A captivating and relatable story is one of the best ways to
not only set up your ethos, but to draw in and connect with the audience almost
instantaneously. Howard Gardner (1995), a Harvard psychologist, wrote that “[L]eaders
achieve their effectiveness chiefly through the stories they relate.”
Elder Allen D. Haynie of the Quorum of
the 70 not only knew somewhat of the power of telling stories, but he mastered
the art of relating to an audience of all ages, cultures and experiences. He began his discourse with a fun memory of
when he was a child digging up dirt with his friends. He eventually got dirty because of a mud hole,
and wanted to go back inside- to which his grandma rejected. The story was funny and quickly grabbed the
attention of the listeners. Although
most didn’t know who he was, they felt an instant connection, not only because of
the humor, but because the story was relatable to every age- as either the
grandparent scolding the child or the innocent, care-free child. People from all countries could relate as well
because most everyone has resources to getting dirty and playing with
friends.
Another tool Elder Haynie used in telling a story was the
canon of memory- specifically, making one’s speech memorable. As well as using a story to help the audience
remember his speech, he also focused completely on one topic- every scripture,
quote, and testimony relating directly to how the Savior’s Atonement can give
us hope and make us clean. Throughout
the talk he used powerful word patterns to help his audience remember what was
said. “The Atonement makes the Saviors invitation
to ‘Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect’,
perfectly possible, rather than frustratingly out of reach.” People today LOVE these elegant phrases. Elder Haynie realized the great power in
focusing on the canon of memory.
Besides, what good is a talk if the audience can’t remember it?
