Friday, November 16, 2007

Pride, who me???

Pride is a favorite topic of mine, or should I say "overcoming pride" is a favorite topic.

We need to remember that as Pres. Benson said in his classic talk, "Beware of Pride", that pride is not only a sin of those at the top looking down, the poor can be guilty of pride also. He also said that Pride is the universal sin, and that it is so much easier to see in other people than ourselves.

I never thought I was a prideful person, after all I was poor! LOL! Then one day, inspired by a Relief Society Lesson, I asked the Lord, "What lack I yet?"

For the next week, I heard the Spirit whisper too me, "That was a prideful thought". Over and over again. Wow.

You might be surprised to know what one of the thoughts I had that the Spirit proclaimed prideful. I was/am poor. I was driving by a beautiful house much nicer than my own and I thought, "Yes, but do they have their year supply?" I had my year supply. The Spirit told me that was prideful.

It has been three or four years since that experience, and I believe I am much more humble than I used to be, but I still battle the pride issue.

One day, thinking this would be a great philosophical discussion, I asked my husband, "Do you think Pride could be the root of all evil?"

Without hesitation he said, "Yes, of course."

Surprised, I asked him why.

"Because whenever we put our will before Father's that is pride. Thus anytime we sin, pride is the root. Pride will be the last sin we get rid of."

So yes, overcoming pride, and becoming humble is a lifetime pursuit, and one we cannot accomplish on our own, but I can tell you from experience, that when we take the Lord as our guide, it is a wonderful journey.