Talk In Sacrament Meeting...That Slipped Your Mind

[LeSellers]

I had speech class (for the first time) in middle school. I think I was 12 or 13. It was mandatory. You were probably already giving talks by then if you were raised LDS.

I gave my first talk in Jr Sunday School more than sixty years ago. (Haven't stopped since, I'm told.)

In the Gypsy culture, no child is given lessons, but nearly every child can play the violin. Why? They don't know that playing the violin is challenging: their parents give them a small violin at age five or so, and just let them experiment with it. It's what their fathers do, so it's what they do.

I cannot imagine being frightened of speaking in public. It's what I'm used to doing, but evidently not many people share this viewpoint. The most feared thing in USmerica is public speaking, outranking even a root canal (now that's frightening!).

Lehi

[The Nehor]

you mean to tell us you don't keep a talk ready to go in your scripture case for just a occasion, and I thought every one followed the boy scout moto, Always be prepared.

I follow the Brigham Young approach. Beyond thinking and reading about the topic I rarely prepare. Occasionally I have a page that has a few words on it as reminders for things I may want to touch on and I use about half of them. The rest is a combination of my thoughts on the topic, inspiration from on high, and me rambling.

[The Nehor]

I cannot imagine being frightened of speaking in public. It's what I'm used to doing, but evidently not many people share this viewpoint. The most feared thing in USmerica is public speaking, outranking even a root canal (now that's frightening!).

I think it's an American obsession with what people think about us.

My remedy:

Realize that only half of the people are even bothering to listen

Half of those left are beyond me spiritually and that they and the Holy Ghost are having a more advanced discussion of the topic and are only vaguely listening to me.

Half of those left are preparing Sunday School or other auxiliary lessons and are only vaguely listening

Half of those left are playing on their iphone

Half of those left are too busy watching children to pay much attention

Half of those left are looking at the clock and wondering how much longer I will go on for

Half of those left are on the stand and are relieved their talks are already over or are hoping I take more time from them

And the one twit left is an idiot and his opinion isn't worth the oxygen used to create his thoughts on it.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

I think it's an American obsession with what people think about us.

My remedy:

Realize that only half of the people are even bothering to listen

Half of those left are beyond me spiritually and that they and the Holy Ghost are having a more advanced discussion of the topic and are only vaguely listening to me.

Half of those left are preparing Sunday School or other auxiliary lessons and are only vaguely listening

Half of those left are playing on their iphone

Half of those left are too busy watching children to pay much attention

Half of those left are looking at the clock and wondering how much longer I will go on for

Half of those left are on the stand and are relieved their talks are already over or are hoping I take more time from them

And the one twit left is an idiot and his opinion isn't worth the oxygen used to create his thoughts on it.

I think you covered everyone.

[LeSellers]

I think it's an American obsession with what people think about us.

It seemed little different in France, Switzerland, and Italy when I lived in those countries. Maybe it's western European?

Lehi