In his eloquent and fervent expression of devotion, which has been characterized as a psalm, Nephi asks, "Why am I angry because of mine enemy?" then bids:

"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.

"Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions" (2 Nephi 4:27-29).

Among the notable insights we gain from this passage are these:

• Nephi, great as he was, recognized his own mortal propensity to anger.

• The tendency to anger is a temptation of the flesh that must be held in check lest it slacken the spiritual strength of the soul.

While visiting the Nephite multitude, the resurrected Lord declared:

"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.

"Behold, this is not my doctrine, 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 11:29 - 30).

Indeed, rancor is a frequent tool by which the adversary pursues his evil designs among the children of men. Through the ages, untold havoc, destruction and misery have resulted from the hearts of men being stirred up with anger one against another.

Nephi prophesied that in the last days, one of the ways in which Satan would oppose the work of God would be "to rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good" (2 Nephi 28:20).

Thus it is that we occasionally encounter ill will directed toward the Church and its people. Misunderstanding and prejudice too often lead to cynicism and rancor. Theological or other differences at times are used as an occasion for acrimony and abusive expression or the inclination to distort and mislead.

We can be grateful that, at such times, reason often prevails among decent men and women, including leaders in other religious faiths and traditions.

At times when the Church is the target of hostility, how are God's covenant people to conduct themselves?

First, like Nephi, we can engage in godly introspection, pondering our love for God and rejoicing in our knowledge of His plan of happiness. Such sublime gratitude tends to expel bitterness from the heart.

We might reflect upon the duty we have as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ to be circumspect in our behavior, to exercise forbearance, to be the metaphorical "city that is set on an hill" (Matthew 5:14) and thus reflect His light. The apostle Paul gave this timeless counsel: "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12).

We can remember and follow admonitions that have been given by modern-day prophets and apostles, including this from President Gordon B. Hinckley in general conference of April 4, 1998:

"There are some of other faiths who do not regard us as Christians. That is not important. How we regard ourselves is what is important. . . .

"We must not become disagreeable as we talk of doctrinal differences. There is no place for acrimony."

And very recently, in a statement announcing the forthcoming general conference of the Church on April 3-4, the First Presidency included this note of caution: "We encourage those who attend the conference to conduct themselves with the utmost sense of dignity and restraint." (Church News, March 6, 2004; p. 7.)

Finally, we can refuse to allow the devil to obtain a victory over us. For such a victory happens whenever we succumb to a spirit of contention and ill will. Rancor in one's heart makes of it a hostile environment for the presence of the Holy Spirit. Like other weaknesses of the flesh, it blunts one's effectiveness as an instrument in the hands of God, and, as Nephi intimated, it slackens the strength of the soul.