Report Draft D- Videos

From our experience recording and distributing our videos in this effort, we saw a lot of potential for more accessibility in sharing as well as several flaws that might be best to work out before the next round.

We saw the most success in sharing video when the content shared was unfamiliar to the contact receiving it.  Having a video was useful when we tried to share other classmates posts with our friends but on the other hand this seemed to add little to the table when sharing our own content as the viewer was already familiar with us personally and didn't need an introduction to who we are per say.  In my experience it seemed to be more effective just to personally introduce the essay over the phone or in a more directly personal way instead.

Having videos also added to the overall feel of the website, as it made the blog feel both more complete and put together. It diversified our methods of displaying the content we worked on. As Mandy said on the report outline, "By having an introduction page we are welcoming viewers to our project and connecting our faces with our names. This personal appeal allows people to get to know us more, and shows we are real people (rather than just students doing an assignment for a class)"

One flaw we saw in the final video collection was that it really wasn't a good way to showcase our diversity. The visual composition was uniform and well-put together, but this uniformity came at the expense of more individualized videos that may have more visually intrigued viewers and prompted them to view more content. As Taylor pointed out, it would have been an asset to have "more of a variety to watch and having different scenes/locations would have given more personality to each essay and video"

In short, despite excellent production in the final videos the lack of individuality in display seems to have limited any particularly overwhelming or response from either viewers or students in reaction to video contribution. From the body of experience in the class so far, it seems fair to say that the 5-second videos were the more successful of the two and that we could easily opt for shooting those short clips alone. If we were to do this, it could more easily be arranged to film these independently and thus promote greater creativity and individuality.

Taking the Time to be Personal

I have noticed through my experience sharing that it takes time. A lot more time than I originally thought. I realized that it is worth it to actually take the time and make a personal connection to share.

So far, I have gotten the most responses from family and those that have shared the experiences I have had. I noticed that people were flattered to know that you thought of them and took that time to invite them to read. I hope to hear back soon from my friends that I have sent them too. In my sharing plan I focused primarily on sharing my own content. Today and tomorrow I am going to start focusing on sharing other peoples essays. I feel like this might result in better participation. We will see.

In seeing the unity that has come about through my own essay within my family, I have decided to start a family blog where my family can share experiences of their own and to keep each other updated. I am deciding to focus the blog in a way where it allows my family members to share authentic life experiences that has helped them in their belief in God. I hope that this side project takes off and that all my family members participate. A couple already have.

neuffer.wordpress.com is my new family blog

A Promise Land in the West

I found my family drawing closer together each summer we spent away from suburban Chicago.

The minivan was filled with anxious bodies as it rolled over side roads on the outskirts of Ashton, Idaho. The smell of the worn out air conditioner blended not so nicely with the fragrance of sweaty socks and stale red vines. It seemed to resemble some sort of treacherous voyage or odyssey as we bickered one with another across the vastness of America’s bread basket. I have often compared the trek to that of a family from the Book of Mormon where the parents, Lehi and Sariah, were forced to leave the comforts Jerusalem and travel to an unknown Promise Land in the west. Their sons, Nephi, Lamen, and Lemuel, seemed to never get along as they crossed the ocean to a new world. My sister Erica and I would refer to our younger sister Tara as Nephi, always tattling and making sure we had our seat belts on. Erica and I were referred to as Lamen and Lemuel, the rebellious and wicked older siblings. But the 24 hour road trip was coming to a close and grandma’s house was quickly approaching.

School was out for the summer and we were happy to get out of suburban Chicago for at least a few weeks. Straight roads with curbs, sidewalks, and fire hydrants were no longer. Here, roads were curving and natural, making its way around the groves of aspen trees, juniper bushes, old granaries and feed sheds. Every year without fault the trek is made from Chicago to Grandma’s farm.

The Sharing Plan

11)      My old mission companion T.E. He was one of my very favorite mission companions and we had a lot of fun together, serving in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. I think he would really appreciate the literary analysis aspect of this project. I don’t think he is doing too well now so I think it will be faith strengthening. I would share it with him via facebook.

22)      My sister Erica. She would read my essay and watch my video and I think she would really enjoy it. She has shared many of the same experiences I have written about in my essay so I think she would really enjoy taking a look at it. I would share it with her personally.

33)      My Mother. We have had good discussions in the past about how to share what we believe in an honest and genuine way. I think she would enjoying learning about people’s experiences with the book of Mormon. I would share it with her personally.

44)      MY good friend Collin. We have had good conversations about the Book of Mormon. We have discussed how the book of Mormon has affected us spiritually but also literary evidences of the Book of Mormon. I think he would enjoy the videos and perspectives of others and their Book of Mormon experiences. I would share it with him personally or via Facebook.

55)      My friend Natalie. We have been good friends for a while now and she is about to head to grad school. She will be studying about marriage/family relationships and communication. There are a couple of essays that come to mind that I would like to share with her that cover themes similar to that which she will be studying.

66)      I plan to share the link on my linkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter social media platforms.

77)      I would like to share my personal essay with my extended family on my mother’s side. Because the essay takes place where they live, I find that they might enjoy reading about the experiences I have had there.

Authentic Fictional Writing

Doug Thayer’s novel, in my opinion, was an honest reflection of the LDS experience. The fact that it was nonfiction helped touch upon different situations of the LDS experience that might not be seen through nonfiction. I say this because I have seen myself reflect upon my own Mormon life through this novel. I found myself reflecting upon my own relationship with my mother and thinking about my parent’s relationship in an LDS context. In the novel, he depicted his parents as having an obvious struggle or conflict. His father, from the perspective of the mother, spent too much time at work. Although this is made clear in the book, Kyle didn't seem too caught up in his parent’s relationship. He wasn't very emotionally invested with his parent’s relationship even though he knew there was conflict there. Despite my own knowledge of familiar conflict, I chose to not be emotionally involved with my own family struggles. While living at home, I avoided conflict between my parents and I didn't want to know the details between them.

Fiction allows a writer to delve into their own personal dilemmas and conflicts without divulging personal problems. Themes can be brought up and talked about appropriately without talking about the harshness of reality. Truths can be told without giving the exact truth. Non-fiction writing does bring a sense of validity and truth. When drawing upon actually life experiences, it enables you to be more vivid and real in your writing. But I feel like a talented writer can add a vivid aspect to fictional writing and at the same time touch upon true and genuine themes and hit home to any honest reader. Doug Thayer was able to do that. Although it was a fictional story, he was able to touch on themes that relate to the honest reader.

A Promised Land in the West: Video Introduction

Well in class I have been an advocate for creating a video featuring someone else's essay. In attempting to do so, I came to the conclusion that I would probably do a poor job representing someone else's beautiful work. So here is my own introduction to my own essay. A Promised Land in the West.

http://youtu.be/jXliR3Uo40g

Similar Childhood Experiences

As I read my personal essay to my friend Collin, we ended up talking about how we had similar experiences growing up. We discussed how those situations with our families have affected us and how we see the world. Like myself, Collin also had grandparents that lived in the country. Being from the suburbs of Chicago like myself, it was a very different experience for him. It was a place where he felt connected with his family.

 

The details and imagery of the farm brought memories of his own grandparent’s farm. It is interesting how the details of a story bring you back to your own past. He was able to see the willow tree in front of his own Grandparents house that live in the country. He would often spend his summers in a farm house in Arizona far from the city lights. He also spent many summer nights at the grand canyon. He had a similar experience dealing with death after learning about the death of his Great Grandfather while in Arizona.

We talked about was to better relate my experience and see it through the lens of the Book of Mormon. During much of the middle of the essay there isn't much of the Book of Mormon at all. I will look to better incorporate Book of Mormon themes into my writing.

Above all, this experience created an environment to share common experiences and feelings about family time away from home. He often spent time in Arizona near the home of his grandparents. There he would interact with his family weather it was hiking, camping, or just spending time at grandma’s house. It were those types of moments that brought memorable connections to each of our families. 

Coring the Apple by Sarah E. Page

Sarah Page incorporates repetition and imagery into this Garden of Eden themed poem. It begins with worlds in italics, implying dialog, saying “Instead of the thorn, Hast thou found honey?”

This is a question the author wishes to someday ask Eve as well as “What she saw in the apple.” Sarah Page goes onto compare the apple to the decision Eve made to partake of the mortal experience. The core of the apple is symbolic of the future of the mortal experience, or humanity.

She contemplates, “Perhaps she sensed the hope nestled star-like in the core of the fruit”

Sarah Page relates back to the imagery of thorns and briars as Eve contemplates the possible future pains associated with the human experience. The imagery of the seeds in the core of the apple is related to the actual seed or posterity of Eve.

Sarah Page beautifully encapsulates the possible feelings of Eve in the Garden of Eden as she contemplates partaking of the forbidden fruit. In the LDS culture and theology, Eve is regarded as a woman of great knowledge and foresight. Partaking of the forbidden fruit was an act of great thought and consideration, not one of hast or physical desire. Sarah Page reflects on the fact that Eve must have considered the promises given concerning her seed. The promises and prophecies made to her must have conflicted greatly with the commandment given to not partake of the fruit. Sarah Page portrays this struggle of conscience as Eves decides whether having a posterity is worth the figurative thorns and briers spoken of in the poem. 

I have found myself contemplating this very question after reading this poem. “Instead of the thorn, Hast thou found honey?” I am sure she would say she has experienced many thorns, but was there honey along the way? This question seems to ask Eve, “Was it all worth it?” “Was your decision to bring pain into the world worth it?” “Is there enough sweet in the world to make the decision worthwhile?” As Eve looked at the fruit, she must have contemplated the decision was a huge risk and it would bring a lot of pain. Many of us students are going through similar decisions as we consider marriage or families. It truly would be interesting to know, as Sarah E Page puts it, “What she saw in me.”

A Promised Land in the West

The minivan was filled with anxious bodies as it rolled over side roads on the outskirts of Ashton, Idaho. The smell of the worn out air conditioner blended not so nicely with the fragrance of sweaty socks and stale red vines. It represented a very hard fought journey. My older sister and I would refer to our younger sister as Nephi, always tattling and making sure we had our seat belts on. Erica and I were referred to as Lamen and Lemuel by default. But the 24 hour road trip was coming to a close and grandma’s house was quickly approaching.

School was out for the summer and we were happy to get out of suburban Chicago for at least a few weeks. Straight roads with curbs, sidewalks, and fire hydrants were no longer. Here, roads were curving and natural, making its way around the groves of aspen trees, juniper bushes, old granaries and feed sheds. Every year the trek is made from Chicago to Grandma’s farm.

The sound of the rubber wheels of the van slowing to a crawl on the gravel road, then onto the fluffy dirt of an eastern Idaho driveway was a familiar experience. One can hear the willow branches rustling in the wind with light sound of a wind chime in the dry wind. The willow droops over the front yard of the old farm house. The Teton Mountains stand just outside the door across from the expansive fields of hay and potato. Though more than 40 miles away, they seemed just a few miles. The clouds are scattered in the sky on a late summer afternoon, allowing light to push through and bring out majestic shapes and textures of the clouds. The sky is open and unrestricted here. Besides the jutting mountain range in the distance, clouds were free to roam above the miles of farm land.

There across the gravel road stood the remains of the old wooden coral. The wooden barn stands strong and tall despite the missing patches of sheet metal on the roof. An Ice cold creek snakes around the farm yard. The water is clear and its bed is sandy. The sand is soft enough to walk bare foot in it perfect for catching frogs. Despite the cold, it made for a perfect swimming hole. After a long day swimming in the sandy bottom creek, Grandma made sure none of the sand made its way into the house. There by the front door, the command was given to drop your trunks to your ankles so grandma can spray you down.

The house had the smell of a lot of farming history. A musty smell came up from the potato seller. A faint smell of burning pine wood came from the wood burning stove in the old family room. Loaded 22 caliber rifles and 12 gage shotguns lean precariously by the green painted wooden door as grandkids play on the floor. My cousin Kody and I sat on the hard multicolored rug of the dusty farm house floor. We sat playing with the small plastic fences, bulls, and cows that came with a toy set. Grandpa came in, and stood in the doorway. With a sad complex but minimal visible emotion, he shares the news that his mother just died in a car accident. He walks onward towards the kitchen away from view. The innocence of childhood toys with my cousin seemed to disappear. Mom cried in a way I have never seen. She cried loudly and painfully, making me confused and feeling awkward. I did not know my Great Grandmother well. Showing emotion to that magnitude was a confusing thing for me that I tried to avoid. Feelings I didn’t understand were pushed to the side. The adventure of grandma’s farm with the sand creek, splintery old barn, half standing coral, rolling sand dunes, and the distant tree line kept my intrigue.

After a few short weeks at grandmas, it was time to make the long road trip home to Chicago. The van was packed once more to make the grueling journey east. The family gathered around and knelt in prayer. Grandma offered the prayer. She stumbled over her few words and held in emotions as much as she could. It was the only time I saw emotion from Grandma May. She wept. Being young I wondered why. I knew we would be leaving, only to return in one years’ time.

Grandma’s house brought the emotion of freedom and adventure trickled with subconscious feelings of appreciation and love for my family. With growing up in a suburb of Chicago Illinois, I felt that my Idaho heritage separated me from my acquaintances and friends back at home. I felt pride for my mountain west heritage and missed the raw west atmosphere that did not exist in suburban Chicago. My large extended family was there and their raw authentic nature made me proud of them. They seemed tougher than everyone I knew back at home.

Although I will not compare the road trip to a treacherous sea voyage, I see Nephi’s discovery of his new western world comparable to mine. Leaving a land of paved roads and tall buildings in Jerusalem, Nephi must have seen adventure in this Promised Land. It was a land where he could unite his family. Old family members died and were buried there. The trip may have had its rough patches but the wild west of the Promised Land held an opportunity unlike any other. It was a new wilderness with new creatures and landscapes.  But it is time to load up the van and drive back to Jerusalem. Threats were made to tie siblings up like Nephi of old but they were in vain. My annual western voyage and the adventures of the Promised Land became the location of my scattered and wandering thoughts through the long school years of suburban Jerusalem.  

Each Grain

The town of Rio Grande lies on the cost of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The wind blows hard all year around. The cold ocean currents from the Antarctic makes sure a warm summer never comes. Despite a dreary and barren landscape of both land and sea, there was a simple beauty that drew me in. The sky was enormous because there was never anything to block my vision of it. There are no trees in that town and the buildings never got too tall.  It was new to me. The mission was new. When walking from one end of the town to the other, my companion and I often took the sandy beach. The sand seemed to always be wet and cold. Sea weed, rocks, and small shells cluttered the beach. Occasionally we found a beached sea creature such as a jelly fish or a seal.

I could see forever. I felt stuck between the vastness of the sea and sky and the smallness of each grain of sand. The sand became my reminder of what Moses experienced when he saw the inhabitants of the earth.

“And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.”

The thought made me uneasy. Each grain represented a person. A person with a life full of sicknesses, heartaches, pains, sadness, death, and hopefully joy. And then there was me. Another grain of sand. Perhaps I was one that was buried far beneath the surface, or was I on the bottom of a deep ocean floor. I like to think that I am a grain on the surface, at least being able to see the sun’s light. Either way, I am just one of many. What makes me so special? Does God really care about one little grain of sand in a sea of billions? Why do so many people live, suffer, and die without the knowledge of God? As a missionary of His, I felt lost and drowned in a sea of people that knew nothing of the teachings of Jesus and of his modern prophets.

While reading in Mark, I came across the story of the Greek woman who wanted Christ to heal her daughter.

“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”

Strangely enough, Christ’s lack of initial desire to help the Greek woman gave me peace of mind. He was willing to let certain people wait to receive the gospel, implying that God has a timing for certain people. To Jesus she replied, “Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.”  I knew then that the lord blesses those that truly seek him in one way or another.

“And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”

There is one thing I did know, it was that I was nothing. I felt a sense of validity in that belief. I was proud of that knowledge. I believed it. With that came a certain expectation of God’s manifestations.

"Yeah, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.”

Like a single grain of sand, I am nothing. The more I look at myself as just a small piece of sand, I missed the miracle of it. I missed the sea of sand, and what a sea of sand can do. There is the miracle. Acknowledging each grain and its infinite capabilities. Looking outward.

The Ward Project

Sister Laura Rand is the ward project. The 60 year old woman with the mind of an immature 12 year old. Everybody loves her, but she is still a struggle to deal with sometimes. With an obsession for everyone else’s babies as well as small animals, she becomes quite the handful. But no one can deny her honest spirituality and good heart, although she does have her struggles.

 It was on a fast Sunday when I heard the crinkle of a big bag of Cheetos puffs in the pew behind me. There next to her jumbo bag of Cheetos was a big old bottle of Cherry coke. Leave it to Sister Rand to make fast Sunday that much harder for everyone else.

 She often brought small creatures into the chapel. Sometimes a hamster thing, but it was usually a bird that stayed perched on her shoulder. The day she brought the duckling was quite the event when the duckling peed all over her already dirty shirt. But she has come a long way. With help from the bishop and the relief society, she no longer brought the birds, or hamsters, or ducklings to church.

As a converted Jew, her old family traditions often come out. Despite a strong and unwavering testimony in the Restored Gospel, Pork is still a very bad meat to eat. We had her over for dinner often and pork was often on the menu. She was too busy enjoying it to notice it was pork. She loved to help prepare the table and the meal in a most charitable way. “Wash your hands before you set the table Laura!” says my mother. “But I showered yesterday morning!”, with a sincerely and very serious tone. Although cleanliness is next to Godliness, I know Laura gets as close to God without the clean part.

Take up thy cross

The town of Rio Grande lies on the cost of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The wind blows hard all year around. The cold ocean currents from the Antarctic makes sure a warm summer never comes. Despite a dreary and barren landscape of both land and sea, there was a simple beauty that drew me in. The sky was enormous because there was never anything to block my vision of it. There are no trees in that town and the buildings never got too tall.  It was new to me. The mission was new. When walking from one end of the town to the other, my companion and I often took the sandy beach. The sand seemed to always be wet and cold. Sea weed, rocks, and small shells cluttered the beach. Occasionally we found a beached sea creature such as a jelly fish or a seal.

I could see forever. I felt stuck between the vastness of the sea and sky and the smallness of each grain of sand. The sand became my reminder of what Moses experienced when he saw the inhabitants of the earth.

“And he beheld also the inhabitants thereof, and there was not a soul which he beheld not; and he discerned them by the Spirit of God; and their numbers were great, even numberless as the sand upon the sea shore.”

The thought made me uneasy. Each grain represented a person. A person with a life full of sicknesses, heartaches, pains, sadness, death, and hopefully joy. And then there was me. Another grain of sand. Perhaps I was one that was buried far beneath the surface, or was I on the bottom of a deep ocean floor. I like to think that I am a grain on the surface, at least being able to see the sun’s light. Either way, I am just one of many. What makes me so special? Does God really care about one little grain of sand in a sea of billions? Why do so many people live, suffer, and die without the knowledge of God? As a missionary of His, I felt lost and drowned in a sea of people that knew nothing of the teachings of Jesus and of his modern prophets.

While reading in Mark, I came across the story of the Greek woman who wanted Christ to heal her daughter.

“But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.”

Strangely enough, Christ’s lack of initial desire to help the Greek woman gave me peace of mind. He was willing to let certain people wait to receive the gospel, implying that God has a timing for certain people. To Jesus she replied, “Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children’s crumbs.”  I knew then that the lord blesses those that truly seek him in one way or another.

“And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter.”

Jesus’s ability to heal was something that I have often sought for. Shortly after returning home from my mission, I developed anxiety. Due to situations in my life and a developing anxiety disorder, I lived my life in fear. I looked for miracles and healing. I came across the Lord’s admonishing to “take up thy cross daily, and follow me.” Maybe the lord didn’t intend to heal me. What if I’m supposed to just take in the fear and sorrow and just deal with it? Was I willing to do that and follow Jesus anyway? I decided I would. As soon as I decided to take on all that pain on my own and follow Christ anyway, my fear and pain seemed to go gradually go away. I do not doubt a minute that the Lord didn't heal me in a way, but he wants me to be willing to take on the hard things of the world and still be willing to follow him to the end.

Helping People Out - The Underdogs

Example 1) Alma 55 (410) –Character- A midst an ongoing war, a people is trying to catch there enemy in a snare by offering them something that will cause them harm. The people decides to not partake and to remember their moral values. Instead of falling for new tricks, they remember their old ways and the ways of their family/faith.

Example 2) Alma 56 (414) –PLOT- A team/group of young people have been taught by moral families from a young age and now face a dilemma. Their families and lifestyle are being threatened and they must defend that lifestyle that they loved so much. They are given the opportunity to stand up and defend what they believe in because those that taught them were unable to. They stood up for the defenseless.

Example 3) Alma 56 (415)-Plot- A team of young people come to fight against the best in the land. These underdogs find a way to do the unthinkable. Despite the odds, these young people won their battle and none of them were killed.

Example 4) Alma 61 (428)-Dialoge- a man is writing to an old friend with contempt and anger. He is deeply upset that there has been a great deal of unethical choices being made in a management position of the old friend. Despite any prior positive feelings, the man threatens the other and tells him to fix things and to do it quick. The old friend responds. He does so in a refined way, not fueling the fire but simple acting in an impressive amount of understanding. He chooses to not get offended even though it was the others fault.

 

Reviewing a Fellow Students Blog Post

I thought of the blog post My Mothers Hands by Hailey. In example 2, the young people were taught and most have observed their parents, especially their mothers. They were so moved by what their mothers taught them, they decided to stand up and defend what their mothers and fathers believed and taught them. The young people’s parents had many years of even disheartening experiences. They were fighters that have changed their ways. They learned from their past and so will the young sons. Hailey shows a similar type of love and respect for her mother, seeing her past and present and learning from her.

I thought Jeremy's blog post entitled ‘Helping Those Who Can’tCare For Themselves’ fits really well with my examples number 2 and 3. This is a story where people are fighting for those that cannot help themselves. 

Reflections of Summers in Idaho

Physical Experience

(Grandma’s Farm near Ashton, Idaho)

-The smell of rain falling on a dirt driveway

-Willow branches rustling in the wind with light sound from a wind chime

-The red transparent hummingbird feeder hanging from the disfigured willow that hung over the front yard

-The sour/bitter taste of the wild “peas” that lined the garage wall

-The smell of the Car AC that’s not quite cool enough, coupled with the smell of the sweaty sock and red vines

-the smell of Shotgun cartridges that cluttered fluffy/sandy dirt driveway

-The sight of the Teton Mountains on a late summer afternoon. The clouds scattered in the sky, allowing light to push through and bring out majestic shapes and textures of the clouds.

-The rolling and curving road, the sharp gravel and the hot sands of the dunes

-the squeaking of the cattle ramp leading up towards the front door.

-(The House) the musty smell of the potato seller, the scratchy green couch, the ice cold well water that poured authentically from the faucet like a hose or stream.

-The sand creek bed on my feet, the green algae and volcanic rock that cluttered the creek bed.

-The taste of Grandma's mac’n Cheese with extra pepper. ‘Hot cakes’ that were cooked in bacon grease that left a delicious almost crunch. Hot maple syrup was pored over the pancakes that needed no butter.

Scenes

My cousin Kody and I sat on the hard multicolored rug of the dusty farm house floor. We sat playing with the small plastic fences, bulls, and cows that came with some sort of farming toy set. Grandpa came in, and stood in the doorway. With a sad complex but minimal visible emotion, he mentions in some form that Grandma Bowman (my great grandma and his mother) was dead. He walks onward towards the kitchen away from view. The innocence of childhood toys with my cousin seemed to disappear. Mom cried in a way I have never seen. She cried loudly and painfully, making me confused and feeling awkward. I did not know my Great Grandmother well. Showing emotion to that magnitude was a confusing thing for me that I tried to avoid. Feelings I didn’t understand were pushed to the side, the adventure of grandma’s farm with the sand creek, splintery old barn, half standing coral, rolling sand dunes, and the distant tree line caught my intrigue. The Tetons stood just outside the door across from the expansive fields of hay and potato. Though more than 40 miles away, they seemed just a few miles. Kody joined me in my love for adventure. With birthday’s just days apart, we shared the same gifts. Matching boomerangs, matching slingshots, matching red old navy ‘lifeguard’ tank tops.

Speech

Grandma and Grandpa spoke with a snip and a snap like language. Never much to say. Never the rambling type, but each word with strength and directness. After a few short weeks at grandmas, it was time to make the long road trip home to Chicago. With just my family and Grandma, she offered a kneeling prayer as we went our way. She studded over her few words and held in emotions as much as she could. It was the only time I saw emotion from Grandma May. She wept. Being young I wondered why. I knew we would be leaving, only to return in one years’ time. Grandpa was quick to cuss at us cousins in a snippy but rough way. I was not accustomed to that kind of voice in Chicago from my dad, but I enjoyed the authentic roughness that I thought should accompany his old rancher figure. My uncles were similar but more load, vulgar, and forward. With every word came a pinch or punch. They spoke in a way that made me want to seek their approval but I never thought badly of them despite possible mistreatment.

Emotion in the Moment

Grandma’s house brought the emotion of freedom and adventure trickled with subconscious feelings of appreciation and love for family. With growing up in a suburb of Chicago Illinois, I felt that my Idaho heritage separated me from my acquaintances and friends back at home. I felt pride for my mountain west heritage and missed the raw west atmosphere that did not exist in suburban Chicago. My large extended family was there and their raw authentic nature made me proud of them. They seemed tougher than everyone I knew back at home.

People of Consequence

Grandma May- Grandma was the quiet and authoritative power in the house. She seemed to always be behind the kitchen counter preparing something for the grandkids to eat. Smiles did not come easy on her face but there wasn’t much doubt that she would meet my requests of food.  

Grandpa Lynn- A quite man that sat in his chair, read books, and on request, would play his century old guitar or banjo. He would sing and yodel to old cowboy tunes and yodeled. He is missing half of his thumb from a chainsaw accident he had in the woods when he was a young father. Thick Hands. Missing teeth. Thick build with a large belly.

Kody- was living and grew up around Las Vegas. He shared my passion for the Farm. He would endorse of adventures and we would rant about adventures we could have encountering Indians, wild animals, dark forests, dunes, and mountains.

Trudy- My mother. This was her home. She grew up in Ashton Idaho and I saw her personality change as she returned. I could see she acted different there. She talked more openly than she did with those in Chicago. 

Getting Personal - President Packer

Not only does President Packer follow a specific format of rhetoric, he has drawn on similar themes and ideas. In his talks "The Witness" and "The Reason for Our Hope",  President Packer starts with a story. The story about his visit to Oxford and how he shared his testimony of the Savior with the Chaplin of Oxford gave him validity and laid a foundation for the rest of his talk. In the last conference session he opened up with a story about his first major spiritual experience in getting to know God in a personal way.

Knowing the Savior and gaining a personal testimony of him has been the major theme of these past to conference talks. In fact, He even uses the same scripture.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."

 

His words are powerful to me, not because of his tone or his style, but because of the use of scripture that highlights the points he makes. Those scriptures of the Savior create the greatest sense of Ethos in both talks.

He stresses the importance of knowing the Savior because he personally suffered for you. This truth evokes a great amount of emotional appeal (Pathos). This was illustrated by the story of the women, being upset by the tragedy and hardships that fell upon her exclaimed, "Someone must pay!" It was then that a voice came to her mind. "Someone already has."

Anecdotes illustrating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ make for a common theme among his talks. Similar and identical scriptures of Jesus Christ shows power in repetition.

Personal "Kairos" played a major role for me while I was experiencing his talk. I was with a friend high up in the mountains as I listened to his talk. I was in a much more personal setting than i am used to. The theme of a personal and individual Christ was amplified as I was in a place where I was not distracted by other cares of the world. It seems like President Packers old age is shaping the tone and theme of his talks. He has reflected on core personal beliefs as he knows that he is coming towards the end of his life.

Emotional Appeal Through Humility

I wish to analyze the Pahorans letter to Moroni. Although it is technically a letter and not rhetoric, he writes very rhetorically as if he is speaking directly to Moroni. It is a very personal communication between the two and Pahoran uses different appeals to make his point across.

Moroni wrote to Pahoran, assuming that he abusing his privileges as a chief judge and that he was parting from the ways of the Lord. Because Moroni was wrong in his assumption, Pahoran was able to use certain rhetorical appeals to help get his point across. Being wrongfully accused, Pahoran has a noticeably emotional appeal to his speaking. The fact that he potential could lash out at Moroni but doesn't makes his words more valid.


"I, Pahoran do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that i may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in the liberty in the which God hath made us free."
Pahoran's words because justified by stating that he seeks only to provide liberty for his people. He writing becomes effective as he shows humility in his calling in life to provide liberty.

Can one be both clear and complex?

Rhetorical clarity and simplicity has been considered one of the most important characteristics to great Mormon public speaking. Paul, an Apostle who was known as having the roar of a Lion, seems to endorse a more simple form of speaking. In first Corinthians he seems to imply that speaking or preaching with complex rhetorical form diminishes God’s ability to work through an individual. There seems to be a “GET OUT OF THE WAY” theme in Paul’s teachings. Say a few simple words and the spirit will do the rest.

This sentiment continues in the Church today. We are taught to share briefly and from the heart like Elder Smith mentioned in his article. We are taught to be clear in our discussions, teachings, and preaching’s. I believe that this is right.

Can one be both clear and complex? As I have read through Elder Hollands and Elder Maxwells sermons, I feel like they do just that. These Apostles speak and write with a spiritual clarity but have obvious rhetorical complexities. As professor Burton mentions, it is those complexities that makes demands on the listener and engages with them. Elder Holland and Elder Maxwell have found a way to create complex rhetorical form to illustrate gospel principles clearly. Understand the principles with great clarity is the main purpose. The simplicity of the writing should be irrelevant if it is easy to understand.

Elder Holland’s insight on “Sacraments” is one that is not commonly discussed within the church. He describes Sacraments as more than the just the ordinance of the Lord’s Super. “The Sacrament is only one of many such moments when we formally take the hand of God and feel his divine power.” This doctrinal complexity is taught clearly and in a way one can understand. Elder Holland was able to dive into technical insights and symbolism that allowed the reader and listener to be engaged in a personal way. Being able to influence the listener in an engaging way shows its level of clarity and power.

Word vs Sword

 Form Analyzed

Understanding the context of the communication between the ruler and his general via letter. I focused on how Pahoran handles criticism from a religious, political, and military leader.

Passage Analyzed

I was assigned to read Alma 54 to Alma 61. In that section I analyzed specifically Pahorans letter to Moroni.

 Breakdown / Listing of things found:

Pahoran just received a letter from the main general, Moroni. In the letter, Moroni was quick to accuse Pahoran of rebellion and all manner of wickedness. Moroni threatens to come with the sword and bring justice upon his head. Pahoran responds in an interesting way. He doesn’t respond with hostility but he responds with an obnoxious amount of understanding and sympathy. In his letter back to Moroni, he mentions that the hostile letter “mattereth not” and that he is glad Moroni’s heart is in the right place.

Pahoran wrote with a very passive tone. The subject matter tended to be more passive than Moroni’s as well. Moroni emphasizes the defense of righteousness with the sword. Pahoran emphasizes the importance of resisting with the word first, and then the sword if all else fails. He mentions that “We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if it were requisite with the justice of God,” but he explains that it is justified that they should fight for freedom.

 Interpretation:

 It seems as if Pahoran used this moment of admirable humility to teach Moroni that violence isn’t always the answer. Although this is a letter directly to Moroni, it seems obvious to me that it was included to be applied to us as the audience as well. Pahoran was quick to find common ground and to support those the Lord has called. Pahoran took advantage of a teaching moment. It would have been easy for him to be defensive or even to demand an apology. Instead of rebuking Moroni, he taught Moroni. He showed Moroni that the sword won’t solve all of life’s problems. He also taught the future reader a lesson. He taught that a person can still be lead of God even though they make mistakes.

Connections/Questions

I wonder why Moroni included this letter into the record. Did Pahoran have the foresight to see this letter be of great importance to future generations? How can Pahoran’s example be of help to LDS members how may disagree with things the Brethren may say or teach? If all people were like unto Moroni, hell would have no power. This example may be of help to those that want to support church leaders despite disagreements when it comes to different social issues.

The Hard Story

The ability to tell  stories that relate to principles of the gospel has made the most impact on me as a listener in Mormon oratory. Not any story will do. It is easy to identify the filler story, or the story a speaker uses to move along and diversify the talk. The stories that are honest and personal are the ones that have made a lasting impact on me and have given the speakers character or ethos. 

While serving in Tierra del Fuego Argentina as a missionary, my mission president's speaking ability made a lasting impact on me. His Spanish wasn't the best. He often struggled with grammar, pronunciation, and fluidity as a speaker. Despite imperfections, he showed his sincerity and love for the listener by sharing personal and honest experiences. He shared his experience of losing a son to suicide and his testimony of the Savior's ability to forgive and to save. 

Although I have never gone through an experience like that, the story that he shared created a feeling of validity to the principles that he taught. Because what he shared was so close to him, I felt close to him. Sharing such an emotional and personal experience created an atmosphere of love and compassion throughout the whole room. 

It is not the self-aggrandizing story or the travel log that has made impressions on me as a listener. They are the stories that show sincerity, growth, and spiritual application. The hard story.

Added Upon: A Work from the Heart

While reading and analyzing the book and novel Added Upon, it was easy to critique and point fingers at the plot holes, sappy love stories, and literary inconsistencies. Despite the flaws, there was a general consensus among the class that “Added Upon” caused one to self-reflect and ponder the mysteries of deity.

 Does that make this novel a success? Orson F. Whitney must have believed so. In his “Home Literature” sermon, Orson Whitney highlights the importance of connecting with the soul.

 “It is the heart, not simply the head, we must appeal to, if we wish to stir the soul.”

I believe that Nephi Anderson intended to do just that. More than trying to make just an engaging and poetic work, it seems obvious to me that his intention was to stir the human soul and Glorify God.

 

Orson Whitney admonished that “You must be in earnest. You must feel what you write, if you wish it to be felt by others.” 

This seems to be particularly evident in Part Five of Added Upon. In Part Five, Nephi Anderson turns away from storytelling and starts writing poetically. He ends the book with, “Thanks, Father, kind and good for what you’ve done; Thanks for the added blessings which you bring.” This is a fitting ending when you consider what Orson Whitney admonishes to future LDS writers. “But remember this, ye writers and orators of the future! It is for God's glory. Not man's.”

Despite imperfections in writing, Nephi Anderson caught the spirit of Orson F Whitney’s Sermon to appeal to the heart of mankind and to reflect upon the Glory of God. Despite doctrinal inconsistencies, there was a spirit of goodness and truth that accompanied the book as it emphasized the importance of family, the Plan of Salvation, and Jesus Christ