science of Theology, 101; emphasis added. “The fact that those who are born again pass in an actual and meaningful sense from a state of spiritual darkness and death into a new and divine state of spiritual life from which they need not die in this world or in the world to come assures that within man there are latent and dormant factors which can be awakened and developed by the Holy Spirit to make possible the renewal of life within him” (Andrus, Principles of Perfection, Volume II, 167-168).
[iii] Ibid.
