Talks in the LDS Church
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is made up of several congregations called wards that are organized into larger units called stakes. Each ward is led by a Bishop and each stake is directed by a Stake President. Within these wards and stakes, there are several other responsibilities that are filled by their members. All of these responsibilities, including that of being a Bishop or Stake President, are referred to as callings. Callings are able to be given to all members of the church. We don't attend school or receive special academic training in order to receive any such responsibilities. The church is run by what is called a lay clergy.
Being that this section is supposed to introduce different talks I've given, one may wonder why I give the above background. Well, I'm a part of the LDS church. I have held callings and will continue to do so in the future. Much like how I have certain assignments when I work to fulfill my different callings, I'm given specific opportunities to serve those in the various stakes as a member of His church. Giving talks before the congregation is one of those assignments that nearly every active member will be able to experience.
On this page of my website, I'll provide a list of some of the talks I've given. The list doesn't comprise of all of the talks that I've ever given. I didn't keep very good records of my talks until about the time I served my mission, a special calling in which I dedicated all of my time to God for two years.
Each of the talks will focus on certain aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most of them were written with a specific audience in mind. For this reason, the terminology may be difficult to understand at times. Regardless, there are principles in all of them that everyone can consider and take to heart.
When reading my talks, please realize that my knowledge of His Gospel is not perfect. I have weaknesses and I'm definitely not a professional speaker. Nephi, a prophet from the Book of Mormon, put it well when he said:
Nevertheless, I do not write anything upon plates save it be that I think it be sacred. And now, if I do err, even did they err of old; not that I would excuse myself because of other men, but because of the weakness which is in me, according to the flesh, I would excuse myself (1 Nephi 19:6).
Finally, many of you readers will notice that my talks typically end very abruptly, failing to tie together the points discussed. I rarely write the end of my talks. I prefer to leave them open-ended so that when I'm speaking I feel free to express my feelings as the Spirit dictates. It is at that time that I share my testimony, or declare the truths that God has made clear in my life through the Holy Ghost. That simply isn't something I can just write down. It must be something that I feel in the moment. It can't be planned.