For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon is a source of strength, guidance, and everyday wisdom. It teaches us how to grow our faith, stay humble, and keep Christ at the center of our lives.
Learning from the Nephites: The Dangers of Pride
One of the biggest warnings in the Book of Mormon is about pride. The Nephites went through this cycle over and over again—prosperity led to pride, which led to spiritual decline. Elder Bednar put it this way: “Prosperity, possessions, and ease constitute a potent mixture that can lead even the righteous to drink the spiritual poison of pride.”
It’s a trap that’s easy to fall into, even today. One businessman learned this the hard way. As he became more successful, church attendance and spiritual habits started slipping. Eventually, he found himself feeling lost and disconnected. It took a personal crisis to bring him back to faith and humility.
Breaking the Pride Cycle
The Book of Mormon repeatedly shows how pride leads to a fall, followed by repentance and renewal. It’s a pattern that plays out in real life, too. A discussion in a priesthood meeting highlighted this with a modern example: A family’s financial success led them to prioritize vacations and hobbies over church. Over time, their spiritual strength faded, and they felt more distant from the faith that had once grounded them.
It’s easy to let spiritual habits slip when life is going well, but that’s exactly when we need to be the most vigilant. The key to breaking the pride cycle is staying focused on Christ, no matter our circumstances. If we consistently keep Him at the center of our lives, we won’t have to go through the ups and downs of forgetting and then relearning the same lessons.
Applying the Book of Mormon to Our Lives
The Book of Mormon wasn’t just written for ancient times—it was written for us. Elder Bednar encourages us to ask, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon to include this story?” when we read. When we take that approach, we’ll see how the scriptures apply directly to our own lives and challenges.
A simple but powerful habit is to read with the question, “How does this apply to me today?” This invites personal revelation and helps us see the Book of Mormon not just as a historical record, but as a real-time guide for our daily decisions.
Keeping Christ at the Center
President Holland reminds us that everyone faces struggles, but the teachings of Jesus Christ, found in the Book of Mormon, can help us get through them. Whether we’re dealing with trials or enjoying a season of peace, keeping Christ at the center ensures we stay grounded.
The Book of Mormon is a modern-day guide to discipleship. When we share it, live by its teachings, and stay mindful of the dangers of pride, we draw closer to God. The more we embrace its lessons, the more we’ll strengthen not just our own faith, but the faith of those around us.
March 9 EQ lesson by John Dye
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Guest Author
J Washburn
