The nothingness of man compared to the greatness of God is truly astounding. In our world where man is the dominant creature, it is easy for some to forget God. In His absence, man becomes the dominant force in the universe. So how great are we? The scriptures put us in our place in a hurry. It is a matter of perspective, and that necessary spiritual perspective teaches us where we belong in the universal hierarchy. After Moses had seen a vision of the many worlds God has created, he conceded, I know that man is nothing, which thing I never had supposed (Moses 1:10). King Benjamin understood this principle, asking of what have ye to boast? And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth…I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you unworthy creatures (Mosiah2:24-5; 4:11). Born of eternal perspective, this is the humility which we must foster in our lives, for He that exalteth himself shall be abased, but he that abaseth himself shall be exalted (DC 101:42).
Wilford Woodruff
“We have no chance to be lifted up in the pride of our hearts with regard to the position we occupy. If the President of the Church or either of his Counselors or of the Apostles, or any other man, feels in his heart that God cannot do without him, and that he is especially important in order to carry on the work of the Lord, he stands upon slippery ground. I heard Joseph Smith say that Oliver Cowdery, who was the second Apostle in this Church, said to him, ’If I leave this Church it will fall.’ Said he, ’Oliver, you try it.’ Oliver tried it. He fell; but the Kingdom of God did not. I have been acquainted with other Apostles in my day and time who felt that the Lord could not do without them; but the Lord got along with His work without them. I say to all men--Jew and Gentile, great and small, rich and poor--that the Lord Almighty has power within Himself, and is not dependent upon any man, to carry on His work; but when He does call men to do His work they have to trust in Him.” (G. Homer Durham, Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, pp. 123-4)