Condemnation of Pride in the Last Days

One of the most frequently condemned traits that the scriptures give relating to the state of the people on earth at the end of the world is pride.  The punishment at the last day for the proud is simple: they will be destroyed.  Nephi wrote several times about this.  He wrote that “the day soon cometh that all the proud and they who do wickedly shall be as stubble” (1 Nephi 22:15).  In almost the same language he said later on in his record: “Wherefore, all those who are proud, and that do wickedly, the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of Hosts, for they shall be as stubble” (2 Nephi 26:4). 

In his description of his father’s vision, he wrote that “the great and spacious building was the pride of the world; and it fell, and the fall thereof was exceedingly great” (1 Nephi 11:36).  That “fall” of the great and spacious building may refer to multiple times in history, but it seems clear that this at least includes the end of the world when the wicked will be destroyed.  Nephi also quoted Isaiah’s words that condemned the pride of the last days.  “For the day of the Lord of Hosts soon cometh upon all nations, yea, upon every one; yea, upon the proud and lofty, and upon every one who is lifted up, and he shall be brought low” (2 Nephi 12:12).  In Isaiah’s description of the destruction of Babylon—an event symbolic of the destruction of the wicked at the end of the world—he said, “I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay down the haughtiness of the terrible” (2 Nephi 23:11).  Isaiah similarly said when speaking of the people of Moab—likely symbolic again of the destruction of the whole world—“

“He shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands” (Isaiah 25:11).  The theme that ties all of these verses together is that the proud will be condemned and destroyed.

                Probably the most famous scripture verse that condemns the pride of the last days is Malachi 4:1 which reads, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts.”  I was surprised to see how often this statement from Malachi is repeated.  The Savior quoted it verbatim  when He visited the Nephites (see 3 Nephi 21:1).  Nephi’s language in 1 Nephi 22:15 and 26:4 also were very similar language, though he wrote them before Malachi.  The Lord then quoted the verse 3 tines in the Doctrine and Covenants: 

·         “For verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble” (D&C 64:24).

·         “And also that which was written by the prophet Malachi: For, behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble” (D&C 133:64).

·         “For the hour is nigh and the day soon at hand when the earth is ripe; and all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble” (D&C 29:9).

With that many scriptures that repeat this idea of the destruction of the proud at the last day, we should certain pay careful attention.  And we must guard against pride in our own lives if we want to avoid that fate.  As the Lord put it to Oliver: “Beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old” (D&C 38:39).  We know what happened to the Nephites, and it is not the course that we want for our country.