Prophets of all ages have amplified the same message: unity is of God and division is of Satan. Yet we see division on every hand—politically, culturally, socially, doctrinally. As a people, we often fall short of the admonitions of the Lord and His servants to avoid contention and to earnestly seek unity—even oneness. Christ Himself was blunt in stating, “He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention” (3 Nephi 11:29). His rebuke in our modern dispensation makes it clear that still we have not reached unity: “Cease to contend one with another” (D&C 136:23). How can we achieve unity when we come from such a broad range of experiences, perspectives, and unique traits? In this collection of essays, you will learn how fourteen faithful and diverse thinkers address the problem of unity and division in the Church. Some of the essays focus on examining the issue, while others suggest possible solutions. All, however, invite us to view those with whom we disagree not as enemies or problems, but as additional perspectives and as our spiritual siblings. They remind us that in celebrating diversity and working for unity within diversity, we mirror the mind of God. Only through such efforts will we truly be able to live according to the words of Paul: “Be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:2).
