Do You Have an Elevator Speech? — Acts 16–21
Come, Follow Me: New Testament 2023 (July 24–30)
Have you heard of an elevator speech? It’s a brief (about 30 seconds), and succinct message you share with another person. It’s called an elevator speech because the delivery takes about the time you’d spend riding an elevator with someone.
While in Rome, Paul gives an excellent elevator speech on Mars’ hill after seeing the altar inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. He succinctly shares his message about the God he knows.
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands, Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us. For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring” (Acts 17:24-28).
As we look for opportunities to share our testimonies, having an elevator speech is helpful. Here are a few topics that could be prepared and practiced:
Who is Heavenly Father? Who is Jesus Christ?
Why do you believe you’re a child of God? What difference does it make?
Why do you believe Joseph Smith was a prophet?
Why do you stay in the church?
Whether or not you deliver your elevator speech, the exercise will strengthen your testimony and that’s always a good idea.
“As you fortify your own personal testimony, you will have power to make correct choices so that you can stand unwaveringly against the pressures of an increasingly vicious world. Your personal security and happiness depend upon the strength of your testimony, for it will guide your actions in times of trial or uncertainty” (Elder Richard G. Scott).