On our way to Warsaw for a mission conference, we stopped to see Malbork Castle. This is the largest castle in the world, occupying 52 acres. On Mondays the self guided tour of the outer castle is free and we learned a lot about the castle. It was built by the Teutonic Knights, a German religious and military organization which conquered and controlled the area in 1236. The castle was continuously built and enlarged for over 230 years. In 1410, the Teutonic Knights began their decline and fall when they arrogantly decided to fight their foes outside the castle. They taunted their enemy’s leaders by sending them swords, telling them they might be useful if they ever fought a battle. Once the battle began it was over in one day with most of the knights either dead or captured.
In his talk in the April General Conference, Elder Dale G. Renlund makes the statement, “Hubris never bodes well, does it?” Hubris is “excessive pride or self confidence.” It seems like a lesson that everyone of us has to learn by sad experience!
