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I don’t write my talks out, I write down general ideas that I would like to share, along with references. I am writing my first HC talk to be given to a branch, I was allowed to choose the subject. I chose “Come unto Christ by living his gospel” (although the title could change). Here are my general ideas, please give your input: After the niceties of bringing greetings from the SP, I would introduce myself and point out that just a couple months ago I was inactive and had been for some time (some of them will know this).
From “Ministering that Matters” (March Ensign I would quote Elder Bednar about addressing the assembled “ones” and perhaps expand that a bit in relation to our SPs concern for the one.
From there I would move into Uchtdorf, “It is not that simple,” natural to question, doubt your doubts, come join with us
I would assert that faith requires opposition (there must needs be opposition in all things) and that without doubt there would be no need for faith
Faith in Jesus Christ is next, comparing the gospel to an onion with the two great commandments and the doctrine of Christ at the core (this includes love being a universal teaching among cultures, that Jesus taught the two great commandments which were already known to the Jews; and the Hillel story in my signature line and Joseph Smith’s similar statement about the gospel of Christ). I will also point out here that Pres. Monson speaks frequently (almost always) of loving our neighbors.
Then the doctrine of Christ as stated in 3 Nephi with additional quotes of Elder Christofferson in his April 2012 address.
This is a work in progress,of course, I am not finished.
I do realize that some people here don’t like talks that are rehashes of General Conference addresses. While I will quote significant parts from Pres. Uchtdorf, I see no better way to get this message through to a TBM
andquestioning group combined without doing so – it needs the credibility he offers to reach the ones. Quote:without doubt there would be no need for faith
As a HC, I probably would substitute “uncertainty” and/or “questions” for “doubt” – simply because of the negative connotations for so many people when they read “doubt” (translated often as “unbelief”). That still will resonate with anyone who is struggling without ringing alarm bells for the most orthodox.
This looks like a good outline! Not your typical “dry council” talk. I wish I could be there to hear it! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Old-Timer wrote:Quote:without doubt there would be no need for faith
As a HC, I probably would substitute “uncertainty” and/or “questions” for “doubt” – simply because of the negative connotations for so many people when they read “doubt” (translated often as “unbelief”). That still will resonate with anyone who is struggling without ringing alarm bells for the most orthodox.
Good one, thank you Ray. I wold not have come up with that on my own. I can see me pausing as I catch myself each time, I’ll work on it.
DarkJedi wrote:I do realize that some people here don’t like talks that are rehashes of General Conference addresses. While I will quote significant parts from Pres. Uchtdorf, I see no better way to get this message through to a TBM
andquestioning group combined without doing so – it needs the credibility he offers to reach the ones. You’ve picked great sources. I don’t think Pres. Uchtdorf’s talk can be emphasized enough. I don’t see any problem with quoting large portions of it. Your outline looks good to me. Good for you for being open about your choice to be inactive. After hearing you say that, I would be much more comfortable approaching you with questions than I would otherwise. You will do a lot of good in this calling! I look forward to hearing how well your talk goes!
I think the kind of rehashed General Conference talk people object to is where someone uses a single talk and doesn’t bring in anything else. You’re using multiple talks and other sources that tie into an overall theme. That’s not rehashing anything. You’re just using appropriate talks as sources to support your point. Sounds great to me. DarkJedi wrote:I do realize that some people here don’t like talks that are rehashes of General Conference addresses. While I will quote significant parts from Pres. Uchtdorf, I see no better way to get this message through to a TBM
andquestioning group combined without doing so – it needs the credibility he offers to reach the ones. I agree. The several times I’ve heard this talk referenced in lessons, it has been
onlyto quote the “Doubt your doubts” line. I get that the bulk of your talk will focus on Christ, but I think it would be nice to pull the focus out and see more of Pres. Uchtdorf’s message. Good luck! Regarding faith, I would point out that faith includes, by very definitiona degree of uncertainty. It is hope in the absence of knowledge. I would also talk about Exodus 33:18-21. Moses asks to see God’s glory. God says He will pass by while obstructing Moses’ view but that Moses will see His back. Some translations indicate that it wasn’t God’s “back” but “where God had been”.
I think this is a beautiful description of faith. Few of us see God. But we can see where He has been in our lives, in our world, and in our own hearts.
I’ve seen the footprints of God beside those labored shuffles of mourning families as they make that difficult trek back to a waiting black car from a graveside service. I’ve felt the warmth His hands have left on the shoulders of a prison inmate sobbing at the realization of the suffering caused by selfish acts. I’ve breathed His scent overwhelming the stale air of shantytowns where poverty, disease, and desperation would otherwise choke out goodness and hope. I’ve felt the cool breeze in His wake as the cleansing morning of forgiveness dawns on a penitent sinner. I’ve felt the hem of His garment as by their faith He has healed sick bodies and through their illness He has exalted tender souls. I’ve seen His reflection in the eyes of those who weep for the suffering, those who show compassion for society’s outcasts, and those who gently bind up the broken.
Because I can see where God has been, I live in the hope that there is a better world awaiting all those who are willing to follow His footsteps into the forsaken places where He is so actively at work.
Because I can see where God has been, I am unable to turn away from the sick, imprisoned, hungry, thirsty, and naked.
Because I can see where God has been, I walk by faith that my small efforts to shadow His path will eventually bring us face to face.
Mercy – that is beautiful. Because of my schedule today I am missing church – your piece will be my sermon/lesson for the day. DJ, looks great and I know you will do well and will be a breath of fresh air for many. One observation. I don’t think faith is the CAUSE of coming to Christ, but an EFFECT of it.
That comment is a beautiful example of why I love m&g. :thumbup: Yes, M&G, that is indeed a beautiful testimony. But, I don’t fully share it – while I do see the beauty of God’s creation, I am not at all convinced that God has had a direct significant influence on my life. I am fine tuning by definition of faith requiring uncertainty, though, and like your simple statement. I will consider how Exodus might fit – I prefer using the Bible as opposed to the BoM (but I do like that definition of the doctrine of Christ found in 3 Nephi). On Own Now wrote:DJ, looks great and I know you will do well and will be a breath of fresh air for many.
One observation. I don’t think faith is the CAUSE of coming to Christ, but an EFFECT of it.
Good point OON, and I agree. I’ve felt today that I need to fit in there “We love him because he first loved us.” That idea has multiple applications, including faith and the idea that we must love those around us if we expect them to love us – less actives won’t come back if they don’t feel the love.
Hi, “believing Mormon” guy here, back again. DarkJedi, I like your talk ideas. I think the TBMs would benefit from knowing you were inactive. It will hopefully expand their horizons a little.
And especially they can benefit from hearing what Elder Uchdorf’s talk means to you. The TBMs can’t hear Uchtdorf quoted enough, in my opinion. (In my head I call him Zen Master Elder Uchtdorf.)
The focus on Christ and the other scriptures and talks you have on your list – these are of course spot on for a sacrament meeting.
Zen Master Elder Uchtdorf – I like it. If he defected and started his own version of Mormonism I would likely follow him (at least until the Danites get him). 
😈 Thanks for your input Shoshin, it’s good to have this kind of comment from someone more orthodox than me. I do think Pres. Uchtdorf was speaking to the active, believing members, probably because they’re the ones who would have been there to hear him. Trouble is, I’m not convinced they did hear him. Then again, if you asked the average member who sat through all 10 hours of conference what just one of the speakers said there would probably be a long pause while they tried to think of something and may not come up with anything. FWIW, I am ready with Elder Oaks if asked – that has become my favorite talk from last conference, although I did like Sr. Reeves (a sister who talked about porn) and Elder Zwick (trying to understand the perspective of someone else), and I also particularly liked Pres. Monson’s talk on love (who can argue with a prophet talking about love?). Seriously, I don’t think off the top of their heads most members could come up with a short list like that – and I only watched/listened to some of it. And with that I just got some new ideas for my talk or future talks!
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