I had a branch president in one of my areas that gave some of the most impressive, engaging talks I had ever heard. I attended a Stake Priesthood meeting where he was asked to speak, and it was my first chance to actually hear him give a talk. He spoke confidently, and never lost the attention of anyone in the room, especially the young men at the meeting to whom he was addressing.
He started with a story about a time he was mowing his lawn as a teenager, and he came upon a few small turtles. He reasoned that there must've been a mother nearby, but couldn't see it. Afraid to accidentally mow over the turtle in the tall grass, he checked every spot of grass before he mowed over it. That is, until he got to one little patch of untrimmed lawn. He thought to check the grass before mowing, but decided against it. To his horror, the grass was indeed hiding a turtle. He then explained how we should never let our guard down when it comes to the gospel.
This impressed upon me just how powerful a personal, well-told story could help teach a gospel principle. Church leaders have used them for years to help teach tough, and perhaps complex topics, with no better example than our own prophet, Thomas S. Monson.
The reason for this seems clear: the conflict-resolution set up that we find in stories perfectly matches up with the problem-gospel answer that has existed as long as holy writ itself, while also providing memorable images to accompany abstract concepts. "Never let your guard down" seems like an obvious, oft-heard message in the church, but with this story, it becomes a lesson I'll not soon forget.
He started with a story about a time he was mowing his lawn as a teenager, and he came upon a few small turtles. He reasoned that there must've been a mother nearby, but couldn't see it. Afraid to accidentally mow over the turtle in the tall grass, he checked every spot of grass before he mowed over it. That is, until he got to one little patch of untrimmed lawn. He thought to check the grass before mowing, but decided against it. To his horror, the grass was indeed hiding a turtle. He then explained how we should never let our guard down when it comes to the gospel.This impressed upon me just how powerful a personal, well-told story could help teach a gospel principle. Church leaders have used them for years to help teach tough, and perhaps complex topics, with no better example than our own prophet, Thomas S. Monson.
The reason for this seems clear: the conflict-resolution set up that we find in stories perfectly matches up with the problem-gospel answer that has existed as long as holy writ itself, while also providing memorable images to accompany abstract concepts. "Never let your guard down" seems like an obvious, oft-heard message in the church, but with this story, it becomes a lesson I'll not soon forget.
I really like the fact that the speaker used a personal talk and you showed how it has a lot more meaning than just lecturing. Stories tend to leave a much bigger impact rather than if he had just told you to not let your guard down. Good post :) and I love the story :)
ReplyDeleteAnother thing I love about speakers telling personal stories is that it gives us a chance to get to know that person a little bit better. When we know information about a speaker or teacher it is easier to relate to them and therefore easier to learn from them
ReplyDeleteI agree. Personal stories create reliability and help us connect with the story. It is a plus when they incorporate gospel principles.
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