A few thoughts, (and possibly an article down the road):
How did the Savior disagree without being contentious? My knee-jerk reaction is simple, almost too simple: Stop and listen.
Make sure you understand their position, and when you think you understand it, wait to respond. Wait until you've reminded yourself that this is one of the 2/3 who stood side-by-side with you in the War in Heaven. Remind yourself that their experiences in this life aren't the same as yours. And before responding, remind yourself that this other person has the same spark of divinity that you do.
I imagine in the War in Heaven, we knew everyone who followed Satan. They were our friends and our family members. We didn't call them morons and didn't hurl insults at them as they became one of the stars who fell from heaven (Rev 12). We probably watched them fall and just wept. We weren't trying to convince them we were right, but that we wanted them to be happy.
When our goal is the same here (for those who disagree to be happy), it becomes difficult to be contentious. We will still disagree, but when we remind ourselves who we are and who they are, we can calm down enough to love those we disagree with.
JeanJuly 19, 2018
I am looking forward to the following articles as well. Thank you for posting.
How can we stand for truth and righteousness against evil without contending?
How did we fight the War in Heaven without contention?
RachelJune 27, 2018
I have done poor on this in the past, but I am doing better.
Honest question.
How did we fight the War in Heaven without contention?
Thanks in advance for your spirit-led answers!
PamelaJune 25, 2018
Thank you. You have expressed very well how the current contentious political climate if causing rifts between people, even members of the church. After reading the Book of Mormon, it becomes VERY clear that once contention enters the room, the Spirit leaves. And that does NOT have a good ending, ever. We need to remember we are all entitled to our own opinions. But we are not entitled to force each other to think the same and we are not entitled to judge the righteousness or worthiness of a Church member based on their political opinions.
Arlene WildeJune 25, 2018
Well said! Ties right in with something I read several months ago indicating that when someone holds a different point of view our conversation should be one eliciting understanding of that point of view -- not to prepare a rebuttal, but to truly understand. We should become capable of explaining the opposing viewpoint with clarity and accuracy. Doesn't mean we will agree with it, but we can't ever find common ground if we don't know where the other party stands.
Tom BinfordJune 25, 2018
I get it. I agree with it. When the other side lies about the facts and demonizes the opposition, how can we tell the truth without being contentious? That would make a great article!
How can we stand for truth and righteousness against evil without contending?
R CJune 25, 2018
Very, very well said. Thank you.
Charles McClellandJune 25, 2018
Thank you for this important and timely reminder to bridle our passions and follow the Savior's example.
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Bryun LemonAugust 16, 2018
A few thoughts, (and possibly an article down the road): How did the Savior disagree without being contentious? My knee-jerk reaction is simple, almost too simple: Stop and listen. Make sure you understand their position, and when you think you understand it, wait to respond. Wait until you've reminded yourself that this is one of the 2/3 who stood side-by-side with you in the War in Heaven. Remind yourself that their experiences in this life aren't the same as yours. And before responding, remind yourself that this other person has the same spark of divinity that you do. I imagine in the War in Heaven, we knew everyone who followed Satan. They were our friends and our family members. We didn't call them morons and didn't hurl insults at them as they became one of the stars who fell from heaven (Rev 12). We probably watched them fall and just wept. We weren't trying to convince them we were right, but that we wanted them to be happy. When our goal is the same here (for those who disagree to be happy), it becomes difficult to be contentious. We will still disagree, but when we remind ourselves who we are and who they are, we can calm down enough to love those we disagree with.
JeanJuly 19, 2018
I am looking forward to the following articles as well. Thank you for posting. How can we stand for truth and righteousness against evil without contending? How did we fight the War in Heaven without contention?
RachelJune 27, 2018
I have done poor on this in the past, but I am doing better. Honest question. How did we fight the War in Heaven without contention? Thanks in advance for your spirit-led answers!
PamelaJune 25, 2018
Thank you. You have expressed very well how the current contentious political climate if causing rifts between people, even members of the church. After reading the Book of Mormon, it becomes VERY clear that once contention enters the room, the Spirit leaves. And that does NOT have a good ending, ever. We need to remember we are all entitled to our own opinions. But we are not entitled to force each other to think the same and we are not entitled to judge the righteousness or worthiness of a Church member based on their political opinions.
Arlene WildeJune 25, 2018
Well said! Ties right in with something I read several months ago indicating that when someone holds a different point of view our conversation should be one eliciting understanding of that point of view -- not to prepare a rebuttal, but to truly understand. We should become capable of explaining the opposing viewpoint with clarity and accuracy. Doesn't mean we will agree with it, but we can't ever find common ground if we don't know where the other party stands.
Tom BinfordJune 25, 2018
I get it. I agree with it. When the other side lies about the facts and demonizes the opposition, how can we tell the truth without being contentious? That would make a great article! How can we stand for truth and righteousness against evil without contending?
R CJune 25, 2018
Very, very well said. Thank you.
Charles McClellandJune 25, 2018
Thank you for this important and timely reminder to bridle our passions and follow the Savior's example.
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