Addressing the weakness of pride

8 May 2017

Email sent to a brother, who had been excommunicated the day before. It was made known in the disciplinary council that at the heart of his downfall was the weakness of pride in his life. He wrote an email the next day asking how to address this weakness.

Brother (name),

Thank you for writing and for desiring to elicit a change in your very nature. We all yearn to discover how to “put off the natural man” and become “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord” even become "as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things” from the Lord. (Mosiah 3:19) 

And thank you for desiring to conduct a serious study of what pride truly means and how it applies to you and your life.

Here are some links that may be helpful:

President Benson's masterful discourse on the subject: https://www.lds.org/ensign/1989/05/beware-of-pride?lang=eng&_r=1

A brief video with a few highlights of his message: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-05-1307-teachings-of-ezra-taft-benson-pride?lang=eng

Topical Guide listings on Pride: https://www.lds.org/scriptures/tg/pride.html?lang=eng&letter=P

You will notice that pride isn’t so much being conceited, as the world would describe it, but failing to put the Lord first in every aspect of our lives. For starters, I suggest you study all the scriptures referenced in President Benson’s talk and listed in the Topical Guide for Pride. As you read each verse, write in a journal how this verse applies to (his name) and his life. I encourage you not to ask, “Does this verse apply to me?” but “How does this verse apply to me?” and write what comes to mind, including events and incidences in your life in which you fell into the “pride trap” referenced in the scripture.

Thank you for your desire to meet often with Bishop (name). He will continue to be a great friend and guide for you in the repentance process. We love you and pray for you that you’ll not just “bide your time” but make the coming year(s) an enriching experience in which you and others recognize a change of heart, even a change of nature, which is the true definition of repentance.

Warmly,

Crismon