7. Boastings in their own strength. A proud person puffs himself and his strength up as he puts down his dependence on the Lord. Pride inevitably leads to boasting, which inevitably leads to a loss of the strength of the Lord and causes the proud person to be left alone, relying solely on his own puny mortal strength (see D&C 3:4, 13).
“One of the most common of all sins among worldly people,” Elder Marvin J. Ashton has taught, “is relying on and then boasting in the arm of flesh. This is a most serious evil. It is a sin born of pride, a sin that creates a frame of mind which keeps men from turning to the Lord and accepting his saving grace. When a man knowingly or unknowingly engages in self-exultation because of his riches, his political power, his worldly learning, his physical prowess, his business ability, or even his works of righteousness, he is not in tune with the Spirit of the Lord… . The many abominations in the scriptures to avoid boasting send the message that we should realize the source of all our blessings. Everything is given by God. All talent, creativity, ability, insight, and strength comes from him. In our own strength we can do nothing… . When we seek the praise of man more than the praise of God, it will become easy to fall.” (CR, April 1990, pp. 84-85.)