The “Nephite Pride Cycle” is
repeated through out the Book of Mormon.
It starts with a period of righteousness (Helaman 3:24-32, 4:15) that is
complimented by blessings and prosperity (Helaman 3:25&32, 4:15) as the
Nephites are keeping the commandments of the Lord. The Nephites become prideful (Helaman
3:33-36, 7:23-24) and begin to forget who brought them their prosperity, which
leads them into a period of wickedness (Helaman 3:33-36, 10:3). This iniquitous time ushers in a period of
destruction and suffering (Helaman 4:5, 11:4) from wars, famine and pestilence.
This, sometimes accompanied by a prophet calling them to repent,
humbling them to repentance (Helaman 4:15, 11:4) and is followed by a period of righteousness.
This serves
as a warning to me that I need to put in place safeguards to help me avoid this
cycle in my life. I must always remember
that the Lord is the source of my blessings and prosperity. I need to stay close to my Heavenly Father,
praying constantly and expressing my gratitude consistently. I must
always put out my best effort in keeping His commandments. I know that as I regularly study the scriptures,
I will have the strength needed to resist temptation and be better shielded
from the fiery darts of the adversary. Being
aware of the signs of falling into this cycle will help me to break it in my
life and hold fast to the iron rod.
And the people of the church began
to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world that they
began to be scornful one towards another.
This same cycle occurred in the
days of Helaman. At one point Helaman describes his people in this
way: And it came to pass in that
same year there was exceedingly great prosperity in the church insomuch that
there were thousands who did join themselves unto the church and were baptized
unto repentance. And so great was the prosperity of the church, and so
many were the blessings that were poured out upon the people that even the high
priest and the teachers were, themselves, astonished beyond measure.
It was not long until the full
cycle was completed, however. Within
five years of the period just cited, Helaman makes this report regarding
members of the church: And in the fifty and first year of the reign of
the judges there was peace also, save it were the pride which began to enter
into the church. Not into the Church of God, but into the hearts of the
people who professed to belong to the church of god. And they were lifted
up in pride, even unto the persecution of many of their brethren.
These abrupt changes in the
condition of the people led Helaman to lament. "Yea, and we may see at the very time that he doth prosper his
people, yea, an increase of their flocks and their herds and their fields, and
in gold and in silver, and in precious things of every kind and in fine, all
things for the welfare and happiness of his people, yea, then is the time that
they do harden their hearts, and they do forget the Lord their God."
It is one thing to look back upon
the events of history. It is another to regard our own time. We have the Lord's assurance that he will
bless and prosper his people if they will keep his commandments and remember to
look to him as the source for their blessings.
James, I really enjoyed your post. I too think about the pride cycle in my life and really hope I can hold to the iron rod. I am a convert to the church. I have been a member now for two years. At about year one and a half I had a life long member ask me if I had stumbled yet. He was staying that statically new converts will fall away soon after joining for one reason or another. Then eventually repent and come back to church. I was really concerned when I heard this and immediately when to my Stake President and asked about this. He said "That is not always the case and you have nothing to worry about. You have a great support group". I seen the member a few days later and he said his wife scalded him for asking that, saying that was just a bad thing to say to someone. But I still have that thought floating around my head. I continuously keep myself in check because I do not want to get in that cycle. I think we are all in some sort of a cycle in life. I mean we go to Sacrament on Sundays to renew our Covenants and repent and strive to do better. But I still find that I have things to repent about. I am so thankful for all the things God has blessed me with, and I pray continually to show him that I have not forgot that. Since joining the church I am the best version of Brian that I remember. I never knew joy before I started down the path I am on. I have been prideful and I have been in a cycle of misery in the past. I don't plan on going back down that unlit road, I will keep my life balanced and always walk towards the light. Thank you for sharing. B Dawg
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