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.