The Heart Waxes Cold
Before the Lord returns, we know that there will arise much contention and disputations among men, with the love of men waxing cold. Already we see many succumbing to this temptation, turning their neighbor into their enemy.
It is true that the world is increasing in wickedness. And for the those who possess truthful principles, it is all too easy to see the other side as an enemy with whom one has to defeat in battle -- or at last shame and mock endlessly. It would be one thing if this behavior was common among non-believers, but sadly this behavior is prevalent among Christians -- across all denominations and sects.
While it is true that we have to stand up for truth, this doesn't mean that we browbeat our neighbor into submission or return railing for railing, accusation for accusation. As Christians we walk the path of the Savior, placing the salvation of souls as our highest priority.
The Body of Christ
Christians, first and foremost, are a group of people who have been redeemed by the Lord to produce good works for the world. We are to be a particular people; a kingdom of priests.
[Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).
We are a light that sets the moral standard unto a lost and fallen world
Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations... (D&C 115: 5)
Initially, God worked through the nation of Israel to represent his name among the pagan nations. If Israel would have been obedient, then God could have used their godly example to convert the pagan nations to the gospel -- thereby ushering in paradise.
But, as we know, Israel failed. As a consequence, God chose to carry out his work of redemption through church groups.
Christ has called us out of the world to help the world. Therefore, our moral obligation is to shine as light, so that others might be saved (2 Timothy 2: 24 - 26; Alma 17: 11). Accordingly, if our actions put up stumbling blocks for non-believers, then we are not properly performing our obligation.
When we turn our neighbor into our enemy and engage in contentious conduct, we are hardening their heart. Our remarks have effectively drawn a marked line in the proverbial sand. Insulting and pejorative remarks put our neighbor on the defensive, causing them to put their guard up, which prevents us from reaching them.
In speaking of his early childhood experience, where he experienced great contention among different sects, Jospeh Smith remarked:
For, notwithstanding the great love which the converts to these different faiths expressed at the time of their conversion, and the great zeal manifested by the respective clergy, who were active in getting up and promoting this extraordinary scene of religious feeling... a scene of great confusion and bad feeling ensued — priest contending against priest, and convert against convert... so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words and a contest about opinions. (Joseph Smith — History 1:6)
In reality, when we engage in this conduct we are playing the role of Satan instead of Christ. Consider some of the very first remarks the Lord made to the Nephites at Bountiful:
For verily, verily I say unto you, 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. (3 Nephi 11:29)
Contention is the result of pride (see Proverbs 13:10). And prides leads to destruction and disunity (see Moroni 8:27). These are diametrically opposed to the character and purposes of God.
The apostles understood this principle very well. This is why Paul instructed Timothy, who was a bishop of the church in Ephesus, that:
...[the] servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them [the Gentiles] repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they [the Gentiles] may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will (2 Timothy 2: 24-26).
The Greek word used here for gentle, anexikakos, describes tolerating difficulties without resentment. As we can see, our conduct should be tailored to open up the way for non-believers to repent. And this pathway is opened up by a meek and patient demeanor that is void of contention.
Similarly, through modern revelation, the Lord instructed his church how we are to handle ourselves, even in disagreement:
Above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace” (D&C 88:125).
Testifying Boldly, But With Love
To be clear, the principle I'm advocating doesn't mean that we are pushovers or we refrain from testifying of truth. In the words of Elder Neil L. Andersen, we are not to "shrink[] before those who disparage us. Rather, we remain confident in our faith, sharing our beliefs with conviction but always void of anger or malice."
Often, the showing of love requires boldness and candor. But problems arise when we speak boldly for the sake of being bold or to gratify our pride, instead of for the sake of testifying of truth and winning the hearts of others. There is no "owning" of the other side.
Proper actions are those calculated to persuade and win-over non-believers. Often the best way to show a better way is through our conduct. We are to seek peace with others and persuade others through our example and in no way should we contend.
Fortunately, through the scriptures, we have examples of what this looks like and what it doesn't. As a model for how to engage with non-believers is Ammon. Sent to a hostile people, Ammon won over the Lamanites by setting an example. Brought before the king Lamoni, Ammon desired to be the king's servant. Faced with an attack, Ammon showed faith and courage in defending the king's flock. His example of love and faith touched the heart of king Lamoni, who wanted what Ammon had. Ammon's show of love also touched the heart of king Lamoni's father, leading to his repentance as well as others.
Similarly, David, whose life was threatened by King Saul repeatedly forgave and spared his life, even when, at one point, he could have killed him. David's repeated extension of mercy caused Saul to recognize his sin causing him to give up in trying to kill David and repent of his sins.
Opposite to Ammon is his brother Aaron, who, faced with a more hard hearted people, chose to condemn and excoriate the Lamanites. The result was that he was imprisoned and suffered great hardships. Similarly, some of the early Saints in Missouri banded with a radical theo-political group called the Danites. The Danites responded to the injustices in Missouri by issuing fiery rhetoric. Due to the Danites' incendiary rhetoric, the Missourians believed the Mormons to be a threat and acted out their fear, which resulted in the Mormon's expulsion from Missouri. And even before this, the Saints caustic attitude towards the Missourians caused them to be expelled from Independence, for which conduct the Lord sternly rebuked them.
Edify Through Conduct and Action
Writing to the Colossians, Paul exhorts the members to let their words "be seasoned with salt." Salt makes food taste better. Accordingly, our words should do likewise. This means that the words we speak are to add value to the conversation. And this value comes by way of edification.
Accordingly, words and actions that mock, demean, belittle or denigrate others (especially non-believers) are not "seasoned with salt" and instead are more akin to a bitter herb that is hard to digest -- and only leaves an unpleasant aftertaste. Our conduct ends up creating barriers instead of pathways.
In addition to using our words and action to edify, we can tap into the powers of heaven through our prayers. A healthy prayer life will include praying for others. As Paul counseled Timothy,
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men...(1 Timothy 2:1)
Intercessory prayer is the act of praying for others. Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9 is a model of this type of prayer and should be studied. It is a prayer characterized by fervency, self-denial, expression of love for one's neighbor, and rooted in God's character and glory.
This prayer is displayed throughout the scriptures. From Abraham's prayer for Sodom and Gomorrah to the New Testament church's prayer for Peter when he was confined in prison, godly people prayed for the welfare of others. We are no different. We are to intercede for:
- All in authority (1 Timothy 2:2);
- Ministers (Philippians 1:19);
- Friends (Job 42:8);
- Fellow countrymen (Romans 10:1);
- The sick (James 5:14);
- Enemies (Jeremiah 29:7);
- Those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44);
- Those who forsake us (2 Timothy 4:16);
- And all men (1 Timothy 2:1). [1]
The Worth of Souls
As the Savior emphasized in a variety of his parables, the worth of sole is great in the sight of God (see also D&C 18:13). God is a being who will do everything he can to reclaim the lost. Those who follow him, will have the same attitude. Let us no trifle with the souls of men. Instead, let us bind hearts together in unity.
In the words of A. E. Housman, who appropriately remarked:
If in that Syrian garden, ages slain,
You sleep, and know not you are dead in vain, Nor even in dreams behold how dark and bright Ascends in smoke and fire by day and night
The hate you died to quench and could but fan, Sleep well and see no morning, son of man.
But if, the grave rent and the stone rolled by, At the right hand of majesty on high
You sit, and sitting so remember yet
Your tears, your agony and bloody sweat,
Your cross and passion and the life you gave,
Bow hither out of heaven and see and save
Footnote
[1] See https://www.gotquestions.org/intercessory-prayer.html