The pride cycle is something known to Latter-day Saints through the study of the Book of Mormon. It usually consists of prosperity followed by pride, then destruction and humility in a course that seems to continually repeat itself. But are there exceptions and is this seemingly circular pattern always met with the same results?

In first Nephi chapter one verse one of the Book of Mormon, Nephi begins by saying “…therefore I make a record of my proceedings in my days”. The very first verse in the Book of Mormon makes reference to record-keeping. Later on, Nephi makes two sets of records with an important distinction between the two.

There is a lot to unpack here so first I just want to make a few things clear. I very rarely comment on news of the day type stuff because most of it is just noise. I prefer to focus…