Beware of Pride- A few thoughts based off of Ezra Taft Benson's 1989 Conference Talk

I've heard many times that pride is the mother of all sins, which means we really ought to avoid it all possible costs. No wonder we are told in the scriptures to beware of pride! No wonder, Ezra Taft Benson gave a whole conference address centered on this topic. 

However, before we can beware of pride, we must first we aware of pride- I mean what is it really? 

Is it thinking you are better than others? 

Is it feeling entitled?

Is it seeking the praise of man? 

Is it boasting?

In reality, boasting, entitlement, conceit, and haughtiness are merely symptoms of the root of real the problem. Ezra Taft Benson breaks it down for us using one simply word: Enmity. 

He then goes on to explain himself a bit better, stating: 

"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."

Perhaps to understand this concept a bit better, we can take a look at the best example of pride, someone who has it down to a science- the adversary.

The very first recorded encounter with Satan is the council in heaven. Not much dialogue is given of this event, but because of the scriptures, we know that Heavenly Father presented his plan and two of his children's responses are recorded.

Christ said: "Father, they will be done, and the glory be thine forever" (Moses 4:2)
Satan said: "Give me thine honor, which is my power" (Doctrine and Covenants 29:36)

Enmity begins as we "pit our will against God's" (Beware of Pride 1989), just as Satan did when he opposed Heavenly Father's plan. I think it is important to note that this enmity which was originally directed towards God, then led to an enmity towards God's children as Satan then turned to leading a third of the hosts of heaven away.

We've heard that misery loves company- and enmity is no exception! Just as loving god leads to loving our brothers and sisters, developing enmity towards god leads to harboring enmity towards our brothers and sisters.

So if we notice a pride towards fellowmen developing within ourselves, we can pretty much guarantee that the seed of enmity sprouted awhile ago when we decided to oppose one or more of God's commandments. This principle provides us with the full proof plan to avoid pride for the rest of our lives- simply align our will with God's and it is impossible to prideful! Humility is guaranteed when we seek God's will first. 

Keep Smiling :)
And the best way to keep smiling...?
You guessed it- align your will with Heavenly Father!  

Humility 100% guaranteed! :)