Sunday's Talk then to the Pictures or is it the other way around

Sorry the blog don't like posting pictures. I will try again later.


Talks vs Sermons & Preaching
Delivered at the Halandri Branch, Athens, Greece, 18 April, 2010

Brother & Sisters:

Lo here and Lo there: Let each of us speak in turn, that all may be edified

We all are called upon to give a talk/lesson either in Sacrament, Sunday School at home, with friends, work, and at other occasions.

Today I will share some principles for good public speaking. This will go beyond speak slowly and smile, tell them what you are going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them, make personal contact as soon as possible, and get them to act.

The general steps are:
Attention Getter – wake them up from their nap
Main Theme
Motivator & Importance statement– why should they listen
Let them know what they should be able to do at the end of the presentation
Introduction
List Main points (generally should be between 2 & 5)
Body
Repeat each main point, one-by-one, word for word with examples or explanations
Summary
Repeat again each main point, word for word, with a key point or memory peg
Test students to see if they have learned what you taught them
Conclusion & closing
Testify to what you have taught, not told/preached at them, & if appropriate of our Lord & Savior, etc.

Let us continue with an example:

Brothers and Sisters,

They created great confusion and bad feeling ... Contending one against the other (for honor)…so that all their good feelings one for another, if they ever had any, were entirely lost in a strife of words….

ARE WE THE “THEY” WITHIN & WITHOUT CHURCH?

Let’s look at how our first modern day prophet put it about those outside the church

“Lo here and Lo there” Joseph Smith History 1:5& 6 + 9


What has a prophet of olden days said applying it to within the church now?

“Beware of false prophets” and be not one your self 3 Nephi 14:15
I see this often within our members


Use of the Lord’s name in vain
Swearing
Claiming of the Lords what is not
Saying you’re his and then not acting like it by performing for gain (honor)
Using his meetings for personal gain – ex My child is the best, here’s how it has to be done

By the end of this presentation you will have been instructed and will be able to instruct others in this method of sharing and teaching

HOW THEN SHOULD WE TEACH AND ACT

Example
Meekness
Charity
As One even with Jesus Christ & His Father

Example 1st Thessalonians 1:6-9 (I love the books of Thessalonians – they teach much

Meekness 1st Thessalonians 2:3-9

Charity 1 Corinthians 13: all another favorite of mine and well known by all the Relief society sisters

“Be One” Doctrine & Covenants 38:27 The Father, Son, & Us; This was much quoted by one of my 1st Bishops after joining the church

WHAT ARE FOUR TRAITS WE SHOULD USE WHEN SHARING THE GOSPLE?

Example – If you are good examples you will not need to speak much; Your actions will speak for you
Meekness – Be gentle, as a good mother or nurse cherisheth her children
Charity - No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care The feelings you will receive will be glorious and a reward of themselves
Oneness - even with Jesus Christ and the Father The feeling of oneness is the
feeling of the spirit


Remember it doesn’t matter what happens outside; it only matters what happens between us and our God. For that is where our real accountability rest. He will direct us in all other things. We only must follow His promptings.

I testify that He has outlined the four principles just discussed in sharing His Gospel and that the formula for presenting and sharing, delivered for your consideration, is worthy of just that, consideration for use in your next talk, lesson, or presentation.

Jesus is the Christ; Joseph Smith did restore his Gospel in these the later days, the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and is true, we are led as a church by a prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and as individuals by the Holy Ghost. I leave this talk and my testimony with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.