Assignment: Mormon Rhetorical Theory and Practice

Public speaking is a core component of Mormonism, and the accumulated sermons and talks given by church leaders and members since the 1820s comprise a formidable literary heritage. I want my students of Mormon literature to understand both the theory and the practice of Mormon speaking.

In a blog post of 300-400 words, they are to respond to Mormon rhetorical theory as set forth in the texts provided; and second, after studying a model rhetorical analysis, I want them to do a brief rhetorical analysis of a sermon by Jeffrey R. Holland listed below.

Mormon Rhetorical Theory
To understand LDS rhetorical theory--that is, Mormon views about communication, especially public speaking and teaching--I'd like my students first to read the following.

• 1 Cor 1:17-31, 2:1-4 - St. Paul's cautions about worldly words.
• George A. Smith "Preaching the Gospel" An address by Elder George A. Smith delivered in the Bowery, Great Salt Lake City, August 12, 1855. (Focus on the highlighted paragraphs).
• Neal A. Maxwell, "Teaching by the Spirit - 'The Language of Inspiration.'" CES Symposium on the Old Testament, 15 November, 1991. (HTML version via LDS.org | PDF version via LDS Church Educational System)

Rhetorical Analysis

In addition to applying the principles for communication set forth above, one may also analyze Mormon speaking in terms of traditional rhetorical categories. First, students should read an example of such analysis (Burton); then, they are to briefly analyze the speech by Jeffrey R. Holland, applying to this speech the ideas from Mormon rhetorical theory, above, and/or the analytical strategies demonstrated by Burton. (The focus must be narrow since the blog post, in its entirety, should not exceed 400 words).

• Gideon Burton, "Twentieth Century Mormon Eloquence: A Stylistic Analysis of Two Sermons by Neal A. Maxwell"
• Jeffrey R. Holland, "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments"

Climbing Over Our Hills

While I was a youth in Wyoming I was given a chance to go on a Trek with the Church Youth in Martin’s Cove. The scenery was beautiful and I loved the site. Throughout the Trek, we had speakers address us regarding the different hardships and stories of the great pioneers. I was lucky enough to walk for an ancestor of my own which made the experience so much greater. We were on the end of our five day Trek when we stopped to listen to two particular speakers. They were a married couple; they spoke calmly yet strongly to the youth after acting out an anguishing scene of a pioneer couple.

The couple on the Trek retold the brief history of the Nielsons who were in the Handcart Company.  I noticed that as I watched the couple struggle through this hard trial that it seemed so real. They reached the top of the hill and delivered an eloquent, moving talk with the power of the Holy Ghost. They used this portrayed scene as a metaphor for our lives. Remembering what they had said about the parallel to our lives has stuck with me. The parallel of this struggle on Rocky Ridge of the Nielsons and my own struggles has stayed with me. As I climb over the personal obstacles in my life, I recall the struggle of the tiny Elsie Nielson hoisting her husband into the handcart, and pulling him all by herself in a blizzard.

Formal Analysis of Effective Mormon Speaking

In preparation for discussing Mormon Oratory, I want my students (who are Latter-day Saints) to reflect on the Mormon speaking that they have experienced -- as speakers and as listeners -- in various LDS settings, and to consider instances in which the form or literary quality of a talk or sermon was memorably effective.

I want them to recall an instance or two in which they remember the form of the speaking being part of the success of that speaking. For example, they may consider the use of storytelling as part of a talk, or the effective use of a metaphor, or other aspects of form such as an effective topical structure or arrangement, or effective word choice, pacing, or delivery.

In a brief blog post of about 300 words, they are to set up the context and briefly explain the setting and speaker, then describe the effective use of form or literary qualities they observed.

Due Tuesday, September 23, 10:00pm (for posts).

Some parameters and cautions:

• Discuss local speaking, rather than speaking in General Conferences of the church
• The speech analyzed need not be a sacrament meeting talk.
• Students can speak of their own experience as speakers
• Students should use special care not to comment solely upon the spiritual or emotional qualities of a speech, though such outcomes can be part of the effects. The focus should be on form.