Communication Training Begins

So today we had 2 trainings by Ralf, the first one was on working with Opinion Leaders (those who endorse, authorize or defend) in ways that help or hinder. We talked about how to prioritize opinion leaders.

The other training was on News Writing. Also interesting and helpful. We talked about the news values of timeliness, continuity, human interest, impact, conflict, prominence, proximity and unexpectedness as reasons for writing a piece. Keep it short and simple, use dynamic verbs, and be straight forward.

Ralf showed us the inverted pyramid of how to construct a story with the first paragraph having all of the important information, followed by more details and maybe a quote, followed by some background info, ending with the boiler plate info about the church.

We are to just report the facts, no superlatives, use British spelling, We are to tell, not sell. Use 3rd person from the journalist’s perspective. Only include verifiable facts, not subjective impressions or judgements, no personal commentary unless it’s in quotations marks as said by someone in the article.

We avoid church jargon, keep things short and simple, prioritize messages (don’t be controlled by events) (first the message, 2nd the story), favor the active voice over the passive voice, tell one story at a time, don’t crowd several stories into one news release, spell out numbers 1-9, use full names the first time you mention someone, and avoid using brackets [ ]. Instead add another sentence. I like this kind of stuff. I like reading books about writing. I brought several with me. I hope I can become better and better at it.

It was my turn to present a spiritual thought in our meetings this week. Here’s what I’ve been thinking about in relation to Communications:

Spiritual Thought by Sis Lewis:

Alma 37: Alma to Helaman about Records and what was written:

1. And now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;

2. And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.

3. And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—

4. Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.

5. And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.

6. Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means [WORDS] in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God doth work by means [WORDS, COOMMUNICATIONS] to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.

9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.

Zanna Keithley:

Would you share your words if you knew there’s a person out there who needs to hear exactly what you have to say? Would you display your art if you knew it had the power to heal and speak inspiration in another? Would you choose to be a coach or mentor if you knew that the skills and knowledge you possess could profoundly transform someone’s life for the better? Would you offer your unique gifts if you knew that they could change the world? That they could change just one person’s world? That everything you possess is everything someone else out there is waiting for. Will you be brave for that one person? That one person who needs what you can offer. That one person who is searching for your words, your art, your guidance, your wisdom, that thing that only you have. Can you do it for that one person? That one person who needs to hear your story. Who needs to experience your light. That one person who needs the spark of magic that you carry. Can you trust that who you are and what you possess inside you is more than enough? Are you willing to step forward and offer the thing only you can give?

D&C 84:60-62:

Verily, verily, I say unto you who now hear my words, which are my voice, blessed are ye inasmuch as you receive these things;

61 For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment—that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you.

62 Therefore, go ye into all the world; and unto whatsoever place ye cannot go ye shall send, that the testimony may go from you into all the world unto every creature.

Summary:

1. Words, stories, messages are MEANS

2. Our Words can change individual lives

3. Send our words where we cannot go–into all the world, unto every person