Remember That You Are Only a Mortal Man

In ancient Rome, when a military commander had achieved a great military victory, a celebration called a Triumph would be held. The commander would be dressed in royal robes and carried in a chariot through the streets of Rome accompanied by his army, and the captives and other spoils he had won in war. The Triumph was to celebrate the glory of Rome, its people, and the gods.

The Romans were very wary of any man thinking too much of himself with all this attention. They were afraid that he might start to think he should be a king or even start comparing himself to the gods. Because of this, a slave would travel in the chariot with the commander and constantly whisper in his ear, "Memento Mori," which can be translated as "Remember That You Are Only a Mortal Man."

This makes me think of the way the Holy Ghost tries to keep us grounded in reality by whispering in our hearts and minds. It helps us recognize right from wrong, tries to direct us towards good choices, and warns us when we might be venturing off the straight and narrow path.

The Romans started listening less and less to the slave's reminder and in time the triumphs became a way for the commanders to launch political careers. Instead of focusing the glory on the soldiers and the gods, it became a way for the commander to focus glory on himself and gain great wealth and political importance.

Rome began to fall from greatness when its citizens turned their backs on their traditions and values, and instead focused on themselves.

Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Prov 16:18

We would be wise to always listen to the still, small voice.

 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:11-12

Source: Wikipedia

A House Divided

When the empire of ancient Rome grew to fill most of western Europe, its ability to secure and defend its own borders was stretched to the breaking point. There were various Celtic tribes to the west, various Germanic tribes to the north, and various Slavic tribes to the east.

Even with an enormous professional army, there was no way for Rome to keep out all these barbarians if the tribes united together. Fortunately for Rome, the individual tribes were constantly at war with each other and so they were never able to defeat the weakened defenses of the Roman Empire.

The Roman historian Tacitus records one instance of these inner-tribal conflicts:

The Chamavi and Angrivarii utterly exterminated the Bructeri, with the common help of the neighboring tribes, either from hatred of their tyranny, or from the attractions of plunder, or from heaven's favorable regard to us... I pray that there may long last among the nations, if not a love for us, at least a hatred for each other; for, while the destinies of empire hurry us on, fortune can bestow no greater boon than discord among our foes.

Each individual tribe was small and not very strong, but if they had united together they could have accomplished great things. Rome knew this and purposefully sowed discord among them. It knew that if it could keep them occupied with petty inter-tribal conflicts that they would never be able to present a united front against the empire.

I think Satan works on our families in a similar way. Families can be a great source of strength and support. But if the individuals in the family are making fun of others or belittling them, it weakens the entire family and its ability to help its members survive adversity.

Homes should be a place of refuge, safety, and love. If a family member does not feel those things when he or she is at home then the unity of that family has been weakened.

The Savior taught:

And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
Mark 3:25

The Lord expects us to be united. We should support each other in our trials and struggles.

Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
D&C 81:5

If we are united as families then we can stand against great opposition. If we are divided, our houses will fall.

I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.
D&C 38:27

Source: Tacitus