The annual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is an eagerly anticipated event for members and non-members alike, offering spiritual guidance and insightful perspectives. One striking feature of these conferences is the wide margin speakers tend to leave between their words and personal interpretation, allowing listeners to draw their own conclusions and apply teachings to their lives. This article explores this deliberate speaking style and its impact on audiences.
Wide margin speaking, a term coined by LDS members, refers to the approach taken by general authorities when delivering conference addresses. Instead of providing explicit instructions or interpretations, they often share stories, ask questions, or make observations, leaving a significant amount of ""white space"" for individuals to ponder and interpret. This technique encourages personal reflection and growth.
Encouraging Personal Revelation
One of the primary purposes of wide margin speaking is to foster personal revelation. LDS leaders believe that each person has the right and responsibility to receive divine guidance for their life. By leaving margins in their talks, they invite listeners to seek their own spiritual insights and apply the principles to their unique circumstances.
President Russell M. Nelson, the current LDS Prophet, has emphasized this concept. In a 2018 conference address, he said, "As we participate in this conference, I hope we will each receive personal revelation specific to our own needs and the needs of those we love."
Stories and Parables
Speakers often use stories and parables to illustrate their points, much like Jesus Christ did in His mortal ministry. These narratives allow listeners to see principles in action and draw their own conclusions about how to apply them. For instance, Elder Holland's 2014 address, ""Tomorrow? Why Not Today?"", used several anecdotes to point out the importance of seizing opportunities for service and personal growth.
Storytelling also makes talks more engaging and relatable. By painting vivid pictures with their words, speakers can help listeners visualize and remember the message, making it more likely they will reflect on it later.
Asking Questions
Another wide margin technique is asking rhetorical questions. These questions prompt listeners to consider the topic from different angles, much like the classic Sunday School approach of asking, ""What do you think this means?"" In his 2018 address, ""Thepéarage of Priesthood,"" President Nelson asked, ""Are you to become more or less involved in the worldly activities seeking to lead you from the strait and narrow path?"" This question encourages each listener to introspect and find their own answer.
Asking questions also makes listeners more active participants in the learning process. Instead of passively receiving information, they are invited to think critically and engage with the message.
The Role of the Holy Ghost
The Spirit of the Lord, or the Holy Ghost, is a vital aid in understanding the teachings of General Conference. Wide margin speaking leaves ample room for the Holy Ghost to teach and testify to each listener's heart. Some messages may be more poignant or relevant to one person than another, and the Holy Ghost can help individuals discern which counsel to heed.
Elder Dale G. Renlund, in his 2020 address, ""What Kind of Man, Woman, or Child Are You Becoming?"", emphasized the role of the Holy Ghost in our personal growth. He taught, ""The Holy Ghost can help you understand what these counselors are saying and how to apply their teachings to your life."""
Tender Mercies and Promptings
The Holy Ghost can also reveal tender mercies and promptings specific to each listener. These personal insights often come from the margins of the talk, as the Holy Ghost guides individuals to see and understand things that might otherwise go unnoticed. A phrase, a story, a single word might suddenly take on profound meaning and significance.
Sister Reyna Aburto, in her 2020 address, ""Blossoming Where You Are Planted,"" shared her experience of receiving a tender mercy as she listened to a conference talk. She testified, ""While traveling, I listened to Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's 2006 conference address, ""An High Priest of Good Things to Come,"" and it was as if he were speaking directly to me and my family."""
In conclusion, the wide margins left in LDS General Conference talks are not intended to be filling or padding. Instead, they are spaces of opportunity, allowing listeners to engage actively with the message, receive personal revelation, and feel the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. As we approach each conference with an open heart and mind, we can look forward to the teachings and testimonies that will touch our lives in profound, personal ways.