2 Nephi 15:14-15, 21

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Reference Search: 2 Nephi 15:14-15, 21

14 Therefore, hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

15 And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled.

• • •

21 Wo unto the wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight!

Quotes for Discussion

Pride

If the President of the Church or either of his counselors or of the apostles or any other man feels in his heart that God cannot do without him, and that he is especially important in order to carry on the work of the Lord, he stands upon slippery ground. I heard Joseph Smith say that Oliver Cowdery, who was the second apostle in this Church, said to him, “If I leave this Church it will fall.”

Said Joseph, “Oliver, you try it.’ Oliver tried it. He fell; but the kingdom of God did not. I have been acquainted with other apostles in my day and time who felt that the Lord could not do without them; but the Lord got along with his work without them. I say to all men—Jew and Gentile, great and small, rich and poor—that the Lord Almighty has power within himself, and is not dependent upon any man to carry on his work; but when he does call men to do his work they have to trust in him.

Wilford Woodruff, The Discourses of Wilford Woodruff, ed. G. Homer Durham, [salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1946], 123-24

How can man believe and know that he can travel in man-made spaceships around the earth at thousands and thousands of miles an hour, communicate with man here upon the earth, and be directed in his course, with the knowledge that if he keeps in tune with home base he will be guided back to a safe landing; and that mere man can also construct implements such as the Surveyor, which he has sent to the moon, with which he has communicated in directing its activities, and from which he has received reports—and still say that it is impossible for God, the Creator of the world, to communicate with man, his own creation, who is traveling through space on a spaceship created by God and known as the earth, and that by keeping in touch with home base he can be assured of a safe return when he has completed his tour here upon the earth?

N. Eldon Tanner, Conference Report, Oct. 1968, 49