Monday, August 31, 2009

Defensive....Who Me?

Lately I've had a hard time quieting my mind. My thoughts are playing MarioKart in my head. (You totally understand what I mean, if you play MarioKart like I do...which is mostly crashing into everyone else, getting turned around/driving backwards on the course, and knocking into every roadblock there is.) Pretty much a jumbled, chaotic mess of thoughts bouncing and bashing into one another: making sense of this new chapter in my life, finding my niche, Army life, politics, war, stillbirth, faith, hope, poverty, elitists, and the list goes on and on.

This morning I read a BYU commencement speech that was recently given by Elder M. Russell Ballard. As I read, it became clear that I often live my life on the "defensive", "waiting for the other shoe to drop", etc. While Elder Ballard's speech was directly related to my particular church, it struck many other chords with me. His wisdom can be applied to practically every aspect of my life. I defend my faith (to Christians I'm defending with things like: YES, Mormons ARE Christians. NO, I do not believe that I can buy my way into heaven with good works. YES, I do believe in grace. To atheists, agnostics, etc. I defend my belief in Jesus Christ with things like: No, I am NOT judging you. No I am not being nice so that later I can attempt to convert you...I just kinda liked you and thought we might be friends), I defend the longing I feel for my stillborn daughter, I defend my love of Dr.Pepper (the non diet, and completely caffeinated kind), I defend my conservative values, my sometimes liberal values, defend my passion for politics, defend my love of being in bed by 9 p.m., defend my snarkiness...defend, defend, defend. And frankly, it's exhausting!

In an effort to turn over a new leaf and begin "engaging" rather than "defending", I have a few posts brewing. For now, I leave you with a portion of Elder Ballard's speech. Again, it deals directly with life as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But, I'm guessing a little less defense (in all areas of my life) might help with the MarioKart in my head.


"In our interactions with others are we expecting always to have to defend ourselves? If so, I think we need to make a course correction.” Elder Ballard said. “It is inconsistent with where we are today as a Church and as a great body of followers of Jesus Christ.”
Elder Ballard referred to recent research that suggested Mormons can sometimes appear defensive to those who are not members of the Church. The study said that when Mormons are explaining their beliefs, they couch their language in terms that suggest they are expecting criticism.
Among the reasons for this type of reaction is the long history of persecution that Mormons faced during the early days of the Church, which included an extermination order from the governor of Missouri in the 19th century.
“That is now an indelible part of history. You have heard the stories of hardship and sacrifice since you were a small child. And yet this isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore. Could part of the defensiveness that others sometimes see in us suggest that we still expect to be treated as a disliked minority, forced to flee to the West?”
According to Elder Ballard, the growth of the Church is increasing its prominence and bringing public attention. He noted the Church is now the fourth largest church in the United States and that Mormons are found in nearly every community.
“This prominence alone ensures that the Church is going to be talked about more and more, and that Latter-day Saints are going to find themselves in more and more gospel discussions,” he said.
In suggesting the tone Mormons might adopt in responding to criticism, Elder Ballard referred to the Church’s response to a cable network airing a dramatization of its sacred temple ceremonies earlier this year. The statement explained, “As Catholics, Jews, and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice.”
He also explained that too often Mormons allow others to set the conversational agenda, and subjects such as the long-discontinued practice of polygamy become the focus.
“Whenever you are having a conversation about the Church, you should try to make this a point. We follow Jesus Christ. We try to live as He taught. That’s the basis of our faith and our lives. This is the strongest non-defensive position you can take. You don’t have to defend or justify anything when you are basing your position on the teachings of the Son of God, and the fact that you are doing your best to keep His commandments,” he said.

12 comments:

Susan Anderson said...

Thanks, Natalie. Great talk by Elder Ballard and good advice for all of us. Getting defensive rarely takes me anywhere I want to go.

=)

PS. Hope the MarioKart quits going berserk...but I also hope you never get it quite under control! (I like what happens when your mind does whatever it does...It kinda works for you! And THAT works for me!!)

Karen said...

Great talk - I think I expect to defend my religion, lifestyle, lack of a 'real job' etc, I like the thought that I am a follower of Christ and His teachings. Thanks for the help.

Shauna said...

Wow, I love that and it really made me think. i need to pull up the entire article and read it. thanks for the thought provoking post. hope all is going well and enjoying the new home.

karen said...

I like it when seemingly complicated answers are made one-statement simple. Then I won't have a chance to get all balled up in a complicated (and defensive) response to criticism or just a simple question. Thank for reminding me of this great talk!

Unknown said...

Great points here. I think Mormons are defensive because they've carried that with them genetically. I suppose I would have been pretty defensive when I was being driven by my home at gunpoint and losing everything because I was misunderstood. So, it's true we can be pretty defensive.
I think the key is humility. If we are humble like the Savior, it won't matter what other say, even if they are egging us on. It applies to all aspects of our lives. In my house, we run a great defensive show. So, if anyone is in doubt about what defensiveness looks like, stop by. ♥

SnarkyMama said...

Oh great, I guess it is my fault you are so defensive????
(just kidding!) :) couldn't resist!


I, too, think we get conditioned to living by that old rule, "The best offense is a good defense." You know if we can shut them down before they score we are one ahead.

Conditioning....hard to break once you develop the habit. But, I will work on it! Great advice!

And anyway, sweet Elder Ballard...no one probabably ever picked on him! (O.K. so, I will keep trying!).

Love you!!!

Lindsay said...

You'll never have to defend yourself to me.
Can I tell you that our correspondance has made quite a difference for me? I've been shown God's love in many different ways lately (a package in the mail for me, a hummingbird etc.) I know this is a process of change that Jesus put into action. I know that he wants me to live my life loved.
I've also had anxiety like never before, but the cool thing is, I don't feel alone in it anymore. It's like I can deal with it because I know that He feels what I feel.

I am so glad I reached out and you accepted. I hope you find your niche' and I hope you find some peace in this new landscape around you.
Thank you for all of the sweet comments on my blog. Thank you for showing through example, that I don't have to forget who I am and fit into a little box for God to love me. He made me who I am, and that helps me to love myself a little better/more.

This comment has gotten ridiculously long...sorry
love, Lindsay

caitsmom said...

I love the perspective of aiming to engage. And, "What no diet Dr. P?" OK, I'll let that go. HA! (Just jealous 'cause I'm on weight watchers.)

Em said...

my dad's side of the family are all catholic. they always make it an issue about our beliefs. i find myself defensive sometimes and other times just layed back and humored. funny how different situations create different responses. my stepmom has always said, "emily, don't be so defensive." boy does that phrase get my blood boiling. i've always seen her saying that as a manipulation. and i used to be DA BOMB on mario cart on the original grey nintendo. never played it on the wii though. it is definitely one i want to try.

Barbara said...

Well, I kinda like you Natalie and you may be surprised to know that I have no plans to convert you to atheism either :o> You're just fine as you are!

xxx

Jill said...

loved last post's quote.

We just had this at our family Sunday dinner devotional. And I realized that I do get defensive. Time to change. I'm glad he wrote it. And you posted it

Anonymous said...

Look up the word CULT in the dictionary, and you will find that mormonism has all the elements of one.