Tone and Message Depending on Audience: Elder Russell M. Nelson

Depending on the audience of the conference Elder Russell M. Nelson, a leader in the LDS faith, uses a different tone and style. In “Ask the Missionaries! They can help you!” (October 2012) he is talking to those not very familiar with the church so his tone is very helpful and simple. In "Sustaining the Prophet " (October 2014) he is speaking to the church so he does not explain as much the vocabulary. 

In October 2012 there was a change in our church policy. The age in which missionaries could start their 2 year service changed to 18 for young men and 19 for young women. In light of the news of the age change for missionaries, he spoke in October 2012 to people learning about the church and also as a secondary audience, he instructed the missionaries on what they needed to do. In this talk he has a very simple form to his talk and definitely easy to follow. He lists the things that the missionaries can help people with, he is focused on the nonmembers but if members need help they can ask the missionaries as well. With each topic he either tells a story or expounds a little on that then moves on. In the end he shares his testimony or his beliefs and that is the end of his talk. It was not a complex message but it had a big influence on the church. He repeated, “ask the missionaries” so many times that people remembered it afterwards. If there is anything that people want to know the missionaries are their first option.

In comparison, Elder Nelson’s talk about sustaining the prophet, was catered toward members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Comparing this talk and the former, he did not have the tone as if he were talking to investigators or converts.  In this talk he uses many quotes by previous prophets, pictures of prophets, and a personal story of how he followed the counsel of the prophets. I believe he used the same slow voice when he talked which may be a result of his days as a doctor consoling patients. Because of his background as a world renowned surgeon, it is not surprising that he speaks with such care and love. He spoke as one of the audience saying "this gives us confidence" compared to speaking to the nonmembers or new members. In this talk he was more focused on hard doctrine and evidence with a strong testimony of the prophet. It was not as memorable with no catch phrase like “ask the missionaries” but his testimony is strong.

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. 

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.  

Written For Who?

1. Form Analyzed

In this passage I analyzed characters and the audiences (primary and secondary) that are being referred to.

2. Passage Analyzed

My analysis comes from 3 Nephi 27:23-27.

"Write the things which ye have seen and heard, save it be those which are forbidden. Write the works of this people, which shall be, even as hath been written, of that which hath been. For behold, out of the books which have been written, and which shall be written, shall this people be judged, for by them shall their works be known unto men. And behold, all the things are written by the Father; therefore out of the books which shall be written shall the world be judged. And knew ye that ye shall be judges of this people, according to the judgment which I shall give unto you, which shall be just. Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."

3. Annotated Text

4. Breakdown/Listing of things found:

In this section there are 8 different names: ye (the Apostles), this people (the Nephites/Lamanites), men (all people), judges (the Apostles), I am (Jesus), the Father, the world. The primary audience is the

Apostles and the secondary audience is the world, or the reader himself.

5. Interpretation:

This passage of the Book of Mormon is powerful because of the way it ties the reader in with the people of the Book of Mormon, and then ties them to Deity. The Apostles (primary audience) are commanded by Jesus Christ to write down everything seen and heard, which are the Father’s words, which the people of the whole world (the reader; secondary audience) will be judged from. This is an especially compelling form of literature because of the way it focuses on the reader himself as a character within the literature.

6. Connnections/Questions:

The big question in my mind is whether or not this section causes everyone to feel compelled as their own character within the passage. Does the form of the passage cause this role of the reader (the secondary audience) to be felt in all people or do feelings vary? What causes this connect or disconnect in the reader?