"The Drum Major Instinct" Speech by Martin Luther King

Last Friday I had the opportunity to attend the 2008 Drum Major Awards Luncheon in Salt Lake. The keynote speaker was Judge Shauna Graves-Robertson. She chose to base her speech on the "The Drum Major Instinct" speech that Martin Luther King, Jr. gave at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia on February 4, 1968.

I as so impressed with her speech that I came home and found Dr. King's speech so I could read it in it's entirety. In honor of Martin Luther King's life that is celebrated today, I am choosing to share lessons from this speech that if applied, can help King's dream be realized.

The speech is based on the story found in the 10th chapter of St. Mark in the New Testament when James and John, the sons of Zebedee, request to sit at his right hand and left hand. Toward the end of Jesus' response, He says, "But so shall it not be among you, but whosoever will be great among, shall be your servant: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be the servant of all."

King cautions us not to be too critical of James and John because deep down all of us have this instinct=="it's a kind of drum major instinct--a desire to be out front, a desire to lead the parade, a desire to be first." He adds that even when we do something good, too often we do it so we can be praised for it.

King notes some ways that this drum major instinct manifests itself in our lives:

• Being a "joiner" for attention, recognition, importance
• Being taken in by advertisers who promise that their product will make us stand out
• Living above our means in order to outdo the Joneses
• Boasting
• Striving to identify with the so-called big-name people
• Engaging in activities merely to get attention which if not harnessed can lead to anti social behavior in the quest for recognition
• Pushing others down through gossip and even lies in hopes to push oneself up
• Snobbish exclusiveness and classism which can even happen in churches, the one place where everybody should be the same regardless of degrees, titles, economics, etc. because all are children of the same Father
• Race prejudice because of desire to feel superior

Jesus did not condemn James and John because of their desire. In fact, in essence he told them that the drum major instinct was a good thing if they used it right. In other words, it's ok to want to be first, but want to be first in love, excellence, generosity---a definition for greatness.

King emphasizes that the use of this definition of greatness, everyone can be great because everyone can serve. The one solitary life of Jesus is our example--He who had no credentials but himself just went around serving and doing good.

Spiritual Leaders Stand In Holy Places

Spiritual leaders seek to stand in holy places

Let's first contemplate the word seek. What does it mean to seek? It means to go in search of, in quest of. It also means to go to and to ask for, request. In other words, it requires one to be proactive.

Next let's consider the meaning of holy places as I am using the term in this context. Holy places not only refer to buildings such as churches but holy places can refer to all the places that uplift and inspire us to be more and to be better. Holy places, therefore, can include the people with whom we choose to associate, the books we choose to read, the movies and television programs we choose to watch, the internet sites we choose to visit, the music we choose to listen to, the events we choose to attend, and even the thoughts we choose to entertain.

Now let's consider the meaning of the two terms together, seek and holy places. The 13th Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints says in part, ....."if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." With so much that isn't holy--virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy-- in our world, we must literally seek for that which is. We must make it a quest to search for holy places.

When we find people who are holy places, we can request that they mentor us and/or counsel with us. When we read a book, attend a lecture, or listen to a cassette tape, etc. that is a holy place, we can approach it with pen in hand to capture that which inspires, uplifts, and/or teaches us.

Because we attract into our lives that which we are, as we proactively seek for that which is holy, we will attract holy places to us. As spiritual leaders become united through this mutual attraction they we will be in a stronger position to have a greater influence and impact on the lives of our diverse learners.