In
Doctrine and Covenants section 38:39 we read; beware of pride, lest ye become
as the Nephites of old. Because of pride
the Nephites destroyed each other.
There
is a classic talk that was given in 1989 by President Benson, ‘Beware of Pride’.
President Benson says this, "Pride is a very
misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. Most of us think of
pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness.
All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our
fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of
opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us. In the pre-earthly council, Lucifer placed his proposal in competition
with the Father’s plan as advocated by Jesus Christ. He wished to be honored
above all others. His prideful desire was to dethrone God."
Pride is: rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, is easily offended, sign seeker, elevate ourselves, faultfinding, gossiping & backbiting, murmuring, living
beyond our means coveting & envying withholding gratitude and
praise that might lift another, being jealous,
contention arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps divorces, spouse abuse, iots, easily offended, hold grudges, being unforgiving.
When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod.
President Benson teaches us the cure for pride.
It is humility—meekness, submissiveness.
It is a broken heart and contrite spirit.
These are divine attributes of children - they are able to forgive more easily because of these qualities. We need to be like them so that in a sense we do not destroy oursleves as the Nephites did. By learning to forgive as children do, we can have more peace in our lives.
Matthew 18:4 - Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Mosiah 3:19 - Become as a child - submissive, meek, humble, patient, and full of love.
Forgiving others does not mean approving of their
wrongdoing or offense. Forgiving someone means that with the help of our Father
in Heaven, we can cleanse our hearts of anger or hatred toward the offender,
cease to dwell on the offense, and feel peace. This process is not always easy
or quick, but Heavenly Father will help us as we try to forgive.
- Elder Richard G. Scott said, "Forgiveness allows the love of God to purge your hear and mind of the poison of hate. It cleanses your consciousness of the desire for revenge. It makes place for the purifying, healing, restoring love of the Lord."
The Lord is willing to forgive us as often as we seek forgiveness with real intent. We should have the same willingness to forgive others so that we may become more like Him. Jesus does not give us a precise number of times we must forgive others, we should forgive as often as is needed. We should show others the same kindness and mercy the Lord shows us. It is required for us to forgive all men (D&C 64: 9-10). It is a greater sin to refuse to forgive someone. When we refuse to forgive other, we can become filled with anger, hate and a desire for revenge. These feelings can cause us to lose the companionship of the Holy Ghost and make it more difficult for us to live other gospel principles. The Lord promises to call us his children if we forgive others.
Elder Gordon B. Hinckley “There is
no peace in harboring old grudges. There is no peace in reflecting on the pain
of old wounds. There is peace only in repentance and forgiveness.
This is the sweet peace of the Christ, who said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers;
for they shall be called the children of God’
CHRIST IS AN EXAMPLE OF FORGIVING LOVE:
“All his life he had
been the victim of ugliness. As a newborn infant he had been spirited away to
save his life at the instruction of an angel in a dream. … At the end of a
hectic life he had stood in quiet, restrained, divine dignity. … “He was beaten, laughed at. He wore a
crown of thorns. … He was mocked and jeered. He suffered every indignity at the
hands of his own people. … He was required to carry his own cross. … Finally,
with the soldiers and his accusers down below him, he looked upon the Roman
soldiers and said these immortal words: ‘Father,
forgive them; for they know not what they do.’
(Spencer W. Kimball, The
Miracle of Forgiveness [1969], 279–80).
