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.

Praying in the Mountains

In Ether Chapter 12 starting in verse 18 the brother of Jared goes into the mountain to pray to the Lord. The first question that came to mind was if the brother of Jared actually spoke his entire prayer our loud. Sure the prayer is in quotes here, but it does seem that he did give the entire prayer vocally.

He uses the phrase “O Lord” to address his audience God in his prayer. This specific word choice is used repeatedly to show his reverence and respect for whom he is addressing. He also begins by asking several questions. This is important because one of the main purposes of praying is to receive answers. It’s impossible to receive answers to questions if you don’t ask them. While this may seem obvious, it is something that can get overlooked in prayer by lots of gratitude. The brother of Jared was very direct, and made his purpose very clear to the Lord. This shows that he is confident and that he has great faith in receiving answers to his prayers.

This prayer is also clearly a conversation, with the Lord not only giving answers, but asking the brother of Jared questions as well. So while the prayer is formal and respectful, it is still relaxed enough so that the brother of Jared remains part of the conversation and isn’t overshadowed by the Lord. This is a great example to us as individuals in our own prayers. Not only is it important for us to pray, but we should talk with the Lord. We need to be open like the brother of Jared to receive the answers that come, but we also need to think for ourselves and act based on what we get out of our prayers.

QuestionS

Neal A Maxwell taught that Mormon rhetoric is to be short, direct, and to the point. The spectrum of doctrine and philosophies that can  can be instigated is seemingly endless, and can be a very attractive pitfall to many speakers. Those that are most effective however are those that “stay on task” without digression and after all is said and done drive home one simple truth to their audience. The life of an individual probably won’t be transformed by a single speech, but it can receive a nudge in the right direction.

The then President of BYU, Jeffery Holland in his devotional address “Of Souls Symbols and Sacraments,” employed distinct literary devices that help him to get his simple message across to the students on campus. The most powerful of which was his usage of questions. Elder Holland was very active in questioning his audience of students. Students are very accustom to questions. Not only are they encouraged to ask questions, but in the best learning environments, they are often questions, so as to better retain what is being taught. It is a way of capturing the audience’s attention, and if they so choose, allowing them to become and active participant in being taught.

It isn’t clear through the text, but I’m sure that Elder Holland was also and active “listener” to the questions that he was posing. This meaning that he wouldn’t just throw out a question and then continue on. I’m sure at times we would pause and allow the students in the audience to digest what he was presenting to them. I know that for me personally, its difficult to take everything in if the speaker or teacher doesn't pause and allow for some internal grow and reflection  to take place.

Again questions are a great way for whoever is speaking to take their audience by the hand and show them what their intentions are. It also keeps the audience engaged and on track, which when you are speaking to students as well is very important so that you can get your message across.

I, Moroni

I decided to look at language, and more specifically the usage of the first-person pronoun (“I” “me”) and the repeated usage of a specific phase and individual(“my father”). Within my section (Mormon 8 – Ether 8) I focused my analysis on Mormon 8:1-14.

Moroni that is now writing in the record uses the pronoun I, me total of 26 times in just about one page. Then he references his father Mormon, by repeating the phrase “my father” ten times.

The thing most obvious by this is that Mormon is no longer writing, but instead Moroni is. Moroni is alone. He didn’t turn the Book of Mormon into his own personal journal by choice, but it was thrust upon him, plus he is being responsible and finishing what his father left for him to do. Also his father obvious played a hugely important role in his life, he he is the only one of the many many Nephites that were killed that he mentions specifically and repeatedly. He is obviously lonely, as I’m sure anyone in his position would feel also. This magnifies the massive scope of the destruction of the people of Nephi. He literally had no living mortal in the Americas that he could interact with that would try to kill him.

For the most part the Book of Mormon is a third person narrative given by Mormon. Which other sections outside of 1 Nephi are also written in the first person? Since the usage of the pronoun I can only be used by some one actually inscribing on the place, how many authors wrote on the plates? Are there any other sections where the language used in referencing characters also does so this much to establish the setting?

Zeezrom's Pain - Emphasized

1. Form Analyzed

I decided to look at the language used throughout my assigned section. More specifically, I was looking at the effective description of situations throughout the section.

2. Passage Analyzed

I chose to analyze Alma 15:3. “And Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceeding sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat.”

4. Breakdown

There are six instances in this verse when descriptive words are paired with information about the situation that is being set up.

5. Interpretation

The descriptive words used throughout the section emphasize the situation that Zeezrom is in. It emphasizes to the reader the pain that he is going through for the sins he committed. It isn’t just stated that Zeezrom had become sore, he had “become exceeding sore.” He didn’t just sin, he had a “great sin” along with “many other sins.” The severity of what he has done and the pain he is now feeling is accentuated through the addition of these words.

6. Connections/Questions

Does this pattern of description in order to emphasize the depth of grief in situations continue in others’ sections? Does this pattern of description get used to accentuate the positive situations and blessings in others' sections?