“The Spirit of Contention… is of the Devil, Who is the Father of Contention”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet

Contention and conflict is the antithesis of the peace and love promised by the Lord. Satan is the father of contention in that he seeks to stir men up to anger so that the Spirit of the Lord cannot be with them. In the premortal world Lucifer was the father, the creator, the source of contention that has now spread to the earth.

It matters not to Satan what the contention is all about- whether it is about worldly wickedness or the doctrines of the kingdom. It only matters that contention and conflict be created in the hearts of men, because it is a “corroding canker of the spirit” that unless checked by repentance can lead to spiritual death. (See Ensign, May 1989, pp. 68-71.)

Since Lucifer seeks the destruction of all men, and uses anger, strife, and contention as weapons that can thwart the workings of the Spirit in our lives, it is no wonder the Savior commanded his disciples to eliminate anger from their lives, . See Commentary on 3 Nephi 12:21-26.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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