A Personal Connection

From the very beginning of Elder Holland’s talk, “Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments,” there is a strong appeal to pathos. Elder Holland strives to make an emotional connection to the audience by opening with how difficult speaking to us is for him, humanizing him to an audience that views him as such an incredible disciple of Christ. He continues on to say, “Indeed, your growth and happiness and development in the life you are now living and in the life you will be living in the days and decades ahead are the central and most compelling motivation in my daily professional life. I care very much about you now and forever. Everything I know to do at BYU is being done with an eye toward who and what you are, and who and what you can become.” This statement creates a sense that the speaker is not just someone who has come to deliver a talk, he truly cares about the audience and wants them to feel of his love and the devotion he has towards helping them become the best person they can be. In effect, the audience becomes more drawn into what he is going to tell them because they feel of his concern for them.

Elder Holland’s appeal to pathos continues throughout the rest of his talk. He constantly addresses the audience as you, or your body, making it personal for all who are listening or reading. One of the most powerful appeals to pathos is made when he states, “Our very souls are involved and at stake.” By using the word “Our,” Elder Holland breaks through the fourth wall, the barrier between speaker and audience; he has now included himself in this group of people.. He is not just talking at the students of BYU; he is allowing them to consider the fact that this involves everyone, even the general authorities that we stand in awe of. When the audience gains this new perspective on who they are listening to, they feel more connected and on a more similar level to this apostle of the Lord.

By creating a strong appeal to pathos the audience becomes more connected to Elder Holland and his talk becomes more personal to each member of the audience.