No matter where you look on the internet, public speaking is one of the top 3 fears across the board. I find that rather interesting. I have mixed feelings about public speaking. I have the opportunity to do it quite regularly, but I rarely volunteer for the opportunity.

Today at Church all the youth in my ward “got” to give a talk about a favorite Christmas memory and how they have included Christ in their Christmas. Each youth have different reactions to the opportunity to speak. Some spoke for 30 seconds, most for a little over 1 minute, one for about 5 minutes. They all did great, and it was a great meeting.

After Church we discussed over dinner each persons different feelings about public speaking. Some of the family is just nervous from start to finish, the time leading up to speaking, and all through the talks. Others are fine until they stand up to speak. I was the only one who is slightly nervous as the time approaches and then as soon as I stand up the nerves dissipate within about 2-3 minutes and then I’m not nervous after that. This only leads to a problem if I only have to speak for 5 or so minutes as the nerves have just settled down and then I am done.

It got me thinking about the way my Church trains youth. From the time they are in primary (ages 3-11) they are given opportunity to give little talks in Primary. When they turn 12 they are given opportunity to give 5 minute talks in Sacrament meeting in front of the whole congregation. In their youth classes they are given opportunities to prepare and teach lessons in front of their peers.

While many of them still aren’t fond of speaking, it’s not a foreign concept to them, and they develop an ability to face their fears to a great extent. They become at least somewhat competent at speaking for short amounts of time.

I was grateful for my 4 years of teaching seminary as that gave me a lot more confidence to not only public speak, but to take questions and think on my feet while I was speaking. When I have to speak about things I am not as familiar with or when I don’t have time to prepare I am more nervous, when I am familiar with the subject it makes a huge difference.

I think some people like being in front of people more than others, but I do think that it’s a learned ability, and anyone can learn to be at least somewhat less nervous and be more confident in their ability to present and speak. I’m grateful now for the many years of training, that I didn’t know was training, that Church provided.