Living after the Manner of Happiness by Ed J. Pinegar

Author:Ed J. Pinegar
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Joseph Smith;LDS;Inspirational;Happiness;Pursue;Life;Living;Gospel;Virtue;Uprightness;Faithfulness;Holiness;Commandments;God;Heavenly Father;Eternal Principles;Blessings;Scripture;Joy;Joyful Life
ISBN: 9781524406448
Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.
Published: 2018-02-07T20:28:31+00:00

Chapter 9

Vanity—or Modesty and Virtue

O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men.

(2 Nephi 9:28)

Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly.

(Doctrine and Covenants 121:45)

Vanity is one of the most damaging and destructive forms of pride. The person afflicted with vanity is always seeking to be better than others rather than being “the best you can be.” Vanity is fueled by arrogance, egotism, and conceit. It borders on narcissism, which is evidenced by extreme self-centeredness and a craving for admiration and being the center of attention. It breeds selfishness, and often the vain person is unable to perceive life in an accurate and loving manner. Vanity promotes self-interest rather than caring for others. Personal appearance is so important that we may go to great lengths to make ourselves appear to be better than others—with the “I look better—I am better” attitude. It is not a sin to look your best, but obsessively seeking “to look better than others” is a sin of the heart. Remember, the world looks upon the outward appearance while the Lord looks upon the heart (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and we will be judged by the desires of our hearts (see Doctrine and Covenants 137:9).

Vanity focuses on appearance and brings with it a multitude of misconceptions that adversely affect one’s relationship with others and especially with Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. This preoccupation clouds the lens of reality and people fail to see life as it really is and could be. The great and spacious building described by Nephi represents the “vain imaginations and the pride of the children of men” (1 Nephi 12:18). These vain imaginations inflate one’s self-esteem and sense of self-worth, which leads to selfishness and pride.

When we act out our vanity, we care only about worldly things. The “vain things of the world” is a phrase that occurs several times in the Book of Mormon. Each time it is mentioned it is a reference to wickedness and choosing “the world,” “mammon” and “the devil” over the things of the Lord. The Lord was very specific when teaching this doctrine: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Vain things are empty and worthless and have no eternal value. Alma’s words to his son Corianton state clearly the value of the vain things of the world. “Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you” (Alma 39:14). Vanity is one of the devil’s primary tools.

We learn from Mormon, “Now the cause of this iniquity of the people was this—Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world” (3 Nephi 6:15).

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