The Book of Mormon clearly opposes the seeking of worldly praise, the pursuit of riches without the intent to do good, putting trust in the wisdom of the world in place of the wisdom of God, and in general being puffed up in boasting of one’s own merits and strength. On the positive end, disciples of Christ are encouraged to be humble, recognizing their dependence on God for their very lives and for everything they possess.
Lehi, in his vision of the tree of life, sees multitudes of people gathered in a “large and spacious building” representing the “world and the wisdom thereof” (1 Ne 11:35) and the “pride of the world” and that “... it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great” (1 Ne 11:36). Nephi prophesies that the people in these days will “... wear stiff necks and high heads; yea, and because of pride, and wickedness, and abominations, and whoredoms, they have all gone astray save it be a few, who are the humble followers of Christ” (2 Ne 28:14).
In chapter 27, Nephi prophesies of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and describes how the “learned” will reject the book because they seek the “glory of the world and to get gain…, and not for the glory of God” (2 Ne 27:16). So the book was instead translated by the unlearned Joseph Smith, by the words given him by God, “... for I will show unto the children of men that I am able to do mine own work” (2 Ne 27:20-21). Alma later in the book explains that “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise” (Alma 37:6).
Jacob warns his people sharply about pride and the danger of seeking riches, and thinking ourselves better than others. “And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they. And now, my brethren, do ye suppose that God justifieth you in this thing? Behold, I say unto you, Nay...“ (Jacob 2:13-14).
In the fourth chapter of Alma, Mormon contrasts the prideful members of the church with those who are humble. “[Alma and the priests and teachers] saw and beheld with great sorrow that the people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure… yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God… while others were abasing themselves, succoring those who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ’s sake, who should come according to the spirit of prophecy; Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death” (Alma 4:8-9,13-14).
Later in the book of Alma we learn of the Zoramites and their prideful manner of worship at the Rameumptom (Alma 31:21). They preach falsely that they were the “elect” while everyone else was “elected to be cast by the wrath [of God] down to hell” (vs 17). They had their hearts set on riches (vs 24), and boasted in their pride (vs 25).
In chapter 45 of Alma, we see the potential pitfalls that can befall people when they obtain riches due to being prospered by the Lord. “But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their words, to walk uprightly before God” (Alma 45:24).
In contrast, at a later period the people do not allow themselves to be corrupted by riches. “And they began to grow exceedingly rich. But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength, or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but they did humble themselves exceedingly before him” (Alma 62:48-49).
The ultimate consequences of pride are outlined in chapter 4 of Helaman. “And it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor ... And because of this their great wickedness, and their boastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands” (Helaman 4:12-13).
The pride of our day is foretold by Moroni toward the end of the book. “And I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and malice, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities; and your churches, yea, even every one, have become polluted because of the pride of your hearts. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted” (Mormon 8:36-37).
When I think of the opposite of pride, humility, I think of people like the teachers of my children at Walton Farm Elementary School, including their wonderful gym teacher. I am so impressed with how generously he gives of his time and energy because he cares about the children. Everyone admires him and his many obvious talents, but it is clear he doesn't do this to boast. His intentions are out of love for the children.
Worldly pride is a prevalent attribute in today's world as many people foolishly seek riches and notoriety, without the intent to do good and often at the expense of others. The Book of Mormon, on the other hand, is a steady voice encouraging us to be humble and selfless, acknowledging our delicate state, and expressing to God our understanding that every talent and blessing originates from Him.
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