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.