Lesson 31: “Happy Is the Man That Findeth Wisdom” – Scriptures and Quotes

Lesson 31: “Happy Is the Man That Findeth Wisdom” – Scriptures and Quotes

Reading 1 – Bible Dictionary - Proverbs, Book of – page 754

Reading 2 – Bible Dictionary – Ecclesiastes – Page 659

Reading 3 – Bible Dictionary – Fear – page 672

Reading 4 – Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:9-10

Reading 5 – Proverbs 2:2-6

Reading 6 – 2 Nephi 9:28-29

Ecclesiastes 7:11-12

Reading 7 – Proverbs 3:5-7

Doctrine and Covenants 59:21

Reading 8 – Proverbs 6:16-19

Reading 9 – Matthew 12:36-37

Proverbs 15:1

Reading 10 - Elder Gordon B. Hinckley said: “We seldom get into trouble when we speak softly. It is only when we raise our voices that the sparks fly and tiny molehills become great mountains of contention” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1971, 82; or Ensign, June 1971, 72).

Reading 11 – Proverbs 8:13, Proverbs 13:10, 16:18-19

Reading 12 - President Ezra Taft Benson said:  “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’ (Philippians 2:21).

 “Our will in competition to God’s will allows desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled (see Alma 38:12; 3 Nephi 12:30).

 “The proud cannot accept the authority of God giving direction to their lives (see Helaman 12:6). 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. … 

 “Pride is a damning sin in the true sense of that word. It limits or stops progression (see Alma 12:10–11). The proud are not easily taught (see 1 Nephi 15:3, 7–11). They won’t change their minds to accept truths, because to do so implies they have been wrong” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 3–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 4, 6).

President Ezra Taft Benson said: “Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride.

“Contention in our families drives the Spirit of the Lord away. It also drives many of our family members away. … 

 “Pride adversely affects all our relationships—our relationship with God and His servants, between husband and wife, parent and child” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 5; or Ensign, May 1989, 6).