John Nicholson (1830-1909), in his 1885
work, published by the Deseret News Company aimed at young men within the
Church, offered the following tips on how to preach. I thought it would be
useful to others, as the advice he gives for young Elders on preaching would work
well even today in 2020 for all members of the Church on the “how-tos” of
speaking at Church (and other public settings):
HINTS ON PREACHING
The effect of
preaching, especially that of inexperienced Elders, is frequently marred by
defects of delivery which would, in most instances, be obviated by though and attention.
It is always easier to get rid of a defect in the earlier stages of experience,
than when it becomes more or less a confirmed habit.
I submit the
following hints, in the hope that they may prove of some benefit:
1. Do not shut your
eyes, nor look at the ceiling. In other words, do not look away from, but
squarely at your audience. Consider your congregation an individualism that you
wish to bring to your way of thinking.
2. If you are
predisposed to be aggressive, cultivate a persuasive manner. The former style
often brings needless opposition, and while it may convince the intellect of
the listener, seldom, if ever, wins the heart.
3. Without paying too
much attention to gesture and elocution, it is well to suit the action to the
word and the word to the action, and throw special force into those phrases
containing the leading points you wish to convey.
4. Never imitate the
style and manner of another speaker, however excellent may by be the model. Be
natural and adhere to your own style, because it is natural. No other is
adapted to you, any more than another man’s nose would be adapted to your style
of face.
5. Pay attention to accentuation.
Pronounce every word clearly and distinctly before beginning to utter another.
Each word should be a well defined entity, not merged into another. What might
be termed the confluent type of public speaking—the words running into one
another in assort of mass—is one to be strictly avoided.
6. In beginning to
address an audience, assume an easy attitude and avoid hurry, which leads to
confusion and failure. Rapid utterance is a common fault of young speakers, as
with young swimmers—a few quick, excited strokes, and down they go.
7. The first
consideration in the successful preaching of the Gospel is to obtain, by a
godly life and through prayer and faith; the Spirit of the Lord, without which
no man will possess power for good.
8. It is of great
importance to have the mind stored with the principles of truth, that you may
have something to say. Those who imagine the Spirit will do everything for them
will be disappointed. The chief office of the Spirit is to aid the Elder in his
search for knowledge, bring what he has learned to his memory, when occasion requires,
and give him freedom and facility of utterance. The Lord does not place a
premium upon indolence. You cannot draw water out of a dry wall. Neither will
intelligence and truth be brought forth from an empty mind. Study and reflect;
fill your mind with knowledge. The Spirit will do the rest.
9. Be in earnest.
Feel the importance of the message you bear. Show your earnestness in the vigor
of your speech. Do not mumble and mutter, but speak right out, always
sufficiently loud for all your audience to hear you distinctly. You will never
convince others of the correctness of any matter regarding which you appear, by
your manner or otherwise to be in some doubt yourself.
10. Never speak upon
subjects you do not clearly understand. You can never make plain to others what
is not clear to yourself. Let mysteries alone.
11. Do not endeavor
to be a florid speaker. Your chief aim should be clearness and simplicity the
object being to convey to others your own sincere convictions. Use the simplest
words that will correctly define your meaning. There may be persons in your
congregation who would not understand the more unusual words; therefore, when
simple language is used, it will always be comprehended by the greatest
possible number. Besides, there is beauty in simplicity.
12. Many men with
good natural abilities for public speaking fail from being unable to control
their feelings while before an audience. School yourself to be collected, and
never let your language get ahead of your ideas. In other words, do not force
your ideas to conform to your language; your language must conform to your
ideas. Always speak to an idea, thought or truth as it may be brought to your
mind by the Spirit. Give the Spirit time to suggest, and utter the thoughts as
they present themselves. Do not be in haste to sit down until you are certain
the spirit will not come to your aid.
13. Do not speak for
the purpose of gaining the applause of men. If you do you will not obtain much
aid from the Spirit of the Lord. Let your aim be to please God, and take your
chance as to your efforts pleasing men; at the same time always avoid being unnecessarily
offensive to your fellow creatures.
14. When you succeed
in preaching with freedom, by the aid of the Spirit of Truth, do not afterwards
feed your vanity in fishing for compliments by asking people how they liked
your discourse. Cultivate a spirit of humility and give God the glory. If you do
you will not meet with disappointment, for not only the Lord, but clearsighted
men and women will observe your weakness.
15. Avoid the too
common habit of finishing and beginning several times over during your
discourse. No one who does this can retain the full sympathy and patience of an
audience. When a congregation has obtained an impression that a speaker is
about to wind up his remarks, and he starts off anew, the effect is generally
unfavourable. (John Nicholson, The Preceptor: Being a Simple System for
Enabling Young Men to Acquire a Knowledge of the Doctrines of the Gospel and
the Ability to Preach Them [2d ed.; Salt Lake City: Deseret News Company,
Printers and Publishers, 1885], 105-110)