In this solo episode, Kurt considers the concept of aspiring to lead and shares ideas and experiences prompted by a series of newsletter messages. Highlights 4:15 Where the topic of aspiring started in the newsletter 8:25 Responses to newsletter messages: Is it okay for someone to aspire? 9:40 Quotes about not aspiring 11:00 Hypothetical situation and survey: Harry wants to be bishop 13:00 Aspiring can be a form of pride and a hunger for power; who is this teaching turning away? 15:20 Who was the first person to ever aspire to a calling? There are aspirations that aren't based in pride/power/glory 17:10 Truman Madsen quote of Joseph Smith's statement on aspiring 19:00 Letter from James: aspiring distracts from revelation 22:30 We are encouraged to aspire to some callings, or at least not discouraged 24:00 Why would anyone even want to lead?

1 Timothy 3:1 God's remarkable vision speaks to our souls 27:15 Lift where you stand, but formal leadership callings simplify the process of discipleship

30:00 Unintended consequences of the teaching not to aspire:

Putting leaders on pedestals; questioning a few sacred cultural cows

33:10 Dynamic of individuals who do not have the same leadership opportunities

37:00 Leads to individuals seeking personal validation through leadership 40:45 Unintentionally disenfranchises the most capable; creates a culture of fear 43:10 Accidentally diminish our God-given desire for influence and purpose

48:45 Observations/ideas to improve the culture:

Liberate the capable by encouraging influence from everyone Don't shrink from influence No more pedestals Create more seats at the table We need more examples of the desire for influence: aim to be on the list for consideration Don't diminish a calling by highlighting the sacrifices When we label the desire to influence as prideful, only the prideful seek to influence Destigmatize the desire to lead

Links From Baptist Preacher to Latter-day Saint | An Interview with Gary Miller Truman Madsen lectures Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Note: This transcript was machine-produced. We would be grateful for help correcting errors. You can help! Simply copy/paste the transcript text into a document, make the corrections, and then copy/paste the corrected text into a comment on the page (below) and we will get the corrected text published!