Pride and Arrogance

I’m responding to a challenge by Tony, Red Mind in a Blue State, where he took a quote from Teddy Roosevelt and wanted others to put their thoughts around it. Here's the quote: “Envy is as evil a thing as arrogance.”

I admire Roosevelt’s character traits and saying as well; however, a more sure footing for me are the words spoken or written by the Prophets. Here are some thoughts regarding the subject, Beware of Pride, given by Ezra Taft Benson on May 4, 1989.

“The Doctrine and Covenants tells us that the Book of Mormon is the “record of a fallen people.” (D&C 20:9.) Why did they fall? This is one of the major messages of the Book of Mormon. Mormon gives the answer in the closing chapters of the book in these words: “Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction.” (Moro. 8:27.) And then, lest we miss that momentous Book of Mormon message from that fallen people, the Lord warns us in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.” (D&C 38:39.)”

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Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves. Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top (arrogance), 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 (envy). 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.

I went over 250 word "requested limit" a little; but I think the message was worth the ride. Please take the time to read the rest of the information in Ezra Taft Benson’s talk.