On Self-Righteousness, Controversy and Unity

People naturally think everything they believe is good and right.  When we avoid controversey, we avoid those things which challenge our beliefs and we then unite on this principle of "self-righteousness".

Example: when an investigator picks up the Book of Mormon for the first time, it's going to challenge his previously held beliefs.  Should he put it back down when it at once causes controversy?  If his wife or friends object and take offense and he has given no cause, should he put it back down?  Of course not, and the same should apply to us now, we should not avoid truth because it might challenge our beliefs or cause those around us to become angry. If this is how the true gospel was preached, Joseph would have never taught the King Follett discourse, never have attempted to settle in Missouri and Christ would have never said blessed are he when men revile and persecute you for my sake.

Christ taught contention was of the devil and that we should be united, but God allows us to become angry at the instigation if the devil, and because of the thick fog of tradition.

The scriptures do hide truths from the blind, and Christ taught in parables for the same reason, but truth is still taught, and it did not stop the church leaders from becoming enraged when they perceived they were being chastised.

When Christ prayed that we be united as He and the Father are, he did not contemplate uniting on compromise and falsehoods.  On no other principle can there be unity with the Father than on principles of truth and obedience and He prayed earnestly that this would become the case.