Joseph Smith set the doctrinal table of Mormonism, and a number of succeeding prophets regularly paid homage to him and his distinctive ideas. However, beginning most identifiably with David O. McKay, presidential general conference rhetoric became less devoted to Joseph Smith’s ideas and more devoted to more traditional and historic common Christian themes. Richard N. …
Speaker: Richard N. Armstrong
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE RHETORIC OF HAROLD B. LEE AND HOWARD W. HUNTER: BRIEF PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATIONS, PROFOUND PROPHETIC UTTERANCE
Although Harold B. Lee served as Church president for fewer than eighteen months and Howard W. Hunter, for only nine months, through their general conference addresses, both men had a profound effect on the membership. I will analyze the content of their presidential messages, along with their speaking styles, in an effort to explain their …
Joseph Smith as Public Speaker
Joseph Smith as Public Speaker This essay presents a historical context and critique of Joseph Smith as public speaker and rhetorician. Smith’s “King Follett Discourse” is used as a case in point. It was discovered that Joseph Smith did not fit the generally accepted mold for effective orators of his day but was still able …