Giving a talk in sacrament meeting or in any of our Church meetings should be recognized as a special opportunity. Seek the inspiration of our Heavenly Father through prayer, scripture study, and studying the words of the living prophets in the Church magazines as you prepare your talk. “Ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (D&C 4:7).

Natural divisions of a talk:

1. The introduction. A good introduction is short. The purpose of an introduction is to gain the attention and interest of the listeners. You might include a short quotation from the scriptures, a question, or a quick statement about local circumstances or world events.
   
   
2. Statement of what you intend to talk about.
   
   
3. Body of the talk. The body is your development of the subject, containing your illustrations and examples. This is the portion of your talk where you may wish to use a few short notes.
   • Do not present as your talk a story from a book or one of the Church magazines.
   • Give your talk with your own reasoning, using your own words.
   • Say what you have prepared in a friendly, conversational manner.
   • Speak sincerely, with conviction and with enthusiasm.
   • Be for something rather than against something.
     
     
4. Conclusion.
   • Give a short summation or restatement with conclusions.
   • Leave your audience with a positive attitude.
   • Share your testimony of the principle you have taught.
   • Finish your talk within the allotted time.
     (See Communications Manual [1982, item no. 30814], 1–2.)

Additional Helps

• Young Women Personal Progress, 28, 35, Individual Worth Value Experience 4 and Knowledge Value Experience 4
• The Activity Book, 57–61
• Meghan Decker, “Tips for Terrific Talks,” New Era, July 2004, 11