Zion can flourish only when pride is in check. The harvest of good fruit is bounteous when the weeds of pride are eradicated. But we must beware of the seeds of pride waiting to germinate. Pride, the universal sin, was the downfall of the Jaredite and Nephite nations. It is our problem, too, as individuals and families. During the period of time where Helaman the second is guiding the people, a great many respond in righteousness to the teachings of the gospel, and the Church prospers spiritually; nevertheless, many struggle to one degree or another with pride. The dangers of this kind of situation are articulated with unforgettable clarity by President Ezra Taft Benson in his now-classic speech, “Beware of Pride,” in the May 1989 issue of the Ensign. President Benson outlines the fault lines of pride and its destructive influence in home, church, community, and nation. He also provides a memorable antidote to pride that is worthy of our attention and application:
Let us choose to be humble.
We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. (See Jacob 4:10; Helaman 15:3; D&C 63:55; D&C 101:4–5; D&C 108:1; D&C 124:61, 84; D&C 136:31; Proverbs 9:8.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Nephi 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16–17.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. (See Alma 4:19; Alma 31:5; Alma 48:20.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.
We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. (See D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:7–14, 49.)
We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. (See 3 Nephi 11:11; 3 Nephi 13:33; Moro. 10:32.)
Let us choose to be humble. We can do it. I know we can.
My dear brethren and sisters, we must prepare to redeem Zion. It was essentially the sin of pride that kept us from establishing Zion in the days of the Prophet Joseph Smith. It was the same sin of pride that brought consecration to an end among the Nephites. (See 4 Nephi 1:24–25.)
Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion. I repeat: Pride is the great stumbling block to Zion.
We must cleanse the inner vessel by conquering pride. (See Alma 6:2–4; Matt. 23:25–26.)
We must yield “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit,” put off the prideful “natural man,” become “a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord,” and become “as a child, submissive, meek, humble.” (Mosiah 3:19; see also Alma 13:28.)
That we may do so and go on to fulfill our divine destiny is my fervent prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.