Ascribing Divine Authority

In Mormon rhetorical theory, it is common for the speaker to call attention to the listener to not attribute the thoughts and feelings that they are having to themselves, but rather, to Deity Himself. Elder Neal A Maxwell when speaking about teaching quoted Brigham Young who said, “Anything besides that influence (the Holy Spirit), will fail to convince any person of the truth of the Gospel of salvation.” It is this focus of Mormon rhetoric that becomes so powerful. The turning of the audience towards the Godhead itself allows each individual to connect what they are thinking and feeling as divinely appointed.

Photo from: sites.lib.byu.edu

In 1989, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland spoke in a BYU devotional address he entitled, “Of Souls, Sacraments, and Symbols”. In this address, Elder Holland spoke to the student body about a difficult topic that most speakers usually avoid. During this address he specifically follows the Mormon rhetoric tradition of focusing on the Holy Spirit as a source of support as well as a source of authority.

Elder Holland opens his address by humbly stating, “I always need the help and sustaining Spirit of the Lord to succeed at such times, but I especially feel the need for that spiritual help today.” What are the effects of such a statement? Here is an example of reference to deity to help him with the subject he is about to speak on. The rhetoric behind this is powerful because it is humble in the sense that he admits inadequacy and his reliance on God, but at the same time connects that if he is speaking with the help of God, he is speaking with God’s divine stamp of approval.

Near the end of his talk, Elder Holland again focuses on deity, saying, “That we may ‘come unto Christ’ for the fullness of soul and symbol and sacrament he offers us, I pray…”
So here is one source behind the power of his narrative. His entire purpose of the subject is to lead us to God and for his speech to have divine support. It speaks to the listener that his thoughts and feelings that are from God. The premise behind this is a powerful one. After listening to him speak, the question is, is this true? Are you drawing closer to God with his words? The answer is for the listener to decide. 

Learning Through Writing

I have found that artists and writers do what they do because they love it. The best artists are those who work because it brings them joy not riches. I have noticed that in performing a work of art or creating a piece of literature that I have grown far more than the audience ever could. Often, critics judge art on certain criteria and determine if it is reputable or not, but in my mind the most amazing thing about art is that if it touched the creator’s heart and helped them grow then it is priceless.

Orison F. Whitney, in his talk Home Literature, said “You must feel what you write, if you wish it to be felt by others”. I believe that this is where Nephi Anderson flourished while writing Added Upon. From a critic’s point of view, the book had its short comings; however, it did accomplish what Orison Whitney instructed. It is evident that Nephi felt the spirit while writing this book and it is easy to assume that through the process, he felt and learned more about himself and his eternal progression than his readers ever could.

 I felt the spirit while reading this book. It opened up my mind to the bigger picture of the plan of salvation and helped me perceive and understand things that I didn't before. However, it is safe to assume that Nephi gained more from writing it than I did from reading it. I can’t help but think of what Nephi learned from the spirit while writing this book. He felt so strongly about the plan of salvation that, through reading, I too was able to share those feelings and learn. That is what makes this book a success! Both the author and the reader were edified through the spirit.