Contention is of the Devil

Alma 21

After Alma and Amulek rescue Aaron and their brethren from prison, they separate and continue to serve. Alma 21 is the beginning of Aaron's experience with the Amalekites. They're allowed to preach because King Lamoni, who is the king over all the land, has granted them religious freedom.

I always wonder if part of the reason Aaron's experience is filled with a little more strife than was Alma's is because his approach was different. Remember Ammon goes into the king with the desire to serve him. Whereas, Aaron in v11 contends with the Lamanites, Amulonites and Amalekites.

I remember with clarity when I first started studying the gospel for myself. I was on fire with a growing testimony and wanted to prove the truthfulness of the gospel to those who didn't get it.  I was still married to a man who did not believe the LDS faith. He had some knowledge about it as he had grown up with LDS neighbors. His parents and siblings were of his faith as well. What was their faith? Although they belonged to a congregation outside the LDS church, I always said their religion was “anti-Mormon” as they were opposed to anything of the LDS faith. I love in the Book of Mormon where they call it “after the order of the Nehors”. The Index says Order of Nehors is a wicked combination of those who follow Nehor. Who was Nehor? A Nephite apostate! They had aligned themselves with apostates of the church and embraced their thinking. An apostate knows enough about the church and the gospel to put up a very good argument, aka contend. I found myself trying to convince them of the truthfulness of the gospel only to have them twist it to their own worldly understandings. It was very frustrating to me and extremely nonproductive.

Why do I share this? Because of the lesson that is taught in this chapter and supported in 3 Nephi 11:29 “. . .he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil. . .” Once a conversation concerning the gospel and its sacred principles turns to contention, it is time to close your scriptures and bear your testimony that you know the gospel is true. Challenge them to find out for themselves and then leave. You will save yourself much heartache and maybe even a trip to prison as was the case with Aaron.