1. Pride of their hearts because of their exceeding riches. It is significant that Mormon lists pride list on his list, because pride, which is enmity toward God and one’s fellowman, is that which leads to all other transgressions. It is, as President Ezra Taft Benson declared, “the universal sin” which causes men to “let go of the iron rod.”
Mormon identifies riches as the source of the pride of the Nephites. Riches, in and of themselves, did not create damning pride among the Nephites, but the enmity that results from the “love of money” (see 1 Timothy 6:10) is what leads to a disregard for God and others, resulting thereafter in self-indulgence and wickedness. It should be remembered, however, that there are other sources of pride as well. Whatever the source, pride is a “damning sin in the true sense of the word. It limits or stops progression” and “adversely affects all of our relationships.” (CR, April 1989, pp. 3-7.)