Jeffrey R. Holland has an unparalleled ability to inspire personal responsibility in all who listen to his sermons. In his adress "Of Souls, Symbols, and Sacraments" he uses great imagery to call attention to his address. Elder Holland mentions that the future of this world's history will "be in [our] hands very soon. Because of this, he encourages the rising generations to receive high and full educations to be contributors to society.
He furthers this responsibility by saying that this future "must be vigorously fought for". These simple words call the audience to action. To rise. To fight. To struggle. It all depends on us. In essence he tells his audience and members in general that if we don't fight for our beliefs and values, they will be stripped from our hands by those "more bloody" than ours.
Later in the sermon, he mentions that unless we support his teachings, the sacredness of doctrine will be sullied and what would be a sacred experience could turn into a devastation. We are not to be "casual" or "careless". By addressing these consequences and the seriousness of the subject, especially by likening it to the weight of the world being in our hands, Jeffrey R. Holland is very successful in calling his audience to attention and to immediately start to apply what he is teaching.
In reading his sermon, as soon as he mentioned that the future would be in my hands, I started thinking about carrying the weight of the world. As soon as he mentioned that we should not treat the gospel casually or carelessly, I really paid attention to his words. I felt personally warned and personally responsible to carry out whatever his message was as soon as he started speaking.
Jeffrey R. Holland used the same tactics in a similar sermon addressed to Temple Square missionaries that I was privileged to be a part of. The first thing that he said to us was that the brethren pray for us sisters every day, because we are carrying out part of what they have been called to do, but do not have time for. We have been called to fill a part of their shoes. Instantaneously, I felt inspired and responsible to carry out part of the work of an apostle and to do it in the way an apostle would do it.
That is why Jeffrey R. Holland is so successful- he commits his audience before he shares his message.
How exactly do you think that "this world's history will be in our hands"? With such a statement it would seem like we have all the responsibility, and that can be a little overwhelming. What I like about Elder Holland is that he is right there fighting with us.
ReplyDeleteElder Holland uses a great technique to involve his audience. Creating a rapport with the congregation and helping them feel involved in the delivery of your talk can optimise its success while touching the heart of those who listen. This is one of the main reasons Elder Holland has become one of my favorite speakers!
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