Well, after one-and-a-half years of stealthiness, the branch presidency found me out. That's right, I hadn't been asked to give a talk. My record has been demolished. It being December and all, and President Hinckley's Book of Mormon challenge having a due date of the end of December, you can guess what I was asked to talk about. Are you ready for it?Yes. That's right. The Book of Mormon. And how it's changed my life. Lovely.
Not that the Book of Mormon hasn't changed my life, but I prefer safe talks that are more academically centered, and have a less risky crying-factor. I was all ready to write a scripturally-based talk with loads of quotes from the prophet. I even was especially excited as it was my first talk after learning a cool graphic organizer from Brother Bott in Rel. 130. I was finally getting to try it out!
Things started off really well. I looked at the time, so I would stay within my limit. Then, I looked at the congregation and saw the lovely sister missionaries in the second row. Hmm. . . As we already have the APs assigned to our ward as well as another companionship, the sisters only come when they have single-type investigators. And, there they were, two college-age guys, nicely dressed.
No pressure. Okay, (breathing, slow careful breaths) now that I know my audience, I'm able to make adjustments. I'll just have to exlpain more things. Explain D&C 130: 20-22. Check. Put all scriptures in context. Check. I can do this.
Once I calm myself down and go merrily about my way, I think, "Wow! Things are really going well!" They laughed at my Nephi joke, they were paying attention. Hooray! Then, I managed to misplace Alma the Younger. It's tough, I know, but I managed it. Turns out I read my notes wrong and told everyone I'd be quoting from Alma 27. Lovely. Alma 27 is most definitely not about an angel rebuking Alma. Nope. Wrong book. Right chapter. Right verse. Wrong book.
I recover from this very well. (I think. I hope.) Finish my talk within time. Bear my testimony. Smile. Sit. (Hang my head in shame.)
The funny thing, though, is that I actually got compliments. Not the kind that I was necessarily hoping for like, "Well done," or "Wow! Where'd that one quote come from?" Not even "Great talk!" Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for compliments any time. But the funny thing is, what I got was a lot of "Cute talk!"
Cute.
Talk.
How can a talk be cute!?!
Arg.
5 comments:
Maybe they meant to say, "You sure are cute when you are giving a talk!" :)
Awww! I just want to pinch it's widdow cheeks!
Also, props on the Animaniacs reference. Of course, if I remember right, didn't you have a CD with all the songs? I never did get a copy of that. Sadness.
I wish that it had all the Animaniacs on there, but it only has my very favorite songs. I can always send it out with Clone 2 or bring it out when I come in February.
Just let me know and it shall be done. My wish is your command.
Seriously? That would be sweet.
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