The Sneaky Traps of the Heart: Guarding Against Pride on the Way to the Savior

Brothers and sisters, as we continue to press forward in the work, we get so focused on the *doing*—the study, the call, the preparation, the actual teaching—that sometimes we forget to check the *doing* of our own hearts. We get busy, we get righteous, and we start to feel… good about it.

It’s easy to think that if we’re diligent in our scriptures, if we’re serving faithfully, if we’re even out here engaging in these online discussions, that we are somehow safe from the subtle pitfalls of the spirit. But the Savior knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows those little whispers that tell us, "You've come so far," or "You're better than you were last year."

I was pondering this the other day, and it brought to mind a recent discussion I was having with a friend who was feeling really accomplished in their ward callings. They were doing so well—their efforts were visible, their service was appreciated—but there was a subtle edge to their recounting of it all. It wasn't outright boasting, but it was a careful curation of their own merits. It made me think about how pride doesn't always arrive with a trumpet blast; often, it’s a quiet, convincing little voice.

If you’ve ever felt that tug—that need to ensure people know how much you’ve done, or how much you *know*—I want you to know you are not alone. The path to becoming more Christlike is less about grand gestures and more about these microscopic adjustments in our daily intentions.

What struck me most from reviewing this material was the idea that pride often springs from a place of deep insecurity. We try to fill a void of self-worth by building external monuments to ourselves—the perfect job, the impressive car, the flawless record of service. We become preoccupied with how the world *perceives* us, rather than what the Spirit testifies to us internally.

The Remedy: Shifting Focus from External to Eternal

The good news, always, is that the solution isn't self-flagellation; it’s redirection. The remedy for being too focused on our own achievements (boastfulness) isn't to insult ourselves; it’s to deliberately train our eyes to see the blessings in others. Be quick to praise the gifts, the talents, and the simple goodness in the lives of your companions, your neighbors, and even those who challenge you in a missionary discussion.

And when it comes to the desire to appear perfect (ostentation), the antidote is cultivating the *interior* life. We have to deliberately shift our focus from the temporal—what we *have*—to the eternal—who we *are* becoming through the Savior.

This is the core of discipleship, isn't it? It's choosing to develop the parts of ourselves that no one else can see. It's putting emphasis on the covenants we keep and the Spirit we feel, rather than the accolades we receive.

A Thought for Our Online Missionaries

This principle is vital for us as internet missionaries. When we are sharing our testimonies online, it’s easy to fall into the trap of 'showing off' our knowledge or our devotion. Instead, let's remember the core of Preach My Gospel: it's not about our eloquence or our perfect understanding of doctrine; it's about the Spirit testifying of the Savior. Let our testimony point outward—to the Atonement—rather than inward to our own spiritual journey.

If you want to dig deeper into this, I highly recommend revisiting the teachings on humility found in the Iron Rod. It’s a constant reminder that the greatest gifts are the ones we don't even realize we need until the Spirit guides us to them.

If you’re looking for structured ways to work on this, consider joining a Book Club or a Bible Study Group in HolyPlaces. Or, if you prefer a more interactive approach, feel free to bring your questions to Davee! He’s ready to walk you through the tough questions an investigator might ask about why humility matters so much.

What are you doing this week to intentionally praise the gifts of others, rather than focusing on your own? Let's keep building each other up, always pointing our hearts toward the Savior.

P.S. If you're feeling the pull toward deeper scripture study, check out the social scripture study layer in LivingBook—it’s a wonderful way to see how others are applying these principles!