Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against

Hearken, children of the ages, and lend ear to the profound words of Ezra Taft Benson, who spoke with insight into the nature of human pride and rebellion: "Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or ultimately God. A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position." Here lies a reflection upon the eternal struggle of the soul against submission, and the perils of elevating self above the sacred order that governs life.

Benson’s words reveal that disobedience is rarely neutral; it is an expression of pride, a desire to assert the self above the wisdom, experience, or divine guidance of those appointed to guide us. The proud heart recoils at authority, perceiving it not as protection, guidance, or structure, but as a limitation upon its own self-importance. This rebellion, though often justified in the mind of the disobedient, carries consequences that ripple through life, disturbing relationships, undermining learning, and obstructing the path of growth and virtue.

Consider the story of King Saul in ancient Israel, whose disobedience to the commands of the prophet Samuel exemplifies Benson’s teaching. Saul’s pride led him to act against divine instruction, offering sacrifices he was commanded not to, and sparing what he was told to destroy. In thinking himself above authority, Saul sought to assert his power, yet in doing so, he lost favor with God and ultimately his kingdom. His story stands as a timeless testament to the dangers of prideful disobedience and the cost of elevating self above wisdom and guidance.

Benson reminds us that authority, whether earthly or divine, exists not to diminish, but to protect, teach, and guide. A parent disciplines, a teacher instructs, a spiritual leader counsels, and God commands—all for the cultivation of virtue, understanding, and life’s proper course. To reject their guidance from a heart of pride is to deny oneself the blessings of learning, wisdom, and order, substituting arrogance for humility and discord for harmony.

In the human experience, this principle manifests daily. Children who rebel against the instruction of their parents often suffer consequences that could have been avoided through trust and obedience. Students who disregard the counsel of teachers impede their own education. The proud heart resists guidance, yet it is precisely through submission to rightful authority that knowledge is absorbed, character is formed, and the path to fulfillment is illuminated.

The lesson for all generations is profound: cultivate humility and recognize the value of obedience. Disobedience born of pride isolates, blinds, and diminishes the soul, whereas submission to wise authority strengthens, instructs, and elevates. Benson’s insight calls us to examine the heart, to temper pride, and to understand that true strength is not in rebellion, but in aligning the self with the greater order and higher wisdom that govern life.

Practical action follows naturally: in every relationship with those placed in authority—parents, teachers, leaders, or spiritual guides—listen attentively, act respectfully, and temper your impulses with reflection. Recognize the purpose of guidance, and resist the urge to assert self over structure. When confronted with divine or human instruction, consider it with humility, seeking understanding rather than domination, and embrace the growth that comes from disciplined obedience.

Thus, Ezra Taft Benson’s words endure as both warning and counsel: prideful disobedience is a subtle foe, seeking to elevate self at the cost of wisdom, harmony, and blessing. Let all who hear remember that to honor rightful authority, to act with humility, and to temper pride with reflection is to walk the path of virtue, to gain knowledge, and to secure the favor of both human and divine. The truly strong heart is not that which resists, but that which obeys, learns, and grows.

If you wish, I can also craft a poetic, audio-ready version of this passage, where the cadence mirrors the tension between pride and humility, emphasizing the rise and fall of the human spirit in obedience and growth. Do you want me to do that?