3 Nephi 6:12-14 -- On Inequality

"And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.
Some were lifted up in pride, and others were exceedingly humble; some did return railing for railing, while others would receive railing and persecution and all manner of afflictions, and would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God.
And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord."
3 Nephi 6:12-14


This is interesting, especially living in a society that is already very unequal... I think it sparks the imagination to wonder what they could have done to avoid some of those inequities and on the other side, what we can do to correct some of the inequities around us. How do we overcome some of the things that it mentions here... stratification based on income and education, and differences based on how we deal with railing and affliction. The core of all of it seems to be pride, that tendency to "persist in supposing that [we] are better one than another" (Alma 5:54). Combatting that is hard, because comparing ourselves to others favorably is a stand-in for healthy self-confidence, and sometimes we think it is the same thing, or that we have to be better than someone else... to get the job, to "deserve" the very best, or whatever. :)

There are of course things that we can do to try changing our mindset... getting to know other people, specifically trying to learn from others, practicing our empathy and trying to see things from someone else's perspective. Maybe the most important thing we can do though is pray and ask God to grant us his love so that we can see others as he sees them, and to help us overcome our own tendencies towards pride. Even if we feel zero compassion and don't even really like people, as long as we are willing to take it to the Lord and work on it, he can help us get out of hermit mode and learn to love others and understand them better. Today, let's try it. :)