Leadership for Saints: Part 53
The Power of an Excellent Talk
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar
One bishopric used the
following written instructions when inviting members of
the congregation to speak in sacrament meeting.
So you’re giving a talk
. . .
The scriptures tell us
that the saints should meet together often and teach one
another the doctrines of the kingdom.
We appreciate your accepting
the assignment to speak in the Moorestown Ward’s Sacrament
Meeting on September 19.
We ask that you speak for approximately 12-14 minutes
on a topic discussed with a member of the bishopric.
This informal brochure
is designed to help you in preparing for your talk.
Bear in mind that Sacrament
Meeting is precious time.
The saints come—through faith—to be taught and inspired.
Consider this: If you address a congregation of 150
people for 15 minutes, you have used a total of 37.5 hours!
(15 min x 150 = 2,250 min or 37.5 hrs)
Please prepare your talk
carefully and prayerfully.
The Lord will bless you as well as those who hear
your message.
Some thoughts on talking
in church ¼
A talk is not a dramatic
performance. The
good speaker is not acting a part.
He is being himself.
A talk is not a public reading, either.
In brief, effective speaking
starts from within you, arising from your sincere
desire to communicate a gospel message and including an
attitude of respect for your listeners.
With rare exception, talks
in Sacrament Meeting should be scripture-based treatments
of gospel principles.
Cite authorities without
boring the congregation by reading long quotes. Relate stories and anecdotes—in your own words—that underscore the
main points of your message.
If appropriate, bear specific
personal testimony regarding the gospel principle you are
addressing. For
instance, if your topic is prayer, the congregation
would likely benefit from a specific example of how
prayer has helped you, what prayer has done to enhance
your relationship with the Savior, etc.
This is more interesting and instructive than a general
statement like “I’ve been blessed by prayer.”
Practice your talk. Using a tape recorder can often be helpful.
Edit your notes. Unless a story or a scripture or a quote or
an observation contributes directly to your main message,
it should be omitted. (A
good rule is “when in doubt, leave it out.”)
Relax. Most all of your listeners have been behind
the pulpit themselves.
They know how it feels.
They aren’t expecting a “professional” lecture.
What they want is a simple, sincere treatment of
a gospel principle, with some specific ideas on how it can
contribute to their happiness.
You can do it!
Preparing a Talk
(1) Plan: Determine
the best approach to your topic. Plan to address this topic in a way that will benefit the entire
congregation. (Remember
that your listeners have widely different backgrounds in
terms of gospel scholarship, education, age, church experience,
etc.)
2) Organize: List the points you want
to cover. Then sift
and re-arrange these into no more than three or four main
ideas, putting all the rest under these as sub-ideas.
Effective introductory material usually (a) establishes
a bond of common interest with your listeners, (b) identifies
your topic and purpose and their importance to the congregation,
and (c) mentions the main points to be discussed in the
talk. The effective
conclusion is usually a brief summary of what you’ve said,
with a final statement of the basic message you want your
listeners to retain . . . or the belief you want them to
have . . . or the action you want them to take.
(3) Develop: Read
and pray. Pray and
read. Make notes. Gather material. Then select the necessary “evidence”—scriptures, quotations, comparisons,
anecdotes, etc.—to support and develop your points throughout
the talk.
(4) Practice:
Condense your material
to a simple outline. Practice
delivering your talk aloud.
Keep your delivery conversational and natural.
(You’re talking to friends.)
Time yourself. If
you’ve been asked to talk for 12 minutes and your outline
requires 15, trim it by at least three our four minutes.
Then practice some more. The more you practice (a little bit every day
over a period of several days), the more comfortable you’ll
be.
Some
bishoprics even provide a list of specific scriptures and
other materials that they ask speakers to use in their talks.
When this kind of guidance is provided lovingly and
with a supportive demeanor, it comes across as helpful rather
than as micromanagement.
Quotes Worth Remembering
"Assemble yourselves together, and
organize yourselves…. Continue in prayer and fasting…. Teach
one another the doctrine of the kingdom…. And my grace shall
attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in
theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel,
in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that
are expedient for you to understand." (D&C 88:74-78.)
Spiritually, we teach gospel principles,
bear fervent testimony, and exercise spiritual gifts to
bless the lives of others. Any who have received blessings
of earth life have a moral responsibility to share them
with others.
– Victor L. Ludlow
How do you prepare an interesting and
informative talk? First, decide on the purpose
or problem of
your talk by deciding what you want to accomplish…Next,
ask yourself, "If I could say only three or four things
about this topic, what would I say?" …After you have
identified your main ideas, look for inspirational stories,
appropriate scriptures, and personal examples to expand
each of the main ideas…The final part of your talk is your
testimony. – Randy
L. Bott
Nor will he be organized so mechanically
as to miss inspiration. He will have read this verse: "But
notwithstanding those things which are written, it always
has been given to the elders of my church from the beginning,
and ever shall be, to conduct all meetings as they are directed
and guided by the Holy Spirit" (D&C 46:2) –
Boyd K. Packer
Note:
The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian
are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book.
To learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order
copies, click
here.
