At church, we are often asked to speak. Watch this humorous video clip about speaking in church along with 6 helpful tips.
If you are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints then there is a very good chance that you have had to speak in Sacrament Meeting a time or two…or four. Being asked is a scary thing for most people, no matter how many times you have done it.
Watch this humorous video clip by Shawn Rapier and then read 6 great tips on how to prepare and present a successful talk.
SIX TIPS FOR PREPARING & PRESENTING A TALK
1. Start writing your talk as soon as you receive the assignment to give it. Even Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, “May I encourage you to start thinking about and planning early for any [talk] that you are to give” (“Teaching and Learning in the Church,” Ensign, June 2007). Preparing early will give you more time to receive insights and inspiration – I promise you!
2. Teach by the spirit which means to also prepare by the spirit. Ask God to enlighten your mind so you can understand what you are to speak about and how to best present the information.
3. Start by doing what I call a “Brain Dump.” Take all of your thoughts about the subject and put them on paper or type them up on your computer. Add any additional information that you can find on the topic such as scriptures, quotes, or stories. Then organize all of it into an outline, putting alike thoughts together.
Don’t spend all of your time trying to find a funny opening remark. Save that for last or don’t worry about it at all. A good rule of thumb is to always start with an attention-getter, but that doesn’t have to be a joke. It can be an inspiring quote or a short story. Also, please don’t start by telling everyone how unqualified you are or how you were asked to speak 😉
*Be sure to include doctrine related to your topic. Use scriptures and liken the scriptures to everyday life. If possible, include a faith-promoting experience from your own personal life (preferably), but if not, one from someone else’s life is fine too.
4. Speak from the Heart. Some people prefer to give their talk with just the outline in front of them and some prefer to write out their talk word for word. Giving your talk from an outline does help to free you up to be able to adapt if the Holy Ghost prompts you to say something while you’re up there.
BUT if you are one that gets super nervous and your brain goes completely blank when you see all those eyes staring back at you, it’s ok to have your talk all written out. Just BE SURE that you know your talk really well. If you know it really well, it gives you more confidence, and believe it or not, you can still add in some inspired thoughts while up there. Knowing your talk really well also allows you to not just stare at your paper and you are able to look up at the audience.
5. Practice in front of a mirror and/or family member.
6. When practicing your talk and presenting it be sure to include:
- Standing up straight
- Talking loud, clear and slow.
- Adjust the microphone if needed when you first stand up so that it is aimed towards your mouth but then after that DO NOT TOUCH IT! Constantly touching it becomes too much of a distraction for everyone else.
- If looking into people’s faces scare you, look above their heads at the back wall and occasionally at one of the side walls.
Deep breaths…You’ve got this!
(These tips were adapted from an article on the church website. You can find it HERE)
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Yours Truly,
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