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CORINTH

Interesting IdeaInteresting IdeaIt was the Sunday that a Stake High It was the Sunday that a Stake High

Council member Council member was speaking. True tradition, the High was speaking. True tradition, the High Councilman's Councilman's talk was dragging on. Not only was it past talk was dragging on. Not only was it past the time for the time for his talk to end, it was well past the time his talk to end, it was well past the time for Sacrament for Sacrament Meeting to end. The congregation was Meeting to end. The congregation was getting restless getting restless and the children very fidgety.and the children very fidgety.

My then two and-a-half year-old son finally My then two and-a-half year-old son finally had had had had enough and decided to take matters into enough and decided to take matters into his own his own hands. His stood up on the bench and with hands. His stood up on the bench and with all the voice of authority that a toddler can muster proclaimed, all the voice of authority that a toddler can muster proclaimed, "Amen. Go home!“"Amen. Go home!“

After the ripple of laughter from the congregation died down, the After the ripple of laughter from the congregation died down, the High Councilman stated, "Well, I guess it's about time to wrap High Councilman stated, "Well, I guess it's about time to wrap this up." He then quickly bore his testimony and sat down.this up." He then quickly bore his testimony and sat down.

The High Councilman must have shared this experience, because The High Councilman must have shared this experience, because the next month at the beginning of his talk, the visiting High the next month at the beginning of his talk, the visiting High Councilman said, "I will keep my remarks brief. I hear your Councilman said, "I will keep my remarks brief. I hear your ward has a warning system should I speak to long."ward has a warning system should I speak to long."

James E. James E. FaustFaust

You may have heard You may have heard the story, and it is a the story, and it is a story, of the disruptive, noisy boys in a story, of the disruptive, noisy boys in a Sunday School class who were asked by Sunday School class who were asked by their exasperated teacher why they their exasperated teacher why they bothered to attend Sunday School. One of bothered to attend Sunday School. One of the more impudent boys replied, “We came the more impudent boys replied, “We came to see you perform a miracle.”to see you perform a miracle.”

The teacher walked slowly over to the boy The teacher walked slowly over to the boy and menacingly responded, “We don’t and menacingly responded, “We don’t perform miracles here, but we do cast out perform miracles here, but we do cast out devils!”devils!” The Great Imitator,” The Great Imitator,” Ensign, Ensign, Nov. 1987, 33Nov. 1987, 33

ContentionContention

AAppearing repeatedly in the book of 4 Nephi is ppearing repeatedly in the book of 4 Nephi is a phrase which speaks to the heart of what a phrase which speaks to the heart of what Zion was and will be. Occurring three times Zion was and will be. Occurring three times in its singular form and once in the plural in its singular form and once in the plural within the first 18 verses, this phrase explains within the first 18 verses, this phrase explains a primary reason for the blessed state a primary reason for the blessed state enjoyed by the Nephites as well as the results enjoyed by the Nephites as well as the results which flowed therefrom. which flowed therefrom.

The phrase simply reads: "There was no The phrase simply reads: "There was no contention." In its simplicity lies a pattern for contention." In its simplicity lies a pattern for reestablishing Zion which encompasses both reestablishing Zion which encompasses both a warning of what must be avoided and a a warning of what must be avoided and a promise of what can, with the Lord's help, be promise of what can, with the Lord's help, be achieved.achieved. Monte S. Nyman, Charles D. Tate, Monte S. Nyman, Charles D. Tate, Fourth Nephi through Moroni: From Zion to Fourth Nephi through Moroni: From Zion to DestructionDestruction, 167, 167

Zion(One heart)

Contention(Anti-Zion)

QuestionQuestion

Just how does Just how does Lucifer go about Lucifer go about sowing contention sowing contention in a people striving in a people striving for Zion?for Zion?

The Church

Our Homes

The Source of ContentionThe Source of Contention

WithinOurselves

Elder Nelson: [The] 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. Perfection Pending, and Other Favorite Discourses, 55-64.

The Savior to the The Savior to the NephitesNephites

And there shall be no And there shall be no disputations among you, as disputations among you, as there have hitherto been; neither shall there be there have hitherto been; neither shall there be disputations among you concerning the points of disputations among you concerning the points of my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.my doctrine, as there have hitherto been.

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.another.

Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done my doctrine, that such things should be done away. away.

(3 Ne.11:28-30)(3 Ne.11:28-30)

President George Q. President George Q. CannonCannon

"Is it right for Latter-day Saints to contend and "Is it right for Latter-day Saints to contend and to have arguments? It is not right; it is not to have arguments? It is not right; it is not according to the mind and will of God. according to the mind and will of God.

Whenever two Elders contend and argue, they Whenever two Elders contend and argue, they may know and everyone may know that the may know and everyone may know that the Spirit of God is not there to the extent that it Spirit of God is not there to the extent that it should be, because where the Spirit of God should be, because where the Spirit of God reigns there is no contention, no controversy. reigns there is no contention, no controversy.

Men may differ in their views, but after they Men may differ in their views, but after they have expressed these differences then have expressed these differences then contention should cease; in fact, it should contention should cease; in fact, it should never exist.“never exist.“

Gospel Truth, ed. Jerreld L. Newquist (Salt Lake City: Gospel Truth, ed. Jerreld L. Newquist (Salt Lake City:

Deseret Book, 1987Deseret Book, 1987

Brother Ted Brother Ted GibbonsGibbons

Someone has called Someone has called Corinth Corinth the the Las Vegas of Las Vegas of the Ancient the Ancient WorldWorld. It was . It was a city of a city of 250,000 250,000 citizens and another citizens and another 400,000 or so slaves. It was located just off the 400,000 or so slaves. It was located just off the Corinthian Isthmus, and was a crossroads for travelers Corinthian Isthmus, and was a crossroads for travelers and traders. It was a city of typical Greek culture; its and traders. It was a city of typical Greek culture; its people were interested in Greek philosophy, and people were interested in Greek philosophy, and placed a great value on wisdom.placed a great value on wisdom.

We have been told that the city had at least 12 temples, We have been told that the city had at least 12 temples, although they may not all have been in use in Paul's although they may not all have been in use in Paul's day. The most famous of these temples was the temple day. The most famous of these temples was the temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, where worshipers of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, where worshipers practiced ritual prostitution. The temple was served practiced ritual prostitution. The temple was served by more than 1000 pagan priestess-prostitutes. The by more than 1000 pagan priestess-prostitutes. The immorality of Corinth was so widely know that the immorality of Corinth was so widely know that the verb "to Corinthianize" meant "to practice sexual verb "to Corinthianize" meant "to practice sexual immorality."immorality."

1 Corinthians 11 Corinthians 1Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord

Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and thatthat there be no divisions among you; but there be no divisions among you; but thatthat ye be ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.same judgment.

For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, …… that there are contentions among you.that there are contentions among you.

Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

Is Christ divided? Is Christ divided? I Cor 3I Cor 3

For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?Apollos; are ye not carnal?

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.increase.

Elder Elder OaksOaks

In my personal life and even in In my personal life and even in my church work, I have my church work, I have sometimes been guilty of sometimes been guilty of crossing over the boundary crossing over the boundary between the permissible between the permissible range of range of reasoned discussion and the forbidden arena of contention. reasoned discussion and the forbidden arena of contention.

For example, as a law student, newly schooled in the adversary For example, as a law student, newly schooled in the adversary system of the courtroom, I sought to use adversary techniques system of the courtroom, I sought to use adversary techniques to present the gospel subjects I was teaching an elders group. I to present the gospel subjects I was teaching an elders group. I sometimes encouraged debate and controversy, and I sometimes encouraged debate and controversy, and I occasionally played the role of the devil's advocate (justly so occasionally played the role of the devil's advocate (justly so named). named).

Each of these techniques verged on or invited contention. I recall Each of these techniques verged on or invited contention. I recall these immature mistakes whenever I observe others using the these immature mistakes whenever I observe others using the techniques of controversy to attempt to teach gospel subjects. techniques of controversy to attempt to teach gospel subjects. This is not the Lord's way. This is not the Lord's way.

Dallin H. Oaks, Dallin H. Oaks, Lord's WayLord's Way, ,

139.139.

Brigham Young at Brigham Young at Scott’s BluffScott’s Bluff

"This morning I feel like preaching a little, "This morning I feel like preaching a little, and shall and shall take for my text, `That as to take for my text, `That as to pursuing our journey pursuing our journey with this company with this company with the spirit they possess, with the spirit they possess, I am I am about to about to revolt against it. revolt against it.

I have said many things to the brethren I have said many things to the brethren about the about the strictness of their walk and conduct strictness of their walk and conduct when we left the when we left the gentiles, and told them that gentiles, and told them that we would have to walk upright or the law would be put in we would have to walk upright or the law would be put in force. . . . force. . . .

If you do not open your hearts so that the Spirit of God can enter If you do not open your hearts so that the Spirit of God can enter your hearts and teach you the right way, I know that you are a your hearts and teach you the right way, I know that you are a ruined people and will be destroyed and that without remedy, ruined people and will be destroyed and that without remedy, and unless there is a change and a different course of conduct, a and unless there is a change and a different course of conduct, a different spirit to what is now in this camp, I go no further. different spirit to what is now in this camp, I go no further.

Give me the man of prayers . . . the man of faith . . . the man of Give me the man of prayers . . . the man of faith . . . the man of meditation, and I would far rather go amongst the savages with meditation, and I would far rather go amongst the savages with six or eight such men than to trust myself with the whole of this six or eight such men than to trust myself with the whole of this camp with the spirit they now possess.camp with the spirit they now possess.

The Result?The Result?Immediately after completing his remarks, Immediately after completing his remarks, Brigham did something not seen since Brigham did something not seen since perhaps the final days of the Nauvoo perhaps the final days of the Nauvoo temple. He called on all the camp to assemble temple. He called on all the camp to assemble in rows by quorum—8 Apostles, 15 high in rows by quorum—8 Apostles, 15 high priests, 4 bishops, 78 seventies, 8 elders, the priests, 4 bishops, 78 seventies, 8 elders, the remaining members and nonmembers (of remaining members and nonmembers (of which there were a few). which there were a few).

He then asked each member by quorum, starting with the Twelve, to He then asked each member by quorum, starting with the Twelve, to show by uplifted hand if they were willing "to covenant, to turn to show by uplifted hand if they were willing "to covenant, to turn to the Lord with all their hearts, to repent of all their follies." All the Lord with all their hearts, to repent of all their follies." All covenanted without a dissenting voice. Then Brigham "very covenanted without a dissenting voice. Then Brigham "very tenderly blessed the brethren and prayed that God would enable tenderly blessed the brethren and prayed that God would enable them to fulfil their covenants." them to fulfil their covenants."

The next day, Sunday, 30 May, the camp fasted and prayed and for The next day, Sunday, 30 May, the camp fasted and prayed and for the first time in many weeks partook of the sacrament. the first time in many weeks partook of the sacrament.

Later in the day members of the Twelve, with a few others, "went Later in the day members of the Twelve, with a few others, "went into the valley of the [nearby] hills and according to the order of into the valley of the [nearby] hills and according to the order of the priesthood," an obvious reference to a sacred temple the priesthood," an obvious reference to a sacred temple ordinance, "prayed in a circle.“ ordinance, "prayed in a circle.“ Richard E. Bennett, Richard E. Bennett, We'll Find the Place: The Mormon Exodus 1846-1848We'll Find the Place: The Mormon Exodus 1846-1848, 160-167 , 160-167