The Book of Mormon repeatedly warns that those who belong to the Church and then “dissent” become hard in their hearts and are apt to “entirely [forget] the Lord their God” (Alma 47:36).
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles warned that the same problems exist today when dissenters become critical of the Church due to their own pride: “There are the dissenters who leave the Church, either formally or informally, but who cannot leave it alone. Usually anxious to please worldly galleries, they are critical or at least condescending towards the Brethren. They not only seek to steady the ark but also on occasion give it a hard shove! Often having been taught the same true doctrines as the faithful, they have nevertheless moved in the direction of dissent (see Alma 47:36). They have minds hardened by pride (see Daniel 5:20)” (Men and Women of Christ [1991], 4).
Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles described the consequences of contention and dissension:
“‘He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me [saith the Lord]’ … (3 Nephi 11:29–30). …
“Throughout the world, Saints of the Lord … have learned that the path of dissent leads to real dangers. The Book of Mormon carries this warning:
“‘… not long after their dissensions they became more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious … ; giving way to indolence, and all manner of lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God’ (Alma 47:36).
“How divisive is the force of dissension! Small acts can lead to such great consequences. Regardless of position or situation, no one can safely assume immunity to contention’s terrible toll. …
“Contention fosters disunity” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 86–88; or Ensign, May 1989, 68, 70).