Skip to main content

The Many Faces of Pride Quotes for Module #11: 3 Nephi 1-7


Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"At its core, pride is a sin of comparison, for though it usually begins with “Look how wonderful I am and what great things I have done,” it always seems to end with “Therefore, I am better than you.”

"When our hearts are filled with pride, we commit a grave sin, for we violate the two great commandments. Instead of worshipping God and loving our neighbor, we reveal the real object of our worship and love—the image we see in the mirror."

"This sin has many faces. It leads some to revel in their own perceived self-worth, accomplishments, talents, wealth, or position. They count these blessings as evidence of being “chosen,” “superior,” or “more righteous” than others. This is the sin of “Thank God I am more special than you.” At its core is the desire to be admired or envied. It is the sin of self-glorification."

"For others, pride turns to envy: they look bitterly at those who have better positions, more talents, or greater possessions than they do. They seek to hurt, diminish, and tear down others in a misguided and unworthy attempt at self-elevation. When those they envy stumble or suffer, they secretly cheer."

From talk entitled: Pride and the Priesthood, October 2010 General Conference



President Ezra Taft Benson

"Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philip. 2:21.)

"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.”

"Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.

"Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. (See 2 Ne. 9:42.) There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous."

From talk entitled: Beware of Pride, April 1989 General Conference

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jacob 1-2

Lesson Quotes: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland “Perhaps you already know (but if you don’t you should) that with rare exception, no man or woman who speaks [in general conference] is assigned a topic. Each is to fast and pray, study and seek, start and stop and start again until he or she is confident that for this conference, at this time, his or hers is the topic the Lord wishes that speaker to present regardless of personal wishes or private preferences. … Each has wept, worried, and earnestly sought the Lord’s direction to guide his or her thoughts and expression” (“An Ensign to the Nations,” Ensign, May 2011, 111). President Hugh B. Brown “President John Taylor said on one occasion, speaking to the brethren of the priesthood: “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved, had you done your duty.” “This is a challenging statement. If I by reason of sins of commission or omission lose what I might have had in the hereafter, I mys...
Post a Comment
Read more

3 Nephi 26-27

  Lesson Quotes: Joseph Fielding McConkie: “‘I will try the faith of my people,’ the Lord said. This is not some cruel game that God plays with mankind. It is, rather, an act of love and mercy for us. For our own sake—our spiritual development and salvation—the Savior expects us to develop faith and righteousness by trusting in and following the teachings of the portions of his word that he has already revealed—as in our standard works and in the words of prophets and Apostles of our dispensation. He desires us to study, ponder, pray about, and heed those teachings we have so that we will desire more and be spiritually prepared to have ‘greater things’ manifest to us” (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon: Volume IV—Third Nephi through Moroni [1992], 170). Elder Neal A Maxwell: “… just as there will be many more Church members, families, wards, stakes, and temples—later on, there will also be many more nourishing and inspiring scriptures. However, we must first feast worthily...
Post a Comment
Read more

Matthew 18-20

Lesson Quotes: President Boyd K. Packer: “The Lord has told us, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt. 18:20; see also D&C 6:32.) “There is safety in learning doctrine in gatherings which are sponsored by proper authority” (“Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21). President Henry B. Eyring: “Because He is a resurrected and glorified being, He is not physically everyplace where Saints gather. But, by the power of the Spirit, we can feel that He is here with us today.” (April GC 2016) Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin “Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?” (“Come What May, a...
Post a Comment
Read more