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.
