Pride ~~ The world that we live in is fraught with the desire to have more, no matter the cost. Whether it is a get rich quick idea, the desire to gain sponsored opportunities by sharing a lavish lifestyle, or becoming all-consumed in our careers it can often be a sign of individual and community pride. By seeking for more we tend to forget the oppressed. We tend to forget the poor and needy. We tend to alienate our neighbors. We even tend to turn our backs on those that we once loved dearly and may even profess to love.

I’m not immune from these issues. I have felt the desire for more in my life. I don’t believe that we need to lead an esthetic lifestyle either. It is okay to have nice things, but it is when our pursuit of those nice things takes over our life that it becomes problematic.

The great Nephite pride cycle is displayed intently through the first few chapters of Helaman. In recording this Mormon relates to us that, “it was because of the pride of their hearts, because of their exceeding riches, yea, it was because of their oppression to the poor, withholding their food from the hungry, withholding their clothing from the naked, and smiting their humble brethren upon the cheek, making a mock of that which was sacred, denying the spirit of prophecy and of revelation, murdering, plundering, lying, stealing, committing adultery, rising up in great contentions, and deserting away… they were left in their own strength” (Helaman 4:12-13).

There are consequences for living in pride. As President Benson taught, this could be the pride of seeking the vain things of the world, the pride of looking up to those who have more than we do, the pride of thinking that we know more or are better than our leaders, or any other number of prideful constraints.

Our choices should steer us away from a prideful lifestyle. We can all do a bit better. Let’s choose to find someone to serve.