Conflict vs. Contention

This was an interesting week of learning.  (Do I say that every week?)  We learned about how we can have conflict, and will have conflict, but we have to be careful not to take that conflict and escalate it to contention.  We all know that contention is of the devil.  So it is a fine line.  We can choose to disagree appropriately.  We had some good reading this week.  We read And Nothing Shall Offend Them, by Elder Bednar.  I remember when this talk was given.  I remember how bold and confident Elder Bednar was in going to inactive members and point blanking them as to why they weren't coming to church.  Once he found their issue, he then pointed out that they were letting this one small incident impeded their learning, not allow them to take the sacrament weekly.  When he put it that way they could see that their decision was kind of foolish.  I hope that he had a good retention in his stake following those kinds of visits.  We as members, if so inspired, should also be able to ask the same of our visiting teaching sisters or others in our ward so that we can help bring them back into the fold. 

We also heard a personal account of Elder Scott's first experiences with the quorum of apostles.  He was amazed to see conflict among the brethren.  In my mind you think of them as one "perfect" body of men that are leading the church and that everything just comes together so neatly.  But it is nice to realize that they are men just like us, with their own views and experiences.  I've heard that many times they aren't in agreement.  It isn't until they are all in agreement that something is actually put forth to the general public.  That is a lot of opinions.  However through their disagreements they are able to perfect the idea, or add to the idea.  They are great examples of counseling together to reach a unanimous decision.

And finally we had to read a talk by President Monson titled School Thy Feelings, O My Brother. There was a couple of good quotes from this talk. "Anger doesn't solve anything.  It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything."    "A man's a fool who takes insult that isn't intended."  "To be angry is to yield to the influence of Satan.  No one can make us angry.  It is our choice.  If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry."

For our Group meeting this week we had to talk about the story in Alma 60 & 61 about Moroni and Pahoran.  Moroni was frustrated with the lack of supplies and support from the government.  He wrote to Pahoran a very bold and powerful letter, even accusatory.  Luckily Pahoran, knew that Moroni was telling the truth, was desperate for supplies and that he was a good leader.  Moroni's letter even came as an answer to Pahoran's feelings.  I would encourage everyone to take the higher road like Paharon and be Christ-like in our dealings with our families and others that we are in communication with.