Pride verses Humility

The talk that stands out the most in my mind about pride is President Benson's April 1989 Conference talk. When I first heard it I wondered if he was introducing new doctrine, but later I noticed that other Church leader had said some of the same things. It is just President Benson's talk made it so clear that pride is basically competitive. For example the proud are not happy for their material blessing, only that they have more than other people.

Pride is a sin and leads to further sins

Pride is of the world, 1 John 2:16-17 1 Juan 2:16-17.

The churches in the later days have become polluted because of the pride of people's hearts, Mormon_8:35 Mormón 8:35.

This scripture defines the fear of the Lord is to hate evil then list pride as one of those evils, Proverbs 8:13 Proverbios 8:13. Pride is listed as one of the six things the LORD hates, Proverbs 6:16-19 Proverbios 6:16-19. Paul lists pride along with numerous other sins, Romans 1:28-32 Romanos 1:28-32. Pride is one of the sins that come from within and defile a man, Mark 7:21-23 Marcos 7:21-23. The Scribes and Pharisees were hypocrites because they cleansed not first the inner vessel before the outer, Matthew 23:25-28 Mateo 23:25-28.

In the Book of Mormon pride enter into the people of the church at various times and corrupt the church, 2 Nephi 28:12 2 Nefi 28:12. In Alma's day many in the church became proud and began fighting with their enemies, Alma 1:21-22 Alma 1:21-22. Those who are lifted up in pride have their names removed from the Church records, Alma 6:2-4 Alma 6:2-4. The people that did not belong to the Church at this time were also lifted up in the pride of their eyes, Alma 1:32 Alma 1:32. In the fifty first year of the reign of the judges pride entered into the Church, Helaman 3:33-35 Helamán 3:33-35. There was great lose to the Nephites because of the pride of the people that belonged to the Church, Helaman 4:11-12 Helamán 4:11-12. Shortly before the coming of Christ the Church was broken up because of the pride of the people in the Church, 3 Nephi 6:10-15 3 Nefi 6:10-15. After two hundred years of righteousness in America the first sign of the coming of wickedness was the starting of the people to be prideful and of wearing of costly apparel, 4 Nephi 1:24-26 4 Nefi 1:24-26. Satan tempted the people to seek for power and authority over others. The Nephites didn't sin ignorantly, but rebelled against God, 3 Nephi 6:18 3 Nefi 6:18.

Pride leads to many other sins. A proud heart stirreth up strife and contention, Proverbs 28:25 Proverbios 28:25 and Proverbs 13:10 Proverbios 13:10.

Pride results in secret combinations, Helaman 7:5 Helamán 7:5. The daughter of Jared put it into her fathers mind to create a conspiracy to acquire the kingdom Ether 8:9 Éter 8:9. Secret combination come from the devil, Ether 8:16 Éter 8:16. Cain became the master of this great secret, Moses 5:31 Moisés 5:31.

Overcoming pride is a commandment

We are commanded to cease from pride, D&C 88:121 D&C 88:121. When Alma established the Church at Sidom he caused that the people were "checked as to the pride of their hearts," Alma 15:17-18 Alma 15:17-18. Pride "bringeth a snare upon your souls," D&C 90:17 D&C 90:17. "Let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls," Jacob 2:16-22 Jacob 2:16-22. We should not let pride or haughtiness disturb our peace, Mosiah 27:4.

"Thou shalt not be proud in thy heart," D&C 42:40 D&C 42:40. "Be not wise in your own conceits," Romans 12:16 Romanos 12:16. We are not to be puffed up one against another, 1 Corinthians 4:6-7 1 Corintios 4:6-7.

The leaders of the Church need to be free of pride, 1 Timothy 3:6 1 Timoteo 3:6 and Alma 38:11 Alma 38:11.

The proud distance themselves from God

Those who teach against Christ are proud, 1 Timothy 6:3-5 1 Timoteo 6:3-5.

Are we "stripped of pride?" so that we are prepared to meet our maker, Alma 5:27-29 Alma 5:27-29.

The proud will not accept correction, Proverbs 15:10 Proverbios 15:10 and Amos 5:10 Amós 5:10. Because of pride the people of Judah would not hear the Lord, Jeremiah 13:8-10 Jeremías 13:8-10. The proud are offended by the words of God, 1 Nephi 16:1-3 1 Nefi 16:1-3. The proud will not seek after God, Psalms 10:4 Salmo 10:4. People seek their own will, not the will of God, Philippians 2:21 Filipenses 2:21.

In section 121 of the Doctrine and Covenants if we try to gratify our pride through the use of the priesthood we will loose any power from Heaven, D&C 121:36-37 D&C 121:36-37.

The proud fear men more than God

Joseph Smith was chastised because he feared man more than God, D&C 3:6-8 D&C 3:6-8. David Whitmer was also, D&C 30:1-3 D&C 30:1-3. The Lord is not pleased with those that hide their talents because of the fear of man, D&C 60:2. D&C 60:2.

King Noah was about to release Abinadi, but the priests appealed to his pride and had Abinadi killed, Mosiah 17:11-12 Mosíah 17:11-12. Likewise Herod didn't want to kill John the Baptist, but for the sake of those that were around him at the table he did it, Matthew 14:6-9 Mateo 14:6-9 and Mark 6:25-29 Marcos 6:25-29.

Part of pride is loving the praise of men more than God, John 12:42-43 Juan 12:42-43. Christ always did the will of the Father instead, John 8:29 Juan 8:29.

"Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand," Jacob 4:10 Jacob 4:10. Receive counsel from the Lord, D&C 124:61. D&C 124:61. We need to take correction from the Lord, Helaman 15:3 Helamán 15:3. We all need to endure chastening, D&C 101:4-5. D&C 101:4-5. If we can not bear chastisement we are not worthy of his kingdom, D&C 136:31 D&C 136:31.

The Proud will be punished

The Lord will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, Isaiah 13:9-11 Isaíah 13:9-11 and 2 Nephi 23:9-11 2 Nefi 23:9-11. The haughty will be brought down, 2 Samuel 22:28. 2 Samuel 22:28. The haughty will be humbled, Isaiah 10:33-34 Isaíah 10:33-34 and 2 Nephi 20:33-34 2 Nefi 20:33-34. "The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things," Psalms 12:2-4 Salmo 12:2-4. Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, Proverbs 18:11-12 Proverbios 18:11-12. Pride goeth before the fall, Proverbs 16:18 Proverbios 16:18. The haughtiness of men will be brought down, Isaiah 2:11-17 Isaíah 2:11-17. This is a chiasm in that verse 11 is very similar to verse 17. However, the wording is a little different but the ideas are the same. The Book of Mormon version is in 2 Nephi 12:11 2 Nefi 12:11. In comparing the Book of Mormon version to the Bible one of the changes is the Book of Mormon has added "upon all the nations ... and upon every people" implying that it applies to everyone not just the Jews.

The daughters of Zion will be punished because of their pride, Isaiah 3:16-18 Isaíah 3:16 and 2 Nephi 13:16-18 2 Nefi 13:16-18. The Lord will remove those that are full of pride because of my holy mountain, Zephaniah 3:11-12 Sofonías 3:11-12. The Lord's people will go into captivity and their pride will be pulled down, Jeremiah 13:15-17 Jeremías 13:15-17. The Lord will break the pride of Israel because of their sins, Leviticus 26:18-20 Levítico 26:18-20.

The pride of the Nephites brought their destruction, Moroni 8:27 Moroni 8:27. The Nephites lost possession of their lands because of their pride and other wickedness, Helaman 4:11-13 Helamán 4:11-13. The Lord will destroy the nations that allow the secret combinations to become established, Ether 8:22-25 Éter 8:22-25.

We loose the power of the priesthood when we try to use it to gratify our pride, D&C 121:36-38 D&C 121:36-38.

Various kings and kingdoms will be humbled because of their pride. Nebuchadnezzar is afflicted with madness until he learns humility, Daniel 4:29-37 Daniel 4:29-37. When the writing is on the wall Daniel interprets it, and lets the king know that his kingdom will be destroyed because he lifted up himself against the Lord. Daniel also reminds him that his father Nebuchadnezzar was humbled by the Lord and he should have been warned, Daniel 5:17-28 Daniel 5:17-28. The king of Tyrus set himself up to be a God, Ezekiel 28:2 Ezequiel 28:2, but he will be killed by his enemies, Ezekiel 28:9-10 Ezequiel 28:9-10. Edom is proud and will be brought down, Obadiah 1:3-4. Abdías 1:3-4. Pride was one of the sins of Sodom that caused it to be destroyed, Ezekiel 16:49-50 Ezequiel 16:49-50. The Lord will punish the king of Assyria for his pride, Isaiah 10:12-15 Isaíah 10:12-15. The kings of the world are the tools of the Lord, "Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth therewith?

Prosperity and riches can lead to pride

The learned and the rich generally are full of pride and "hearken not unto the counsel of God," 2 Nephi 9:28-30 2 Nefi 9:28-30. Also 2 Nephi 28:15 2 Nefi 28:15. The wise of the world are vain 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 1 Corintios 3:18-20 and are wise in their own conceit, Proverbs 28:11 Proverbios 28:11. The Lord despises those that are puffed up because of their learning and wealth 2 Nephi 9:42-43 2 Nefi 9:42-43.

In the new world the Nephites found gold and silver. Some because rich and proud and persecuted their humble brethren, Jacob 2:13-14 Jacob 2:13-14 and Jacob 1:16 Jacob 1:16. The people in Alma's time became proud because of their riches, Alma 4:6-9 Alma 4:6-9. Because of their riches the Nephites became lifted up one above another, Helaman 6:17 Helamán 6:17.

The Lord will preform a marvelous work among this people in spite of the wisdom of the wise, Isaiah 29:13-14 Isaíah 29:13-14.

The Lord warns people to overcome pride

Alma warns against being puffed up in the pride of your heart and thinking you are better than others, Alma 5:53-55 Alma 5:53-55. The people in our day are warned to beware of pride so they don't become like the Nephites of old, D&C 38:39 D&C 38:39. The gentiles are grafted into the true olive tree, but must beware of high mindedness or they will be broken off again, Romans 11:16-25 Romanos 11:16-25.

Beware of the pride of the scribes, Mark 12:38-40 Marcos 12:38-40.

In the Doctrine and Covenance a number of people are individual warned to beware of pride, Oliver Cowdery is warned to beware of pride, D&C 23:1 D&C 23:1. Emma is also warned, D&C 25:14 D&C 25:14. Ezra Thayre is commanded to repent of his pride, D&C 56:8 D&C 56:8. William W. Phelps is reprimanded because he is not sufficiently humble, D&C 58:40-41 D&C 58:40-41. The Lord is not pleased with Sidney Rigdon because he exalted himself, D&C 63:55 D&C 63:55. Also Almon Babbitt because he wants to follow his own counsel instead of the Presidency of the Church, D&C 124:84 D&C 124:84. Warren Cowdery is told that as he humbles himself he will be blessed in spite of the vanity of his heart, D&C 106:7 D&C 106:7.

Humility is the antidote of pride

Charity vaunteth not itself, 1 Corinthians 13:4 1 Corintios 13:4.

King Benjamin lets the people know that when he tells the people he has spent his life in the service of God he is not boasting, but encouraging them to do likewise, Mosiah 2:15-17 Mosíah 2:15-17. We need to do the works of righteousness not so that we can boast about our works Helaman 5:8 Helamán 5:8. In King Mosiah's day the priests and teachers were to labor with their own hands for their support so that no class would be above another, Mosiah 27:4 Mosíah 27:4. David proclaims that he is not haughty or does he have lofty eyes, Psalms 131:1 Salmo 131:1.

God resisteth the proud, but gives grace unto the humble, James 4:5-6 Santiago 4:5-6. "And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted," Matthew 23:12 Mateo 23:12. God gives grace to the humble, 1 Peter 5:4-6 1 Pedro 5:4-6. Blessed are the meek, 3 Nephi 12:5. 3 Nefi 12:5.

The wise receive instruction and correction, Proverbs 9:8-10 Proverbios 9:8-10. Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble," Alma 32:16 Alma 32:16. Lyman Sherman is praised of the Lord because he sought counsel from the Lord, D&C 108:1 D&C 108:1.

We need to esteem our brothers as ourself instead of thinking we are better than others, D&C 38:24-25 D&C 38:24-25. We need to succor the weak, D&C 81:5 D&C 81:5 and D&C 84:106 D&C 84:106.

Job realizes that compared to the Lord he knows nothing, Job 40:1-5 Job 40:1-5.

The proud are boastful

In the last days perilous times will come and the people will be proud and boasters, along with many other sins, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 2 Timoteo 3:1-5. How quick are the children of men to be vain and boast, Helaman 12:4-6 Helamán 12:4-6.

The people boasted in their riches instead of thanking the Lord for their blessing, Helaman 13:22 Helamán 13:22. Those that boast in their wealth can't redeem their brother, Psalms 49:6-7 Salmo 49:6-7.

People who claim to be "holier than thou," are condemned, Isaiah 65:5 Isaíah 65:5. Don't boast of faith or mighty works, D&C 105:24 D&C 105:24. Don't brag about your works since we are saved by grace, Ephesians 2:8-10 Efesios 2:8-10. Even if a man does many mighty works of God, if he boasts in his own strength he will fall, D&C 3:4 D&C 3:4. Doctrine and Covenants section 3 is in connection with with 116 lost pages of the Book of Mormon, D&C 3:12-13 D&C 3:12-13. Don't use boasting in casting out spirits, D&C 50:32-33 D&C 50:32-33. Likewise don't boast that the power of poison will have no power over the believers, D&C 84:71-73 D&C 84:71-73.

"Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes," Isaiah 5:21 Isaíah 5:21 and 2 Nephi 15:21 2 Nefi 15:21. Don't praise yourself, let other people do it, Proverbs 27:1-2 Proverbios 27:1-2.

The Nephites boast about their victory over the Lamanites and seek revenge so Mormon refuses to be their leader, Mormon 3:8-11 Mormón 3:8-11 and Mormon 4:8 Mormón 4:8. Wicked king Noah boasted because of their victory over the Lamanites, Mosiah 11:18-19 Mosíah 11:18-19.

The tongue boasteth great things but is filled with evil, James 3:2-8 Santiago 3:2-8. The "wicked boasteth of his heart's desire," Psalms 10:3 Salmo 10:3. Rejoicing in your boastings is evil, James 4:15-16 Santiago 4:15-16. Cain gloried in his sin, Moses 5:33 Moisés 5:33.

The proud are vain

I looked up the work vain in the Topical Guide. It seems that the meaning of vain has changed somewhat from biblical times. Especially in old Testament time the word vain and vanity means a wast of time more than proud or arrogant. For example in Ecclesiastes 1:14 Solomon complains that all he has learned has been in vain. There were many scriptures listed under vain in the Topic Guide but I only selected the ones that could be interperteted with the present meaning of vain.

In the last days men will be vain and puffed up, 2 Nephi 28:9. Many love the vain things of the world, Alma 1:16. The vain and puffed up have gone astray as sheep without a shepherd, Alma 5:37.

Paul chastises those who are puffed up, 1 Corinthians 4:18-19. He cautions against those who are "vainly puffed up," Colossians 2:18-19.

"He that followeth vain persons is void of understanding," Proverbs 12:11. Those that follow a vain persons end up in poverty, Proverbs 28:19. The sluggard is wise in his own conceit, Proverbs 26:16,

The Zoramites where lifted up in pride that they were better than other people, Alma 31:27-28. The Children of Israel became vain and worshiped other gods, 2 Kings 17:15-16.

Other scriptures on pride

The great and spacious building in Lehi's dream represents the pride of the world, 1 Nephi 8:26-33, 1 Nephi 11:35-36 and 1 Nephi 12:18.

The Gentiles in the last days shall be lifted up in pride above all other nations, 3 Nephi 16:10 and 2 Nephi 26:20-21. Mormon sees the people in the later days and their pride and iniquity Mormon_8:35-39.

Moab is very proud, Isaiah 16:6. Jeremiah 48:29. Korihor used great swelling words against Alma, Alma 30:31.

Lucifer was a son of the morning, but his pride caused him to fall, 2 Nephi 24:12-15 and D&C 76:25-27. Satan let his pride destroy him, Moses 4:1-5.

When the women of Israel ascribed David with killing ten thousands of the the Philistines and Saul with only thousands he showed his pride by becoming jealous, 1 Samuel 18:6-9.

Amulek had opportunities to accept God before he met Alma, but he hardened his heart, Alma 10:6.