HUMBLE AS A CHILD – A DISTRICT CONFERENCE EXPERIENCE

by: Norberto Betita

Our Semi-annual District Conference for the Surigao Philippines District of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was scheduled on October 5-6, 2013. Despite all necessary preparations, which included but not limited to the functionality of church equipments and facilities, problems were still encountered. During the Saturday Adult Session, it was noted that the sound system was already malfunctioning. In the Sunday Youth session, I observed that our Presiding Authority, Elder Pedro U. Adduru, Area Seventy was trying to fix the sound system while President Pastor Torres, Mission President was giving his training to the youth without the microphone. Elder Adduru also conducted his training session with the youth without the benefit of a microphone. But never did I see any signs of impatience on their part. I found their trainings very interesting and inspiring.

During the break after the youth session, I watched Elder Adduru as he sat flat on the floor, like a little child rummaging his toys, while trying to fix and resolve the microphone problem. His hands became filthy with dusts as he tried to check on the hidden wire connections. He did not even bother about the foul odor which surfaced from inside the portable stand in the pulpit where wire connections were concealed. In him I caught sight of a fitting description---HUMBLE AS A CHILD. Time was up and we just used the only remaining alternative.

From such most humbling scene my thoughts were immediately brought to remembrance the account in Matthew when the Lord’s disciples asked Him the question, “...Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? In response, “...Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:1-4.)  

Elder Addurru’s childlike humility also radiates the kind of leadership which the Lord taught to His disciples as recorded in Matthew. “...Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant.” (Matthew 20:25-27.) A servant leader follows the leadership pattern exemplified by the Savior, “...and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19.)

The messages delivered did not in any way mentioned references about humility, but what I saw with my naked eyes of the unspoken and wordless message of childlike humility provided more learning than those I have gained from recorded scriptures. Seldom do we witness childlike humility from one who bears the mantle of authority to preside over a district conference, dressed in dignity and honor in accord with his assignment and calling and then act implicitly as a servant. It is very uncommon for a leader to consciously show his humility. Elder Adduru might not even have recognized that he sent an undying message to me, my family and other members more than his scriptural expertise. For if beforehand or in that very moment he knew that he was humble, he might not have probably acted the way he did.

I learned such reality from the words of Elder Marlin K. Jensen: “...it should come as no surprise that, in the estimation of some, humility ranks quite low on the scale of desirable character traits. Popular books have been written in recent years on integrity, common sense, civility, and a host of other virtues, but apparently there is little market for humility. Obviously, in these coarsening times when we are taught the art of negotiating by intimidation, and assertiveness has become a byword of the business world, those seeking to become humble will be a small and overlooked but critically important minority.

“Consciously trying to acquire humility is also problematic. I remember once hearing one of my colleagues in the Seventy say about humility that “if you think you have it, you don’t.” He suggested we should try to develop humility and be sure we didn’t know when we got it, and then we would have it. But if we ever thought we had it, we wouldn’t.”

Indeed, becoming humble as a child can be a remote possibility or opportunity, but it just comes automatically and unexpectedly as a revelatory experience in moments of teaching and edifying. I remember an instance during one General Conference broadcast our District President Joel D. Irizari took a leave of absence from work to prepare for the Saturday sessions.  It has been my habit to be at church at least 10 minutes before the time. The satellite was already on and I could hear the sound, but not the video. President Irizari was very confident that the video will work for it was newly checked and repaired by a contractor as reported by the facilities management group. However, when he tried to on the video the signal was intermittent and sporadic. He tried every possible way, but failed. He called Manila, but in vain. The Priesthood Session was already starting and two speakers were already finished. I was already kind of becoming impatient and frustrated, but not Pres. Irizari. Then it probably just dawned on him to check on the outlet connection. With his tools on hand which he always carries with him, he sat flat on the floor and checked on the wire and found that the tapping was reversed. Despite the air-conditioned room, President Irizari perspired while trying to resolve the problem. Such humble example of a servant of God relieved me of my impatience and frustrations, and provided us with a good view of the general conference.

The humility of a child brings power that touches the heart and enlivens the soul to a realization of our mistakes. Before the conference I advised an 8-year old grandson to invite to attend the conference his father, who seemed to have been choked by the cares of the world and the problems common to struggling families, which in essence render him part to what Pres. Thomas S. Monson described as “lost among the passing parade of humanity.”  The grandson reported that his father would probably attend the Sunday Session as he has works to do on Saturday. At Sunday General session, I have to hold back my tears while my wife cried as we saw the grandson and his father came, together with the rest of the family.

The messages delivered by President Torres and Elder Adduru, throughout the conference were truly edifying. Notwithstanding the apparent disturbances which unexpectedly emerged, I saw great spirituality shown in the countenances of both leaders as they taught and delivered the messages that the Lord intends his children in this part of His vineyard to hear. I witnessed all eyes fixed on them as they teach the doctrines of the Kingdom to the anxious listeners. I perceived in the glowing faces of each member the joy of being taught by the humble servants of God.