Rhetoric, or communication that influences, plays a huge role in each of our lives, but what role does it play in the gospel? The very word gospel is a reference to rhetoric; it means the “good news” that thanks to the atonement of Jesus Christ all mankind may overcome the effects of the fall of Adam – physical and spiritual death. Of course there are certain requirements that people must fulfill in order to experience the blessings of the gospel, and this paper will explore why rhetoric is so crucial in living by the gospel.
First of all, followers of Christ know that the greatest work on earth is to spread the joy and purpose that comes with a gospel lifestyle. Heavenly Father loves and knows us perfectly, and in his work to bring to pass our eternal happiness he often uses people to pass along his word. God calls worthy people to be the vessels that bear record of Him and of Christ. Through the words God put into the mouths of prophets, missionaries, and other teachers of the gospel millions of people have been prompted to change and live more righteously. We know that mere eloquence cannot convert someone to the gospel of Jesus Christ, but when faithful servants of God speak the words he puts into their mouths great power is present. This kind of rhetoric is unique, its power doesn't come from mastering a language or learning orator skills (although God may grant these gifts to His servants). Rather the source of its power is the Holy Ghost which is manifest in the words of worthy mouthpieces of God. Great prophets such as Enoch and Moses felt inadequate to receive the call to preach to difficult audiences, they were not gifted speakers, but as these obeyed God's commands they received help and miraculously changed millions of lives through their righteous words and deeds. Disciples of Christ can also expect to receive help in using rhetoric to invite their friends to come unto Christ.
Heavenly Father knows righteous words are powerful, why else would he preserve the scriptures for thousands of years? Revelation received from Him is often passed along in words, written or spoken. Why must these words be feasted upon and pondered continually? People forget things and they are liable to go by different dangerous paths if they stop studying about the only one that leads back to eternal life with Heavenly Father. The preservation of the rhetoric of prophets is necessary for these modern days when there is so much persuasive rhetoric built on cunning lies. Furthermore, for anyone to be able to receive further light and knowledge they must use what has been said already. For a disciple of Christ a most valuable possession is a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. As Alma teaches, this is obtained by first experimenting on the word. Continuing to study and live by the words God gave through chosen people is imperative for our growth and progression.
As beneficial as rhetoric can be, it often is used in an extremely destructive way. Most dangerous paths that lead off of the straight and narrow are made alluring by clever people who think, speak and rationalize well. We find out in Lehi's dream that many people who had followed the iron rod and even made it to the tree were ashamed and left it because of the mockers in the great and spacious building. The anti-christs Sherem, Nehor and Korihor were excellent speakers and that is how they were able to persuade so many to take paths that lead only to dead ends. That is why God gives all His children the light of Christ and to those who choose to be baptized he makes available the gift of the Holy Ghost which helps people know what to accept and live by.
In conclusion, rhetoric is a chosen method of God for the betterment of his children, just as it is a tool the adversary uses to ensnare all those who reject the truth. Every follower of Christ should consider how they use rhetoric and how rhetoric is used on them. The potential of rhetoric to do good is endless, just as is the danger that it can cause. The spirit will continue to teach worthy children of God how to use rhetoric righteously and what kind of rhetoric to avoid.
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ReplyDeleteHaving read a few other papers, mine seems boring. I probably should have assumed that my audience knows more, there was no need to write a lot of the stuff I wrote, oh well.
ReplyDeleteIts okay i enjoyed it because you had examples and information that was useful to me and that i needed . So thanks1
ReplyDeleteActually, I think it's really interesting, and yea, I gained strength and courage from it to be honest. You sound like a returned missionary. :) One thing you can do to improve it is to make your main idea more obvious and then make everything else you say focus around that main idea. You could organize it better with an introduction paragraph and body paragraphs.
ReplyDeleteI really like how the flow seems more conversational. Your points are very convincing and true. Your knowledge of good examples of prophets and opposition is a great addition to prove the many aspects of rhetoric in the gospel.
ReplyDeleteGood reflection on your own writing--because of the audience, you could probably be a little more concise, get more quickly to the heart of what you were trying to say. But I agree with the other comments--it was interesting and enjoyable to read.
ReplyDeleteSo true. It can really be used for good and for evil and it's up to us to see the difference. It was a little long with a few unnecessary additions, but overall it was very good and you caught those things on your own which was great. I agree: you sounded like a returned missionary.
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