Mormon Apostle Urges Mormons to Avoid Defensiveness

Recently, Russell Ballard, Mormon Apostle spoke at the Commencement Exercises of BYU students in Provo, Utah. He urged LDS to avoid becoming defensive when speaking about the LDS church and it's teachings.

Mr. Ballard referred to recent research that suggested that Mormons can sometimes appear defensive to those who are not members of the LDS Church." The study said, that when Mormons are explaining their beliefs, they couch their language in terms that suggest that they are expecting criticism. "

The full text of Mr. Ballard's remarks are available at the LDS website newsroom.

I thought this was timely to share in light of my recent posts.

I agree with Mr. Ballard.

" Among the reasons for this type of reaction is the long history of persecution that Mormons faced during the early days of the Church.... that is now an inedible part of history. You have heard these stories of hardship and sacrifice since you were a small child. And yet this isn't 1830 and there aren't 6 of us anymore." -- Russell Ballard

Well said, Mr. Ballard!

I have for many years, even prior to leaving the LDS church, felt that some LDS suffer from a "persecution complex".

The LDS suffered persecution for a relatively short period of time in U.S. history. When you compare it to the years and amount of persecution Christians have endured. Don't believe me? Check out www.persecutedchurch.org and read up on what is going on in the world today, and you'll get a better idea of what persecution is all about for Christians.



Do you know that in 53 countries today the Bible is outlawed?

Do you know that as I type Christians are being burned, killed and imprisoned in countries like Korea, Iraq, and India?

As Christians, what is our response to the persecution?

Jesus said it well when He said, " Blessed are you who are persecuted... rejoice and be exceedingly glad!!" Yep, we are to rejoice and count it all for joy when we are counted worthy to suffer for Jesus!!!

Are Christians to become angry and bitter and defensive at those who persecute and chide?

NO!

The Lord told us to love our enemies.

Do good to those that use us.

And pray for those who persecute us.

Yep, we are to pray for the Muslim nations who kill and imprison Christians.

Yep, we are to pray for those who would seek to harm innocent Christians.

Yep, we are to pray for our mormon friends and family who make fun our salvation experiences. ( that has happened to me more times than I can count!)

We are not to become defensive and angry and bitter and least of all to develop some kind of persecution complex.

Persecution is the name of the game if your walkin with Jesus.

Bring it on!

In Christ alone,

gloria