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Unity & Division – by Elder Douglas Hatten

I have heard it said by some that if something brings division, is controversial, or causes confusion, that it can not be from God. For the sake of truth and spiritual growth in the church, I would like to challenge this idea just a bit, and examine some scriptures regarding both unity and division, and its place in the body of Christ. 

Division:

First I would like to examine the idea that all division is bad. In particular, I would challenge the notion that if something causes a division that it cannot be from God. Think on the following:

1. If Christ is our example, please examine his life and ministry and tell me what he did that was not controversial, and which did not bring division or cause confusion among the Jews?

2. Is there anytime in the history of the church, in any age, when there was not controversy and division whenever God tried to establish His truth among the people?

The example of Christ working among the Jews is a good example for us, because I believe there are many parallels between them and us. They were a people whom God had chosen, and given the true authority of priesthood to. They were established to be a light to the rest of the world, to bring them unto a true understanding of the one and only God. Because of this position, pride entered in. They thought they understood how God worked, yet when God took upon himself flesh and blood and walked among them, they did not recognize him. When those who thought they understood the word of God, were confronted by the Living Word Himself, they called him a heretic and crucified Him.  If we’re not careful, I believe we could find ourselves in the same position as the Jews. 

 Jesus intentionally confronted their wrong traditions and arrogance. By doing what the Father asked him to do, he sparked much controversy. You see there was a difference between many of the Jew’s idea of what God said was right, and what God actually said was right. Because of this, God had to challenge them, and cause them to think, giving them an opportunity to decide between their own presumptuous thinking and repentance and returning to God’s way.

 In the same way, when we are confronted with something we are unsure of, or is different from our own traditions, we must carefully consider in study and prayer whether the thing actually violates scripture, or only our belief on what we thought scripture said.

Just as the Jews should have done, when something causes a division we should not automatically render a judgment that it is not of God. Here are some scriptural examples to ponder:

[Luke 12:60-62] Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, nay; but rather division. For from henceforth there shall be five in one house, divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

[John 7:43] So there was a division among the people because of him.

[John 9:16] Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

[John 10:19] There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.

The premise that just because something causes a division it cannot be of God is not only unscriptural, but also dangerous as this sort of thinking will eventually keep us from what God is trying to do with us. It will ultimately cut us off from being able to learn and hear from the source of all Knowledge. If we would seek after God’s correction then we must humble ourselves and be willing to be confronted by Him.

Of course controversy for the sake of controversy, particularly when caused by men who want to foster their own pet doctrines at the expense of others, is not supported. There were such divisions in the New Testament church as well, but pay attention to the circumstances around these divisions. It was not division itself that was condemned, but some of the causes of the divisions.

[Rom 16:17] Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Notice that Paul was speaking of divisions or offenses that were contrary to the doctrine of Christ. In other words, the teaching or acts of a number of individuals was contrary to what Jesus taught, causing problems in the church.

[1 Cor 1:10] Now I beseech you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

According to this scripture there should be no divisions within the body of Christ, that we should be unified in all things. Of course, this is the image of the body of Christ in its perfection, with Christ as the head, and not we ourselves. Unfortunately, Christ’s church, both in this age and in previous ages, has often been marked by troubles, for not all who say they are of Christ really are. We are no better than the early church.  Indeed, many of us at one time or another have stood against God, even if we did not intend to. Human thinking, arrogance, and presumption make this almost unavoidable unless we always walk in the Spirit, for the natural man is an enemy of God. (Mos. 1:119) There has always been division because we tend to lean on our own understanding, (Prov. 3:5) rather than asking of God. (James 1:5)

Whenever God must correct us, it will cause division, for some will receive the correction, and others will not. Whenever God brings revelation, there will be division, for some will heed the word of God and others will question it. Anytime God confronts our thinking and arrogance, there will be division for we don’t like having our beliefs questioned. Throughout the history of God’s people, there has always been a division between those who hear God and embrace his truth, and those who believe they already know God’s will and have no need to question themselves.

[1 Cor 11:18-19] For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also divisions among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

Here we see that Paul admits that there must be some divisions, because not all are approved. God reveals his will through the workings of His Holy Spirit and His word. Divisions are then formed between those who obey and those who do not. Therefore, there have always been divisions, particularly over God’s word. If we must reject whatever brings division, then you may want to consider throwing out the Bible, the Book of Mormon and all latter-day revelation, for all have caused division and controversy.

If something causes division, is it wrong, or are we wrong? If something causes confusion, is it to be rejected because God is not the author of confusion, or are we the ones confused, rejecting the plainness of God’s word? (I Nephi 5:135)

Unity:

Is all unity of God? Please consider the following:

[Gen 11:4-5] And the Lord came down, beholding the city and the tower which the children of men were building; And the Lord said, Behold, the people are the same, and they all have the same language; and this tower they begin to build, and now, nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined, except I, the Lord, confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So I, the Lord, will scatter them abroad from thence, upon all the face of the land, and unto every quarter of the earth.

Here we see all the people of the earth were united in this one thing, yet their plan was displeasing to God. As a result he scattered them. Are we scattered today? Perhaps we are not listening and obeying Him as we should.

We have often quoted Jesus when he said that we must be one. And because of this many are automatically rejecting anything that may cause division. If we really believe this is right, we would not have left the RLDS church. Should we seek unity at the expense of putting down the truth of God? The RLDS is willing to have a unity with the rest of Christianity, even if they must deny the Book of Mormon and Doctrine and Covenants.

I have come to believe that true unity can only be achieved by a unity with God and His will. Unity is not to be had by seeking only unity with each other. Unity at the expense of the truth is the wrong kind of unity. Those who unify with God will find themselves automatically unified with others who are unified with God. This should be our focus.

The work of unity that God has begun in us is good. It has helped to break down many man-made barriers and open our hearts and minds to be lead by the Holy Spirit rather than a spirit of fear, which caused us to isolate ourselves from other groups and people. (I Nephi 3:220-221) But, in order to progress we must continue to be lead by the Holy Spirit, moving on to perfection and the building of the Kingdom of God.

We must become less quick to judge, and more willing to listen and learn. We must not allow ourselves to become stagnant and afraid to move forward, using as an excuse not to obey God, that anything divisive should automatically be discarded. We must also see that not everything that makes for peace is the right path. We are in a critical time in our history (Jacob 3:112-144) when we must admit to our failures in the past, repent of our arrogance, and be willing to be taught of God so that we can be a part of His Kingdom plan. Let us put down presumption, and get down on our knees and ask of God.