“The Book of Mormon tells of a time when the church of God ‘began to fail in its progress’ because ‘the people of the church began to . . . set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things of the world’ (Alma 4:8,10). Those who set their hearts upon the things of the world usually focus on some combination of that worldly quartet of property, pride, prominence, and power. When attitudes or priorities are fixed on the acquisition, use, or possession of property, we call that condition materialism.
In descending order of intensity, materialism may be an obsession, a preoccupation, or merely a strong interest. Whatever its degree, an interest becomes materialism when it is intense enough to override priorities that should be paramount.
From the emphasis given to this subject in the scriptures, it appears that materialism has been one of the greatest challenges to the children of God in all ages of time. Greed, the ugly face of materialism in action, has been one of Satan's most effective weapons in corrupting men and turning their hearts from God.” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Pure In Heart", p. 73)
“The central feature of pride is enmity- enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowman. 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.’ In addition, ‘the proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others.’ President Benson warned: ‘God will have a humble people. Either we can choose to be humble or we can be compelled to be humble.’” (President Ezra Taft Benson, CR, April 1989, pp. 3-7)
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