Plain, Dignified, Spiritual

          There have been many men and women throughout history using their words to shape and influence generations. Some of these men and women use their oratory skills to gain personal advantage while others use their skills for the greater good of mankind. In the Mormon culture, we have our own unique view of effective public speaking and communication, which is combined with rhetoric to deliver our sermons and speeches. 

 

         I will look at the sermon delivered by Jeffery R. Holland titled “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments” delivered in 1988, and how it embodies the Mormon Rhetorical Theory and the way he uses rhetoric throughout his talk. The Mormon Rhetorical Theory is summed up in that we believe in communicating and speaking in simple, dignified language that is plain to the audience, and allows the medium of the Spirit to testify and inspire. Elder Holland uses such throughout his talk, for example he says, “The purchase price for our fullness of joy—body and spirit eternally united—is the pure and innocent blood of the Savior of this world” (88:3). This simple, but powerful truth illustrates the high cost for our joy at the expense of our Savior and plays on the emotion of the audience, giving a reminder that we are not our own. Elder Holland, as president of BYU at the time, knew how to effectively reach and address his audience with such a serious topic at hand. 

        Being very plain, but using dignified language, he logically explains the importance of personal purity while complementing this with the emotional consequences of messing with this fundamental doctrine. For example he says, “No murder here. Well, maybe not. But sexual transgression? “He that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” Sounds near fatal to me” (88:2). Using the scriptural allusion, he drives the point across that sexual transgression brings about fatality. And using the juxtaposition between the terms of sexual transgression and murder, the audience can make a correlation that may not have been apparent at first, that sexual transgression and murder have the same severity as it brings about the same consequences of fatality. Through his use of rhetoric and plain, dignified language, Elder Holland appropriately addresses his audience and delivers an impactful talk.