Motives

Perhaps 10 years ago I attended a session of the LDS Church general conference at the conference center near Temple Square in Salt Lake City. At this time I don't remember what was presented at the pulpit that day, but I do remember feeling good about the message and generally uplifted, happy and peaceful. Much to my astonishment, upon exiting the conference center doors and approaching the sidewalk, there were mobs of protesters screaming at us. They had big black banners depicting bloody corpses, and I remember one of  them yelling something to the effect of "your works are as filthy rags before the lord." What I observed was interesting, most people exiting the conference (if not all) noticed them but I don't think anyone actually engaged them in conversation. I remember feeling that trying to engage them would only result in getting yelled at and not accomplish much else. There were a few police around, but they didn't seem to be very worried about having to deal with anything.

At the time, I felt we were sort of like sheep cowering before wolves. I remember feeling anger toward them and I actually wanted to yell back, but I don't know what I would have yelled. I know that arguing seldom gets us anywhere, nor does it convince the other side to change their mind, but as a matter of ego, I felt that we deserved to stand up for our beliefs; to let them know that we're not going to take it lying down. Of course, fighting back is not a typically Christian sentiment, as Christ himself taught - "turn the other cheek". But those were my honest feelings at the time.

Since then I have reflected on that experience and have come to the conclusion that groups who persecute Mormons, Christians or religionists in general, do so out of misunderstanding. It is not a misunderstanding of our doctrine per-se, but more of a misunderstanding of our motives for being disciples of Jesus.

Recently, I came across this quote by the Christian author CS Lewis:

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

In reflection, what I want people who scream "your works are as filthy rags before the lord" to understand is that we (Christians) aren't doing what we do because we're trying to work our way to heaven, to satisfy our ego that we're better than you, or even because we gain happiness by it. To paraphrase a quote from a recent rendition of the life of St. Nikolas by the makers of Veggietales:

I don't do it because I want to be happy; I do it because I am happy.

We do good things because, quite frankly, we can't help ourselves. We are taught to love God with all our heart, might mind and strength. And we find that when we try to do that, we start wanting to do good things.  Being human, sometimes our motives are selfish ones, and maybe a part of us will always be innately selfish. But for those who feel His love in our lives, we can't help but do something about it.

The apostle Paul said:

For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

Our increasingly secular society often paints religious persons as stupid, arrogant, and selfish. Perhaps these are true, (nobody's perfect) but we at least got one thing right - God Lives and Jesus is His Christ - And we know it, we feel it in our bones and we ain't afraid to say it, and we ain't afraid to live it, and we won't apologize for it. We just can't help ourselves. Please try to understand. :-)