“The
Canker of Contention” President Russell M. Nelson April 1989 (Given when an
Apostle)
Some months ago my esteemed colleague Elder Carlos E. Asay and I
stood atop Mount Nebo, where Moses once stood. (See Deut. 34:1–4.) We saw what he saw. In the
distance to our right was the Sea of Galilee. The river Jordan flowed from
there to the Dead Sea on our left. Ahead was the promised land into which
Joshua led the Israelite faithful so long ago.
Later we were permitted to do what Moses could not. We were
escorted from the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan to its western border with
Israel. From there, we and our associates walked over the Allenby Bridge. We
felt the tension as armed soldiers nearby guarded both sides of the
international boundary.
After safely enduring this experience, I thought of the irony of
it all. Here in the land made holy by the Prince of Peace, contention has
existed almost continuously from that day to this.
Prior to His ascension from the Holy Land, the Savior pronounced
a unique blessing: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as
the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27.)
His peace is not necessarily political; His peace is personal.
But that spirit of inner peace is driven away by contention. Contention does
not usually begin as strife between countries. More often, it starts with an
individual, for we can contend within ourselves over simple matters of right
and wrong. From there, contention can infect neighbors and nations like a
spreading sore.
As we dread any disease that undermines the health of the body,
so should we deplore contention, which is a corroding canker of the spirit. I
appreciate the counsel of Abraham Lincoln, who said:
“Quarrel not at all. No man resolved to make the most of himself
can spare time for personal contention. … Better give your path to a dog than
be bitten by him.” (Letter to J. M. Cutts, 26 Oct. 1863, in Concise Lincoln Dictionary of
Thoughts and Statements, comp. and arr. Ralph B. Winn, New York: New York
Philosophical Library, 1959, p. 107.)
President Ezra Taft Benson in his keynote address yesterday
described contention as “another face of pride.”
My concern is that contention is becoming accepted as a way of
life. From what we see and hear in the media, the classroom, and the workplace,
all are now infected to some degree with contention. How easy it is, yet how
wrong it is, to allow habits of contention to pervade matters of spiritual
significance, because contention is forbidden by divine decree:
“The Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that
they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the
name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should
not have malice; that they should not contend one with another.” (2 Ne. 26:32.)
Creator of Contention
To understand why the Lord has commanded us
not to “contend one with another,” we must know the true source of contention.
A Book of Mormon prophet revealed this important knowledge even before the
birth of Christ:
“Satan did stir them up to do iniquity
continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the
face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that
which was good and against that which should come.” (
Hel. 16:22.)
When Christ did come to the Nephites, He
confirmed that prophecy:
“He that hath the spirit of contention is
not of me [saith the Lord], but is of the devil, who is the father of
contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one
with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up
the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine,
that such things should be done away.” (
3 Ne. 11:29–30.)
Origin of Contention
Contention existed before the earth was
formed. When God’s plan for creation and mortal life on the earth was first
announced, sons and daughters of God shouted for joy. The plan was dependent on
man’s agency, his subsequent fall from the presence of God, and the merciful
provision of a Savior to redeem mankind. Scriptures reveal that Lucifer sought
vigorously to amend the
plan by destroying the agency of man. Satan’s cunning motive was unmasked in
his statement:
“Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy
son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely
I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor.” (
Moses 4:1.)
Satan’s selfish efforts to alter the plan of
God resulted in great contention in heaven. The Prophet Joseph Smith explained:
“Jesus said there would be certain souls
that would not be saved; and the devil said he could save them all, and laid
his plans before the grand council, who gave their vote in favor of Jesus
Christ. So the devil rose up in rebellion against God, and was cast down.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel.
Joseph Fielding Smith, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938, p. 357.)
This war in heaven was not a war of
bloodshed. It was a war of conflicting ideas—the beginning of contention.
Scriptures repeatedly warn that the father
of contention opposes the plan of our Heavenly Father. Satan’s method relies on
the infectious canker of contention. Satan’s motive: to gain personal acclaim
even over God Himself.
Targets of the Adversary
The work of the adversary may be likened to
loading guns in opposition to the work of God. Salvos containing germs of
contention are aimed and fired at strategic targets essential to that holy
work. These vital targets include—in addition to the individual—the family,
leaders of the Church, and divine doctrine.
The Family
The family has been under attack ever since
Satan first taunted Adam and Eve. (See
Gen. 3;
Moses 4.) So today, each must guard against
the hazard of contention in the family. It usually begins innocently. Years ago
when our daughters were little girls who wanted to be big girls, the style of
the day was to wear multiple petticoats. A little contention could have crept
in as the girls soon learned that the one to get dressed first was the one best
dressed.
In a large family of boys, those with the
longest reach were the best fed. In order to avoid obvious contention, they
adopted a rule that required them at mealtime to leave at least one foot on the
floor.
The home is the great laboratory of learning
and love. Here parents help children overcome these natural tendencies to be
selfish. In rearing our own family, Sister Nelson and I have been very grateful
for this counsel from the Book of Mormon:
“Ye will not suffer your children that they
go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of
God, and fight and quarrel one with another, …
“But ye will teach them to walk in the ways
of truth and soberness; ye will teach them to love one another, and to serve
one another.” (
Mosiah 4:14–15.)
And I might add, please be patient while
children learn those lessons.
Parents should be partners to cherish and
protect one another, knowing that the aim of the adversary is to destroy the
integrity of the family.
Leaders of the Church
Leaders of the Church are targets for attack
by those who stir contention. This is true even though not a single leader has
called himself or herself to a position of responsibility. Each General
Authority, for instance, chose another path to pursue as his life’s occupation.
But the reality is, as with Peter or Paul, each was surely “called of God, by
prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority.” (
A of F 1:5.) With that call comes the
commitment to emulate the patterns of the Prince of Peace.
That goal is shared by worthy servants of
the Master, who would not speak ill of the Lord’s anointed nor provoke
contention over teachings declared by ancient or living prophets.
Certainly no faithful follower of God would
promote any cause even remotely related to religion if rooted in controversy,
because contention is not of the Lord.
Surely a stalwart would not lend his or her
good name to periodicals, programs, or forums that feature offenders who do sow
“discord among brethren.” (
Prov. 6:19; see also
Prov. 6:14.)
Such agitators unfortunately fulfill
long-foretold prophecy: they “take counsel together, against the Lord, and
against his anointed.” (
Ps. 2:2.)
Yet, mercifully, the anointed pray for those
who attack them, knowing the sad fate prophesied for their attackers.
(See
D&C 121:16–22.)
Throughout the world, Saints of the Lord
follow Him and His
anointed leaders. They have learned that the path of dissent leads to real
dangers. The Book of Mormon carries this warning:
“Now these dissenters, having the same
instruction and the same information …, having been instructed in the same
knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is strange to relate, not long after
their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild,
wicked and ferocious … ; giving way to indolence, and all manner of
lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.” (
Alma 47:36.)
How divisive is the force of dissension!
Small acts can lead to such great consequences. Regardless of position or
situation, no one can safely assume immunity to contention’s terrible toll.
Thomas B. Marsh, once one of the Twelve,
left the Church. His spiritual slide to apostasy started because his wife and
another woman had quarreled over a little cream! After an absence from the
Church of nearly nineteen years, he came back. To a congregation of Saints, he
then said:
“If there are any among this people who
should ever apostatize and do as I have done, prepare your backs for a good
whipping, if you are such as the Lord loves. But if you will take my advice,
you will stand by the authorities.” (Journal
of Discourses, 5:206; see also Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1984, pp.
81–83.)
Of course the authorities are human. But to
them God has entrusted the keys to His divine work. And He holds us accountable
for our responses to the teachings of His servants. These are the words of the
Lord:
“If my people will hearken unto my voice,
and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people,
behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place.
“But if they will not hearken to my voice,
nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be
blest.” (
D&C 124:45–46.)
Divine Doctrine
Divine doctrine of the Church is the prime
target of attack by the spiritually contentious. Well do I remember a friend
who would routinely sow seeds of contention in Church classes. His assaults
would invariably be preceded by this predictable comment: “let me play the role
of devil’s advocate.” Recently he passed away. One day he will stand before the
Lord in judgment. Then, I wonder, will my friend’s predictable comment again be
repeated?
Such contentious spirits are not new. In an
epistle to Timothy, the Apostle Paul gave this warning, “that the name of God
and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” (
1 Tim. 6:1.)
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not
to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to [his]
doctrine … doting about questions and strife’s of words, … supposing that gain
is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (
1 Tim. 6:3–5; see also
Isa. 29:21;
2 Ne. 27:32;
D&C 19:30;
D&C 38:41;
D&C 60:14.)
Dissecting doctrine in a controversial way
in order to draw attention to oneself is not pleasing to the Lord. He declared:
“Bring to light the true points of my
doctrine, yea, and the only doctrine which is in me.
“And this I do that I may establish my
gospel, that there may not be so much contention; yea, Satan doth stir up the
hearts of the people to contention concerning the points of my doctrine; and in
these things they do err, for they do wrest the scriptures and do not
understand them.” (
D&C 10:62–63.)
Contention fosters disunity. The Book of
Mormon teaches the better way:
“Alma, having authority from God, …
commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that
they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having
their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” (
Mosiah 18:18, 21; see also
Mosiah 23:15.)
Steps to Supplant Contention
What can we do to combat this canker of
contention? What steps may each of us take to supplant the spirit of contention
with a spirit of personal peace?
To begin, show compassionate concern for
others. Control the tongue, the pen, and the word processor. Whenever tempted
to dispute, remember this proverb: “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his
neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” (
Prov. 11:12; see also
Prov. 17:28.)
Bridle the passion to speak or write
contentiously for personal gain or glory. The Apostle Paul thus counseled the
Philippians, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (
Philip. 2:3.)
Such high mutual regard would then let us
respectfully disagree without being disagreeable.
But the ultimate step lies beyond beginning
control of expression. Personal peace is reached when one, in humble
submissiveness, truly loves God. Heed carefully this scripture:
“There was no contention in the land,
because of the love
of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.” (
4 Ne. 1:15; see also
4 Ne. 1:2; italics added.)
Thus, love of God should be our aim. It is
the first commandment—the foundation of faith. As we develop love of God and
Christ, love of family and neighbor will naturally follow. Then will we eagerly
emulate Jesus. He healed. He comforted. He taught, “Blessed are the
peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (
Matt. 5:9; see also
3 Ne. 12:9.)
Through love of God, the pain caused by the
fiery canker of contention will be extinguished from the soul. This healing
begins with a personal vow: “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with
me.” (“Let There Be Peace on Earth,” Sy Miller and Jill Jackson, © Jan-Lee
Music, Beverly Hills, Calif., 1972.) This commitment will then spread to family
and friends and will bring peace to neighborhoods and nations.
Shun contention. Seek godliness. Be
enlightened by eternal truth. Be like-minded with the Lord in love and united
with Him in faith. Then shall “the peace of God, which passeth all
understanding” (
Philip. 4:7), be yours, to bless you and your
posterity through generations yet to come. I so testify in the name of Jesus
Christ, amen.
“United We Can Survive”
cji
2/1/19
Adversary quite aware
of this
therefore to introduce
contention
seducing everyone in
selfishness
shamelessness and
hatred
greed, guile,
deceptions lust
destroy the family
completely
this is the hue and cry
worldly
nothing else matters
but self
therefore disunity thus
to die
forgetting of love,
caring
united we can survive!
Copyright ©
2019 – cji
