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5 Phases You’ll Go Through When You’re Asked to Speak at Church

5 Phases You’ll Go Through When You’re Asked to Speak at Church

People are generally very willing to speak in church. It’s one of the ways we serve each other and grow spiritually.

We also all go through similar stages of emotion as we have this experience. We thought we would present a common scenario to you in gif form.

A member of the bishopric calls you on the phone and you gladly accept the opportunity. Perhaps gladly is an overstatement.

phone

Once you’ve hung up the phone, reality hits. It doesn’t matter how much time you have to prepare, you realize that Saturday night is going to be long and stressful.

nervouse

After preparing for days, you get to sweat it out on the stand waiting for your turn to speak. This might be the worst part. The only light at the end of the tunnel is that once you are done with your talk you can breathe easy again.

sweat

Once you’re finally up at the pulpit, you feel a little shaky at first – but after 10 minutes, it’s over! And you know what, you didn’t do half bad!

relief

You look over the congregation from your seat, and believe it or not, they’re all impressed. Well done!

applause

Now, CELEBRATE! You’re off the hook until next year – if you’re lucky.

celebrate

Ben Arkell

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

Cindy, Definitely doesn't apply to everyone! It was obviously meant to be more of a humorous post. I'm glad that you enjoy speaking and are so willing to do it. I'm sure the Bishop loves it as well!

cindy williams

Thursday 22nd of October 2020

Interesting article. But sadly, not at all accurate for me. I am one of those weirdos who love to talk in Church. It is great. A while back I had my bishop ask if I would talk and I said "You bet! I'll do it any time you want." He said how about this week?" I said "Certainly, how long a talk should I do?" He looked me right in the eye and said, as if daring me, "How about 20 min?" I said "You got it." He blinked. I gave a 20 min talk about the Savior and His Atonement. It was a wonderful experience that I highly enjoyed. That evening the bishop called me into his office and said he had liked my talk and had been surprised that I had no trouble speaking for 20 min. He had thought I would be hesitant about the time. I said "Nope, I thought it was great and I will talk any time you need me too." He immediately called me to be Gospel Doctrine teacher. I had that job for 4 years. It was the funnest calling ever! Since then, I have come down with Multiple Sclerosis and for the last 5 years I have been totally incapacitated and completely bedridden from it. I am SO glad I spoke in Church and taught that class while I had that chance. :-)

Rob L House

Sunday 21st of December 2014

The book is blue and the Church is true. The pages are white and full of light.

Ben Arkell

Sunday 21st of December 2014

Nice string of poetic lines you got there! :)