Russell M. Nelson wrote:
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 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 Timothy 6:1.)
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to [his] doctrine . . . doting about questions and strife of words , . . . supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim. 6:3-5)
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 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.” (Doctrine and Covenants 10:62-63)
Contention fosters disunity. The Book of Mormon fosters a 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 23:15.) continued . . . From the book, “Peace”. . . Essays of Hope and Encouragement (multiple authors, Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 1998), 91-92. . . . continued with “Steps to Supplant Contention”
