Vanity

1. Definition:
1. 1828: Emptiness; want of substance to satisfy desire; uncertainty; inanity.
1. Emptiness (void)
2. Uncertainty (equivocation)
3. Inanity (absurdity)
1. Vanity is to try to fill a void with something that is not whole as it is.
2. Quotes from Prophets:
1. “God is forgotten out of vanity. A little prosperity and peace, or even a turn slightly for the better, can bring us feelings of self-sufficiency. We can feel quickly that we are in control of our lives, that the change for the better is our own doing, not that of a God who communicates to us through the still, small voice of the Spirit. Pride creates a noise within us which makes the quiet voice of the Spirit hard to hear. And soon, in our vanity, we no longer even listen for it. We can come quickly to think we don’t need it.” (Henry B. Eyring, General Conference, October 2001)
1. Vanity is dangerous in that we can try to fill ourselves with something other than God, so we forget to do him the honor.
3. Scriptures:
1. “Which vanity and unbelief have brought the whole church under condemnation.” (Doctrine and Covenants 84:66)
1. Vanity (which, as we showed before is coupled with unbelief) is a force towards destruction. It is not a good thing in the least.
4. Personal Definition:

Vanity is something that we need to constantly stay away from. When we allow vanity to enter our lives is can in the end destroy us both spiritually and socially.