Jesus wants us to have peace, but there were divisions among the people who saw and heard Him. Sometimes our words provoke division. Sometimes winning an argument is more important to us than the topic. We should heal divisions, not exacerbate them.
“That They May Also Be One”
Unity is very important to Jesus. At the Last Supper, He urged His apostles to be one. In His visit to the American continent, He made the same plea. His living representatives on the earth have also urged us to overcome contention and become one.
Abram and Lot: No Strife
The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.Proverbs 17:14 As Abram and his nephew Lot returned from Egypt to the promised land of Canaan, there was a dispute among their people. Instead of letting the issue fester, Abram said to Lot, "Let there be no strife, I pray... Continue Reading →
“There Shall Be No Disputations Among You” – 3 Nephi 11:22
Avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.Titus 3:9 The sad reality is that most of the things we argue about aren't that important. They certainly aren't as important as the relationships we damage in the process. When we argue, we can easily lose perspective. A minor difference... Continue Reading →
“Beware Lest There Shall Arise Contentions Among You” – Mosiah 2:32
After King Benjamin announced to his people that his son, Mosiah, would be their new king, he promised them continued prosperity and peace if they would continue to keep the commandments of God. But he followed this promise with a stern warning: O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil... Continue Reading →
“The Country Was Divided” – Ether 7:20
After arriving in the promised land, the first generation of Jaredites needed to make some foundational decisions about their new civilization. One of those was their form of government. The people wanted to choose a king. Their spiritual leader, the brother of Jared, opposed this idea. "Surely this thing leadeth into captivity," he warned (Ether... Continue Reading →
“No Contention”
Four times in the book of 4 Nephi, we read that there was no contention among the people the Savior had visited on the American continent following His death and resurrection. In AD 35 (2 years following His visit): "There were no contentions and disputations among them, and every man did deal justly one with... Continue Reading →
No Contentions, No Disputations – 3 Nephi 11
Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Matthew 5:9, 3 Nephi 12:9), and He demonstrated His commitment to peace: When two of His apostles requested privileged status in the next life, the other ten apostles were angry. Jesus called them all together and taught them that their bad feelings were based on inaccurate understanding of their... Continue Reading →
King Benjamin and Contention
Contention was a major issue for the people of King Benjamin: "And now, concerning this king Benjamin—he had somewhat of contentions among his own people" (Words of Mormon 1:12). "And after there having been much contention and many dissensions away unto the Lamanites, behold, it came to pass that king Benjamin, with the assistance of... Continue Reading →
The Spirit of Contention – 3 Nephi 11:29-30
29 For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, 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. 30 Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up... Continue Reading →
Book of Mormon Study Notes 