Comments on: How to Give a Great Sacrament Meeting Talk – Part 1 of 5: Invention. http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/ Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:51:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Gwenevere http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-34655 Gwenevere Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:58:02 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-34655 I enjoyed this article as the thing I fear the most is to be called on for a talk. I am trying for the life of me to think of what I might talk about, although I suspect that the Bishop will chooe a topic. I wonder where the other 4 parts to this article are located as I was only able to read Part 1 of 5. Where can I fiind all the parts of this topic? I enjoyed this article as the thing I fear the most is to be called on for a talk. I am trying for the life of me to think of what I might talk about, although I suspect that the Bishop will chooe a topic. I wonder where the other 4 parts to this article are located as I was only able to read Part 1 of 5. Where can I fiind all the parts of this topic?

]]> By: Ardis Parshall http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-30848 Ardis Parshall Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:48:17 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-30848 I missed this somehow, until seeing the link in Part 1.5. Thanks for breaking down the possibilities for finding a focus, and by making it so clear by use of examples from topics we are so familiar with (at least, familiar with through TV in the first case!) I teach the 4th Sunday lesson in Relief Society, and this principle -- which I've been sorta following by instinct, but not in the systematic way you have outlined it -- will be equally valid in choosing a direction for turning a conference talk into a lesson. I missed this somehow, until seeing the link in Part 1.5.

Thanks for breaking down the possibilities for finding a focus, and by making it so clear by use of examples from topics we are so familiar with (at least, familiar with through TV in the first case!)

I teach the 4th Sunday lesson in Relief Society, and this principle — which I’ve been sorta following by instinct, but not in the systematic way you have outlined it — will be equally valid in choosing a direction for turning a conference talk into a lesson.

]]> By: Ivan Wolfe http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-30843 Ivan Wolfe Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:30:44 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-30843 It's coming. However, I just flew into Alaska a few days ago, and have spent the last few days settling in for the summer and working. But part two will come in a few days. It’s coming. However, I just flew into Alaska a few days ago, and have spent the last few days settling in for the summer and working. But part two will come in a few days.

]]> By: Floyd the Wonderdog http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-30842 Floyd the Wonderdog Sat, 07 Jun 2008 11:43:43 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-30842 Snap, Ivan. I'm starving for the next installment. This is the best series I've seen in the bloggernacle. Snap, Ivan. I’m starving for the next installment. This is the best series I’ve seen in the bloggernacle.

]]> By: Geoff B http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-30781 Geoff B Sat, 31 May 2008 21:37:36 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-30781 Ivan, I'm enjoying this. I think your advice so far is spot-on. Thanks for this series. Ivan, I’m enjoying this. I think your advice so far is spot-on. Thanks for this series.

]]> By: Ray http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-30780 Ray Sat, 31 May 2008 20:31:46 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-30780 After I left the classroom as a teacher, I took a job in educational publishing sales. I was used to talking with people of high academic achievement, and I liked to challenge my students, so I was inclined to speak the same way in my new sales position. After all, I was selling to educators, philanthropic executive directors and political leaders. My first Regional Manager (a friend and fellow member) told me something that changed the way I interacted with my contacts - and has influenced how I approach talks in church. He said, "Quit talking at a level that threatens your audience. Very few people like to have to concentrate to know what you are saying." The same is true in church. If the congregation has to focus energy simply on understanding what you are saying, they will not have energy left to contemplate it - or to hear the Spirit whisper something directly to them. If you can't explain a concept to a 12-year-old, you probably don't understand it fully - and your talk will have no impact on those who hear the words but not the message. After I left the classroom as a teacher, I took a job in educational publishing sales. I was used to talking with people of high academic achievement, and I liked to challenge my students, so I was inclined to speak the same way in my new sales position. After all, I was selling to educators, philanthropic executive directors and political leaders.

My first Regional Manager (a friend and fellow member) told me something that changed the way I interacted with my contacts – and has influenced how I approach talks in church. He said, “Quit talking at a level that threatens your audience. Very few people like to have to concentrate to know what you are saying.”

The same is true in church. If the congregation has to focus energy simply on understanding what you are saying, they will not have energy left to contemplate it – or to hear the Spirit whisper something directly to them. If you can’t explain a concept to a 12-year-old, you probably don’t understand it fully – and your talk will have no impact on those who hear the words but not the message.

]]> By: Floyd the Wonderdog http://www.millennialstar.org/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/comment-page-1/#comment-30778 Floyd the Wonderdog Sat, 31 May 2008 11:42:31 +0000 http://www.millennialstar.org/2008/05/30/how-to-give-a-great-sacrament-meeting-talk-part-1-of-5-invention/#comment-30778 Congratulations on making public speaking an interesting topic. I find it quite ineresting. I hope you don't mind if I share this with my Stake President. Your "dry" council speaker remark is exactly why my Stake President instituted public speaking classes for the High Council. He is a strong believer in training a person for their calling. He has prepared training materials for Bishops and Quorum leaders. He also expects the Stake auxilary leaders to train their charges. But I digress. I recommend that one also include a couple of scriptures on the subject. I like to include at least one scripture mastery scripture. I was speaking in one ward and when I quoted a scripture several of the youth turned around and looked at a sister. It happened again later in my talk. I asked afterwards what was up. The seminary teacher had promised the youth a candy bar if I quoted a scripture mastery scripture. I've always dreaded those speakers that avoid the assigned topic. "I was asked to talk on the Atonement, but I'd rather talk on why we need to avoid white flour." When I was bishop, the bishopric would prayerfully consider the topics to be assigned. Then someone would feel that they knew what the ward needed more than the bishop and go off on a personal tirade. Your comment on targeting a portion of the demographic is exactly why prayer is an essential. The Lord knows who in the congregation needs to hear the message. He will help you prepare a talk that will address their needs. I eagerly await the next installation. Congratulations on making public speaking an interesting topic. I find it quite ineresting. I hope you don’t mind if I share this with my Stake President. Your “dry” council speaker remark is exactly why my Stake President instituted public speaking classes for the High Council. He is a strong believer in training a person for their calling. He has prepared training materials for Bishops and Quorum leaders. He also expects the Stake auxilary leaders to train their charges. But I digress.

I recommend that one also include a couple of scriptures on the subject. I like to include at least one scripture mastery scripture. I was speaking in one ward and when I quoted a scripture several of the youth turned around and looked at a sister. It happened again later in my talk. I asked afterwards what was up. The seminary teacher had promised the youth a candy bar if I quoted a scripture mastery scripture.

I’ve always dreaded those speakers that avoid the assigned topic. “I was asked to talk on the Atonement, but I’d rather talk on why we need to avoid white flour.” When I was bishop, the bishopric would prayerfully consider the topics to be assigned. Then someone would feel that they knew what the ward needed more than the bishop and go off on a personal tirade.

Your comment on targeting a portion of the demographic is exactly why prayer is an essential. The Lord knows who in the congregation needs to hear the message. He will help you prepare a talk that will address their needs.

I eagerly await the next installation.

]]>