Pride and Mormons - where do we stand?

[_moksha]

Is pride regarded as a sin or a virtue by Mormons?

[_TAO]

I would think pride is not a good thing, that I would.

[_Lucinda]

Moksha-
I think Mormons believe it's a bad thing. In fact I remember a lesson (I think Relief Society) teaching us to try not to say we are "proud" of our kids. We should instead say we are "pleased" with them. Like Heavenly Father said "...in whom I am well pleased."
BUT, how prideful is it to say we are the only "true" church, and the only one that can provide the ordinances necessary to enter the highest kingdom of heaven. I don't know...just my opinion.

[_MCB]

Pride is a problem among "commoner" Mormons. However, according to Ezra Taft Benson, it is primarily manifested in refusing to follow the leaders, who are exempt.
http://education.BYU.edu/edlf/archives/ ... pride.html

[_Quasimodo]

I'm sure I'm going to get in trouble on this one, but I think that it is pride (or some form of it) that draws people to the LDS religion in the first place. "We have the sacred knowledge. We are the only chosen of God".

[_The Nehor]

Is pride regarded as a sin or a virtue by Mormons?

Sin, at least in the way it is used in LDS discussion. See Ezra Taft Benson's talk, "Beware of Pride" and Elder Uchtdorf's recent talk referencing President Benson.

Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. (See Mosiah 3:11; 3 Ne. 6:18.) In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride—it is always considered a sin. Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term, we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holy writ and profit thereby. (See 2 Ne. 4:15; Mosiah 1:3–7; Alma 5:61.)

Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.

The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” (Philip. 2:21.)

Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled. (See Alma 38:12; 3 Ne. 12:30.)

The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. (See Hel. 12:6.) They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.

Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.

Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them. (See Hel. 6:17; D&C 58:41.)

The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.”

Now, is there pride in the Church? Yes.

Quasimodo's description does include some members but these people are condemned by scripture repeatedly, especially in the story of the Zoramites.

MCB's characterization is incorrect. The does not exempt anyone as he suggests.

Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves. Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. (See 2 Ne. 9:42.) There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous.

Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or ultimately God. A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position.

Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. “How everything affects me” is the center of all that matters—self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self-fulfillment, self-gratification, and self-seeking.

He was pointing out a misconception about pride. The false idea that most of the prideful have something to be proud of. Most are just arrogant and self-absorbed.

[_ludwigm]

I would think pride is not a good thing, that I would.

Options:
1. You don't know the word.
2. You know, but you misunderstand it.
3. You understand but you want not understand.
4. The word "pride" is redefined in Mormonism.
5. At this time, I have no other tip. Please reveal one more!

[_harmony]

In this, if in nothing else, the members are doing a good job of following the leaders.

[_TAO]

Options:
1. You don't know the word.
2. You know, but you misunderstand it.
3. You understand but you want not understand.
4. The word "pride" is redefined in Mormonism.
5. At this time, I have no other tip. Please reveal one more!

TAO used Kenshin-speak for a reason Ludwigm, that he did. It allows for a calmer response, that prevents contention, that it does.

TAO understands what pride is; he is just trying to not cause an argument while posting. TAO doesn't like pride whatsoever actually... but as said, it's not worth arguing over.

[_Quasimodo]

TAO understands what pride is; he is just trying to not cause an argument while posting. TAO doesn't like pride whatsoever actually... but as said, it's not worth arguing over.

An interesting point. And, an honest question: What is pride?

Being prideful is considered a bad thing. Yet, other forms of pride such as "taking pride in ones job" are considered a good thing. Are there multiple meanings for the same word?