Pride and Sin

"Wo unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope;" (2 Nephi 15:18)

I had to think about this verse for a bit, but I feel like it creates a great picture.  I think we all drag behind us sin and iniquity. Sometimes, it is past sin and iniquity that we haven't repented for. It weighs us down and lowers our feelings of self worth.  It makes us feel unworthy of the blessings that God wants to give us.

(This is as much advice for me as it is for anyone else.)

To anyone who is in this situation, where they are carrying this kind of a load, I would implore and exhort to repent.  Let the Atonement of Christ work the miracle of forgiveness in you, and that burden will completely disappear, to the point that the Lord will "remember them no more". And regardless of the sin, though it may be darkest, deepest stain, it can bee "as white as snow."

There is another aspect to this verse though.  I wonder how much sin could be avoided altogether if it weren't for those darn cords of vanity.  How much sin is committed, simply because of our pride? I mean, it is easy to see how pride is such a strong tool that Satan uses against us, because it is the cause of much sin, as well as preventing us from repentance. 

Let's cast off these burdens of past, present, and future sin by getting rid of our pride and vanity, and choosing to dig in and work for a more righteous cause!