Conflict Resolution on the Floor of this General Conference

Carl Trapani says that married couples should fight fair when passionate arguments erupt. On more than one occasion I have heard him say that "because couples know each other so well, they know what hurts their partner the worst." He equates this sort of vicious marital warfare tactic to an emotional nuclear weapon.

His point is that there are some arguments that are not worth winning. There are some words that - no matter how true they may be - should never be spoken. Irreparable damage can be inflicted through verbal missles of carelessly hurtful words.

Trapani's wisdom is sorely needed in our current situation. Over the past few years verbal jousting has escalated into a full-fledged nuclear war of words. Grown men, masquerading as ministers of the Gospel, have been unable to control the baser nature. Threats have been hurled, insults gratuitously distributed, and judgementalism nurtured with much care.

Seeing this, I worry about the coming debate on the floor of this General Conference. I wonder which will be more prevalent; the works of the flesh, or the fruit of the Spirit?

We teach our children the value of self-control from a very early age. Toddlers are told to "use words and not fists" to resolve conflict. Kindergarteners are only allowed to graduate after their personal social skills have matured to a level of cooperation and peacability. Why do we expect more of children than Spirit-filled men of God?

When, and why, did the Spirit's fruit of self-control escape us?