President Russell M. Nelson’s advice to “Let God Prevail” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2020, 92) and “Think Celestial” (in Conference Report, Oct. 2023, 117) are positive reminders that we should seek inspiration from heaven through the Holy Ghost for all of life’s activities. This most certainly applies to preparing and presenting gospel topics in many situations.
The scriptures are clear:
“Take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.' (Matthew 10:19)
“And, behold, and lo, this is an ensample unto all those who were ordained unto this priesthood, whose mission is appointed unto them to go forth—
And this is the ensample unto them, that they shall speak as they are moved upon by the Holy Ghost.” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:2-3)
“If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30)
Thorough Preparation Precedes Spiritual Power
The guidance of the Holy Ghost is usually sought when we prayerfully prepare lessons or talks. However, these scriptures also imply that the Holy Ghost can assist in the delivery of messages. For example, Doctrine and Covenants 84:85 states, “Neither take ye thought beforehand what ye shall say; but treasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be given you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man.”
Reading a talk may seem like an appealing strategy. Many are beyond nervous about public speaking. Without a word-for-word script, it can feel nearly impossible to speak to a congregation. This fear is real and completely understandable. However, relying on a written text verbatim often fails to convey the message that the Holy Ghost needs the congregation to hear. For instance, while rereading a general conference talk might communicate information, it may prevent the congregation from receiving the specific, inspired message the Holy Ghost intended for them. Through intensive preparation and practice, these fears can be overcome, allowing the speaker to deliver a more heartfelt and personal message that the Spirit would have them receive.
President McKay Shows the Way
My mission president, A. Hamer Reiser, former president of Deseret Book and personal secretary to President David O. McKay, schooled me in this approach. In early 1953, President Reiser assigned me to speak at 13 district conferences in the coming weeks. He provided a half-page outline of the topics I was to address. He told me I was not to repeat myself in any of the 13 presentations. He recorded my talks in shorthand each week and reviewed them with me the following Monday morning.
Since I was introducing a new teaching plan to the missionaries at the same time, I had very little time to formally prepare. I had no option but to prepare inspired notes from which I spoke at each conference. It was impossible for me to write out each talk.
Shortly thereafter, I had the opportunity to talk with President McKay in his car while his wife and son were shopping. He spoke with me about several important gospel matters. Later, I reported the experience to President Reiser. He informed me that I had just participated in helping President McKay formulate his talk for the upcoming October 1953 General Conference.
He said President. McKay consistently went through three specific steps in preparing a talk: 1. Read yourself full, 2. Think yourself empty, and 3. Talk yourself clear.
As was his practice, he had chosen and thoroughly researched, pondered and prayed about a topic until he generally knew what message he wanted to convey. He then tried out these ideas in his conversation with me and several other people, making sure that his presentation would flow smoothly and have the desired impact on his listeners. He then wrote the talk that was later delivered in General Conference. He kept his inspired notes that contained even more detail and illustrations to be used when speaking on similar topics in less formal settings in the future.
It is the Spirit that Touches and Teaches
This approach requires more effort than simply reading from a script, regardless of how inspired the author was when it was written. We must be thoroughly prepared with a deep well of information to discern which points need emphasis based on the congregation’s needs. Additionally, we should be ready to 'tell' the talk rather than read it, enabling eye contact and personal interaction. This engages the audience and allows the Holy Ghost to guide the message, answering the questions most pressing to the listeners. Such an approach demands more preparation, but it gives the presenter the opportunity to choose from inspired thoughts received through the Holy Ghost, presenting them in ways that fully engage the audience. When the Spirit is involved in both the preparation and presentation, the message can be adjusted for maximum impact, helping those with a prayer in their heart to receive valuable answers from the Lord.
Let us permit the Holy Ghost not only to inspire us in preparing talks but also in presentation and delivery. In doing so, “He that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:22)