Anger and Contention

by Robert Rosskopf

I had a difficult time handling the ridicule and undisguised hatred exhibited towards me in Junior High and High School. Having been reprimanded over anger issues in 3rd grade, I sought to never lose my temper again. When I was actively targeted by cruel schoolmates for abuse, I chose to ignore them. I was safe enough if the teacher was present, but if the teacher was late to class, it meant that I would be harassed by the other students. This usually took the form of things being thrown at me, my chair being kicked, or my ears being flicked. Some sort of verbal abuse was to be expected as well. One day, when the teacher was late to class, I was enduring this display of hatred and got angry. I stood up and punched the student who sat behind me. He then punched me a couple of times, after which I sat down. I noticed immediately that the peaceful presence of the Holy Ghost was missing. This confused me because I felt completely justified in standing up for myself. When I got home that day, I went to my bedroom and knelt down, and asked why the spirit was no longer with me. I must have felt prompted to open the Book of Mormon, because I did, and it fell open to a scripture that informed me that contention was not of God.

"For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. " (3rd Nephi 11:29)
This idea is also found in Helaman 16:

"And many more things did the people imagine up in their hearts, which were foolish and vain, and they were much disturbed, for Satan did stir them up to do iniquity continually; yea, he did go about spreading rumors and contentions upon all the face of the land, that he might harden the hearts of the people against that which was good and against that which should come." (v. 22)

Having realized my mistake, I asked forgiveness and once again enjoyed the peaceful presence of the spirit of God. The next day I sought out the boy I had hit, and apologized to him. He looked at me like I was nuts, but he never bothered me again.

Later on, it occurred to me that this is not taught in the bible. But, as it turns out, it WAS taught in the bible.

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21–22, emphasis added).
The phrase "without a cause" is not found in the Book of Mormon version of this speech, nor is it found in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible.

"But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment." (3rd Nephi 12:22)

It turns out that the phrase "without a cause" in not included in a great many copies of Matthew, including the oldest extant copy of Matthew. It appears to have been added by a scribe who thought anger was justifiable. Of course, every angry person thinks their anger is justified. This verse, and the debate about whether to include "without a cause" has been going on for at least 1700 years, and scholars today still argue over it. (Adding and Taking Away "without a cause" in Matthew 5:22 Daniel K Judd and Allen W. Stoddard)