I think one of the greatest lessons ever taught in conference was the talk Beware of Pride by President Ezra Taft Benson. He was not able to give the talk, so it was read by Gordon B Hinckley in the April 1989 General Conference.
I would like to highlight a few segments. The picture I used is a bit lighthearted, but it is Gordon B Hinckley sitting with Ezra Taft Benson. Gordon B Hinckley read the talk because Ezra Taft Benson was unable to. I am assuming due to health. It is such a powerful talk and could be picked apart and written into a book. But, I’m sure it is a book that no one wants to write because so many elements of this talk cut to the heart. And, there are many so entrenched in their pride and their enmity toward God is so deep that they can not accept this truth.
Quote #1 – This sacred volume was written for us—for our day. Its scriptures are to be likened unto ourselves.
Quote #2 – Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. (See Mosiah 3:11; 3 Ne. 6:18.) In the scriptures there is no such thing as righteous pride—it is always considered a sin. Therefore, no matter how the world uses the term, we must understand how God uses the term so we can understand the language of holy writ and profit thereby.
Most of us think of pride as self-centeredness, conceit, boastfulness, arrogance, or haughtiness. All of these are elements of the sin, but the heart, or core, is still missing.
The central feature of pride is enmity—enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.
Pride is essentially competitive in nature. We pit our will against God’s. When we direct our pride toward God, it is in the spirit of “my will and not thine be done.” As Paul said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.”
Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled.
The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives. They pit their perceptions of truth against God’s great knowledge, their abilities versus God’s priesthood power, their accomplishments against His mighty works.
Our enmity toward God takes on many labels, such as rebellion, hard-heartedness, stiff-neckedness, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, and sign seekers. The proud wish God would agree with them. They aren’t interested in changing their opinions to agree with God’s.
Quote #3 – There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up.