tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959272779093477402.post5672796270679945881..comments2023-09-26T12:39:06.040-07:00Comments on Plain and Precious Things: High Council SpeakersRozy Lasshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06019413665136390175noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959272779093477402.post-7326390863452362842014-09-22T05:07:37.558-07:002014-09-22T05:07:37.558-07:00Thanks for your comment, Kristi and Jared. I wrote...Thanks for your comment, Kristi and Jared. I wrote this post in response to a "funny" meme about falling asleep during high councilmen's talks. I do listen to the spirit and have gained much from several members simple, heartfelt talks and testimonies. The examples I gave were the worst from my four years here. If you have never been in a mid-west ward/branch you will not have experienced what it is like. I've lived and visited all over the US and have never encountered anything like it.<br />During our recent Stake Conference the first counselor in the presidency addressed us about improving our personal worthiness, saying that the church will not move forward in this area until we move forward individually. He showed a graph reflecting that for the past 15-16 quarters in all areas of reporting we are flat. He implored us to learn our duty and do it. It was a powerful talk! I've said all along that I believe the members here have never been trained and taught and therefore do things or don't do things out of simple ignorance. As a RS President I've done my best to teach and train the sisters in Visiting Teaching,and growing testimonies, which is what the spirit has directed me to do. Slowly, ever so slowly, attitudes and actions are changing. <br />Jared, I'm sure I'd feel blessed to hear your talks! And you're correct that we can get better at whatever we practice.Rozy Lasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019413665136390175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959272779093477402.post-91814608291908414492014-09-21T19:16:12.550-07:002014-09-21T19:16:12.550-07:00As a high council speaker I always try to write my...As a high council speaker I always try to write my talks to be interesting (if maybe overly complex at times). I put a lot of effort into them and know that many of the other high councilors do as well. I always write mine as if it was going to be given in General Conference (although in that case I'd take more time to really polish them). This is in part to provide informative, doctrinally sound talks, but also, particularly in branches or weaker wards to provide an example of what Sacrament meeting talks can and should be like. Yes, everyone has different strengths (although speaking and writing were not mine until I really practiced at them), but many people do not put enough effort into preparation. This does not mean talks have to be eloquent or powerful, some of the best talks I've heard have been simple ones from people without a lot of education but with a lot of faith. This does not mean that our sacrament meeting talks couldn't be better - they could, but different people respond to different kinds of talks.<br /><br />I do agree with Kristi though. There is much to be learned from whomever is speaking. A lot of times, I will stop paying attention to what someone is saying and really pay attention to what the Spirit is saying to me. Sometimes eloquence gets in the way of those quiet promptings.Jaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08452906212149716503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-959272779093477402.post-70656832084351615992014-09-18T12:32:17.860-07:002014-09-18T12:32:17.860-07:00Just as you are speaking in defense of high counci...Just as you are speaking in defense of high council speakers, I would like to lovingly speak in defense of the rest of the speakers. We all have different abilities, talents, and strengths. The thing we have in common is that we each have started along a covenant path to our Heavenly Father. We are not all gifted in speech--neither was Moses. Sometimes, we have to look beyond the words to let the spirit teach our hearts and minds. I hope that your spiritual hunger will be met, no matter who is speaking in church. Kristihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14136276061114462192noreply@blogger.com