Pride

By: Erin Davis

Anyone who knows me knows that this is a good topic for me to talk about, as I know so much about it. I'll be the first to say that I'm a very prideful person. I'll also be the first to say that it has been one of my greatest stumbling blocks, and has gotten the very best of me one too many times. However, I didn't know I was prideful up until a few years ago. Since then, the experience has been as eye-opening as it has been humbling.

One of the most memorable examples of pride's capacity to destroy is found in The Book of Mormon. In 4 Nephi, the Nephites and Lamanites were both converted, baptized, and lived harmoniously together.

"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people". 

"And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God." 

However, in just a few short verses, one reads how they are already dividing themselves among each other and starting to hate one another. They grow in hatred and anger, and eventually, these two once-delightsome people destroy each other in their own wrath. What was the cause of the fall of such a people? We read in 4 Nephi, verse 24, the following:

"And now, in this two hundred and first year there began to be among them those who were lifted up in pride..."

"And it came to pass that when three hundred years had passed away, both the people of Nephi and the Lamanites had become exceedingly wicked one like unto another."

Pride. Pride was the reason of their downfall. 

Almost every single time, pride has been the reason for my personal downfalls; and while it resulted in many of my own downfalls, I have started to understand the concept of pride a little bit better. Pride can be manifested in several different ways, though we rarely view these manifestations for what the really are. From my own experience, pride manifests in quirks, habits, behaviors, and thoughts. These habits could include always needing to be right and never admitting when you're wrong, getting easily offended, refusing help, caring a lot about what people think, competitiveness, to name just a few. In my experience with pride, it has always caused some kind of contention, and this contention always lead back to my being uncomfortable with something.

Interestingly enough, the Nephites and Lamanites were people described as having no contention when they prospered and were righteous. It was when they let their pride rule that there arose contention, which lead to the eventual and complete destruction of one nation, and the falling into complete spiritual darkness of the other. However, it's not just contention that arises out of pride: I was once told that sin was like an onion––if you peel back all the layers, the center is always pride.

Just as much as I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, I know that pride is extremely destructive. It has shot me down into the depths of humility in some very unpleasant ways. I've seen relationships that have been destroyed because of it. My own personal relationships have been negatively affected by my pride.

In these trials, I have found so much love and appreciation for other people and ultimately, for my Savior. I'm so thankful for my Savior, who is endlessly patient with me, and thankful that He hasn't thrust me away from Him. I'm endlessly grateful to those who have forgiven me because of my faults that stem from my own pride. But most of all, I'm thankful for the Savior's Atonement. Because of His Atonement, I can experience what was so beautifully said in Ether 12:27:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I'm so thankful the Lord was merciful enough to show me one of my biggest faults. I'm even more grateful that He, as I am so undeserving and indebted, prepared a way for me to overcome my faults in a way that will eventually result in them converting to personal strengths.

If someone as prideful as myself can find redemption in the Savior, take hope: you can, too.

Want to learn more about overcoming pride with the Savior's help? Click here for more info.