The Prophet Malachi, by
Duccio di Buoninsegna, c. 1310
Malachi, who prophesied about 430 years before the first coming of Christ, wrote these words now recorded in the last chapter of the last book of the Old Testament:
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, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. (Malachi 4:1; emphasis added.)
The Savior Himself quoted this verse, among others from Malachi, when he visited the Nephites in America after his resurrection (see 3 Nephi 25:1). He also spoke these words in modern times (see D&C 29:9; 64:24).

The prophet Nephi, who lived less than 200 years before Malachi, also invoked the same notion (see 1 Nephi 22:15 and 2 Nephi 26:4), and when the angel Moroni visited 17-year-old Joseph Smith on the night of September 22, 1823, he quoted Malachi's words a little differently:
For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly shall burn as stubble; for they that come shall burn them, saith the Lord of Hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. (Joseph Smith-History 1:37; emphasis added.)
Section 133 of the Doctrine and Covenants, the original appendix of the Book of Commandments, also cites the verse (see D&C 133:64).

Who are the proud, why will they burn, and who will burn them up? Why do these words appear eight times in the standard works? Let's uncover together a few things that the scriptures and modern prophets have to say about this searing subject.

Who Are the Proud?

On the morning of April 3, 1989, I sat in our living room and watched Gordon B. Hinckley on TV read Ezra Taft Benson's landmark address, "Beware of Pride." I remember that day well. It was the day of my father's funeral.

I'll call out just a few lines of his inspired words. I recommend clicking the link above and reading the whole talk. I believe it's one of the most important and memorable messages from a modern prophet in my lifetime.

It's a clear, prophetic standard against which we can measure voices of contention and dissent against the messages of light. If the chatter on the Internet matches President Benson's description of pride, set it aside and keep searching.
Pride is a very misunderstood sin, and many are sinning in ignorance. . . . 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.”
Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled.
It was through pride that Christ was crucified. The Pharisees were wroth because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, which was a threat to their position, and so they plotted His death.
At the end of this world, when God cleanses the earth by fire, the proud will be burned as stubble [but] the meek shall inherit the earth.
These words are humbling. I'm proud and I know it. I struggle with thinking I have answers when all I have is opinions. Sometimes I go a whole day without saying something arrogantly stupid, but most days I don't. This is on my mind all the time, and I'm working on it every day.

Who Will Burn Them Up?

When the Savior comes again, arrayed "in flaming fire [to take] vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel" (see 2 Thessalonians 1:8), He will not be alone. Jude is among those who told us why. He quoted these words from Enoch in his short but powerful epistle:
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14–15; emphasis added.)
Paul said that "the Lord shall consume [the wicked] with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy [them] with the brightness of his coming" (see 2 Thessalonians 2:8). Christ will return with many thousands of His saints and the truly wicked will not be able withstand their presence. Light will consume all corruption and all arguments against God will be reduced to ashes (see Malachi 4:3 and 3 Nephi 25:3).

Sometimes the Lord doesn't seem to be very tolerant or politically correct. This is one of those instances. I know some people take issue with that. They have told me so. It doesn't fit their world view. But if I know anything, I know that God lives and that His words are true. He has told us that He "cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance" (D&C 1:31; compare Alma 45:16). When He comes again, we will experience what that means first hand. 

Better Employment

Pride comes in degrees and we all have a degree of it. I certainly have it and I'm not proud of that. But I as I observe, I learn and do better. Awareness and admission are two keys.

In the worst and perhaps most extreme sense, the proud are intellectually arrogant but spiritually ignorant. They think they know it all and imagine that they win all arguments. They set aside the wisdom of the ages, preferring instead a moment of popularity and political righteousness. They can't ever imagine themselves being wrong or admitting that they are.

They bring spiritual and physical harm to themselves and others while not regretting their words or choices. They see nothing wrong with destroying life so they can selfishly enjoy theirs. Their desires know no bounds and they love to indulge in physical pleasures. Their feel no need to stop their addictions and fixations, which alienate so many. They consider themselves the kings and queens of their own destiny.

They are uninnocently immodest in dress, words, actions, and imagination. They are defensive and refuse to change. They are intentionally deceitful though unintentionally self-deceived. They are willful, unreasonable, and defiant. They set at naught the wisdom and counsel of God and the words of His messengers. They belittle what is pure and mock what is sacred. They call good evil and darkness light.

I cannot judge nor condemn them. It's not my place. But for my own protection, I need to recognize and discern them—and avoid them. And I do.

Christ has said that He "will not spare any that remain in Babylon" (see D&C 64:24). My advice, to myself and everyone else, is to get out of Babylon and give up the long career of pride. That last, dreadful day will not be a happy one if we don't. We can find a much better Employer.
Continue reading at the original source →