The Book of Mormon, like Judges, shows us many occurrences of the Pride Cycle. Unlike Judges, it also provides the answer. Prosperity need not lead to pride. With intentional effort, we can remain humble even when the Lord has blessed us abundantly.
The Lord Raised Up a Deliverer
Like the Book of Mormon, the book of Judges relates events which illustrate the pride cycle. Many of Mormon's observations explain what Judges leaves unsaid. Both books also have heroes, some deeply flawed. Even so, they are blessings from God, sent in response to the people's heartfelt prayers.
Plagues
The plagues were divinely architected in a sequence intended to achieve God's objective: the liberation of Israel. But this fact doesn't minimize the pain people suffered as a result. We can sympathize and hope at the same time, mourning with those that mourn even as we hope with those who have reason to hope.
Enoch and the Power of Words
For a self-described slow speaker, Enoch became an extraordinary orator. He prophesied, and he performed miracles by commanding the elements. Words externalize our thoughts, representing commitment and therefore evidencing our faith. Maybe that's why Jesus promised that if we have faith, we can move mountains with our words.
Seeing the Face of God
The first verse of Doctrine and Covenants 93 lays out a simple formula: Those who follow Christ will come to know Him. He promises that we will "see [His] face and know that [He is]," which implies far more than being in His presence. It means that we will understand and recognize Him.
Filling the Measure of My Creation
In Doctrine and Covenants 88, the Lord reveals that the earth "filleth the measure of its creation" and will be sanctified. Mormon contrasted the earth's obedience to God with human stubbornness. We fill the measure of our creation by fulfilling our God-given missions and becoming what God created us to become.
The Voice of Thunderings
Adversity is an invitation from God. Calamities and trials may be His call to repent and turn our hearts to Him. Rather than ask, “Why me?” we might ask, “What can I learn from this experience?” If we listen with humility, we may hear His voice even in the "thunderings" of our lives.
The Pride Paradox
The Grossman-Stiglitz Paradox asserts that markets are efficient only to the extent that people believe they are not. Managing pride is similar. Elder Bednar taught, “If you or I do not believe we could be afflicted with and by pride, then we are vulnerable.” No wonder the Lord warned, "Beware of pride."
The Counsels of God
Jacob said, "Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from His hand." When Joseph Smith asked a question three times, he probably didn't think he was rejecting revelation, but he was. We need to pray with the intent to learn, not to persuade.
For Our Welfare and Happiness
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught that the first great truth of the gospel is that God loves us. Mormon testified that God does "all things for the welfare and happiness of his people." It's reassuring to know that God is actively working for our happiness.