Bold but Respectful

Paul writes to the Corinthians that God uses the weak things of the world, the simple words, and the inefficient speaker to shoot the message through the heart of the intended. Something that makes a huge difference in the effectiveness of the message is whether the speaker truly believes it and truly says it with conviction. To be an effective speaker one must believe in it, use simple and concise words, and convey direct imagery or metaphors. Appealing to the audience’s sense of reason, emotion or character help a speaker convey his message.  If the Spirit is with you then the speaker and the audience can be edified together.

As I analyzed Jeffrey R Holland’s address to the students at BYU, I was amazed with his power: his words, his references, his character and his appeals full of love for those in his audience.  In the beginning he used appeals through reason as he spoke of reports, studies and news to back up his point. Next he appeals to our emotions by using words, metaphors and imagery as support. One example of his emotional appeal is when, in reference to the sacred powers of procreation, he said “And when one toys with the Son of Righteousness, the Day Star himself, one toys with white heat and a flame hotter and holier than the noonday sun. You cannot do so and not be burned. You cannot with impunity “crucify Christ afresh”.”

Throughout the whole message, we listen to him and pay attention because of his character. We know who he is and he has credibility, and he shows us he cares with his words of love. He believes in what he is saying and that his message is important. One of the most important parts of his address is his tone of honest and open but respectful communication. His boldness is evident in his speech but so is his respect for the sacred.