Jorg Klebingat Keeps It Simple

The talk I decided to analyze was given by Jorg Klebingat in the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference entitled  “Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence” and I’m going to compare to the talk given by President Uchtdorf entitled “Lord, is it I?”.

Elder Jorg Klebingat immediately surprised be because he was speaking in English with his clearly foreign name, considering the change of format and allowing speakers to use their native languages, but he didn’t despite the slight accent. He is from Germany which naturally gave him connections to to President Uchtdorf. Both are very competent in english, and very adept speakers despite the slight accent in their voices. They are both very concise in their statements, which makes their purpose and meaning so very clear. Having learned a foreign language myself, I fill at times it makes you simplify what you are going to say so that you get straight to the point so that no meaning is lost, because that is the most important thing. If you make it too complicated, then obviously your meaning is lost. 

This also allows both of them to speak with boldness and confidence in their words. Neither got overly emotional, but instead kept a very calm and collected tone throughout. They both told stories, it illustrate the points that they are trying to make. These stories are also concise enough so that you don’t forget the reason that they are probably telling the story for. The best thing about both of these speakers is simply their simple word choice. They use simple words, so that understanding is immediate. This keeps the attention of everyone in the audience and not just the english scholars.

Elder Christofferson Speaks to our Self Responsibility

Elder Christofferson has given thirteen talks since being called to the Quorum of the Twelve apostles in 2008, and of those thirteen, eight present his main topics of the atonement and our personal responsibility to be the best we can. Born Again -April 2008, Moral Discipline -Oct 2009, Reflections on a Consecrated Life -Oct 2010, “As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten” -April 2011, The Doctrine of Christ  -April 2012, Brethren, We Have Work to Do -Oct 2012,  Redemption -April 2013, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ -April 2014. For my analysis I briefly reviewed through his previous talks while dissecting his most recent talk in Oct 2014 titled Free Forever, to Act for Themselves

Elder Christofferson spoke after the first General Conference address given in the speakers native tongue, by Elder Wong in Cantonese. Fluent in spanish, Elder Christofferson began with a phrase in spanish. This is to no surprise recognizing that he served his young mission to Argentina and has served as President of the Mexico South Area residing in Mexico City. 

He proceeded to share his main idea by quoting from William Shakespeares play “Life of King Henry the 5th”. He illustrates from this play that we all need to take personal responsibility. Going back to the history of his talks he emphasizes that the Atonement of Christ is their for our aide, but in other talks he stresses that it is only there if we repent and do what we need to on our end.  By opening his talk with a spanish phrase then moving into examples from Shakespeare it created an ethos of his intelligence and intellect. 

Tone and voice make Elder Christofferson an interesting speaker to listen to. While he quotes form various sources in his talks, you may wonder how original he is in his material. Where is the brilliance and genius? Yet, his tone and voice convey a  sense of intelligence and brilliance. When I hear him speak I personally feel intelligent and able to comprehend simple and complex things. His comparisons coupled with his voice take what was once simple turning it into a complex and deep thought urging you to further ponder and contemplate the main idea. 

Lovingly Blatant

Almost all Mormon oratory has a tendency to be organized and delivered in the simplest of ways.  It is custom to try to make principles and doctrines as clear and applicable as possible. 

In this aspect, Jeffrey R. Holland did not break the mold in his address “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments.”  He followed a simple outline: an analytical introduction, three main points that make up the body, and a powerful conclusion to drive the point home.  However, in his rhetoric, his style and tone, he was beautifully himself; unique.

The tone of this speech was as passionate, persistent, and intense as most people would imagine a discourse from Jeffrey R. Holland to be.  But more than that, his tone was also one of motivational support, love, and encouragement.  Several times during his address, he would say things such as, “I care very much about you now and forever,” or “I love you for wanting to be on the right side of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Holland here tactically creates an ambiance, with which the audience will be more receptive to, and accepting of, seemingly harsh or direct statements.  He appeals specifically to that audience, many of which, had “hastily and guiltily and surrept

itiously share[d] intimacy in a darkened corner of a darkened hour.”

The heavy use of metaphors and comparisons to get a point across is also very prevalent in this talk, and appeals to the commonplace.  Consider the following example:

“I know of no one who would, for example rush into the middle of a sacramental service, grab the linen from the tables, throw the bread the full length of the room, tip the water trays onto the floor, and laughingly retreat from the building to await an opportunity to do the same thing at another worship service the next Sunday.”

Holland uses other such comparisons and imagery (as well as the sex equals fire metaphor), to make the misuse of the sacred procreative powers seem as blatantly illogical as possible.  This prose helps people, who are not as receptive to common, Sunday meeting talks, understand the significance of self-restraint.

Lastly, a tool highly evident in Holland’s address is alliteration.  Phrases such as “most mysterious and magnificent chemistry,” or “unspeakable, unfathomable, unbroken power of procreation,” add emotion, or feeling, to stress critical ideas. 

Holland’s abundant use of metaphors, imagery, repetition, alliteration, and his overall style and tone, create a rich oratory experience in which his learning audience can be chastised, yet rewarded.