Richard Himmer – Page 8

Body and conclusion – Part 2

(His talk continues: in the last post, he transitioned from the introduction to the body. The audience has seen the doctrine presented in three different ways, two stories and a quote from an apostle.)

Sometimes people feel like they are going to do what they are going to do and say what they are going to say regardless of the place that they are in. This can be a huge mistake. Especially when it comes to dealing with sacred things.

(Notice how he explained the behavior without telling the audience what to do.)

A Classic Introduction – Part 1

My good friend John Holland sends me his talks regularly. He is a High Counselor in Southern California. We have shared our gospel knols with each other since high school. Here is an example of a sticky intro. Notice he gives no mention of his topic or the grinding details of what he went through to prepare or how he didn’t prepare etc.

A Sense of the Sacred

John Holland
Walnut park ward
June 26, 2011

Practice and Have Fun

Practice often in front of your bathroom mirror.

Some folks like to type out every word at first and then work on phrasing it into their own words.
Others use concepts on 3 X 5 cards. Either way, with each time you practice, you will become more comfortable and proficient with your talk and it will come through in the delivery.
Many people become very nervous because they are not as familiar with their subject and their prepared remarks to the point of confidence. Practice breeds confidence.

Three Parts to your Talk

Break your talk into three parts

I. Introduction

Get their attention and introduce the topic by telling a story or explaining a metaphor. You can ask questions (rhetorical) that provoke thought. Then you answer the question or solve the problem in the next section.

II. Body

This is the main part of the talk.
You answer any questions from the previous section.
You build the case for your topic.
Keep the topic very narrow.
Solve the problem.
Teach them how to ease the pain.
Focus on HOW as much as possible.

Your Speaking “TO DO” list

To Do List

Now the fun part, here are keys to giving a great talk along with some suggestions:

Seek the direction of the spirit

You represent the Lord at the pulpit

Make your opening remarks sticky
1. You have less than 10 seconds to get their attention, if you ramble, you’ll lose them.
2. Use a story, open with a scripture, start boldly, start softly.
3. Use an intriguing question or a thought-provoking statement.

Introduce your topic through illustration or story. Let the audience discover your topic and connect the doctrines.

Blind Spots in Speaking

Your Blind Spots List

A communication Blind Spot is when you do or say something that causes push back, boredom, or anger and you don’t know why. Here are some suggestions on how to avoid Blind Spots in your talk.

Do not mention your topic at the beginning of your talk.
Do not mention the story of how the Bishop, Branch President, or Stake President asked you to speak on the following subject.
Do not explain that you had prepared a talk last night and this morning the spirit changed his mind and now you’re speaking on something else. He rarely changes his mind.

You’ve been asked to give a Talk

You’ve been asked to speak this Sunday by the Bishop or one of his counselors. After the requisite panic, then anger, and then fear, you finally settle down to study. You may or may not know much about your topic, but sharing your knowledge with 250 other members is not your cup of tea. Some years ago, I wrote down my ideas of how to prepare and give a talk. Here are my ideas broken into five parts.

Next to death, public speaking carries the greatest fear for people. This should greatly excite you and compel you forward to a state of great preparation or sheer panic.

Two Possible Roads to Travel

When we discover our natural man[1] we have two roads we can travel. The first road is the one of least resistance. We avoid rooting the natural man out of us, preferring instead to go it alone, hoping that by ignoring or avoiding his influence, he will quietly go away. The path of least resistance is one of avoidance, which allows our weakness[2] to thrive and grow.

We exert energy blaming others for our shortcomings. We attempt to get others to see it our way (tell) and we live in a state of anger, trying to control others by exercising dominion over them. When we discover our weakness (addiction) we can sink into despair (shame) and discount the saving power of God.

The apple-ette didn’t fall far from the tree

My daughter-in-law Heather blogged a funny post about my granddaughter Abigail.

It seems Abigail has adapted her sleeping schedule around the sun. Because the sun doesn’t go down much, either does Abigail. As a result, she is often grumpy and crabby. When her mother hit her tipping point today, she demanded Abigail retreat to her room and take a nap.

Needing backup she felt it a good idea to use prayer as a means of increasing the odds of success.

Cast of characters:

Heather – mother, me, daughter-in-law

Abigail – my precocious 2-year old granddaughter

Lord’s Blueprint for Administration

In D&C 121:34-43 we read the Lord’s blueprint for administering His kingdom. This is also how we are to administer in our families, relationships, and specifically in our personal lives. The contrast between power and force is evident in this and other scriptures. The following list illustrates contrasting approaches to life, relationships, and our space with God.

Take a moment and contrast the words in the table. Each word found under the Power heading is self-evident. Read the word and become aware of your feelings and thoughts. The power words uplift, edify, and create an overall positive feeling.

Force = The Natural Man

Force is the natural man; it is experienced through the senses. It is the belief that we are self-sufficient and can navigate the path alone. Nothing has the power to create stress[1] or despair, except that will allow it. Whenever force meets power, force is eventually destroyed.[2]

[1] Hawkins, D. R. (1995). Power vs. Force. Carlsbad, CA, USA: Hay House, Inc. p. 72

[2] IBID, pg. 73

The Two Energies in the Universe

There are two energies[1] in the universe, one is power and the other is force. Man perceives we live by forces that we can control, yet we know through revelation that we are governed by an unseen power over which we have no control, except it is given us contingent upon worthiness. This power comes from God and His laws. Its application is the power of an inner awareness of who we are and it is also the source of our happiness.

[1] 2 Nephi 2:11 “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things…”

Force in the Pre Mortal Existence

After Jesus was chosen to carry out the Father’s plan, Lucifer, in an act of anger and pride, concocted an alleged plan as a result of a temper tantrum that would force all mankind to be saved. Not through love or grace, but by dominion and compulsion, with pride as the primary drive. Jealousy, anger, and revenge are the forces supporting the adversary. There is no power in Lucifer’s plan.

Power in Pre Mortal Life

In the pre mortal existence, there was a plan put forward that would save all mankind contingent upon obedience. Every person would be saved by the power of the Atonement. Blessings and happiness were predicated upon obedience and the saving ordinances, which justified our positions, were performed by the power of the priesthood.

Desire is more than a Hopeful Thought

Stephen Covey in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People gives a recipe for success. The three ingredients are desire, knowledge, and skills. He argues that desire is the WANT to, knowledge is the WHAT or WHY to, and skills are the HOW to.

Elder Oaks in his talk Desire given during the April 2011 General Conference explained that our eternal destiny is a function of desire and required to become an eternal being. Let’s examine three questions about desire.

What is the application of desire?
How do we see it operate in our lives?