Most mornings, I start my day listening to the news while I exercise, then scrolling through headlines at breakfast. Almost every day, I’m met with stories of conflict, tragedy, and division. It’s hard not to wonder why the world feels so full of chaos.
In that same morning routine, I turn to the Book of Mormon—and there, I find a clear explanation:
The adversary thrives on contention because it drives away the Spirit and destroys unity.
What the Book of Mormon Teaches About Contention
When Christ appeared to the people in 3rd Nephi 11, He taught one of His most fundamental doctrines:
“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.”
This teaching is consistent throughout the Book of Mormon. Followers of Christ are repeatedly taught to avoid contention and live in unity:
- “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 18:21)
- “And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.” (Mosiah 4:13)
The message is simple but demanding—discipleship requires unity, not division.
What Happens When People Choose Unity
The first chapter of 4th Nephi provides a powerful example. After Christ’s visit, the people lived in remarkable harmony:
- There was no contention
- They were unified in belief and purpose
- Inequality and divisions disappeared
- They became “a happier people” than any before them
Unity wasn’t just a nice ideal—it produced peace, joy, and spiritual strength.
What Happens When Contention Enters
But that unity didn’t last.
Over time, pride crept in. People began to:
- Focus on wealth and status
- Separate into classes
- Sought power and personal gain
- Persecute and harm one another
As division increased, so did anger, hatred, and violence. The loss of unity led directly to the loss of peace—and eventually, to destruction.
President Russell M. Nelson taught, “Contention drives away the Spirit—every time.”1
And Elder Dale G. Renlund taught “Contention is spiritually unhealthy for us as individuals. We are robbed of peace, joy, and rest, and our ability to feel the Spirit is compromised.” 2
When contention exists, both individuals and communities weaken. Even the Lord’s work is hindered when His followers are divided.
Contention isn’t just a social problem—it’s a spiritual one. If the adversary can create anger, division, and pride, he can weaken faith, disrupt unity, and slow the work of God. Contention has become one of his most effective tools.
The Solution: Charity
The Book of Mormon doesn’t just warn about contention—it gives the solution:
“The Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love.” (2 Nephi 26:30)
Moroni teaches that charity is “the pure love of Christ” and that we receive it by praying “with all the energy of heart” (Moroni 7:47–48).
President Nelson summarized it simply: “Charity is the antidote to contention.” 3
Charity changes how we see others. It replaces pride with humility, anger with patience, and division with unity. It enables us to act as true disciples of Jesus Christ.
A Way Forward
If contention drives away the Spirit, then reducing contention should be a daily priority.
We can start small:
- Choosing not to argue unnecessarily
- Speaking with kindness, even when we disagree
- Letting go of pride and the need to be right
- Praying for greater charity
As we do, we invite the Spirit back into our lives and help build unity in a divided world.
In a time when conflict feels constant, the Book of Mormon offers a clear pattern: unity brings peace, contention brings destruction, and charity is the way forward.
- Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng
↩︎ - Dale G. Renlund, “The Peace of Christ Abolishes Enmity,” October 2001, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/43renlund?lang=eng ↩︎
- Russell M. Nelson, “Peacemakers Needed,” April 2023, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/04/47nelson?lang=eng
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