Dispute Not, Because Ye See Not

It is disappointing to watch online discussions. My wife always tells me when I am tempted to participate that it never will turn out well. She is right. It never has. 

Everyone contends about what they think is right, and everyone ends up concluding that "we are all wrong". There is a lack of revelation to clarify what is right, and therefore faith is also lacking (Ether 12:6). People end up feeling hurt, others are puffed up in pride, and no one is enlightened. It reminds me of Moroni's plead to "dispute not, because ye see not" and then tells us that a "witness comes after the trial of our faith"(Ib.).

Did you catch that? "Dispute not, because ye see not." You haven't seen anything, you haven't witnessed anything, therefore, do not dispute, do not contend. You don't "know". Go be faithful to the Lord and after your trial of faith, you will get the witness you need to teach others truth, but you will not be contending at that point, only presenting truth and leaving it to others to decide. 

On 13 August 1843 Joseph Smith said:

"[...]had I inspiration, Revelation & lungs to communicate what my soul has contemplated in times past there is not a soul in this congregation but would go to their homes & shut their mouths in everlasting silence on religion, till they had learned something. Why be so certain that you comprehend the things of God.—when all things with you are so uncertain."

It seems the better option - "shutting your mouth"- when presented with speaking in contention or otherwise being quiet until you had "learned something".

Online, people seem to wander off in strange roads(1 Nephi 8:32) and leave the word of God behind, presenting only conjecture mixed with scripture as a basis for their argument. 

Well, maybe Zion is further off that I had hoped.