1 And now it came to pass in the forty and third year of the reign of the judges, there was no contention among the people of Nephi save it were a little pride which was in the church, which did cause some little dissensions among the people, which affairs were settled in the ending of the forty and third year.
2 And there was no contention among the people in the forty and fourth year; neither was there much contention in the forty and fifth year.
3 And it came to pass in the forty and sixth, yea, there was much contention and many dissensions; in the which there were an exceedingly great many who departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and went forth unto the land northward to inherit the land.
(Helaman 3:1-3)
You don’t have to work to create contention. It grows like weeds. As the passage above illustrates, contention is closely related to pride, and it can grow very quickly in a short period of time.
Humility, on the other hand, requires effort to develop and maintain. As Mormon tells us later in the same chapter, some of the members of the church at this time “did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility” (Helaman 3:35).
Today, I will remember how quickly pride and contention can grow. I will pray frequently and sincerely, so that I can be humble and avoid contention.