Using Rhetoric in Public Office

Wow well it has been just a bit since my last blog post. I guess I've got to learn how to be better at this but isn't that what this is for anyway? I was reviewing in our Writing and Rhetoric book and a few things really stuck out to me. In our book it explains how we usually judge our leaders "not so much on what they do but on how they explain what they do when they address us." I have definitely see this in our national politicians, especially in the republic debates. No one has a perfect past so we must rely on their explanation as to why they did what they did. This is important and we listen because when we understand why they made certain choices it often changes our mind on how we feel about that decision though we may not necessarily agree. There is always more to a vote or a decision than just the black and white or right and wrong. There are usually always intended consequences as well as unintended consequences and good plausible arguments for each side. I think this is a big reason why rhetoric is such an important or useful tool. It gives us the ability to explain and help others understand why we have made certain important decisions. I have to ask though, how do you feel about the use of rhetoric in public office?

We Are Survivors

When Elder Eyring, now President Eyring, came to BYU a few years ago he took a good look at the student body present at the devotional and said, "You are survivors."What an interesting exclamation. At times it seems like I am just doing what everyone else is doing and going to BYU because that's what I have been told to do since the day I was born. In all reality though I am quite blessed to be where I am (though sometimes blessed might be the last word I use to describe how I feel). Many would love to be in my place and have the opportunities I have right now. It is definitely something I sometimes take for granted.


Reading the rest of this talk came at such an interesting time in my college life as I decide what major is right for me. Most importantly what do I want to do? Elder Eyring said one of the characteristics of a good student is keeping commitments. That was quite the dagger because at times it feels like I am breaking my commitment to the music program in which I have invested so much time. Is that what he really meant? I don't think so. He wants us to be committed to true principles and rules and to the Gospel. All else will fall into place if we start there. That is how we survive.