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.” (Articles of Faith 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, forums that feature offenders who do sow discord among brethren.” (Proverbs 6:19; see also 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 Doctrine and Covenants 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 become 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 a little over 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.” (Gordon B. HInkley, 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 shall not hearken unto my voice, nor unto the voice of these men whom I have appointed, they shall not be blest. ” (Doctrine and Covenants 124:45-46.) From ‘Peace, Essays of Hope and Encouragement’ ~ Elder Russell M. Nelson, (then of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles) now Prophet, Seer and Revelator and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
