Slow to Anger

Gospel Principle

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)

Study the Doctrine

Teaching of Prophets:

Scriptures:

• "contention is not of me, but of the devil" (3 Ne 11:29-30)
• "cease to contend one with another" (D&C 136:23)
• "ye will not suffer that your children...fight and quarrel one with another" (Mosiah 4:14-15)
• "only by pride cometh contention" (Proverbs 13:10)
• "he that is slow to anger is better than the mighty" (Proverbs 16:32)
• "Satan doth stir up the hearts of the people to contention" (D&C 10:63)
• "cease from anger and forsake wrath" (Psalms 37:8)

Talks by General Authorities:

• Agency and Anger by Elder Lynn G. Robbins (If you are married, read and discuss this article with your spouse)
• Slow to Anger by Elder Gordon T. Watts

Living the Doctrine

Now that we understand the doctrine (controlling our anger) we must change our lives so that we are living in harmony with what we have been taught. The following are some ideas on how we can change our behavior so that we are living in a more Christ-like manor. Please review the following resources and pick a family home evening lesson that is appropriate for your family situation.

Scriptures:

• "only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned" (D&C121:41-44)
• "a soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1)
• "love ye your enemies" (Luke 6:35)
• "even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" (Colossians 3:13)
• "turn the other cheek" (Matt 5:39)
• "be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19-20)

Talks by General Authorities:

• Slow to Anger by President Gordon B. Hinckley
• Dealing with Anger and Contention (Ensign Sept 1988)

Family Home Evening Ideas:

• Contention lesson (source: Family Home Evening Resource Book)
• Responding to Challenges in Marriage (source: Marriage and Family Relations Study Guide)
• Resolving Conflicts in Marriage (source: Family Home Evening Resource Book)
• Controlling Our Anger (source: Preparing for Exaltation Teacher's Manual)
• Forgiveness Quiz (source: Friend magazine)
• Hidden Wedges Lesson
• Lesson Idea - "All Bottled Up"
  • Take a can of soda (not opened) and pass it around to each person of the family. For each thing/person that has made them angry recently, they get to shake the can. Once everybody has had their turn, go outside and open the can (wear appropriately clothing).
  • Discussion: How might this activity and what happened be related to anger?
  • Go through the selected verses mentioned above and some of the quotes from the talks and discuss how anger displeases Heavenly Father.
  • Discuss different ways in which we can “diffuse” our anger so that it doesn’t get “bottled up” where it becomes uncontrollable.

If you would like to share your feelings about your experience, the stake presidency would love to hear from you: