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Q: Is TO EACH A GIFT your first talk on tape?
A: Yes.
Q: When was it produced?
A: May, 1998
Q: What is the message of TO EACH A GIFT?
A: I wanted to show how good things can come from tragedy. All of us face difficult experiences. But I truly believe that if we allow it, those experiences can give us something of value. But I think those gifts are buried treasure. It’s like mining for gold. Rarely does gold just appear on the surface of the earth. We have to go down into the dark recesses of the rocks to find it. I think the good that comes from tragedy is often like mining. We have to search for it, but it’s there.
Q: Is there more to TO EACH A GIFT?
A: Yes. There are a lot of interwoven themes in this talk. One thing I try to stress is the importance of redefining failure. Often, we think if something we’re working on doesn’t turn out the way we think it should, then we have failed. But just because our projects turn out differently than we had hoped doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ve failed. It often means that we’re being presented with a new and exciting opportunity. If we can search out that opportunity then we can open ourselves up to all kinds possibilities and gifts.
Q: How do you illustrate all of this in TO EACH A GIFT?
A: Through personal experience. I think our greatest lessons come from stories. So, I tell a story. Then I dissect that story to display the point. The great thing about stories is that people can often come away with another thought that holds great meaning for them. So, I think TO EACH A GIFT can hold many different meanings for each individual, depending on their own personal experiences.
Q: Do you do a lot of public speaking?
A: Sometimes. It seems to run in spurts. I’ll have a month or two where I’m busy every weekend, and then months will go by, and I won’t be called upon for any presentations. But I stay fairly busy. I was teaching institute until just recently. And now I’m teaching Gospel Doctrine again. So I get plenty of teaching opportunities.
Q: Are you available for speaking engagements?
A: Yes. If you’re interested, just send me an e-mail through this website.
Q: Do you give other presentations besides TO EACH A GIFT?
A: Yes. I’m always working on new presentations.
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