Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 31:10-11

Today's Favorite Verse: Ezekiel 31:10-11

"Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

I have therefore delivered him into the hand of the mighty one of the heathen; he shall surely deal with him: I have driven him out for his wickedness."

The chapter speaks of Pharaoh's glory and fall. With a heart lifted up to his height, I see a very prideful man. We see people that distance themselves from being under his shadow. To me those are smart people with eyes now open, that leave while they can. The others that supported him and stay are delivered unto death and go down to the pit with him. Nations will shake at the sound of his fall. I cannot help but see parallels to events taking place today.

"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

(Proverbs 16:18)

Reflecting on pride I had to go back and listen to Ezra Taft Benson's wonderful talk "Beware of Pride". This part gave me pause as I realized something I had not seen before.

"The Doctrine and Covenants tells us that the Book of Mormon is the “record of a fallen people.” (D&C 20:9.) Why did they fall? This is one of the major messages of the Book of Mormon. Mormon gives the answer in the closing chapters of the book in these words: “Behold, the pride of this nation, or the people of the Nephites, hath proven their destruction.” (Moro. 8:27.) And then, lest we miss that momentous Book of Mormon message from that fallen people, the Lord warns us in the Doctrine and Covenants, “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old.” (D&C 38:39.)"

(Ezra Taft Benson, "Beware of Pride", Apr 1989 General Conference)

Throughout the Book of Mormon the more righteous people had been the Nephites. It wasn't until pride overcame them that they fell and that was the downfall of that nation. This makes me take the warning in June 1, 2023 letter from the First Presidency all the more deeply.

"Merely voting a straight ticket or voting based on “tradition” without careful study of candidates and their positions on important issues is a threat to democracy and inconsistent with revealed standards."

We were encouraged to "vote for those who have demonstrated integrity, compassion, and service to others, regardless of party affiliation."

Times have absolutely changed, and we cannot become deceived by pride and tradition like the Nephites of old.

Day 2992