un·con·quer·a·ble/ˌənˈkäNGk(ə)rəbəl/
Adjective:
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Synonyms:
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invincible - insuperable -
inexpugnable - insurmountable
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It's
a word that generally evokes the most noble human qualities. It occurs
twice in the Book of Mormon. Yet in both instances, it is used in a very
negative context. The first is speaking of unconquerable spirit of
Jacob the Zoramite, who was determined to destroy Moroni and the Nephite people
(Alma 52:33).
The second is used by Giddianhi, the robber, to describe the bloodlust of
his men who were also determined to annihilate the Nephites (3 Nephi 3:3-4).
Though he describes their unconquerable spirit, there can be no
doubt that this attribute was not something to be desired. In both examples,
these men's hearts were so hardened by iniquity that they could not be touched
by the Spirit.
Today
in Priesthood we were reading Dallin H. Oaks talk from April 2012 General
Conference (here). He
emphasized our need to "offer a sacrifice to [Him] of a broken heart
and a contrite spirit" (3 Nephi 9:20).
con·trite/kənˈtrīt/
Adjective:
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Synonyms:
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repentant - penitent - remorseful
- regretful
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The hardened heart and unconquerable
spirit of Jacob and the Gadianton robbers stands at the
opposite end of the spectrum as the contrite spirit. Consider
the Savior in Gethsemane:
"Father, if thou be
willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42)
His spirit was submissive and humble. He sacrificed and surrendered
his will to God before he sacrificed himself for us. The price of our redemption is no less. We
must break the hard shell around our heart to allow the Spirit to penetrate it.
We must wrestle with our own spirit to make it penitent and humble.
Ultimately we must be willing to surrender our own will to that of our Father
in Heaven to the atonement will make us whole.
Having an unconquerable spirit has positive connotations in contemporary
usage, but the scriptures would suggest it’s much better to be contrite.
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