There are many reasons in today’s culture and society in
which we may boast of our own strength or be proud of our accomplishments. Our
society is competitive in nature and there is a hierarchal structure. This
lends itself to a culture where it becomes easier to boast.
What might we boast about? Money, job title, status, home,
car, academic accomplishments, sports achievements, a calling in the church,
worldly or even spiritual “success”, and so on.
Here are a few thoughts from the scriptures with my commentary:
Alma 45:24
“But they grew proud, being lifted up in their hearts because
of their exceeding riches. Therefore, they grew rich in their own eyes and
would not give heed to their [prophets] to walk uprightly before God.”
The people forgot the Lord when
they became “independent” because of their money. Money can be an incredible
tool for good and can be a great blessing, but it can also draw people away to
pride and boasting because there is a perception that they can “do it on their
own.”
Mormon goes on to make an
important note about the people and this cycle in Alma 46:8 (remember that
Mormon has been through many manuscripts and documents, he sees the Nephite
history from a unique perspective. During his lifetime, he’s seen the
culminating effect of this trend):
“Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget the Lord
their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.”
Let’s look at the pattern, the
before/after effects of boasting:
Mosiah 11:19
“Because of this great victory they [the people of King Noah]
were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own
strength, saying that fifty could stand against thousands of Lamanites.”
What was the result? The Lord left
them to their own devices and they suffered for years at the hands of the
Lamanites
Helaman 4:13
“And because of this their [Nephites in 30 B.C.] great
boasting in their own strength, they were left in their own strength.”
What was the result? They were
afflicted and smitten. The church dwindled and became weak. The city of
Zarahemla was taken and conquered.
Mormon 3:9
“Because of this great thing which my people [the Nephite
people in A.D. 362] had done, they began to boast in their own strength.”
What was the result? Mormon
temporarily refused to lead them. The Lord said to Mormon, “Vengeance is mine”
and the entire Nephite nation was destroyed from off the face of the land.
Let us be careful in our personal
lives and guard against boasting. Let us remember that we depend on God for our
very breath and that our greatest treasures lie in heaven.
