"And it came to pass that there was no contention in the land, because of the love of God which did dwell in the hearts of the people.
And he kept it eighty and four years, and there was still peace in the land, save it were a small part of the people who had revolted from the church and taken upon them the name of Lamanites; therefore there began to be Lamanites again in the land."
This chapter covers nearly 300 years after the coming Jesus Christ. It took two years before everyone was converted. Then they were a people of peace, because of their love of God. I sat and pondered on the contention now in our land, and its cause is a direct result of the people losing their love of God. The chapter goes on to explain that 194 years after the coming of Christ a small group revolted from the church and take the name of Lamanites. This is the point that pride crept in and the people began to love themselves more than God. The remainder of the chapter tells the sad story of their decline. It just breaks my heart because this the path we are on.
I had the following quote in my scriptures. I find it interesting that this was written in 1987, but sounds like it's explains what I'm seeing in the news today.
"Divisiveness is a result of unrighteousness. The following commentary suggests that pride is the beginning of all such divisions and the reason that some individuals "revolted from the church" and took upon themselves the name Lamanites. "Why would it matter to a people what they are called? Why would it be so important for them to be called Lamanites? Why would a group choose to forsake the transcendent privileges of unity in order to be designated by this or that name? The answer is simple: pride. A desire to be different. A yearning to be acknowledged. A fear of being overlooked. A craving for public notice. The righteous feel no need for attention, no desire to be praised, no inclination to demand recognition. The prideful demand their rights, even when they are wrong. The prideful feel that they must do things their way, even when that way is the wrong way. The prideful insist that they must pursue their own path, even when the road they take is wide and broad and leads to destruction."
(Joseph Fielding McConkie, Robert L. Millet, and Brent L. Top, "Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols.", [1987-92], 4:204-5)
In the April 1989 General Conference President Ezra Taft Benson's talk "Beware of Pride" was read. At this same conference the future president of the church Russell M. Nelson speaks on the sources of contention and peace. It is the later that we must strive for, especially when contention is all around us. He outlines steps to supplant contention.
"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 Nephi 1:15)
Thus, love of God should be our aim. It is the first commandment - the foundation of faith. As we develop love of God and Christ, love of family and neighbor will naturally follow. Then will we eagerly emulate Jesus. He healed. He comforted. He taught, "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matthew 5:9 and 3 Nephi 12:9)
Through love of God, the pain caused by the fiery canker of contention will be extinguished from the soul. This healing begins with a personal vow: "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me" This commitment will then spread to family and friends and will bring peace to neighborhoods and nations.
Shun contention. Seek godliness. Be enlightened by eternal truth. Be like-minded with the Lord in love and united with Him in faith. Then shall 'the peace of God, which passeth all understanding', be yours, to bless you and your posterity through generations yet to come."
(Russell M. Nelson, "The Canker of Contention", April 1989 General Conference)
Day 1968
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