Clannishness Is Natural, but We Must Avoid It

Any religious group that values purity and morality must deal with the problem of clannishness. However, clannishness can be largely avoided if the members of the group have a vigorous concern to share. There is a big difference between reaching out and shutting out—and Jesus steadily opposed every hint of the latter.

(Richard Lloyd Anderson, “Parables of Mercy,” Ensign, Feb 1987, p. 20)