“Lesson 21 Class Preparation Material: Overcoming Pride,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material (2021)
“Lesson 21 Class Preparation Material,” Teachings and Doctrine of the Book of Mormon Teacher Material
Lesson 21 Class Preparation Material
Overcoming Pride
One spiritual danger emphasized in the Book of Mormon is the sin of pride. From that record we learn how pride disrupted the harmony in Lehi’s family, created divisions in the Lord’s Church, resulted in countless wars, and eventually led to the destruction of the Nephite civilization. President Ezra Taft Benson warned that “pride is the universal sin, the great vice” (“Beware of Pride,” Ensign, May 1989, 6). As you study in preparation for class, look for teachings that can help you identify signs of pride in your own life. Also, consider how the teachings and example of Jesus Christ can help you overcome pride.
Section 1
How can I better recognize the damaging effects pride may be having in my life?
After Nephi’s death, Jacob was troubled by the growing wickedness among the Nephites. The Lord directed Jacob to address the sins of the people (see Jacob 1:15–2:4, 11). Obediently, Jacob spoke to the people in the temple about their sins, including how their riches were leading them away from the Lord.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Jacob 2:12–16 or watch the Book of Mormon video “Jacob Teaches about Pride (Jacob 2:3–21)” (5:56), found on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. As you do so, look for how pride influenced the way these Nephites saw each other.
At the end of the Book of Mormon, Mormon and Moroni witnessed how failing to repent of pride had led to the utter destruction of the Nephites (see Moroni 8:27). After witnessing their destruction, Moroni saw in a vision how pride would also be a problem for people in our day.
Study in Preparation for Class
Read Mormon 8:35–37, and consider how pride leads to additional sins.
In 1989, President Benson gave a landmark address on pride. As you read this excerpt from his talk, consider marking key words and phrases that describe the core meaning of pride.
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.
Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. …
The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) …
The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillian, 1952, pp. 109–10.) …
Fear of men’s judgment manifests itself in competition for men’s approval. …
… 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. (“Beware of Pride,” 4, 5)
Record Your Thoughts
President Benson observed, “Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves” (“Beware of Pride,” 5). Select the questions below that are most relevant to your life, and record your answers in your journal or notebook.
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Do I have feelings of enmity (anger, hostility, or opposition) in my heart toward God or another person? If so, how are these feelings affecting my heart and my relationships?
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When am I most likely to compare myself with others? When I compare myself to others, how do I feel?
Section 2
How can I overcome the sin of pride?
After Jacob warned his people about the sin of pride, he taught them important truths about how to overcome it.
Study in Preparation for Class
As you read Jacob 2:17–21, look for counsel that can help you overcome pride.
In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites became prideful many times. For example, after winning a long war against the Gadianton robbers, the Nephites prospered and soon became proud, ranking themselves according to their riches and learning. Some began persecuting those less fortunate than themselves. (See 3 Nephi 6:4–12.)
Study in Preparation for Class
As you read 3 Nephi 6:12–14, note the differences between the people who were prideful and the people who were not prideful. What characteristics distinguished the two groups of people from each other?
President Benson taught the following about how to overcome pride:
The antidote for pride is humility—meekness, submissiveness. (See Alma 7:23.) …
Let us choose to be humble.
We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. [See Doctrine and Covenants 38:24.]
We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. [See Jacob 4:10.]
We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. [See 3 Nephi 13:11, 14; Doctrine and Covenants 64:10.]
We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16–17.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. [See Alma 4:19.]
We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.
We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. [See Doctrine and Covenants 58:43.]
We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. [See 3 Nephi 11:11.] (“Beware of Pride,” 6–7)
Ponder in Preparation for Class
Ponder the life of the Savior. What can you learn about humility from Him? Be prepared to share an example in class.