3 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men;
4 That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support.
(Mosiah 27:3-4)
There are many reasons to avoid pride. I like the reason given by Mormon as he describes King Mosiah’s guidance to the church: because pride disturbs your peace. It does so in at least 2 ways:
- Pride undermines the peace of a group of people by causing contention among them. Ezra Taft Benson taught that the central feature of pride is enmity (“Beware of Pride,” General Conference, April 1989. A group of people who are proud will not be unified and will not be at peace with one another.
- More importantly, pride disturbs our own internal peace. We cannot be content when we are constantly at war with other people: envying them, criticizing them, and trying to elevate ourselves above them. These prideful feelings cause turbulence in our hearts which makes it impossible for us to experience the peace promised by the Savior to His humble disciples (John 14:27).
Today, I will seek for peace–in my relationships with others and in my own heart. I will remember that peace is fragile, and that pride can jeopardize it. I will avoid pride or haughtiness in the interest of preserving the peace I enjoy.
Book of Mormon Study Notes 