Lesson 08 Pride

Pride is something that many people do not recognize in themselves and when others recognize it, it can cause contention.  However, for marriage to be successful both the husband and the wife must recognize pride among each other.  Pride is something that I personally have a problem seeing in myself.  One of the little ways that pride works itself into marriage is when one of those in the relationship fail to compromise or see the other’s point of view.  This can be done in something small such as how to load a dishwasher or in larger ways like how to discipline children.  When pride is present, there is an absence of love.  We begin to objectify our spouse, rather than loving them.  We don’t see them as a person but rather as something that we have to conquer.  We become more worried about BEING right, rather than DOING what is right.  President Ezra Taft Benson, prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, said, “Another major portion of this is prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen.  We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them.”  When we put ourselves above our spouses, we are showing that we believe we are more important for them.  We are saying that our opinion is more important and that they should just do as we say.  The opposite of pride is love.  When love is present, we put the needs of our spouse above our own.  We have a desire to make their burdens lighter, no matter the cost.