Contention

• “…It is so important that we walk the high road.”  (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1994, 48)
• “How does pride affect our relationship with others? President Benson observed: “Another major portion of this very prevalent sin of pride is enmity toward our fellowmen. We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them (see ; ). … “Pride … is manifest in so many ways, such as fault-finding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous. … “Selfishness is one of the more common faces of pride. ‘How everything affects me’ is the center of all that matters—self-conceit, self-pity, worldly self-fulfillment, self-gratification, and self-seeking. … “Another face of pride is contention. Arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances all fall into this category of pride” in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 4–6. Gospel Doctrine Teacher’s Manual, Lesson 10: “This Is My Voice unto All”
• Proverbs 15: 1…A soft answer turneth away wrath, grevious words stir up anger
• Proverbs 13:10…Only by pride cometh contention.
• Mosiah 18: 21…Don’t contend with one another, but look forward with one eye, one baptism, being unified and loving each other
• 3 Nephi 11:29-30…Contention is of the Devil, not Christ’s doctrine
• Mosiah 4:4…Don’t let children contend
• D&C 38:27…Contention between missionaries – BAD!
• 2 Timothy 2:23…Don’t ask questions that’ll cause contention
• D&C 10:63…Satan invites contention
• Mosiah 18:21…Don’t contend
• 4 Nephi 1:15…How to avoid contention? Love of God
• Mosiah 2:32…Don’t contend!  It’s from the bad Spirit (Satan)
• 2 Nephi 26: 32…And again, 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; that they should not commit whoredoms; and that they should do none of these things; for whoso doeth them shall perish.
• Alma 17:33… And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.
• “One of my wife’s mottoes has been “In order to contend, you need two people, and I will never be one of them.” The Lord has clearly described the attributes which should guide our dealings with other people. These are persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned.”  Enrique R. Falabella, April 2013 General Conference
• Mosiah 2:32 -33… 32  But, O my people, beware lest there shall arise contentions among you, and ye list to obey the evil spirit, which was spoken of by my father Mosiah. 33  For behold, there is a wo pronounced upon him who listeth to obey that spirit; for if he listeth to obey him, and remaineth and dieth in his sins, the same drinketh damnation to his own soul; for he receiveth for his wages an everlasting punishment, having transgressed the law of God contrary to his own knowledge.
• “October 30th, 1994 – Sunday.  Puyo Ecuador.… Tonight we talked to Wilson.  We taught him the 3rd Charla and he became contentious.  He told us that he’s seen people healed, and speaking in tongues.  He and Elder Delgado were going back and forth when I decided and felt to bear my testimony.  I asked him how many church’s Christ had.  He said one with a ton of synagogues and messengers.  I explained to him the fall of this Church of Christ & the Apostasy.  He agreed.  I then bore testimony that Christ restored the church through Joseph Smith, that Jesus Christ once again was the head of His church.  That we had synagogues (churches) and messengers (missionaries throughout the world).  I bore the truthfulness of the church & of Joseph Smith.  His face changed from contention to peace & said he needs to find out for himself what is true.  I told him he was exactly right & explained to him how to receive an answer.  The Lord guided my thoughts & words.  I know it.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• Jacob 7: 7…And ye have led away much of this people that they pervert the right way of God, and keep not the law of Moses which is the right way; and convert the law of Moses into the worship of a being which ye say shall come many hundred years hence. And now behold, I, Sherem, declare unto you that this is blasphemy; for no man knoweth of such things; for he cannot tell of things to come. And after this manner did Sherem contend against me.
• Jacob 7: 8… But behold, the Lord God poured in his Spirit into my soul, insomuch that I did confound him in all his words.
• “December 11th, 1994 – Sunday – 5:30pm. Puyo Ecuador….Wow.  today in the chapel I’ve never felt like this before.  Man, the spirit was not there.  People were arguing, teaching false doctrine and being noisy, rowdy, etc.  After church, members were asking if the meeting could be cut from 3 to 2 hours.  They were arguing over an activity.  Man, I realized how hard Satan is working on Puyo.  I think that today’s dedication in Pelileo had to do with it.  Satan’s angels saw they couldn’t be this chapel in Pelileo so they all came here to Puyo.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• “I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” – President Marion G. Romney
• February 20, 1996 – Tuesday – Quito Ecuador… “Right now I’m a little shook up.  Emotionally wise.  Tonight we went to an FHE at the Melo’s house.  The Vallejos & Tipan families went with us.  The Spirit was so strong & great there.  We then arrived late to the Salas’ house.  I’m sure we’re testing their patience.  We started and Elder Ponciano started speaking on the importance of obeying parents, etc.  Lourdes then went off on Lorena, telling us how bad she was etc.  It was very uncomfortable.  No Spirit.  But the Spirit of contention.  We were there 1 ½ hours, and the two of them spoke.  Lorena finally spoke which is what she needed to do and Lourdes needed to do.  Elder Ponciano & I did our best, trying to help them openly talk and come to conclusions.  At the end, the Lord blessed us with such a strong spirit that it brought tears to our eyes.  We then left and as we were walking down the street a drunk came up to us, asking for $ for some beer.  Then an urgent feeling came over me saying to catch a Taxi & leave!!  About 3 or 4 Taxis came by.  The empty ones didn’t stop & I started getting scared.  The drunk was getting very upset because we didn’t cooperate.  We kept trying to walk and the drunk started to look around as if to see if there were people.  Well, I looked ahead and there was a Taxi backing up to us.  I was so happy because we were in a full on feeling of Satan.  We got in the Taxi (Ponciano got in back, entering from the other side) and the drunk wouldn’t allow us to shut the door.  I told the chofer to Go, so he did.  The Tax driver then told us that he saw us as he passed by.  He then went up the hill and came back down in front of us and then backed up.  He told us that the drunk was a robber, and that he had a knife on him.  We thanked the Taxi driver for stopping, paid him & left.  As I said, I’m shooken up.  1st of all because of what COULD’VE  happened if we didn’t have the Spirit with us, and to recognize the difference as the drunk came up.  2nd of all, Satan is trying so hard to kick us out of this sector.  He has done more things with us this past week that I see that he’s working intensely.  He has given us the creeps, etc, but he won’t send us out of here.  I know that we are here to kick him out of this sector and zone, and he’s fighting until the end.  Stan is testifying to me that Elder Ponciano is a valiant Spirit, that he’s going to be the one to finally overcome this sector.  That’s the goal.  Kick Satan out through hard work, obedience, studies, positive attitude, Love, Patience, diligence, and the Priesthood of God.  I love this work.” – Clinton Brown Missionary Journal
• “If we would secure and cultivate the love of others, we must love others, even our enemies as well as friends. Christians should cease wrangling and contending with each other, and cultivate the principles of union and friendship in their midst (History of the Church, 5:49)” Manual, Teachings of the President of the Church: Howard W Hunter, Chapter 20, Walking the Saviors Path of Charity