Latter-day Saint scripture often calls for unity and denounces contention. “This is not my doctrine,” warned the resurrected Christ, “to stir up the hearts of men with anger one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away” (3 Nephi 11:30).
In my observation, Latter-day Saints who wish to sustain the apostles and the teachings of the Church are often challenged by fellow members with different views—in classrooms, on social media, or in publication. These other members have concluded that they know better than the Church’s leaders, and assure themselves that the leaders will catch up eventually. (We even occasionally see individuals claiming to have a testimony of the role of prophets, only to announce in the same breath that these prophets are wrong about the law of chastity, the conferral of divine authority, and the doctrines to be taught.)
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