Elder Dallin H. Oak's Understanding of Audience

General Conference is a time that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gather to hear church authorities speak twice annually. One of the most direct speakers during these occasions is Elder Dallin H. Oaks. His most recent address is titled, "Loving Others and Living with Differences." In this rhetorical analysis, "Loving Others and Living With Differences" will be contrasted to Elder Oak's talk in the a session of April 2014’s General Conference, entitled “The Keys and Authority of the Priesthood.”

Through comparing these talks it can be noticed that Dallin H. Oaks always has a specific audience in mind, which increases the distinctness and directness of what he is saying. In April he was speaking to those of the Ordain Women movement. At this past session of General Conference he was speaking to members of the church that have a problem accepting those not of our religion or set of values.

Throughout both of these addresses Elder Oaks quotes many other General Authorities and Christ. He establishes an appeal to ethos by using what others before him have said on the subject. When we hear that Christ emphasized the points that Elder Oaks is about to address during His own mortal ministry we take what Elder Oaks will say more seriously because it leads us back to our perfect example and who we are supposed to become like during this life. 

Elder Oaks’ teachings are poignant to his audience because he knows his audience so well. This understanding only makes sense when you consider that he taught and practiced law in Chicago as well as serving as a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Through his profession he has learned how to speak on subjects in ways that will directly connect to his audience. He knows exactly who he is talking to and knows how to make them respond to what he is saying through the use of the words that people we honor, admire, and respect have already said.