Murmuring Tarnishes Power

1 Nephi 16:3

And now my brethren, if ye were righteous and were willing to hearken to the truth, and give heed unto it, that ye might walk uprightly before God, then ye would not murmur because of the truth, and say: Thou speakest hard things against us.

Murmur shows up many times in the Book of Mormon. It means to express one's discontent about (someone or something) in a subdued manner. It is a form of passive aggression. It is a tactic of the devil to spread contention among people and destroy faith by gradually wearing it away. If I meet a solid challenge to my faith, I can meet it with power. But when indistinct doubt rubs the polish off gradually, I hardly notice the tarnish until it is too late.

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