Is it Divisive to Stand for Truth & Address Societal Ills?
At times, I get accused of causing division merely because of truths that I state; that I’m causing contention because I’m addressing societal ills. This is often because my views do not align with the popular narrative regarding the LGBT community and it’s vision of “unity” and “inclusivity.” And it’s true; stating the truth can at times cause division and conflict. It causes the ignorant and wicked to be struck to the heart concerning their erroneous beliefs and/or sinful actions. I understand that this can cause deep distress and discomfort in those being exposed to truths that counter the soft doctrines that they want to believe in.
In the Church, we are supposed to be united. The Lord said, “I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” “The counterfeit of unity is the type of ‘inclusion’ that seeks to blur the lines of sin [and righteousness],” wrote Skyler Sorensen. The world strives to achieve unity, wittingly or not, through “inclusion” by implementing moral relativism with a “you-do-you” mentality—as long as your behaviours and beliefs align with the predominant societal philosophies of the day. True unity is far different though than the unity that the world aspires to. Regarding this, Paul exhorts us to “go out from their midst, and be separate from them, … and touch no unclean thing” (2 Corinthians 6:17). True unity comes when we have our hearts knit together in Christ, being of one mind, conforming our beliefs and actions to God’s truth, and seeking to put aside differences in belief or cultural practice that may hinder the building of the Kingdom, and that may be inconsistent with scriptural teaching. Naturally, Jesus was the prime example of this. He was one with the Father, in that his will was swallowed up in the will of the Father’s, doing nothing of himself, only that which the Father commanded him. This type of unity takes total humility and losing one’s life in God’s service.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
The Saviour Jesus Christ taught, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:34-39).
This scripture is not saying that we should be provocative or argumentative, stoking the fires of conflict. Nor should we take this scripture to mean that we need to cut off our relationship with anyone who disagrees with us. No, we must in all things seek to be peacemakers, striving to rectify past wrongs and find common ground, without compromising our morals.
Regrettably, putting our love of God first, and seeking to align our wills with his, will inevitably create conflict between us and individuals who do not condone or support our righteous views or practices. For instance, when I gave up drinking and clubbing to follow Christ, many of my old “friends” had no more desire to associate with me, since our morals and interests no longer aligned with each other. Similarly, when I chose to marry a woman to follow God’s ordination for marriage, many outside and even within the Church were offended and mocked my decision, because I was supposedly denying my “true self.” In these instances, a proverbial sword divided me from unhealthy relationships, habits, and beliefs that could have been detrimental to my spiritual progression. As heartbreaking and painful as that can be at times, I still strive to put my love for Christ above every other relationship in my life. Putting my love for him first helps me to better love my neighbour.
Jesus driving out money changers with a whip
The Saviour never shied away from discussing difficult topics or addressing societal ills. Sometimes he did so compassionately and gently; yet other times with sharpness and anger. He sharply called out and rebuked the false teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them “vipers”; in righteous anger, he chased the money changers out of the temple with a whip; he rebuked Peter, calling him “Satan”! But, even when simply, gently teaching a sermon on the need for us to consume his flesh and blood in order to truly live, many of his disciples were offended and walked no more with him (John 6:32-66). In response, Jesus asked his twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” The same question echoes down to us today. Will we choose to be offended by God’s word and divide ourselves from his flock? Or will we humbly accept correction and counsel from his hand?
In Latter-day Saint culture, sometimes we shy away from confronting wrongdoers or standing for truth, because of the fear that it can lead to contention. Yes, it’s true, Jesus did say “he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil” (3 Nephi 11:29). Of course, actively seeking out contention or living contentiously is of the devil. Much of our hesitancy to confronting wrongs comes from us conflating “conflict” with “contention,” thinking of the two as synonymous. But, as Elder Uchtdorf noted, “Conflict is inevitable. Contention is a choice” (emphasis added). We never should be actively seeking “to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another” (3 Nephi 11:30) or have an argumentative nature in order to further our own gain or for other nefarious reasons; but, the nearly inevitable conflict that may result from standing for truth is not sinful. Conflict is at times necessary. Contention is almost always avoidable.
“My word [is] … sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow” (D&C 6:2)
When morally repugnant things are being instituted or practised in our society, it is our duty to speak out and take action against such things. The Lord said, “Contend against no church, save it be the church of the devil” (D&C 18:20). Many of the predominant philosophies, ideologies, theories, behaviours, and practices in our world are the doctrines of men and the devil mingled with scripture. The devil is the author of such confusion, and these are the products of his church. We must oppose these things. We should, and must, fight against immoral practices like slavery, against racism, against child abuse, against rape. “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act” (Dietrich Bonhöffer).
In all things, Jesus’ actions were motivated by love and deep desire to see his people repent and receive of his saving grace. We should act accordingly. But, also like him, we cannot shy away from calling out destructive behaviour when we see it, never forgetting to do so with charity and an underlying motivation to uplift and inspire the wayward to repent and receive God’s grace; for, all have equal opportunity to receive Christ’s salvation.
