Helaman 1:18 Contention drives out the Savior's peace

 President Nelson has taught us the following about contention:

Prior to His ascension from the Holy Land, the Savior pronounced a unique blessing: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.” (John 14:27.)

His peace is not necessarily political; His peace is personal. But that spirit of inner peace is driven away by contention. Contention does not usually begin as strife between countries. More often, it starts with an individual, for we can contend within ourselves over simple matters of right and wrong. From there, contention can infect neighbors and nations like a spreading sore.

As we dread any disease that undermines the health of the body, so should we deplore contention, which is a corroding canker of the spirit. I appreciate the counsel of Abraham Lincoln, who said:

“Quarrel not at all. No man resolved to make the most of himself can spare time for personal contention. … Better give your path to a dog than be bitten by him.” (Letter to J. M. Cutts, 26 Oct. 1863, in Concise Lincoln Dictionary of Thoughts and Statements)

….What can we do to combat this canker of contention? What steps may each of us take to supplant the spirit of contention with a spirit of personal peace?

To begin, show compassionate concern for others. Control the tongue, the pen, and the word processor. Whenever tempted to dispute, remember this proverb: “He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.” (Prov. 11:12)

Bridle the passion to speak or write contentiously for personal gain or glory. The Apostle Paul thus counseled the Philippians, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” (Philip. 2:3.)

Such high mutual regard would then let us respectfully disagree without being disagreeable.

But the ultimate step lies beyond beginning control of expression. Personal peace is reached when one, in humble submissiveness, truly loves God. Heed carefully this scripture:

“There was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.” (4 Ne. 1:15) (“The Canker of Contention, President Nelson, April 1989)

Alma 57:21 We can't pick which commandments to obey and ignore the rest.

Russell M. Nelson “[You] will encounter people who pick which commandments they will keep and ignore others that they choose to break. I call this the cafeteria approach to obedience. This practice of picking and choosing will not work. It will lead to misery. To prepare to meet God, one keeps all of His commandments… Obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection” (Russell M. Nelson, “Face the Future with Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 34, 35). 

Elder Neal A. Maxwell “Righteous desires need to be relentless... because said President Brigham Young, ‘the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the Celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day.’   “Therefore, true Christian soldiers, are more than weekend warriors” (Elder Neal A. Maxwell “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts”, Ensign, 1996). 

Bruce C. Hafen “The Prince of Darkness has dragged out the heavy artillery. He is no longer limited to arrows and swords and BB guns. Now he is Darth Vader, with laser guns, light speeds, and the death star. We are near the end of a fight to the finish, and no holds are barred.” Bruce C. Hafen, “The Gospel and Romantic Love,” Ensign, Oct. 1982, 66

Alma 57:19-21 The Lord needs us to be spiritual warriors to help build up and defend His kingdom

 Elder Ballard  “We need you. Like Helaman’s 2,000 stripling warriors, you also are the spirit [children] of God, and you too can be endowed with power to build up and defend His kingdom...We need you to make sacred covenants, just as they did. We need you to be meticulously obedient and faithful, just as they were... What we need now is the greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church. We need worthy, qualified, spiritually energized missionaries... Listen to those words, my young brethren: valiant, courage, strength, active, true. We don’t need spiritually weak and semi-committed young men.

We don’t need you to just fill a position; we need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate missionaries who know how to listen to and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t a time for spiritual weaklings. We cannot send you on a mission to be reactivated, reformed, or to receive a testimony. We just don’t have time for that. We need you to be filled with “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5).”

Alma 43:18-19 I can protect myself from Satan's attacks.

President Packer

“Youth today are being raised in enemy territory with a declining standard of morality. But as a servant of the Lord, I promise that you will be protected and shielded from the attacks of the adversary if you will heed the prompting that come from the Holy Spirit”

“Dress modestly; talk reverently; listen to uplifting music. Avoid all immorality and personally degrading practices. Take hold of your life and order yourself to be valiant… You are never far from the sight of your loving Heavenly Father” (Council to Youth, Ensign Nov 2011, p18).

Alma 49:8 True spiritual power lies in small acts woven together

 Elder M. Russell Ballard  “There is not one great and grand thing we can do to arm ourselves spiritually.” “True spiritual power lies in numerous smaller acts woven together in a fabric of spiritual fortification that protects and shields from all evil.” These include prayer, scripture study, and following the living prophets, who are the current “watchmen” positioned atop the towers.

(M. Russell Ballard, “Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might,” fireside given at BYU on March 3, 2002, online at speaches.byu.edu.)

Alma 42:1 Justice requires a punishment

President Oaks taught: “Justice has many meanings. One is balance. A popular symbol of justice is scales in balance. Thus, when the laws of man have been violated, justice usually requires that a punishment be imposed, a penalty that will restore the balance to the scales.  

“The laws of God are likewise concerned with justice. The idea of justice as what one deserves is the fundamental premise of all scriptures that speak of men’s being judged according to their works. “ 

(Pres. Oaks, Address, Feb. 7, 1992)