![\"Bayrische](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/186\/2016\/12\/Wankerfleck.jpg\")
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***<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I\u2019m very tardy in mentioning it \u2014 I\u2019m a bit occupied over here, with little free time and far out of sync with North American time zones \u2014 but a new article appeared at noon on Friday in Interpreter: A Journal of Latter-day Saint Faith and Scholarship<\/em>:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cContending without Contention,\u201d<\/a> by one Daniel C. Peterson<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Abstract:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThink not,\u201d said the Savior at Matthew\u00a010:34, \u201cthat I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.\u201d And this has in fact been the case \u2014 too often literally, but certainly figuratively. In the Old Testament, the Lord accurately foretold the situation that we commonly see: \u201cI will take you one of a city,\u201d he explained, \u201cand two of a family, and I\u00a0will bring you to Zion\u201d (Jeremiah\u00a03:14). Unfortunately, those who aren\u2019t so \u201ctaken\u201d are often not entirely happy with the beliefs and practices of those who are. \u201cSuppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?\u201d Jesus told his audience at Luke\u00a012:51\u201352. \u201cI tell you, Nay; but rather division.\u201d But is Jesus not the Prince of Peace? Has he not also commanded us \u201cThat ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also\u201d (Matthew\u00a05:39)? Jude\u00a01:3 tells us that we \u201cshould earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints,\u201d but we are also told not to be contentious in carrying out that assignment. Doing both simultaneously can be an extraordinarily great challenge. But it is the Lord\u2019s challenge to us.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n ***<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n