Leading Saints Podcast: Recent Episodes
Leading Saints
Marianne Downing has a master’s degree in Education (counseling) and began her career as a therapist before combining it with various roles within the nonprofit sector. She has been an entrepreneur since 2002. Since becoming a Latter-day Saint, Marianne served in the New Zealand Auckland mission, and as Relief Society president, counselor in her stake Primary presidency, stake Relief Society president, early morning Seminary teacher, and Young Women president. While living in Paris, France, she was called as part of a committee by the European Area Presidency to establish LDS Family Services in the French-speaking areas of France, Switzerland, and Belgium. She currently serves as a ward missionary.
Alan Downing has a bachelor’s degree in music from the Hartt School of Music. He sang professionally for ten years, including in synagogues and churches, while also working as an IT administrator with IBM, Verizon, and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals. He left the corporate world to become a life coach and has created several men’s retreats and trainings. He has led or staffed well over 100 experiential retreats in the United States, Europe, and South and Central America. After his conversion as a Latter-day Saint, he served in the France Toulouse Mission, and has served in callings including as a member of his stake high council, elders quorum counselor, Sunday School teacher, ward finance clerk, ward and stake executive secretary, and many positions related to music. He currently serves as a ward music chairperson.
Alan and Marianne are co-founders of the nonprofit organization, Discover Identity, and are both identity coaches. Alan is also on the board of the Utah Valley Interfaith Association and Marianne is a founding member of the Utah Valley Women Leadership Collaborative (now the Bolder Way Forward of Utah Valley). Alan and Marianne are the parents of a blended family of six children and 11—soon to be 12—grandchildren between the United States and New Zealand.
LinksYour Mission Aligned, nonprofit coaching services
Discover Identity, nonprofit retreats
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsAlan and Marianne Downing discuss the concept of identity and its significance in personal development and leadership within the Latter-day Saint community. They emphasize the importance of understanding one’s identity beyond roles and societal expectations, particularly during life transitions.
Key Insights* Identity Exploration: The fundamental question of “Who am I?” is central to personal growth. Identity is not static; it evolves through life experiences and transitions, such as changes in church callings or family dynamics. * Deeper Understanding: True identity goes beyond titles like “mother” or “bishop.” It involves understanding personal values, beliefs, and what makes each individual unique. * Belonging vs. Fitting In: There is a distinction between belonging (sharing core beliefs) and fitting in (conforming to external expectations). Leaders should encourage individuality within the community to enhance unity. * Risk and Growth: Personal growth often requires taking risks and stepping outside comfort zones. Experiences, such as retreats, can facilitate deeper understanding and wisdom. * Mature vs. Immature Identity: Immature identity relies on external validation, while mature identity is anchored in self-awareness and allows for flexibility and growth.
Leadership Applications* Encourage Individuality: Leaders can foster an environment where members feel safe to express their unique identities, which can enhance community strength and diversity. * Facilitate Experiences: Organizing smaller group discussions or experiential learning opportunities can help members explore their identities and support each other through personal challenges. * Model Vulnerability: Leaders should be open about their own identity journeys, demonstrating that it is acceptable to question and explore one’s faith and personal growth, thereby creating a culture of openness and support.
00:05:07 – The Concept of Identity
00:06:40 – Exploring Identity Beyond Roles
00:08:07 – The Depth of Identity in the Gospel
00:09:32 – The Paradox of Identity and Individuality
00:10:29 – Navigating Group Identity vs. Individual Identity
00:12:28 – Personal Experiences with Identity
00:15:00 – The Downings’ Journey into Identity Work
00:18:01 – The Importance of Self-Discovery
00:20:40 – The Role of Experience in Identity Formation
00:24:40 – The Balance of Self and God’s Expectations
00:26:41 – Mature vs. Immature Identity
00:30:12 – The Role of Risk in Growth
00:32:15 – Experiential Learning and Retreats
00:34:22 – The Need for Community in Personal Growth
00:36:47 – The Importance of Anchors in Identity
00:39:14 – Embracing the Journey of Identity
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Todd Hillyard, a bishop in Vancouver, Washington, shares a variety of ideas about how he involves the youth to improve sacrament meeting.
You can listen to the full interview here: https://app.leadingsaints.org/c/livestream-recordings/letting-youth-lead-in-sunday-worship
Want to hire an international returned missionary who attended BYU Pathway? Check out https://leadingsaints.org/fullpond
Elder Scott N. Taylor is a professor of Organizational Behavior holding the Arthur M. Blank Endowed Chair for Values-Based Leadership at Babson College, having previously taught at Boston University and the University of New Mexico. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Brigham Young University as well as an MBA and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior from Case Western Reserve University. An award-winning educator and researcher whose work centers on leader assessment, executive coaching, and emotional competence, Scott has authored numerous scholarly publications and consulted internationally with dozens of major companies and government entities.
Elder Taylor has served as an Area Seventy since 2022. His Church service includes callings as a missionary in the Spain Bilbao Mission, young single adult branch president, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and stake president. Scott married Ashley Anne Boyter and they are the parents of four children and reside in Franklin, Massachusetts.
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsScott discusses the intersection of organizational behavior and church leadership. He shares insights on effective leadership qualities, the importance of creating a positive environment, and the balance between achieving goals and fostering relationships within church communities.
00:02:08 – Scott’s Professional Background
00:04:28 – Scott’s Role as Area 70
00:07:26 – Experience of Being an Area 70
00:09:56 – Daily Responsibilities and Stake Visits
00:12:17 – Understanding the Role of Area 70
00:13:27 – The Importance of Community and Connection
00:14:46 – Organizational Behavior and Church Leadership
00:15:57 – Key Components of Effective Leadership
00:20:04 – Balancing Performance and Belonging
00:24:47 – Navigating the Tension in Leadership
00:30:32 – The Role of Emotion in Leadership
00:35:05 – Cultural Storytelling in Leadership
00:37:07 – Charisma vs. Effective Leadership
00:39:10 – Assumptions About Leadership
00:43:11 – Real-Life Examples of Leadership Assumptions
00:45:29 – Insights on Stake Presidency Calls
Key Insights* Outward Focus: Effective leaders prioritize the needs and well-being of others, creating a connection that fosters trust and engagement. * Positive Environment: Leaders should cultivate a supportive and uplifting atmosphere, which enhances motivation and collaboration among members. * Relational Leadership: Leadership is fundamentally relational; outstanding leaders are not necessarily the most technically skilled but excel in building relationships and fostering a sense of belonging. * Cognitive Dynamics: The brain’s analytical and empathetic networks are antagonistic; leaders must be aware of emotional climates to encourage creativity and openness rather than stress and defensiveness. * Charisma vs. Competence: Charismatic leaders can inspire hope, but relying solely on charisma can lead to overlooking effective leadership qualities that are not immediately visible.
Leadership Applications* Storytelling: Latter-day Saint leaders can use personal stories to illustrate the impact of ministering, helping members connect emotionally and understand the importance of their roles in the community. * Cultural Focus: By emphasizing a culture of belonging and support, leaders can motivate members to engage in ministering efforts naturally, rather than through pressure or performance metrics. * Awareness of Bias: Leaders should recognize their biases when selecting individuals for leadership roles, ensuring that they look beyond charisma and traditional expectations to identify those who truly embody the principles of effective leadership.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
JeaNette Smith is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who authored Side by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service to help couples keep their relationships strong and connected amidst demanding Church callings or busy careers. Her inspiration for the book came early in her career while her husband, Bret, was serving as a bishop, leading her to study how couples can actively grow closer rather than drift apart during intense seasons of service.
Over their years together, JeaNette and Bret have put these principles into practice across numerous callings, including three bishoprics, a branch presidency, a stake presidency, and as mission leaders in the Dominican Republic. JeaNette is a frequent contributor to Meridian Magazine and the author of two books on adolescent romance. JeaNette and Bret are the parents of four children and the grandparents of fifteen. They continue to work side by side in their family life and with their grandchildren.
LinksSide by Side: Supporting a Spouse in Church Service
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsJeaNette explores how couples can navigate demanding Church callings without straining their relationship. Drawing on her personal background supporting her husband across various leadership roles and her professional expertise, JeaNette emphasizes that Church callings should be treated as shared, couple-centered opportunities that strengthen marriages rather than burden them.
Key Insights* Viewing Callings as a Team Effort: Demanding leadership positions run much smoother and foster deeper connection when couples view the assignment as a joint effort, with the leader using their spouse as a trusted sounding board and counselor. * Navigating Confidentiality Wisely: Leaders should refrain from complete emotional isolation; while specific names and details must remain private, sharing emotional burdens, general concerns, and spiritual joys keeps the couple connected and avoids emotional drift. * Emotional Availability Matters Most: Marital tension rarely stems from physical absence alone; it arises when leaders become emotionally disengaged and fail to share their inner thoughts and feelings with their spouse. * Prioritizing Intentional Connection: Daily practices—such as morning companionship scripture study, short check-ins, or casual dates—help maintain alignment and ensure open channels of communication. * Maintaining Appropriate Motives and Boundaries: Spouses must approach confidential insights with pure motives aimed at lifting burdens rather than satisfying curiosity, while leaders must genuinely value their spouse’s wisdom as an equal partner. * Prioritizing Personal Self-Care: Spouses and leaders alike must prioritize self-care and personal well-being to avoid resentment and build the capacity needed to serve others effectively.
Leadership Applications* Integrate Daily Companionship Study: Leaders can establish a daily routine with their spouse to study scriptures, pray, and discuss upcoming ward or stake needs together to invite shared revelation. * Share the Emotional Weight Without Oversharing: Leaders can share their personal feelings, fatigue, or spiritual insights with their spouse to process stress safely without revealing confidential names or specific details. * Involve Your Spouse in Leadership Activities: Where appropriate, leaders can invite their spouses to attend youth activities, missionary setting-aparts, or stake events together to make service a fun, shared experience.
00:02:00 – Jeanette’s Background
Jeanette shares her personal experiences as a bishop’s wife and her professional background as a marriage and family therapist.
00:04:30 – Navigating Marriage and Church Callings
Discussion on how church callings can strain relationships and the importance of turning these challenges into opportunities for growth.
00:07:00 – The Importance of Communication
Exploration of the need for open communication between spouses regarding church responsibilities and the emotional burdens they carry.
00:09:30 – Confidentiality and Trust
Jeanette emphasizes the balance between confidentiality in church leadership and the necessity of sharing feelings and experiences with one’s spouse.
00:12:00 – Shared Experiences in Leadership
The significance of couples working together in church callings and how it strengthens their relationship.
00:15:00 – Companionship Study
Jeanette discusses the practice of companionship study and its benefits for couples in leadership roles.
00:18:00 – Advice for Newly Called Couples
Tips for couples newly called to leadership positions on how to navigate their responsibilities together.
00:21:00 – Maintaining Trustworthiness
The importance of being a trustworthy spouse and the need to keep confidences regarding ward matters.
00:23:30 – Friendship Dynamics
Discussion on the shift in relationships for bishop’s wives and the importance of maintaining friendships outside of church.
00:26:00 – Self-Care for Spouses
Jeanette highlights the necessity of self-care for spouses in leadership to better support their partners.
00:29:00 – Emotional Availability
Exploration of the difference between physical presence and emotional availability in a marriage.
00:32:00 – Navigating Different Experiences
The challenges of reconnecting after church meetings and the importance of sharing spiritual experiences with one another.
00:35:00 – Handling Difficult Situations
Jeanette shares a personal story about navigating sensitive situations while maintaining a strong marriage.
00:38:00 – Date Night and Connection
The role of date nights in fostering connection and communication between spouses.
00:40:00 – Pure Motives in Communication
The importance of having pure motives when discussing church matters and supporting each other.
00:43:00 – Seeking Help and Humility
Encouragement for leaders to seek help when needed and to be humble about their struggles.
00:45:00 – Avoiding Judgment
The need for spouses to refrain from forming judgments about others in the ward and the importance of compassion.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Register for the Meetings with Saints Virtual Summit: https://app.leadingsaints.org/mws-reg
Tesiah “Tess” Frame is a Latter-day Saint digital content creator, author, and podcaster based in Southern California. Focusing on motherhood, practical scripture study, and active discipleship, she aims to bring optimism, authenticity, and joy to the online conversation surrounding Latter-day Saint women. Alongside Becky Squire, she co-hosts the Certain Women Podcast, a Come, Follow Me scripture study program specifically geared toward women, and is the co-owner of the children’s faith brand Happy Sacrament.
Outside of her media work, Tess is a mother of three boys and a resilient survivor of a highly traumatic medical crisis during late pregnancy, during which she was placed in a temporary medical coma to safely deliver her youngest son. Utilizing her platforms and personal experiences, she actively encourages Church members to lean into personal initiative, love the gospel, and fearlessly minister on a local scale.
LinksTesiahFrame.com
Certain Women Podcast @certainwomenpodcast
HappySacrament.com
Instagram @tesiahframe
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsTess Frame talks about the female experience in the Church and the proactive role of covenant discipleship. The conversation centers on navigating local leadership dynamics, finding purpose outside of official callings, and historical and scriptural frameworks for the Relief Society.
00:04:08 – Tess Frame’s Journey and Unique Birth Experience
00:07:00 – Finding Purpose and Taking Initiative in the Church
00:10:01 – The Libertarian Approach to Church Programs
00:12:34 – Women’s Experience in Church Leadership
00:14:18 – Advice for Relief Society Leaders
00:16:33 – Empowering Women Beyond Official Roles
00:17:30 – Lessons from Women in the Scriptures
00:19:07 – Studying Women in the Scriptures
00:25:25 – Continuity Among Women in the Scriptures
00:27:56 – The Role of Women in the Relief Society
00:30:01 – Navigating Social Media as a Woman
00:35:46 – Understanding the Addictive Nature of Social Media
00:39:42 – The Historical Context of the Relief Society
00:44:29 – The Essential Role of Women in God’s Kingdom
Key Insights* Proactive Discipleship: Members should not wait for system-wide institutional changes or official permissions to address local ward needs; recognizing a need is often a spiritual prompting to act. * Avoiding Local Hierarchies: Over-regulation by local leadership can accidentally create organizational barriers that prevent auxiliary leaders from fully acting within their stewardships. * The Spirit of Relief Society: The true, foundational purpose of the Relief Society is providing local, practical relief and ministering rather than just organizing social activities. * Scriptural Continuity: Studying scriptural women—such as Ruth, Rahab, Sarah, and Hannah—reveals flawed but profoundly faithful individuals whose inter-generational commitments parallel modern sisterhood. * Mindful Social Media Use: Platforms use algorithms designed to trigger primitive emotional responses like anger and comparison; creators and consumers must intentionally cultivate self-awareness to remain peacemakers online. * Supporting Male Experiences: Ward groups must also remain attentive to the emotional, mental health, and connection needs of men, as structural shifts and heavy callings can leave them feeling disconnected.
Leadership Applications* Encourage Autonomous Ministering: Bishops can empower Relief Society presidencies by explicitly clarifying which matters require priesthood approval and which allow them to act independently to provide immediate community relief. * Foster Local Adjustments: Ward leaders can prioritize home-centered gatherings or small-group rotations to break down ward cliques without requiring formal budgets or institutional approval.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
For over thirty years, Shawn D. Moon has worked with global clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Zerorez. Previously, Shawn was an Executive Vice President at FranklinCovey, a former principal at Mellon Financial Corporation, and was named a 2024 finalist for Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
A Wall Street Journal best-selling author, Shawn has published books in multiple languages and frequently speaks to senior leadership audiences globally. His most current book is Roots, Relationships, and Results. He serves on multiple boards, is actively engaged in his community, and currently serves as a married adult stake president in Provo, Utah. Shawn and his wife, Michele, reside in Lindon, Utah, and have four children and 11 grandchildren.
LinksRoots, Relationships, and Results
What the Scriptures Say About Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThis discussion covers foundational leadership attributes compiled from over one hundred interviews with global leaders across various industries. The conversation focuses on intentional personal development, effective relational dynamics, and achieving meaningful outcomes in family and church callings.
00:03:12 – Sean’s Leadership Background
00:05:00 – Unique Stake Presidency Experience
00:05:57 – Genesis of the New Book
00:08:06 – The Concept of the Last Leadership Lecture
00:12:49 – Interviewing Leaders for Insights
00:14:40 – Themes Emerging from Interviews
00:16:14 – The Importance of Personal Leadership
00:19:05 – Leading Without a Formal Title
00:21:19 – The Power of Gratitude in Leadership
00:29:15 – Practicing Gratitude as a Skill
00:32:05 – The Work That Matters
00:35:10 – Trusting Leadership: Extending Trust
00:40:59 – The Impact of Believing in Others
00:43:24 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Key Insights* The Leadership Arc: True leadership functions across three integrated categories: establishing internal roots of personal leadership, building deep relational trust, and executing to achieve sustainable results. * Leading Without a Title: Formal authority is not a prerequisite for impact; some of the most profound leadership occurs when individuals step forward to influence and lift others without holding an official calling or position. * Emotional Regulation: Effective leaders act as thermostats rather than thermometers. They actively set the emotional temperature and bring stability to a room during high-stress situations instead of merely reacting to the environment. * Gratitude as a Multiplier: Practicing deliberate gratitude serves as a cognitive interrupter that shifts a leader’s mindset from defensive, reactionary conflict to collaborative, executive problem-solving. * Extending Trust: While being trustworthy is a basic requirement, exceptional leadership requires actively extending trust to others, which fosters their potential and builds long-term confidence. * Intentional Time Investment: Human life consists of a finite number of seconds. Leaders must prioritize their weekly focus around essential tasks and specific individuals to build deep, lasting connections.
Leadership Applications* Implementing the 5×4 Method: Latter-day Saint leaders can organize their weekly schedules by identifying five critical objectives and four specific people to intentionally reach out to and lift up. * Expressing Written Appreciation: Ward and stake leaders can cultivate a supportive culture by sending regular, handwritten notes of gratitude to members, validating their voluntary service and building deep organizational trust.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this “Zion Lab Live” episode, Kurt Francom facilitates a live community discussion analyzing recent topics in Zion Lab. The conversation focuses on improving the Sunday meeting experience, addressing the unique cultural and social needs of men in the church, and managing the mental capacity of local leaders.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsKey Insights* US Constitution Fifth Sunday Lessons: Community feedback regarding the church-mandated Fifth Sunday lessons was generally positive, highlighting a respectful, non-political tone and a spiritual framing of the topic. However, participants noted areas for logistical improvement, such as better structured small-group discussions for youth.
The Masculine Experience in Church: There is a perceived gap in curated institutional resources and dedicated advisory councils on the church level specifically tailored to adult men, unlike other church demographics.
* Fostering Connection for Men: Men naturally connect “shoulder-to-shoulder” through shared physical activities, service, and adventure rather than traditional face-to-face chat formats. Utilizing creative layouts, interactive exercises, or specific musical numbers can drastically improve engagement.
* Impact of Local Leadership: While institutional resources are helpful, local leadership ultimately has the greatest impact on an individual’s everyday church experience and ward culture.
Mental Capacity and Burnout: Serving in high-demand callings creates a significant emotional and mental load. Leaders often mistakenly take on individual responsibilities that belong to others, which risks burning out active members and themselves.
Leadership Applications* Adapt the Second Hour: Elders Quorum presidencies can pivot away from dry lectures by arranging room seating dynamically (e.g., pulling out tables, utilizing outdoor spaces, or splitting into smaller circles) to prompt natural connection. * Establish Call Limits: Bishops and Relief Society presidents can manage emotional fatigue by implementing clear structural boundaries—such as processing welfare and check requests only on Sundays—instead of allowing everyday crises to overlap into family time. * Empower Through Accountability: Rather than acting as a “black hole of need” by driving around to manage every logistical demand for struggling members, leaders should focus on helping individuals build personal testimonies so they find motivation to step up independently.
00:04:10 – Leaked Meetinghouse Blueprints and the Chapel Lectern
00:05:42 – Reviewing Fifth Sunday Lessons on the US Constitution
00:07:54 – Examining Men’s Institutional Resources and the Advisory Council Gap
00:12:35 – Cultural Dynamics and How Men Build Peer Connections
00:24:14 – Practical Tips for Building Better Elders Quorum Lessons
00:28:54 – Reimaging Second-Hour Formats, Small Groups, and Music
00:39:43 – Managing the Mental Load and Burnout in Local Ward Leadership
00:43:32 – Handling Inner-City Ward Welfare Dynamics and Establishing Boundaries
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Aaron Hale is an educational leader and entrepreneur originally from Arizona, where he raised his family before transitioning to his current role as the president of Southern Virginia University (SVU). He holds an MBA and co-founded Legacy Traditional School, growing it from a single campus of 400 children to a massive organization spanning 30 campuses serving nearly 30,000 students, alongside a back-office support network assisting hundreds of other charter schools nationwide.
Aaron has served as a bishop and a counselor in a stake presidency. Drawing on his deep background in both corporate education and ecclesiastical council settings, Aaron brings a collaborative, vision-driven leadership style to SVU, where he has championed innovative academic initiatives like the Knight’s Crest experiential learning program.
LinksSouthern Virginia University’s Knight’s Crest Program
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this podcast, Aaron discusses leadership principles alongside the unique offerings and mission of SVU, highlighting their commitment to Latter-day Saint values while providing a personalized educational experience.
Key Insights* SVU’s Mission: Southern Virginia University aims to provide a high-quality education aligned with Latter-day Saint values, fostering an environment where students can discern truth and choose Christ. * Knight’s Crest Program: This innovative program awards college credit to return missionaries for their service, recognizing the leadership and skills developed during their missions, which can significantly reduce the time and cost of obtaining a degree. * Personalized Education: With a smaller student body, SVU offers intimate class sizes and strong relationships between students and professors, enhancing academic support and graduate school placement rates. * Community and Faith: Approximately 85% of SVU’s students are members of the Church, creating a faith-based community that encourages spiritual growth alongside academic pursuits. * Leadership Philosophy: Aaron emphasizes the importance of clarity in organizational mission and the need for open dialogue in leadership meetings to foster collaboration and innovation.
Leadership Applications* Establishing a Clear Mission: Latter-day Saint leaders can benefit from defining a clear mission for their organizations or wards, ensuring that all activities align with this guiding principle. * Encouraging Open Dialogue: Leaders should create an environment where all voices are heard, encouraging discussion and debate to draw out diverse perspectives and ideas, which can lead to better decision-making. * Recognizing Contributions: By acknowledging the unique experiences and skills of individuals, such as returned missionaries, leaders can create programs that leverage these strengths, enhancing the overall effectiveness of their organizations.
00:04:08 – Aaron’s Background and Move to Virginia
00:04:57 – Transition from Bonnie Cordon to Aaron Hale
00:05:07 – How the Opportunity Arose
00:08:11 – Overview of Southern Virginia University (SVU)
00:10:18 – SVU vs. BYU: Key Differences
00:12:02 – Personalized Education Experience at SVU
00:14:07 – Religious Education at SVU
00:15:07 – Diversity in Student Body
00:17:18 – Unique Position of SVU in Higher Education
00:18:28 – Aaron’s Leadership Experience
00:19:18 – Transitioning into the Role of College President
00:20:35 – Establishing a Clear Mission for SVU
00:22:21 – Creating a Collaborative Council Environment
00:23:38 – Encouraging Open Discussion in Meetings
00:25:07 – Effective Meeting Strategies
00:26:36 – Transformational Meetings vs. Routine Meetings
00:29:29 – The Knights Crest Program
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Join us for Dan Oakes’ full presentation during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit.
Grab your free seat here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
To hear the full presentation, grab your free spot for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit: LeadingSaints.org/liberating
Some fascinating research related to why children and teens turn to porn. What “job” are they hiring? Kristen Jenson gives the details in this clip from the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit.
See the Speakers and Register here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
Sam Tielemans, a therapist from Las Vegas, NV, nails this concept and offers a practical approach to overcoming shame, porn, and sin. To see the entire presentation (and some of the other speakers) at the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, visit: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
A thoughtful perspective and encouragement for church leaders when someone is struggling with pornography. This is just a clip of one of the 15+ presentations that will be shown during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, starting June 30.
See the speakers & Register at https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
While we beg and plead to Meta to give us back our accounts, help us promote this incredible Liberating Saints Virtual Summit.
See Speakers & Register Free: https://app.leadingsaints.org/opt-in
This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here.
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission.
Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. He recently published the book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them. Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family.
LinksTorn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them
Part 1: What Leaders Can Learn From the People Who Are Leaving the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong
What to Say When Loved Ones Leave the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong and Joseph Grenny
The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong
TornByJeffStrong.com
Instagram: @tornbyjeffstrong
Facebook
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this follow-up episode, Kurt and Jeff discuss the complexities of faith transitions. The conversation focuses on the four stages individuals typically experience when questioning their faith and the cultural imbalances that can affect their sense of belonging.
00:02:18 – Understanding Faith Transitions
00:05:23 – Four Stages of Faith Transition
00:09:01 – Intensive Seeking Phase
00:10:19 – Relational Breaking Stage
00:12:47 – Importance of Conversations in Faith Transitions
00:13:35 – Embracing Different Perspectives
00:18:00 – Role Play: Navigating Faith Questions
00:20:10 – The Need for New Thinking
00:24:29 – Cultural Imbalances in the Church
00:30:34 – Hard and Unyielding Soil
00:39:51 – Shallow Stony Soil: Growth vs. Sanctuary
00:44:08 – Balancing Sanctuary and Transformation
Key Insights* Four Stages of Faith Transition: Individuals often go through integrity disruption, permission to question, intensive seeking, and relational breaking. Each stage reflects a different aspect of their journey as they navigate doubts and seek understanding. * Cultural Imbalances: Jeff identifies four cultural imbalances in the Latter-day Saint community, including hard and unyielding soil versus acceptance, and sanctuary versus transformation. These imbalances can alienate individuals who feel their beliefs or experiences do not align with community expectations. * Importance of Acceptance: Acknowledging and validating the experiences of those questioning their faith is crucial. Leaders should create an environment where individuals feel safe to express doubts without fear of judgment or ostracism. * Nourishment vs. Protection: The conversation emphasizes the need for a balance between the protective aspects of church culture and the nourishing elements that foster growth and transformation. Leaders should focus on providing spiritual nourishment to help individuals thrive. * Role of Conversations: Open and supportive conversations can significantly impact whether individuals choose to stay within the faith community. Leaders should approach discussions with empathy and understanding, recognizing the importance of relational dynamics.
Leadership Applications* Foster Open Dialogue: Encourage open discussions about faith and doubts within congregations. Create safe spaces where members can share their experiences without fear of being labeled or judged. * Balance Protection and Nourishment: Strive to create a culture that values both adherence to standards and the acceptance of diverse beliefs and experiences. This balance can help retain members who may feel marginalized. * Supportive Leadership: Leaders should model vulnerability by sharing their own faith journeys and struggles. This approach can help normalize the questioning process and foster a sense of community and belonging among members.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Every first Friday of the month, Kurt Francom hosts Zion Lab Live, where we review the latest happenings and conversations taking place in Zion Lab and across our online community. Kurt highlights key posts, trending discussions, and new podcast episodes—offering insights, context, and opportunities for deeper engagement.
Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org/
In this episode, Kurt and livestream guests discuss the challenges faced by young married adults in the Church, particularly their faith and social dynamics. The conversation also touches on Mother’s Day experiences and the importance of intellectual engagement in church settings.
Links & Resources📱 Download the Leading Saints app: Search “Leading Saints” in the Apple App Store or Google Play
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Watch this episode or read the transcript in Zion Lab
📩 DM Kurt directly inside Zion Lab
Key Insights* Transition Challenges: Young married adults often experience a shift from a vibrant social life in young single adult (YSA) groups to a more insular lifestyle focused on their immediate families, which can lead to feelings of isolation and apathy towards church involvement. * Faith Engagement: Many young couples consciously or subconsciously reassess their commitment to church practices after marriage, with some drifting away from traditional attendance and callings. * Social Media Impact: The prevalence of scrolling culture and streaming services can diminish the desire for social interaction, making it easier for couples to retreat into their homes rather than engage with their church community. * Mother’s Day Observations: The episode highlights mixed feelings about Mother’s Day in church settings, with some women feeling excluded or uncomfortable due to personal circumstances, such as loss or infertility. There is a call for more inclusive recognition of all women, not just mothers. * Intellectual Engagement: The discussion emphasizes the need for church lessons to be intellectually stimulating while also fostering connection and spiritual growth. There is a tension between providing deep doctrinal insights and ensuring that lessons remain accessible and engaging for all members.
Leadership Applications* Create Inclusive Activities: Leaders can foster community among young married couples by organizing targeted activities that encourage social interaction and connection, helping to mitigate feelings of isolation. * Facilitate Open Discussions: Encouraging open conversations about faith and personal experiences can help young couples navigate their spiritual journeys together, reinforcing their commitment to church involvement. * Reevaluate Traditions: Leaders should consider the diverse experiences of women in their congregations during events like Mother’s Day, ensuring that all members feel valued and included, regardless of their personal circumstances.
00:01:11 – What is a Zion Builder?
00:02:46 – The Role of AI Clerk in Zion Lab
00:03:39 – Discussion on Young Married Adults
00:07:37 – Insights from a Bishop on Young Married Activities
00:11:39 – Engaging Young Families in Church Activities
00:15:12 – The Transition from Single to Married Life
00:18:14 – Challenges of Church Attendance for Young Couples
00:21:05 – Mother’s Day Observations and Experiences
00:27:01 – Debate on the Importance of Mother’s Day in Church
00:30:33 – The Role of Heavenly Mother in Discussions
00:34:48 – Intellectual Engagement in Church Lessons
00:39:15 – Balancing Intellectual and Spiritual Needs
00:46:08 – Community Sharing vs. Traditional Teaching
“Zion Lab Live” streams every first Friday of the month in the Zion Lab app.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Orlando R. Kelm is a retired professor from the University of Texas at Austin. He served in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the McCombs School of Business for over 37 years, teaching courses in Portuguese and Spanish language and linguistics. His research and publications focused on the cultural aspects of cross-cultural communication and the creative use of technology in language learning.
Orlando was born in Calgary, Alberta, raised in Taylorsville, Utah, and educated at Brigham Young University and the University of California at Berkeley. He served in the São Paulo Norte Brazil mission, and his three favorite hobbies are studying foreign languages, acoustic guitar, and astrophotography and nature photography. Orlando recently published the book It’s a Patriarchal Blessing!.
LinksIt’s a Patriarchal Blessing
Email Before a Patriarchal Blessing (Microsoft Word format)
Email Before a Patriarchal Blessing (PDF format)
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsOrlando discusses his experiences as a patriarch and the significance of patriarchal blessings. He emphasizes the importance of viewing these blessings as affirmations of identity and divine potential rather than as mere checklists or warnings.
00:02:28 – Orlando’s Calling as a Patriarch
00:03:52 – Challenges of Starting as a Patriarch
00:04:48 – Training and Preparation for Patriarchs
00:05:41 – The Pressure of Giving a Blessing
00:06:29 – Communicating First-Time Blessings
00:07:06 – Orlando’s Role as the Only Patriarch
00:07:55 – Impact on Gospel Study and Preparation
00:08:34 – Revelation and Inspiration in Preparation
00:09:40 – The Importance of Compassion
00:10:37 – Note-Taking for Blessings
00:12:00 – Reviewing and Editing Blessings
00:13:27 – The Nature of Patriarchal Blessings
00:14:35 – Preparing Candidates for Blessings
00:17:30 – Helping Candidates Feel Comfortable
00:19:06 – The Role of Patriarchs in the Church
00:20:10 – The Blessing Aspect of Patriarchal Blessings
00:21:09 – Avoiding a Checklist Mentality
00:22:32 – The Role of Personal Agency
00:23:36 – Orlando’s List of Recommended Talks
00:24:45 – Reducing Anxiety for Candidates
00:26:07 – The Experience of Giving Blessings
00:27:30 – The Importance of Seeing Potential
00:28:59 – Understanding Lineage in Blessings
00:30:33 – The Significance of Covenant and Gathering
00:31:47 – Contributions of Different Tribes
00:33:44 – The Role of Personal Revelation
00:35:58 – Flexibility in Interpreting Blessings
00:37:09 – The Lifelong Relevance of Blessings
Key Insights* The Nature of Patriarchal Blessings: These blessings should be viewed fundamentally as a positive source of love and divine identity. Orlando emphasizes that they are not patriarchal warnings, admonitions, or “chewing outs,” but rather tools to help individuals understand their divine worth. * Preparation as a Patriarch: The process involves intense, ongoing spiritual preparation. Orlando explains that he often feels like a “faucet that cannot be turned off” in the days leading up to a blessing, as he studies scriptures and topics prompted by the Holy Ghost to prepare his mind to receive impressions. * Mortal Delivery of Revelation: Patriarchs receive inspiration, but they must articulate it using their own mortal capacity, vocabulary, and understanding. Consequently, a patriarchal blessing is a collaboration between the Spirit and the patriarch’s mortal expression. * The Fallacy of the “Checklist”: Recipients should avoid viewing their blessings as a list of required events (e.g., marriage, missions, children) to be checked off. Instead, they should see the blessing as a resource to be applied to all of life’s decisions, challenges, and experiences. * Understanding Lineage: The declaration of lineage is not a DNA test but an invitation to participate in the Abrahamic covenant and the gathering of Israel. Each tribe’s unique description provides a different “skill set” for how an individual can contribute to the Lord’s work.
Leadership Applications* Alleviate Anxiety: Leaders can help reduce the nervousness people feel about visiting a patriarch by fostering opportunities for the patriarch to interact with ward members (e.g., firesides, sacrament meetings, or activities) beforehand, making him a familiar figure rather than a stranger. * Foster a Broad Interpretation: Bishops and leaders should encourage members to interpret their patriarchal blessings with flexibility. When members feel confused by their blessing, leaders can help them understand that the meanings may evolve and deepen as they face different stages and challenges in life.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Cole Zesiger is a breakup and relationship coach, author, and content creator who specializes in helping people navigate heartbreak, healing, and healthy relationships. After experiencing a divorce at 23 and another difficult breakup soon after, Cole began openly sharing his journey online, eventually growing an audience of more than 750,000 followers across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms.
Through his coaching programs, online community, and content, he has helped over 2,000 people work through breakups, strengthen their self-worth, improve communication, and build healthier relationships. His practical approach blends psychology, attachment theory, faith, and real-world experience to help people either reconcile in healthier ways or move forward with peace and confidence.
Cole grew up in Utah and served as a missionary in the Manila Philippines Mission. He married his wife, Jocelyn, in 2023, and together they are raising their daughter, Daisy. When he’s not coaching or creating content, Cole enjoys playing guitar, dirt biking, wildlife photography, and exploring the mountains. His debut book, Ex’s and No’s: The Breakup Advice You Don’t Want to Hear, offers a roadmap for rebuilding confidence, healing attachment wounds, and creating lasting love.
LinksEx’s and No’s: The Breakup Advice You Don’t Want to Hear
CoachColeZesiger.com
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsCole Zesiger discusses navigating early divorce and breakups within the Young Single Adult (YSA) community of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The conversation focuses on dismantling the spiritual stigma surrounding failed marriages and provides actionable methods for processing relationship trauma.
00:02:06 – Cole’s Journey Through Divorce
00:05:08 – The Reality of Early Marriage Challenges
00:07:56 – Understanding Attachment Styles
00:10:41 – The Impact of Divorce on Self-Perception
00:12:27 – The Aftermath of Divorce
00:14:06 – Reflecting on Past Relationships
00:17:14 – The Importance of Community Support
00:20:27 – Addressing the YSA Experience with Divorce
00:22:09 – Normalizing Divorce in Church Culture
00:24:34 – Understanding God’s Role in Relationships
00:27:10 – Creating Depth in Relationships
00:30:02 – The Importance of Service in Marriage
00:32:11 – Supporting Those Experiencing Divorce
00:35:37 – Best Practices for YSA Leaders
00:39:30 – Building a Present Worth Living In
Key Insights* The Perfection Stigma: Many young Latter-day Saints internalize a strict cultural path (e.g., mission, temple marriage) as a guarantee of success, leading to intense shame, identity crises, and a sense of absolute personal failure if a marriage ends in divorce. * Anxious Attachment and Relationship Mechanics: Childhood and mission environments can inadvertently cultivate anxious attachment styles, causing individuals to compulsively try to “will a relationship into existence” or over-sacrifice personal needs rather than assessing core value compatibility. * God’s Will and Adversity: Divine promptings to marry do not mean God guaranteed a problem-free relationship; rather, adversity and divorce can be part of a broader spiritual landscape designed to build critical emotional skills and resilience. * The Physiology of Heartbreak: Neurologically, overcoming a major breakup mimics chemical detox patterns seen in severe substance withdrawals, highlighting that the profound grief experienced by individuals is an intense physiological reality that requires intentional time to navigate. * Active Relationship Maintenance: Sustainable long-term intimacy requires entering the “deep end” of a relationship by prioritizing consistent service actions strictly to maintain one’s own love for their partner rather than doing so out of a codependent need for constant reciprocation.
Leadership Applications* Initiate Purposeful Social Inclusion: Leaders should deliberately look out for divorced or grieving ward members, actively connecting them to peer networks and social activities to replace isolation with a forward-looking sense of belonging. * Shift the Spiritual Narrative: When counseling individuals facing separation, leaders can help reframe their perspective from viewing divorce as an identity-defining failure or sin to treating it as a difficult life trial that offers space for grace and personal growth.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Former mission president Bart Warner and his former missionary James Logan explore the dynamics, patterns, and spiritual impact of mentorship. Drawing from their shared history in the Texas Dallas Mission and their current professional collaboration, they discuss how deliberate interpersonal guidance fosters long-term progression. They focus on overcoming personal stagnation by cultivating effective mentor-mentee relationships to strengthen individuals and build Zion.
LinksWatch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsBart and James discuss the importance of building relationships, the role of agency, and the impact of mentorship on personal and professional growth.
00:03:26 – Relationship Between Bart and James
00:04:04 – Bart’s Mission Presidency Experience
00:05:07 – Mentorship Principles
00:07:58 – Bart’s Influential Mentors
00:09:14 – James’ Background Before the Mission
00:10:11 – James’ Decision to Serve a Mission
00:12:11 – First Impressions of Bart as Mission President
00:13:01 – James’ Initial Struggles on the Mission
00:15:14 – The Importance of Following Mission Rules
00:17:14 – Spiritual Experiences on the Mission
00:19:46 – Agency and Mentorship
00:20:29 – The Role of Agency in Life
00:24:39 – Seeking Help from Others
00:25:57 – The Impact of Mentorship
00:28:07 – James’ Career Journey Post-Mission
00:30:06 – Bart’s Mentorship Approach
00:32:38 – The Evolution of Their Mentorship Relationship
00:35:29 – Learning from Mistakes in Business
00:37:00 – The Importance of Agency in Mentorship
00:39:03 – Lessons from Personal Experiences
Key Insights The Danger of Spiritual Drifting: Referring to Napoleon Hill’s Outwitting the Devil*, Bart explains that a primary tool of adversary-led stagnation is convincing individuals that “drifting” or coasting comfortably through life without progressing is acceptable. * A Great Mentee Attracts a Great Mentor: Finding guidance begins with the posture of the learner. True mentorship thrives when a mentee actively desires progression, remains coachable, and seeks out wisdom during times of critical personal or spiritual need. * Strict Obedience Unlocks Spiritual Momentum: Reflecting on James’s early mission struggles, the guests highlight how committing to precise alignment with established standards (like the missionary handbook) for even one week can completely shift an individual’s momentum and open doors to transformative experiences. * The Dual Impact of Mentorship: True guidance is a mutual blessing. While the mentee receives navigation and structural metrics to succeed, the mentor is simultaneously sharped, humbled, and revitalized by watching the next generation progress.
Leadership Applications* Intervene with High-Expectation Challenges: When a ward member or missionary wants to give up, leaders can follow Bart’s example by offering a short-term, clear challenge rooted in exact covenant precision rather than immediately lowering expectations. * Intentionally Bridge Generation Gaps: Leaders can structurally pair experienced members with younger adults in callings, ward council configurations, or ministering assignments to ensure that lived spiritual and temporal wisdom is actively transferred.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Gifford Nielsen played quarterback for Brigham Young University and six years for the NFL’s Houston Oilers. He worked as the sports director for KHOU-TV in Houston for 25 years. In 1994, Giff was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2013 and served as an Assistant Executive Director in the Missionary Department and in the Pacific, North America Northeast, North America Central and Africa West Area Presidencies. He was granted Emeritus status in 2024. Giff was born in Provo, Utah, and married Wendy Olson. They are the parents of six children.
LinksFind out more information about the cruise at SeaSaints.com. Use code LEADINGSAINTS to be part of our onboard experience.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsElder Nielsen explores how leadership principles from sports, professional media, and church service converge to build unified communities and lift individuals. He emphasizes how alignment with modern prophets and an openness to revelation elevate local leadership.
00:02:41 – Gifford Nielsen’s Background and Career
00:04:00 – Call to Serve as a General Authority
00:08:02 – Initial Experiences as a General Authority
00:10:07 – Preparing for General Conference Talks
00:12:43 – The Process of Receiving Inspiration
00:16:37 – Speaking at General Conference: Experiences
00:19:02 – Leadership Lessons from State Conferences
00:22:40 – Teaching Principles from Apostles and Prophets
00:25:14 – Importance of Gratitude in Leadership
00:29:00 – Reflections on Leadership and Service
00:32:05 – Learning from Lavell Edwards
00:38:04 – Transitioning Out of General Authority Role
00:40:21 – Experiences in West Africa
00:41:25 – Leadership Lessons from Lavell Edwards
00:44:44 – Lavell Edwards’ Genuine Leadership Style
Key Insights* The Power of Shared Gatherings: Larger church events, devotionals, and conferences foster a strong sense of togetherness that naturally pushes away negative outside influences and spiritually revitalizes participants. * Dynamic, Spirit-Led Instruction: Effective leadership teaching involves adjusting prepared messages in real time based on the immediate spiritual needs, hearts, and faces of the congregation. * Continuous Personal Preparation: Rather than relying solely on structured notes, a leader’s preparation must be a daily habit of scripture study, deep pondering, and intentional spiritual readiness. * Prophetic Alignment: Local teaching gains transformative power when leaders deliberately anchor their messages in the specific doctrines and priorities emphasized by the living prophet. * Authentic Preparation and People Management: Successful leadership requires a balance of understanding structural logistics (“the X’s and O’s”) while remaining fundamentally focused on breaking down barriers to unite and care for people.
Leadership Applications* Adapting Teaching Formats: Rather than adhering rigidly to pre-written notes during a stake or ward conference, a leader can observe the congregation, look into their hearts, and allow impressions to dictate the ultimate focus of the instruction. * Implementing Daily Spiritual Habits: Leaders can shift from last-minute meeting preparation to a model of daily scripture immersion, ensuring they are always spiritually prepared to receive revelation whenever an unexpected counseling or teaching opportunity arises. * Unifying Specialized Councils: When working with various ward or stake organizations, a leader can focus on breaking down institutional silos to build a culture of authentic collaboration focused entirely on the individuals they serve.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
John Bushman served as a bishop for 6.5 years, as a member of many bishoprics, and currently serves as a Gospel Doctrine teacher. He has been a Seminaries and Institutes of Religion coordinator, Institute instructor, and is now a Seminary instructor. He has also taught EFY and FSY for 20 years. John loves hiking and going on adventures of most any kind.
LinksKing Before Kingdom
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HighlightsJohn Bushman explores the necessity of a “faithful revival” centered on Jesus Christ rather than the institutional church. He argues that while the restored church is essential, members and leaders often mistake the “kingdom” for the “king,” leading to a checklist-based faith. The discussion focuses on transitioning from a culture of “legalism” to one of genuine “regeneration” through a relationship with the Savior.
00:04:04 – Importance of Collaboration in Leadership
00:05:39 – The Most Important Part of Sacrament Meeting
00:08:06 – The Concept of Revival in the Church
00:10:57 – Spiritual Sleep in the Church
00:12:16 – The Challenge of Routine in Worship
00:13:04 – The Importance of Understanding “Why”
00:14:28 – The Purpose of Church Services
00:19:00 – Faith vs. Knowledge in the Gospel
00:24:01 – The New Covenant vs. Old Covenant
00:27:25 – The Role of Jesus in Salvation
00:28:47 – The Shift Towards Jesus-Centered Worship
00:30:35 – The Importance of Personal Conversion Stories
00:32:51 – The Relationship Between Church and Christ
00:36:20 – The Role of Church Leaders in Focusing on Jesus
00:39:21 – The Concept of Legalism in Faith
00:44:50 – Moving Beyond Legalism to Grace
Key Insights* The “King” vs. the “Kingdom”: Bushman emphasizes that the church is the vehicle (the kingdom), but Jesus Christ is the destination (the king). A faithful revival occurs when the focus shifts from just belonging to the organization to surrendering to the Savior. * Conversion vs. Testimony: A testimony often focuses on the truth of facts (e.g., Joseph Smith was a prophet), whereas true conversion is the decision to stop doing things one’s own way and surrender life to Jesus. * The New Covenant of Faith: Bushman clarifies that “faith” in the New Testament is better understood as “trust” or “reliance,” similar to the trust one places in a surgeon. It is an internal change of heart rather than just an outward performance of commandments. * Avoiding “Spiritual Autopilot”: Routines, such as the sacrament or repetitive church meetings, can lead to a “spiritual sleep” where members go through the motions without emotional or spiritual connection to God. * Regeneration Over Prohibition: True change (regeneration) happens when a person no longer desires to do evil because their heart has been changed by grace, which is more effective than “prohibition” or simply following a list of “don’ts”.
Leadership Applications* Pattern Interrupts in Meetings: Leaders can revitalize routine ordinances by adding brief, 60-second “pattern interrupts”. For example, a bishop might briefly challenge the ward to think of one specific way to remember the Lord during the upcoming week just before the sacrament is administered. * Shifting the “Why” of Meetings: Leaders should evaluate if their meetings are designed to increase knowledge (factoids) or to facilitate a “worship service” that connects individuals with divinity. * Focusing on Redemption in Interviews: When working with members on repentance or baptism, John suggests focusing on the member’s commitment to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives rather than just confirming they believe the Church is true.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Find out more information about this LDS Cruise at SeaSaints.com
Use code LEADINGSAINTS to be part of our onboard experience.
Find out more information about this LDS Cruise at SeaSaints.com
Use code LEADINGSAINTS to be part of our onboard experience.
Join Kurt Francom and other fantastic speakers and entertainers for the Sea Saints Alaskan Cruise. Find all the details and book your cabin at SeaSaints.com
Use Code: LeadingSaints to be included in exclusive Leading Saints experiences onboard.
Dustin Peterson is the founder and president of Proof Leadership Group, a leadership consultancy that works with organizations to train leaders and help develop their company culture. He is also an author and recently published his fourth book, Meant for More: Waking Up to the Life You Were Sent to Live. He currently serves as the stake president in the Friendswood Texas Stake and has served as a seminary teacher, branch president, stake presidency counselor, and counselor in the Texas Houston South Mission. He lives in Houston with his wife and four children and loves bacon and Dallas sports teams.
LinksMeant for More: Waking Up to the Life You Were Sent to Live
When Leaders Accidentally Limit Their Effectiveness | An Interview with Dustin Peterson
Clarifying Purpose to Guide Your Calling, Work, & Family Life | An Interview with Dustin Peterson
Leading with Your God-Given Talents | An Interview with Dustin Peterson
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThe conversation centers on the importance of purpose in leadership and personal development.
Key Insights* Purpose as Motivation: Purpose serves as a powerful source of motivation, helping individuals overcome challenges and find fulfillment in their roles, whether formal or informal. * Crucibles of Experience: Personal trials and challenges often reveal one’s purpose. Reflecting on difficult experiences can lead to insights about how to serve others and make a positive impact. * The Importance of “Why”: Understanding the deeper reasons behind actions and assignments is crucial for effective leadership. Leaders should help others grasp the “why” behind their responsibilities to foster engagement and commitment. * Simplicity in Purpose Statements: Effective purpose statements should be short, bold, and idealistic, guiding individuals toward meaningful goals without being overly complex. * Individual Purpose: Each person has a unique purpose that can be discovered through reflection on past experiences and aspirations for the future.
Leadership Applications* Fostering a Purpose-Driven Culture: Latter-day Saint leaders can create an environment where members feel empowered to explore their individual purposes, encouraging them to share their experiences and insights. * Utilizing Reflection Exercises: Leaders can implement activities like journey mapping to help individuals identify their highs and lows, facilitating discussions that uncover personal purposes and motivations. * Encouraging Open Dialogue: By prioritizing conversations about purpose and the “why” behind church activities, leaders can enhance engagement and inspire members to take meaningful action in their callings.
00:04:14 – Overview of Meant for More Book
00:05:08 – The Importance of Purpose in Leadership
00:10:07 – Purpose vs. Motivation in Leadership
00:12:13 – Understanding the Why Behind Ministering
00:15:14 – The Role of Purpose in Church Leadership
00:18:23 – Finding Personal Purpose Beyond Formal Roles
00:20:09 – The Three Components of Purpose
00:25:05 – The Impact of Crucibles on Purpose
00:30:07 – Creating a Purpose Statement for a Stake
00:34:51 – The Importance of a Rallying Point in Leadership
00:38:07 – Finding Purpose Outside of Formal Leadership
00:40:39 – Activity: Creating a Journey Map for Purpose
00:42:24 – Conclusion and Reflection on Growth Through Crucibles
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Join Kurt Francom and other fantastic speakers and entertainers for the Sea Saints Alaskan Cruise.
Find all the details and book your cabin at SeaSaints.com!
Use Code: LeadingSaints to be included in exclusive Leading Saints experiences onboard.
Steven W. Shields, CMHC, CETII, CECII, is passionate about helping others regain their freedom by healing their root trauma. One of his greatest moments with clients is when he fires them. His hope is to help clients access that inner healing as quickly as possible so they can stop spending time and money in therapy, live the adventure, and experience the joys that life has in store for them. Steven loves dirt biking, Christian rap, and playing Pokémon with his kids.
LinksIs Mental Health Healing Possible? | An Interview with Steven Shields
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HighlightsSteve discusses the importance of community and authenticity within Latter-day Saint congregations, and how to foster genuine connections and address the challenges of secrecy and shame in church settings.
Key Insights* Community vs. Secrecy: Steven emphasizes the distinction between confidentiality and secrecy. While confidentiality involves honoring individuals’ stories, secrecy can hinder authentic connections and healing. * Authenticity in Leadership: Leaders are encouraged to model authenticity by sharing their own experiences and struggles, which can create a safe space for others to do the same. * The Role of Therapy: Therapy serves as an artificial container for healing, providing tools and support that individuals may not find within their community. However, true healing often occurs through genuine relationships and community support. * Cultural Challenges: Many members feel isolated or disconnected in their wards, often due to fear of judgment. Steven argues that this leads to a culture of silence, where individuals keep secrets rather than seeking connection. * Building Connections: Leaders should actively work to create environments where members feel safe to share their struggles, thus fostering a sense of belonging and support.
Leadership Applications* Encourage Vulnerability: Leaders can promote a culture of openness by sharing their own challenges and inviting members to do the same, which can help break down barriers of shame and secrecy. * Facilitate Small Groups: Organizing smaller gatherings or discussion groups can help members connect on a deeper level, allowing for more meaningful conversations and support. * Model Authenticity: By being transparent about their own journeys, leaders can inspire others to engage authentically, ultimately strengthening the ward community and enhancing overall unity.
00:03:43 – The Importance of Community
00:04:16 – Current Trends in Therapy
00:05:40 – Managing vs. Healing
00:08:10 – The Role of Worthiness
00:09:50 – The Journey of Repentance
00:11:32 – Addressing Pornography in Leadership
00:12:25 – Confidentiality vs. Secrecy
00:14:05 – The Nature of Confidentiality
00:15:10 – The Need for Vulnerability
00:18:25 – Creating Safe Spaces in Church
00:19:28 – The Power of Authenticity
00:21:11 – Building Connections in the Ward
00:23:29 – The Role of Community in Recovery
00:25:17 – The Importance of Sharing Stories
00:27:39 – Overcoming Fear and Shame
00:29:10 – The Cost of Speaking Up
00:30:57 – The Role of Therapy in Healing
00:32:19 – Building Community in the Church
00:34:06 – The Future of Healing and Community
00:35:17 – The Role of Therapy as an Artificial Container
00:37:14 – The Need for Organic Healing
00:40:10 – Therapy and Community
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
As a culture change enthusiast with hundreds of presentations under her belt, Dr. Christy Kane transforms audiences when she speaks. Her message is based on the belief that embracing mental health as a positive is essential to thriving.
All of Dr. Kane’s work has one goal: to help people care for their brains and live better lives. By incorporating brain-based research, storytelling, and a thought-provoking delivery, she makes difficult topics engaging and memorable.
Dr. Kane has a Doctorate in Psychology and a clinical license (CMHC) in addition to being a successful business owner and leader. Dr. Kane has provided mental health corporate consulting, corporate training, and professional development training for school districts in multiple states.
LinksKaneCounselingServices.com
Fractured Souls and Splintered Memories : Unlocking the “Boxes” of Trauma
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsDr. Kane discusses the complexities of mental health within the context of church leadership. The conversation focuses on how leaders can better understand mental health dynamics, set appropriate boundaries, and support members effectively.
Key Insights* Understanding Mental Health Trends: Dr. Kane highlights the rise of “gray divorce,” where older couples are increasingly seeking divorce after decades of marriage, often due to lack of growth and connection in their relationships. * Boundaries in Leadership: Leaders must establish clear boundaries to protect their mental health and avoid overstepping into roles that require professional training, such as therapy. This includes recognizing when to refer members to mental health professionals. * Curiosity Over Judgment: Leaders should approach conversations with curiosity rather than jumping to conclusions. Asking open-ended questions can help members feel safe and understood, allowing for more effective support. * Recognizing Mental Health Issues: Leaders need to differentiate between spiritual struggles and mental health issues. Persistent feelings of disconnection from the spirit may indicate underlying mental health concerns that require professional intervention. * Communication with Professionals: When referring members to therapists, leaders should ensure that proper releases of information are signed, allowing for effective communication between the therapist and the church leader.
Leadership Applications* Establishing Clear Expectations: Leaders can set the tone for their interactions by clarifying that they are not therapists and that they will refer members to professionals when necessary. This helps manage expectations and reduces the risk of burnout. * Promoting Open Dialogue: By fostering an environment of curiosity and openness, leaders can encourage members to share their struggles without fear of judgment, leading to more meaningful support and connection. * Utilizing Resources Wisely: Leaders should leverage available resources, such as mental health professionals, to assist members effectively while maintaining their own well-being. This includes participating in training sessions to better understand mental health dynamics and how to address them.
00:02:00 – Mental Health Trends: Gray Divorce
00:04:00 – Dynamics of Empty Nesters and Relationships
00:05:30 – Vision for Mental Health Content Creation
00:06:00 – Importance of Understanding Mental Health for Leaders
00:08:00 – Navigating Shame, Guilt, and Godly Sorrow
00:10:00 – Boundaries in Leadership Roles
00:12:00 – Comparing Bishop and Therapist Roles
00:14:00 – Recognizing Depression vs. Spiritual Issues
00:16:00 – Setting Boundaries in Conversations
00:18:00 – Importance of Curiosity in Leadership
00:20:00 – Referring to Professional Therapists
00:22:00 – Communicating with Therapists: Best Practices
00:24:00 – Managing High-Risk Conversations
00:26:00 – Maintaining Trust in Confidentiality
00:28:00 – Addressing Secrets in Relationships
00:30:00 – Importance of Self-Care for Leaders
00:32:00 – Strengthening Family and Ward Culture
00:34:00 – Addressing Feelings of Loneliness Among Women
00:36:00 – Upcoming Topics for Mental Health Discussions
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission.
Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. He recently published the book Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them. Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family.
LinksListen to Part 2: What Leaders Can Learn From the People Who Are Leaving the Church
Torn: Why People We Love Are Leaving the Church and What We Can Learn from Them
What to Say When Loved Ones Leave the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong and Joseph Grenny
The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong
TornByJeffStrong.com
Instagram: @tornbyjeffstrong
Facebook
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights00:02:42 – Competing Narratives in Church Growth and Disaffiliation
00:04:22 – Personal Connection to Disaffiliation
00:06:36 – The Journey to Understanding Disaffiliation
00:09:05 – The Role of Data and Personal Experience
00:10:54 – The Complexity of Disaffiliation
00:12:11 – The Challenge of Measuring Disaffiliation
00:15:09 – Research Methodology and Findings
00:17:29 – Understanding the Audience for “Torn”
00:19:30 – The Importance of Accurate Understanding
00:20:36 – Celebrating Strengths While Facing Challenges
00:22:03 – The Impact of Local vs. Global Growth
00:25:41 – The Role of Missionary Work [CORRECTION: Jeff’s rough estimate of 275,000 baptisms per year is the GLOBAL number. The U.S. number is a portion of that.]
00:27:06 – The Need for a Balanced Perspective
00:29:26 – The Misconception of Resurgence Among Young People
00:31:03 – The Data on Disaffiliation
00:35:02 – The Four Waves of Disaffiliation
00:40:53 – Wave One: Lifestyle and Depletion
00:43:17 – Personal Anecdote on Depletion and Church Experience
00:44:19 – Wave Two: Doubt and Disbelief
00:46:05 – Wave Three: Cultural and Social Factors
00:48:12 – Wave Four: Institutional Issues
00:50:00 – The Importance of Understanding and Addressing Disaffiliation
Key Insights* Competing Narratives: The church is experiencing growth in certain areas, such as baptisms and missionary work, but disaffiliation remains a significant concern, with many individuals quietly stepping away from their faith. * Personal Connection: Jeff shares his personal journey of grappling with his son’s disaffiliation, highlighting the emotional impact and the need for a deeper understanding of why individuals leave the church. * Research Findings: Jeff’s research indicates that approximately 40% of active members have disaffiliated since 2000, with various reasons categorized into “waves,” including lifestyle challenges and deeper faith crises. * Cultural Dynamics: The discussion emphasizes the importance of recognizing the cultural pressures within the church that may lead to feelings of depletion rather than spiritual fulfillment for some members. * Engagement vs. Disaffiliation: While many active members report strong engagement and purpose, a significant portion of young adults are less affiliated with organized religion, indicating a complex relationship with faith.
Leadership Applications* Fostering Understanding: Leaders can benefit from understanding the reasons behind disaffiliation to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for those struggling with their faith. * Encouraging Open Dialogue: By promoting open conversations about faith challenges, leaders can help bridge the gap between those who feel fulfilled in their faith and those who are struggling. * Addressing Cultural Pressures: Leaders should be aware of the cultural dynamics that may lead to feelings of depletion among members and work to create a more nurturing and understanding community that supports individual spiritual journeys.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Robin Ritch has spent her career building things that matter. She has led teams at Microsoft, Intel, and Cisco, and most recently served as President and Publisher of Deseret News Publishing Company, where she helped transform a 172-year-old institution into a nationally recognized digital voice.
Throughout her career, Robin has had a knack for seeing around corners. She has launched new products, modernized organizations, and brought together unlikely communities around conversations that matter.
She gives back through board service at The Policy Project, WikiCharities, Social Venture Partners, and Mission Edge, organizations working to make communities stronger.
For as long as she can remember, Robin has been fascinated by women and their relationship with God. That lifelong curiosity is what led her to write “Using Friction to Grow”, her first book.
Robin examines case studies of Latter-day Saint women who navigated significant social and ecclesiastical changes during the 1970s. She discusses how these women managed friction from society, family, and the Church to develop deeper discipleship and personal sanctification.
LinksUsing Friction to Grow: Stories of Strength and Resilience, LDS Women 1968-1976
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsKey Insights* The Purpose of Friction: Friction is a divine design intended to slow individuals down, allowing them to refine their relationship with God and smooth away “rough edges” of character.
Personal vs. Organizational Revelation: Individuals may receive personal revelation for their own lives that precedes broader organizational shifts within the Church.
* Historical Resilience: Women in the 1970s drew strength from the stories of their suffragette grandmothers, recognizing that navigating tension within a faith community is not a new phenomenon.
* Individual Agency and Revelation: The women Robin interviewed did not view Church counsel as a reason to stop their personal progression; instead, they used it as a prompt to seek their own confirmed answers through prayer and fasting.
* Grace for Diverse Paths: These women practiced deep empathy, recognizing that God provides unique answers for different individuals and that one person’s path does not dictate the “correct” path for everyone else.
Leadership Applications* Validating the Struggle: Leaders can help members understand that feeling “friction” with a policy or teaching is not a sign of unworthiness but an opportunity for a sanctifying “wrestle” with God. * Managing Implementation: Recognizing the gap between revelation and organizational implementation helps leaders be more patient with institutional changes and more supportive of members who see needs before the organization adapts.
00:02:00 – Robin’s Book: Using Friction to Grow
00:03:00 – The Importance of Women’s Stories
00:04:00 – The 1970s: A Time of Friction for Women
00:06:00 – The Equal Rights Amendment and Church Response
00:07:00 – Personal Stories of Friction and Faith
00:09:00 – Navigating Friction in Faith Communities
00:10:00 – The Role of Personal Revelation
00:12:00 – The Nature of Friction in Growth
00:13:00 – Engaging with Friction for Personal Growth
00:15:00 – The Evolution of Church Practices
00:17:00 – The Importance of Change and Growth
00:18:00 – Balancing Hope and Disappointment in Faith
00:20:00 – The Role of Friction in Personal Development
00:21:00 – Story of a Woman’s Experience with Church Leadership
00:24:00 – Finding Strength in Christ Amidst Friction
00:25:00 – The Impact of Personal Stories
00:27:00 – The Need for Women’s Voices in the Church
00:29:00 – Encouragement for Women in Parenting
00:30:00 – Broadening Engagement Beyond Parenting
00:32:00 – The Importance of Sharing Light
00:33:00 – The Role of Leaders in Navigating Friction
00:37:00 – Understanding Different Perspectives
00:40:00 – The Influence of Social Media on Women’s Stories
00:41:00 – The Responsibility of the Hearer in Storytelling
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
David Boice is a faith-based storyteller and traveler originally from Wausau, Wisconsin, and the creator of the YouTube series 52 Churches in 52 Weeks. What began as a personal search for a spiritual home became a nationwide journey through nearly 200 congregations, documenting not just what churches teach, but how they receive those walking in for the first time. His work offers a unique window into the lived experience of faith, community, and belonging across modern Christianity.
Through these road stories, David has developed a thoughtful perspective on the subtle dynamics that shape religious communities—hospitality, fellowship, teaching, and the process by which a stranger becomes an insider. His content blends spiritual curiosity with candid reflection, inviting viewers to engage faith in a more personal and experiential way.
In April 2024, David was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He recently relocated to Utah and is now developing 52 Temples in 52 Weeks, a companion project exploring temple worship, symbolism, and covenant faith. Alongside his content, he has used his platform to support causes such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
When he’s not traveling or filming, David can usually be found writing, editing, or wrestling with deeper questions—like whether dad jokes qualify as a spiritual gift.
LinksYouTube @52churchesin52weeks
YouTube @52temples
52 Churches in 52 Weeks
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsDavid discusses his unique journey of visiting various denominations before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The conversation focuses on the impact of church culture, the power of a welcoming environment, and the lessons Latter-day Saint leaders can learn from the strengths and weaknesses of other faith traditions.
00:03:38 – David’s Background and Spiritual Journey
00:05:51 – Fallout with the Lutheran Church
00:07:45 – The Idea of Visiting 52 Churches
00:10:05 – Documenting the Church Visits
00:12:17 – The Need for Community and Church
00:13:41 – First Visit to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
00:18:25 – Insights on Church Culture and Leadership
00:21:02 – The Importance of Welcoming Visitors
00:22:04 – Generational Disconnect in Churches
00:25:24 – The Role of Missionaries in Church Culture
00:26:16 – Cleaning Assignments and Ownership
00:30:16 – Communion Practices Across Different Churches
00:32:23 – The Significance of Communion in Worship
00:36:19 – Differences in Communion Timing and Structure
00:40:03 – The Role of Communion in Community and Faith
00:45:09 – Unique Takeaways from Church Visits and Experiences
Key Insights Welcoming Environment: David emphasizes the importance of a communal atmosphere in churches. He found that Latter-day Saint congregations were notably more welcoming, with members actively engaging with visitors, which contrasted sharply with his experiences in other churches. * Communion Practices: The sacrament in Latter-day Saint services is conducted early in the meeting, which David found refreshing compared to other traditions where communion is often the main event. This practice fosters a sense of community and shared purpose. * Involvement and Ownership: David appreciated the opportunities for active participation in the Latter-day Saint community, such as cleaning assignments, which gave him a sense of ownership and responsibility within the ward. * Generational Engagement: He noted the generational dynamics in church attendance, observing that many mainline Protestant churches struggle to engage younger generations, while Latter-day Saint congregations maintain a strong sense of family and community. * Cultural Differences:* David highlighted the differences in how various churches approach worship, including the use of sensory elements in Catholic services versus the more straightforward approach in many Protestant services.
Leadership Applications* Foster a Welcoming Culture: Latter-day Saint leaders can prioritize creating a welcoming environment by encouraging members to actively greet and engage with newcomers, ensuring that visitors feel valued and included. * Encourage Participation: Leaders should provide opportunities for members to take on responsibilities within the ward, fostering a sense of ownership and community involvement that can enhance engagement and commitment. * Focus on Community Building: By emphasizing the importance of family and community in church activities, leaders can help bridge generational gaps and create a more inclusive atmosphere that resonates with all members.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org
In this episode we back up to early March for the first “Zion Lab Live” livestream where Kurt Francom explains more about Zion Lab and shares highlights from discussions.
We discuss:
- Zion Lab as a Resource
- Generational Disconnect: The gap between older and younger generations, the pressure to conform to expectations, and the facade of compliance rather than genuine engagement
- Bishopric Responsibilities: Shifting responsibilities of bishops and balancing their focus on youth while ensuring all members receive adequate support and ministering
- Communication Strategies: Ask open-ended questions and foster a non-judgmental environment to promote dialogue and understanding
- Boundary Changes and Transparency: Is there a need for transparency regarding boundary changes? Can communication reduce anxiety and foster acceptance?
- The Power of Naming: Inclusion and Belonging for LGBTQ+ Families in Church Discussions
- How to become a Zion Builder (and how to get a sponsored membership if cost is a barrier)
Links & Resources📱 Download the Leading Saints app: Search “Leading Saints” in the Apple App Store or Google Play
💬 Join Zion Lab and become a Zion Builder at https://app.leadingsaints.org
📩 DM Kurt directly inside Zion Lab
“Zion Lab Live” streams every first Friday of the month in the Zion Lab app.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Zion Lab Live | March Recap + The Future of Leading Saints
Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org/
Kurt Francom shares highlights from the past month in Zion Lab — Leading Saints’ growing online community app — and digs into the biggest topic on everyone’s mind: the upcoming changes to the Sunday meeting schedule taking effect September 6.
In this episode:
- What is Zion Lab and why Kurt thinks it’s the future of Leading Saints
- The AI Clerk feature and how it helps church leaders find answers fast
- Reactions and discussion around the new split Sunday meeting schedule
- Kurt’s Elders Quorum small-group format and why it works so well for the shorter class time
- A bishop’s “Bishop’s Youth Discussion” model that’s transforming youth engagement
- How to become a Zion Builder (and how to get a sponsored membership if cost is a barrier)
Links & Resources📱 Download the Leading Saints app: Search “Leading Saints” in the Apple App Store or Google Play
💬 Join Zion Lab and become a Zion Builder at https://app.leadingsaints.org
📩 DM Kurt directly inside Zion Lab
“Zion Lab Live” streams every first Friday of the month in the Zion Lab app.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission.
Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family.
Joseph Grenny is a lifelong student of social science whose writings are references in major universities around the world. He is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including leadership, influence and communication classics Crucial Conversations, Influencer, Crucial Accountability, and Change Anything. His books are available in over 30 languages and have sold over six million copies.
Joseph is a co-founder and current board chair of Unitus Labs, an international nonprofit that has helped over 15 million of the world’s poorest to move toward self reliance. In 2015 he and his colleagues started The Other Side Academy, a 2.5-year school for those with long histories of crime, addiction and homelessness. The Other Side Academy is free, requiring only a desire to change for admission. In April 2021, Joseph and the leaders of The Other Side Academy announced their intention to build The Other Side Village, a 400-home community for those who are chronically homeless based on principles of self-reliance and peer accountability.
Joseph is married to the former Celia Marie Waldron. They have six children and eight grandchildren and live in Salt Lake City.
LinksWatch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong
Joining Moroni’s War on Addiction | An Interview with Joseph Grenny
Creating Change | Interview with Joseph Grenny
Messy Conversations: When Loved Ones Leave the Faith
Crucial Conversations
Torn
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsSocial science expert Joseph Grenny and researcher Jeff Strong discuss the high-stakes nature of “faith transitions” within the Church . The conversation centers on how leaders and family members can navigate these emotionally charged discussions to preserve and strengthen relationships.
00:04:45 – The Importance of High-Stakes Conversations
00:06:17 – The Challenge of Faith Transitions
00:08:31 – The Need for Open Dialogue
00:09:50 – The Emotional Weight of Conversations
00:11:13 – The Impact of Poor Responses
00:12:21 – Preparing for Difficult Conversations
00:13:35 – Research Insights on Conversations
00:15:48 – Identifying Positive Deviants
00:16:29 – Learning from Successful Conversations
00:18:06 – The Role of Fear in Conversations
00:20:06 – Talking Under the Influence of Stress
00:22:40 – The Importance of Taking a Breather
00:25:23 – Three Key Steps for Effective Conversations
00:27:00 – Feeling Your Feelings
00:29:40 – Fixing Your Story
00:31:40 – Finding Your Motive
00:33:13 – The Transformative Power of Relationships
00:35:11 – Embracing the Messiness of Life
00:38:11 – The Role of God in Our Growth
00:40:45 – The Journey of Self-Discovery
Key Insights* The “Devoutness Paradox”: Research involving 15,000 participants found that the more devout a person is, the less likely a conversation about faith transition is to go well. If the recipient is a church leader, the odds of a negative outcome are 4.5 times higher than average. * High Intensity of Need: Approximately 83% of individuals going through a faith transition reach out to others, typically contacting four to five people, indicating a deep desire for connection and resolution during the process. * The Trap of “Problem-Solving”: Many leaders and parents react out of fear and an immediate impulse to “fix” the individual or bring them back to the church. This motive often leads to the other person feeling judged, berated, or suspected. * The “Positive Deviant” Model: Some leaders and family members manage to maintain their own religious commitment while creating a safe, robust space for dialogue. These “positive deviants” prioritize the relationship over immediate theological conformity. * Long-Lasting Consequences: The first few seconds of a conversation are pivotal; words spoken in moments of shock or vulnerability can endure for years and dictate the future trajectory of the relationship.
Leadership Applications* Shifting Motives: Leaders must move from a mindset of “correcting” to one of “listening and processing”. Recognizing that fear often drives the impulse to solve a problem can help leaders stay present and supportive rather than confrontational. * Validating the Struggle: Leaders should normalize the reality that faith transitions are common and often a healthy part of a person’s individual journey . By acknowledging the difficulty without judgment, they empower the individual to feel heard rather than controlled.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tucker Boyle has spent over 25 years teaching Seminary and Institute for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where he has worked closely with youth and young adults to help them deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ and navigate real-life challenges with faith and awareness. He has served as a Young Single Adult bishop and in other leadership callings, giving him a front-line perspective on the complexities individuals face in their spiritual journeys.
Tucker is the founder of Harmony Road Retreats, a nonprofit organization that creates compassionate, supportive spaces for individuals wanting to find inner harmony while experiencing shifts in their faith. Through retreats, teaching, and his podcast Call to Harmony, he helps people develop practical tools for navigating spiritual dissonance, regulating the nervous system, and cultivating a more grounded, personal connection with God. He lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, with his wife Katie and their five children.
Linkshttps://www.harmonyroadretreats.com/
What I Learned About Leadership When My 2nd Counselor Left the Church
ChurchofJesusChrist.org Topics and Questions
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsTucker talks about navigating faith crises and transitions. The discussion explores the intellectual and physiological aspects of questioning faith, moving beyond “black and white” thinking to find spiritual peace through connection and the heart.
00:02:21 – Tucker’s Faith Crisis Journey
00:03:24 – Understanding Faith Crisis Beyond Doubt
00:04:05 – Importance of Community in Faith Transitions
00:04:32 – Tucker’s Experience in Teaching
00:05:43 – Observations on Youth and Young Adults
00:06:31 – Trusting the Goodness of the Younger Generation
00:07:11 – Defining Faith Crisis and Faith Journey
00:08:28 – Tucker’s Personal Faith Crisis Experience
00:09:01 – The Impact of Seeking Other Perspectives
00:10:37 – The Challenge of Balancing Beliefs
00:11:54 – The Role of the Dissertation Chair
00:12:38 – Navigating Fear and Doubt in Research
00:14:03 – The Dissolution of Testimony Pillars
00:15:17 – The Moment of Psychological Free Fall
00:16:21 – The Question of Wasting Time in Faith
00:17:03 – The Complexity of Belief and Doubt
00:18:03 – The Nature of Testimony Pillars
00:19:21 – The Challenge of Seeing Humanity in Divinity
00:20:58 – The Shift from Certainty to Complexity
00:22:46 – The Experience of Testimony in Church
00:23:40 – The Impact of Testimony on Personal Faith
00:24:53 – The Role of Nervous System in Faith Experiences
00:26:54 – The Importance of Self-Regulation
00:28:24 – The Journey of Healing and Understanding
00:30:31 – The Non-Linear Nature of Faith Journeys
00:31:13 – The Moment of Clarity and Love
00:33:08 – The Temporary Nature of Spiritual Experiences
00:34:24 – The Shift Back to Struggle
00:36:08 – Understanding the Faith Crisis Experience
00:37:41 – The Journey Towards Harmony
00:39:44 – The Role of Heart vs. Mind in Faith
00:41:06 – The Transformation Through Faith Crisis
00:43:22 – Embracing Complexity in Belief
00:45:01 – Gratitude for the Faith Crisis Experience
00:45:34 – Moving Forward with New Perspectives
Key InsightsThe Nature of Faith Crisis: A faith crisis is often experienced as a physical response in the nervous system, where the world feels like it is falling apart, rather than just an intellectual disagreement.
The Trap of Certainty: Boyle describes his own journey from a “black and white” mindset of having every answer to encountering complexity that dissolved his traditional “pillars” of testimony.
Leading with the Heart: While the mind seeks to label, divide, and categorize, the heart can hold nuance, questions, and imperfections in church history or leadership that the analytical mind cannot.
Spiritual Regulation: Finding peace often requires “stepping back” from a stressed mind through practices like meditation, allowing for an openness to God even when specific questions remain unanswered.
Trusting in God’s Reach: A central theme is the belief that individuals cannot “get out of God’s reach,” and that His love is not dependent on common organizational membership.
Leadership ApplicationsCreating Safe Spaces: Leaders can support those in transition by listening without an agenda to “fix” or judge them, ensuring the individual feels safe and “not othered” within the community.
Managing Parental and Leader Panic: Tucker advises leaders to trust in the “deep goodness” of the youth and recognize that God’s plan is large enough to encompass their questions and journeys.
Focusing on Connection Over Advice: Instead of providing a “five-point plan” or intellectual rebuttals, leaders should focus on maintaining a loving relationship, mirroring the “eternal bond” offered by God and Christ.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
A best-selling author and internationally sought-after speaker and consultant, Michael Timms teaches practical leadership strategies that drive high-performance. He earned an M.B.A. from Utah State University, and was a consultant with Deloitte and an HR leader in the construction and manufacturing industries, prior to forming his own consultancy. Michael is the author of How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability and Succession Planning That Works.
LinksWatch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
How Leaders Can Inspire Accountability: Three Habits That Make or Break Leaders and Elevate Organizational Performance
How to Claim Your Leadership Power | Michael Timms
MichaelTimms.com
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsMichael talks about the principles of accountability within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The discussion focuses on how leaders can foster a culture of ownership and high performance among volunteers without relying on the traditional levers of corporate consequences.
00:01:46 – The Challenge of Motivation and Accountability
00:02:18 – Introduction of Michael Timms and His Expertise
00:02:53 – Michael Timms’ Background and Approach to Accountability
00:03:59 – Accountability in a Faith Context
00:04:32 – Defining Accountability
00:06:18 – Understanding Results in a Church Context
00:09:23 – Starting Points for Accountability in Organizations
00:11:06 – The Role of Leaders in Accountability
00:12:20 – Key Behaviors for Modeling Accountability
00:14:21 – Setting Expectations in Leadership
00:16:43 – Importance of Feedback and Communication
00:20:03 – Clarifying Purpose and Results
00:21:36 – Establishing Expectations for Team Dynamics
00:24:24 – Addressing Accountability Breakdowns
00:26:45 – Three Habits of Personal Accountability
00:29:02 – Motivating People in a Volunteer Organization
00:30:26 – The Power of Positive Feedback
00:32:12 – Giving Ownership to Team Members
00:34:12 – Scenarios for Accountability in Activities
00:39:17 – Handling Blame in Accountability Conversations
00:41:39 – Avoiding Micromanagement in Leadership
Key InsightsRedefining Accountability: Timms defines accountability as taking ownership of results and focusing on the actions necessary to achieve the right outcomes, rather than using it as a euphemism for blame or punishment.
The Power of Modeling: Accountability begins with the leader; if those in positions of authority do not own their mistakes or seek feedback, others in the organization are unlikely to do so.
Defining Results: In a faith context, “results” should be defined broadly—such as bringing people closer to Christ—and then distilled into specific goals, such as building testimonies or improving how members feel about their Sunday experience.
Setting Clear Expectations: High-performing teams agree on general guidelines for how they will work together—such as preferred communication methods and response times—before diving into the work.
Three Habits of Personal Accountability: Michael highlights three essential behaviors for leaders: avoiding blame, “looking in the mirror” to see how they contributed to a problem, and “engineering the solution” by fixing broken systems or processes.
Motivation Through Ownership: Motivating volunteers is best achieved by giving them a say in outcomes, providing frequent positive feedback to trigger a sense of progress, and granting them true decision-making power within councils.
Leadership ApplicationsRequesting Feedback: Leaders can improve performance by sincerely asking those they lead for feedback on how to make it easier for them to achieve their goals.
Systemic Problem Solving: When a task is not completed, Michael suggests leaders should ask “where did the process break down?” rather than “who dropped the ball?” to reduce defensiveness and improve future results.
Standardizing Procedures: Implementing standard operating procedures for recurring events—such as meeting agendas or baptismal services—helps ensure consistency and reduces the mental load on volunteers.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Steve Webber served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Spain Barcelona Mission and later graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Business Management. Professionally, he owns and manages an advertising agency.
Steve has served in various leadership capacities, including bishop, high counselor, Young Men president, elders quorum president, and high priest group leader. These experiences, along with his time as a home minister, have given him a unique perspective on how valiant ministering can bless the flock of the Good Shepherd. He currently hosts the Home Ministering Podcast on YouTube.
Steve lives in Cedar Hills, Utah, with his wife, Jana. They are the parents of five children and five grandchildren.
LinksHomeMinistering.com
Home Ministering: The Process of Perfecting the Saints
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsSteve discusses the evolution of ministering within the Church, emphasizing the shift from home teaching to a more holistic approach to ministering. He shares insights from his book and offers practical advice for leaders to enhance their ministering efforts.
00:03:22 – Background on Steve’s Book
00:04:04 – The Shift from Home Teaching to Ministering
00:05:13 – Early Experiences as a Bishop
00:06:43 – The Importance of Personal Connection
00:08:28 – The Role of Personalization in Ministering
00:09:06 – The Need for Flexibility in Ministering
00:10:00 – Addressing Safety Concerns in Ministering
00:10:31 – The Evolution of Ministering Terminology
00:12:01 – The Church’s Long-Term Vision for Ministering
00:14:25 – The Impact of Ministering on Church Attendance
00:15:40 – The Power of Asking the Right Questions
00:18:43 – Encouraging Open Communication in Ministering
00:20:37 – Serving Like Jesus
00:22:47 – Developing Christlike Attributes through Ministering
00:25:54 – The Importance of Prayer in Ministering
00:28:20 – The Role of Ministering in Building Community
00:30:40 – The Need for Humility in Receiving Help
00:32:54 – The Importance of Ministering Relationships
00:35:02 – Historical Context of Ministering Changes
00:37:21 – The Higher Law of Ministering
00:39:40 – The Role of Family Support in Ministering
00:41:06 – Building Authentic Relationships in Ministering
Key InsightsMinistering as a Higher Law: The transition from home teaching to ministering represents a return to the original purpose of caring for one another, focusing on service rather than just teaching lessons.
Personal Connection: Effective ministering involves building genuine relationships, where ministering brothers and sisters are seen as trusted friends who can provide support and encouragement.
The Power of Prayer: Asking families what they need prayer for can open doors for deeper connections and help ministering brothers and sisters understand how to serve effectively.
Flexibility in Approach: There is no one-size-fits-all method for ministering; leaders should encourage creativity and adaptability based on the unique needs of families.
Importance of Presence: Simply showing up and expressing love can have a profound impact, even if there are no specific tasks to perform. This presence fosters trust and openness.
Leadership ApplicationsEncourage Open Communication: Leaders can promote a culture where members feel comfortable sharing their needs, making it easier for ministering brothers and sisters to provide support.
Focus on Relationships: Leaders should emphasize the importance of building relationships over merely fulfilling assignments, encouraging members to engage with those they serve on a personal level.
Model Humility and Service: By demonstrating a willingness to receive help and support, leaders can set an example for their congregations, showing that vulnerability and openness are strengths in the ministering process.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brandon Bennett currently serves as a Professor of Religious Education at Brigham Young University–Idaho. He previously worked for more than a decade in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion in Utah and Texas, where he was blessed to teach the restored gospel to many remarkable youth and young adults. Throughout much of his adult life, he has held callings working with the rising generation, focusing on strengthening their faith in Jesus Christ and helping them build a firm spiritual foundation.
His experiences as a religious educator and youth leader have reinforced the importance of teaching truth “in plainness” (2 Nephi 31:3). Teaching doctrine with clarity and simplicity has, therefore, become one of his great priorities and convictions. He believes that as we seek to clearly understand and faithfully apply the principles taught in the scriptures and the words of the prophets—free from false assumptions—we place ourselves in a position to more fully receive the Savior’s power, peace, and direction in our lives.
Brandon shares faith-filled thoughts on finding purpose in pain through Jesus Christ. This livestream explores why trials come—from our own choices, mortality, others’ actions, or divine tutoring—and how the Savior’s touch can give any experience meaning. Rather than saying “everything happens for a reason,” Brandon reframes the idea: through Jesus Christ, everything can have a reason and purpose. Drawing on scripture, doctrine, and the story of the man born blind, this discussion offers hope, perspective, and practical faith for anyone navigating hardship—and for leaders counseling others through it.
LinksWatch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights00:02:31 – The Challenge of Offering Comfort in Trials
00:03:29 – Introduction of Brandon Bennett
00:04:04 – Background on Brandon’s Presentation
00:05:57 – The Complexity of Trials and Comforting Statements
00:07:35 – The Impact of “Everything Happens for a Reason”
00:09:20 – Understanding Trials Through Personal Experience
00:10:07 – The Nature of Adversity
00:11:21 – Orson F. Whitney’s Quote on Pain and Growth
00:12:54 – The Role of the Savior in Our Trials
00:14:27 – The Importance of Perspective in Trials
00:15:58 – The Role of Empathy in Leadership
00:20:51 – The Danger of Speculative Doctrines
00:23:12 – The Power of Empathy in Healing
00:25:04 – The Role of the Savior in Our Trials
00:26:33 – How to Involve Jesus Christ in Our Lives
00:30:25 – The Doctrine of Christ and Accessing His Power
00:34:25 – The Paradox of Grace
00:40:05 – The Nature of the Savior’s Love and Acceptance
00:42:12 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Trials and Healing
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ganel-Lyn Condie is a popular speaker, author, and mental health advocate. With insight shaped by faith, lived experience, and cultural awareness, she brings both compassion and clarity to the question many leaders and members are asking: How do we help people feel seen, known, and loved—especially those on the margins?
In this episode, Ganel-Lyn discusses her new book, Sourdough and the Savior, which explores the parallels between the process of making sourdough bread and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The conversation emphasizes the importance of ministering, community building, and personal growth through shared experiences.
LinksSourdough and the Savior
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Key InsightsSourdough as a Metaphor: Ganel-Lyn uses sourdough baking as a metaphor for understanding the characteristics of the Savior, illustrating how personal struggles can lead to spiritual growth.
Ministering through Connection: The act of sharing sourdough has become a means of ministering to others, fostering connections, and creating opportunities for healing and conversation.
Building Community: Ganel-Lyn emphasizes the need for community in the church, particularly for those who may feel isolated. She shares her experience of hosting informal gatherings to create a space for connection without the pressure of formal church events.
Vulnerability in Leadership: By sharing her own feelings of loneliness and identity struggles, Ganel-Lyn encourages leaders to be open and vulnerable, which can help others feel seen and understood.
Diversity in Gifts: The discussion highlights that everyone has unique gifts to share, and these contributions, no matter how small, can significantly impact the community and help build Zion.
Leadership ApplicationsEncouraging Informal Gatherings: Leaders can create opportunities for members to connect outside of formal church settings, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
Modeling Vulnerability: By being open about their own challenges, leaders can create an environment where others feel safe to share their struggles, leading to deeper connections and support.
Recognizing Individual Contributions: Leaders should encourage members to share their unique talents and experiences, reinforcing the idea that every contribution is valuable in building a strong, diverse community.
Highlights00:03:02 – Ganel-Lyn’s Journey to Writing
00:06:29 – The Struggles of Sourdough
00:10:18 – The Role of Ministering
00:11:03 – Building Zion Through Community
00:13:04 – Sharing Talents and Gifts
00:15:08 – The Impact of Sourdough
00:16:49 – The Importance of Connection
00:20:50 – Navigating Loneliness
00:24:01 – Creating Inclusive Gatherings
00:27:21 – The Essence of Community
00:30:20 – The Role of Church Leaders
00:34:25 – The Importance of Vulnerability
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Frank Schwartz is a husband—for nearly 25 years—and a father of three girls. He has served in several bishoprics, elders quorum presidencies, high councils, high priest group leaderships and Young Men presidencies (back when those were a thing), and a variety of other callings over the years.
Frank did undergraduate and graduate work in Psychology and worked in television before starting a small, boutique, corporate communications firm. Most recently he has worked for a client in the healthcare payments space. Frank joined F3 in 2014 and has served in the national leadership in different capacities prior to taking over as Nant’an/CEO in 2024.
LinksFellowshipping Men in Elders Quorum | An Interview with Frank Schwartz
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights00:02:40 – Discussion on Elders Quorum Engagement
00:03:01 – Personal Experience with F3 and Transformation
00:05:11 – The Importance of Community for Men
00:09:18 – The Need for Transformational Experiences
00:10:08 – Finding Truth and Community
00:12:13 – The Simplicity of Gathering Men
00:14:02 – The Role of Food in Building Brotherhood
00:15:32 – The Power of Gathering in Elders Quorum
00:18:00 – Authenticity in Church Leadership
00:20:56 – Creating Comfortable Spaces for Discussion
00:22:04 – Personal Transformation After Warrior Heart Bootcamp
00:23:24 – The Quest for Personal Purpose
00:25:05 – Shifting Perspectives on Relationships
00:30:00 – The Broader Plan and God’s Purpose
00:33:55 – Limiting Perspectives and Personal Growth
00:37:40 – The Journey of Self-Discovery and Adventure
Frank and Kurt discuss approaches to engaging men in elders quorum and fostering brotherhood within the Latter-day Saint community. They explore the importance of transformational experiences and how simple gatherings can lead to deeper connections among men.
Key InsightsTransformational Experiences: Men often seek meaningful experiences that can lead to personal growth and connection. Frank shares how participating in F3 and Warrior Heart boot camps has profoundly changed his perspective on leadership and relationships.
Gathering for Brotherhood: The act of gathering, whether for workouts or casual meet-ups, is crucial for building community. Frank emphasizes that men need spaces where they can connect and share their experiences authentically.
Authenticity in Leadership: Leaders should prioritize creating environments where vulnerability is encouraged. This can be achieved by moving away from rigid lesson structures and focusing on genuine interactions.
Shifting Perspectives: Frank discusses the importance of recognizing limiting beliefs and perspectives that can hinder personal growth. Leaders should help others see beyond their current views to embrace a broader understanding of their purpose.
Simplicity in Engagement: Simple gatherings, such as meeting for hot dogs or casual discussions, can effectively draw men together and foster meaningful conversations, making it easier for them to engage with one another.
Leadership ApplicationsFocus on Gathering: Latter-day Saint leaders can prioritize creating informal gatherings that encourage connection among men, such as breakfast meetings or service projects, rather than strictly adhering to lesson plans.
Encourage Vulnerability: Leaders should model vulnerability and openness in their interactions, creating a safe space for others to share their thoughts and feelings, which can lead to stronger bonds within the group.
Challenge Limiting Beliefs: Leaders can facilitate discussions that help members identify and overcome limiting beliefs, encouraging them to explore their divine potential and purpose within the community.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brother Eric Richards teaches Institute and Seminary in the Utah North Area, is a member of the Veritas society, a contributing author for the Patheos project, and a member of the International Writers and Editors Association. He has served in several Bishoprics, twice on High Councils, in the Stake Presidency, and now serves as a Bishop. For five years, Brother Richards and his team wrote the Online Seminary Curriculum. He presents at BYU and BYU-Idaho Education Week and is the author of Preparing for the Second Coming, Come Follow Me: Words of the Week, and was a contributing author for Deseret Book’s “Hear Him” project. He’s a certified Neuroscience Coach, and a great pickleball player in his free time.
Brother Richards grew up attending the Mountain View Baptist Church in San Diego before missionaries baptized him and his mom. He served a mission in Honduras, and his son later served in the same mission. He first moved to Utah after meeting his future wife at EFY, and taught Seminary and played water polo and volleyball for Utah State University. They have been married for 27 years. Most of all, he loves teaching and being with valiant Christians around the world.
LinksPreparing for the Second Coming
Come Follow Me: Words of the Week
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsHow can we lead in a way that connects members deeply to Jesus Christ? This conversation moves beyond administrative duties to explore practical frameworks for empowering members, delivering difficult counsel, and fostering a revelation-driven ward culture.
00:02:37 – Eric Richards’s Background and Experience
00:06:05 – Core Messages and Focus on Jesus Christ
00:07:42 – Approaching Leadership and Interviews
00:12:21 – The Importance of the Bishop’s Helpline
00:13:05 – Interview Techniques for Revelation
00:20:03 – The Role of Hope in Leadership
00:24:11 – Addressing Pornography in Ministering Interviews
00:30:51 – Supporting Speakers and Teachers in Sacrament Meetings
00:35:07 – Encouraging Discussion in Sunday School
00:39:26 – Inspired Counsel on Callings
00:45:12 – The Bishop’s Prayer List and Personal Ministry
00:46:33 – Ministering Interviews and Strengthening Faith
Key InsightsConnecting to Christ: All leadership efforts should ultimately prioritize helping individuals develop a personal relationship with the Savior rather than simply maintaining organizational functions.
Four Levels of Problem Solving: Leaders can empower members by identifying their current “level” of problem-solving: Level 1 (bringing a completed solution), Level 2 (proposing options), Level 3 (sharing findings/research), or Level 4 (simply asking for the answer).
The “Hot Sauce” Technique: Delivering difficult correction is most effective when used as a “compliment sandwich,” where hard truths are encased in genuine love to ensure the counsel is “metabolized” rather than rejected.
Facilitating Personal Revelation: Leaders should serve as a “Sherpa” or “guide on the side,” asking questions that invite the member to receive their own answers from the Spirit rather than providing them directly.
Wellness Baselines: Richards emphasizes checking a member’s physical (sleep, diet, exercise) and spiritual (prayer, scripture, temple) “baselines” to address holistic needs before tackling complex emotional or behavioral issues.
Heart-Led Vulnerability: To create safety, leaders should model vulnerability in sacrament meetings and classes, prioritizing personal, “heart-led” experiences over purely informational “head-led” teaching.
Leadership ApplicationsMember Empowerment: Instead of solving every problem, a leader can ask a member where they are on the 1–4 problem-solving scale, encouraging them to find and present their own solutions for the leader’s approval.
Ward Council Dynamics: Councils are most effective when members “check their ego” and evaluate every proposal through “three hats”: their perspective as an individual, as a friend/neighbor, and through their specific stewardship.
Joyful Ward Culture: Leaders can foster a “Church of Joy” by normalizing post-meeting interactions and using specific roles, such as “stenographers” to document the ward’s spiritual history and community connections.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Stephan Taeger is an assistant professor in Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He received a PhD from BYU in Instructional Design and Technology. Stephan’s research focuses on Homiletics (the study of preaching), narrative instruction, and ancient scripture. He is also an author and co-host of the RVVL podcast with David Butler.
LinksY Religion: Justification by Faith
The Science of Speaking in Sacrament Meeting | An Interview with Stephan Taeger
President Spencer W. Kimball: “Jesus the Perfect Leader”
Sermons and talks by Timothy Keller on YouTube
Stephan Taeger: “Declared Guiltless: Justification by Faith in the Latter-day Saint Classroom”
Toxic Perfectionism at Church | An Interview with Justin Dyer
Justification: God’s Plan, Paul’s Vision
N.T. Wright on YouTube
Weakness Is Not Sin: The Liberating Distinction That Awakens Our Strengths
RVVL Podcast
StephanTaeger.com
Tim Keller: Sin as Self-Deceit
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights00:04:00 – Stephan Taeger’s Background and Teaching Focus
00:05:00 – Influence of Tim Keller on Understanding Justification
00:06:00 – Justification Explained
00:09:00 – The Relationship Between Justification and Works
00:10:30 – Understanding the Role of Covenants
00:11:30 – The Importance of Faithfulness
00:12:30 – The Marriage Analogy for Justification
00:13:30 – The Role of the Sacrament in Justification
00:14:30 – Defining Sanctification
00:15:30 – The Process of Becoming More Like God
00:17:00 – The Role of Obedience in Response to Grace
00:18:00 – Addressing Perfectionism in Leadership
00:19:00 – The Impact of Sin on Community
00:20:00 – The Role of Bishops in Restricting Ordinances
00:22:00 – Understanding Restrictions as Support
00:23:00 – The Nature of Punishment vs. Guidance
00:24:00 – Mental Health and Perfectionism
00:25:00 – Addressing Sexual Development and Sin
00:26:00 – The Importance of Striving for Sanctification
00:27:00 – The Role of the Bishop in Mental Health
00:28:00 – The Challenge of Perfectionism
00:29:00 – The Concept of Forgiveness
00:30:00 – The Nature of Grace in the Gospel
Key InsightsJustification Defined: Justification is described as being pardoned from sin and declared guiltless, occurring when individuals enter a covenant relationship with God through faith, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost.
Sanctification Explained: Sanctification is the ongoing process of becoming more like God, involving a change in one’s nature, thoughts, and desires over time, as individuals strive to live in accordance with their covenants.
The Role of Grace: Grace is central to understanding both justification and sanctification. It emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, not solely based on individual works, and that individuals can have confidence in their justified state.
Addressing Perfectionism: Many Latter-day Saints struggle with perfectionism, often feeling unworthy despite understanding the doctrine. The conversation highlights the importance of recognizing one’s worth as inherent and not solely based on actions.
Mental Health Considerations: The discussion touches on the intersection of mental health and religious beliefs, particularly regarding OCD and scrupulosity, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding in addressing these issues.
Leadership ApplicationsFostering a Culture of Grace: Leaders can create an environment where members feel secure in their justified state, encouraging them to engage in the gospel without the burden of shame or guilt.
Understanding Individual Needs: By recognizing that unmet needs may drive certain behaviors, leaders can approach members with empathy, focusing on support rather than judgment.
Promoting Continuous Growth: Leaders should emphasize the importance of striving for sanctification, framing commandments and ordinances as opportunities for growth rather than as mere obligations, thus inspiring members to engage more fully in their spiritual journeys.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast of a podcast episode from Teaching Restored, a podcast exploring the how of teaching the restored gospel of Jesus Christ to bring others unto Him, helping gospel teachers become more confident, converted, and consecrated. Hosts Kevin Jones and Julie Hillyard are both former guests on the Leading Saints Podcast and you can join Kevin for further teaching-related discussion in Zion Lab.
LinksTeaching Restored
Teaching Restored on YouTube @teachingrestored
Teaching Sunday School with Questions | An Interview with Kevin Jones
Stimulating Sunday School Discussion… But Not Too Much | An Interview with Julie Hillyard
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Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsKevin and Julie explore the concept of “flipped” learning as a model for “home-centered, church-supported” gospel study. They discuss transitioning from a lecture-based church experience to a “laboratory” environment where members act as a council to solve problems and apply doctrines learned at home.
Key InsightsThe Flipped Classroom Model: In a traditional setting, teachers lecture and students do “homework” alone; in a flipped model, students learn the material at home and use class time to work through practical applications with the teacher’s help.
Defining Scriptural Understanding: Citing Elder Bednar, Kevin notes that scriptural “understanding” is not merely mental comprehension, but occurs when the heart confirms what the mind has learned.
The “Preparer” as the Primary Learner: The person who prepares a talk or lesson historically learns the most. The goal of a flipped church is to elevate every member to the status of a “preparer” before they arrive at Sunday meetings.
Accountability Through System Changes: To motivate home study, Kevin suggests “blowing up” the traditional lecture system. If members know they will be required to participate in a solution-based council rather than listen to a lecture, they are more likely to engage with the materials at home.
Utilizing Existing Tools: Julie highlights that the Come, Follow Me manuals and Gospel Library app already provide the necessary “lab” prompts—such as writing a eulogy for Joseph Smith—but these are often ignored in favor of passive reading.
Leadership ApplicationsTransitioning from Teacher to Moderator: Leaders can “release” traditional teachers and instead call “discussion heads” or moderators. This shifts the burden of learning onto the quorum or class members and prevents “spiritual engines” from turning off during a lecture.
Implementing Solution-Based Councils: Instead of sharing “happy thoughts,” leaders should present specific ward or family conundrums—such as helping elderly members attend the temple—and ask the council to generate actionable solutions.
Closing the Feedback Loop: When a council generates a solution, leaders must take those ideas to the Ward Council or Bishopric and report back to the members. This demonstrates that their participation has a direct impact on the ward’s operation.
00:04:22 – Introduction to Flipped School Concept
00:06:25 – New Year’s Resolutions and Teaching Goals
00:07:07 – Understanding Flipped School Model
00:09:05 – Home-Centered, Church-Supported Learning
00:10:24 – The Role of Preparation in Learning
00:12:01 – The Importance of Family Engagement
00:13:05 – Elder Oaks on Family Togetherness
00:17:02 – The Challenge of Utilizing Extra Time
00:19:04 – Elder Bednar on Understanding and Revelation
00:21:44 – The Need for Personal Preparation
00:24:51 – Tools for Effective Gospel Study
00:28:32 – Practical Application of Come Follow Me
00:30:32 – The Role of Motivation in Learning
00:32:08 – Innovative Elders Quorum Model
00:36:05 – Benefits of Council-Based Learning
00:40:34 – Youth Engagement in Problem Solving
00:43:00 – The Importance of Practice in Councils
00:46:34 – Reframing Youth Teaching Opportunities
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ernesto Quintanilla is the co-host (with his wife Nancy) and driving force behind Santos en Liderazgo, the official Spanish-language expansion of the Leading Saints podcast. A dedicated leader and communicator, Ernesto is passionate about helping Spanish-speaking Latter-day Saints enhance their leadership skills and better serve their communities.
By interviewing experienced leaders and sharing research-backed principles, Ernesto bridges the gap between traditional leadership concepts and the unique cultural nuances of Latino congregations. His work focuses on empowering local leaders—from Bishops and Relief Society presidents to youth advisors—with the tools and inspiration needed to lead with Christlike love and administrative excellence.
LinksSantos en Liderazgo on YouTube
Santos en Liderazgo in Zion Lab
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
OverviewIn this episode, Kurt Francom interviews Ernesto Quintanilla regarding the launch of Santos en Liderazgo, the Spanish-language expansion of the Leading Saints podcast. The conversation focuses on the unique leadership dynamics within the Latino Latter-day Saint community and the need for culturally relevant resources to support local leaders worldwide.
Key InsightsCultural Warmth in Leadership: A recurring theme is the Latino culture’s emphasis on deep, warm, and personal relationships. Ernesto highlights how leaders often build connections through physical affection (hugs) and informal social gatherings, which fosters a strong sense of community and trust.
The Pioneer Experience: Many Latino leaders are first-generation members or recent converts. Ernesto notes that while they may lack deep historical knowledge of church programs, they compensate with extraordinary faith and a reliance on the Spirit to guide their actions and words.
Cultural Adaptation and Immersion: Navigating the intersection of Latino and American church cultures requires proactive effort. Ernesto suggests that “immersion” is the most effective way for different groups to understand each other, recommending that leaders simply “show up” and participate in each other’s social and religious activities.
Unique Community Initiatives: The discussion highlights innovative grassroots programs, such as a missionary preparation initiative in Peru that provides medical and dental services to prospective missionaries, which eventually became an area-wide program.
Mental Health and Belonging: Leadership in the Latino community often involves addressing the unique mental health challenges of immigrants who may feel they “don’t belong” in their new country nor their country of origin.
Leadership ApplicationsPrioritize Relationship over Program: Leaders can improve ward unity by shifting focus from administrative tasks to “warm” social interactions. Ernesto emphasizes that simple gestures, like sharing food or offering a sincere greeting, can bridge cultural gaps more effectively than formal training.
Empower New Converts: Recognizing that many leaders are “pioneers,” established leaders should provide patient coaching while honoring the fresh spiritual energy and faith-based initiative these members bring to their callings.
HighlightsComing soon
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this livestream, Kurt Francom facilitates a collaborative discussion on the practical and spiritual aspects of ward music, featuring insights from Landon, a BYU master’s student in organ performance. The episode addresses common challenges faced by ward music coordinators and organists, ranging from planning Christmas programs to integrating the Church’s new hymns. The central theme focuses on how music serves as a vital tool for inviting the Spirit and how leaders can better support the musicians in their wards.
LinksLandon’s Organ Training Course
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Key InsightsCreative Christmas Programming: Participants shared successful ideas for holiday sacrament meetings, such as involving missionary families to sing “Silent Night” in different languages, utilizing youth for special numbers, and organizing organ-piano duets to elevate the musical experience.
The “Ministering Approach” to Training: Landon highlights a successful initiative where a stake presidency funded professional organ lessons for all ward organists. This approach transformed the quality of music in the stake by treating skill development as an essential part of the calling rather than an optional hobby.
Integrating New Hymns: To help congregations learn new music, ward leaders suggest using youth activities to assemble physical binders, having the ward choir introduce new songs first, and featuring new hymns as prelude and postlude music to build familiarity.
Managing Chapel Reverence: Landon shares a specific technique for organists to manage chapel noise: when a congregation is loud, the organist can slightly increase the volume to match the room, then suddenly stop for ten seconds of total silence before resuming with very soft registration. This “reset” often prompts the congregation to become more reverent.
Advocating for Music’s Priority: A recurring theme is the need for music leaders to advocate for their department so that closing hymns are not treated as “buffer time” to be cut when speakers go over. Clear communication with the bishopric about the spiritual weight of the music is essential for protecting the meeting’s flow.
Leadership ApplicationsProactive Coordination: Leaders can use shared spreadsheets to align musical selections with talk topics weeks in advance. Providing speakers with a “tips sheet” that includes strict time limits helps ensure that musical numbers are not rushed or eliminated.
Skill Investment: Rather than just calling those who already have talent, bishops and stake presidents should consider music training as a form of ministering. Providing access to lessons or workshops (like Landon’s online organ course) empowers members to fulfill their callings with greater confidence and proficiency.
Empowering Youth: Giving youth specific responsibilities—such as leading music in sacrament meeting or managing the logistics of new hymn binders—increases their engagement and presence in the meeting, often reducing distractions like phone usage.
HighlightsComing soon
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Rob Smith, LMAC, LASUDC, is a therapist with over 10 years of personal and professional experience. He specializes in helping individuals tap into their inner strengths, generate momentum for change, and live in alignment with their core values. Rob loves spending time with his wife and supporting their kids in their passions and activities.
LinksAccepted Therapy
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsRob discusses the complexities of providing support to individuals facing mental health challenges and the burdens that can arise for leaders in church settings. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy, boundaries, and community in effective leadership.
00:02:10 – Importance of Mental Health in Leadership
00:03:30 – Balancing Help and Personal Well-being
00:05:00 – Interview Introduction with Rob Smith
00:05:40 – Rob’s Background and Specialization
00:06:30 – Personal Struggles and the Need for Help
00:08:00 – The Journey of Seeking Help
00:10:00 – Community Support in Recovery
00:12:00 – The Importance of Healthy Boundaries
00:14:00 – Empathy in Leadership
00:16:00 – Mourning with Those Who Mourn
00:20:00 – Understanding the Weight of Pain
00:22:00 – The Role of Leaders in Carrying Burdens
00:23:30 – The Challenge of Relating to Others’ Struggles
00:25:00 – Setting Healthy Boundaries as a Leader
00:28:00 – The Complexity of Supporting Others
00:30:00 – The Need for Forgiveness and Compassion
00:32:00 – The Role of Opposition in Growth
00:34:00 – The Importance of Community Resources
00:36:00 – Balancing Individual Needs with Community Support
00:38:00 – The Role of Gratitude in Helping Others
00:40:00 – Delegating Support Within the Church Community
00:42:00 – Reflecting on Systemic Issues in Support
Key InsightsEmpathy vs. Problem-Solving: Leaders often feel compelled to solve problems for those they support, but true empathy involves sitting with individuals in their pain rather than trying to immediately alleviate it.
The Weight of Pain: Understanding that pain has a physical and emotional weight can help leaders connect with those they serve. Leaders should be willing to share in that weight without trying to fix it.
Boundaries are Essential: Leaders must establish healthy boundaries to protect their own mental health. This includes recognizing when to step back from situations that may overwhelm them.
Community Support: A strong community can enhance recovery and support. Leaders should encourage individuals to seek help from a broader network rather than relying solely on them.
Forgiveness and Compassion: Leaders need to practice forgiveness towards those who may not show gratitude or who take advantage of their help. This allows leaders to continue serving without resentment.
Opposition in All Things: Recognizing that challenges are a part of life can help leaders understand that they cannot solve every problem. This perspective fosters resilience and growth.
Leadership ApplicationsCreating Safe Spaces: Leaders can foster environments where individuals feel safe to express their struggles without fear of judgment. This can be achieved by openly discussing difficult emotions and experiences.
Utilizing Resources: Leaders should leverage the strengths of their community by connecting individuals with appropriate resources, such as support groups or other members who have faced similar challenges.
Regular Check-Ins: Leaders should regularly assess their own well-being and that of their fellow leaders. This can help prevent burnout and ensure that they are equipped to support others effectively.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Where is Leading Saints going in 2026? Listen in to find out!
LinksWatch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Become a Zion Builder
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode, Kurt Francom discusses the evolution of Leading Saints and the introduction of Zion Lab, an online community aimed at fostering leadership and cultural development among Latter-day Saints.
00:03:04 – Introducing Adam Treadwell
Introduction of Adam Treadwell and his connection to Leading Saints.
00:04:03 – North Star Conference
Promotion of the North Star Conference and its relevance to church leaders.
00:06:01 – Adam’s Journey with Leading Saints
Adam shares his experience and history with Leading Saints.
00:07:01 – Key Accomplishments of 2025
Summary of key achievements and insights from Leading Saints in 2025.
00:10:57 – Zion Lab Progress
Discussion on the development and functionality of Zion Lab as a community platform.
00:11:57 – In-Person Leadership Gatherings
Exploration of the impact of in-person leadership workshops and conferences.
00:12:28 – Understanding Zion Lab
Description of Zion Lab as a social media platform for church leaders.
00:16:06 – Personal Insights from 2025
Kurt shares personal reflections and insights gained throughout the year.
00:19:29 – Cultural Development in Leadership
Discussion on the importance of culture development in church leadership.
00:22:03 – Future of Leading Saints in 2026
Exploration of content distribution and future plans for Leading Saints.
00:25:23 – Expanding Language Resources
Discussion on the need for Spanish and other language podcasts.
00:27:53 – Importance of Zion Lab
Jared’s question about the significance of Zion Lab in the evolution of Leading Saints.
00:30:32 – Moderation in Zion Lab
Addressing concerns about moderating discussions and ensuring a safe community.
00:34:59 – Inclusivity in Discussions
Discussion on ensuring diverse voices are heard in Zion Lab.
00:35:38 – Eliminating Borders with Zion Lab
How Zion Lab can connect church leaders beyond geographical boundaries.
00:39:39 – Content Creation Process
Kurt explains his approach to finding and creating content for Leading Saints.
00:44:02 – Emerging Themes and Trends
Discussion on potential themes and trends for future content.
00:48:05 – Navigating Difficult Topics
Kurt shares his thoughts on addressing challenging subjects in church leadership.
Key InsightsShift to Community Focus: Leading Saints is transitioning from being solely a podcast to a community-driven platform through Zion Lab, where leaders can share ideas and best practices.
Grassroots Leadership: Significant cultural shifts within the church will come from lay members rather than institutional changes, highlighting the role of individual initiative in building Zion.
Content Creation and Curation: The podcast will continue, but the emphasis will be on community-generated content, allowing for a broader range of voices and experiences to be shared.
Diversity of Perspectives: Zion Lab aims to create a safe space for discussions on various topics, including controversial issues, while ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.
Language Expansion: There are plans to expand content into other languages, recognizing the diverse experiences of Latter-day Saints worldwide.
Leadership ApplicationsEncouraging Participation: Leaders are encouraged to actively participate in Zion Lab, sharing their experiences and insights, which can help others in similar situations.
Fostering Community: By connecting with others in their local areas and beyond, leaders can find support and inspiration, reinforcing the idea that they are not alone in their challenges.
Embracing Change: Leaders should be open to new ideas and approaches, understanding that effective leadership often requires adapting to the unique needs of their communities rather than relying solely on institutional directives.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Lani Hilton is a dedicated enthusiast of the Easter Season. She has lived a Christ-centered Easter season with her family for 20 years and has been teaching about it in settings like BYU Education Week and firesides since 2015. She published a book called Celebrate Sunday and has written articles for the Liahona and LDS living. Along with her husband, John, she is the proud parent of six children, four currently at Brigham Young University. Lani finds great joy in the simplicity and beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Linkslanihilton.com/easter
A Christ-Centered Easter: Day-By-Day Activities to Celebrate Easter Week
Easter-themed resources from Deseret Book
Connecting Others to Jesus Through the Cross at Calvary | An Interview with John Hilton III
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsLani Hilton talks about the importance of making Easter a season rather than just a single day of celebration. Lani shares her journey of creating meaningful Easter traditions and how she has implemented these ideas at both home and community levels, particularly focusing on Palm Sunday.
00:04:04 – Lonnie’s Journey to Celebrating Easter
00:05:24 – Simplifying Traditions as a Busy Mom
00:06:08 – Church’s Focus on Easter as a Season
00:06:40 – Elder Stevenson’s Call for a Christ-Centered Easter
00:09:51 – Expanding the Easter Celebration Timeline
00:10:57 – Encouragement to Start Early with Planning
00:12:44 – Involving Youth in Easter Activities
00:13:57 – Lonnie’s Experience with Stake Activities
00:15:41 – The Importance of Creating Meaningful Experiences
00:17:16 – Organizing a Palm Sunday Celebration
00:20:24 – Keeping the Celebration Engaging and Short
00:22:07 – Community Involvement and Outreach
00:25:06 – The Joy of Praising the Savior
00:27:16 – The Impact of a Large Gathering
00:29:03 – Advertising the Palm Sunday Event
00:31:01 – Encouraging Family Participation
00:32:24 – Resources for Planning Easter Activities
00:35:35 – Reflection on the Success of the Event
00:39:15 – Looking Ahead to Future Celebrations
Key InsightsEaster as a Season: Lani emphasizes the need to extend the celebration of Easter beyond just Easter Sunday, suggesting that it can encompass a period of reflection and worship leading up to and following the holiday.
Inspiration from Church Leaders: Elder Stevenson’s talks have encouraged members to recognize Palm Sunday and the Easter season more thoughtfully, prompting a shift in how Latter-day Saints approach these celebrations.
Community Involvement: Lani highlights the importance of involving the entire community in Easter celebrations, suggesting that events should be inclusive and accessible to all, not just church members.
Simple Traditions: She advocates for simple, Christ-centered traditions that can be easily integrated into family life, making it possible for busy families to participate without feeling overwhelmed.
Worshipful Experiences: The focus should be on creating worshipful experiences that allow participants to praise and adore Jesus Christ, fostering a deeper connection to the Savior during this holy time.
Leadership ApplicationsPlanning Ahead: Leaders should begin discussions about Easter celebrations in January to allow ample time for planning and community involvement, ensuring that activities are well-organized and meaningful.
Encouraging Participation: Leaders can facilitate events that invite participation from all ages, such as a Palm Sunday celebration, which can help foster a sense of community and shared worship.
Flexibility in Activities: Leaders are encouraged to adapt ideas and resources to fit their local context, recognizing that not every ward or stake will have the same capabilities or traditions, but all can create impactful experiences centered on Christ.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver, and got a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. While there he met his wife Lani and they have six children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem and China. John has a Master’s degree from Harvard and a Ph.D from BYU, both in Education. John is a professor of Religious Education at BYU.
John has published several books with Deseret Book, including Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ. He’s the author of the new course “Finding Christ in the Old Testament.”
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksScriptureCentral.org
Scripture Central on YouTube
Finding Christ in the Old Testament
Newsroom: New Guidance on Bible Translations for Latter-day Saints
Handbook: 38.8.40.1 Editions and translations of the Holy Bible
YouVersion Bible App page (Apple app here)
Keeping Jesus as the Center of Leadership | An Interview with John Hilton III
Connecting Others to Jesus Through the Cross at Calvary | An Interview with John Hilton III
Bearded Bishops, Rated-R Movies, & the Honor Code | An Interview with John Hilton III
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode, John discusses the recent changes in the Church’s approach to Bible translations and how these changes can enhance understanding of the scriptures, particularly the Old Testament. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accessibility and comprehension in scripture study.
Key InsightsThe Church’s handbook now states that while members should generally use a preferred or church-published edition of the Bible, other translations may also be used, reflecting a shift towards inclusivity and understanding.
Many individuals struggle with the King James Version due to its higher reading level, which can hinder their engagement with the scriptures. Simpler translations can provide clarity and accessibility.
Various Bible translations, such as the English Standard Version (ESV) and New International Version (NIV), can help bridge the gap for those who find the King James Version challenging, making the scriptures more relatable and understandable.
The discussion highlights the importance of using different translations in teaching settings to enhance comprehension and engagement, particularly for youth and those unfamiliar with the King James Version.
Leaders are encouraged to create an inclusive environment in classes where all translations are respected, fostering a space for discussion and learning.
Leadership ApplicationsLeaders can promote the use of various Bible translations in their classes to help members better understand scriptural principles, especially for those who may struggle with traditional texts.
By being aware of the reading levels of different translations, leaders can guide individuals to resources that suit their comprehension needs, ensuring that everyone can access the teachings of the scriptures.
Encouraging open discussions about different translations can help create a welcoming atmosphere in church settings, allowing members to feel comfortable sharing their insights and questions without fear of judgment.
00:02:44 – Guest Introduction: John Hilton III
00:03:26 – Classroom Applications of Bible Translations
00:04:08 – John Hilton’s Projects with Scripture Central
00:04:50 – Changes in Church Handbook Regarding Bible Translations
00:08:34 – Discussion on Handbook Changes
00:14:33 – Historical Context of Bible Translations
00:19:07 – Addressing Concerns About Modern Translations
00:21:18 – Recommendations for Bible Translations
00:24:31 – Using Different Translations for Comprehension
00:26:04 – Importance of Accessible Translations for Youth
00:28:01 – Anticipating Classroom Dynamics with Various Translations
00:30:21 – Creating a Respectful Classroom Environment
00:32:51 – Teaching Strategies for Engaging with Scriptures
00:41:18 – The Role of Listening to Scripture
00:44:10 – Speculation on Future Translations of Church Scriptures
00:47:44 – Encouraging Leaders to Support Comprehension in Others
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Joshua Sears earned his BA in Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Brigham Young University, an MA from The Ohio State University, and a PhD in Hebrew Bible from The University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on biblical polygamy, the book of Isaiah, and Latter-day Saint Bible editions. He has presented at numerous academic and Church-related conferences and is the author of A Modern Guide to an Old Testament.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksA Modern Guide to an Old Testament
BYU Religious Studies Center: rsc.byu.edu
Kerry Muhlestein: “A Savior with a Sword”
Blue Letter Bible
BibleHub
NetBible.org
NRSVUE Bible: New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Key InsightsUnderstanding Genres: The Old Testament contains various literary genres, including poetry, narrative, and prophecy. Recognizing these genres is crucial for proper interpretation and enhances the reading experience.
Challenges of the Old Testament: The text is lengthy and covers a vast historical period, which can be overwhelming. It also includes complex themes such as violence and cultural practices that may challenge modern readers.
Christ in the Old Testament: Jehovah, the Lord in the Old Testament, is identified as the premortal Jesus Christ. Understanding this connection allows readers to see Christ’s active role throughout the text, not just in prophecies of His mortal ministry.
Resources for Study: Utilizing various resources, including the Come Follow Me manual, podcasts, and online tools, can enhance understanding and provide context for difficult passages.
Addressing Difficult Questions: It is acceptable for teachers to admit when they do not know the answer to a question. This honesty fosters a learning environment and encourages further exploration of the scriptures.
Leadership ApplicationsEncouraging Engagement: Leaders can promote a deeper understanding of the Old Testament by encouraging members to explore its genres and themes, helping them to appreciate its relevance to their faith.
Creating a Supportive Environment: By modeling humility and openness about not having all the answers, leaders can create a safe space for discussion and inquiry, allowing members to feel comfortable asking questions.
Utilizing Resources: Leaders should leverage available resources, such as the new institute manuals and online tools, to prepare lessons that are informative and engaging, ensuring that the focus remains on the scriptures themselves.
Timestamps00:03:02 – Overview of “A Modern Guide to an Old Testament”
00:04:18 – Challenges of the Old Testament
00:05:33 – The Complexity of Old Testament Genres
00:06:43 – Teaching Strategies for the Old Testament
00:08:10 – Shifting Mindsets for Old Testament Study
00:09:48 – Importance of Understanding Context
00:11:06 – Balancing Content Mastery and Teaching
00:12:28 – Keeping Jesus Christ at the Center
00:14:10 – Resources for Hebrew Words and Translations
00:15:46 – Using Podcasts for Study
00:17:27 – Navigating Difficult Questions in Class
00:19:19 – Emphasizing Conversion in Teaching
00:20:30 – The Role of AI in Biblical Study
00:22:04 – Addressing Tough Issues in the Old Testament
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Will Kennedy and Isiah Gray are members of Brothaz in the Foyer, a group that produces content to represent and share the experiences of Black members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They are part of a larger group of hosts for the Brothaz in the Foyer Podcast, and their goal is to bring people “from the foyer into the chapel.” This conversation explores their personal journeys, the dynamics of race within the Church, and the importance of fostering understanding and inclusivity.
LinksYouTube: @brothazinthefoyer
Instagram: @brothazinthefoyer
TikTok: @brothazinthefoyer
Paul Reeve books
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Key InsightsExperiences in the Temple: Will and Isiah share how their experiences as Black men in the temple often draw attention, highlighting the need for normalization of diverse representation within sacred spaces.
Cultural Differences: The hosts discuss how their backgrounds influence their experiences in the Church, noting that cultural differences can lead to misunderstandings and the need for open dialogue.
Reconciliation with Church History: Both emphasize the importance of understanding the Church’s history regarding race, including the priesthood ban, and how this knowledge can strengthen faith rather than diminish it.
Empathy and Genuine Interaction: They stress the importance of treating all individuals as children of God and engaging in genuine conversations to bridge cultural gaps, rather than making interactions feel forced or awkward.
Political Climate and Faith: The discussion touches on the politicization of race and the need for members to prioritize their faith and love for others over political affiliations, promoting unity within the Church.
Leadership ApplicationsFoster Open Dialogue: Leaders should create environments where members feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to race and culture, encouraging transparency and understanding.
Educate on Church History: Leaders can benefit from familiarizing themselves with resources like Paul Reeve’s book on race in the priesthood to better address historical issues and foster inclusivity.
Encourage Representation: Leaders should seek diverse voices in leadership roles and callings, recognizing that representation can enhance the community’s strength and unity, while also being mindful not to tokenize individuals based on race.
Highlights00:03:09 – Origin of Brothaz in the Foyer Podcast
00:04:34 – Cultural Differences in Latter-day Saint Experiences
00:06:08 – Broader Christian Dialogue and Inclusivity
00:06:58 – Personal Background: Will’s Journey to the Church
00:08:35 – Personal Background: Isiah’s Journey to the Church
00:10:58 – Navigating Church Culture and History
00:14:03 – Discussing Race in Church Settings
00:17:04 – Parenting and Discussing Race with Children
00:19:46 – Encouragement for Friends Struggling with Church History
00:20:15 – Seeking the Savior in Difficult Conversations
00:22:34 – Addressing Race in Church Leadership
00:23:38 – Importance of Validation and Transparency
00:25:27 – Practical Approaches for Church Leaders
00:26:26 – Genuine Interactions vs. Awkwardness
00:29:06 – Experiences in the Temple
00:31:17 – Building Relationships through Meaningful Conversations
00:33:41 – Representation and Diversity in Leadership
00:35:02 – Navigating Race in Utah and the Wasatch Front
00:37:57 – The Impact of Politics on Race Conversations
00:42:36 – Mixing Christianity with Politics
00:45:59 – Addressing Racism in the Church Context
00:47:02 – Empathy and Understanding in Racial Discussions
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Primary is so much more than schedules, rolls, and meetings—it’s a sacred opportunity to love, lift, and lead like the Savior. In this inspiring interview, we explore how Primary presidencies and leaders can transform everyday administration into meaningful ministry.
Michelle Colledge lives in Cedar Hills, Utah with her husband, Rick, and their five children. She owns and coaches at Canyon Gymnastics and loves reading, traveling, and spending time with her family. She graduated from Utah Valley University, served a full-time mission in the North Carolina Raleigh Mission, and has served in various callings including stake Primary president, ward Primary president, and in several Primary and Young Women presidencies.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Key InsightsBuilding Community: Michelle emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of community within Primary by engaging with children and their families, such as through home visits for birthdays, which fosters personal connections.
Perceptive Leadership: Leaders should be observant and responsive to the needs of children, ensuring that every child feels valued and included. This includes recognizing when a child feels overlooked and taking steps to address it.
Innovative Programming: The introduction of a stake Primary devotional allowed children to actively participate in leadership roles, such as greeters and speakers, which empowered them and made the event more engaging.
Personalized Involvement: Michelle highlights the significance of knowing each child’s name and interests, which helps leaders connect on a deeper level and enhances the overall Primary experience.
Flexibility in Leadership: Leaders should be willing to adapt and create new opportunities for service and connection, as demonstrated by the transition from traditional birthday celebrations to personalized home visits during COVID-19.
Leadership ApplicationsFoster Personal Connections: Latter-day Saint leaders can implement home visits or personalized notes to recognize children’s milestones, enhancing their sense of belonging and importance within the community.
Encourage Participation: By inviting children to take on roles in Primary programs, leaders can help them develop confidence and a sense of responsibility, making church activities more meaningful.
Be Observant and Responsive: Leaders should regularly assess the dynamics within their Primary classes, looking for ways to support teachers and children, ensuring that everyone feels included and valued in the Primary experience.
Highlights00:04:28 – Transitioning from Ward to Stake Primary Presidency
00:06:04 – Finding Footing as Stake Primary President
00:08:19 – Monthly Presidency Meetings and Activities
00:10:19 – Yearly Primary Activity Planning
00:11:59 – Training for New Primary Presidencies
00:12:52 – Best Practices for Primary Presentations
00:16:25 – Creating a Reverent Atmosphere in Presentations
00:18:56 – Encouraging Children to Write Their Own Parts
00:19:56 – Engaging with Children in Primary
00:20:45 – Personal Connections with Children
00:25:13 – Connecting with Primary Presidencies in the Stake
00:27:11 – Perceiving Needs Like the Savior
00:29:19 – Inviting Children to Serve in Primary
00:34:56 – Organizing a Stake Primary Devotional
00:40:21 – Conclusion and Q&A Session
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Become a Zion Builder and Learn More Here: https://app.leadingsaints.org/c/1-000-zion-builders/
Blake Erickson is the co-founder of Scaling.com, a company dedicated to helping entrepreneurs scale bigger and faster than they ever thought possible. He is the co-author of the New York Times best-selling book The Science of Scaling, and a highly sought-after keynote speaker specializing in guiding companies and individuals to achieve rapid growth and seemingly impossible goals. Blake resides in Utah with his amazing wife, Bre, and their two sons.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksThe Science of Scaling: Grow Your Business Bigger and Faster Than You Think Possible
Scaling.com/Audiobook
The Science of Scaling Your Ward | An Interview with Benjamin Hardy
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsBlake discusses the importance of setting ambitious goals and the principles of effective leadership within the context of Latter-day Saint service. The conversation emphasizes how faith and intentionality can lead to significant results in both personal and church-related endeavors.
Key InsightsGoal Setting and Faith: Blake shares his experience of setting a seemingly impossible goal of 100 baptisms during his mission, illustrating how faith and ambition can drive success.
Identifying Key Indicators: He emphasizes the importance of recognizing patterns and indicators that lead to success, such as focusing on individuals who are genuinely interested in the gospel rather than spreading efforts too thin.
The Power of One: The discussion highlights that often, one person can make a significant impact, whether in a business or church setting, by inspiring others and driving collective progress.
Less is More: Blake advocates for the idea that achieving goals often requires doing less but with greater focus, rather than simply increasing activity levels.
Cultural Dynamics: The conversation touches on the need to challenge existing cultural norms that may hinder progress, encouraging leaders to empower all members to contribute actively.
Leadership ApplicationsSetting Clear Goals: Latter-day Saint leaders can adopt Blake’s approach by establishing clear, ambitious goals for their congregations, focusing on what truly matters to drive spiritual growth and engagement.
Fostering a Culture of Participation: Leaders should encourage all members to take initiative and share their insights, breaking down barriers that prevent individuals from stepping forward in service.
Prioritizing Key Activities: By identifying the most impactful activities and focusing efforts on those, leaders can enhance the effectiveness of their ministries, ensuring that resources are used wisely and results are maximized.
00:03:24 – Blake Erickson’s Mission Experience
00:04:10 – Shifting Focus on Mission Goals
00:05:06 – Learning from Missionary Work
00:06:58 – Identifying Key Indicators for Success
00:08:27 – Setting Goals and Expectations
00:10:18 – The Importance of Commitment
00:12:10 – Recognizing Progress and Indicators
00:14:10 – Communicating with Non-Progressing Individuals
00:15:02 – Applying Business Principles to Church Leadership
00:16:37 – Scaling the Church and Its Impact
00:18:50 – The Gospel as a Solution
00:20:49 – Manifesting Faith in Daily Life
00:21:00 – Expressing Desires to God
00:23:30 – The Importance of Ambition
00:25:32 – Balancing Church Responsibilities
00:26:58 – Navigating Life After the Mission
00:27:09 – Engaging with Elders Quorum Leadership
00:29:04 – Focusing on One Goal in the Ward
00:30:17 – The Power of Less and Different Approaches
00:32:02 – Identifying False Requirements
00:34:15 – The Impact of One Person
00:35:04 – Onboarding Others to a Common Goal
00:37:31 – Building Unity Through Shared Goals
00:38:31 – Cultural Dynamics in Church Leadership
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kurt Francom, the executive director of Leading Saints, shares his thoughts on the challenges and responsibilities of leading a nonprofit organization within the Latter-day Saint community. He reflects on the need for support, the complexities of church culture, and the importance of individual leadership in building the Kingdom of God.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Links“I’m Not the Gatekeeper, I’m the Welcoming Committee” | An Interview with Kurt Brown
Being an Advocate for Those You Lead | An Interview with Robert Ferrell
Rallying the Ward Around Sacrament Meeting | A How I Lead Interview with Ryan Webb
Getting the Youth to Do Hard Things | A How I Lead Interview with Tanner Pursley
Young Men Can Do Hard Things | A How I Lead Interview with Skylar Haws
Zion Lab: LeadingSaints.org/Zion
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsFunding Challenges: Kurt discusses the difficulties of securing funding for Leading Saints, emphasizing the need for both small and large donations to sustain the organization’s mission.
Cultural Issues in the Church: He highlights the complexities of church culture, including the struggles of church leaders and members with faith crises, LGBT issues, and the need for a supportive community.
The Role of Individual Leadership: Kurt stresses that effective leadership is crucial for fostering a positive church culture, which can help individuals navigate their faith journeys and challenges.
Transformational Experiences: He believes that rather than providing formal training, Leading Saints focuses on creating transformational experiences that empower individuals to lead and make a difference in their communities.
Call to Action: Kurt invites listeners to engage with Leading Saints through initiatives like Zion Lab and becoming Zion Builders, emphasizing the collective effort needed to build Zion.
Leadership ApplicationsEncouraging Community Support: Latter-day Saint leaders can foster a culture of support by actively seeking and encouraging contributions from their communities, similar to how fans rally around a sports team.
Promoting Individual Initiative: Leaders should empower members to take initiative in their callings and personal faith journeys, recognizing that everyone can contribute to building the Kingdom of God, regardless of their formal position.
Creating Transformational Opportunities: Leaders can focus on providing experiences that inspire and uplift their congregations, rather than relying solely on traditional training methods, to cultivate a more engaged and resilient community.
00:01:08 – The Journey of Leading Saints
00:02:25 – The Role of an Executive Director
00:04:14 – The Need for Funding
00:05:57 – Articulating the Problem in Church Leadership
00:07:34 – The Complexity of Church Culture
00:09:11 – The Importance of Individual Action
00:10:51 – The Law of Consecration
00:12:19 – Building Zion and Community
00:14:10 – Connection to BYU Football
00:16:20 – Community Support for Leaders
00:17:01 – The Call for Support and Funding
00:19:14 – The Role of Leading Saints in Cultural Issues
00:21:23 – Transformational Experiences and Leadership
00:23:12 – Call to Action: Join the Zion Lab
00:25:00 – Becoming a Zion Builder
00:26:25 – Sponsoring Others and Seeking Larger Donors
00:29:11 – The Impact of Positive Culture in the Church
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This podcast episode features part of a Zion Lab live stream conversation with a group of ward and stake leaders discussing the purpose and execution of ward conferences. The conversation emphasizes the need for meaningful engagement and feedback from members to enhance the effectiveness of these conferences.
Watch and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksGeneral Handbook 29.2.3 Ward Conference
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights04:26 – Overcoming Traditional Approaches
06:08 – Gathering Feedback from Members
08:21 – Creating Meaningful Experiences
10:00 – Handbook Guidelines for Ward Conferences
12:45 – Shifting Focus from Burden to Blessing
14:09 – Unique Approaches to Ward Conferences
15:37 – Scheduling Ward Conferences Effectively
18:21 – Addressing Local Needs vs. Stake Focus
20:01 – The Purpose of Ward Conferences
24:40 – The Distance Between Stake and Ward
26:01 – Building Positive Stake-Ward Relationships
Key InsightsPurpose of Ward Conferences: Leaders reflect on the importance of ward conferences as a means to unify the ward, provide spiritual nourishment, and address local needs, rather than merely fulfilling a procedural requirement.
Feedback Mechanisms: The discussion highlights the necessity of gathering feedback from both leaders and general members to assess the value of ward conferences and identify areas for improvement.
Innovative Approaches: Leaders share successful strategies, such as organizing activities leading up to the conference and involving youth, to create a more engaging and meaningful experience for the congregation.
Avoiding Tradition for Tradition’s Sake: The conversation stresses the importance of not falling into the trap of maintaining outdated practices simply because “it’s always been done that way.” Leaders are encouraged to innovate and adapt based on current ward needs.
Collaboration and Council: The value of collaborative meetings among stake and ward leaders is emphasized, allowing for shared insights and collective problem-solving regarding ward needs and challenges.
Leadership ApplicationsSolicit Member Feedback: Leaders should actively seek input from ward members about their experiences and expectations for ward conferences, ensuring that the events are tailored to meet their needs.
Create Engaging Experiences: By planning activities and discussions that involve the entire ward community, leaders can foster a sense of belonging and investment in the ward’s culture and mission.
Embrace Flexibility: Leaders are encouraged to approach ward conferences with an open mind, willing to adapt formats and themes based on the unique dynamics of their wards, rather than adhering strictly to traditional methods.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jenn Curtis is the president of North Star, an organization dedicated to supporting LGBT Latter-day Saints. With a lifelong commitment to the teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jenn has navigated her own journey of self-discovery and faith, advocating for understanding and compassion within the Church community. She has been actively involved in creating resources and spaces for dialogue around LGBT issues and faith, helping individuals reconcile their identities with their beliefs.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksNorthStarSaints.org
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThis podcast conversation centers on Jenn’s personal journey with same-sex attraction, her experiences within the church, and the importance of community and understanding in navigating these complex issues.
Key InsightsPersonal Journey: Jenn shares her experience of coming to terms with her same-sex attraction while married, emphasizing the internal struggles and the process of self-discovery.
Community Support: The North Star community provides a safe space for LGBT individuals and their families, fostering open dialogue and understanding about faith and sexuality.
Curiosity Over Judgment: Jenn highlights the importance of curiosity in conversations about LGBT issues, suggesting that church leaders should ask questions and seek to understand rather than make assumptions.
Covenant Path: The discussion emphasizes that North Star promotes a gospel-centered approach, encouraging members to strive to keep their covenants while navigating their identities.
Tension in Faith: Jenn acknowledges the tension many LGBT individuals feel between their faith and their sexual orientation, advocating for a compassionate and understanding approach from church leaders.
Leadership ApplicationsFoster Open Dialogue: Leaders can create environments where members feel safe to discuss their struggles and questions about faith and sexuality without fear of judgment.
Encourage Curiosity: Leaders should practice curiosity by asking open-ended questions to better understand the experiences of LGBT members, which can help reduce fear and stigma.
Promote Inclusivity: By recognizing the diverse experiences within their congregations, leaders can work towards creating a more inclusive community that supports all members in their faith journeys.
00:04:48 – Jenn’s Personal Story and Journey
00:08:36 – Discovering Same-Sex Attraction
00:10:39 – Navigating Marriage and Self-Discovery
00:12:07 – Initial Reactions to Self-Discovery
00:14:18 – The Dual Existence of Living with Same-Sex Attraction
00:16:22 – Conversations with Her Husband
00:20:42 – Coming Out to Her Husband
00:22:27 – Finding Community in North Star
00:24:21 – Advice for Attending North Star Conference
00:26:15 – The Transformational Experience of North Star
00:28:14 – Creating a Welcoming Church Environment
00:30:46 – The Role of Curiosity in Understanding
00:32:20 – The Importance of Being Open and Listening
00:34:20 – North Star’s Unique Approach to LGBT Issues
00:36:04 – Striving to Keep Covenants in the LGBT Community
00:39:35 – Navigating Tension in Faith and Sexuality
00:41:49 – Addressing Negative Experiences with North Star
00:47:10 – The Importance of Giving North Star Another Chance
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Roy Zwahlen has extensive background in innovation. He serves as Chief Strategy Officer at the Eshelman Institute of Innovation, which develops therapeutics and digital health technologies and startups. Roy recently co-authored the book Race to Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurship for Everyone. He also serves as Associate Dean at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Roy has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University and a Juris Doctor from the George Mason School of Law. He has executive education in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Chief Strategy Officer executive training from Wharton School of Business.
Roy loves spending his early mornings hassling 20+ teenagers as a Seminary teacher in Pittsboro, North Carolina. He has served in bishoprics, elders quorum presidencies, Sunday School presidencies, and in various teacher callings with Primary clearly being the best. Roy, his wife, and their five children—all of whom are much cooler than he is—live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Linkshttps://www.racetoinnovation.net/
Race to Innovation: Unleashing the Power of Entrepreneurship for Everyone
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode, Roy discusses the intersection of innovation and church leadership, emphasizing how Latter-day Saints can embrace creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to build the kingdom of God. He outlines five principles of innovation that can empower individuals and leaders within the church.
Key InsightsInnovation in the Church: Innovation is rooted in the ongoing restoration of the gospel, with historical examples from church leaders like Joseph Smith and President Nelson demonstrating the importance of adapting and evolving.
Recognizing Potential: Leaders should actively recognize and nurture the divine potential in all members, encouraging creativity and new ideas rather than dismissing them due to comfort with the status quo.
Power of Enclaves: Supportive groups or enclaves foster innovation by providing emotional and practical support, enabling individuals to take risks and share their ideas without fear of failure.
Enabling Ownership: Leaders should empower members to take ownership of their ideas, allowing them to lead initiatives rather than relying solely on institutional approval.
Unique Perspectives: Embracing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of members can lead to innovative solutions that enrich the church community.
Accelerating Change: Leaders should focus on how to accelerate innovative ideas, ensuring that they are not just reactive but proactive in creating positive change within their congregations.
Leadership ApplicationsEncouraging Initiative: Leaders can create an environment where members feel safe to propose new ideas, such as starting a community service project or a new class, by actively listening and providing support.
Building Support Networks: Forming small groups or committees within the ward can help individuals collaborate on innovative projects, leveraging their unique skills and experiences to enhance church activities.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation: By promoting a mindset of continuous improvement and openness to new ideas, leaders can inspire members to contribute creatively to the church’s mission, ultimately strengthening the community and its outreach efforts.
00:03:34 – Framing Innovation in Church Leadership
00:05:25 – Innovation in the Context of the Restoration
00:07:51 – Challenges of Innovation in Large Organizations
00:09:36 – Autonomy in Local Church Leadership
00:11:25 – Encouraging Local Innovation
00:12:39 – The Role of Individual Members in Innovation
00:14:31 – Importance of Innovation in Church Leadership
00:16:06 – Proactive vs. Reactive Innovation
00:18:07 – Individual Innovation and Community Impact
00:19:25 – The Need for Innovation to Avoid Disruption
00:21:15 – Creating a Culture of Innovation
00:22:02 – Five Principles of Innovation
00:23:32 – Recognizing Potential in Others
00:30:26 – The Power of Enclaves in Innovation
00:40:50 – Enabling Ownership of Innovative Ideas
00:42:11 – Building Support for Innovative Initiatives
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
For the past seven years, Ajax Trueblood has served as an Elders Quorum Service Coordinator in two different wards in Utah—and he calls it the best calling in the Church. Through that experience, he’s learned that consistent, inspired service doesn’t just bless those being helped—it transforms the hearts and unity of those who serve.
LinksWatch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Elders Quorum Service Coordinator
Movers & Shakers Squad
Soup Patrol in Elders Quorum
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsAjax shares his experience magnifying the often-overlooked calling of the elders quorum service coordinator. He talks about shifting the culture of an elders quorum to be proactively service-oriented, fostering spiritual growth, and extending Christlike care to members and the community beyond the traditional tasks of moving furniture. Ajax emphasizes that selfless service is a central, scriptural tenet of the gospel that should guide the quorum’s efforts.
Key Insights
Service is Core Discipleship: The service coordinator role, while briefly mentioned in the Church handbook (8.5.3), is viewed by Ajax as foundational to the gospel, emphasizing the principles of bearing one another’s burdens and charity.
The “Movers and Shakers Squad” (M&S): Ajax organizes volunteers into the M&S list, which is mobilized quickly via text messaging for physical labor, focusing on positive responses only to keep communication clean. Physical projects are handled by small, efficient teams with a designated on-site team leader to improve safety and effectiveness.
The Power of “Soup Patrol”: This initiative is a non-physical service designed to provide emotional connection and support. It involves quickly delivering small tokens, such as homemade soup, bread, or cookies, to those who are sick or struggling, emphasizing presence and care over the physical item.
Coordination Over Execution: A key principle is that the coordinator’s primary focus should be on coordination—getting the right people the opportunity to serve—rather than defaulting to execution and doing all the work themselves. This builds linkages and involves more people.
Beyond Ward Boundaries: The quorum’s service extends beyond active members and ward boundaries to help anyone in the community, including those needing yard work, cleanup, or help moving, using these opportunities as a bridge for fellowship and missionary work.
Synergy with Ministering: Service efforts must support the ministering program. Ajax proactively contacts assigned ministering brothers to give them the opportunity to be involved first, ensuring the service coordinator system reinforces the core assignment rather than displacing it.
Leadership Applications
Recruit Based on Willingness: Leaders should identify and recruit members who are genuinely willing and able to serve, creating a volunteer-driven service system rather than assigning reluctant members to tasks.
Offer Diverse Service Opportunities: By implementing low-physical-demand options like the “Soup Patrol,” leaders can engage members (like the elderly or young fathers) who may be maxed out or resistant to physically demanding assignments like moving, providing a place for everyone to serve.
Be Proactive, Not Passive: Service coordinators should adopt a proactive approach, constantly keeping their “feelers out” by asking members for needs and looking for opportunities rather than waiting for formal requests to come down through the bishopric or ward council.
04:00 – Introduction to the Elders Quorum Service Coordinator Role
06:00 – The Service Coordinator Calling is Foundational to the Gospel
07:10 – Handbook Reference and Magnifying the Calling
08:05 – Organizing Service in a Rapidly Growing Ward (Vineyard)
08:50 – The Key to Success: Asking for Volunteers
11:00 – Service in an Older Ward (St. George) and Moving Beyond Moves
11:50 – The Spirit of Service and Emotional Connection
13:00 – Organizing Moves with the “Movers and Shakers Squad” (M&S)
14:00 – Operating Principle: Small Groups and Designated Team Leaders
15:50 – Using Text Messages and Coordinating the Three M&S Lists
20:15 – Distinguishing Service from Ward Maintenance
21:20 – Serving Outside the Ward Boundaries and Active Members
23:50 – Non-Moving Service Opportunities: Yard Work and Cleanup
26:00 – Service as a Bridge for Ministering and Missionary Work
26:45 – The Concept of “Soup Patrol”
28:35 – Integrating Service with Ministering Brothers and Sisters
30:40 – The Gospel is Not a Program; Focus on the Heart
32:25 – Delivering Soup: Surprise Visits vs. Calling Ahead
33:50 – Rotating Service to Involve More Quorum Members
37:50 – Building a Culture of Service Beyond the Coordinator
40:50 – The Need for Communication and Cooperation with Relief Society
43:50 – Proactively Seeking Out the Poor and Needy
47:15 – Focus on Coordination Over Execution
48:35 – Using Service Opportunities for Spiritual Development
50:40 – The M&S Lists: Recruiting Volunteers, Not Assigned Callings
52:10 – Avoiding Competition with Ministering Assignments
56:05 – How the Role Fosters Better Discipleship
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Daniel Johnston is a Major in the United States Air Force, serving as a maintenance officer with experience commanding teams in both combat and training environments. He currently serves as the Director of Operations for the C-5 Maintenance Squadron at Dover Air Force Base. His previous assignments include serving as an Air Force ROTC instructor at Brigham Young University and as the Logistics Fielding Chief for the T-7A Red Hawk program.
Daniel is also the author of Leading with Faith, a book that explores how modern leaders can apply faith-centered principles drawn from scripture and Church history. He earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Brigham Young University. After serving a two-year mission in the England London Mission, he has continued to serve in various leadership roles within his local congregation, including as a stake Sunday School president, a member of a bishopric, and currently as a Gospel Doctrine teacher.
LinksLeading with Faith: Timeless Lessons from Spiritual Giants
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsDaniel discusses his book, Leading with Faith: Timeless Lessons from Spiritual Giants, which explores various leadership styles through the lens of scriptural and Church history figures. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding different leadership approaches and how they can be applied in both spiritual and secular contexts.
Key InsightsDiverse Leadership Styles: Daniel identifies six leadership styles—communicators, builders, peacemakers, exemplars, servant leaders, and disruptors—each exemplified by notable figures from church history and scripture.
Communicator: Gordon B. Hinckley is highlighted as a master communicator who shaped the Church’s public perception and effectively conveyed messages both internally and externally.
Builder: Brigham Young is recognized for his exceptional ability to create lasting structures and communities, demonstrating that effective leadership often involves problem-solving and vision.
Peacemaker: Nephi is presented as a leader who prioritized peace and made difficult decisions for the greater good, illustrating that peacemaking can involve strength and resolve.
Exemplar: King David serves as an example of leading by action, showing that leaders can inspire others through their behavior and commitment to principles.
Servant Leader: Gail Halverson, known as the Candy Bomber, exemplifies servant leadership by prioritizing the needs of others and making a significant impact through small acts of kindness.
Leadership ApplicationsSelf-Assessment: Latter-day Saint leaders can benefit from identifying their own leadership style, which allows for personal growth and the development of strengths that align with their natural inclinations.
Adapting Leadership Approaches: Leaders can experiment with different styles, such as stepping into the role of a peacemaker or servant leader, to enhance their effectiveness and better meet the needs of their communities.
Fostering Community: By understanding and applying the principles of various leadership styles, leaders can create a more inclusive and supportive environment that encourages growth and collaboration among members.
00:06:00 – Leadership Styles Overview
00:08:00 – The Communicator: Gordon B. Hinckley
00:10:00 – President Nelson as a Leader
00:12:00 – The Builder: Brigham Young
00:16:00 – The Peacemaker: Nephi
00:18:00 – The Exemplar: King David
00:24:00 – The Servant Leader: Gail Halverson
00:30:00 – The Disruptor: Spencer W. Kimball
00:35:00 – Identifying Your Leadership Style
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This podcast episode is a portion of a Zion Lab livestream discussing the challenges and best practices of bishop’s wives as they support their husbands in their demanding calling.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThe central topic of the conversation revolved around navigating the emotional, physical, and relational demands of the role, with a particular focus on combating the common feeling of loneliness and isolation experienced by the wives. The conversation provided practical tools for setting boundaries and lessons on delegation.
Key InsightsLoneliness and Entity Status: A common struggle is the feeling of loneliness, stemming from the bishop’s need for strict confidentiality (preventing him from sharing heavy matters with his wife) and the public perception of the family as a “third person” or “entity,” which can complicate social dynamics within the ward.
The Need for Boundaries: Wives act as protectors of their husband’s time and the marital relationship. They learn to set boundaries by directing members to approach the bishop directly rather than using the wife as a “back door” intermediary for requests or feedback.
The 24-Hour Rule: Multiple participants recommended the practice of waiting up to 24 hours before responding to non-urgent communications. This method ensures that true emergencies are addressed while allowing non-urgent issues to often resolve themselves, freeing up the bishop’s mental space and time.
Delegation to Empower: Effective delegation is essential to lessen the bishop’s burden. One participant emphasized fully empowering the elders quorum and Relief Society presidents to handle the adult members of the ward, allowing the bishopric to focus its primary attention on the youth.
Defining the Role Through Priesthood Blessing: While the role is not a formal calling, it is sacred. Multiple participants recommended that the bishop or stake president give the wife a priesthood blessing to provide personal direction and spiritual clarity on her unique role and areas of focus.
Finding Joy in Involvement: Wives can find connection by being involved on a family level. One participant shared that quarterly planning of creative Sacrament Meetings (e.g., Q&A sessions, open mics) with the entire bishopric and their wives led to a more exciting church experience for the congregation and increased her own joy.
Leadership ApplicationsSpiritual Support: Bishops should give their wives a priesthood blessing upon being called to help them understand their unique, inspired role and receive strength for the coming demands.
Teach Proper Channels: Bishopric members and other ward leaders must teach members to utilize the proper channels for help, such as ministering brothers/sisters, rather than immediately contacting the bishop for non-confidential or non-urgent matters.
Empower Quorum/RS Leadership: Leaders must fully empower and train the elders quorum and Relief Society presidencies to confidently lead the adults, reducing the bishopric’s workload and allowing them to successfully focus on their primary responsibility of ministering to the youth.
00:03:00 – Experience with Sacrament Meeting Planning
00:05:00 – Involvement of Bishopric Wives
00:06:00 – Unique Sacrament Meeting Formats
00:08:00 – Navigating Involvement and Expectations
00:10:00 – Hyper-Awareness as a Bishop’s Wife
00:12:00 – Setting Boundaries with Congregation
00:14:00 – Protecting the Bishop’s Time
00:16:00 – Delegation Strategies for Bishops
00:18:00 – Balancing Family and Church Responsibilities
00:20:00 – Navigating Relationships with Ward Members
00:22:00 – Supporting a New Bishop
00:24:00 – Seeking Guidance and Blessings
00:26:00 – The Role of the Bishop’s Wife
00:28:00 – Addressing Feelings of Loneliness
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Liberty Kepford lives in Tallahassee, Florida. She is a youth Sunday School teacher and has also served in a Primary presidency and as a Primary teacher. Liberty previously taught 5th grade and now works as a curriculum writer for the homeschool curriculum “Art Makes Me Smart”. She and her father, Robert Johnson, are the authors of Autism in Christ’s Church.
Robert Johnson lives in Starr Valley, Nevada. He serves in his ward Sunday School presidency and has previously served in a stake presidency and as a bishop. He recently retired from teaching K-12 Special Education, is a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), and runs Nevada Behavior and Autism. Robert and his wife are Liberty’s parents and will be serving a mission in Kumasi, Ghana, starting in 2026.
LinksAutism in Christ’s Church
Church Disabilities Help
Disability Specialist in the Handbook
Navigating Autism as a Church Leader | An Interview with Michele Portlock
Why Your Ward Needs a Disabilities Specialist | A How I Lead Interview with Anna Rast
Leading Those with Special Needs | An Interview with Stan Beagley
Creating a Culture of Inclusion and Acceptance
Meeting the Needs of our Special Needs Children
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode, Liberty and Robert discuss their book, Autism in Christ’s Church, which aims to provide insights and resources for Latter-day Saints regarding autism and how to create inclusive church environments. They emphasize the importance of understanding the diverse experiences of individuals on the autism spectrum and the role of disability specialists in supporting these individuals and their families.
Key InsightsDiversity of Autism Experiences: Autism is a spectrum, and individuals experience it differently. The book shares various stories that highlight these unique experiences, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting individuals with autism in the church.
Role of Disability Specialists: Disability specialists are crucial in church settings, providing tailored support to individuals with autism. Their presence can significantly enhance the church experience for both individuals and their families.
Communication and Collaboration: Effective communication between parents, leaders, and disability specialists is essential. Regular meetings and open dialogue can help create a supportive environment that meets the needs of individuals with autism.
Social Skills Development: Leaders should focus on helping individuals with autism develop social skills through structured interactions and support, especially during transitional phases like moving into young men’s or young women’s groups.
Utilizing Strengths: Individuals with autism often have unique strengths and interests. Leaders should identify these strengths and provide opportunities for individuals to contribute meaningfully to the church community.
Leadership ApplicationsEmpower Disability Specialists: Leaders should actively call and support disability specialists in their wards, ensuring they have the resources and training needed to assist individuals with autism effectively.
Foster Inclusive Environments: Create a culture of understanding and acceptance by encouraging open discussions about autism and providing training for leaders and members on how to interact positively with individuals on the spectrum.
Encourage Participation: Leaders can help individuals with autism find suitable callings that align with their strengths, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose within the church community.
00:04:11 – Origin of the Book “Autism in Christ’s Church”
00:04:54 – Robert’s Expertise in Special Education
00:06:28 – Resources for Latter-day Saints and Autism
00:07:15 – Structure of the Book: Stories and Experiences
00:08:48 – Liberty’s Background with Autism
00:09:36 – Robert’s Journey into Special Education
00:10:23 – Understanding the Autism Spectrum
00:12:16 – The Importance of Inclusion in Church
00:13:11 – Gathering Insights from Families
00:14:35 – The Role of Disability Specialists
00:15:25 – Qualities of an Effective Disability Specialist
00:17:05 – The Need for Support Beyond the Individual
00:18:10 – The Role of Parents and Leaders
00:19:32 – Proactive Approach to Disability Specialists
00:21:02 – Revelation and Leadership in the Church
00:22:19 – Youth as Disability Specialists
00:23:09 – The Importance of Councils in Support
00:24:33 – Communication and Collaboration
00:26:05 – Engaging Individuals with Autism in Activities
00:27:10 – Highlighting Personal Stories from the Book
00:29:05 – Utilizing Strengths and Service Opportunities
00:31:16 – Navigating Autism Across Different Ages
00:39:07 – Young Single Adults and Autism
00:45:58 – Mission Experiences for Individuals with Autism
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2020.
Greg McKeown has dedicated his career to discovering why some people and teams break through to the next level—and others don’t. The definitive treatment of this issue is addressed in his New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. Greg hosts The Greg McKeown Podcast with guests such as Harvard professor Arthur Brooks, Matthew McConaughey, Maria Shriver, John Hope Bryant, and Ariana Huffington. He is one of the most sought-after public speakers globally, with clients including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Nike.
Originally from London, England, Greg now lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Anna and their family. In this interview Greg and Kurt talk about how small, consistent steps are more effective for creating lasting change than grand, overwhelming efforts. At the time of this recording, Greg was serving as an elders quorum president in his ward in California.
LinksBeing an Essentialism Bishop | An Interview with Greg McKeown
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
GregMcKeown.com
One-Minute Missionary Work videos
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode, Greg discusses the principles of essentialism and how they can be applied to leadership within the Latter-day Saint community. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on small, manageable changes to foster growth and connection in both personal and church leadership contexts.
Key InsightsEssentialism Defined: Essentialism is the disciplined pursuit of less, focusing on what truly matters rather than getting overwhelmed by numerous tasks and responsibilities.
Small and Simple Changes: Greg highlights the scriptural principle that “by small and simple means are great things brought to pass,” advocating for incremental improvements rather than sweeping changes.
The Importance of Relationships: Building genuine relationships within the church community is crucial. Leaders should strive to understand the struggles of others, as most individuals face challenges that may not be immediately visible.
Avoiding Overwhelm: Change does not have to be hard or abrupt. Leaders should focus on small, consistent actions that can lead to significant progress over time.
Celebrating Successes: Recognizing and celebrating even minor achievements can motivate individuals and foster a sense of community and accomplishment.
Leadership ApplicationsIncremental Improvements: Latter-day Saint leaders can implement small changes in their quorums or wards, such as enhancing home teaching efforts by celebrating small successes rather than overhauling the entire system.
Fostering Relationships: Leaders should prioritize building relationships by checking in on members regularly and asking meaningful questions to understand their needs better.
Setting Realistic Goals: Instead of aiming for grandiose changes, leaders can focus on achievable, small goals that encourage participation and engagement, making it easier for members to contribute and feel valued.
By applying these principles, leaders can create a more supportive and effective environment within their congregations, ultimately leading to stronger connections and spiritual growth.
00:02:40 – Essentialism and Its Impact
00:03:44 – Greg’s Leadership Journey
00:05:06 – Adapting to COVID in Leadership
00:06:57 – The Power of Small Changes
00:09:06 – Celebrating Small Victories
00:10:24 – Family History Made Simple
00:12:12 – Overcoming Overwhelm in Family History
00:13:50 – The Importance of Small Steps
00:15:07 – Engaging with Family History
00:16:39 – The Reality of Change vs. Progress
00:18:30 – The Role of Empathy in Leadership
00:19:04 – Understanding Universal Suffering
00:20:10 – Building Relationships in Leadership
00:22:35 – The Challenge of Fixing Others’ Problems
00:24:37 – The Complexity of Bishopric Responsibilities
00:27:23 – The Need for Honest Communication
00:29:44 – Current Callings and Expectations
00:30:55 – The Importance of Family Relationships
00:32:34 – The Long-Term Impact of Parenting
00:34:06 – Defining Success in Parenting
00:36:05 – The Role of Agency in Relationships
00:37:42 – Measuring Success in Family Time
00:39:50 – The Challenge of Guilt in Parenting
00:42:02 – The Importance of Asking for Feedback
00:44:02 – The Power of Small Incremental Changes
00:46:01 – Overcoming Overwhelm in Life
00:49:15 – Navigating Uncertainty and Fear
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jeff McCullough is an ordained minister and has served in ministry for over 25 years, including 15 years in pastoral ministry. He holds a Master’s in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Now serving in Utah, Jeff previously spent two decades preaching and leading in the St. Louis area. He focuses on using online platforms to create content that fosters curious, honest, and respectful interfaith conversations about faith, Jesus, and scripture. Jeff and his wife, Joy, have four children.
Links@HelloSaints on YouTube
@Hello.Saints on Instagram
Fitting in With Other Christian Churches | A Discussion with Jeff McCullough
When a Pastor Explores The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Jeff McCullough
Allowing Our Pain to Turn Us to Christ | An Interview with Joy McCullough
A Latter-day Saint Bishop Sits Down with Four Evangelical Pastors
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsJeff discusses the evolution of his content creation, and his intentions regarding the Latter-day Saint community. The conversation centers on the dynamics of interfaith dialogue, the pitfalls of theological simplification, and the challenge of keeping Christ—rather than cultural rules or personal motives—at the center of Christian faith and ministry.
Key InsightsA Shift in Intent: Jeff’s channel has evolved from initial exploration to intentionally maintaining a safe space for sustained, nuanced dialogue between Protestants and Latter-day Saints. His primary goal is to foster a conversation where all parties focus on the shared desire to see Christ “high and lifted up” [48:44].
Authenticity Over Stereotype: To improve dialogue, Jeff’s method is to learn to recognize the authentic core beliefs of the Latter-day Saint tradition. This allows him to push past misconceptions and stereotypes, making for more efficient and productive conversation [06:13].
Beware of Theological Shorthand: Both traditions are guilty of using “theological shorthand,” which reduces complex doctrine (e.g., heaven, grace) to superficial, culturally driven explanations. They encourage leaders to move past these simplifications to grasp the deeper, more complex theological concepts [12:42].
Bridging vs. Converting: They discuss the idea of Jeff converting, concluding that his ongoing role as a non-Latter-day Saint bridge-builder and model of interfaith respect is a more fruitful endeavor for the greater Kingdom than a simple conversion [52:03].
The Dangers of Cultural Gatekeeping: Jeff shares his concern over “cultural Christianity” in the Evangelical world, where non-essential cultural rules and political positions become the “litmus test” for faith, resulting in toxicity and obstructing the clarity of the gospel [57:33].
Faith Maturity: A mature faith should be able to sit with the complexity of opposing views and challenging historical or doctrinal issues. Viewing such dialogue as a threat indicates an opportunity for spiritual inoculation and growth [46:10].
Leadership ApplicationsPrioritize the “Point”: Leaders should distinguish between things that “matter” (secondary doctrinal debates, value systems) and “the point” (the centrality of Christ and the message of redemption), ensuring that cultural expectations do not overshadow the core gospel message [01:02:25].
Model Curiosity, not Criticism: Leaders should approach different faith traditions, complicated church history, and internal member struggles with curiosity over criticism to foster a culture of sincere, thoughtful engagement [01:04:40].
Address Motives Directly: Leaders should push back against cynical or superficial tropes like the misuse of the word “priestcraft,” instead encouraging members to seek to understand a person’s heart and genuine intentions [23:29].
00:02:30 – The Dynamic of Content Creation
00:03:35 – Mr. Rogers and Early Influences
00:04:31 – Pastor Jeff’s Journey with Hello Saints
00:05:46 – Understanding the Latter-day Saint Paradigm
00:08:06 – Advice to Early Content Creators
00:10:23 – Theological Shorthand Explained
00:12:23 – Engaging in Interfaith Dialogue
00:16:46 – Addressing Skepticism from Both Sides
00:19:00 – The Financial Aspect of Ministry
00:24:55 – The Importance of Heart in Ministry
00:28:09 – Future Content Ideas for Hello Saints
00:31:49 – The Role of Evangelical Churches in Utah
00:36:30 – Navigating Church Visits as a Latter-day Saint
00:40:09 – Advice for Visiting Evangelical Churches
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in May 2019.
Tad R. Callister served as Sunday School general president, in the Presidency of the Seventy, as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, an Area Seventy, president of the Canada Toronto East mission, regional representative, stake president, bishop, and as a full-time missionary in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission. Brother Callister held an accounting degree from BYU, a Juris Doctorate degree from UCLA, and a master’s degree in tax law from NYU Law School. He is the grandson of apostle LeGrand Richards and the author of several books, including The Infinite Atonement and A Case for the Book of Mormon. He and his wife, Kathryn Louise Saporiti, are the parents of six children.
LinksA Case for the Book of Mormon
God’s Compelling Witness: The Book of Mormon
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights2:30 Moving on from being released as General Sunday School president
4:20 Which came first, the book or the talk?
5:15 How his law practice helped him crystallize thoughts when writing
5:50 His approach to personal study
6:10 Lesson to seek and ponder his own insight first before turning to doctrinal commentary
8:00 Studying first thing in the morning, and writing along with reading has helped him summarize his thoughts while studying the scriptures
8:50 Questioning and discussing with others is part of pondering
10:00 Reason can strengthen faith, and logic and the Spirit can go hand-in-hand
11:40 The audience for the book is first people who have testimonies that can be strengthened and who can help strengthen the testimonies of others, as well as those who may have questions, and finally critics
12:40 A partial truth, when presented as a whole truth, is an untruth
13:00 Less than 2% of the archeological finds in ancient America have been unearthed
16:00 An intellectual witness of scripture does not come from archeological findings, whether regarding the Bible or the Book of Mormon
16:40 His grandfather LeGrand Richards was a common-man leader, related to everyone, and simply loved people
19:15 Ward Sunday School presidents are not merely bell-ringers because they are in charge of the teacher councils, and they have the responsibility to help improve the teaching of every teacher in every organization, and to see that the individual and family curriculum is being implemented in every home
21:50 One purpose of the Come Follow Me curriculum is to take us from reading the scriptures to pondering the scriptures and discussing them. In the homes, it is the catalyst for discussion and learning the gospel together.
23:30 There has been a substantial increase in individual and family study, and class members from children to adults are better prepared for Sunday meetings
24:10 He and his counselors traveled internationally and were able to get a good idea of what was happening with teacher council meetings
25:10 Practicing through role play at the end of teacher council meetings was one thing they observed and recognized as an effective implementation in those meetings
25:45 Another effective implementation is the change to Christ-centered Easter Sunday and Christmas services so that members can invite others to come worship with them
27:30 Surprised at his call as the General Sunday School president
28:20 They were given a lot of latitude but there was a clear expectation to improve teaching in the home and at church
30:20 Traveling and visiting as a Sunday School general auxiliary president was to teach in general how to teach more like the Savior, to help teachers make teacher counsels more effective, and to discuss in focus groups what was working or not working in areas around the world
31:40 In the presidency of a Quorum of Seventy, they were given responsibility for a specific area, and were to train area seventies, and serve on committees for a variety of topics
33:30 Hoping that his book can help strengthen the testimonies of readers
34:00 His leadership callings have helped him be more humble and recognize the value of other people’s ideas and the input of his counselors
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Skyler Wilcox is originally from Logan, Utah and is the senior administrator with the Especially For Youth (EFY) program. He has a bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a masters degree in Public Administration, both from Brigham Young University. After working as a counselor and coordinator for four summers, Skyler joined the EFY team full time in 2020. When not at work, he enjoys cheering on his favorite sports teams, including the Jazz, Cougars, Cowboys, and Mammoth. He also loves musical theater and performing on stage. Skyler married his sweetheart Jenny and they have adopted four children through foster care. Previous Church callings include ward clerk, assistant executive secretary, youth Sunday School teacher, and elders quorum secretary.
LinksEFY: Especially for Youth
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsOverview
The conversation centers on how EFY has successfully adapted its model after the Church’s 2019 announcement of FSY (For the Strength of Youth) and what principles leaders can use to create profound, testimony-building experiences for their own youth.
Key Insights
EFY’s New Focus on Specialized Experiences: EFY still exists but has transitioned from the traditional campus model to running specialized, experiential programs to complement FSY. These include Adventure sessions (like white water rafting and canyoning) and Church History tours, which are designed for youth who thrive in active, challenging, and outdoor learning environments.
Connection and Authenticity are Paramount: The most crucial need for youth today is genuine connection. Skyler emphasizes that leaders must be vulnerable and authentic, avoiding an overly enthusiastic or “rah-rah” persona that youth perceive as fake. This realness is key to building trust.
Teach the Gospel Directly: Leaders should not shy away from teaching the doctrines of Jesus Christ plainly and straightforwardly. Skyler asserts that youth are not only ready to hear the gospel as it is but actively need it to navigate the complexities of the modern world.
Fostering a Sense of Being Known: The new, smaller scale of EFY sessions cultivates a tight-knit environment where youth are known by their counselors as individuals, rather than just numbers in a large group. This personal attention fosters deeper, more impactful faith connections.
Inspiring Personal Revelation: Effective teaching is ultimately focused on pointing the youth back to their own personal study and experience. The best teachers share their own personal “aha moments” they’ve gained through scripture study, inspiring youth to develop the habit of seeking and receiving personal revelation for themselves.
Experiential Learning as a Faith Catalyst: Activities that are a little uncomfortable or risky (like completing a difficult outdoor challenge) create a “bank” of faith. Skyler notes these experiences teach youth they “can do hard things,” preparing them to rely on the Savior when facing future real-world challenges.
Leadership Applications
Be Genuine, Not Goofy: Rather than trying to be excessively “cool” or entertaining, leaders should focus on being authentic by finding moments to be vulnerable and share sincere experiences prompted by the Spirit, which naturally builds resonance with the youth.
Prioritize Love Over Doctrine: When encountering a youth who is disengaged or struggling, leaders should first ensure they are loving the youth unconditionally. This Christ-like love creates the lasting impact that will open the door for teaching another day, even if not everything can be taught at once.
Empower Young Adults: Recognizing the pivotal nature of the young adult years, leaders can look for opportunities to involve them in service and leadership. For instance, EFY has successfully expanded its counselor roles to include married couples, which strengthens the young adults’ own testimonies while giving the youth a powerful, Christ-centered marriage example.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
High Council members engaged in a live discussion focused on sharing ideas and experiences to strengthen how councils serve their wards and stakes. This podcast is a portion of the livestream discussion.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksThe entire conversation and transcript are available in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsOverviewThis episode of the Zion Lab live stream from Leading Saints featured a discussion among several current and former Stake High Councilors, focusing on the practical challenges and opportunities of their calling. The participants shared their experiences, best practices, and innovative ideas for magnifying their assignments, effectively bridging communication between the stake and ward levels, and overcoming feelings of inadequacy.
Key InsightsThe Need for Proactivity: The High Council calling can often feel “open-ended,” allowing a High Councilor to “do as much as you want” or very little. Leaders are encouraged to be proactive—actively engaging with assigned elders quorum presidencies and ward organizations rather than just attending mandatory meetings.
Equality and Insecurity in Calling: New High Councilors frequently feel overwhelmed or insecure when working alongside more seasoned leaders. Counsel was given to overcome this by recognizing that all callings are equal in the sight of the Lord and that the High Councilor’s voice and spiritual insights are vital to the council’s deliberations.
Role as a Spiritual Messenger: High Councilors should see themselves as direct representatives of the Stake Presidency, similar to a General Authority visiting a stake. They are encouraged to be visible, bring spiritual knowledge and instruction, and share a spiritual thought when addressing wards, not merely delivering routine announcements.
Mandate to Testify of Christ: Some stakes guide speaking assignments with a General Conference talk, but emphasize that the talk, whether prepared or spontaneous, must be interwoven with a powerful personal testimony of Christ to ensure the Spirit is present.
Training and Dissemination of Principles: A core function of the High Council is to receive leadership principles and instruction in the Stake Council. High Councilors are then responsible for taking that training and counsel out to their assigned ward bishoprics and organization presidencies.
Leadership ApplicationsFoster Cross-Ward Learning: Stake Presidencies can gain valuable insights and enrich their High Councilors by encouraging them to attend the leadership meetings of the wards where they speak, even if it is not their assigned ward. This exposes High Councilors to diverse operational models among ward councils, creating a cross-training effect.Centralize Administrative Resources: High Councilors should utilize group communication methods, such as shared text threads or digital notes, to quickly share tactical administrative advice, official wording for callings and releases, and handbook references, streamlining the logistical aspects of the calling.Elevate the Message of Love: High Councilors should consistently make a concerted effort to express the genuine love, thoughts, and prayers of the Stake Presidency to the ward members, ensuring the members feel validated, “seen, and prayed for” by their stake leadership.00:01:36 – Kicking Off: The “Open-Ended” Nature of the High Councilor Calling00:04:04 – Overcoming Insecurity and Magnifying the Calling00:06:06 – Advice on Equality and Being a Visible Representative00:09:38 – The Role of the Spirit vs. Experience in Calling00:11:23 – Key Role: Training and Teaching Ward Leaders00:13:07 – Strategies for Stake Engagement: Ward Reporting and Training00:14:44 – Unique Assignment: Attending Cross-Ward Leadership Meetings00:16:37 – Close Relationship with Stake Presidency and Financial Duties00:18:38 – Tactical Tip: Using a High Councilor Text Group for Logistics00:20:32 – Speaking Assignments: Including Youth and Missionaries as Companions00:22:31 – Reiterating the High Councilor’s Role as Spiritual Guide00:24:52 – Speaking Mandate: Testify of Christ and Use GA Talks00:25:50 – The “Awkward” but Necessary Expression of Stake Presidency LoveThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2024.
Marjorie Nelson Lowder discusses the remarkable life and enduring influence of her mother, Dantzel White Nelson.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Marjorie grew up as the 9th of 10 children of President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Dantzel White Nelson, surrounded by music, books, art, faith and lots of love. She loves to spend time creating, being in nature and gathering with her family and friends. She is an artist, vocalist, and the author/illustrator of a book based on a favorite lullaby her mother used to sing, Pudding on the Moon.
This conversation honors Dantzel’s legacy as a deeply-faithful Latter-day Saint, wife, and mother, emphasizing the principles and traditions she established that created a foundation of unity and spiritual strength for her family.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
LinksPudding on the Moon
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode, Kurt interviews Marjorie, the youngest daughter of President Russell M. Nelson, to honor her late mother, Dantzel White Nelson. The conversation explores Dantzel’s life, her influence on the family, and the legacy she left behind, particularly through a children’s book Marjorie authored inspired by a lullaby her mother used to sing.
00:02:55 – Honoring Dantzel White Nelson
Discussion on the life and legacy of President Nelson’s first wife.
00:04:28 – Marjorie’s Book: Putting on the Moon
Introduction to Marjorie’s children’s book inspired by her mother.
00:05:41 – Marjorie’s Early Memories
Marjorie shares her early memories of her mother and family traditions.
00:08:11 – Dantzel’s Background
Details about Dantzel White Nelson’s upbringing and education.
00:09:50 – Courtship of Dantzel and Russell Nelson
The romantic story of how Dantzel and Russell Nelson met and fell in love.
00:10:36 – Family Life and Traditions
Insights into the family dynamics and traditions created by Dantzel.
00:12:32 – Family Olympics and Celebrations
Description of unique family events and celebrations organized by Dantzel.
00:14:19 – Creating Special Memories
Marjorie’s reflections on how her mother made family gatherings memorable.
00:16:26 – Navigating a Large Family
Challenges and dynamics of growing up in a family with many daughters.
00:19:00 – Father’s Medical Career
Insights into the life of being the daughter of a surgeon and its impact on family life.
00:22:26 – Church Callings and Choir
Discussion of Dantzel’s involvement in church callings and her time with the Tabernacle Choir.
00:25:23 – Singing Legacy
Marjorie’s connection to her mother’s musical legacy and family singing traditions.
00:30:11 – Becoming an Apostle
Marjorie’s experience learning about her father’s call to be an apostle.
00:32:04 – Adjusting to New Roles
How Dantzel adapted to her new role as the wife of an apostle.
00:33:31 – Mother-Daughter Relationship
Reflections on Marjorie’s relationship with her mother as a young adult.
00:35:05 – Dantzel’s Calm Demeanor
Stories highlighting Dantzel’s patience and temperament as a mother.
00:39:10 – Coping with Loss
Marjorie’s thoughts on her mother’s sudden passing and the support received.
00:41:44 – Legacy and Remembrance
The importance of sharing stories and memories of Dantzel with others.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ernest Lee Davis, a native of Los Angeles, California, spent most of his life there before earning an athletic scholarship to the University of Idaho, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. He earned his MBA from Western Governors University and will finish his Doctorate in Philosophy of Leadership with an emphasis on Servant-Leadership from Gonzaga University this year. Ernest has worked as a finish manager/leader in the aerospace industry for over 15 years at Skills Inc., a nonprofit organization that partners with The Boeing Company. He has dedicated his career to creating meaningful opportunities for persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups, encouraging an inclusive and diverse workforce.
A devoted follower of Jesus Christ, Ernest joined the Church in 2005 and is committed to living the Savior’s teachings and sharing his personal story of resilience. He is the author of the best-selling book Leading in the Lord’s Way: A Journey of Servant Leadership, and I Am Aye Child of God. At church, he has served as a member of his stake high council and currently as stake Young Men first counselor. Ernest and his wife, Ruth, have three children and live in Puyallup, Washington.
LinksLeading in the Lord’s Way: A Journey of Servant Leadership
I am Aye Child of God
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
SummaryErnest explores servant leadership principles and shares insights from his personal journey, emphasizing the importance of empathy, stewardship, and building a beloved community.
Key InsightsServant Leadership: Ernest emphasizes the concept of leading through service, drawing on his experiences and the teachings of the gospel. He intertwines personal stories with leadership principles to illustrate how effective leadership is rooted in empathy and understanding.
Empathy: Understanding others’ perspectives is crucial for effective leadership. Ernest shares examples of how empathy can help leaders connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds and support them in overcoming their challenges.
Stewardship: Leaders are responsible for nurturing the talents and potential of those they serve. Ernest encourages leaders to recognize their stewardship over individuals in their communities and to cultivate their growth.
Beloved Community: The idea of Zion as a beloved community is central to Ernest’s message. He advocates for inclusivity and acceptance, stressing the importance of making everyone feel welcome and valued within the church.
Diversity in Leadership: Ernest highlights the need for diverse representation in leadership roles to better serve marginalized communities and to foster a more inclusive environment within the church.
Leadership ApplicationsFostering Empathy: Latter-day Saint leaders can practice empathy by actively listening to the experiences of those they serve, which can help build trust and understanding within their communities.
Cultivating Talents: Leaders should focus on identifying and nurturing the unique talents of individuals in their wards, creating opportunities for them to contribute and grow.
Building Inclusive Communities: By promoting a sense of belonging and acceptance, leaders can create a welcoming environment that encourages participation from all members, regardless of their background or circumstances.
Highlights00:03:17 – Inspiration for Writing the Book
Ernest shares what inspired him to write “Leading in the Lord’s Way.”
00:04:03 – Early Life and Challenges
Ernest discusses his upbringing, homelessness, and the journey to college football.
00:05:07 – Meeting the Missionaries
How Ernest first encountered the missionaries and his initial experience with the Book of Mormon.
00:06:32 – Knee Injury and Finding the Covenant Path
The impact of Ernest’s knee injury on his life and how it led him to baptism.
00:06:43 – Leadership Aspirations
Discussion on Ernest’s aspirations in football and leadership during his college years.
00:07:41 – Influential Coach
The role of Coach Washington in Ernest’s life and how he helped him and his brother.
00:10:11 – Journey to the University of Idaho
Ernest’s transition to college football and the support he received.
00:11:42 – Servant Leadership and Community Impact
Ernest’s focus on servant leadership and uplifting marginalized communities.
00:13:11 – Advice for Church Leaders
Suggestions on how church leaders can support marginalized groups.
00:15:49 – Importance of Representation
The significance of diversity in church leadership and outreach.
00:18:01 – Influential Figures in Ernest’s Life
Discussion of various mentors and role models who shaped Ernest’s journey.
00:20:26 – Ten Principles of Servant Leadership
Overview of the ten characteristics of servant leadership discussed in Ernest’s book.
00:23:59 – Stewardship
Exploration of stewardship and the responsibility of leaders to cultivate talents.
00:24:59 – Beloved Community
The concept of Zion as a beloved community and the importance of inclusivity.
00:25:50 – Empathy in Leadership
The role of empathy in understanding and supporting others.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this podcast episode, Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth discuss the importance of addressing community tragedies within Latter-day Saint congregations. They explore how leaders can create spaces for healing and connection during difficult times, emphasizing the role of vulnerability and unity in fostering a supportive church environment.
Dan Duckworth speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership, power, and systemic change. His forthcoming book, The Leader in Chains (spring 2026), challenges conventional ideas and calls for a radical rethinking of leadership—and how it is developed.
LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
OverviewPerception of Community Needs: Leaders should be attuned to the emotional climate of their congregations, recognizing when community tragedies impact members. This awareness can guide appropriate responses.
Risk of Vulnerability: Addressing difficult topics in church settings can feel risky, but it is essential for fostering genuine connections and healing. Leaders should embrace this risk to create a supportive environment.
Purpose of Church: The church serves not only as a place for learning doctrine but also as a community for healing and support. Engaging in open discussions about current events can strengthen faith and unity.
Creating Safe Spaces: Leaders can facilitate discussions that allow members to express their feelings and experiences, promoting emotional processing and community bonding.
Driving the Hope Train: Leaders should focus on instilling hope and directing conversations toward Christ’s teachings, using scriptural stories to provide comfort and guidance during challenging times.
Leadership ApplicationsFostering Open Dialogue: Leaders can initiate conversations about current events or tragedies, encouraging members to share their feelings and experiences. This can be done through structured discussions or informal check-ins.
Building Trust and Safety: By consistently creating a culture of vulnerability and support, leaders can ensure that members feel safe to express their emotions and seek help when needed.
Integrating Healing into Meetings: Leaders can incorporate discussions of community challenges into regular meetings, ensuring that spiritual teachings are connected to real-life experiences, thus reinforcing the church’s role as a healing community.
Highlights06:16 – Institutional vs. Leadership Responses
08:13 – Personal Experience of Grief
10:10 – The Purpose of Church in Times of Crisis
12:32 – The Role of Perception in Leadership
14:01 – A Personal Story of Compassion
16:17 – The Risk of Addressing Difficult Topics
17:41 – The Importance of Community Healing
19:12 – Audience Engagement and Reactions
20:00 – Navigating Political Sensitivities
22:08 – Creating a Safe Space for Discussion
23:37 – The Role of Vulnerability in Unity
25:32 – Addressing the Fear of Group Therapy
27:30 – Driving the Hope Train
30:06 – Preparing the Elders Quorum for Discussion
31:15 – The Impact of Leadership Culture
33:11 – Fulfilling the Purpose of Elders Quorum
38:14 – The Value of Risk in Leadership
40:00 – Living Life Together in Church
42:43 – The Dangers of Hypocrisy in Worship
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Golden Lund holds three degrees in music from the University of Utah, Indiana University and the University of Nebraska. He is currently a music instructor at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, where he helps direct the marching band, pep band, and teaches tuba and other brass instruments. He also performs regularly on the tuba with a semi-professional orchestra in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Golden was recently released as a bishop and served in several leadership capacities previously including elders quorum president, high priest group leader, Young Men president, and on his stake high council. Golden and his wife Sandy have been married for 17 years and are the proud parents of two children—a daughter and son who are 12-year-old twins and amaze them every day.
LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn this episode of the Leading Saints podcast, Kurt interviews Golden, a former bishop from Bettendorf, Iowa, who shares his experiences and insights from his five-year tenure in leadership during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation focuses on mental health, vulnerability in leadership, and the importance of community support.
Key Insights:
Mental Health Awareness: Golden discusses his struggles with mental health, particularly during a significant crash after a year and a half of service. He emphasizes the importance of seeking help and the positive impact of counseling and medication.
Vulnerability in Leadership: By sharing his personal challenges with his ward, Golden fostered a culture of openness, encouraging others to share their struggles and creating a supportive environment.
The Sariah Factor: Golden introduces the concept of the Sariah Factor, highlighting the need for leaders to trust their perspective and discernment, even when others may not understand the decisions being made.
Delegation and Empowerment: He shares how he empowered his ward leaders, such as the Relief Society and Elders Quorum presidents, to take on responsibilities, which helped alleviate his workload and fostered a sense of ownership among leaders.
Community Support: Golden underscores the importance of community, noting that members often overlook the challenges faced by their leaders. Simple expressions of gratitude can significantly uplift those in leadership roles.
Leadership Applications:
Encourage Open Communication: Leaders should create an environment where members feel comfortable sharing their struggles, which can strengthen community bonds and support.
Prioritize Mental Health: Leaders should recognize the importance of mental health and seek help when needed, setting an example for others to do the same.
Empower Others: By delegating responsibilities and trusting ward leaders, bishops can manage their workload more effectively while fostering leadership skills in others, ultimately benefiting the entire ward.
05:32 – Calling as Bishop During COVID-19
07:18 – Navigating Early Days as Bishop
08:58 – Demographics of the Ward
10:45 – Reflection on Serving as Bishop
11:19 – Responsibilities of a Bishop
15:43 – Challenges and Overwhelm in Leadership
17:00 – Mental Health Struggles and Support
20:05 – Finding Help and Guidance
21:57 – The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership
30:02 – Opening Up to the Ward About Struggles
33:44 – The Sariah Factor in Leadership Decisions
38:21 – Examples of Leadership Challenges
49:02 – The Messiness of Revelation in Leadership
51:19 – Normalizing Struggles in Leadership
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Curtis Morley is an author, coach, speaker, and “emotionologist” who has been an entrepreneur for most of his life. He is the author of The Entrepreneur’s Paradox, a Wall Street Journal bestseller. He also has a forthcoming book titled Counterfeit Emotions. His work focuses on helping people, including entrepreneurs, with personal development and growth. He has founded multiple companies and worked with many Fortune 100 businesses. He has also been recognized with awards such as Entrepreneur of the Year and has been included in the Inc. 500/5000 Hall of Fame.
Morley’s work and speaking engagements often center on the concept of “counterfeit emotions”—feelings that may seem authentic but can lead to destructive cycles of disconnection. He has developed a framework to help people identify and replace these emotions with authentic ones to live a more fulfilling life.
LinksThe Entrepreneur’s Paradox: How to Overcome the 16 Pitfalls Along the Startup Journey
CounterfeitEmotions.com/recovery
RecoveryNotSobriety.com
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsCurtis focuses on the myths surrounding pornography addiction. The discussion emphasizes the distinction between sobriety and recovery, exploring how understanding emotions can lead to more effective healing.
Key InsightsSobriety vs. Recovery: Sobriety measures how long one can abstain from pornography, while recovery focuses on understanding and processing underlying emotions. True recovery involves addressing the root causes rather than merely avoiding the behavior.
Myth of Willpower: Overcoming pornography addiction is not solely about willpower. Many individuals struggle with deeper emotional issues that drive their behaviors, making it essential to address these emotions rather than just the actions.
Shame vs. Guilt: Guilt can be a motivating emotion that encourages individuals to make amends, while shame leads to disconnection and despair. Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective recovery.
Connection and Community: Building connections and fostering community can significantly aid recovery. Isolation often exacerbates addiction, while supportive relationships can provide the necessary encouragement and accountability.
The Importance of Processing Emotions: Curtis introduces the “whole” method for processing emotions, which includes witnessing emotions, harmonizing through breathing, opening the mind to triggers, leading one’s life, and editing the meaning of past experiences.
Leadership ApplicationsCreating Safe Spaces: Latter-day Saint leaders can foster environments where individuals feel safe to discuss their struggles with pornography and other issues without fear of judgment, encouraging open dialogue.
Focus on Emotional Health: Leaders should prioritize understanding the emotional triggers behind behaviors rather than just addressing the behaviors themselves. This approach can lead to more meaningful support and healing.
Encouraging Community Support: Leaders can facilitate peer support groups or mentorship programs that promote connection among members, helping individuals feel less isolated in their struggles and more empowered in their recovery journey.
00:02:15 – Understanding Sobriety vs. Recovery
00:06:49 – The Difference Between Sobriety and Recovery
00:09:06 – Emotional Triggers and Leadership
00:10:08 – The Myth of Sobriety
00:12:12 – Transformational Recovery
00:13:27 – Sobriety is Miserable, Recovery is Peaceful
00:15:02 – Taking Your Demons to Lunch
00:18:08 – Addiction to Shame
00:19:09 – Addressing the Root Causes
00:20:21 – The Loop of Shame and Addiction
00:22:36 – Guilt vs. Shame
00:24:06 – Identifying and Surfacing Demons
00:26:44 – The Importance of Connection
00:29:34 – The Role of Community in Recovery
00:30:17 – The Whole Method Explained
00:36:21 – Overview of the Myths
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jeff Burningham grew up in Spokane, Washington, served a mission in Charlotte, North Carolina, and attended Brigham Young University. A serial entrepreneur, Jeff has founded multiple companies in real estate technology and venture capital. He has also served in various church callings, including as a bishop and in a stake presidency. Jeff is a father of four, a proud grandfather, and the author of The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI.
LinksThe Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI
Stepping Up to Leadership Opportunities | An Interview with Jeff Burningham
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsJeff discusses his book, emphasizing the importance of human wisdom in a world increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. He argues that while AI can enhance efficiency, it cannot replace the essence of human connection and community. He encourages church leaders to focus on being rather than doing, fostering genuine relationships within their congregations. The conversation explores how disruption, reflection, transformation, and evolution shape both personal and collective journeys in the age of AI. Jeff highlights the need for leaders to embrace change with love and grace, ultimately guiding their communities toward deeper connections and understanding.
00:03:49 – Jeff’s Background
Jeff shares his personal background, including his entrepreneurial journey and church leadership experience.
00:06:17 – The Essence of the Book
Exploration of the book’s focus on human wisdom versus AI capabilities.
00:07:45 – The Risks of AI
Discussion on the potential dangers of outsourcing humanity to machines.
00:09:56 – AI and Religion
The impact of AI on religious practices and the importance of human connection.
00:10:14 – Disruption, Reflection, Transformation, Evolution
Overview of the book’s structure and the significance of each section.
00:12:02 – Reforming Religion in the Age of AI
The need for religious organizations to adapt to the challenges posed by AI.
00:14:11 – Community Experience in Sunday School
Reframing the Sunday School experience as a community-building opportunity rather than just knowledge transfer.
00:16:00 – The Importance of Human Connection
Emphasizing the need for genuine human interaction in a technology-driven world.
00:21:07 – Bringing Being into Doing
Encouragement for leaders to focus on their presence and authenticity in interactions.
00:23:16 – The Role of AI in Church
Discussion on how AI can be used as a tool without replacing the human element in lessons and talks.
00:30:29 – Pattern Breakers
The significance of individuals who challenge norms and encourage growth within communities.
00:34:50 – Disruption as a Constant
Understanding disruption as a natural part of life and leadership.
00:40:10 – Reflection After Disruption
The importance of taking time to reflect on disruptions and learn from them.
00:46:22 – Transformation Through Reflection
How reflection leads to personal and collective transformation in the face of change.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Matt Miles is a Political Science professor at Brigham Young University–Idaho and a co-host of This Week in Mormons and the Latter-day Lens podcasts.
LinksThe Latter-day Lens podcast
This Week in Mormons
The Metrics of Faith: Rethinking Religion’s Role in US Politics
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThis discussion centers on a research-backed framework for measuring religiosity, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on the transformative effects of faith on an individual’s life.
Beyond the Three B’s: Traditionally, religiosity has been measured by “the three B’s”: Behavior (what a person does), Belonging (their social connections), and Belief (their convictions). Matt Miles argues that these are insufficient measures of genuine faith.
The Fourth B: Becoming: A more accurate measure is “religious becoming”—the extent to which a person has been transformed by their faith. This concept suggests that true religiosity is not just about actions but about internal change.
Four Aspects of Transformation: Based on his research, Miles identified four universal traits that indicate “religious becoming”: Transcendence (a connection to the divine), Humanity (love for others), Justice (a belief in fairness), and Temperance (humility).
Faith and Political Tolerance: The research shows that individuals with higher scores in “religious becoming” are more politically tolerant. They are less likely to view those with opposing political views as a threat, in contrast to those whose faith is measured only by the “three B’s.”
Challenges of Genuine Change: The episode highlights the difficulty for leaders and parents in discerning whether someone has truly been transformed by the gospel or is simply going through the motions.
Leadership ApplicationsLeaders should focus on teaching a “holistic gospel” that emphasizes the principles of “becoming,” rather than just providing a checklist of behaviors. This encourages genuine internal change over external compliance.
The discussion suggests that the Church is effective at teaching “transcendence” (connection to God) but could improve at teaching “humanity” (love for others) and “temperance” (humility). Leaders can apply this insight by creating more opportunities for members to serve others and develop empathy.
The research on political tolerance can help leaders foster more charitable and understanding discussions within their wards and stakes, particularly on sensitive topics.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Blair Treu is an award-winning director whose work includes a variety of feature films, television shows, documentaries, and commercials for over 30 years—from The Power Rangers to Chicken Soup for the Soul. The writer and director of Sharing Aloha and Meet the Mormons, he graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre and began his career at the Walt Disney Company. More recently, Blair worked with BYUtv to create the series Real Families, Real Answers, and was a co-director of Granite Flats.
LinksGet movie tickets and details at sharingalohathemovie.com
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThe film Sharing Aloha, directed by Blair Treu, highlights the inspiring stories of students at the Polynesian Cultural Center and their transformative experiences. Blair shares how he became involved with the project, and discusses the unique challenges of capturing the students’ stories, emphasizing their resilience and strong family ties. The film aims to showcase the students’ journeys, illustrating how the PCC provides them with opportunities for education and personal growth.
Throughout the conversation, Blair reflects on leadership principles learned from working with the students and the PCC staff. He highlights the importance of appreciation and compassion in leadership, drawing parallels to church leadership.
00:01:52 – Introducing Sharing Aloha
Introduction to the film “Sharing Aloha” and its connection to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
00:03:44 – The Genesis of Sharing Aloha
Blair Treu discusses how the project came to be and the inspiration behind it.
00:04:55 – The Abundance of Stories
The challenge of selecting which stories to tell from the many available.
00:06:47 – Blair Treu’s Background
Blair shares his experience and previous projects in film and media.
00:08:44 – The Polynesian Cultural Center
Discussion about the PCC and its significance in the film.
00:10:43 – Focus on Student Stories
The decision to center the film on the students’ experiences rather than the PCC’s history.
00:12:14 – Insights on the YSA Demographic
What Blair learned about the Young Single Adult demographic through the film.
00:13:37 – Cultural Connections
The importance of family and community in Polynesian culture.
00:16:42 – The Film’s Format
Comparison of “Sharing Aloha” to “Meet the Mormons” in terms of storytelling.
00:18:18 – Funding and Support
Details on how the film was funded and its relationship with the PCC.
00:20:38 – Addressing Criticism
Discussion on the misconceptions and criticisms surrounding the PCC.
00:22:39 – The Value of Work
The benefits students receive from working at the PCC compared to other jobs.
00:24:36 – Leadership in Performance
Insights into how the PCC manages its performances and trains students.
00:30:14 – Leadership Lessons from Film Production
Blair shares leadership principles learned from directing the film.
00:35:16 – The Importance of Appreciation
The significance of recognizing and valuing team members in leadership.
00:38:53 – Final Thoughts on the Film
Encouragement to support the film and its impact on the PCC.
00:40:41 – Personal Growth Through the Project
How working on “Sharing Aloha” has strengthened Blair’s faith and understanding of community.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This episode features a portion of a live stream discussion that took place in Zion Lab, where we explored the dynamics of delegation within bishoprics and youth leadership. Zion Lab is a welcoming space to discuss what you’re learning in your calling, share best practices and helpful resources, connect with others, and strengthen your ministry. Everyone is invited. Whether you’re new to your calling or have years of experience, your insights and questions are welcome.
LinksRead the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsA key theme of the conversation is the unspoken pressure that bishops feel as the figureheads of their wards. We address the anxiety that arises when programs falter or activities do not meet expectations, and how this can lead to a reluctance to delegate responsibilities. The discussion emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations when extending callings, ensuring that leaders understand not just their tasks but also the vision behind their roles.
Listeners will hear insights from various participants who share their experiences and strategies for effective delegation. We also touch on the broader responsibilities of bishops beyond youth leadership, including the importance of collaboration with elders quorum and Relief Society presidents. The conversation reveals how effective delegation can alleviate the burden on bishops and enhance the overall functioning of the ward. We encourage bishops to give themselves grace, acknowledging that they cannot do everything and that the Lord will take care of His children.
00:02:18 – Delegation in Leadership
Exploration of the dynamics of delegation within bishoprics and youth leadership.
00:03:25 – Setting Expectations for Callings
The importance of clearly communicating expectations when extending callings to leaders.
00:04:46 – Meeting People Where They Are
The value of personal check-ins and understanding individual stories in leadership.
00:06:33 – Focusing on the Rising Generation
Discussion on the responsibilities of bishops towards the youth and the broader rising generation.
00:07:50 – Delegating to Elders Quorum and Relief Society
Insights on how to effectively delegate responsibilities to adult leaders in the ward.
00:09:59 – Prioritizing Youth Responsibilities
Bishops share their experiences and challenges in managing youth-related responsibilities.
00:10:30 – Understanding Repentance
Discussion on the bishop’s role in the repentance process and how it can be delegated.
00:12:39 – Positive Reinforcement in Leadership
The impact of recognizing and reinforcing good behaviors among leaders and members.
00:13:25 – Parental Involvement in Teaching
Conversations about the role of parents in teaching youth about important topics.
00:15:32 – Training Parents to Teach
Efforts to equip parents with the skills to teach their children effectively.
00:17:27 – Bishop’s Fireside Discussions
Plans for bishop’s firesides to address important topics with youth and parents.
00:19:57 – Youth Leading Discussions
Empowering youth to lead discussions on sensitive topics during meetings.
00:21:07 – Encouragement for Overwhelmed Bishops
Advice and encouragement for bishops feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities.
00:27:03 – The Lord’s Church and Grace
Reminders that it is the Lord’s church and that grace is sufficient for all leaders.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Skylar Haws has dedicated over a decade to serving youth in various church callings, including Young Men's President and Priest Quorum Advisor. He has also taught early morning seminary and worked as a youth Sunday School teacher. Skylar's passion for youth leadership stems from his own experiences and a desire to help young men grow spiritually and personally. He resides in Saratoga Springs with his family, where he balances his church responsibilities with work and family life.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsSkylar emphasizes the importance of meeting young men where they are. He discusses the value of building relationships and creating meaningful experiences through high adventure activities. Skylar highlights the significance of pushing youth to embrace challenges while connecting their experiences back to Christ. He also addresses the dynamics of planning activities, engaging parents, and fostering a supportive environment for all young men, regardless of their individual circumstances.04:00 - Skylar's Background in Youth Leadership05:00 - Advice for New Young Men's Leaders06:00 - Meeting Youth Where They Are08:00 - The Power of Sacrifice in Youth Leadership11:00 - Creating Spiritual Impact in High Adventure Activities13:00 - Planning High Adventure Activities18:00 - Engaging Boys in Planning and Preparation22:00 - Handling Low Attendance at Activities25:00 - The Importance of Relationships in Leadership30:00 - Balancing Leadership with Family and Work32:00 - Thematic and Dramatic Elements in Activities35:00 - Service Opportunities and Miracles40:00 - Managing Challenges During ActivitiesThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Listen in to this livestream conversation from the Leading Saints Zion Lab, and help build a stronger Sunday School community! Zion Lab is a welcoming space to discuss what you’re learning in your calling, share best practices and helpful resources, and connect with other presidencies and strengthen your ministry. Everyone is invited. Whether you’re new to your calling or have years of experience, your insights and questions are welcome.LinksCreating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan DuckworthChurch News: "What to know about teacher council meetings for parents"Teaching General ConferenceTeaching RestoredMaxwell Institute Come Follow Me resourcesStimulating More Personal Revelation in Your Ward With the Gospel Library App | An Interview with Richard BernardThe Covenant Path podcastInvolving Women in Sunday School Leadership | An Interview with Garret Shields & Monica FellRead the transcript of this podcastZion Lab CommunityHighlightsThis conversation comes from a recent Zion Lab community livestream focused on Sunday School presidencies. This informal gathering allowed participants to share their experiences, best practices, and challenges related to their callings. We discussed the purpose of Sunday School, the dynamics of teaching council meetings, and how to effectively engage parents and teachers in the learning process. We also explored the challenges of organizing teacher council meetings, with participants sharing their successes and struggles in getting attendance and fostering meaningful discussions.Join the Leading Saints community at LeadingSaints.org/Zion for the full, unedited conversation and to continue engaging in these important discussions. We recognize that leadership in the Church can be isolating, but through collaboration and shared experiences, we can uplift and support one another in our callings. Join us as we explore these vital topics and work together to enhance our leadership skills and strengthen our communities.00:04:46 - Joshua's Experience as BishopJoshua discusses his experience as a bishop and his feelings of uncertainty in his Sunday School presidency role.00:05:59 - Martha's Transformation as a TeacherMartha shares how a podcast influenced her approach as a Gospel Doctrine teacher.00:06:40 - Chris's Missionary Work and GoalsChris talks about his work in the addiction recovery program and his vision for church-led meetings.00:08:48 - Teacher Council Meetings DiscussionParticipants discuss the effectiveness and challenges of teacher council meetings.00:10:51 - DJ's Insights on Teacher CouncilsDJ shares strategies for making teacher council meetings more effective and engaging.00:12:56 - Brent's Perspective on Sunday SchoolBrent discusses the importance of Sunday School and the challenges of engagement.00:16:21 - Jeff's Experience with Parent CouncilsJeff shares his experience with parent councils and the feedback received from their first meeting.00:19:25 - Matt's Thoughts on Transitioning TeachingMatt discusses the challenges of transitioning from traditional teaching methods to more interactive approaches.00:23:16 - Brent's Approach to Teaching NuggetsBrent emphasizes the importance of providing memorable takeaways for students to discuss at home.00:26:20 - DJ's Success with Parent CouncilsDJ shares insights on the success of parent councils in fostering open discussions among parents.The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Benjamin Hardy, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox,
Allison Schreiber is entering her seventh year as an early morning seminary teacher in New Braunfels, Texas—an experience she describes as one of the most joyful and spiritually-rich callings of her life. Fluent in German and Russian, Allison served in the Russia Moscow Mission before earning a bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Brigham Young University, along with certification in International Color Consulting. Her dedication to sacred spaces led her to intern with the Temple Construction department, contributing to the designing of temples in Houston, Boston, and Nauvoo.A born leader and meticulous planner, Allison has worn many hats across decades of youth and community service, serving extensively in the Young Women organization. She’s chaired committees, organized record-breaking Boy Scouts of America district events, and served on BSA Woodbadge staff for three consecutive years after completing the prestigious leadership training herself. Whether designing a youth conference or directing a camporee, Allison brings creativity, discipline, and a touch of grace to every detail.In her seminary classroom, Allison blends her vast experience with a personal mission: to make early morning Seminary not just bearable but transformational. Through intentional leadership moments and peer-supported learning, she cultivates a classroom culture where students feel empowered to plan, lead, and strengthen one another in faith.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsAllison shares effective teaching strategies and principles that can enhance youth engagement in a seminary setting. She shares proven methods to encourage participation and create a lively learning environment. The conversation highlights the importance of making gospel connections and how thoughtful planning can help youth see the relevance of gospel teachings in their everyday lives.Allison shares her approach to teaching, emphasizing the need to mix up learning methods to keep students engaged. She discusses the use of games, interactive activities, and creative resources, such as movie clips, to make lessons more relatable and exciting. She also touches on the significance of recognizing each student's voice and ensuring that everyone feels valued and included in the class.Allison introduces the "EDGE" method—Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, and Enable—as a framework for teaching leadership skills to youth. She explains how this method empowers students to take charge of their learning and prepares them for future leadership roles. Allison shares practical examples of how she sets her students up for success, including organizing activities that foster teamwork and collaboration. She emphasizes the importance of loving and supporting youth, encouraging leaders to create an environment where students feel safe and motivated to participate.03:15 - Allison's Background and Experience04:29 - Seminary Class Structure and Student Engagement05:20 - Testing Different Teaching Methods06:45 - Balancing Fun and Gospel Learning07:06 - Creating Meaningful Connections in Lessons08:15 - Using Treats and Activities Purposefully09:27 - Engaging All Students in Class11:03 - Recognizing Individual Contributions12:16 - Encouraging Participation from Reluctant Students13:28 - Preparing for Youth Events like Trek14:50 - Coordinating with Stake Leaders16:05 - Advice for Future Leaders18:12 - Making Gospel Connections in Daily Life19:14 - Youth Epiphanies and Insights20:21 - Mixing Up Learning Approaches22:19 - Using Creative Resources for Lessons25:07 - Incorporating Movie Clips for Engagement26:43 - Setting Youth Up for Success27:23 - Leadership Skills Development29:29 - Model Ward Council Activity31:40 - Final Thoughts on Youth Leadership32:09 - The Importance of Love in LeadershipThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-...
This is a follow-up conversation. Listen to the first episode here.Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family.LinksSlides: Tension From Our DifferencesWhen Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin PopeTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsJeff Strong dives deeper into the complexities of faith and community. He explores the idea that while many church leaders may come from a similar mindset, the diversity of perspectives within the congregation is essential for a healthy community.Jeff shares insights from a comprehensive study on disaffiliation and church experiences, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the church culture. He notes that while many members appreciate the community, service, and spiritual growth offered by the church, there are significant concerns about judgment, conformity, and exclusivity that can alienate individuals with differing beliefs or backgrounds.Jeff and Kurt talk about the tension caused by differences, and Jeff illustrates how the natural human response to perceived threats often leads to conformity and exclusion. He discusses the importance of yielding to the Holy Spirit to navigate these tensions, rather than allowing fear to dictate responses.A key part of the episode is the introduction of a segmentation model that categorizes Latter-day Saints into six belief mindsets: Seekers, Cultivators, Protectors, Avoiders, Connectors, and Explorers. Each segment is defined by its unique values and priorities, with Protectors making up a significant portion of church leadership. Jeff and Kurt discuss the implications of this model, emphasizing that a church comprised solely of one segment would lack the richness and diversity necessary for a thriving community.Understanding these different mindsets can help church leaders foster a more inclusive environment that accommodates a broader range of beliefs and experiences. Jeff encourages listeners to embrace the complexities of faith and community, recognizing that the presence of tension can lead to growth and deeper understanding.00:02:00 - Discussion on disaffiliation from the church00:02:00 - Tension caused by differences00:09:00 - Story of the kingfisher and magpies00:12:00 - Strengths of church culture00:14:00 - Weaknesses of church culture00:21:00 - The concept of the "natural man"00:26:00 - The role of a leader in navigating tension00:30:00 - Introduction of six mindsets or "segments"00:36:00 - The "Seekers" segment00:37:00 - The "Cultivators" segment00:38:00 - The "Protectors" segment00:39:00 - The "Avoiders" segment00:40:00 - The "Connectors" segment00:42:00 - The "Explorers" segment00:44:00 - The value of different segments00:46:00 - Disconnect in leadership00:48:00 - Historical context of leadership00:52:00 - Blending leadership styles01:04:00 - Jesus and Joseph Smith as examples of different mindsets01:13:00 - Discussion of the Body of Christ from 1 Corinthians 1201:23:00 - Story of a 100-year-old runner01:33:00 - Concluding thoughts on a thriving churchThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podc...
James Fletcher is the founder and chief investment officer of Ethos Investment Management, and has been investing professionally in emerging markets for 20 years. He is also the founder of the global non-profit Young Investors Society, which provides lessons to teens on investing and financial literacy in over 3,000 high schools and 80 countries around the world. James has a bachelor's degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and also teaches as a BYU adjunct professor in Finance. He has lived in a variety of places, from Boston to Brazil and Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and currently lives in Springville, Utah, with his wife and five children, where he serves as a bishop in the Hobble Creek Springville Utah Stake.LinksYoung Investors Society: YIS.orgTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsJames Fletcher shares his insights and experiences as a bishop and youth leader. He shares his approach to engaging with youth, highlighting the advice he received to focus on them while allowing other leaders to manage adult responsibilities. He discusses his passion for working with young people, which has been shaped by his background in youth mentorship and his founding of the Young Investor Society, an organization that teaches financial literacy and investment principles to high school students.James emphasizes the importance of setting high expectations for youth while providing the necessary support and mentorship. He also discusses the significance of creating engaging and interactive experiences for youth, rather than simply delivering lessons. He shares how challenging youth with high expectations can lead to remarkable growth and engagement, citing examples from both his church leadership and his work with the Young Investor Society.00:04:04 - First Impressions of Being a BishopJames shares his experiences and feelings during the first months of his calling as bishop.00:05:16 - Unique Ward DynamicsDiscussion about the unique characteristics of James's ward in Springville, Utah, including its diverse community.00:06:57 - Approach to Engaging YouthJames explains his focus on youth and how he prioritizes their needs in his leadership role.00:07:54 - Background in Youth EngagementJames discusses his history of working with youth and the founding of the Young Investor Society.00:09:37 - Weekly Engagement with YouthInsights into James's weekly activities and how he applies principles of mentorship and engagement with youth.00:11:06 - Measuring Success as a BishopJames shares advice on how to judge success in his role, emphasizing spiritual guidance.00:12:00 - Personal Story of MentorshipJames recounts a meaningful experience with a young man named Zach and the impact of mentorship.00:14:23 - Principles for Working with YouthJames discusses key principles for engaging and inspiring youth, including setting high expectations.00:18:47 - Interactive Learning ExperiencesThe importance of interactive and challenging experiences for youth to keep them engaged.00:21:10 - High Expectations and SupportJames elaborates on the balance of high expectations and providing support to youth.00:23:01 - Recognizing and Nurturing GiftsThe significance of helping youth recognize their gifts and potential.00:30:54 - Real Love and Genuine SupportJames emphasizes the importance of showing genuine love and support to youth in leadership.00:36:21 - Young Investor Society OverviewInformation about the Young Investor Society and how it supports youth in financial literacy.The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith,
Dr. Benjamin Hardy is an organizational psychologist, author, and speaker known for his work on the psychology of exponential growth and transformation. He has mastered a highly unique form of strategic psychology and is known for his ability to rapidly scale companies to seemingly impossible levels. The author of several books and cofounder of his rigorous scaling company, Scaling.com, Benjamin helps companies scale 10x or more within three years. His innovative psychological and strategic frameworks are unlike anything else in business right now and are seeking to disrupt both the fields of psychology and business. Benjamin and his wife Lauren have seven children and live in Orlando.LinksThe Science of Scaling: Grow Your Business Bigger and Faster Than You Think PossibleScaling.com/AudiobookTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsBenjamin introduces the idea that setting ambitious goals can lead to more effective pathways for growth. He explains that when organizations aim for significantly higher targets—such as a tenfold increase in growth—they are compelled to streamline their efforts and eliminate unnecessary complexities. This principle is particularly relevant for church leaders who may feel constrained by traditional metrics of success.Benjamin emphasizes the importance of aligning daily actions with a higher purpose. He discusses the concept of "raising the floor," which refers to the necessity of letting go of lower standards and practices that no longer serve the organization's goals. By doing so, leaders can create a more focused and effective environment for achieving their objectives.The conversation also delves into the psychological aspects of goal-setting, highlighting how the future should shape present actions rather than being dictated by past performance. He shares a compelling story about an audacious missionary baptism goal and how adjusting adjusting and filtering ultimately achieved the goal—illustrating the power of high aspirations and the need for leaders to be willing to say no to less-impactful activities.Benjamin explores the challenges church leaders face in maintaining focus amidst competing priorities and discusses the tendency to add more initiatives rather than simplifying and prioritizing efforts. He encourages leaders to define clear, measurable goals that can guide their actions and decision-making processes, along with a call to embrace ambitious goals. By focusing on fewer, higher goals and raising their standards, leaders can unlock the potential within their wards and organizations, ultimately leading to greater success in their missions.00:04:00 - Applying Scaling Principles to the Church00:05:20 - The Goal Shapes the Path and System00:05:50 - The Power of 10x Goals and Short Timelines00:08:40 - Missionary Work as an Example of Scaling00:10:50 - The Past and Future as Lenses for the Present00:14:10 - Operating From the Goal, Not Toward It00:14:40 - Raising the Floor and Saying No00:15:30 - Blake's Missionary Experience and Filtering00:19:40 - Overcoming the Influence of the Past in Organizations00:21:50 - Simplicity vs. Complexity00:23:10 - The Challenge of Too Many Goals in Church Councils00:24:50 - Focusing on Key Priorities in Leadership00:28:00 - Defining and Owning Roles in Church Leadership00:28:50 - Understanding and Raising the Floor00:31:30 - The Floor as a Standard of Accountability00:33:30 - Avoiding Guilt from Too Many To-Dos00:36:10 - Setting Clear, Numeric Goals00:40:20 - The Future Shapes the Present00:42:50 - Repentance and Reorienting Towards the Future00:44:50 - Distancing from Past Self and Growth Mindset00:48:50 - Measuring Impact and Qualitative vs. Quantitative Goals00:53:00 - Accountability in Systems and LeadershipThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day S...
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally aired in March 2021.Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award-winning, motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. The president and founder of The Center for Employee Retention, Clint has transformed how corporations create lasting loyalty through his work and research as “The Undercover Millennial”. His book I Love It Here shares how extraordinary leaders create companies their people never want to leave, and in this interview he helps translate some of that wisdom into local leadership in the Church. Clint is currently serving as a bishop.LinksI Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations Their People Never Want to Leave clintpulver.com Instagram @clintpulver Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlights4:40 Writing a book with lots of research was a difficult project 7:35 Culture changes in different wards come down to leadership 9:00 Engagement is low due to the pandemic but we can change some things even now 10:20 "Let me know when it gets to the part about me": getting to the people in the gospel is what builds a stronger culture 13:25 Give them a reason to connect with you; make the little efforts to connect with people 15:30 "Who said the guy wanted a fish?" Ask people what they want; do more listening than talking 17:30 Traditional leadership vs. mentorship and personal connection19:30 Four types of leaders The leader who is removed The buddy The controller The mentor24:15 Do you have the right people in the right places? 27:25 When inviting someone to a calling, make an invitation, talk about the expectations, and look for some buy-in31:10 Status interviews and the power of meeting regularly Not a performance review Three questions: What can we do to keep you more engaged? What's getting in the way of your success? What can I do to help you get there? 35:15 Start with a check-in and vocal praise 37:00 Repeat back so they know they were heard and understood Follow up on what you said you would do Create a growth development plan with them Invoke the help of other people and make it simpler for you40:00 Core values and a vision: keep it simple and memorable 42:30 Reflective questions Be open to feedback The to-don't list47:35 Story of the business leader who was open and vulnerable, leading to a sense of ownership for her employees 51:00 Look for inspiration through association and connection with other people 53:00 What do you offer that Google can't? 54:20 "I love who I am when I'm here"The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Monica Tanner is an RLT-trained relationship coach and host of the "Secrets of Happily Ever After" podcast. She transforms marriages with simple communication, connection, conflict resolution, and commitment strategies. Her mission is to lower the divorce rate and improve marital satisfaction. Through her podcast, social media community, couple’s coaching practice, and new book—Bad Marriage Advice, Monica has helped thousands of couples ditch resentment and roommate syndrome and get back to living their happily-ever-after love story. In the Church, Monica serves in the Young Women program with two of her daughters.LinksMonicaTanner.comBad Marriage Advice: Debunking Myths That Will Make You Miserable and What To Do InsteadTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsMonica shares insights on the importance of communication in marriage, noting that many couples express a need for help in this area. They discuss the dynamics of relationships, emphasizing that both partners must actively engage in the marriage to foster a healthy connection. The episode also touches on the stigma surrounding seeking help for marital issues within the Latter-day Saint community, where some may feel that divorce is not an option, leading to feelings of entrapment.Monica explores common misconceptions about marriage, such as the idea that "happy couples never fight." They argue that conflict is a natural part of any relationship and that learning to navigate disagreements is crucial for growth. The discussion also addresses the problematic advice of "never go to bed angry," suggesting that sometimes it is healthier to take a break and revisit issues with a fresh perspective.Throughout the episode, the importance of choice in marriage is emphasized. Monica encourages couples to view their relationship as a partnership where both individuals actively choose to be together, rather than feeling obligated due to covenants or societal expectations. They advocate for open communication and the necessity of seeking help when needed, highlighting that doing so is a sign of strength and commitment.00:03:19 - Common Marriage StrugglesMonica discusses the prevalent issues couples face, particularly around communication and faith transitions.00:04:54 - The Empty Nest PhenomenonExploration of the challenges couples face when their children leave home, leading to potential relationship reevaluation.00:06:27 - Advice for Struggling CouplesMonica offers guidance for couples who feel tension in their marriage but may not have the resources for therapy.00:08:34 - Unique Aspects of Latter-day Saint MarriagesDiscussion on the stigma around seeking help for marriage issues within the Latter-day Saint culture.00:10:55 - The Concept of Choice in MarriageExploration of how the perception of being "locked in" to a marriage can affect relationship dynamics.00:12:22 - Agency and Choice in RelationshipsMonica emphasizes the importance of making daily choices in marriage and the role of agency in relationships.00:14:27 - The Importance of CommunicationDiscussion on the necessity of open communication in marriage and the dangers of complacency.00:16:12 - Navigating Divorce ConversationsInsights on how church leaders can approach discussions about divorce and the importance of not feeling trapped.00:18:10 - Infidelity and Marriage RecoveryMonica shares perspectives on how infidelity can sometimes lead to positive changes in a marriage.00:20:22 - The Role of Church LeadersAdvice for church leaders on how to support couples in distress without overstepping their boundaries.00:22:25 - Community Support in MarriageThe importance of community support and sharing experiences to help couples feel less isolated.00:24:35 - The Reality of Marriage DynamicsDiscussion on the complexities of marriage and the need for both partners to actively engage in the relatio...
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2019.Frank Layden was a beloved basketball coach and executive best known for his time with the Utah Jazz. While he achieved tremendous professional success—earning NBA Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year, and the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award all in 1984—it was his warmth, humor, and larger-than-life personality that truly defined him. Known for his self-deprecating wit and quick one-liners, Layden brought levity to the game and was deeply respected by players, colleagues, and fans alike.Beyond basketball, Layden was cherished for his kindness, community involvement, and ability to connect with people on a personal level. He had a gift for making others feel valued, often using laughter to lift those around him. Even in retirement, he remained a vibrant part of the Salt Lake City community. Frank Layden passed away on July 9, 2025, at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and compassion.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsEarly Experiences & Utah Transition00:03:34 Involvement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; reflections on what President Thomas S. Monson said about him00:05:24 How he ended up in Utah with the Jazz00:09:03 First knowledge of and interactions with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints00:10:15 Approach to sports and Utah’s culture: “What can we do to help here?” Focused on building relationships over highlighting differences.Personal and Professional Philosophy00:12:44 How he became a coach - Belief that his family was meant to be in Utah - Building the Jazz from a losing team into a contender - Perspective on success: You won’t always succeed, and shouldn’t measure success by money. Prioritize doing what you love and service.00:17:48 The Jazz’s efforts to help players and their families grow off the court: - Wives club activities: fashion shows, making Christmas trees, supporting education - Interfaith chapel service with Rev. France Davis and Pastor Jerry Lewis - Bonuses for players who finished college degreesLeadership & Team Management00:20:10 When players feel coaches support them, they give their all.00:22:37 Emphasis on making each player feel loved; daily question: “What can I do for you today?”00:24:58 The importance of small things: punctuality, readiness, balancing authority and discipline00:28:20 Players must believe in you, and you must believe in yourself. - Understanding who needs motivation vs. encouragement00:32:47 Establishing leadership: the team must know who leads - “Winning is not a sometimes thing; it starts the first day of practice.”Relationship-Building & Daily Culture00:39:42 Building one-on-one connections with players - Creating comfort for players to approach leadership - Listening to them (examples include book club and shared reading) - Encouraging professional appearance - Mutual respect and adult treatment fosters loyalty00:42:50 Players can sense if you enjoy your job.Reflection on Faith & Community00:48:22 How being part of Utah’s religious community enhanced his experience as a Catholic00:53:04 Takeaways and Leadership PrinciplesThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne,
Dan Duckworth speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership, power, and systemic change. His forthcoming book, The Leader in Chains (spring 2026), challenges conventional ideas and calls for a radical rethinking of leadership—and how it is developed. You can read his Zion Leadership essays at danduckworth.substack.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.LinksLeadingSaints.org/ZionDanDuckworth.Substack.comTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsIn this episode, Dan Duckworth engages in a thought-provoking discussion about the concept of Zion and its implications for leadership within the context of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He begins by addressing the common resistance to transformational leadership in church settings, noting that many members feel uncomfortable with the idea of change-making. Dan emphasizes that the principles of leadership are deeply rooted in scripture, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ.He articulates the need for a "faithful vocabulary of leadership" that resonates with church members, moving away from secular leadership jargon that may not align with their beliefs. Dan challenges the traditional view of hierarchy in church leadership, asserting that God's ways are different from man's ways. He references the Doctrine and Covenants, specifically highlighting that in Zion, there shall be no king or ruler, suggesting that true leadership should not be about hierarchy but about unity and collaboration.Dan elaborates on the idea that Zion is not merely a future state but a present social condition characterized by a people who are of one heart and one mind. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own communities—families, wards, and councils—asking whether they operate under a hierarchical structure or if they embody the principles of Zion. He argues that the work of building Zion requires breaking free from systemic forces that constrain behavior and perpetuate the status quo.Dan also explains that leadership involves creating space for individuals to use their gifts and talents, rather than adhering strictly to established hierarchies. He emphasizes that leaders should discern the needs of their communities and empower others to step into leadership roles, regardless of formal titles or positions.Dan shares a scriptural example from the Old Testament, recounting how Moses responded to the concerns of Joshua regarding unauthorized prophecy. Moses expresses a desire for all people to be prophets, highlighting the importance of recognizing and nurturing the gifts within the community. He contrasts this with the story of Aaron and Miriam, who are chastised for their desire to lead without the proper authority, illustrating the balance between recognizing divine gifts and maintaining order.Dan underscores the significance of understanding the difference between appointed leaders and true leaders. He notes that a bishop, while holding an ecclesiastical role, may not necessarily be a leader in the transformative sense. Instead, he should act as a facilitator, allowing the gifts of others to flourish and ensuring that the community operates in alignment with God's mercies.Dan concludes by addressing the challenges faced by those who feel called to lead in a Zion-like manner, particularly in the face of institutional resistance. He encourages listeners to be mindful of the timing and approach when implementing change, suggesting that leaders should work quietly and effectively to build Zion without drawing unnecessary attention or backlash from the established hierarchy. He emphasizes the importance of direct communication with the Lord to ensure that one's actions align with divine guidance, ultimately reinforcing the idea that building Zion is a collective effort that requires courage, discernment, and a willingness to embrace the messiness of community life.
Angela Sturgeon has served in a variety of callings, including Sunday School teacher, Young Women first counselor, Relief Society counselor and secretary, Relief Society president, Primary Activity Days leader, and in Scouts. She most recently served as the stake Primary secretary and now as stake Primary president.Angela earned an associate's degree in History and Political Science from Orange Coast College and after many years of balancing work, family, and part-time study, will be graduating in a few weeks with a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho. She worked as a flight attendant before retiring in 2022 and has since pursued her passion for encouraging and mentoring others, becoming a published best-selling author of How to Be Resilient for Turbulent Times and a TEDx speaker of the same title. She speaks regularly on resilience, faith, and purpose—inspiring audiences to rise with strength in the face of adversity.LinksHow to Be Resilient for Turbulent Times: 7 Guiding Resiliency PrinciplesHow to be resilient for turbulent times | Angela Sturgeon | TEDxUSFSMTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsAngela shares her unique experiences and insights gained from her leadership role in a diverse and spread-out stake. She candidly discusses her initial challenges stepping into the role of stake Primary president without prior experience in a ward Primary presidency. Angela emphasizes the importance of building relationships and understanding the unique needs of each ward and branch within her stake. She shares key principles that guide her leadership approach:Embracing Flexibility and Personal Growth: Angela speaks about the necessity of being adaptable in leadership, especially when faced with diverse needs across different wards. She emphasizes the importance of relying on Heavenly Father and being open to the Spirit to guide her decisions.Fostering Spiritual Resilience: Drawing from her own life experiences, Angela discusses how spiritual resilience is crucial for both leaders and members. She shares personal stories of overcoming challenges and how this resilience can inspire others to keep moving forward in their faith.Cultivating a Culture of Love and Growth: Angela stresses the importance of creating an environment where individuals feel loved and supported. She describes how building relationships with other leaders and members fosters a sense of community and encourages open dialogue about struggles and successes.00:03:40 - Angela's Background and Move to Indiana00:04:51 - Transition to Stake Primary President00:05:49 - Initial Orientation in Leadership00:07:10 - Navigating Leadership as a Convert00:08:57 - Visiting Wards and Branches00:09:48 - Scheduling Visits00:10:45 - Personal Experiences and Challenges00:12:23 - Building Relationships in Leadership00:16:22 - Embracing Flexibility and Personal Growth00:19:26 - Fostering Spiritual Resilience00:25:54 - Cultivating a Culture of Love and Growth00:30:47 - Windshield Time and Connection00:32:27 - Unique Activities in the Stake00:34:00 - Navigating Stake and Ward Dynamics00:35:33 - Final Thoughts on Leadership and LoveThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III,
Kurt Francom reads this Brigham Young University devotional given by Elder Boyd K. Packer in 1996.Listen to the podcast episode about this devotional and its influence on leadership culture in the Church.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlights00:02:00 - The Importance of Teaching Basics00:03:30 - The Foundation of Knowledge and Testimony00:05:00 - Understanding the Unwritten Order of Things00:06:30 - The Role of the Presiding Officer in Meetings00:08:00 - Accepting Calls and Releases in the Church00:09:30 - Learning from Experienced Leaders00:11:00 - Seeking Counsel and Blessings00:12:30 - The Vertical Nature of Revelation00:14:00 - The Importance of Being a Good Follower00:15:30 - Proper Order in Callings and Assignments00:17:00 - Maintaining Dignity in Meetings00:18:30 - The Role of the Bishop in Meetings00:20:00 - Learning Through Observation and Experience00:21:30 - The Power of the Ordinary SaintsThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kurt Francom, Executive Director of Leading Saints, shares his thoughts on the unwritten order of things—a term popularized by Elder Boyd K. Packer in a BYU devotional in October 1996. This phrase has influenced leadership culture in the Church, often being used as a trump card to justify certain practices or norms that are not explicitly documented in church handbooks.Listen to a reading of the original devotional.LinksIs Aspiring Wrong?Church Doctrine, Policy, & Leadership | An Interview with Anthony SweatY Religion: Defining Church Doctrine, with Michael GoodmanThe Role of Doubt and Faith | An Interview With Prof. Michael GoodmanTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsKurt explores the context of Elder Packer's talk, highlighting the challenges of leadership in the 1990s when handbooks were not publicly accessible. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the principles behind leadership practices rather than blindly adhering to unwritten rules that may not serve the best interests of the community.He outlines the ten unwritten orders of things mentioned by Elder Packer, assessing whether each principle is supported by the church handbook. While some of these principles align with current guidelines, others are not formally recognized, raising questions about their validity and application in modern leadership.Kurt encourages listeners to consider the implications of using the unwritten order of things as a means of manipulation or control, and advocates for a more open dialogue about leadership best practices, urging leaders to communicate their expectations clearly rather than relying on vague traditions. He invites listeners to engage in this conversation, share their experiences, and contribute to a culture of effective leadership where the church can more-effectively draw people to Christ.00:02:47 - Context of Elder Packer's Talk00:04:11 - The Unwritten Order of Things Explained00:05:24 - Weaponization of the Unwritten Order00:06:05 - Importance of Context in Leadership00:07:51 - Changes in Handbook Accessibility00:09:05 - Elder Packer's Teaching Style00:10:08 - Challenges in Communicating Leadership Guidelines00:11:22 - The Role of General Authorities in Leadership00:12:03 - Misinterpretation of the Unwritten Order00:13:40 - Elder Packer's Ten Unwritten Orders00:14:01 - Analysis of Each Unwritten Order00:19:05 - The Role of Personal Counsel in Leadership00:20:30 - Observing Church Customs and Traditions00:21:23 - Setting a Tone of Dignity in Meetings00:22:06 - The Balance of Leadership and Followership00:23:20 - Binding Nature of the Unwritten Order00:24:03 - Current Unwritten Orders in Leadership00:25:07 - The Tyranny of General Authority00:26:20 - The Importance of Local Leadership Autonomy00:27:34 - Principles vs. Prescriptions in Leadership00:29:41 - Establishing Best Practices in Leadership00:30:57 - Conclusion: Moving Beyond the Unwritten OrderThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2021.Michael A. Goodman has worked for the Church Educational System since 1989 and was the manager of CES College Curriculum before joining the Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine department in 2007. He is a professor of Religious Education and serves as the RSC’s Associate Publications Director and the Editor of the Religious Educator journal. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with Public Relations, a master’s degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. He is a co-investigator on the Family Foundations of Youth Development longitudinal research project, focused on adolescent and family faith development and mental health outcomes with a special emphasis on suicidality. Michael is married to Tiina Anita Goodman.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlights1:55 BYU Eternal Families course chair and online curriculum author4:10 How does BYU teach the doctrine of Eternal Families?Courses based on doctrine with some social science mixed inEternal principles and daily principles taught (money, sexuality etc)5:50 We don’t have to convince BYU students that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values families, but they don’t often know why.8:30 D&C 131 and 132: The Degrees of Glory and importance of eternal families10:40 The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Quotes document.11:40 President Oaks Quote: “Our theology begins with Heavenly Parents. Our greatest aspiration is to be like them.” “The purpose of mortal like and the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to prepare the sons and daughters of God for their eternal destiny- to become like our Heavenly Parents.”13:35 Divine Identity and Divine Destiny… as children of God15:45 Mother in Heaven: foundational doctrine16:35 When speaking to single adults after the foundation has been laid, what do you say next? …Well someday?!? NO! Acknowledge their pain and the issues they face.17:45 Neil L. Anderson quote: “We will continue to teach the Lord’s pattern for families, but now with millions of members and the diversity among those in the church we need to be more thoughtful and sensitive. Our church culture and vernacular are sometimes quite unique. The Primary children are not going to stop singing 'Families can be Together Forever' but when they sing 'I’m so happy when Daddy comes home' or 'With father and mother leading the way…', not all children will be singing about their family.”20:50 What do we need to know now, to feel joy now? Four overarching principles:No one denied any promised blessing because of something outside of their controlYOU are included in the plan of salvation, and because of that inclusion there is hope.Heavenly Father will not abrogate agency.God loves us with a perfect love and will do anything in his power to exalt us.Through the grace of Christ, Heavenly Father can provide solutions to those things outside our control (24:51)26:04 Quote President Kimball: “We promise you that in as far as eternity is concerned, NO soul will be deprived of rich and high and eternal blessings for anything which they could not help. That the Lord never fails in his promises. Every righteous person will eventually receive ALL to which they are entitled and have not forfeited through any fault of their own.”28:15 Stay covenant-connected.28:30 Quote President Nelson: Through no failing of their own “they” deal with the trails of life alone. May we all be reminded that in the Lord’s own way and time no blessing will be withheld from his faithful saints. The Lords will judge and reward each individual according to their heartfelt desires as well as deeds.”29:45 It’s ok if you aren’t the “ideal” family yet… Richard G. Scott quote and discussion31:55 Live relationally now!
Jeff Strong worked nearly 30 years in the consumer products industry as a senior executive at Procter & Gamble and global president and chief customer officer at Johnson & Johnson. He then taught in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and worked as an advisor to the Church before serving as a mission leader in the Arkansas Bentonville Mission. Jeff has since spent several years doing research on why people are leaving the Church. While not a professional researcher, his career involved a large amount of research and the research he shares in this podcast was done with the help of some of the top Latter-day Saint researchers in the world. Today, Jeff lives in Midway, Utah, and stays busy with a little lavender farm, some business consulting, and enjoying family.LinksSlides: Tension Between Tradition and ChangeListen to Part 2: 6 Types of People in Your Ward | An Interview with Jeff StrongTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsIn this conversation, Jeff dives deep into the tension between church culture and personal beliefs, and how embracing it can lead to growth and understanding within our church community. He discusses the findings from a comprehensive survey that aimed to understand disaffiliation and the tensions members experience in their church lives.A key takeaway is the importance of understanding what members love about the Church, revealing the core values that bind members together, despite the tensions they may feel. Jeff talks about the tensions present in church culture, emphasizing the dual facets of this conflict: the tension between tradition and change, and the tension arising from our differences. He explores how members often feel a significant conflict in their church experience, with many expressing discomfort with the culture. Jeff presents data indicating that nearly half of the respondents felt a significant conflict, and more than half did not feel a strong sense of belonging in their congregations. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing this tension rather than attempting to eliminate it. 00:02:40 - Purpose of the Survey on Disaffiliation00:05:12 - Survey Response Insights00:07:38 - What People Love About the Church00:10:30 - Core Values of Church Members00:12:33 - Strengths of the Church00:13:10 - Tension Between Tradition and Change00:16:00 - Navigating Cultural Differences00:19:15 - Understanding Tension in Church Experience00:22:10 - Data on Comfort and Belonging00:23:38 - Recognizing Conflict in the Congregation00:30:02 - Tension Between Personal and Cultural Values00:35:44 - Embracing Tension in Leadership00:40:08 - Creating a Safe Space for TensionThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2020.John Bytheway has a master’s degree in Religious Education and is a popular speaker, author of more than two dozen books and CDs, and the co-host of the world-renowned Follow Him podcast with Hank Smith. He has taught the Book of Mormon at Brigham Young University and at the BYU Salt Lake Center. John served as bishop of the Salt Lake Winder 10th Ward, and currently serves as a member of the Young Men General Advisory Council.LinksBy John BythewayOur Turtle House is now LatterDailyMeg Johnson's story: "Falling Up" Six Events: The Restoration Model for Solving Life's Problems The Divine CenterFollow Him Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights4:00 John’s background as a teacher and speaker5:45 Writing books and how that happens for him8:00 How his calling as a bishop came about9:20 Serving as a bishop is different for every person and area; he had people asking for welfare support before he ever sat in the bishop’s chair10:40 For bishops with significant welfare challenges in their wardFirst ask what they need and listenMake a three-column chart of what the ward can do, what the Lord can do, and what the individual can do to help them—handing back the problem to the individual so you can work on it together instead of taking it from themHelps eliminate the transactional mentality and replace it with mentoringHelp them get their spiritual act together first16:20 Emphasis to push more things (such as welfare needs) to the ward council; called a “welfare coordinator” couple to help handle welfare requests before bringing it to the bishop18:10 Moving people closer to financial self-sufficiency and self-relianceLearning experiences as a missionary in the Philippines and seeing similar development in the welfare program21:15 Ended meetings with his counselors at a specific time, no matter what22:30 “It takes a really good meeting to be better than no meeting at all”: Virtual ward council held via text messages throughout the week to eliminate much of the administrative points so they could really focus on individuals in the ward council meeting24:20 Losing the joy in the calling, and how talking with others who have struggled helpedExperience speaking with Robert L. Millet and having “same boat therapy”Recognizing that there are difficulties in the calling but moments that made it worth itFisher missions vs hunter missions: some fantastic stories from great moments, but difficult days, weeks, and months between31:30 Calling ward members each evening on their birthday was a simple, routine thing that became important for connecting34:30 Working with youth: firesides are different than teaching a classTaught Sunday School with his wife after serving as bishop, and went back to the simple idea that you have to care for them firstPut people in place with the youth who are great examples; youth learn by example, not principles37:10 Kids will listen differently to a speaker at a fireside because they don’t think that the speaker was influenced by what their parents or leaders are saying (“An expert is anybody from out of town”)39:30 Stephen Covey: the order of the events in the restoration is a formula for solving life’s problems. Start with identity and relationships.“If we want to help our children or other people change their behavior, we begin by improving the quality of our relationships with them, and we introduce new ideas before we introduce new expectations and controls. In other words, we help them see the world differently. When a person’s paradigm changes, everything else changes with it.”44:25 His book about Moroni: Moroni didn’t get to how to run the Church until Moroni chapter 646:00 Working with Meg Johnson and Hank SmithImage: magazine.byu.edu
Patrick Sedivy is the Founder and CEO of Cumorah Academy, a non-profit private school dedicated to empowering individuals to follow Jesus Christ and positively impact their lives, careers, and communities. His commitment to service and leadership is rooted in his faith and family background—his parents defected from communist Czechoslovakia in 1969 in search of religious freedom, and he later served as a missionary in the Czech Republic. Patrick and his wife, Allyse, share a passion for inspiring and guiding young adults, which led them to establish Cumorah Academy. Patrick also serves as CEO of HYPE, a program dedicated to empowering youth and creating unforgettable experiences.LinksCumorahAcademy.orgGoHYPE.orgTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlights00:03:39 - The Vision Behind Cumorah Academy00:05:23 - Understanding the Structure of Cumorah Academy00:06:30 - The Importance of Leadership Skills00:08:00 - Who Can Attend Cumorah Academy?00:09:49 - The International Reach of Cumorah Academy00:10:34 - Tuition and Scholarships00:12:26 - Language and Learning Environment00:13:11 - Success Stories from Cumorah Academy00:14:41 - Transformative Experiences of Students00:16:25 - The Need for Continuous Learning00:17:42 - Addressing the Transition Challenges for Young Adults00:18:50 - Curriculum Overview and Key Principles00:19:28 - Accountability and Personal Growth00:20:34 - Conflict Resolution Skills00:22:08 - Interactive Learning Methodology00:23:40 - Balancing Workload and Downtime00:25:57 - Creating Positive Connections Among Students00:27:36 - The Role of Visiting Mentors00:29:50 - Public Speaking and Presentation Skills00:31:07 - Leadership Curriculum and Modules00:32:54 - Holistic Approach to Student Well-being00:34:37 - Measuring Emotional Resilience and Hopefulness00:36:39 - The Importance of Human Connection00:38:06 - Opportunities for Mentorship and Involvement00:39:49 - Conclusion and Resources for Further Engagement00:41:13 - Introducing Hype: Humanitarian Leadership ExperienceThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2018.Adam McHugh is an author, former hospice chaplain, spiritual director, and minister, and now a wine tour guide and sommelier. The author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture, he is an ordained Presbyterian minister, having earned a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology in Greek New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is also the author of The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction. Since this interview was recorded he has written a memoir, Blood from a Stone. Adam lives in California's Santa Ynez Valley, and may be the only person published in both Psychology Today and Wine Enthusiast.LinksIntroverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted CultureThe Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of DistractionRead the transcript of this podcastHighlights4:30 Becoming an ordained minister7:30 What led to writing Introverts in the Church10:50 Explanation of introversion and extroversion16:00 Problems that introverts experience at church19:00 Understanding the discomfort of personal vulnerability and sharing beliefs as an expression of faith22:00 Introverts generally prefer depth over breadth24:00 The power of listening: experience at a hospital30:00 Introverts and small talk 34:00 How introverts approach dealing with conflict and decisions40:00 Silence, reverence, and the internal experience compared to active social environments45:20 Cultural clash of introvert and extrovert leaders: overcoming stereotypes and encouraging introverts to be leaders48:50 Reaching out to invite introverts to participateThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Scott Rasband worked 15 years in medical device sales and leadership before transitioning to Chick-fil-A, and has spent the last 10 years operating the Chick-fil-A in Spanish Fork, Utah. In the Church, Scott has served as a Young Men president, elders quorum president, bishopric counselor, and bishop. He is the father of five and currently serves as the bishop of a Young Single Adult ward.LinksRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsScott Rasband wears two significant hats: he is both the owner of a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Spanish Fork, Utah, and a YSA bishop. He describes the values instilled by the Cathy family, owners of the Chick-fil-A brand, and how these values shape the experience for both employees and customers. He emphasizes the importance of local ownership and how it fosters a sense of community and connection.Scott talks about "second mile service," a principle derived from Matthew 5:41, which encourages going above and beyond for others. He illustrates this concept with anecdotes from his restaurant—moments that create emotional connections and leave a lasting impression on customers.Scott shares insights into his role as a YSA bishop, where he applies similar leadership principles. He discusses the importance of being present, allowing young adults to lead, and connecting them to a higher purpose. Informal gatherings, like "Straggler Sundays" at his home, foster community and build trust among ward members. Scott's approach to leadership is characterized by vulnerability and accessibility, as he actively reaches out to members through texts and personal interactions. He highlights the significance of mentorship and the power of creating a culture where young adults feel valued and empowered.00:02:14 - Chick-fil-A Culture and Leadership00:04:03 - Scott's Background and Experience00:05:10 - Positive Perspectives on Young Adults00:06:24 - Connecting Youth to Jesus Christ00:07:13 - Chick-fil-A's Unique Organizational Culture00:09:25 - The Importance of Sunday Closure00:11:22 - Mission to Be the World's Most Caring Company00:12:22 - Translating Mission Statements into Action00:13:41 - Servant Leadership in Action00:14:56 - The Impact of Chick-fil-A's Values00:16:05 - Local Ownership and Community Impact00:17:02 - The Role of Personal Connection in Leadership00:18:10 - Examples of Chick-fil-A's Customer Experience00:20:10 - Core Four Principles for Employee Interaction00:22:36 - The Origin of "My Pleasure"00:23:09 - The Significance of Culture in Organizations00:24:26 - Retention and Employee Satisfaction00:25:38 - Patterns of Gathering in the YSA Ward00:27:44 - Straggler Sunday Concept00:28:59 - Informal Gatherings and Building Relationships00:29:20 - Digital Relationships with Ward Members00:30:48 - The Importance of Availability00:32:06 - Mentoring and Leadership Development00:33:11 - Involving Spouses in Ministry00:34:05 - Creating a Culture of Vulnerability00:35:09 - The Role of Surprise and Delight00:36:11 - Letting Young Adults Lead00:39:29 - Delegating Responsibility in Chick-fil-A00:40:39 - Building Trust Through Delegation00:41:26 - Adapting to Change in the YSA Ward00:42:18 - Embracing New Traditions in WorshipThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman,
Listen to the original interview.Brenda Angle is an author and a certified faith-based life coach and speaker who has also trained and certified 200 other faith-based life coaches. She has served as president of United Families for Arizona and as an NGO lobbyist at the United Nations. In her humanitarian work, she has served as vice president of Hearts and Hands for Humanity, vice president director of philanthropy for Legacy Giving Fund, and has traveled to Tanzania, Africa for eight years. At church, she has served as a Young Women president, Primary president, stake and ward Relief Society president, stake camp director, and as a service missionary teaching study skills at the Provo Missionary Training Center. Brenda is the mother of nine children and grandmother of 40.LinksGathering African Saints to the Temple | A How I Lead Interview with Brenda AngleMullyHearts and Hands for HumanityRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsBrenda tells about the remarkable project she spearheaded: organizing a temple trip for over 500 individuals from Tanzania to the Nairobi, Kenya temple during its open house.Brenda recounts how the idea for this trip blossomed from a small initiative to take a handful of people to the temple into a massive undertaking that involved 13 buses and more than 500 participants, including members of the church, investigators, and even orphans. The excitement grew rapidly, and with the help of the Leading Saints community we were able to raise significant funds to support this endeavor. Brenda shared her awe at the generosity of our audience, which allowed her to cover costs for transportation, lodging, and meals for all participants.The journey was fraught with obstacles, yet the spirit of the participants remained high and their gratitude was palpable. Brenda describes the emotional impact of the experience, especially for those who had never seen a temple before. She emphasizes the transformative power of the temple and how this trip will not only impact the individuals who attended but also strengthen The Church in Tanzania.00:01:41 - Brenda Angle's Humanitarian ProjectRecap of the previous interview with Brenda.00:04:22 - Planning the Temple TripBrenda discusses the initial idea and planning stages for taking people from Tanzania to the Nairobi Kenya temple.00:06:57 - Fundraising SuccessDetails on the overwhelming support and donations received from the Leading Saints audience to fund the trip.00:09:20 - Organizing the TripBrenda describes the logistics of organizing multiple buses and the challenges faced leading up to the trip.00:12:08 - Challenges on Departure DayAn account of the chaos and challenges encountered on the day of departure.00:15:20 - Arrival in NairobiThe experience of arriving in Nairobi, including accommodations and feeding the participants.00:17:03 - Experiencing the TempleDescribing the participants' experiences at the temple, including their reactions and feelings.00:20:32 - Diverse ParticipantsDiscussion on the demographics of the participants, including members, investigators, and orphans.00:22:24 - Temple Grounds and ActivitiesDetails about the activities on the temple grounds and the emotional impact on the participants.00:26:21 - Reflections on Leadership and OppositionBrenda shares insights on leadership challenges faced during the project and the spiritual lessons learned.The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay,
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets, The Elevated Leader, and Becoming Better. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton.LinksRyanGottfredson.comPersonal mindset assessmentVertical development assessmentRyan's books:Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal TransformationSuccess Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & LeadershipThe Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical DevelopmentPrevious podcasts with Ryan:What About Our Culture is Holding Us Back?Is There a Correlation Between Losing Faith and Moving?The Research Behind Becoming ChristlikeIs Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership?What Every Leader Should Consider About Community in Their WardArticles by Ryan at LeadingSaints.orgRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsRyan talks about personal development and becoming better leaders through understanding our own complexities and healing. He explores the science of sanctification and the difference between merely doing better and truly becoming better, focusing on our "being side"—the quality of our internal operating system—rather than just our "doing side," which encompasses our skills and knowledge. Learning this distinction can help leaders as they support others who are struggling in their lives.Ryan explains how our relationships with risk, failure, conflict, and even ourselves can reveal the quality of our being. Many leaders operate from a place of fear or insecurity, which can limit their effectiveness and impact. Ryan explores the concept of the "window of tolerance," which refers to our ability to manage stress and emotional responses. He explains how a narrow window can lead to reactivity, while a wider window allows for greater emotional regulation and resilience. Understanding this can help leaders create a supportive environment for their congregations. Ryan also encourages leaders to consider their own journeys and the areas where they may need healing.00:02:00 - The evolution of Ryan's books and the deepening of his leadership concepts00:05:00 - Mindsets and the difference between vertical and horizontal development in leadership00:07:00 - The Being Side vs. Doing Side: The importance of focusing on the "being" side of leadership for transformational growth00:09:00 - Connection between leadership principles and gospel teachings, emphasizing the importance of becoming00:10:30 - The role of personal healing in effective leadership and the importance of self-awareness00:12:00 - The window of tolerance and its relevance to emotional regulation00:15:00 - Personal complexity and its impact on leadership effectiveness00:20:00 - Exploration of emotional complexity and self-complexity in leaders00:25:00 - Examining leaders' relationships with risk, failure, and conflict as indicators of their health00:30:00 - Contrast between survival-focused leadership and purpose-driven leadership00:35:00 - Investigating the quality of relationships with self, others, and various challenges00:40:00 - The challenges of people-pleasing and its impact on leadership effectivenessThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2021.Jenny Reeder is a historian and writer, currently the nineteenth-century women’s history specialist at the Church History Department in the publications division, and was one of the first historians hired to specialize in women’s history. She holds a PhD in American history from George Mason University, specializing in women’s history, religious history, memory, and material culture. She also holds degrees from Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, and New York University.Jenny served a mission in Italy and has served three times as a ward Relief Society president, including when she was in graduate school and fighting leukemia. Jenny has collaborated on several books about Latter-day Saint women's history and is the author of First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith.LinksFirst: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith A Place to Belong: Reflections from Modern Latter-day Saint Women The Witness of Women: Firsthand Experiences and Testimonies from the Restoration At the Pulpit: 185 Years of Discourses by Latter-day Saint WomenRead the transcript of this podcastHighlights2:50 Writing her book about Emma Smith. Her goal was to write about her as a pillar of the Restoration and a significant founder of the Church with Joseph, and to make her a real woman and show how complicated her life was, her commitment, and her heartbreak. 5:20 So many members of the Church have been influenced to believe she was a fallen person because she did not come west with the other pioneers, but she retained her testimony and hers is a story of redemption. 7:45 Jenny's experience with cancer while serving as a Relief Society president during her time in graduate school at George Mason Participating in ward council from her hospital bed Visiting with less-active people and learning to receive service Sending emails and physical cards to people as she was prompted Finding her purpose outside of "not dying"15:15 Serving is an opportunity to learn, serve, and receive revelation in way you haven't before, and this can be a blessing in a difficult time. 19:00 The goals of RS were to provide relief and save souls. She found relief for herself as she provided relief to others, and came to understand the Atonement on a deeper level. 21:00 Developing relationships that continue: maintaining relationships from her old ward has been powerful for everyone as they have rallied together to support each other through difficult times. 23:00 The Church was never really organized until the Relief Society was organized. Having women involved is significant and they have Priesthood authority in their stewardship. The most beneficial experience is when they are recognized for that leadership and allowed to do what they can. 27:00 Emma's instructions in Doctrine and Covenants Section 25 Emma struggled with her role to teach and had to learn how to lead In Nauvoo Relief Society, you had to apply for membership. It was a step toward being able to participate in temple ordinances. Emma's role in creating the hymnbook, and being the first woman to receive her endowment She was called to be a support for Joseph: significance of the words "comfort" and "office", and of leaving her family to go with him and to stay with him36:50 The Relief Society was told to create offices to expand what they needed 39:00 Speaking up to have your voice heard: It was not normal for women to speak publicly in the 19th century, and even now women can be unaccustomed to speaking and leading Eliza R. Snow was asked to assist bishops and to instruct the sisters, but she was not accustomed to speaking out, but she learned how to do this and taught others how Relief Society was shut down and Eliza became the de facto Relief Society president before she was called by John Taylor, which was also after the death of Emma
Bill Luker served in the U.S. Army Reserve and was part of one of the first graduating classes in Computer Science from the University of Utah. He worked as a computer engineer/programmer for Sperry UNIVAC, Evans & Sutherland, and The Church. Bill has played the piano since age six and the organ since age 13, studying with two Tabernacle organists. He currently serves as a stake patriarch and assists the Tabernacle organists. He has previously served as a missionary in Ireland, a teacher, ward and stake organist, as a bishop and in multiple bishoprics, and as a stake president.Lynn Peterson is retired from the U.S. Air Force. He currently serves as a Primary chorister with his wife Cindy, and loves it. He has previously served as a missionary in the North British Mission, a Primary and Sunday School teacher, elders quorum president, stake high councilor, bishop, and in a stake presidency. He has also served three church service missions with the Salt Lake Cannery, Temple Square security, and the University of Utah First Stake.Rick Francom is Kurt's father. He served as a bishop twice, once in a newly-formed and highly-transitory ward that was made up entirely of apartments. He was one of the last bishops to be ordained by a member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles in the regular process of being called as a bishop.LinksRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsIn this episode we take a nostalgic journey back to the 1970s and 1980s, delving into the experiences, challenges, and dynamics of church leadership in a different era. We touch on various topics, including administrative tasks, welfare programs, the emotional toll of leadership, and the sometimes-unconventional challenges bishops faced.00:06:08 - Lynn Peterson's Bishopric ExperienceLynn shares his experience of being called as a bishop in 1980 and the transition to the new block schedule.00:07:40 - Bill Luker's Brief Bishopric TenureBill discusses his short time as bishop before being called as stake president.00:08:53 - Rick Francom's Journey as BishopRick recounts his experience of being called as a bishop at a young age and the challenges he faced.00:12:26 - Ordination by a General AuthorityRick shares the process of being ordained by an apostle and the significance of that experience.00:15:35 - Lynn's Unexpected CallLynn reflects on his unexpected call to be bishop and the learning curve that followed.00:17:09 - Bill's Stake Presidency CallBill shares his experience of being called as stake president shortly after serving as bishop.00:19:07 - Leadership ChallengesDiscussion on the feelings of inadequacy and the reliance on the Spirit in leadership roles.00:25:26 - Financial Concerns in LeadershipExploration of the financial challenges faced by church leaders in the 70s and 80s.00:28:12 - Budgeting and FundraisingDiscussion on the complexities of ward budgeting and fundraising efforts in the past.00:30:38 - Welfare and Assistance ProgramsInsights into the welfare system and how leaders managed assistance for members in need.00:33:02 - Administrative Tasks and Check WritingDiscussion on the administrative responsibilities of bishops, including cutting checks and managing funds.00:40:02 - Unique Welfare ExperiencesRick shares a memorable story about using fast offering funds in an unconventional way.00:42:06 - Personal Challenges of MembersBill reflects on the personal challenges faced by ward members and the emotional toll on leaders.00:43:34 - General Authority VisitsBill shares experiences with general authorities visiting the stake and the insights gained from those interactions.00:47:19 - Quarterly Conferences and TechnologyDiscussion on the historical context of stake conferences and the use of early computer technology for administration.The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints po...
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in June 2021.Mike Houghtaling was raised in Bellevue, Washington, and Raleigh, North Carolina, and served in the Argentina Cordoba Mission. He and his family have lived in Georgia for over 30 years. Since entering recovery, he served as a bishop’s counselor, a high councilor, and at the time of this recording was serving as the bishop of the Fayetteville Georgia YSA Ward. He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 37 years, most of those as an air traffic controller, retiring in 2019. Mike and his wife Andrea have five children and seven grandchildren. Mike tries to work his recovery just one day at a time.LinksODAAT coinsWarrior Heart retreatHeart of a Woman retreatIs Elders Quorum Working?Wild at Heart in Church Leadership | An Interview with Doug NielsenHeart of a Woman in Relief SocietyChurch resourcesRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsMike candidly shares his decades-long struggle with pornography addiction and the profound impact it has had on his life and leadership. He describes how the addiction served as an escape from underlying emotional difficulties rooted in his childhood, highlighting that pornography is often a symptom of deeper unmet needs rather than the core issue.A pivotal turning point came when Mike hit rock bottom after his wife discovered his secret. This led him to the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP). He emphasizes that recovery is an ongoing lifestyle, not a quick fix, and involves addressing the underlying wounds that fuel addictive behaviors.After years of sobriety, Mike was called to serve in various leadership positions. Throughout these callings, he has been remarkably open about his past, aiming to build trust and demonstrate that God's love and healing are available to everyone.Mike offers valuable advice for leaders. His story is a powerful testament to the possibility of healing and the transformative potential of vulnerability and understanding in leadership.Highlights00:04:52 - Description of Mike's YSA Ward00:05:48 - Mike's Personal Story00:07:38 - Spiritual Wounds from Imperfect Relationships00:10:27 - Development of Shame and Addiction00:12:23 - Early Bishop Interactions & Unhelpful Advice00:16:16 - Analogy: Quitting Smoking vs. Pornography00:18:18 - Realization: Pornography Isn't About Sex00:19:15 - The Nature and Root Causes of Addiction00:20:14 - Sobriety vs. Recovery00:20:32 - Leadership Focus: Behavior vs. Underlying Wounds00:22:33 - Rock Bottom00:26:40 - Hope: Bishop Suggests ARP Program00:29:03 - Deepening Involvement in 12-Step Recovery00:32:36 - Recovery Strategy: Face It, Replace It, Connect00:35:18 - Called as Bishopric Counselor00:39:16 - Called as YSA Bishop00:39:53 - Openness About Past with Leaders and Ward00:42:53 - Purpose of Sharing Story: Connection, Not Attention00:44:06 - Advice for New Bishops: Learn About Addiction (Attend ARP/AA)00:53:58 - Advice for Friends/Family: Love, Grace, Connect00:55:45 - Support for Spouses/Children of Addicts (The "True Victims")00:56:06 - Leaders: Support Spouses00:58:04 - Better Follower of Christ = Better LeaderThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman,
Brandon Doman was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, and graduated from Skyline High School. He was quarterback for Brigham Young University Football and then for the San Francisco 49ers. Brandon has since been BYU Football's quarterbacks coach and currently offensive coordinator. He is also president and co-owner of Leap Innovations, developing and manufacturing trailer hitches, precast decorative concrete landscape products, outdoor basketball hoops, pickleball nets, and outdoor lighting. Brandon is married to Alisha Barker and they have six children, ages nine through 23. He currently serves as stake president of the Alpine Utah YSA Stake.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsBrandon talks about the parallels between athletic and church leadership as a YSA stake president, and the principles that translate from sports to his current church role, emphasizing service and love in his leadership approach.The conversation delves into the impact of Brandon's high school coach, Roger Dupaix, and his unique coaching style, which instilled work ethic, consistency, and attention to detail. Brandon shares how these principles seamlessly transitioned to his college football experience at BYU under the legendary coach Lavell Edwards. He illustrates Lavell's unwavering leadership, delegation style, and the environment of trust he fostered among his coaches.Brandon reflects on his experience as a counselor in a married student ward bishopric while still playing at BYU—an early calling that provided valuable spiritual growth and a crucial perspective. Currently serving as a stake president for a young single adult stake, Brandon shares the unique aspects of this calling, including the transition to having young adults in all leadership positions. He notes the challenges faced by young adults today and how the stake strives to create a supportive and spiritually nourishing environment.The discussion explores the specifics of leading a YSA stake, including the geographic considerations and the collaborative approach with family stakes in calling bishops. Brandon emphasizes the role of the bishop and his wife as examples and guides for the young adults. He also discusses the dynamic with his counselors and the focus on temple ordinances and training. Brandon shares key principles, such as prioritizing the most important aspects and the constant need to adapt and learn. He highlights the valuable training provided by church leadership, the importance of finding and gathering all individuals, and his belief in the divine potential of each young adult to receive a full inheritance.00:00:00 - Introduction to YSA Leadership and Transition00:03:24 - Brandon Doman's Early Faith Development and Family Influence00:06:03 - Family Challenges and the Pursuit of Football Scholarships00:07:30 - The Role of Sports and Parental Involvement in Childhood00:13:05 - Influence of High School Coach Roger Dupe and His Principles00:15:49 - Transition to BYU Football and Lavell Edwards' Coaching00:20:48 - A Leadership Lesson from Lavell Edwards' Consistency00:23:19 - Lavell Edwards' Delegation and Trust in His Coaches00:24:53 - Early Church Leadership as a BYU Quarterback00:28:30 - Calling as a Stake President for Young Single Adults00:33:15 - Challenges and Needs of Young Adults in Today's World00:37:57 - Orienting Bishops in Young Single Adult Wards00:39:39 - The Role of Bishops and Their Wives as Examples00:41:26 - Dynamics with Stake Counselors and Focus on Temple Ordinances00:43:10 - Key Leadership Principles Learned as Stake President00:48:12 - Hope and Encouragement for Those Worrying About Young Adults00:54:54 - The Importance of Gathering and Finding EveryoneThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead.
Calvin Griffin was born in Northern Mississippi, where he grew up and attended high school and college. After graduation he became a franchisee of a successful national pizza chain in New Orleans, and also became engaged to Avemaria Champagne. President and Sister Griffin joined The Church one month apart from each other and have been faithful members for 37 years. They were both professionals in the pharmaceutical industry, and President Griffin worked as a senior category manager for a national pharmaceutical wholesale company. They have five children, ages 24 to 34 years.President Griffin has a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and His role as Savior & Redeemer. He has served in a stake mission presidency, as a ward mission leader, Sunday School teacher, Young Men basketball coach, in an elders quorum presidency and high priest group leadership, as a bishop and stake high councilor, and as a stake presidency counselor. He currently serves as president of the Denton, Texas stake, loves the gospel, and extends an invitation to all to come unto Christ.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsPresident Griffin shares his conversion story and leadership journey. He discusses his experiences as a leader and emphasizes the importance of aligning oneself with prophetic keys and the Spirit. President Griffin highlights the need to expect the unexpected in leadership. He also shares how he connects with and cares for his ward members, despite his busy calling.Highlights coming soonThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jennifer Rockwood is the first and only head coach for the Brigham Young University women's soccer team, a position she has held since 1989 after graduating from BYU. Her teams have over 450 wins and made the NCAA tournament 25 times in 31 years. She talks about her career path and the leadership principles she has relied upon in leading young adult women athletes. This podcast was recorded with a live audience on the 2025 BYU Cruise.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsCoach Rockwood shares her journey into coaching, her philosophy on leadership, team culture, and her experiences coaching at BYU for decades. She emphasizes the importance of leading within one's own personality, fostering a supportive team environment built on love and respect, and navigating the challenges of coaching young athletes. The conversation also touches on recruiting, dealing with parents, the impact of NIL, the transition to the Big 12 conference, and how her faith has influenced her coaching career.[05:03] Jennifer's Background and Journey into Coaching[05:49] Early Competitive Spirit[06:39] Playing Experience at BYU[08:52] Transition to Coaching at BYU[11:53] Influence of High School Coach[16:14] Engaging Young Single Adults (YSA)[17:31] The Importance of Involvement and Overcoming Failure[21:43] Navigating Intense Youth Sports and Church Activities[23:39] Parental Involvement and Pressure in Youth Sports[25:55] The Parent-Coach Relationship[28:17] Establishing and Maintaining Team Culture[29:27] Recruiting and Building Culture from the Start[31:18] Key Elements of Team Culture: Love and Respect[33:07] Leading Within Your Own Personality[35:47] Helping Struggling Players[37:22] One-on-One Interactions with Players[38:37] Dealing with Team Infighting and Maintaining Unity[40:34] Impact of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness)[42:20] Transition to the Big 12 Conference[44:51] Coaching Staff Roles and Coordination[46:53] Encouraging Support for BYU Women's Soccer[48:13] How Coaching Has Influenced FaithThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Amy Jo Schenewark holds a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Development and Training from Brigham Young University. She works as a 911 dispatcher and training officer. Amy has served as a ward Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary president, as a Seminary teacher, nursery leader, activity director, and counselor in stake Primary and Relief Society presidencies. She currently serves as a stake Relief Society president.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsComing soonThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Rick Reynolds is one of America's foremost authorities helping individuals and couples struggling with affairs and compulsive sexual behaviors, with over 30 years of experience and insight. He holds a master's degree in Social Work and is a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. Rick's company, Affair Recovery, offers anonymous online group support worldwide for those impacted by infidelity. Rick has authored numerous guides, curricula, and papers detailing reasons why people cheat, how couples can overcome the pain, heartache, and distrust, as well as ways to move forward, both individually and as a couple.LinksAffairRecovery.comTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsRick talks about the complexities of affairs within a Christian context. He shares his personal experience with infidelity [04:32]. He emphasizes the importance of honesty and seeking guidance from God [05:46]. Rick highlights the concept of "trickle truth" as particularly damaging [15:59]. He stresses the need for full disclosure to the betrayed spouse. They explore different types of affairs [12:04]. Rick also offers advice for church leaders on how to support couples dealing with infidelity [12:53].Rick explains that the betrayed spouse needs help with trauma and understanding [14:53]. He introduces the concept of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) [21:32]. This condition can significantly hinder the healing process. Rick shares effective treatment methods for trauma [25:29]. He also emphasizes the importance of community and support systems in recovery [33:34]. They discuss the timeline for healing from infidelity [37:14]. Rick also addresses the challenges of navigating relationships with affair partners [40:01].Rick shares his perspective on involving children in the disclosure process [43:13]. He advocates for prioritizing individual healing before focusing on saving the marriage [45:42]. They explore the reasons why people have affairs [53:39]. Rick also touches on the differences between men and women in affairs [58:21]. He underscores the importance of a strong recovery program for the wayward spouse [01:01:06]. Podcast Chapters00:04:32 - Rick's Personal Experience00:11:31 - Defining Infidelity00:12:53 - Advice for Church Leaders00:15:59 - The Danger of Trickle Truth00:21:32 - Understanding CPTSD00:25:29 - Treating Trauma00:33:34 - The Importance of Community00:37:14 - Timeline for Healing00:40:01 - Navigating Affair Partners00:43:13 - Involving Children00:45:42 - Prioritizing Individual Healing00:53:39 - Reasons for Affairs00:58:21 - Gender Differences in Affairs01:01:06 - The Importance of Recovery01:04:35 - Recommended Resources01:05:03 - The Role of FaithThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in April 2020.Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership and The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton.LinksRyanGottfredson.comSuccess Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Life, Work, and LeadershipThe Elevated Leader: Level Up Your Leadership Through Vertical DevelopmentTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsRyan explores the critical role of mindsets in effective leadership. Leaders often enter their roles with good intentions but may inadvertently create negative environments due to their mindsets. Ryan shares insights on how mindsets shape perceptions and behaviors, using examples from sports and personal experiences. He discusses the difference between closed and open mindsets, highlighting how a closed mindset can hinder effective leadership. He examines the prevention versus promotion mindset, illustrating how focusing on avoiding problems can stifle growth. The conversation encourages leaders to embrace open-mindedness and take calculated risks to foster engagement and positive change within their organizations, ultimately stressing the importance of having a clear vision to guide leadership efforts.05:45 Value of mindset in assuming leadership responsibilities; NFL example of good intentions gone awry. Leader impact on “subordinate” self-esteem. 11:15 Becoming awakened to our personal mindsets, e.g. homeless individuals15:00 Do we perceive our leaders as doing their best? Bias towards our personal perceptions vs openness to other possibilities. Unintentional damage to team/group/congregation members. 18:39 Mindset in conducting successful meetings. Chrysler/Lee Iacocca case study. Desire to look good, be right, avoid problems and get ahead are self-focused, negative self-protection modes. We should want to learn and grow, find truth, reach goals, and lift others. 24:05 We limit ourselves by believing our opinions count more than others. 26:00 Decision making becomes stunted if we are closed. Do we desire to be the person with all the answers who minimizes the perspectives of others? Do people feel psychological safety in the group? 31:20 Do we allow formal handbooks to stifle our creativity?32:50 Prevention mindset vs risk taking. Fleeing to safe comfort zone may not lead to original destination. 36:40 Sacrament meeting mindset40:30 Comfort-focused vs intention focused. Are the people in the group growing? Do we deem our bucket so full we cannot pour anything else into it by way of considering avenues for growth? 44:00 How do we know if people in the organization are engaged and growing? What drives engagement? Do stakeholders feel their opinions matter? Gallup study reveals 30% of workforce feels truly engaged. 50:15 Only 5% of mindset survey respondents find themselves in the top quartile. There is no correlation among the four mindsets. Failure avoidance leads to wanting to look good as opposed to learning/growing. 50% of population has fixed mindset. Spiritually, are sanctification and tapping into the Spirit more difficult with a closed mindset about self? Having faith to “lean into” difficult situations. 1:00:37 Consider crucial conversations with leaders whose closed mindset is negatively impacting the organization. “I Hear You” by Michael Sorensen will improve your emotional intelligence. 1:03:53 Are we closed-minded in thinking our leader has a closed mindset?
Braeden Jensen is a Mental Health Counselor and previously worked as a full-time Seminary teacher. Spending seven years in a high school classroom opened his eyes to a number of things. It changed his ability to listen and sharpened his aptitude for empathy. The more he sat with and listened to students, the more he saw and felt how many people are hurting in very real ways.At the same time, Braeden considered how therapy had helped him find hope and healing. The puzzle pieces quickly came together: "You can help more people in some tangible, substantial ways." After pursuing his Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree, he recently left the classroom full-time to find more fulfillment in helping others enjoy freedom, peace, and healing. He loves seeing people overcome trauma, depression, anxiety, and addiction, and heal their relationships along the way.Braeden shares insights on connecting with youth and helping them navigate their emotions and spiritual journeys. Driven by a desire to provide deeper support, Braeden discusses his transition from teaching seminary to becoming a therapist. He emphasizes emotional literacy, authenticity, and creating safe spaces for youth to express their feelings. Braeden highlights the importance of understanding the youth psyche, addressing issues like pornography, anxiety, and depression. He advocates for integrating emotional awareness in church settings and modeling authenticity for youth, showing it's okay to express struggles and emotions openly. Braeden also discusses surrendering control, trusting in God's plan, changing prayers to invite God into our story, and continuously learning about God.LinksBraedenJensen.com@braejensen on InstagramTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlights03:57 - Braeden's Career Transition06:45 - Creating Safe Spaces for Youth11:45 - Understanding Youth Psyche18:53 - Emotional Literacy24:30 - Integrating Emotional Awareness in Church Settings34:38 - Authenticity and Vulnerability44:57 - Surrender and Trust in God48:07 - Changing Prayers50:24 - Modeling Authenticity56:33 - Continuous Learning about GodThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kristy Wheelwright Taylor serves as the board secretary for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation and helps with transcription and writing on the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. Her book, Prepare Me for Thy Use: Lessons from Wilford Woodruff's Mission Years, will be published on May 12 by Deseret Book and BYU's Religious Studies Center. Kristy has a masters degree in Humanities from Brigham Young University and has worked as an English Instructor at Purdue University, a copy editor, technical writer, travel writer, and historical researcher and writer. She has enjoyed serving in a variety of callings in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, family history, and the stake communications council; she currently serves as the stake Relief Society president in Trophy Club, Texas.LinksPrepare Me for Thy Use: Lessons from Wilford Woodruff's Mission YearsDeveloping Wilford Woodruff as a Leader | An Interview with Steven WheelwrightTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsThis discussion highlights the Wilford Woodruff Papers project, which aims to compile and make accessible all writings related to Woodruff. Kristy shares her family's connection to this project and her experiences as a stake Relief Society president in Texas.Kristy emphasizes the importance of unity among Church leaders and fostering doctrinal confidence among women. She encourages open discussions about challenging topics, such as garments and temple recommends, to help leaders feel prepared. By sharing personal stories and insights from Wilford Woodruff, Kristy illustrates how sincere testimonies can strengthen relationships within the Church. She highlights the beauty of the plan of salvation and the joy it brings to those who follow Jesus Christ.05:03 - Connection to Wilford Woodruff06:56 - The Wilford Woodruff Papers Project09:08 - Overview of Kristy's Book10:00 - Kristy's Role as Stake Relief Society President11:07 - Support from Stake Leadership11:47 - Changes in Stake Leadership Sundays12:47 - Demographics of the Stake12:49 - Engaging with the Wards14:31 - Building Relationships with Ward Leaders15:38 - Common Challenges in Relief Society19:29 - Unity in Leadership20:36 - Importance of Sincere Testimonies22:42 - Fostering Doctrinal Confidence27:26 - Encouraging Open Discussions29:49 - Addressing Hard Questions32:24 - Collaborating with Other Leaders36:21 - Normalizing Difficult Conversations40:36 - The Role of Problem Solving in LeadershipThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brian J. Willoughby, Ph.D. is a professor in the School of Family Life at Brigham Young University and a research fellow at The Wheatley Institute. He received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from BYU and masters and doctoral degrees in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota. Brian's research generally focuses on how adolescents, young adults, and adults move toward and form long-term committed relationships, and has been widely cited in the media. He is also the author of The Millennial Marriage and The Marriage Paradox: Why Emerging Adults Love Marriage Yet Push it Aside. Brian and his wife Cassi have been married for 23 years and they have four children.LinksWheatley Institute research reportsAddressing PornographyTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsKurt and Brian discuss the complexities of pornography use within religious contexts. Brian emphasizes that young adults will encounter pornography, often leading to shame and guilt. He highlights the importance of understanding the motivations behind pornography use, which can range from curiosity to emotional coping mechanisms.Brian also addresses the stigma surrounding addiction labels. He explains that only about 10% of users experience compulsive behavior, while many others face problematic use. Church leaders should focus on creating a safe environment for youth to discuss these issues. By asking questions about triggers and providing coping strategies, leaders can help youth navigate their experiences. Brian encourages a balanced approach to discussing pornography, emphasizing hope, understanding, and the potential for growth through repentance.03:35 - Brian Willoughby's Expertise in Pornography Research04:26 - Overview of BYU and the Wheatley Institute05:57 - Research Impact on Policy and Society06:57 - Teaching Future Therapists and Family Studies07:37 - The Stigma of Pornography in Religious Contexts08:50 - Understanding the Broader Impact of Pornography09:51 - Meta-Analyses and Key Findings on Pornography11:38 - The Concept of Addiction and Compulsive Behavior12:58 - Potential for DSM Inclusion of Hypersexual Disorder13:47 - Brain Chemistry and Pornography Use15:29 - Distinction Between Addictive and Problematic Use17:34 - Scripting Expectations from Pornography19:24 - Social Media and Its Impact on Mental Health20:34 - The Need for Open Conversations About Pornography21:09 - The Role of Church Leaders in Addressing Pornography22:13 - The Importance of Avoiding Labels of Addiction23:47 - Understanding Youth Experiences with Pornography25:56 - The Normative Context of Pornography Use27:06 - Creating Positive Conversations Around Pornography28:51 - The Role of Fear and Anxiety in Youth Discussions30:05 - Normalizing Sin and Repentance31:04 - Distinction Between Guilt and Shame34:02 - Motivating Youth Through Guilt vs. Shame36:57 - The Importance of Understanding Triggers39:11 - Building Coping Skills for Youth41:27 - Final Thoughts on Support and GuidanceThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Ned McArthur is a fellow of the International Board of Functional Neurology, was in private practice as a chiropractor in Orem, Utah, for 25 years, and now works with Integrated Pain Specialists, a multidisciplinary pain clinic in South Jordan, Utah. He served a mission in Dallas, Texas, and has served in the Church as an elders quorum president, ward executive secretary, ward mission leader, Young Men president, Varsity Scout leader, and youth Sunday School teacher. He currently serves as priests quorum high adventure specialist, as a Primary teacher, and a temple worker.LinksScriptures referenced in this podcast: Moses 6:63, 1 Nephi 18:3Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsNed explores the importance of high adventure activities in developing character and spiritual growth among youth. He shares his journey in youth leadership, emphasizing the need for proactive communication with parents and the significance of creating a supportive environment. He highlights the planning process for high adventure experiences, including engaging youth in decision-making and preparing them through various activities. Ned also discusses the spiritual aspects of these adventures, encouraging youth to find Jesus in their experiences. He shares personal anecdotes that illustrate how these activities foster camaraderie and personal growth.02:51 - Exploring High Adventure Activities05:08 - Ned's Background in Young Mens Leadership10:10 - The Importance of Proactive Leadership12:13 - Developing a High Adventure Program16:05 - Planning Party for Youth Activities20:52 - Preparing for the Backpacking Adventure24:36 - Budgeting for High Adventure Activities26:10 - Effective Communication with Parents30:02 - Engaging with Parents for Support32:10 - Finding Jesus in High Adventure38:43 - The Power of Prayer in Activities42:15 - Building a Supportive Culture Among YouthThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
John Eldredge is a New York Times bestselling author, counselor, and teacher who has inspired millions to go deeper in their relationship with Jesus. He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's kingdom. John and his wife, Stasi, live in Colorado Springs, Colorado. His new book, Experience Jesus. Really. is available now.LinksReconnecting with God as a Distracted Church Leader | An Interview with John EldredgeHelping Others Restore Personal Worship & Connection with God | An Interview with John EldredgeExperience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder through Everyday Encounters with GodWild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s SoulWildatHeart.orgTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsJohn shares insights from his extensive background as a therapist and author. He encourages listeners to embrace a more experiential relationship with God. John argues that many Christians overlook the importance of intimacy with the divine, often focusing too heavily on intellectual understanding. By inviting God into everyday decisions, individuals can cultivate a deeper spiritual life and seek joy and connection with God in their daily lives.01:50 - Introduction of John Eldredge02:30 - John's Background and Work04:00 - Impact of "Wild at Heart"05:00 - Evolving Insights on Men's Needs06:30 - Addressing Modern Challenges for Men08:00 - The Importance of Validation for Men09:30 - Engaging Men in Spiritual Discussions11:00 - Check-in Practices for Men's Groups12:30 - Spectrogram Activity Reflection14:00 - Addressing the "I'm Fine" Mentality15:30 - Entry Points for Men's Retreats17:00 - Importance of Purpose and Meaning18:00 - Introduction to "Experience Jesus Really"19:30 - The Trilogy of John's Books20:30 - The Need for Experiential Faith22:00 - The Impact of Internet Life on Spirituality23:30 - Seeking Rest in God25:00 - The Role of Desire in Spiritual Life26:30 - The Concept of Spiritual Amphibians28:00 - Inviting God into Daily Life29:30 - The Importance of Mysticism in Faith31:00 - Understanding Mysticism in Christianity32:30 - The Need for Experiential Connection with God34:00 - Ordinary Mystics and Childlike Wonder35:30 - The Relationship Between Left and Right Brain37:00 - The Role of Relational Connection in Faith38:30 - Reframing Mysticism as Experiential Faith40:00 - Finding God in Creation41:30 - Communing with God Through Worship43:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Experiencing GodThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Adam Broderick served a mission in Kyiv, Ukraine. He went on to earn a PhD in Chemical Engineering, and is a devoted husband and father of four. Adam was recently released as an elders quorum president, has previously served as a counselor in the bishopric, ward mission leader, and stake Young Men counselor, and has just been called as stake Sunday School president. Adam enjoys outdoor adventures like peak bagging, rock climbing, backpacking, ice climbing, and canyoneering. A runner and cyclist, he also enjoys playing the piano.LinksThe Art of Gathering, by Priya ParkerRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsAdam reflects on his three years as elders quorum president, recalling the initial challenge of revitalizing a stagnant quorum after the pandemic. His quorum includes a diverse mix of young adults and seniors, which made fostering meaningful connections essential. To lead effectively, Adam prioritized creating a safe space for open discussions, believing connection must come before impactful gospel instruction. He shares practical strategies, such as beginning meetings with personal check-ins and setting ground rules to encourage trust and honesty. These efforts helped members feel heard and valued.The discussion shifts to ministering, where Adam stresses the importance of building personal connections during interviews. Instead of administrative check-ins, he promotes genuine conversations about members' lives to create a culture of support and vulnerability. Adam also introduced interest-based activities outside regular meetings, which strengthened camaraderie. Additionally, informal tools like WhatsApp have kept members connected and supported between gatherings, enhancing the sense of community.04:10 - Adam's Location and Temple Proximity05:17 - Adam's Profession and Role06:02 - Adam's Experience as Elders Quorum President07:06 - Challenges of Reintegrating After COVID08:02 - Demographics of the Quorum08:59 - Meeting Locations and Challenges09:46 - Initial Steps as Elders Quorum President10:50 - Focus on Ministering Assignments12:05 - Building Connection and Unity13:10 - Moving from Ideal to Reality in Lessons18:30 - Importance of Vulnerability in Discussions20:12 - Engaging Different Groups in Lessons24:51 - Real-Life Example: Discussing Blessings30:01 - Connection Precedes Meaningful Instruction30:44 - Creating Ground Rules for Safety35:03 - Connection Outside Sunday Meetings39:58 - Interest-Based Micro Groups40:33 - Managing Activities and Engagement41:22 - Using WhatsApp for Communication44:40 - Ministering to the Ministers47:51 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
What if your elders quorum could be completely transformed? One elders quorum president has a bold new vision that could reshape Latter-day Saint priesthood meetings, service efforts, and quorum unity. Hayden Holm, co-host of Salty Saints, and guest Daniel Ockey—an Elders Quorum president from Charlotte, North Carolina—shares an innovative approach to revitalizing the elders quorum experience. Daniel's bold new vision could reshape meetings, service efforts, and quorum unity, potentially changing ward culture, ministering, and priesthood responsibilities for the better. This is a rebroadcast of the original conversation from Salty Saints.LinksRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsDaniel shares his experiences in his newly formed ward, where he describes the challenges of leading a smaller elders quorum that lacked teachers and faced a diverse demographic, from new fathers to retirees.Daniel candidly reflects on his own disillusionment with traditional elders quorum meetings, which often felt unengaging and disconnected. Inspired by a Christian men's group he attended, he implemented a round-table format with snacks to foster socialization and brotherhood among the members. This approach encourages men to bond over food and engage in meaningful discussions, breaking away from the typical lecture-style meetings. Daniel also introduced anonymous surveys to identify the needs and challenges faced by the brethren, allowing for more relevant and impactful discussions during meetings. He shares examples of the types of questions raised, such as concerns about worthiness to take the sacrament and the struggle of helping children return to church.The episode emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming and engaging environment in elders quorum, where members feel comfortable sharing their struggles and seeking support. Daniel's initiatives have led to increased attendance and participation, with even members from other wards joining in. He encourages other elders quorum presidencies to seek inspiration through prayer and to be open to change, ultimately aiming to create a more vibrant and supportive community within the church.01:55 - Introduction to Salty Saints YouTube Channel02:38 - Interview with Daniel Oki, Elders Quorum President03:46 - Description of Daniel's Ward and Elders Quorum05:05 - Discussion on the Demographics of the Ward06:43 - Daniel's Experience with Elders Quorum08:15 - Changing the Elders Quorum Experience08:49 - Implementing Round Tables and Snacks10:43 - Creating a Comfortable Social Environment12:27 - Importance of Engaging Discussions13:42 - Anonymous Surveys for Needs and Challenges15:05 - Addressing Difficult Questions in Elders Quorum16:15 - Moving Beyond Fluff in Lessons17:15 - Utilizing Church Resources for Discussions18:04 - Positive Changes in Elders Quorum Attendance19:28 - Daniel's Approach to Leadership and Change21:09 - Engagement and Feedback from the Relief Society22:07 - Setting Up and Taking Down Tables24:07 - Positive Reception from High Priests25:12 - Sisters' Reactions to the Changes26:09 - Advice for Elders Quorum Presidencies29:34 - Encouragement for Elders Seeking ConnectionThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson,
Justin Dyer received BA in Marriage and Family from Brigham Young University and a Master's and Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also has expertise in statistics. Justin is a professor of religion at BYU, teaching religion and family classes, and focuses his research on religion and mental health. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed studies in scholarly journals.Justin has served in various Church callings including full-time missionary in Brazil, Primary teacher, early morning Seminary teacher, Young Men leader, and bishop. He currently serves as a ward missionary. Most importantly, Justin has been married for 22 years and has six children whom he loves to inundate with the most recent, intriguing research graphs he has created.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsJustin talks about toxic perfectionism, particularly within the context of Latter-day Saints. He shares his research findings, which challenge the common belief that Latter-day Saints are inherently more prone to toxic perfectionism than individuals from other religious backgrounds. He explains that while 12% of Latter-day Saint youth exhibit high levels of toxic perfectionism, this figure is lower than the 20% found among atheists and agnostics, suggesting that toxic perfectionism is a broader human tendency rather than a specific issue tied to religious beliefs.The conversation delves into the nuances of perfectionism, distinguishing between healthy striving for high standards and the detrimental effects of toxic perfectionism, which can lead to feelings of worthlessness and shame. Justin emphasizes the importance of fostering a secure attachment to God, which can mitigate feelings of toxic perfectionism. He highlights the role of parents and leaders in creating an environment of love and support, rather than shame, to help youth navigate their identities and self-worth. The episode also addresses the challenges faced by LGBTQ youth within religious contexts, advocating for a compassionate approach that maintains the value of religious teachings while providing necessary support. The conversation underscores the significance of identity and the need for leaders and parents to remind youth of their inherent worth as children of God, encouraging them to strive for high standards without the burden of toxic perfectionism.01:41 - Introduction of Justin Dyer and Research Focus02:56 - Exploring Toxic Perfectionism03:41 - Research Intent and Methodology05:12 - Understanding Toxic Perfectionism06:48 - Healthy vs. Toxic Perfectionism09:46 - Impact of Perfectionism on Identity10:33 - Balancing Standards and Self-Worth12:06 - The Role of Perfectionism in Religious Context13:13 - Addressing Youth and Leadership Dynamics14:03 - The Challenge of Leadership Messaging16:44 - Data Insights on Toxic Perfectionism20:06 - The Role of Religion in Mental Health22:44 - Encouraging a Positive Gospel Experience24:33 - Parenting and Toxic Perfectionism in Youth27:01 - The Importance of Love in Parenting28:51 - The Impact of Parental Relationships on Identity30:41 - Navigating Adolescence and Identity32:27 - The Dangers of Silent Suffering34:13 - Encouraging Healthy Standards in Youth36:36 - Addressing LGBTQ Dynamics in Religious Context38:10 - The Importance of Individualized Support40:06 - Adult Experiences with Toxic Perfectionism42:29 - Building a Secure Relationship with GodThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2020.David Butler is a religious educator at Utah Valley University. He also cohosts the popular YouTube scripture study channel Don't Miss This and is the author of many religious books, including Almighty: How the Most Powerful Being in the Universe Is Also Your Loving Father, Redeemer: Who He Is and Who He Will Always Be, and Spirit: The Gift that Connects You to Heaven. David has previously served as a bishop. He and his wife Jenny are the parents of six children.LinksDon't Miss This Instagram: @mrdavebutler Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy Books by David Butler Y Religion podcast Seekers Wanted | An Interview with Anthony Sweat Church Doctrine, Policy, & Leadership | An Interview with Prof. Anthony SweatRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsDave shares his journey into teaching, which began unexpectedly during his college years when he took a class on teaching the gospel. Despite initially vowing never to become a teacher, he found himself drawn to the profession, particularly in the context of teaching youth and sharing the gospel. Dave reflects on his experiences as a bishop, discussing how he approached leadership with a focus on people rather than programs. He emphasizes the importance of creating a meaningful sacrament meeting experience that fosters a deeper connection with God, rather than adhering strictly to traditional formats.Throughout the episode, Dave challenges the conventional norms of church leadership and encourages listeners to question established practices. He advocates for a people-centered approach, urging leaders to consider the needs of their congregations and to innovate rather than simply follow the unwritten rules. The discussion also touches on the significance of the Come Follow Me program, with Dave suggesting that it should be viewed as a resource rather than a rigid program. He encourages families to focus on their unique needs and to create their own meaningful experiences in scripture study, ultimately aiming to foster a deeper love for God and each other.04:04 - Dave's Journey into Teaching06:12 - Unexpected Path to Teaching10:03 - Balancing Teaching and Leadership12:26 - Embracing Individuality in Leadership13:04 - Questioning the Status Quo20:20 - Focusing on People Over Programs24:02 - Creating a Meaningful Sacrament Meeting28:07 - Innovative Approaches to Sacrament Meeting32:50 - Collaborating with Stake Leadership36:17 - The Importance of Individual Worship40:50 - Grace in the Come Follow Me Program42:43 - Viewing Come Follow Me as a Resource45:00 - Interview with Anthony SweatThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Gary Miller is the host of the "Hope In Him Today" and "Outside The Lane" podcasts. Before joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as an independent fundamental Baptist pastor. He spent 11 years in the United States Air Force, dividing his time between critical care medicine and professional development training as a master military training instructor. He holds a B.S. from Wayland Baptist University and studied theology at Liberty Theological Seminary. Currently, he works as a director of marketing for a Salt Lake City-based insurance firm and serves as a stake high councilor in the Katy Texas Stake. He and his wife, Crystal, live in Katy, Texas, with their four children. You’ll likely find him at a NASCAR race somewhere when he's not doing these things.LinksFrom Baptist Preacher to Latter-day Saint | An Interview with Gary MillerHope in Him Today podcastRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsThis conversation delves into Gary's journey of faith, focusing on the challenges and triumphs he has experienced as he navigates the cultural differences between his previous faith and his new one. Gary shares insights into the complexities of conversion, emphasizing that it is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires time and reflection.Throughout the episode, Gary discusses the significance of the temple in his faith journey, highlighting how his understanding evolved from initial confusion to a deeper appreciation for its role in connecting him to Jesus Christ. He stresses the importance of personal connections and clear messaging when discussing the temple, advocating for a focus on the principles of Jesus rather than the mystique often surrounding the temple experience. Gary also addresses the challenges of being perceived as a newcomer in the faith, noting the need for patience and understanding as individuals navigate their spiritual journeys at their own pace.02:08 - Gary's Journey from Baptist Minister to Latter-day Saint03:01 - Conversation Dynamics Between Friends04:11 - Life Updates from Gary Miller05:44 - The Complexity of Conversion Stories06:34 - Cultural vs. Theological Conversion09:14 - The Ongoing Nature of Conversion10:27 - The Binary Nature of Faith Commitment12:14 - The Importance of Personal Reflection in Faith13:18 - Navigating the Journey of Faith15:23 - The Cage Stage of New Believers18:12 - The Need for Quiet Reflection19:08 - Balancing Old and New Faith Communities21:00 - Building a Foundation in Faith22:33 - The Role of the Temple in Conversion25:49 - Personal Connections and Understanding the Temple29:06 - The Temple as a Place of Worship30:40 - Messaging the Importance of the Temple32:07 - The Need for Authentic and Simple Messaging34:01 - Engaging with Old Friends about the Temple36:29 - The Gravity of Worship in the Temple37:34 - Current Calling and Church Involvement38:32 - Gary's Podcasting Journey41:08 - Balancing ScriptureThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences,
Brenda Angle has served as a Young Women president, Primary president, stake and ward Relief Society president, stake camp director, and as a service missionary teaching study skills at the Provo Missionary Training Center. She is an author and a certified faith-based life coach and speaker who has also trained and certified 200 other faith-based life coaches. Brenda has served as president of United Families for Arizona and as an NGO lobbyist at the United Nations. In her humanitarian work, she has served as vice president of Hearts and Hands for Humanity, vice president director of philanthropy for Legacy Giving Fund, and has traveled to Tanzania, Africa for eight years. She is the mother of nine children and grandmother of 40.LinksNairobi Temple Open House Trip FundraiserListen to the follow-up interview: Thank You For Supporting Tanzanian Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Brenda AngleWhy Not Me?Breaking the Yokes that Bind UsMullyHearts and Hands for HumanityFaith-Based Life Coaching AcademyRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsBrenda shares her journey of navigating leadership within the Latter-day Saint community after experiencing divorce. She reflects on her personal struggles and the feelings of being sidelined in the church community post-divorce, emphasizing the importance of empathy and connection for those facing similar challenges. Brenda recounts her experiences of feeling isolated and the transformative power of service, which ultimately led her to take on leadership roles, including serving as a stake Relief Society president.Brenda also discusses her humanitarian work in Eastern Africa, where she has been involved in various projects, including drilling wells and empowering young women through education. She shares her excitement about the recent announcement of a temple in Nairobi, Kenya, and the unique challenges faced by members in Africa who may not fully understand the significance of the temple. Brenda is organizing a trip for Latter-day Saints from Tanzania to attend the temple's open house, aiming to deepen their understanding of its importance and encourage them to pursue their own temple ordinances. Throughout the episode, Brenda emphasizes the need for church leaders to reach out consistently to those who are struggling, fostering a sense of belonging and community.05:02 - Brenda's Mission to Help Struggling Saints06:22 - Common Struggles Among Latter-day Saints07:24 - Navigating Life's Messiness07:47 - Brenda's Books and Their Themes08:44 - The Question of "Why Me?"09:09 - Brenda's Journey Through Divorce10:27 - The Challenge of Being a Divorced Leader11:07 - The Social Dynamics of Divorce in the Church12:14 - The Importance of Presence and Support13:05 - The Need for Connection in Leadership14:28 - The Experience of Being Sidelined15:18 - Finding Purpose After Divorce16:10 - The Role of Service in Healing17:23 - The Impact of Leadership on Others18:25 - The Importance of Empathy in Leadership19:46 - The Value of Non-Formal Callings21:05 - The Need for Consistent Outreach22:06 - Brenda's Humanitarian Work in Africa23:32 - The Joy of Serving in Africa25:00 - The Dynamics of the Church in Africa26:06 - The Need for Understanding and Support27:32 - The Excitement of the Nairobi Temple Announcement29:05 - Preparing Members for the Temple Experience30:30 - The Logistics of the Temple Trip32:00 - Fundraising for the Temple Trip33:40 - The Importance of Empowering Local Members34:40 - Observations on the Church's Growth in Africa34:50 - The Need for Cultural Sensitivity in Leadership37:00 - The Significance of the Nairobi Temple39:00 - Engaging Members in the Temple Experience40:00 - Planning for the Temple Trip LogisticsThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Sain...
Rabbi Chaim Zippel was born and raised in nearby Salt Lake City, and is the first-Utah born Chabad Rabbi. He attended Yeshivas in California and New York, and has extensive experience in outreach work and youth programming all over the country. Rabbi Chaim & Esty Zippel moved to Lehi, Utah in 2022 to launch Chabad of Utah County. Chabad of Utah County is dedicated to promoting and strengthening Jewish awareness, pride, and observance, by providing educational, cultural, and social services to all Jewish individuals regardless of background, philosophy or level of commitment. The fundamental principle of Chabad is unconditional love and acceptance of every Jew.LinksJewishUtahCounty.comInstagram: @jewishutahcountyFacebook: @jewishutahcountyTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsRabbi Chaim Zippel, co-director of the Chabad of Utah County, shares about the unique experience of being Jewish in a predominantly Latter-day Saint community. He shares insights into the mission of Chabad, which aims to create a welcoming environment for Jewish individuals moving to Utah County, providing them with a space to gather, learn, and grow in their faith. The conversation delves into the differences between Jewish and Latter-day Saint practices, particularly regarding community engagement and religious observance. Rabbi Chaim explains that while prayer services may not attract large crowds, community events and educational opportunities are highly valued. He recounts his family's journey to Utah, highlighting the challenges and rewards of establishing a Jewish presence in the area.The discussion also touches on the complexities of Jewish dietary laws and the importance of understanding the rationale behind religious practices, emphasizing that some commandments are followed simply because they are divinely ordained. Rabbi Chaim reflects on the supportive nature of the Latter-day Saint community, noting that Utah County is one of the least anti-Semitic places he has experienced. He shares anecdotes about community support during challenging times, illustrating the strong interfaith relationships that have developed.03:35 - Rabbi Chaim's Background and Role04:07 - Overview of Chabad in Utah County05:03 - Community Focus vs. Traditional Services06:23 - Jewish Community Dynamics in Utah07:27 - Rabbi Chaim's Journey to Utah09:03 - Family Background and Chabad Movement10:40 - The Need for Jewish Presence in Utah County12:02 - Rabbi's Outreach to Jewish Youth12:35 - Community Support and Anti-Semitism in Utah21:05 - The Role of a Rabbi and Path to Leadership23:02 - Conversion and Personal Journeys in Faith30:03 - Understanding Jewish Laws and Practices32:31 - Experiences and Testimonies in Faith36:25 - Conversion Perspectives in Judaism40:06 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts on FaithThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council,
Jon Holdaway was born and raised in Pleasant Grove, Utah. He served in the Korea Seoul Mission, where he met Sister Juliette Landsem. They have two children. Jon graduated from Brigham Young University and BYU Law, and served in the Utah Army National Guard. He later became an Army JAG officer with assignments including Charlottesville, Virginia, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Darmstadt, Germany, where he also served in church leadership roles including bishopric member, high council member, and stake mission president.After leaving the Army, Jon moved to Los Angeles and practiced law while serving as bishop in the Venice/Marina del Rey area. He later returned to government service, working in the national security field for 12 years and serving in various church leadership roles, including high priest group leader and stake young men president. Jon and his wife moved to Korea in 2020, where he works as a senior civilian attorney and legal advisor to the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and U.S. Forces Command. He currently serves as president of the Seoul Korea Military District.LinksTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsJon shares shares insights from his unique leadership role within a transient community of military personnel and their families, highlighting the challenges of leading in a district where members frequently move, often serving in leadership positions for only a short time. He discusses the importance of revelation in leadership, emphasizing that leaders must be proactive in seeking divine guidance and making timely decisions. Jon shares personal anecdotes about his journey to Korea, his military background, and the diverse community he serves, which includes members from various countries and backgrounds.Throughout the conversation, Jon stresses the significance of ministering to individual leaders and ensuring their well-being, particularly in high-pressure environments. He explains how he fosters a culture of quick adaptation and responsiveness, encouraging leaders to "do something" rather than wait for perfect conditions. The episode also touches on the importance of having a clear mission statement and aligning efforts with the priorities set by church leadership, such as focusing on the rising generation, missionary work, and temple service. Jon's experiences illustrate the necessity of building momentum in leadership roles, even amidst constant change, and the value of creating a supportive environment where leaders can thrive.05:04 - Jon Holdaway's Journey to Korea06:03 - Military Background and Current Role07:10 - Personal Connection to Korea08:02 - Career Path and Revelatory Process10:12 - Unique Calling as District President11:00 - Reporting Structure in the Military District12:36 - Coverage and Responsibilities of the District13:43 - Diversity in the Military District17:52 - Interaction with Korean Stakes19:09 - Managing Transient Leadership20:05 - Importance of Revelatory Leadership25:16 - Coaching New Leaders on Revelation30:20 - The Need for Quick Decision-Making32:31 - Building Momentum in Leadership35:35 - Aligning with Prophetic Priorities37:10 - Customizing Efforts for Branch Needs39:18 - Feedback and Improvement in Meetings44:05 - The Importance of Quality MeetingsThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B.
Frank Schwartz is a husband—for nearly 24 years—and a father of three girls. He was recently released from his elders quorum presidency and has served in several bishoprics, elders quorum presidencies, high councils, high priest group leaderships and Young Men presidencies (back when those were a thing), and a variety of other callings over the years.Frank did undergraduate and graduate work in Psychology and worked in television before starting a small, boutique, corporate communications firm. Most recently he has worked for a client in the healthcare payments space. Frank joined F3 in 2014 and has served in the national leadership in different capacities prior to taking over as Nant’an/CEO last year.Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab communityLinksF3 NationWarrior Heart retreatsRead the transcript of this podcastHighlightsFrank shares his personal journey with F3, which began when he was encouraged by friends to join a workout group after facing health issues. He describes F3 as a community that not only promotes physical fitness but also fosters deep connections among men, encouraging them to support one another through challenges. The organization operates on five core principles: it is free, open to all men, conducted outdoors, peer-led, and concludes with a "circle of trust" where participants share personal struggles and support each other.Frank highlights the parallels between F3 and church leadership, particularly in how both rely on lay leadership and the importance of influence over authority. He discusses the decentralized nature of F3, where local groups operate independently while adhering to shared values, and emphasizes the transformative power of brotherhood and accountability in personal growth. Listen for insights on how church leaders, especially elders quorum presidents, can learn from and leverage F3 to enhance fellowship and support among men in their congregations, ultimately fostering a stronger sense of community and purpose.04:03 - Frank Schwartz's Background05:26 - What is F3?07:33 - The Founding of F312:16 - Personal Journey to F316:35 - The Structure and Cadence of F3 Workouts19:00 - Finding and Starting an F3 Group21:30 - Leadership vs. Management in F325:07 - The Importance of Lay Leadership30:14 - Starting Your Own F3 Group36:23 - Inclusivity for All Fitness Levels37:42 - Building Authentic Fellowship in F3The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Courtney Bush lives in the Utah Area, married her high school sweetheart, and together they have two kids. She graduated from Brigham Young University in Early Childhood Education and has a deep love for teaching and helping children. During her time teaching, some of her accomplishments included the Golden Apple Award and KSL Teacher Feature. Courtney currently serves as stake Young Women president. She has previously served as a Young Women president, second counselor, secretary, & advisor, as a Primary counselor, and a Relief Society teacher.Courtney recently started an Instagram and TikTok specifically for young women, parents, and leaders, where she simply shares the doctrine of Jesus Christ. She enjoys teaching, speaking, and testifying of the Savior, especially within her own home. It's never boring at Courtney's house, where they have a miniature pony and a school bus, and their home is always stocked with lots of treats for the youth. She loves serving with her whole heart.Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab communityLinksInstagram: @ywfollowjesusTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsCourtney emphasizes the need for leaders to inspire youth to take initiative and connect with their faith, ultimately preparing them for future challenges. She delves into her approach to empowering class presidencies, emphasizing the importance of youth-led initiatives and personal revelation, and shares practical strategies for helping young women develop leadership skills, such as counseling together and encouraging them to seek guidance from Heavenly Father. The conversation also touches on the significance of lesson instruction, where Courtney advocates for teaching doctrine in a relatable way, ensuring that young women feel confident in discussing and testifying about their faith.Courtney talks about "Treat Friday," a casual gathering she hosts for young women to connect, build relationships, and foster a sense of community. This not only serves as a fun social event but also acts as a bridge for young women to approach their bishop for guidance and support. Courtney also shares her experiences with Girls Camp, emphasizing the importance of creating opportunities for personal revelation and connection with Jesus Christ.03:15 - Courtney's Passion for Young Womens Leadership04:06 - Transition from Ward to Stake Young Womens President06:09 - Demographics and Challenges in Lehigh, Utah09:00 - Empowering Class Presidencies12:06 - Coaching Youth to Seek Revelation14:39 - Training Adult Leaders in the Stake16:37 - Workshops for Young Womens Advisors19:22 - Collaborating with Stake Presidency21:37 - Treat Friday: A Casual Gathering24:08 - The Impact of Treat Friday27:00 - Creating a Safe Space for Youth29:10 - Principles of Effective Lesson Instruction31:59 - Enhancing Doctrinal Understanding34:53 - Best Practices for Girls Camp36:55 - The Party Bus Experience40:18 - The Importance of Community and Connection41:39 - Creating Positive Online ContentThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.
Mark Bell has over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and has trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Mark specializes in helping couples navigate relational and emotional intimacy challenges and much of his work is with men struggling with sexually compulsive behaviors, along with their loved ones affected by those behaviors. He focuses on healthy connections with ourselves, our God, and others in healing.Mark holds a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern Mississippi and an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University, and works at the Arizona Family Institute (AFI) where he is also the clinical director. In the Church he has served as a missionary in the Chile, Santiago North mission, a Young Men advisor, Sunday School youth teacher, high priest group leader, scoutmaster, ward clerk, elders quorum counselor, and three times as a bishopric counselor. Mark and his wife Dyan have been married 22 years and have five sons.Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab communityLinksArizona Family InstituteTranscript available with the video in the Zion Lab communityHighlightsMark Bell shares his insights on the current state of men's mental health, noting a concerning epidemic of undiagnosed depression among men, which often goes unrecognized due to societal expectations that discourage vulnerability. He explains how men frequently resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as pornography, as a means of escaping deeper emotional struggles. The discussion touches on the stigma surrounding these behaviors and the need for men to connect with one another in meaningful ways. Bell advocates for the creation of supportive environments, such as small group settings within church activities, where men can openly share their experiences and challenges without fear of judgment.The episode also explores the significance of recreational activities in fostering connections among men, suggesting that engaging in shared experiences can lead to deeper bonds and healthier emotional outlets. Bell emphasizes the necessity of creating spaces where men can be both playful and serious, allowing them to express their true selves, and offers practical advice for church leaders—particularly elders quorum presidents—on how to facilitate genuine connections among members, encouraging vulnerability and open dialogue. The conversation is a call to action for men in elders quorum to seek connection and support, ultimately promoting better mental health and stronger relationships within their communities.02:30 - Men's Mental Health Epidemic04:00 - Undiagnosed Depression in Men05:30 - The Link Between Depression and Suicide07:00 - Challenges of Masculinity09:00 - Compartmentalization of Men's Emotions10:30 - Hidden Depression in Men12:00 - Pornography as a Symptom13:30 - The Need for Healthy Coping Mechanisms15:00 - Stigma Around Men's Behaviors16:30 - The Importance of Connection Among Men18:00 - Creating Safe Spaces for Men19:30 - The Fist of Five Concept21:00 - The Role of Group Therapy22:30 - Building Connection in Elders Quorum24:00 - The Power of Vulnerability25:30 - Check-Ins as a Tool for Connection27:00 - The Importance of Confidentiality28:30 - Designing Connection Therapy in Elders Quorum30:00 - Effective Check-In Strategies31:30 - The Value of Recreation and Play33:00 - Low Maintenance Needs of Men34:30 - Balancing Doctrine and ConnectionThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2021.Andrea Lystrup is a licensed marriage and family therapist and owns a private practice—Andrea Lystrup Therapy—in Tucson, Arizona. She received her master’s degree from the University of Maryland in Couple and Family Therapy. She specializes in marriage therapy, particularly working with sexual issues, betrayal trauma, and mixed faith marriages. She has served as the stake sister support specialist for the Tucson stake, providing training to stake leaders on issues like abuse prevention and recognition of mental health struggles, as well as to advocate for sisters who need support addressing abuse in their own life. She has also served in her ward Young Women program. Andrea is mom to three boys and supports her husband in his career as a doctor in the Air Force.LinksAndreaLystrup.com Instagram: @dancingfordesire Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights3:00 In Andrea's practice she meets many people who report they are feeling “spiritually worn-out”. This may happen because of mental health challenges, life struggles, a faith crisis or something else. Often they feel like they aren’t getting the same answers to prayer as others, and they wonder if there’s something wrong with themselves or everyone else. 6:00 Andrea has watched people who have left the church and those who are struggling with returning after Covid and describe how challenging it is to want to go back. Church can be like a wrestling match when managing young children. It is easier to watch from home when we don’t need to worry about how our children may be affecting those around them. 9:30 Depression or anxiety may affect your ability to feel the spirit or share a testimony. Something you hear another share at church as a great spiritual experience or healing you have not received can be triggering and difficult to process, which can make it difficult to engage with church or members. This is one way you might feel spiritually worn out. 14:00 Sharing vulnerabilities may be one way to help members who are struggling with this type of spiritual exhaustion feel like they have a place to share and belong. We often share these vulnerabilities after they are resolved, but we don’t share struggles in real time while they are happening. This real time sharing can take more courage and ultimately may be more helpful to yourself and others as you are able to connect with others who are struggling. 17:30 Covid has exacerbated these feelings in some members, because depression and anxiety are fueled by loneliness and isolation. We should look out for the likely in our congregations to make them more welcoming places. Do less offering off a talk that will solve a problem and more inviting someone to lunch or to hang out. Remember they are “person(s) to be loved”. 19:10 People who are spiritually worn out often express feelings of being unlike others or punished by God. Others in a faith crisis may decide if the gospel equation is working for everyone else and not them, the problem is either with them or the system, and many reject the system all together and leave. Instruction like don’t rehearse your doubts with other doubters can discourage these individuals who are already feeling like they don’t believe our think the same as others from reaching out when they struggle. 24:30 One way to think of how spiritually-worn-out members engage is with a trauma model: fight, flight, or freeze. A freeze mentality might look like someone who attends church for years and years but not fully participating, reading scriptures, magnifying a calling, etc. There may be afraid of making things worse and so they just don’t engage. Some who “fly” leave, often suddenly. There are some fighters who may post on social media and leave in a blaze of angry posts and others may still engage and try ...
This podcast is a group discussion about the Heart of a Woman retreat, a 3-day intensive experience for women of faith. The retreat provides a space for women to connect with God, other women, and themselves. It includes presentations, time for reflection, and opportunities for prayer and worship. The guests discuss their own experiences with the retreat and how it has impacted their lives. They also share insights on the importance of women's leadership and the power of prayer.Melanie Meszaros is a wife, mother, grandmother, certified professional coach, business manager, and avid music lover. With a master’s in Education, Melanie has spent her adult life providing women and couples with opportunities to learn and develop skills to improve their lives, their relationships, and their families. As co-founder of Heart of a Woman, Melanie is passionate about helping women develop a profound connection with God, restore their feminine heart, and rediscover who God created them to be. In the Church she has enjoyed serving in music callings, as a teacher, as a counselor in each of the women's organizations, and as a ward and stake Relief Society president.Kristy Willhite was baptized as a child and chose the gospel of Jesus Christ as an adult. She served for 17 years in the Primary organization in every calling except chorister. Kristy has served in Relief Society presidencies, as a Young Women president, and currently serves in her stake Young Women presidency. She loves reading, knitting, and holds a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho in Advanced Family History Professional Studies. Kristy and her husband James have been married 26 years and have four great kids.Jolene Duckworth attended the October 2024 Heart of a Woman retreat and found herself forever changed by the experience. She is the mother of six and serves as the chair of the hospitality committee for BYU's Women's Conference, and in the Church as a Relief Society service coordinator and a temple worker. Jolene has a bachelor's degree in Visual Arts from BYU and is the experience design director for Idylli, a leadership development company she runs with her husband, Dan Duckworth. LinksTheHeartofaWoman.net (Use the code LEADMAY25 for a Leading Saints discount)5 Easy Questions to Invite Anyone to Learn About the Gospel | An Interview with Murray MeszarosThe Subtle Attack of Shame on Spirituality | An Interview with James WillhiteCreating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan DuckworthWarrior Heart Boot CampShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsMelanie, Christy, and Jolene, delve into the Heart of a Woman retreat, an interdenominational experience designed to foster deeper connections with God among women of faith. Melanie explains that the retreat offers a three-day immersive experience where women can unplug from the world, engage with the Word of God, and pray together in a supportive environment. The guests discuss the transformative power of the retreat, highlighting how it provides women with the opportunity to connect with God on a personal level. Jolene shares her own experience of attending the retreat, describing how it helped her recognize her worth and empowered her to pray with others, ultimately leading to meaningful connections and support for those in need.Throughout the episode, the group emphasizes the significance of identity in faith, particularly for women, and how the retreat helps participants understand their intrinsic worth as children of God. They discuss the challenges women face in leadership roles within the Church and how the retreat equips them with the confidence to embrace their unique gifts. The conversation also touches on the importance of interfaith experiences, the role of worship music, and the need for rest and renewal in spiritual practices.
Matt Bardsley grew up in Montana, and after a mission to New Jersey moved to Utah to go to school and has been there ever since. He has a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in Sociology and a master’s degree from Utah State University in Education. He has been a seminary teacher for 19 years, 12 of those serving as a local faculty principal where he gets to train teachers. He is a former Young Men president, elders quorum president, ward mission leader, bishopric member, high councilor, and stake Young Men president, and currently serves as first counselor in his stake Young Men presidency.Kim Perkins is a coach with Accepted, passionate about guiding individuals on their journey to healing and fostering deep connections, and empowering them to unlock their true potential and lead fulfilling lives. Kim enjoys the great outdoors, hiking, volleyball, and embarking on exciting travel adventures with her husband and four children. She currently serves in her stake Young Women presidency. LinksAcceptedShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryTraining Materials3 Targets - Activity Planning PDF3-Month Planning Meetings PDFConnect it to Christ PDFCounseling Together PDFDelegation PDFMaking Announcements - Hype Squad PDFPair and Share PDFPresidency Meetings - Teeter Totter PDFSandbox PDFHighlightsThis dynamic discussion with Kim and Matt centers around the importance of mentorship and effective training for youth leaders. They share their experiences and insights on how to transform traditional youth leadership approaches into more impactful mentorship roles, and emphasize the significance of understanding one's purpose, identifying youth life goals, and fostering transformational relationships rather than merely filling time during weekly activities.Kim and Matt explain their approach to training, which includes quarterly sessions for all youth leaders and more targeted workshops for specific wards. They focus on practical skills such as effective communication, delegation, and connecting youth activities to the teachings of Jesus Christ. By observing and providing feedback in real time, they help leaders recognize their strengths and areas for improvement.05:31 - Kim's Experience in Youth Leadership06:26 - Matt's Background in Teaching Youth07:37 - Observations on Youth Programs08:35 - The Importance of Training in Leadership09:56 - Origin of Formal Training Approaches11:04 - Developing Effective Training Skills12:09 - Interactive and Experiential Training Methods13:48 - Training Audience and Frequency15:03 - Observing and Supporting Ward Leaders16:04 - Building Relationships with Leaders17:05 - Feedback and Reflection After Observations20:07 - Common Issues in Youth Leadership22:53 - The Importance of Delegation Skills24:55 - Coaching Others in Leadership Skills27:27 - Connecting Activities to the Savior29:25 - Practicing Skills in Training Sessions32:02 - Engaging Youth in Leadership Training35:10 - Summary of Effective Training PracticesThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles,
Parker Walbeck shares his journey as a millennial content creator who aims to engage both younger and older audiences with gospel messages through short, impactful videos. He emphasizes the significance of sharing simple, foundational doctrines and the power of personal testimony, noting that even small acts of sharing can have a profound impact on friends and family.Parker is a filmmaker, social media expert, and creator of the "True Millennial" YouTube channel, where he shares his insights on using social media to share the gospel. He has worked with the Church to help improve their online presence, and speaks frequently at local church events, where he teaches others how to use these tools effectively.LinksYouTube: @TrueMillennialInstagram: @true.millennialsShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsParker recounts his experience working with Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles during a trip to the Philippines, where he documented the apostle's ministry and interactions with local members. He describes Elder Anderson's genuine care for individuals, his commitment to knowing names, and his reliance on the teachings of the living prophet. The episode also touches on the importance of humility and the simplicity of the gospel, as Parker reflects on how the apostles focus on basic doctrines rather than complex theological concepts. Additionally, Kurt and Parker discuss the potential for local church members to create content that shares their faith stories, suggesting that even small-scale initiatives, like ward podcasts, can foster community and strengthen testimonies. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to utilize their unique talents in service of the church, reinforcing the idea that everyone has a role to play in sharing the gospel.04:07 - Overview of True Millennial Podcast06:01 - Parker's Journey into Content Creation10:02 - The Concept of True Millennials11:41 - Sharing the Gospel on Social Media17:10 - The Importance of Influence in Small Audiences19:02 - Parker's Experience with Elder Anderson25:26 - Insights from Traveling with an Apostle29:18 - The Simplicity of Gospel Teachings36:00 - Interviewing Elder Bednar38:11 - Local Church Content Creation Ideas41:00 - Engaging Stake Communication StrategiesThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tanner Pursley was born and raised in Thatcher, Arizona. He served his mission in Recife, Brasil, and graduated from BYU-Idaho where he married his sweetheart Nicole. He got his Masters Degree in School Counseling from Northern Arizona University. Tanner has over six years of EFY experience and another five working as a wrangler for troubled teenagers at Arivaca Boys Ranch. He currently is serving as the bishop in his ward in Morenci, Arizona, where he developed a youth program called "I Can Do Hard Things" to help drive kids off the couch and into living life and preparing for the temple/mission. Tanner's passions include rock climbing, scuba diving, playing Jenga with kids, losing to his bros in fantasy football, and cuddling his little daughter Cedar.LinksI Can Do Hard Things Challenge (Packet)I Can Do Hard Things Challenge (Printable Booklet)Contact: Facebook, Instagram: @tanmanpursley73, or contact us and we'll forward your messageShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsTanner shares insights from his recent initiative called the "I Can Do Hard Things Challenge." This program, developed while he served as a counselor in the bishopric, aims to provide youth with structured goals across the four quadrants in the Children and Youth program: spiritual, social, intellectual, and physical. Tanner explains how he drew inspiration from scouting and other youth programs to create a comprehensive list of activities that encourage youth to step outside their comfort zones and engage in meaningful experiences.Throughout the conversation, Tanner discusses the importance of parental buy-in and how the challenge has positively impacted the culture of his small ward, which previously struggled with youth engagement and missionary work. He highlights the success of the program, noting that it has led to increased participation among the youth and has even inspired similar initiatives in other organizations within the ward. The episode emphasizes the significance of celebrating achievements, as Tanner describes the award ceremony where participants receive recognition for their hard work, fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Leadership is about empowering others to reach their potential, and Tanner's approach serves as a practical example for other leaders looking to inspire and uplift the youth in their wards.05:48 - Tanner's Background and New Calling06:59 - The "I Can Do Hard Things" Challenge09:47 - Overview of the Youth Program and Goals10:44 - Changing the Culture in the Ward12:01 - Structure of the Challenge20:49 - Breakdown of the Challenge Areas25:07 - Physical Challenge Activities27:51 - Social Challenge Activities29:38 - Spiritual Challenge Activities30:49 - Intellectual Challenge Activities32:04 - Importance of Accountability33:01 - Reward Ceremony and Recognition34:27 - Encouraging Participation and Buy-InThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bisho...
Danny and Emily Deaton are the founders of Living Proof Recovery Services, a company dedicated to supporting individuals and families who are navigating addiction with a loved one. They carry degrees from rival schools, the University of Utah and Brigham Young University but found common ground in their love for Jesus and the Utah Jazz. They have built a life they love together in Alpine, Utah. They love being parents to three awesome children and have served as Stake Young Single Adult leaders and Emily as a Relief Society president. Danny and Emily host the “Your Living Proof Podcast” and love speaking and sharing their message of faith in action, hope, and their love for Jesus Christ.LinksYourLivingProof.comYour Living Proof Podcast and YouTubeFree masterclassShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsEmily and Danny talk about the growing issues of addiction, highlighting the importance of being prepared to address these challenges and the need for resources and education. Danny recounts his experience with opioid addiction, detailing how it progressed from a seemingly manageable issue to a life-altering crisis that culminated in a near-fatal incident. He reflects on the pivotal moment when his father intervened, demonstrating the power of love and family support in the recovery process.Emily adds her perspective, emphasizing the time required for true healing and the transformative power of the Atonement in their lives. The couple discusses the importance of understanding addiction as a family disease, where the entire family unit must engage in the recovery process. They stress that addiction often manifests as a secretive struggle, and families typically wait too long—averaging seven years—before seeking professional help. The Deatons advocate for the role of interventionists and the necessity of establishing boundaries to support loved ones in their recovery journey. They also highlight the importance of church leaders in recognizing the signs of addiction and guiding families toward appropriate resources, such as support groups and professional help.Danny and Emily challenge the misconception that individuals must want to recover on their own before intervention can occur, arguing instead that families must take proactive steps to facilitate recovery. They discuss the need for families to learn about addiction, set boundaries, and seek help themselves, creating a supportive environment for their loved ones. Church leaders and families can utilize available resources and to understand that addiction is a complex issue that requires a collective effort for healing and recovery.02:00 - Danny and Emily Deaton's Background03:00 - Danny's Journey Through Addiction06:00 - The Low Point of Addiction08:00 - The Role of Family in Recovery09:00 - The Power of the Atonement10:00 - Transitioning to Recovery Services12:00 - Understanding the Role of an Interventionist13:00 - The Impact of COVID on Recovery Services14:00 - Developing a Comprehensive Recovery Program16:00 - The Importance of Family Support18:00 - Recognizing the Signs of Addiction19:00 - The Illusion of Control in Addiction20:00 - The Need for Professional Help22:00 - The Role of Agency in Addiction24:00 - The Importance of Boundaries26:00 - The Challenge of Helping Loved Ones28:00 - The Statistics of Addiction29:00 - The Underlying Issues of Addiction30:00 - The Role of Church Leaders in Recovery32:00 - The Disconnect Between Spiritual Guidance and Addiction34:00 - The Need for Professional Intervention36:00 - The Importance of Family Healing37:00 - God’s Example of Boundaries39:00 - The Role of Church Leaders in Addiction Recovery41:00 - The Importance of Family Support Systems42:00 - Resources Available for Families in NeedThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independ...
Jodi Atkinson was born and raised in Utah, and has lived all over the state. She went to college at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah, and graduated with an Associates Degree in Science. That was where she met and married her husband, Brian. She then took on her next greatest educational experience as the mother of five children. The family left Utah in 2011 and has since lived in Texas, Illinois, and in the Kansas City, Missouri area for the past seven years. Another adventure awaits, and they will be moving back to St. George this summer. Jodi is excited to go back to college and pursue a degree in Art. She has had many service opportunities within the Church that have enriched her life: Young Women president and advisor, youth Sunday School teacher, Young Women camp director, Primary counselor, Seminary teacher, and stake Young Women president. Jodi currently serves as an enthusiastic Primary teacher.LinksShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsJodi emphasizes that youth should not be viewed as problems to be solved but as solutions, advocating for a collaborative approach where youth are actively involved in decision-making through councils. She reflects on her experience, highlighting the need for innovative thinking and adaptability in youth programs and stressing that relationships matter significantly in fostering a supportive environment.Jodi shares specific examples of how she engaged with youth, such as incorporating their ideas into activities like Young Womens camp and a trek, ensuring they felt heard and valued. Jodi also discusses the importance of ministering and being present in the lives of youth and leaders, which helped build trust and community within the stake, and shares the powerful principle that the Lord does not ask us to serve to deplete us or prove ourselves but to grow and strengthen our connections with Him and others.05:04 - Jodi's Experience as Stake Young Womens President05:45 - Unique Demographics of the Shawnee Stake06:51 - Starting the Calling During COVID10:40 - Embracing a Clean Slate Mentality12:27 - The Importance of Youth Councils16:16 - Letting Youth Lead in Activities19:43 - Specific Examples of Youth Engagement22:10 - Trek Experience and Youth Involvement26:06 - Building Relationships with Youth Leaders30:01 - Habits for Fostering Relationships34:52 - The Lord's Purpose in Service35:10 - Object Lesson on Leadership and ServiceThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Skyler Sorensen grew up in St. George, Utah as the fourth of eight children. He is an active Latter-day Saint who experiences same-sex attraction. He and his wife, Amanda, were married in the Provo, Utah temple in 2018. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s in Media Arts and currently works with the team at Scripture Central. Skyler started the podcast “Sit Down with Sky”, which has recently morphed into a YouTube series. The series is dedicated to finding and maintaining eternal truths in the conversation around LGBTQ issues. Skyler is also the author of Exclude Not Thyself: Thriving as a Covenant-Keeping, Gay Latter-day Saint, aimed at providing a faith-affirming approach to LGBTQ issues.Skyler and Amanda have three children. Their first son, Milo, was born at 24½ weeks, and after a few weeks of battling for his life in newborn intensive care, he passed away in Amanda's arms. They have two living daughters, Remi and Lainey, both under the age of three. Skyler's current church calling is Gospel Doctrine teacher.LinksExclude Not Thyself: Thriving as a Covenant-Keeping Gay Latter-Day SaintSit Down with SkyConnect with SkylerScripture CentralNorth StarShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsSkyler shares his personal journey as a gay Latter-day Saint, detailing his experiences with same-sex attraction, his decision to marry a woman in the temple, and the fulfillment he finds in his family life. Skyler shares his perspective on the labels of identity, expressing a desire to prioritize his core identity as a disciple of Jesus Christ over societal labels.Kurt and Skyler talk about the tension church leaders face when discussing doctrines related to the eternal family, emphasizing the need for compassion while upholding the ideal of eternal marriage. Skyler highlights the importance of understanding doctrine in a way that fosters genuine relationships, even amidst disagreements about lifestyle choices. The discussion also touches on the significance of therapy and the value of seeking resources that align with one's faith. Both Kurt and Skyler stress the importance of maintaining hope and connection, advocating for a balanced approach that recognizes the complexities of faith and identity.02:40 - Skyler's Journey with Same-Sex Attraction06:00 - Navigating Identity and Labels08:04 - The Importance of Open Communication in Relationships09:53 - Early Experiences with Church Leaders11:09 - Balancing Temptation and Faith12:16 - The Role of Church Leaders in Discussing Marriage16:14 - The Ideal of Eternal Marriage17:26 - Addressing Criticism of Mixed Orientation Marriages18:12 - The Importance of Seeking Validation from God19:02 - The Desire to Share a Valid Path for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints20:16 - The Tension Between Faith and Family22:10 - Maintaining Relationships Amidst Differences24:00 - Resources for Families and Individuals29:19 - The Role of Therapy in Navigating Same-Sex Attraction31:01 - Understanding Doctrine and Its Application33:03 - Promoting the North Star Conference36:06 - Validating the Path of Covenant-Keeping39:21 - The Importance of Teaching Eternal Truths40:56 - Finding Strength in the Temple44:34 - Accessing Strength Through Eternal PerspectiveThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2020.Tony Overbay is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Mindful Habit Coach, and the host of two award-winning mental health podcasts, “The Virtual Couch” and “Waking Up to Narcissism.” Tony also co-hosts “Love, ADHD” with author Julie Lee, where they share their experiences of receiving ADHD diagnosis as adults, and Tony co-hosts two additional podcasts, “The Mind, The Mirror, and Me,” with his daughter Mackie, and “Murder on the Couch,” a true-crime meets therapy podcast with his daughter Sydney. Tony, Mackie, and Sydney offer live relationship advice weekly on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. He also serves on the Leading Saints Board of Therapists.Tony co-authored He’s A Porn Addict, Now What? An Expert and a Former Addict Answer Your Questions and works with individuals and couples on issues such as addiction, betrayal, navigating faith journeys, and people “waking up” to their own emotional immaturity/narcissistic traits and tendencies. He has online courses for couples communication and parenting, a soon-to-be-released course on navigating faith journeys, and is the creator of The Path Back, an online, faith-based pornography recovery program. You can find out more about any of Tony’s courses at https://tonyoverbay.com Tony is a father of four children and has been married to his high school sweetheart, Wendy, for 34 years. Before becoming a therapist, he spent a decade as a software executive and wrote a weekly humor column in a regional newspaper for nearly eight years. Tony is an avid runner, having completed over 100 marathons and ultramarathons, including a dozen races of 100 miles or more.LinksTonyOverbay.com He's a Porn Addict...Now What?: An Expert and a Former Addict Answer Your Questions Clarifying Values PDF, from The Confidence Gap by Russ HarrisShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis episode delves into the concept of codependency within the context of Latter-day Saint culture, where it often manifests as the "nice guy syndrome." Kurt shares his personal experiences as a bishop, highlighting how his own struggles with codependency and the pressure to maintain a perfect image affected his leadership. Tony defines codependency as an excessive emotional reliance on others for self-worth, often leading individuals to prioritize others' needs over their own. The conversation emphasizes the importance of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), which encourages individuals to accept their feelings and thoughts rather than avoid them. By focusing on personal values rather than identity, leaders can navigate their roles more effectively without succumbing to shame or self-doubt. The episode also touches on the significance of being present and acting according to one's values, rather than getting caught up in the pressures of perfectionism.4:01 - Understanding Codependency5:04 - The Nice Guy Syndrome5:50 - Personal Struggles with Codependency6:39 - Tony Overbay's Background8:09 - The Role of External Validation9:25 - Defining Codependency10:52 - Codependency in Religious Contexts11:42 - The Impact of Codependency on Self-Worth13:00 - The Role of the Partner in Addiction Recovery14:08 - The Role of External Validation14:14 - The Importance of Individual Recovery15:04 - The Connection Between Trauma and Codependency16:22 - Addressing Codependency in Leadership19:10 - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Overview20:49 - The Importance of Acceptance22:40 - The Confidence Gap24:18 - Values vs. Identity in Leadership31:50 - The Bishop Monson Dynamic36:36 - Systems vs. Goals in Personal Development42:34 - Embracing Values in Leadership50:32 - The Role of External Validation01:02:47 - Truth, Beauty, and GoodnessThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the to...
Steve Hitz is a co-founder of Launching Leaders Worldwide, a faith-based nonprofit leadership program which helps young adults examine their lives, determine where they are now, where they want to be, and how to create their future while embracing their faith. He has founded companies, served as a young single adult bishop, and considers himself a Baby Boomer with a Millennial heart. Steve and his wife Ginger are blessed with three sons, two daughters, and eleven beloved grandchildren.LinksIgniting the Holy Flame: Building Communities of Love from the Ashes of Negative Religious CultureLaunching Leaders WorldwideLaunching a Rising Generation of Leaders | An Interview with Steven Hitz and Michael LeonardComing Alongside Youth & Young Adults | An Interview with Steve HitzSteve Hitz articles at LeadingSaints.orgShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsSteve shares his personal journey following the loss of his son to suicide, which prompted him to explore the intersection of faith, community, and mental health. He discusses concerning statistics regarding church attendance and the challenges faced by young adults in maintaining their faith, particularly within the context of negative religious cultures that often emphasize rules and conformity over love and understanding.Steve introduces the concepts of "fabricated fellowship" and "harmful religiosity," explaining how these elements contribute to feelings of shame and disconnection among church members. He advocates for a shift towards authentic fellowship, where relationships are built on genuine care rather than obligation. The conversation delves into the idea of orthodoxy, contrasting "tight-fisted orthodoxy" with "open-hand orthodoxy," and emphasizes the need for leaders to be flexible and responsive to the spiritual needs of their congregations.Throughout the episode, Steve shares anecdotes and insights that illustrate the importance of love, mercy, and grace in religious practice. He encourages listeners to embrace a more holistic approach to worship that prioritizes personal connection and understanding over rigid adherence to rules. The episode concludes with Steve reflecting on the positive feedback he has received from readers of his book, who have found solace and inspiration in its message.01:41 - Introduction to Igniting the Holy Flame by Steve Hitz02:32 - The Impact of Personal Tragedy on Faith06:04 - Statistics on Religious Attendance and Faith09:24 - The Role of Questions in Faith10:13 - Defining Religious Culture12:27 - The Importance of Authentic Fellowship13:36 - The Balance of Doctrine and Culture15:41 - Understanding Orthodoxy: Open vs. Closed Fist20:22 - The Role of the Holy Spirit in Leadership23:06 - The Need for Authentic Relationships25:06 - The Concept of Fabricated Fellowship27:52 - Solutions for Authentic Fellowship30:30 - The Importance of Living the Gospel32:27 - Celebrating Individual Experiences in Faith34:57 - Keeping the Fire of Faith Alive36:41 - Feedback and Impact of the BookThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman,
Brent Holladay was recently released as temple president of the Orlando Florida Temple. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from Brigham Young University, and spent the last 26 years of his career working as Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Clerk for elected Clerks of Court in Florida.Brent is married to Dana Vorwaller Holladay, who served alongside him as matron of the Orlando Florida Temple and as co-manager of the Orlando Bishops' Storehouse. He has previously served a stake patriarch, stake president, counselor in the Florida Orlando Mission Presidency, bishop, high councilor, stake clerk and other callings. Brent and Dana currently teach the Valiant 10 Primary class, fondly known as the Primary Temple Preparation class, and he also serves as a ward assistant clerk—finance. They have lived in Longwood, Florida for 43 years and have eight children and 27 grandchildren.LinksShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsBrent shares his unique experience of being called as a temple president, detailing the process of selection and the responsibilities that come with the role. He discusses the refurbishment of the Orlando Temple and the management of temple workers, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive patron experience while maintaining the necessary administrative functions. Throughout the conversation, Brent recounts several poignant stories that illustrate the transformative power of the temple in the lives of individuals and families.The discussion delves into key leadership principles, starting with the importance of loving others as the Savior does and seeking the gift of charity. Brent shares personal experiences that highlight the need for leaders to see individuals as God sees them, fostering an environment of love and support. He also emphasizes the significance of using barometers, such as the percentage of endowed members with current temple recommends, to gauge the spiritual health of congregations and encourage temple attendance.Brent stresses the need for individuals to be grounded in the temple experience and the covenant path before and after their missions. He concludes with three essential questions that leaders should consider when planning activities, ensuring that they focus on bringing individuals closer to Jesus Christ, preparing them to make and keep covenants, and equipping them for future challenges. This episode is rich with insights and stories that will inspire you to deepen your understanding of temple service as you lead in the Church.06:31 - Refurbishment of the Orlando Temple07:14 - Calling as a Temple President08:57 - Choosing Counselors for the Temple Presidency10:05 - Setting Apart as Temple President11:00 - Training for New Temple Presidents12:05 - Setting Apart Process for Temple Presidents12:21 - Familiarity with Counselors13:40 - Responsibilities of a Temple President14:40 - Ensuring Positive Patron Experiences16:05 - Role of the Temple Recorder17:29 - Number of Temple Workers18:26 - Balancing Administration and Patron Experience20:34 - Focus on Patron Experience21:05 - Principle: Loving as the Savior Loves27:58 - Principle: Barometers in Leadership30:34 - Importance of Temple Attendance32:29 - Temple President's Role in State Conferences37:06 - Transformational Nature of the Temple38:34 - Principle: Mission vs. Saving Ordinances44:37 - Questions for Church ActivitiesThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey,
James Willhite is an experiential therapist, coach, and consultant. He previously worked for 20 years in finance and sales management where he found a passion for speaking and coaching, then decided to switch careers and earned a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lamar University. With Steven Shields he co-founded Accepted, a collection of exclusively trained experiential guide who lead individuals, families, groups, and corporations to maximize their health and connection.James also serves on the board of three non-profit organizations (Unashamed Unafraid, A Warrior Heart, and Heart of a Woman) and firmly believes that as we work to remove the obstacles and barriers of trauma, our true and divine identity will be uncovered at our core. He loves spending time with his wife, Kristy and with his four children.LinksAcceptedLife.comShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsJames talks about the complexities of shame, particularly in the context of spirituality and personal growth. Wilhite addresses issues like anxiety, depression, addiction, and trauma in his practice. He highlights the subtle yet pervasive nature of shame, often overlooked in therapeutic settings, and how it can lead individuals to hide from God and themselves.The discussion delves into the biblical story of Adam and Eve, exploring how shame was introduced into the human experience and how it continues to affect individuals today. Wilhite explains that shame is a primary weapon used by the adversary to create distance between individuals and God, leading to feelings of inadequacy and the need to seek validation from others rather than from the divine. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and naming shame to break free from its grip, encouraging listeners to understand their true identity as children of God.Throughout the episode, Wilhite offers practical advice for church leaders and individuals alike, urging them to embrace the inevitability of pain, work, and uncertainty in life as opportunities for growth rather than as punishments. He underscores the significance of leaning into God’s goodness and trusting in His promises, even amidst struggles. The conversation culminates in a powerful reminder that healing is possible through understanding one's identity and the nature of God, ultimately inviting listeners to embark on their own "shame adventure" to foster healing and connection.03:30 - Understanding Shame in Therapy04:50 - Common Issues in Therapy Post-COVID06:30 - The Role of Trauma in Therapy08:00 - Experiential Therapy vs. Talk Therapy09:30 - Importance of Finding the Right Therapist10:50 - The Adam and Eve Story and Shame12:30 - The Subtlety of Shame14:00 - Hiding from God and Its Consequences16:30 - The Cycle of Perfectionism and Shame18:00 - Recognizing Shame in Leadership19:30 - God's Nature and Our Identity21:00 - The Importance of Self-Compassion22:30 - The Journey of Healing from Shame24:00 - God's Response to Adam and Eve26:00 - Misinterpretation of God's Blessings28:00 - Embracing Pain and Work as Inevitable30:00 - Trusting God Amidst Uncertainty32:00 - The Role of Pain in Growth34:00 - Feeling to Heal: The Process of Therapy36:00 - Allowing Ourselves to Feel Emotions38:00 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts on HealingThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R.
Kathy Santiago Allen grew up in Provo and received a degree in nursing from Brigham Young University. She loved working in women's health and in the medical spa industry in Southern California before shifting her focus to raising five kids. Her husband's educational pursuits took them to San Diego and Los Angeles, then to St Louis, before they settled in North Phoenix. This past June they relocated to Mapleton, Utah. Kathy has loved serving in Primary presidencies, Relief Society presidencies, as Relief Society president, and most recently as a stake Relief Society president. She currently loves serving as a Young Women advisor, and her favorite calling will always be as a ministering sister. Kathy and her husband Jared have been married for 27 years. They enjoy hiking and traveling together, and have found that counseling with one another in their callings helps them serve with an even greater capacity. LinksShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsKathy shares valuable insights on effective leadership principles, including the significance of ministering as a way of life rather than just an assignment. She discusses the dynamics of her ward in Phoenix, characterized by a smaller membership and the need for unity and collaboration among members. Kathy recounts her efforts to foster a culture of service within her stake, utilizing the JustServe program to connect with local nonprofits and encourage members to engage in community service. She highlights the importance of expanding the circle of help, recognizing that leaders cannot do everything alone and must delegate responsibilities to others.Kathy also shares inspiring stories of service projects that brought members together, emphasizing how serving alongside one another fosters unity and strengthens relationships. She concludes with a reminder of the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and the need for leaders to discern what is truly necessary in their service.05:27 - Moving from Phoenix to Utah: A Personal Transition06:29 - Dynamics of a North Phoenix Ward: Challenges and Community09:50 - Advice for Stake Relief Society Presidents During Realignment12:46 - Training and Supporting New Relief Society Presidents14:22 - Spiritual Preparedness: The Foundation of Leadership24:22 - Ministering as the Answer to Challenges30:30 - Expanding the Circle: Avoiding Burnout in Service34:23 - Service Promotes Unity: Building a Culture of Service42:00 - Collaborating with Nonprofits: The Joy of Service46:52 - Balancing Service and Boundaries: Insights from President Nelson48:06 - The Importance of Female Leadership in the ChurchThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
There are many reasons to start a ward podcast. It allows individuals to hear the real stories of those they worship with. This naturally creates a deeper level of unity in the ward which stimulates success on many levels. In this livestreamed episode, Kurt Francom gives a rough outline of why and how a ward could develop a ward podcast.LinksCanvaAudacityAuphonicWhy Your Ward Should Be Using the Ward History Tool | A How I Lead Interview with Beth ZelenyUnitHistory.ChurchofJesusChrist.orgWard Podcast Handout TemplateShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsIn this episode of the Leading Saints podcast, host Kurt Francom discusses the benefits of starting a ward podcast, emphasizing that many church leaders may not realize how valuable this tool can be for fostering community and connection within their congregations.Kurt highlights the ease of creating a ward podcast, suggesting that it can serve as a platform for members to share their stories, thereby enhancing understanding and empathy among ward members. He shares testimonials from individuals who have successfully launched their own ward podcasts, illustrating how these initiatives have helped build relationships and preserve personal histories.Kurt encourages listeners to keep the process simple, recommending the use of accessible technology like Zoom for recording interviews and free editing software such as Audacity. He stresses the importance of not overcomplicating the podcasting process, suggesting that even basic equipment can yield great results. He also addresses common concerns, such as the reluctance of some members to participate in interviews, and offers strategies to encourage involvement. He concludes by urging listeners to promote their podcasts within their wards and to view this endeavor as a means to strengthen community ties and share meaningful experiences.08:43 - Purpose of a Ward Podcast011:11 - Building Community Through Storytelling12:14 - Benefits of Recording Ward History14:00 - Testimonials from Ward Podcast Creators17:32 - Keeping the Podcast Simple19:07 - Recommended Equipment and Software21:58 - Hosting Options for Your Podcast24:06 - Privacy and Accessibility of the Podcast26:10 - Interviewing Techniques and Tips30:44 - Promoting the Ward Podcast32:29 - Involving Youth in PodcastingThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Carlos L. Chacon, Jr. takes the reins to interview Kurt Francom, the founder and executive director of Leading Saints and the usual host of the podcast, as they discuss the organization's future plans and the evolution of its content. This was originally a livestream on YouTube, December 30, 2024.Carlos is a zealous father of five trying to balance faith and family life while making a living in IT. He served as a missionary in the Buenos Aires South Mission, where he developed a deep love for the people and culture of Argentina. As a frequent recipient of the Savior's grace, he has also served as an early morning seminary teacher. He enjoys sharing the teachings of Jesus Christ and supporting others on the covenant path, and can eat his weight in raspberries. Carlos and his family live in Richmond, Virginia, where he currently serves as a bishop. He is a host on the SQL Data Partners Podcast.LinksShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints community. Read the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsKurt shares insights about upcoming events, including potential live workshops and a BYU cruise experience, emphasizing the value of in-person interactions for leadership development. As they delve into the history of Leading Saints, Kurt recounts his journey from a frustrated church leader to the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing leadership within the Latter-day Saint community. He reflects on the challenges of leadership, the importance of empathy, and the need for a supportive community. The episode also touches on the relationship between Leading Saints and the Church, clarifying that while they operate independently, they maintain a positive rapport with church leaders. Kurt expresses his desire to create more in-depth content, including long-form interviews and thoughtful explorations of leadership principles, while encouraging listeners to engage with the platform by sharing ideas and suggesting potential guests. The episode concludes with a call for collaboration and a reminder of the significance of leadership in establishing a supportive and thriving community within the church.03:53 - Plans for 202504:25 - Upcoming Live Events08:06 - BYU Cruise Experience09:34 - Future Content Ideas10:06 - Long-Form Interviews12:50 - Exploring Leadership History15:27 - Shifting Focus to Zion16:20 - Engaging New Audiences18:01 - History of Leading Saints24:23 - Growth and Impact25:39 - Motivation Behind Leading Saints30:03 - Favorite Episodes and Topics32:44 - Navigating Podcast Content36:36 - Engaging with Potential Guests40:38 - Relationship with the Church44:28 - Importance of Independent Voices45:19 - The Challenge of Providing FormulasThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 800 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Geoff Thatcher is an experienced creative leader who takes projects from concept to reality. He is the founder & chief creative officer at Creative Principals, and previously worked as a creative writer, producer, and creative director. His projects are most often about creating world-class experiences in corporate visitor centers, museums and theme parks, such as his most recent work in the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Geoff is the president of the Savannah YSA Branch in the Savannah Georgia Stake and was a guest on the podcast when he previously served as assistant director of communications in Cincinnati, Ohio.LinksUsing Social Media in Stake Public Affairs | An Interview with Geoff ThatcherShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsGeoff first shares insights from his background in experience design and public affairs, particularly focusing on the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing visitor experiences at museums, such as the College Football Hall of Fame. He discusses the potential of AI to create personalized experiences that engage individuals in meaningful ways, while also cautioning against the risks of over-reliance on technology.Transitioning to his role as a YSA branch president, Geoff recounts the process of establishing the branch, which stemmed from a need for young adults to have a dedicated space for worship and community. He shares the results of informal focus groups that revealed young adults' desire for worship over programmed activities and their wish to be treated as adults rather than youth. Geoff emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where young adults feel valued and engaged, sharing stories of how the branch has grown. He highlights the significance of treating YSAs as adults, allowing them to take on responsibilities and speak about their passions during meetings, which fosters a sense of belonging and community. The episode concludes with Geoff's reflections on the responsibility of church leaders to reach out to young adults, emphasizing that they are not lost but rather have been overlooked, and the need for leaders to actively engage and support them in their spiritual journeys.06:10 - Geoff's Background and Current Work06:39 - AI in Experience Design07:22 - AI's Role in Museums10:20 - The Importance of Active Engagement12:20 - Anticipating AI's Impact on Church Experience20:51 - Starting a YSA Branch in Savannah21:08 - Gathering Input from Young Single Adults25:54 - The Impact of the YSA Branch29:00 - Mindset Shift: Responsibility for Young Adults32:38 - Engaging Young Adults in Family Wards35:06 - Treating Young Adults as Adults38:11 - Building Rapport with Young Adults40:18 - Encouraging Passionate Talks46:04 - Success Stories from the YSA BranchThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership,
Watch Part 1: Creating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan DuckworthDan Duckworth is the founder and host of LeaderQuest, an elite leadership program that transforms managers and executives into dynamic changemakers. He speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership and leadership development, and provides one-on-one coaching to leaders aiming to drive transformational change. Dan has served as a board member for Leading Saints since 2019. To learn more, visit idylli.co or find Dan on LinkedIn.LinksPart 1: Creating a Transformational Sunday School | An Interview with Dan DuckworthThe True Purpose of Sunday SchoolWhy Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 1 | A Presentation by Dan DuckworthSunday School Session TemplateFrom Aspirational Principles to Practical PrinciplesShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis is the second of a two-part podcast. The conversation continues, focusing on the transformative role of mentorship in youth leadership and the dynamics of effective Sunday school teaching. Dan shares insights on the nature of transformation in leadership. He stresses that effective teaching is not merely about mastering tactics but involves a fundamental shift in belief systems. This transformation requires educators to engage in a cycle of experimentation and reflection, challenging their preconceived notions of what it means to teach and learn. Dan illustrates this with examples from his own experiences, emphasizing the need for teachers to create an environment where students can co-create their learning experiences rather than passively consume information.The episode delves into the concept of culture within church settings, with Dan advocating for a proactive approach to challenging and reshaping cultural norms. He encourages leaders to embrace discomfort and uncertainty as they experiment with new teaching methods, using the metaphor of pushing against the walls of culture to gather valuable insights. The discussion also touches on the importance of fostering authentic community within Sunday school classes, where trust and openness can lead to deeper engagement and meaningful dialogue.Dan outlines practical principles for effective teaching, including the necessity of a single driving question to guide discussions and the importance of creating a safe space for students to share their thoughts and experiences. He shares a structured approach to lesson planning that prioritizes engagement and interaction, allowing for a more dynamic and impactful learning environment. Throughout the episode, Dan emphasizes the value of personal experiences and the need for teachers to be vulnerable and authentic in their interactions, ultimately aiming to facilitate a transformative experience for both educators and students alike.02:09 - Discussion on Culture and Sunday School03:39 - The Importance of Transformation in Leadership04:55 - The Cycle of Experimentation and Reflection05:43 - Challenging Belief Systems in Teaching06:25 - The Nature of Culture and Disruption07:28 - Building Confidence in Change08:13 - The Role of Disruption in Teaching09:17 - Avoiding the "Ex-Girlfriend Syndrome" in Change10:20 - Learning from Failed Experiments11:25 - The Role of Discernment in Leadership12:29 - God's Omniscience and Leadership13:03 - Teaching as Experience Design14:07 - The Journey of Becoming a Transformational Teacher15:20 - The Challenge of Teaching Transformational Principles16:25 - The Importance of Actionable Principles17:41 - Empowering Co-Creation in the Classroom19:04 - The Pareto Principle in Teaching20:22 - Structuring Class Time for Engagement21:58 - Creating Positive Tensions in Lessons23:00 - Building Authentic Community in Class24:36 - The Role of Icebreakers in Fostering Connection
Kent Jordan was recently released as stake president from the Wilmington, Delaware Stake. He has previously served as a high councilor, in bishoprics and elders quorum presidencies, and as an early-morning Seminary teacher. Kent currently teaches elders quorum and is looking forward to retirement and meeting four new grandbabies in 2025. LinksShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsKent offers insights into organizing stake conferences, emphasizing the importance of prayer and collaboration with his counselors and the stake council to determine the needs of the members. He highlights the significance of after-general conference discussions to align teachings with the needs of the stake. Kent shares key leadership principles that guided him during his time as stake president, starting with the importance of loving and respecting the people within his stewardship. He recounts the profound experience of seeing members through the Savior's eyes, which deepened his connection to them.Kent also discusses the value of personal priesthood interviews with leaders, emphasizing the importance of showing up in their lives and ministering together. He shares how these interactions fostered a sense of community and support among the leaders. Additionally, he reflects on the welfare efforts within the stake, noting the diverse approaches of bishops and the importance of trusting them to handle their responsibilities. Kent concludes by discussing the blessings he witnessed among the saints, encouraging the sharing of their experiences to build faith within the community.04:45 - Reflections on Nine Years as Stake President05:59 - Reorienting After Leadership06:32 - Overview of the Stake's Geographic Layout07:36 - Prior Leadership Experience Before Stake Presidency08:13 - Organizing Stake Conferences09:17 - Insights on Stake Conference Planning10:37 - Involving Stake Council in Conference Discussions12:54 - Principle of Love and Respect in Leadership13:39 - The Story of Kent's Calling as Stake President16:30 - Learning from the Experience of Leadership17:54 - Finding Footing in the New Calling19:22 - Focus on Reaping and Rescuing21:06 - Interaction with Bishops on Welfare Efforts22:34 - Trusting Bishops in Their Responsibilities24:01 - Encouragement for Bishops and Relief Society Presidents25:12 - Importance of Personal Interviews27:07 - Strategies for Effective Personal Interviews30:00 - Building Faith Through Sharing Experiences32:03 - Future Plans After Stake PresidencyThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dan Duckworth is the founder and host of LeaderQuest, an elite leadership program that transforms managers and executives into dynamic changemakers. He speaks, teaches, and writes on leadership and leadership development, and provides one-on-one coaching to leaders aiming to drive transformational change. Dan has served as a board member for Leading Saints since 2019. To learn more, visit idylli.co or find Dan on LinkedIn. This is the first of a two-part conversation LinksPart 2 of this conversationThe True Purpose of Sunday SchoolWhy Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 1 | A Presentation by Dan DuckworthSunday School Session TemplateFrom Aspirational Principles to Practical PrinciplesShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis is the first of a two-part podcast conversation. Kurt and Dan explore the challenges faced by local leaders in adapting to changes in church programs, particularly in Sunday School and ministering. They critique the tendency to revert to traditional methods rather than embracing innovative approaches that align with The Church's evolving directives. Drawing on scriptural examples, they illustrate the need for leaders to actively engage in creating a culture that supports spiritual growth and community building. Dan emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique characteristics of Sunday School, including the nature of its membership, the role of teachers, and the communal aspect of spiritual development.Throughout the episode, they advocate for a shift from knowledge transfer to transformational teaching, encouraging leaders to experiment with new methods that foster engagement and personal growth. By redefining the purpose of Sunday School and embracing a more dynamic, interactive approach, local leaders can create an environment where individuals feel empowered to share their spiritual journeys and support one another. The discussion ultimately serves as a call to action for leaders to embrace their roles in cultivating a vibrant, Christ-centered community that reflects the principles of the gospel.04:45 - The Connection Between Leadership and Zion06:15 - The Role of Culture in Leadership07:50 - The Importance of Transformational Leadership09:30 - The Need for Change in Church Programs10:50 - The Allegory of the Olive Tree and Leadership12:30 - The Natural Order of Church Gatherings14:00 - The Role of Local Leaders in Cultural Change15:30 - The Power of Experimentation in Teaching17:00 - The Purpose of Sunday School19:00 - Understanding the Unique Characteristics of Sunday School20:30 - The Role of Membership in Sunday School22:00 - The Teacher's Role in Sunday School23:30 - The Nature of Gathering in Sunday School25:00 - The Shift from Knowledge Transfer to Transformation27:00 - Engaging Students in a Dynamic Learning Environment29:00 - The Importance of Energy Management in Teaching30:30 - The Need for a Clear Purpose in Sunday School32:00 - The Three Primary Characteristics of Sunday School34:00 - The Individual Journey in Sunday School36:00 - The Collective Engagement in Spiritual Development38:00 - The Shift from Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side40:00 - Observations on Youth and Adult Sunday School DynamicsComing soon: Part 2 of this conversationThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R.
Cynthia Collier grew up in Salt Lake City in a family that enjoyed the performing arts. She studied philosophy, English, and music at Brigham Young University, and has taught music and theater in schools. Over the past 25 years she has been involved in writing and directing live productions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Savior of the World at the Conference Center Theater in Salt Lake City, and the Nauvoo and British pageants in Nauvoo, Illinois. She has served in the Church as a teacher, in various music callings, and in presidencies in wards and stakes. She most recently served with her husband as a branch minister at the University of Utah and Huntsman Hospitals in Salt Lake City. She is married to Eric Collier and is a mother and grandmother.Amy Robinson graduated from Brigham Young University in Humanities and Modern dance, and was thrilled to be part of the BYU International Folk dance team and Modern Dance team. She believes her greatest educational opportunities came from touring with those companies to many amazing places including China, India, and Europe. This may be where she gained her nomadic spirit—she and her husband Nathan have moved 27 times in 20 years of marriage! In London, England, in 2013, Amy had the opportunity to create the choreography for the first British Pageant. It was a life-changing experience to see the miracles that came to the participants of that show and audience. In 2015, Amy enjoyed helping set the British pageant on the Nauvoo stage and returned to help family casts learn choreography for the pageants in 2022 and 2024. She considers it her dream job to "move with joy" with the casts in England and then Nauvoo. Amy has also been part of the Arts in Education program in Utah through Tanner Dance, teaching dancers of all ages in elementary schools, and teaches folk dance at American Heritage School in Salt Lake City. Amy and Nathan are the parents of six children and her greatest joy is time spent with them—dancing in the kitchen and singing in the car—and serving in the Church, especially with youth and children.LinksShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis episode focuses on the leadership and organization behind the Nauvoo Pageant, highlighting the unique structure of the pageant, which features a rotating cast of family participants who rehearse for a week and perform the following week, allowing for a diverse range of individuals to engage in the production.Cynthia and Amy emphasize the importance of creating a joyful and supportive environment for participants, many of whom arrive feeling nervous and unsure of their abilities. The leadership style of the pageant focuses on fostering a sense of community and collaboration, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth rather than failures. They share inspiring stories of participants who have experienced personal miracles during their time in the pageant, illustrating the transformative power of faith and community. They also discuss the significance of teaching children and families to embrace the unpredictability of performances, highlighting the importance of love and acceptance in the rehearsal process.As the conversation progresses, they share valuable leadership principles, such as the "good fruit principle," which encourages individuals to focus on sharing positivity and blessings rather than complaints. This principle has been instrumental in creating a spirit of Zion among participants and volunteers. The episode concludes with practical advice for primary presidencies and leaders in church settings, emphasizing the need for patience, understanding, and a focus on the greater purpose of building relationships and fostering joy within the community.07:29 - Guest Introductions: Amy Robinson10:11 - Guest Introductions: Cynthia Collier
Watch Part 1: What About Our Culture is Holding Us Back? | An Interview with Ryan GottfredsonRyan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership and The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton.LinksPart 1: What About Our Culture is Holding Us Back? | An Interview with Ryan GottfredsonRyanGottfredson.comIs There a Correlation Between Losing Faith and Moving? | An Interview with Ryan GottfredsonThe Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Is Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership? | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson What Every Leader Should Consider About Community in Their Ward | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Ryan's articles at leadingsaints.org Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Find the Logan Temple ornament and other items at ShopRingmasters.comGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis is the second of a two-part podcast conversation on effective church leadership. The discussion continues with a reflection on the value of open communication and the need for leaders to encourage their team members to express their thoughts and feelings. Ryan emphasizes the significance of establishing a culture where individuals feel safe to share their vulnerabilities, which can lead to deeper connections and trust within a group.The conversation delves into the challenges leaders face when balancing the need to cover prescribed topics versus allowing for authentic, vulnerable discussions that may arise organically. Ryan suggests that leaders should prioritize creating conditions conducive to growth rather than merely focusing on outcomes. He explains the concept of "gardener-minded leadership," where leaders cultivate an environment that fosters development and flourishing among their team members.Kurt and Ryan next consider the role of ego in leadership. Ryan defines ego as the part of ourselves that prioritizes self-preservation over value creation for others. He highlights the importance of self-awareness and the need for leaders to confront their insecurities and limiting beliefs to elevate their leadership effectiveness. The episode also touches on the necessity of vulnerability in leadership, illustrating how it can lead to more meaningful relationships and a stronger sense of community.Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their leadership styles, consider how they can create a more supportive environment, and recognize the importance of healing their relationship with themselves to become more effective leaders. The episode concludes with practical suggestions for leaders, including the importance of developing a clear purpose and fostering a culture of learning and openness. Overall, this episode serves as a valuable resource for leaders seeking to enhance their effectiveness and create a thriving community within their organizations.02:09 - Encouraging Open Communication02:39 - Establishing Psychological Safety03:37 - Balancing Doctrine and Values04:37 - Teaching Dilemmas in Church Settings05:43 - Creating a Psychologically Safe Culture06:36 - The Gardener Mindset in Leadership07:16 - Continuous Improvement in Leadership08:51 - The Challenge of Self-Preservation11:15 - The Human Element in Leadership11:58 - The Role of Ego in Leadership20:18 - Redefining Ego for Value Creation22:21 - The Importance of Vulnerability26:30 - The Cost of Self-Preservation29:37 - Healing Relationships for Better Leadership
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in April 2020.Professor Susan R. Madsen is the Karen Haight Huntsman Endowed Professor of Leadership in the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. Dr. Madsen is considered one of the top global scholars and thought leaders on the topic of women and leadership and has authored or edited nine books and published hundreds of articles, chapters, and reports. She is a well-known speaker in local, national, and international settings. She is also the founding director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and has worked for years motivating more women in Utah to graduate from college and to lead and influence more profoundly.At the time this was recorded, Dr. Madsen was the Orin R. Woodbury Professor of Leadership & Ethics in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. A returned missionary, she received a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, master’s from Portland State University, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. Dr. Madsen and her husband Greg are the proud parents of four adult children and six delightful grandchildren.LinksUtah Women & Leadership Project Everyday Bias, by Howard Ross Why Gender Matters, by Leonard Sax Let Your Life Speak, by Parker PalmerShare your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights5:40 Women feeling a calling or purpose in both religious and secular settings gives them more confidence 8:40 Either/or socialization for women has become powerful in Church culture over the past 60 years 11:30 Research into sister missionaries started with the purpose of learning what influences women's goals and aspirations to become leaders in their homes and communities 13:50 What leadership skills have women developed through mission service? How do they use them now? What other opportunities do they wish they would have had?17:50 Men are more likely than women to see themselves as leaders 19:00 Competencies and leadership skills women gain from serving a mission: public speaking, conflict management, courage, interpersonal skills, problem solving, planning organization and accountability, confidence, spiritual growth, empathy, giving and receiving feedback, grit and resilience, mentoring, teaching, critical thinking, listening, personal growth and awareness, accepting others, time management, training others, teamwork, foreign language skills, intercultural competencies, goal-setting, managing people, work ethic, serving others, taking direction, independence, patience, decision-making and judgment, standing their ground, leading by example, self-discipline, adaptability, lifelong learning 27:10 Connecting these skills to leadership for women: "We have to be leaders" Serving a mission helps women see themselves as leaders33:45 How can we encourage women to act with confidence in leadership roles when men are present? Increasing internal confidence and changing societal systems Look deeply at opportunities that are available and asking, can women do this? Creating male allies: men who are aware and desire to be more inclusive37:00 Women are socialized to keep quiet in a group with men 38:50 Leaders who understanding the differences between men and women create more powerful action and teams 42:50 A Mission President's wife is a leader: to develop leadership identity, women need to see other women leading 45:15 Yearning for sisters to be included in leadership and missionary training 48:15 Talking more about Mother in Heaven and recognizing a connection to her 52:30 What are returned sister missionaries currently doing to use their knowledge and skills? All of those skills apply to leadership in the family and Church roles, and they have also translated them into leadership in their careers
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership and The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton.LinksPart 2: What About Our Culture is Holding Us Back? | An Interview with Ryan GottfredsonRyanGottfredson.comIs There a Correlation Between Losing Faith and Moving? | An Interview with Ryan GottfredsonThe Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Is Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership? | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson What Every Leader Should Consider About Community in Their Ward | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Ryan's articles at leadingsaints.org Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis is the first of a two-part podcast conversation on effective church leadership. Ryan shares his extensive experience in leadership research and consulting, highlighting the varying levels of leadership sophistication he encounters in organizations. He categorizes leaders into three levels: those focused on safety and belonging, those striving for advancement, and the most elevated leaders who prioritize contribution and value creation.Ryan discusses the significance of establishing a clear, inspirational, and stakeholder-centric purpose within church organizations, drawing parallels to successful leaders in the corporate world. He emphasizes that a well-defined purpose can help shift focus from individual concerns to a collective mission, fostering a more engaged and vibrant community. The conversation also touches on the importance of mission and vision statements, as well as the need for clear values that guide behavior in challenging situations. Ryan suggests that church leaders should conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify key groups impacted by their leadership and to ensure that their efforts create meaningful value for these stakeholders.Kurt and Ryan delve into the complexities of administering temple recommends, exploring the balance between behavior-focused and grace-centered discipleship. They consider the implications of current temple recommend questions and how they may inadvertently create a caste system within the church. The episode concludes with a thought-provoking examination of how church culture can either uplift or alienate members, emphasizing the need for leaders to cultivate an environment where all feel valued and included. Overall, this episode offers valuable insights for church leaders seeking to enhance their effectiveness and foster a more inclusive and purpose-driven community.01:48 - Welcoming Ryan Gottfredson Back to the Podcast02:30 - Discussion on Leadership Challenges in Church Settings03:34 - Introduction to Leadership Concepts and Themes05:15 - Ryan's Background and Current Roles06:14 - Consulting Relationships and Leadership Development08:08 - Common Issues in Organizations09:12 - Levels of Leadership Sophistication11:09 - The Importance of Cultivating Leadership Environments12:07 - The Role of Character Development in Leadership13:40 - The Balance Between Behavior and Grace in Discipleship16:16 - Temple Recommend Questions and Their Implications20:08 - The Concept of a Caste System in Church Leadership22:38 - The Challenge of Creating Inclusive Church Communities23:01 - Indicators of Effective Leadership in Organizations24:05 - The Importance of Purpose in Leadership27:28 - Engaging Stakeholders in Leadership
Christian McOmber is the founder of Missionary Universe—a non-profit organization that empowers youth to learn missionary skills early so they can support their local communities and prepare for full-time missionary service. He works in advertising as a creative director. Christian's writing has come to life in the form of Super Bowl commercials, experiential activations, and more, for brands like Pepsi, Lexus, Burger King, and NBA 2K. At church, he has served as a ward mission leader and with the youth. Christian currently resides with his family in Los Angeles, California, the City of Angels.LinksMissionaryUniverse.com@MissionaryUniverse on YouTube@missionaryuniverse on Instagram Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityTranscript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsChristian's passion for missionary work shines through as he discusses his own experiences and the inception of Missionary Universe.He recounts his upbringing in Seattle, where his father's enthusiasm for missionary work inspired him. After serving a mission in Brazil, he returned home with a strong desire to continue sharing the gospel, despite facing health challenges. Christian emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals and maintaining momentum in missionary efforts, sharing his experience of inviting 92 people to his homecoming talk, resulting in three baptisms. The conversation shifts to practical advice for church leaders on integrating returned missionaries into ward activities, highlighting the significance of keeping them engaged in missionary work.The episode delves into goal-setting strategies for wards, encouraging leaders to involve youth in the process. Christian shares a successful approach where he and the youth set a goal of baptizing 20 people, which they achieved through consistent outreach and support from the ward. He emphasizes the need to view goal-setting as a partnership with God, allowing for divine intervention in achieving these goals. The discussion also covers the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and learning from experiences, even if goals are not met within the initially set timeframe.As the episode progresses, Christian shares insights on organizing community outreach events, such as "Fishers of Men" activities, where youth and ward members visit less-active members to invite them back to church. He highlights the power of youth involvement in missionary work and the impact of their enthusiasm on the entire ward. The episode concludes with Christian discussing his ongoing projects, including "Preach My Gospel on Film," aimed at equipping youth with the skills needed for effective missionary work. He encourages listeners to share this content with youth and leaders to inspire a new generation of missionaries, reinforcing the idea that the youth are the "battalion of the Lord" and can achieve remarkable things when empowered.04:50 - Introduction to Missionary Universe05:43 - Christian's Passion for Missionary Work07:53 - Transitioning from Mission to Home Life10:11 - Setting Lifelong Missionary Goals12:36 - The Importance of Consistency in Missionary Work15:38 - Tips for Church Leaders on Engaging Returned Missionaries18:15 - Setting Goals as a Ward20:44 - Involving Youth in Missionary Goals23:38 - The Role of Youth in Achieving Goals25:41 - The Taggart Approach to Visiting Less Active Members29:31 - Expanding the Definition of Success in Goals32:08 - The Fishers of Men Activity36:03 - The Journey of Setting and Achieving Goals39:31 - Balancing Personal Life and Missionary Work40:39 - Engaging with the Community through Missionary Universe45:00 - Resources for Youth and Leaders in Missionary WorkThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead.
In this episode, Kurt Francom, executive director of Leading Saints, shares his thoughts on how leaders can handle the question that always seems to come up: "How can I motivate people?"LinksWatch the Motivating Saints Virtual Conference with a 14-day pass to the Core Leader LibrarySubscribe to the Leading Saints NewsletterHow LaVell Edwards Influenced His Team to be a Team of Leaders | An Interview With Paul GustavsonListening to the Stories of Those We Lead | A Live Event with Robert FerrellElder Bednar: "A Conversation on Leadership"Newsletter message: "Try this in elders quorum"Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints communityRead the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsTraditional notions of motivation may be misguided. Kurt cites a Church training with Elder Bednar where he asserted that motivation is essentially a false concept. Motivation can only come from the inside, not from external pressures or guilt. He highlights the importance of recognizing one's ego as a driving force in leadership and the need to create a culture of love and identity rather than relying on high expectations and shame. Kurt shares practical strategies for fostering motivation, such as building relationships, offering autonomy, and inviting community engagement. He emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive environment where individuals feel valued and connected.Ultimately, true motivation stems from understanding one's identity in Christ and fostering a culture of discipleship. Kurt encourages leaders to surrender their expectations and allow individuals to find their own paths to engagement, reinforcing the idea that leadership is about guiding others toward their divine potential rather than merely achieving specific metrics or goals. Leaders can embrace their roles with compassion and patience, recognizing that the journey of discipleship is a collective effort that requires understanding and support.02:15 - Common Leadership Concerns03:39 - Understanding Motivation Challenges05:06 - Apathy and Engagement Post-COVID06:20 - The Role of Ego in Leadership08:15 - Rethinking the Problem of Motivation09:41 - Elder Bednar's Perspective on Motivation10:34 - The Impact of Ego on Leadership12:30 - The Pressure of Leadership Expectations13:02 - The Ineffectiveness of Guilt as Motivation14:05 - Historical Example: World War Rationing17:53 - The Importance of Inviting Solutions18:14 - Building Relationships Over Numbers20:23 - High Love vs. High Expectations21:07 - Teaching Identity as a Motivational Tool23:04 - The Role of the Temple in Identity24:30 - Surrendering Motivation to Christ26:16 - The Challenge of Leadership and Ego28:24 - Practical Steps for Leaders30:09 - Fostering Community and Relationships32:06 - Offering Autonomy in Leadership33:18 - Teaching Identity and Purpose35:39 - The Long-Term Vision for Leadership37:28 - Conclusion and Encouragement for LeadersThe award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences,
Garth Pedersen grew up in Elk Grove, California, and Mesa, Arizona, and served a mission to Brazil. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and is a small business owner. Garth has served as a ward clerk, Sunday School president, bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, and Primary worker (his favorite calling, along with being a dad). He and his wife have three daughters and two sons, and live in San Tan Valley, Arizona.
Links
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HighlightsComing soon
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
If you want to join us for the Leading Saints Experience on the BYU Cruise do the following:
- Visit https://byucruise.com/
- Register using promo: LEADINGSAINTS
This is an experience within an experience. You will have access to all the BYU Cruise entertainment and also a unique Leading Saints experience as well (including the live podcast interview with Coach Sitake).
Stephan Taeger is an assistant professor in Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. He received a PhD from BYU in Instructional Design and Technology in 2018. Stephan’s research focuses on homiletics (the study of preaching), narrative instruction, and ancient scripture. He is also an author and co-host of the RVVL podcast with David Butler.
Links
Religious Educator: “Using Elements of Narrative to Engage Students”
StephanTaeger.com
RVVL Podcast
Ears to Hear: Mini Sermons That Make You Think
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Transcript coming soon
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HighlightsComing soon
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
David Geens is a convert of 13 years, currently serving a “five year mission” as a bishop in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders, Belgium. He previously served as a branch missionary leader, branch presidency counselor, elders quorum president, high counselor, and national communications director. A computer engineer and entrepreneur, David is active now as a business angel. He and his wife Isabel are the parents of Laurens (21) and Lucas (19).
Links
geenszins.info
dekastvanmormon.info
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HighlightsDavid discusses his unique calling as a bishop, which he describes as a “five-year mission” that allows him to serve while remaining at home with his family. He shares his journey to baptism, which began with his wife’s childhood fascination with the church, leading to their eventual conversion. David provides insights into the challenges and dynamics of church life in Belgium, emphasizing the secular nature of Western Europe and the difficulties of maintaining active membership.
Throughout the episode, David shares valuable leadership principles he has learned during his time as a bishop. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive tone in communication, focusing on what can be done rather than what cannot. He also discusses the significance of understanding that the gospel’s two basic rules—loving God and loving one’s neighbor—should guide the interpretation of the Church’s handbook, which he views as a tool to help bring people closer to Christ. Additionally, he addresses the issue of disappointment among members, noting that many inactive members cite feelings of disappointment as a primary reason for their absence from church.
David highlights the importance of listening to members’ concerns and building trust, sharing personal anecdotes that illustrate his approach to leadership. He concludes by reflecting on how his leadership experiences have deepened his faith and understanding of Christ’s teachings, emphasizing that true leadership is rooted in service.
04:57 – David’s Background and Language Skills
05:35 – Discovering Leading Saints
06:18 – David’s Calling as Bishop
07:25 – Unique Setup of David’s Five-Year Mission
08:16 – David’s Conversion Story
10:18 – Church Dynamics in Belgium
12:35 – Cultural Differences in Discussing Religion
13:05 – David’s Approach to Sharing Faith
14:15 – Characteristics of David’s Ward
16:28 – Youth Group Dynamics in the Ward
18:25 – Church Building and Attendance
19:22 – Temple District and Upcoming Brussels Temple
20:57 – Characteristics of the Ward and Ministering
23:04 – Leadership Principle: Positive Communication
29:16 – Leadership Principle: The Gospel’s Two Basic Rules
33:01 – Leadership Principle: Avoiding Disappointment
38:08 – Final Thoughts on Leadership and Service
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brad Lowder is a senior vice president at FamilySearch International. He has experience across media, marketing, advertising, and communications industries, and is an accomplished television producer and screenwriter. Prior to working for FamilySearch, Brad’s career included working in newspaper, radio, and satellite broadcasting where he produced live sporting events. He was also managing partner of two advertising agencies, chief marketing officer of a national franchise, and vice president of marketing and sales for an electronics company. Brad also owned a broadcasting company that created and produced a globally-syndicated radio program.
Brad’s church callings have included serving in a YSA Bishopric (twice), as a stake and ward Young Men president, on his stake high council, as a deacons and teachers quorum advisor, and stake director of public affairs. Brad served in the Germany Munich Mission and has a BA in Advertising from Brigham Young University. His interests include travel, cross country motorcycle trips, hiking, skiing, beekeeping, and spoiling his grandchildren. Brad is married to Marjorie Nelson Lowder and between them they have seven children and thirteen grandchildren.
Links
The Life of Sister Dantzel White Nelson | An Interview with Marjorie Nelson Lowder
FamilySearch Get Involved
Ordinances Ready
“How family stories help children weather hard times”
“The ‘Do You Know?’ 20 Questions About Family Stories”
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HighlightsBrad shares insights into his role at FamilySearch, where he focuses on engaging the rising generation in family history work. He explains how the increasing number of temples worldwide necessitates a greater effort in record acquisition and indexing to support members in their temple work.
Brad emphasizes the significance of integrating family history into the lives of youth, encouraging leaders to empower young people to take the lead in gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. He introduces practical tools such as the “Get Involved” app and the “Ordinances Ready” feature, which make it easier for youth to participate in temple work.
The episode also delves into the psychological benefits of knowing family history, citing research that shows how understanding one’s ancestry can enhance resilience and a sense of identity among youth. Brad encourages leaders to create a culture where family history is a natural part of worship and community activities, rather than a separate event. He shares strategies for incorporating family history into existing programs, making it fun and engaging for the rising generation.
The episode concludes with Brad’s enthusiasm for the potential of family history work to bless individuals and families, reinforcing the idea that this work is not just a task but a joyful and meaningful experience that connects generations.
04:11 – Personal Story: Asking for a Daughter’s Hand in Marriage
08:34 – Day Job: Senior Vice President at FamilySearch
10:06 – Impact of Temple Building on FamilySearch
12:36 – Challenges of Record Acquisition in New Temple Districts
15:14 – Introduction to the Get Involved App
17:00 – AI and FamilySearch: The Future of Genealogy
18:03 – Engaging the Rising Generation in Family History
20:10 – Starting with the Savior: The Foundation of Family History
21:38 – Using Ordinances Ready for Temple Work
22:32 – Adding What You Know: Building Your Family Tree
25:00 – The Experience of Converts in Family History
27:17 – Family Name Assist: Helping Converts Prepare for the Temple
29:10 – Integrating Family History into Church Culture
30:18 – The Importance of Family Stories for Resilience
36:12 – Making Family History a Natural Part of Worship
44:08 – Sharing Family History with Non-Members: A Personal Experience
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired in November 2019.
Mark Mathews was born in Houston, Texas. He served a mission in Guatemala and met his wife at Brigham Young University. He later earned a Ph.D. in Education from Utah State University and has been involved with Seminaries and Institutes for 20 years. Mark has been a favorite attraction teaching at BYU Education Week for many interested in learning about the temple experience.
Links
Understanding Priesthood Keys in Leadership | An Interview with Mark Mathews
ChurchofJesusChrist.org: Prepare for the House of the Lord
ChurchofJesusChrist.org: Prophetic Teachings on Temples
Seek Learning by Faith, by Elder David A. Bednar
Understanding and Embracing the Temple Endowment, by Mark Mathews
Prepared to Obtain Every Needful Thing, by Elder David A. Bednar
Holiness and the Plan of Happiness, by President Henry B. Eyring
God’s Plan for Families, by Mark Mathews
Trust in the Lord, by President Dallin H. Oaks
Spiritual Treasures, by President Russell M. Nelson
Follow Mark Mathews on Facebook
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Scriptures ReferencedThe Book of Moses
Exodus 40:12-13
Doctrine and Covenants 88:74-75
Doctrine and Covenants 109:21
2 Nephi 2:25
Doctrine and Covenants 132:19
Doctrine and Covenants 131
Doctrine and Covenants 109:22
Highlights2:50: Mark’s BYU Education Week presentation was on the temple, motivating Leading Saints to have a podcast on how best leaders can prepare members to attend the temple for the first time. How does Mark as a bishop help members have a positive first-time experience?
5:00: Members have a natural desire to better understand the temple. Early chapters in the Book of Moses are an excellent template and place to start when studying the endowment ceremony.
6:45: Experiencing the endowment by viewing the video combined with the attendance of the Holy Ghost is akin to having a vision. Joseph Smith did the same for the early saints when the endowment ceremony was acted out.
7:45: The “practical” approach of reviewing the worthiness standard, explaining what can be shared about temple clothing, is still very vague.
8:33: Elder Bednar’s talk Seek Learning by Faith: “The most important learnings of life are caught—not taught.” Speaking at or telling people what to do or how to prepare may not be fully absorbed. Providing members with materials that they can read over time and with the attendance of the Holy Ghost is far more effective in helping them “catch” and discover truth for themselves. (See “Links” section above.)
10:30: How we can better understand what leaders can say about the temple.
13:08: Quoting Elder Bednar:
“Two basic guidelines can help us achieve the proper understanding emphasized by President Benson.
“Guideline #1. Because we love the Lord, we always should speak about His holy house with reverence. We should not disclose or describe the special symbols associated with the covenants we receive in sacred temple ceremonies. Neither should we discuss the holy information that we specifically promise in the temple not to reveal.
“Guideline #2. The temple is the house of the Lord. Everything in the temple points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We may discuss the basic purposes of and the doctrine and principles associated with temple ordinances and covenants.”
14:40: Preventing members from feeling uncomfortable about temple worship after their initial experience. Help members understand that “the ultimate purpose of the temple endowment is to bring us into the presence of God.”
19:37: How to come into the presence of God: one must be prepared through ancient ritual, instruction, and covenant—all of which are part of the endowment ceremony.
- Washing and anointing
- Symbolism of “pouring”
- Temple garments and other sacerdotal vestments
- Covenants
- Law of Obedience
- Law of Sacrifice
- Law of Gospel
- Law of Chastity
- Law of Consecration
24:39: Covenants provide us with “clean hands and a pure heart”; members are now ready for instruction.
- Creation
- Fall
- Atonement
25:40: Study the Book of Moses.
27:15: A focus on the law of consecration: one big misunderstandings that many Latter-day Saints have: the law of consecration is much broader than the United Order: tithing, time, means, generous fast offerings, responding to church callings and assignments.
30:35: More on the covenants we make
32:23: How members experience the Plan of Salvation through the endowment ceremony, supported again by the pillars of Creation, Fall, and Atonement
36:05: Creation and Fall are relatively obvious; where is the Atonement in the temple?
38:18: Additional leadership actions that can help prepare initiates. Again: study the Book of Moses.
39:40: The creation of Adam and Eve wasn’t simply the creation of man and woman: it was the creation of marriage–they were created for each other.
40:57: Adam fell that men might be.
43:14: The role of families in the eternities, and in our temporal trials
50:32: Individuals who will not be blessed with marriage and children in this life
52:45: The endowment ceremony is not the end, but simply a step in the process.
54:00: Go back regularly.
54:48: Joseph Smith invites us to receive revelation about heaven “through the ordinances of God”. “See for yourself.”
57:25: Final encouragement for leaders preparing individuals to attend the temple for the first time
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Trevor Farnes is the author of The Conquer Code and the CEO and Co-Founder of MTN OPS, an energy and nutritional product company focused on the outdoor industry, in Fruit Heights, Utah. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Full Sail University. Trevor’s focus and mission at MTN OPS is that of improving the lives of individuals and families through transformational products and a community built to inspire individuals to conquer more in life. MTN OPS was recently recognized as one of Utah’s Fastest Growing Companies, one of Utah’s Best Places to Work, and Trevor was recognized as Utah Business CEO of the Year.
After many years of facing hunger issues themselves, Trevor and his wife Jenna founded the MTN OPS initiative, Operation Conquer Hunger, to conquer hunger within the most vulnerable households in Utah, throughout the country, and Malawi, Africa. From every MTN OPS order the company donates a meal to a child or family in need. Within just a few short years, they have donated millions of meals and are committed to conquering hunger, one order, one meal, one child at a time.
Above all, Trevor is devoted to his faith, husband to his beautiful wife of over 20 years, and the proud father to their four incredible children. He currently serves in the Church as stake Young Men president and member of his stake high council. Trevor has previously served as a bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, Young Men advisor, ward mission leader, and in his elders quorum presidency.
Links
The Conquer Code
MTN OPS
Information about Camp Helaman
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HighlightsThe discussion begins with an overview of Trevor’s leadership style, which is deeply rooted in his experiences of overcoming business failures and the importance of faith. Trevor emphasizes the significance of core values in both business and church leadership, sharing how MTN OPS has cultivated a culture of trust and connection through its core values, including the unique principle of recognizing God. He explains that these values serve as decision-making guardrails that guide the organization toward its mission of improving lives.
The conversation then shifts to the Children and Youth program of the Church, particularly focusing on the four goal quadrants: physical, spiritual, mental, and social. Trevor shares insights on how to effectively engage youth leaders in utilizing this quadrant to set meaningful goals without overwhelming the youth. He recounts a successful initiative where young men from his stake participated in a series of experiential activities designed to help them recognize their strengths and set personal goals. This approach not only fosters accountability but also creates a deeper connection between youth and their leaders.
Trevor also discusses his role as the stake Young Men president, detailing how he transformed the mission preparation process by moving it to a more engaging environment and incorporating interactive elements. By inviting returned missionaries to share their experiences and providing a supportive atmosphere, he has seen increased participation and enthusiasm among the youth. The episode concludes with Farnes encouraging leaders to live by their core values, celebrate successes, and create a culture of accountability that inspires youth to grow spiritually and personally. Overall, this episode is filled with practical ideas and inspiration for leaders looking to make a positive impact on the rising generation.
04:10 – The Conquer Code: Background and Purpose
06:09 – The Importance of Core Values in Leadership
10:03 – Building a Trustworthy Brand Culture
12:12 – Core Values as Decision-Making Guardrails
14:08 – Focusing on Core Values Monthly
20:30 – The Youth Quadrant: Engaging Youth Leaders
22:12 – Creating Meaningful Youth Experiences
29:10 – The Role of Accountability in Leadership
32:14 – Mission Preparation: Stake Young Men’s Program
35:33 – Adapting Mission Prep for Greater Engagement
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
ToriAnn Perkey has served as ward or stake choir director, as well as ward or stake music coordinator for most of her adult life in the Church. She has also served as a Primary counselor and a Young Women secretary.
ToriAnn earned a bachelor’s degree in Classical Studies with History and Editing minors from Brigham Young University. In addition to raising four kids and homeschooling them for their entire education, she has also owned an online recruiting company and worked as an online business manager. She is now the executive director and English program director for a private educational company that provides a la carte classes for secondary homeschool students. ToriAnn has been happily married to her husband for 27 years and lives in Orem, Utah.
Links
SacredSheetMusic.org (not sacredsheetmusic.com)
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HighlightsToriAnn shares her insights and experiences in leading ward and stake choirs and emphasizes the need for effective leadership in choir settings, particularly in revitalizing choirs that may have dwindled in participation.
Throughout the episode, she outlines several key principles for successfully leading a choir. She stresses the importance of asking questions and gathering feedback from potential participants to understand their hesitations and preferences. This approach not only helps in addressing concerns but also fosters a sense of community and involvement. She advocates for proactive marketing strategies to ensure that choir activities are well-publicized and that members feel invited and excited to participate. ToriAnn also emphasizes the necessity of making participation easy and straightforward, ensuring that logistical details are well-organized to minimize barriers to attendance.
Moreover, she discusses the significance of making choir practices spiritually enriching, suggesting that each session should include moments of reflection and testimony sharing to enhance the overall experience. ToriAnn shares personal anecdotes that illustrate the profound impact choir participation can have on individuals, including fostering connections and providing a sense of belonging. The episode concludes with ToriAnn encouraging choir directors to seek inspiration and guidance from their leadership, ensuring that the choir aligns with the broader goals of the ward or stake. Overall, this episode serves as a valuable resource for choir directors and leaders, offering practical advice and heartfelt insights into the transformative power of music and community within the church.
05:37 – Tori Ann’s Background in Choir Directing
06:55 – Demographics and Dynamics of Choir in Different Areas
09:02 – Initial Challenges and Leadership Expectations
11:34 – Principle 1: Ask Questions and Get Feedback
14:10 – Importance of Feedback in Leadership
15:37 – Principle 2: Market Like Crazy
18:32 – Engaging New Members and Building Interest
20:03 – Principle 3: Make It Easy and Simple to Participate
23:14 – Reducing Barriers to Participation
23:45 – Principle 4: Make It Worth Their Time
28:15 – Creating a Spiritual Experience in Choir
30:11 – Building Relationships Through Choir
30:29 – Working with the Bishopric and Stake Presidency
35:42 – Practical Tools and Resources for Choir Directors
39:11 – The Impact of Choir Leadership
41:04 – Reflection on Leadership and Following Christ
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Rich Hanks is an author, investor, and adviser to both start-ups and established businesses. He has served as a board director of numerous profit and non-profit companies and organizations, and as a mission president in Birmingham, Alabama. His book, To Be a Friend of Christ, draws on previously unavailable primary sources—journals, correspondence, notebooks, and recordings—to share the first and only authorized biography of his father, Marion D. Hanks, who served for nearly 40 years as a General Authority.
Links
To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks
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HighlightsRich shares personal anecdotes about his father, highlighting his early calling as a General Authority at just 31 years old and the unique challenges that came with it, including the absence of an emeritus status at the time.
Rich elaborates on Marion D. Hanks’ contributions to early morning seminary programs and the establishment of the Christus as a symbol of the Church, emphasizing his efforts to make the Church more relatable and accessible to the public. The discussion also touches on Elder Hanks’ mission presidency in England, where he worked to reform the culture of missionary work, focusing on genuine conversion rather than mere numbers. Rich recounts how his father prioritized the spiritual well-being of missionaries and the importance of service, drawing parallels to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the episode, Rich reflects on the leadership principles exemplified by his father, including the importance of being a voice for change while maintaining respect for Church authority. The conversation concludes with Rich sharing how his father’s legacy has influenced his own approach to leadership as a mission president, emphasizing the need to focus on the individuals being served rather than solely on baptism numbers. Overall, the episode provides a rich exploration of Marion D. Hanks’ life and the enduring impact of his leadership philosophy within the Church.
02:05 – Who Was Marion D. Hanks?
02:52 – Elder Hanks’ Influence and Legacy
03:42 – Rich Hanks’ Personal Connection to His Father
04:05 – Marion D. Hanks as a General Authority
05:39 – The Emeritus Status and Its Impact
07:25 – Growing Up with a General Authority Father
08:56 – Marion D. Hanks’ Teaching Innovations
10:51 – The Christus Symbol and Its Origins
12:47 – Elder Hanks as Mission President
16:55 – Addressing the Baptism Culture in England
20:55 – Leadership Principles from Elder Hanks
22:15 – The Importance of Service in Leadership
25:01 – The Dynamics of Being a General Authority
27:40 – Navigating Leadership Disagreements
30:12 – The Role of Revelation in Leadership
32:37 – The Legacy of Service and Community Engagement
39:09 – Personal Reflections on Leadership Principles
43:24 – Applying Elder Hanks’ Principles in Modern Leadership
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Mark Castillo was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and baptized at age 10. He attended Brigham Young University, served a mission in Venezuela, and has had a career in business and human resources. Mark lives in Highland, Utah, with his wife and three sons, and currently serves as a Sunday School president.
Links
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HighlightsMark emphasizes key leadership principles such as conversion, embracing one’s teaching style, and the importance of personal stories in teaching. He highlights the need for consistent effort in spiritual growth and the significance of inviting others to act on what they learn.
02:41 – Mark’s Background and Church Journey
06:39 – The “Sunday School Zealot” Nickname
09:02 – Tips for Ward Librarians
12:14 – Insights on a Typical Utah Ward
13:41 – Sunday School Structure in Highland Ward
16:07 – Teacher Council Meetings Overview
19:45 – Importance of Conversion in Leadership
24:18 – Embracing Your Teaching Style
27:21 – Choosing to Put Heavenly Father First
29:51 – Practical Tools for Teaching
31:06 – The Impact of Personal Stories in Teaching
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
BJ Allen is an associate professor of Marketing at Brigham Young University. He received a bachelor’s degree from BYU and a PhD in Business Administration from University of Texas-San Antonio. He is the author of two textbooks and gives sales and marketing trainings to corporations.
BJ is also the author of the newly-released book, The Compensating Power of Christ, which is about how Jesus makes right the unfairness of life and how Christ compensates for our personal weaknesses. He lives in Provo, Utah, with his wife Angie and their six kids. He is currently serving as a bishop.
Links
The Compensating Power of Christ
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HighlightsB.J. shares his journey of exploring the Atonement of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its practical applications in daily life, particularly during difficult times. He highlights the importance of recognizing how Christ compensates for life’s unfairness, bridging the gap between the beauty of the gospel and the harsh realities of mortality.
Throughout the conversation, B.J. discusses the various ways Christ’s Atonement can be understood, including its compensating power, which helps individuals overcome personal weaknesses, compensates for the imperfections of others, and addresses the random unfairness of life. He also delves into the role of church leaders, particularly bishops, in guiding individuals through repentance, emphasizing that the Atonement is not merely about forgiveness but also about personal growth and becoming more like Heavenly Father. B.J. encourages listeners to understand that their efforts, no matter how small, are sufficient when coupled with Christ’s grace, reinforcing the idea that the Atonement is a dynamic and integral part of everyday life. He reminds us that Christ is always present, ready to help individuals navigate their challenges and find beauty in their struggles.
03:00 – The Concept of Christ’s Atonement
05:00 – B.J. Allen’s Personal Journey to Writing the Book
06:00 – Understanding the Atonement in Daily Life
08:00 – The Role of Christ in Our Imperfections
09:00 – The Importance of Compensating Power
10:00 – Addressing Faith Crises and Doubts
12:00 – The Atonement as a Concrete Concept
14:00 – Application of the Atonement in Leadership
15:00 – The Role of Witnessing in Healing
16:00 – The Paradox of Life’s Unfairness
18:00 – C.S. Lewis’s Chess Game Analogy
20:00 – Compensatory Blessings and Merciful Judgment
22:00 – The Role of Christ in Parenting
24:00 – The Importance of Faith in Difficult Times
26:00 – The Process of Repentance
28:00 – The Role of the Atonement in Repentance
30:00 – The Balance of Justice and Mercy
32:00 – The Impact of Mother’s Day Talks
34:00 – The Role of Effort in Parenting
36:00 – The Nature of Repentance and Forgiveness
38:00 – Encouragement to Move Forward After Sin
40:00 – The Role of Christ in Our Weaknesses
42:00 – Final Thoughts on the Atonement and Repentance
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jay Timms is an organizational psychologist who blends over two decades of professional speaking experience with extensive hands-on executive leadership experience. Jay has provided leadership training, consulted for, and been a keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies and improved the performance of businesses, teams, and individuals in a wide range of industries. He is an expert in engaging learners at all levels, leading them to become better leaders. Jay has served in multiple church leadership callings and currently is a bishop in Langley, British Columbia.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts.Read the transcript of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlightsThis discussion centers around the complexities of motivating individuals within both organizational and church settings, particularly in volunteer-based environments where traditional incentives are absent. Jay shares his background in psychology and leadership, emphasizing the importance of understanding the values and motivations of individuals to foster engagement and productivity. He highlights the necessity of clear communication regarding organizational vision and the significance of personalizing leadership approaches to meet individuals where they are in their spiritual and personal journeys.Throughout the conversation, Jay offers practical strategies for leaders, such as conducting regular one-on-one check-ins with members to understand their goals and how to support them. He stresses the importance of creating buy-in by involving members in decision-making processes, thereby enhancing their commitment to shared objectives. Jay also addresses the challenge of balancing church traditions with the core principles of the gospel, advocating for a focus on love and personal growth rather than guilt or comparison.04:57 - Jay Timms' Background and Leadership Experience06:37 - Understanding Motivation in Leadership10:33 - Key Factors Affecting Employee Motivation13:31 - Steps to Discover What Drives People15:45 - Meeting People Where They're At18:44 - The Importance of Personalization in Leadership22:13 - Engaging Ward Members in Vision and Mission25:27 - The Role of Tradition vs. Gospel29:11 - Practical Applications of Leadership Principles32:40 - The Importance of Not Having All the Answers39:12 - Self-Awareness in Leadership43:44 - Utilizing Feedback for Personal GrowthThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Beth Zeleny has pretty much done whatever church callings needed to be done: teaching in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, early morning Seminary, Gospel Doctrine, and Gospel Principles; serving in Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women ward and stake presidencies; serving as a temple ordinance worker, Relief Society compassionate service leader, and provident living specialist. Just when she thought she had done everything, she was called to be ward history specialist.
Beth has a bachelor’s degree in Education and a master’s and PhD in Geography. She taught middle school math and science before grad school, then taught geography courses in university for a few years before switching to a career in intelligence. She retired seven years ago but enjoys research, analysis, and writing so much that she would like to go back to work and do it some more.
Links
Ward History: unithistory.churchofjesuschrist.org
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HighlightsThis discussion centers around the innovative unit history website, which simplifies the process of recording and sharing ward histories. Beth shares how the introduction of the unit history site transformed her experience as ward history specialist, making ward history engaging and accessible for all ward members.
Beth elaborates on how the website allows leaders to document experiences and activities throughout the year. This fosters a sense of community and connection, as members can share personal stories that reflect their faith journeys. Beth emphasizes the importance of capturing these narratives, highlighting various stories from her ward that showcase the diverse experiences of its members, from missionary efforts to personal testimonies.
Kurt and Beth discuss strategies for encouraging ward engagement with the history site, including proactive outreach to members. Beth shares her methods for collecting stories, such as approaching individuals after sacrament meetings and inviting them to contribute their experiences.
02:09 – Introduction to Beth Zeleny
02:43 – Beth’s Background and Calling
04:01 – The Church’s New Ward History Tool
05:18 – How the Unit History Website Works
09:39 – Accessing the Unit History Site
11:00 – Member Contributions to Ward History
12:45 – Navigating the Unit History Site
16:36 – Gathering Stories from Ward Members
20:58 – Importance of Personal Stories
23:27 – The Value of Recording Ward History
26:00 – Engagement and Participation in Ward History
30:45 – Encouraging Story Submissions
35:13 – The Impact of Sharing First Experiences
37:17 – Conclusion and Call to Action
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Brett Stewart is a conductor, composer, pianist, and vocalist. He has taught music to youth and adults for nearly three decades and—together with his brother—founded Millennial Choirs & Orchestras. He is also a composer-in-residence for MCO, having composed and arranged well over one hundred works for the organization, including the full-length oratorio Messiah in America, and the full-length patriotic work To Be American.
Brett received a doctorate degree in Choral Conducting with cognate studies in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, a master’s degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Long Beach, and a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from Brigham Young University. Extremely active and busy with his family and religious life, Stewart devotes his career time exclusively to MCO and other composing projects. Brett and his wife, Mindy, are the parents of seven children and live in northeast Texas.
Links
Millennial Choirs and Orchestras
MCO on YouTube
Messiah in America on YouTube
“Savior, Redeemer of My Soul”
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2020.
DeAnna Murphy is a former stake Relief Society president in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the Chief People and Culture Officer for Thrivin, with a twenty-seven-year international career as an organizational psychologist, expert learning and development practitioner, and executive coach. She is also an internationally-known keynote speaker, Top 100 Global Coaching Leader, and author.
DeAnna has shared her expertise and inspiration in many Leading Saints articles, podcasts, and events. Her personal time is joyfully spent loving and lifting her family and friends, and helping each person she meets to recognize how valuable and important they are.
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Shift Up! Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living
Choose to See You
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Highlights0:00:03 Introduction of DeAnna Murphy
0:00:48 Her deepest desire has just been to be a great mom; her best leadership training has come in that arena. Professionally, she’s an executive leadership coach.
0:03:44 Great leaders don’t just ask “what we are trying to accomplish?”, but also, “what is important about it?”
0:04:07 When we start a meeting establishing the purpose of the meeting, it creates power.
0:04:20 Beginning a 13-14 Sunday School class by establishing the purpose
0:05:43 “Of all the things you’re trying to accomplish with this summit, what’s the most important thing you’d hope they’d learn and they’re longing to hear?”
0:06:00 (Kurt) Hope people walk away with a deeper ability and motivation to run a meeting
0:06:50 We meet to unify. We meet to connect. We meet to multiply our resources together. D&C 43:8-9 – When we meet, we should instruct and edify one another
0:08:08 To “instruct and edify together” implies that each participant holds a piece – no one person holds all the pieces
0:11:06 Each person in a council has a unique strength and a unique perspective.
0:13:23 DeAnna’s experience with a leader having a diametrically opposed viewpoint – she might have a difficult time understanding his perspective. She sometimes had a difficult time communicating with him. It helped them to understand how the other viewed situations.
0:15:29 Feelings of self-consciousness, uncertainty, and fear led to defensiveness. Granting herself grace allowed her to grant others grace, and remove the defensiveness.
0:16:05 Citing Ether 12:27 (weakness that they may be humble); DeAnna focuses on Ether 12:37 (because you see your weakness, you’ll be made strong)
0:16:35 DeAnna’s weaknesses were not made strong by becoming like her Stake President. Instead, they learned from each other, they became stronger in each other, and were unified in the Savior.
0:19:00 Identify what is important about the meeting
0:19:18 Identify “how” we will be together: (1) There’s always room for the Savior (2) Recognize we see things differently
0:20:30 Three or four questions always help to create clarity: (1) “What are you noticing…” or “I’m noticing…” (2) “What’s important about that?” (3) “What does it mean?” (4) “Now what do we do about it” (“Why?When?How?”)
0:22:58 What do you do when you’re in a meeting and you realize that you’re not tracking what is being said? Many remain silent.
0:24:00 Feeling confusion in a meeting may be a spiritual prompting that others are confused. Consider that speaking up will likely help others in the room, not just yourself.
0:24:35 Going into meetings, agree about how we are going to “be” together. Set up ground rules for how we will conduct the meetings and participate.
0:26:17 Google experiment: The number one thing contributing to high-performing teams – cohesive and agile – was psychological safety.
0:27:17 There’s nothing more intimidating that being one of three women in a room with 15 men in their suits.
0:27:55 Fear interferes with our ability to experience oneness.
0:30:13 Confident vulnerability – the confidence that God has empowered each of us with something unique, and he’s also given us weaknesses.
0:33:30 Each person is a puzzle piece with unique strengths. If I hold my puzzle piece back, the person whose piece is adjacent to mine can’t see where to lay their piece down. Other people around me also are inclined to hold back.
0:34:05 How do I find out what my puzzle piece is? (1) Tell me about a time when you made a difference? When was it and what did you do? There’s often a pattern about how we make a difference.
0:39:05 Christ prays that his disciples may be perfect in one. The Greek word for “perfect” means “whole” or “complete.” We can become “whole” or “complete” as we are one as a council.
0:40:00 One purpose of meeting is not just to meet the needs of the people “out there,” but to lift and magnify one another in the meeting. As we magnify one another, we find the solutions to serve those we’ve been called to serve.
0:42:20 Unconditional curiosity is the antidote to judgment of self and others. When I get curious about what you mean, and what’s important about what you’re sharing, I begin to see God in you.
0:42:40 Our strengths are pieces of our Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother’s DNA in us, so as we see our strengths, we see God in each other
0:43:13 When we begin to see God in those who see things differently than us, something sacred happens
0:43:30 The Law of Sacrifice asks us: “What will I put down so that I can be fully available to love with all of my heart, might, mind, and strength?” Will I let go of my judgment? Will I let go of my belief that I’m not enough? Will I let go of my fear?
0:45:20 How do we let go of our fears and insecurities? You may ask the following questions:
0:47:11 “What’s the story I’m telling myself right now?”
0:48:50 “If you keep telling yourself this story, where will it lead you?”
0:49:23 “What would a new ending look like if I were to write a new ending to this story?”
0:50:45 “What would be one step you could take toward that new ending?”
0:56:00 How do we let go of our fear?
1:01:20 Fear and judgment hold us back from consecration.
1:01:53 Wrap up – identifying important principles
1:01:55 Principle: When people are aligned around a shared purpose and have had a chance to weight in on the purpose, it helps them come more fully to a meeting.
1:02:55 Principle: Have clear goals.
1:02:10 Principle: Pause to say how we are going to be together.
1:05:40 Meetings are just another way of ministering and loving each other the way the Savior would
1:10:10 A great meeting doesn’t start when the meeting starts. The meeting starts 6 or 7 days ago.
1:12:42 Asking the right question is powerful. Start with “What?” or “How?” or “When?” Avoid “yes” or “no” or “why?” questions.
1:13:21 If you let the person’s answer drive your next question, you will go right into their heart.
1:16:00 Final encouragement
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Meagan Kohler is a Latter-day Saint convert and has a double BA in Philosophy and French from Brigham Young University. She writes for the Latter-day Saint Voices column at Deseret News, but her main (and favorite) gig is taking care of her husband and four boys. Meagan has served as a secretary in the Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary, and has taught both Sunday School and Relief Society.
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The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?
“The case for ‘low-production’ church”
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Rebecca Woolf was raised in Provo, Utah, the daughter of John and Shawna Edwards, with four brothers. She met her husband Landon at Brigham Young University. After graduation they lived in four different states as Landon studied and trained to become a pediatric anesthesiologist, and Becca studied and trained to become a mother of four incredible boys. They have now settled in Spokane, Washington. Becca has served in the Church as a counselor in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society, as a Sunday School teacher, and as a Relief Society and Young Women president.
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When Being Released Hurts
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HighlightsBecca vulnerably shares her experience as a Relief Society president in a new ward where the sisters embraced each other and she grew by striving to love as Jesus did.
Highlights coming soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Robert Ferrell recently returned from serving with his wife Lori Ann as mission leaders in the Peru Lima Central Mission. Prior to that service he was a dental surgeon/periodontist for 25 years in Ogden, Utah. He is currently a partner at [ACCEPTED], a full-service mental health clinic, and president of “Awaken”, a humanitarian foundation providing service at home and around the world for businesses, schools, families and youth.
Robert’s church leadership experience as a young single adult bishop, YSA stake president, and mission president—along with his professional careers—has given him unique experience and perspective to inspire young adults through some of the most important moments and difficult challenges of their lives. He has been a mentor/coach to thousands of young adults, a professional and inspirational speaker with over 500 presentations, and a presenter at BYU Education Week since 2017.
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Aspire: Discovering Your Purpose Through the Power of Words
Seekers Wanted
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HighlightsRobert Ferrell discusses the importance of fostering a culture of trust and open communication, encouraging leaders to help those they work with to focus on strengths and talents rather than their weaknesses. He shares anecdotes about his interactions with missionaries, emphasizing the need for leaders to be approachable and to create an environment where it is safe to discuss struggles and failures.
Throughout the episode, Robert reflects on the significance of connecting people to Jesus Christ, advocating for a shift in focus from mere mechanics to building genuine relationships with the Savior. He urges leaders to learn from those who struggle rather than solely focusing on those who succeed. The discussion also touches on the importance of time, training, teamwork, traditions, and theology in effective leadership. Ultimately, the conversation reminds us of the need for compassion, understanding, and a focus on personal growth in both leadership and discipleship.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Devin Pope was raised in Springville, Utah, and studied Economics at Brigham Young University before earning a PhD in Economics from University of California, Berkeley. He worked at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is now a professor of Behavioral Science and Economics at the University of Chicago. Devin and his wife Linda have four children and have held a variety of callings in the Church. He is currently the bishop of the Hyde Park 2nd Ward in Chicago.
Links
The Power of Everyday Missionaries
Rallying the Ward Around Sacrament Meeting | A How I Lead Interview with Ryan Webb
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HighlightsBishop Devin Pope leads the fastest-growing and most-baptizing ward in North America, located in Southside Chicago. He discusses his experiences and innovative approaches to missionary work, particularly in a diverse and densely-populated area with over a million residents.
Devin recounts his journey from serving as a ward mission leader to becoming bishop, emphasizing the importance of community engagement through events that welcome families into the church without a proselytizing agenda. He describes various successful community events, such as movie nights, indoor carnivals, and a popular haunted house that attracts thousands of attendees each year. These events aim to create a sense of belonging and familiarity with the church, ultimately leading to increased interest in church attendance. He also addresses the challenges of retaining new converts, highlighting the need for the church to provide meaningful support and assistance to families, particularly single mothers and migrants, who often face significant struggles.
Devin emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming environment during sacrament meetings and adapting the format to engage attendees better. He shares strategies for making church services more dynamic and inclusive, such as varying the types of talks and encouraging participation from all members, regardless of their background. The discussion culminates in a focus on the recent influx of migrants to Chicago, with Devin advocating for compassion and support for these new neighbors, regardless of political views. This conversation serves as a powerful reminder of the church’s mission to love and serve all individuals, fostering a sense of community and belonging within the church.
00:02:39 – Introduction with Bishop Devin Pope
00:04:57 – Devin’s Background and Calling
00:06:40 – Missionary Work and Community Dynamics
00:08:43 – Community Events: Engaging the Local Population
00:11:45 – Creative Community Event Ideas
00:14:40 – No Proselytizing Zone: Building Relationships
00:16:04 – Frequency and Planning of Community Events
00:17:22 – Popular Community Events: Haunted House and More
00:20:01 – Utilizing Church Facilities for Community Engagement
00:21:02 – Learning from Failed Events
00:22:10 – Involvement of Missionaries and Ward Members
00:23:56 – Budgeting for Community Events
00:24:34 – Shifting Focus to Community Outreach
00:25:29 – Organic Growth: Inviting People to Church
00:27:18 – Pizza Nights: Informal Introductions to the Church
00:29:39 – The Role of Missionaries in the Ward
00:30:00 – Retaining New Converts: Importance of Community
00:31:04 – Enhancing Sacrament Meetings for Engagement
00:34:22 – Providing Value to New Members
00:36:14 – Long-Term Welfare Support for Families
00:39:25 – Balancing Welfare Needs and Community Support
00:40:17 – Creating a Welcoming Church Environment
00:44:19 – Addressing the Needs of Migrant Families
00:45:40 – Engaging with Local Migrant Communities
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Greg Trimble is the Founder of Lemonade Stand, an Inc. 5000 company and one of the fastest-growing digital marketing agencies in the United States. He also founded Build Then Bless®, a fintech platform that improves the world through one micro-interaction at a time, and Yalla, a team management and collaboration tool that is 100% dedicated to helping companies and organizations work better together.
Greg is an author of five books and has served on the editorial board for BYU Studies, the Board of Directors of Faith Matters, the Advisory Board for Scripture Central, the Board of Directors for Millennial Choirs & Orchestras, the Board of Directors for Gifted Music School and assists many other faith-based organizations in their various missions to improve families and strengthen faith in God. He currently serves as a bishop in his ward and as a service missionary working with the General Young Men Presidency with his wife Kristyn. Most of all, Greg enjoys spending time with his family while surfing, skiing, golfing, and playing almost every other sport imaginable.
Links
Having a Game Plan for Sunday School | An Interview With Greg Trimble
Millennial Choirs & Orchestra: Millennial.org
Faith Matters
The Future of Missionary Work In The Church
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HighlightsGreg shares his experiences over nearly four years of serving as a bishop in a Utah ward, highlighting the unique approach he has taken to engage youth in missionary work.
00:03:00 – Greg’s Background and Experience as a Bishop
00:06:00 – Insights from Four Years as a Bishop
00:08:00 – The Unique Demographics of the Ward
00:09:00 – Engaging with the Youth Program
00:10:00 – Preparing for a Typical Sunday as a Bishop
00:12:00 – Greg’s Involvement with Millennial Choirs and Orchestras
00:14:00 – The Future of Missionary Work Article
00:16:00 – Creating a Mini Mission in the Ward
00:19:00 – Benefits of Ward Missionaries
00:22:00 – Structure of the Ward Missionary Program
00:23:00 – Connection with Ministering Efforts
00:24:00 – Building Connections in the Ward
00:26:30 – Expectations for Youth in Missionary Work
00:28:00 – Long-Term Vision for Missionary Preparation
00:42:00 – The Importance of Service in Missionary Work
00:45:00 – Integrating Service Principles into the Program
00:47:00 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Missionary Work
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Find tickets for the movie Faith of Angels HEREJoshua Dennis works as a designer for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the For the Strength of Youth Magazine and the Gospel Living App. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting and Drawing. He has served as a bishop and currently as a stake president. Josh lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife Johana and their four children.
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The Best Five Years | A How I Lead Interview with Kirby Heyborne
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HighlightsJoshua Dennis shares his remarkable story of being lost in an abandoned mine as a young boy and miraculously found. Joshua, now serving as a stake president, reflects on the experience and the impact it has had on his life. The conversation also touches on the upcoming movie “Faith of Angels,” which portrays Joshua’s story and the miraculous events surrounding his rescue. Joshua emphasizes the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ, being the person you want others to become, and maintaining a loving and kind demeanor in leadership roles. He shares insights on the challenges and blessings of serving as a stake president, drawing on personal experiences and lessons learned from his journey.
00:06:15 – Joshua Dennis recounts being separated in the mine
00:13:20 – Reflections on his experience and the role of angels
00:19:10 – Experience of the story resurfacing
00:21:05 – How the story became a movie
00:23:40 – Where the movie title came from
00:27:05 – Sealing of the mine after his rescue
00:28:00 – Serving a mission in Honduras when his story was told in a conference talk
00:30:46 – Sharing experiences with others
00:34:30 – Service as a stake president
00:36:30 – Service in a Spanish-speaking ward in Utah
00:40:00 – Focus on Jesus Christ in leadership
00:42:10 – Be the person you want others to become
00:44:20 – When you don’t know what to do, be loving and kind
00:46:10 – Reflections on the first year as a stake president
00:51:00 – Perspective on tragedy and the absence of miracles
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Taysom Hill is an American professional football utility player and quarterback for the NFL’s New Orleans Saints. He is the youngest of four children and grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track. Taysom served a mission to Sydney, Australia, and played college football at Brigham Young University where he was a starting quarterback. He married his wife Emily while at BYU and their family now splits their time between New Orleans and Provo, Utah.
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HighlightsTaysom shares insights from his experiences in football and leadership, drawing parallels between sports and church leadership. He discusses the impact of his mission on his life, the importance of routines, and the power of belief and empowerment in leadership. Taysom reflects on his role as a captain at BYU and how he approached leadership in the locker room, emphasizing the need for consistency and resilience in challenging situations. He also highlights the significance of being genuine, available, and empowering in leadership roles, both on and off the field. Taysom’s experiences offer valuable lessons on leadership, faith, and personal development in various contexts, showcasing the importance of belief, empowerment, and consistency in effective leadership.
02:50 – Taysom Hill’s Unique Career Journey
05:25 – Taysom’s Faith Development
10:20 – Taysom’s Mission Experience
16:20 – The Importance of Routines
22:18 – Balancing Family Life and a High-Demand Career
26:54 – Taysom’s Experience as a Church Member in the NFL
30:34 – Insights on Connecting with Youth
32:28 – Impactful Leadership Lessons from NFL Coaches
39:34 – Taysom’s Experience as a Captain at BYU
42:33 – Taysom’s Leadership Approach in the Saints Locker Room
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In March 2024, Jacob Hansen joined us on the Leading Saints Podcast to talk about how we can combine values and people’s interests to create a great experience. He believes this is a powerful way to build Zion by creating community and human connection between the saints.
Jacob is back with a conversation about interest-based groups in the Long Beach East Stake, where they are changing the game in bringing together the Lord’s children both inside and outside the Church. In this rebroadcast of a recent Thoughtful Faith podcast, Jacob talks with leaders from that stake about what they are doing to literally gather Israel.
Links
Part 1: Changing Church Culture by Gathering the Saints | An Interview with Jacob Hansen
Thoughful Faith on YouTube
The original video about stake activity groups: “Could This Revolutionize The Church?”
Stake Activity Group Linktree (Note that the “Scripture Buddies” groups are open to men and women anywhere in the US.)
Stake Bulletins
Talent & Interest Survey
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HighlightsJacob Hansen is back with a follow-up to his previous podcast interview about interest-based groups at Church. In this podcast episode, Jacob talks with leaders from the Long Beach East Stake and emphasizes the value of connecting individuals with similar interests to strengthen relationships and combat loneliness. The stake has successfully implemented over a dozen interest-based groups, ranging from yoga classes to scripture study groups. These groups have provided a platform for members to bond over shared passions and activities, fostering a sense of community and friendship. The stake has seen significant success in organizing these groups, with members actively participating and engaging in various activities.
The conversation highlights the grassroots approach taken by the stake leadership, allowing members to initiate and lead these groups based on their interests. The episode also addresses concerns about control and the necessity of providing a framework for organizing these activities within the Church. Overall, the podcast showcases the positive impact of interest-based groups in building relationships, promoting unity, and creating a sense of belonging within the Church community.
03:10 – Impact of interest-based groups in strengthening relationships
07:05 – Formation and success of a yoga group in the stake
10:05 – Involvement in various interest-based groups
12:40 – Organizing groups in the stake
17:04 – Importance of shared interests in building relationships
22:19 – Organizing groups through surveys and communication
26:04 – Overcoming initial hesitations to start groups
29:38 – Benefits of interest-based groups in reducing loneliness and isolation
34:07 – Encouraging grassroots initiatives for groups
36:42 – Building relationships through shared interests
40:42 – Utilizing stake resources to promote interest-based activities
44:35 – Participation and success of groups in the stake
47:24 – Balancing top-down guidance with bottom-up initiatives
50:18 – Emphasizing the importance of individual talents and interests
52:13 – Gathering saints through shared values and interests
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tami Harris is Chaplain Services Manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, part of Military Relations in the Church’s Priesthood and Family Department. She was the first female chaplain in the modern era of the Church. Tami is a nationally Board-certified Clinical Chaplain and has 35 years of civilian chaplaincy experience. She studied at the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy and The Institute for Clinical Pastoral Training. Tami also earned a masters in Human Services Counseling with a specialization in Crisis Response and Trauma from Liberty University, qualified as a Clinical Pastoral Education Supervisor through ICPT, and previously served as director of spiritual health and wellness at the Heritage Community.
Tami also serves as chairperson of the Chaplain Advisory Committee for The Church, as a past-chair and member of the Utah Valley Interfaith Association, and as a member of Utah Valley University Inter-Religious Engagement Advisory Board. She and her husband are the proud parents of four children and 11 grandchildren, and live in Provo, Utah.
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“I Literally Washed Her Feet” | A How I Lead Interview with Sierra Larson
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HighlightsTami shares insights into the role of chaplains, emphasizing the importance of listening and empathy in providing pastoral care. She highlights the unique training and experiences chaplains bring to their work, including facilitating various religious services and supporting individuals in times of crisis. Tami also discusses the recent approval of female chaplains in the military and the historical context of chaplaincy within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She emphasizes the value of chaplains as assets to local leaders and provides a deeper understanding of the role of chaplains and their impact on individuals in need of spiritual support.
02:04 – Introduction of Tami Harris and Military Relations
05:26 – History of Military Relations in the Church
10:19 – Role of Chaplains in the Military
15:47 – Approval of Female Chaplains in the Church
23:22 – Training and Support for Chaplains
32:24 – Advice for Bishops and Stake Presidents from a Chaplain
40:00 – Role of a Chaplain in Interfaith Settings
43:11 – Importance of Chaplains in Wards and Stakes
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
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This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in April 2021.
Judge Thomas B. Griffith is an expert in constitutional law. He has served as chief counsel for both the U.S. Senate and for Brigham Young University, and was appointed to a judgeship by George W. Bush on the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals, from which he retired in 2020. In his church experience he has served as both a bishop and a stake president. He currently lectures on law at Harvard Law School and serves as a fellow at the Wheatley Institution at BYU, as special counsel to the international law firm of Hunton Andrews Kurth, and as senior policy advisor to the National Institute for Civil Discourse.
Links
FaithMatters.org
A Mormon Approach to Politics, by Thomas B. Griffith
Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution, by President Dallin H. Oaks
Beyond Politics, by Hugh Nibley
Handbook links:
38.8.30 Political and Civic Activity
38.8.40 Seeking Information from Reliable Sources
Liberals, Doctrine, & Apologetics at Church | An Interview with Blair Hodges
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HighlightsIn this collaborative episode, Kurt Francom and Faith Matters co-founder Bill Turnbull talk with Thomas to explore President Oaks’ 2021 General Conference address, “Defending Our Divinely Inspired Constitution”. President Oaks spoke passionately about the U.S. Constitution and ended with an urgent admonition to end political tribalism and division, insisting that we address this in our wards and stakes. They also discuss what lies behind those divisions—the rapid erosion of goodwill and trust in the American body politic—including among Latter-day Saints. Thomas believes Latter-day Saints can and must play a critical role in healing today’s divides. Leaders especially have a role in helping ward members follow President Oaks’ counsel.
2:10 Quote from President Oaks’ talk:
“On contested issues, we should seek to moderate and unify. … There are many political issues, and no party, platform, or individual candidate can satisfy all personal preferences. Each citizen must therefore decide which issues are most important to him or her at any particular time. Then members should seek inspiration on how to exercise their influence according to their individual priorities. This process will not be easy. It may require changing party support or candidate choices, even from election to election.”
3:45 The thought never occurred to him that his political views were driven by his faith commitments Quote from President Oaks’ talk:
“Such independent actions will sometimes require voters to support candidates or political parties or platforms whose other positions they cannot approve. That is one reason we encourage our members to refrain from judging one another in political matters. We should never assert that a faithful Latter-day Saint cannot belong to a particular party or vote for a particular candidate. We teach correct principles and leave our members to choose how to prioritize and apply those principles on the issues presented from time to time. We also insist, and we ask our local leaders to insist, that political choices and affiliations not be the subject of teachings or advocacy in any of our Church meetings.”
6:40 What can leaders take away from this: How does this apply to me? How can I change and be a better disciple of Christ based on this counsel?
8:30 Rigid identification with one political party has been a long-time concern with the general leadership of the church
9:45 Polarization is complicated: we sort ourselves with like-minded people and have less interaction with people who think differently, and those interactions are increasingly hostile
11:15 Media, social media, and confirmation bias: living in an echo chamber
13:45 Be introspective and thoughtful, always questioning your own assumptions; Jesus is always challenging us
15:15 Beyond Politics: the role of politics for disciples of Christ; we need to learn how to do politics differently than the political parties do
17:00 The narratives of fear and demonizing the other
18:40 “Bishop Griffith” would quote President Oaks in a talk and instruct his ward to leave politics out of all conversations at church
21:55 Kurt’s experience in a more conservative church meeting
24:40 Political views are separate from religious views; you can have widely divergent political views and be an active member of the Church
26:10 How faith should inform our political views: the purpose of politics is to help “the least of these” 28:00 One thing a leader can do is to give permission to believe differently politically
31:30 Leaders often mistake an ability problem for a motivation problem: individuals more likely lack the skills to do what they have been asked to do
32:30 Thomas’ “ward meeting” after sacrament meeting: allowed him as the bishop to lead a discussion
34:30 We need to do the hard work to understand why other people can do/believe/think the things they do
35:40 Staying out of your echo chamber: read different sources and see what other people are thinking about; changing his religion and his own political views as an adult kept him from falling into demonizing the other
38:00 Bill’s experience with conspiracy theories about people he knows personally
41:25 Thomas’ experience working with people in Washington, D.C.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Rebecca Buffington is a credentialed ADHD coach, helping others see where Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder affects their lives and how they can create a game plan to overcome obstacles and move toward their goals. She studied at Brigham Young University and is the parent of four children—three of whom have been diagnosed with ADHD. Seeking to help her own family, Rebecca began learning more about ADHD and trained at the IACT Center in both individual and parent/family coaching. She now works to eliminate misunderstanding about this neurodevelopmental disorder and help guide others toward making lasting changes that will lead to greater success in their lives.
Links
RebeccaBuffington.com
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HighlightsThe podcast episode delves into the topic of ADHD providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by individuals with this disorder, especially in a church context. The discussion highlights the impact of ADHD on executive functions, time management, and task completion. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of understanding ADHD as a neuropsychological disorder rather than a character flaw. She also addresses the need for leaders to approach individuals with ADHD with compassion, patience, and a willingness to provide support tailored to their needs. The episode underscores the significance of positive reinforcement, breaking tasks into manageable steps, and fostering a supportive environment for individuals with ADHD to thrive. Additionally, the conversation touches on the role of medication and the importance of seeking professional help when necessary. Overall, the episode offers valuable insights for leaders in understanding and supporting individuals with ADHD within a religious community.
03:32 Understanding ADHD and its Impact
06:03 Difference Between ADHD and ADD
06:40 ADHD in Adults and Children
09:10 ADHD as a Superpower and Explanation, not an Excuse
11:34 Religious Context and ADHD
13:06 Diagnosis and Importance of Diagnosis for ADHD
15:11 Medication and Treatment for ADHD
17:02 Impact of ADHD on Reverence and Behavior
19:37 ADHD in Women and Girls
22:06 Dopamine and ADHD
23:57 Executive Functions and ADHD
26:28 Approaching ADHD in Leadership Roles
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bennett Borden is a lawyer and the chief data scientist of a large international law firm. He has made significant contributions to the field of AI governance and algorithmic bias testing, has extensive experience in the U.S. intelligence community, and is a trusted AI counsel to major generative AI companies and dozens of Fortune 500 companies. Bennett is a graduate of George Mason and New York Universities, and earned his juris doctorate from Georgetown University.
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Why We Married in the Temple After 20 Years in Same-Sex Relationships | An Interview With Bennett & Becky Borden
Guiding Principles for the Church of Jesus Christ’s Use of Artificial Intelligence
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HighlightsThis podcast features a discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the faith tradition of Latter-day Saints. Guest Bennett Borden, an AI lawyer, delves into the topic and explores the transformative nature of AI, comparing it to the advent of electricity in terms of disruption and transformation.
Bennett explains the difference between classical AI and generative AI, highlighting the potential of generative AI in various applications, including education and healthcare. The conversation touches on the ethical considerations of AI, such as deep fakes, and the need for regulation to prevent misuse.
The discussion also delves into the implications of AI on content creation, creativity, and community dynamics within the church. Bennett emphasizes the importance of using AI as a tool to enhance human creativity and connection, while also being mindful of its potential negative impacts on mental health and social interactions.
00:05:30 – Overview of Artificial Intelligence
00:11:38 – Understanding Classical AI vs. Generative AI
00:17:35 – Potential Impacts of AI on Latter-day Saints
00:23:52 – Church Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence
00:26:50 – Disclosure and Responsibility in AI Content Creation
00:33:34 – Discussion on Deepfakes and Their Implications
00:38:13 – Impact of AI on Content Creation and Creativity
00:43:13 – Emphasis on Community and Human Connection in Church Experience
00:45:06 – Concerns about AI Manipulation and the Loneliness Epidemic
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Andy Rosas was born in Argentina and his family lived in Utah and Italy before moving to Dublin, Ireland. He served in the France Lyon mission, and currently lives just outside of London, England. He has served as a YSA ward clerk, YSA bishopric counselor, on the high council, and as a YSA elders quorum president.
LinksGod Never Blinks: 50 Lessons for Life’s Little Detours
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HighlightsAndy provides insights into the Young Single Adult experience in the UK, highlighting the intimate and family-like atmosphere due to the small church community. He discusses his leadership roles in the YSA ward, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and building transformational relationships. Andy shares leadership principles and stresses the value of creating a safe and welcoming space in church, allowing individuals to share and teach in a supportive environment. He also touches on the concept of lowering expectations and focusing on building relationships rather than rigid structures in church settings. The episode concludes with a reflection on the power of giving space for others to speak and share in church settings, fostering a sense of community and connection among members.
00:03:43 – Andy Rosas’ Background and YSA Experience in the UK
00:08:35 – Andy’s Leadership Roles in the YSA Ward
00:26:36 – SPARC: Smile, Present, Admire, Represent, Christ
00:32:07 – Growing a Personality, Not Just a Testimony
00:42:24 – Let People Lead Themselves
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife is a Latter-day Saint relationship and sexuality coach with a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. Her teaching and coaching focus on helping LDS individuals and couples create greater connection and passion in their emotional and sexual relationships.
In addition to her private practice, Dr. Finlayson-Fife has created five empowering and highly-reviewed online courses. Each course was designed to give LDS individuals and couples the tools requisite to creating healthier lives and stronger intimate relationships. Dr. Finlayson-Fife also offers many workshops and retreats where she teaches these life-changing principles in person.
Dr. Finlayson-Fife is a frequent guest on LDS-themed podcasts on the subjects of sexuality, relationships, mental health, and faith. She is also the creator and host of Room for Two, a popular sex and intimacy coaching podcast.
LinksFinlayson-Fife.com
Conversations with Dr. Jennifer
Room for Two
Dr. Finlayson-Fife’s Online Courses
Dr. Finlayson-Fife’s Workshops and Retreats
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HighlightsIn this podcast, Dr. Finlayson-Fife emphasizes the importance of normalizing sexual feelings and desires, especially among youth, and highlights the need for individuals to take ownership of their sexuality in a healthy and self-authoring manner. The conversation also addresses the complexities of sexual dynamics within marriages, shedding light on the impact of societal messages and gender roles on sexual relationships. The episode explores the concept of betrayal trauma and the nuances of sexual desire and fulfillment within relationships, offering insights into navigating differences and fostering a mutually satisfying connection. Additionally, the discussion touches on the role of Church leaders in addressing sexuality and promoting a more open and understanding approach to sexual intimacy within the Latter-day Saint community.
00:05:30 – Importance of Normalizing Sexual Feelings
00:15:37 – The Role of the Church in Healthy Sexual Development
00:25:43 – Addressing Sexuality in Adulthood
00:35:49 – Betrayal Trauma and Gender Dynamics in Relationships
00:44:18 – Gender Dynamics and Expectations in Leadership
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Aaron Osman is a leadership coach and facilitator, hailing from Tahawai, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. He believes true empowerment and effectiveness are achieved when people align their thinking and behavior with correct principles, and he helps leaders gain a deeper perspective of their complex challenges and clarity with decision-making. Aaron has served in the Church as a branch president.
LinksLeader Expectation Pain | An Interview with Jody Moore
Connect with Aaron Osman on LinkedIn
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HighlightsIn this conversation, Aaron and Kurt talk about managing expectations as leaders and the importance of surrendering to God’s will. Aaron emphasizes the need to focus on what truly matters in leadership, such as strengthening relationships with Christ, making and keeping covenants, and prioritizing time with family. He shares personal experiences as a branch president, highlighting the importance of surrendering to God’s will and trusting in His guidance. The conversation also touches on the principle of agency and accepting the consequences of others’ choices. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights on leadership, faith, and the power of surrendering to God’s will in navigating challenges and responsibilities as a leader.
00:02:18 – Introduction to Aaron Osman from New Zealand
00:09:33 – Understanding Expectations as a New Leader
00:15:24 – It Always Works Out
00:25:31 – Surrendering to God’s Will
00:34:40 – Thy Will Be Done
00:45:31 – Overcoming Overwhelm and Surrendering to God’s Will
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
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Clate W. Mask Jr. served in the U.S. Army Reserve before attending Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Spanish, then worked in construction sales in Los Angeles, California. He taught early-morning Seminary and loved it so much he chose to leave his job to work full-time for the Church Educational System. He later earned his master’s degree in education from California State University, Northridge. He helped establish Institute classes in Spanish in Arizona and Southern California and loved bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to life for his thousands of “star students” over the years.
Elder Mask was a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Prior to his call, he and his wife, Carol, were mission leaders of the Spain Barcelona Mission. Following his release as a general authority he and Carol served as president and matron of the Guatemala City Guatemala Temple. He has also served as bishop, branch president, stake Sunday School president, and high councilor. Clate and Carol are the parents of six children and 28 grandchildren and spent much of their married life in Arizona. They both served as missionaries in the Central American Mission and have a life-long love for the people and culture of Central America.
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HighlightsElder Mask shares insights and experiences from his time teaching Seminary, leading missionaries, and serving as a general authority.
00:02:23 – Elder Clate Mask’s Background and Career as a Seminary Teacher
00:11:11 – Call to Serve as a Mission President
00:18:30 – Leadership and Connection with Missionaries
00:26:55 – Overcoming Discouragement and Developing Christ-like Attributes
00:36:43 – Teaching the Pollyanna Principle and Other Object Lessons
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Garret Shields has a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in Religious Education, and is currently working on a Ph.D. in History, researching issues and questions related to race and the priesthood in Brazil. He works in the Church Educational System as a Seminary teacher. Garret served in the Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission and has since served in many callings in the Church including ward mission leader, high councilor, elders quorum president, bishopric counselor, Sunday School president, and nursery leader. He currently serves as a priest quorum advisor. Garret lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, with his wife and four energetic, adorable, and amazing children.
Monica Fell has worked as a registered nurse for almost 20 years, where she has had the privilege of loving and serving in many capacities from hospital settings to home health and hospice, and working with struggling youth in group homes. At church, Monica has also served in many callings, including nursery leader, librarian, Relief Society counselor, girls camp director, Primary president, Young Women president, and currently as a Young Women 1st counselor. She served as a “teaching advisor” while Garret was Sunday School president in their ward, working alongside the presidency to support teaching both in the home and at church. Monica is a single empty nester who calls Spanish Fork home. She had the privilege of raising two boys and identical twin girls, is grateful for a son- and daughter-in-law she loves like her own, and can’t believe how much fun it is to be a “Nana” of an adorable, spirited, 3-year-old granddaughter.
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HighlightsRecognizing that most gospel teaching at home and even at church in their ward was done by women, Garrett decided to include women in the Sunday School presidency. Monica, one of the teaching advisors in the presidency, highlights the success of their approach, especially in addressing the challenges faced by women in implementing Come Follow Me at home. The podcast delves into the structure of their meetings, the proactive nature of their leadership, and the emphasis on Teaching in the Savior’s Way. The dynamic and collaborative nature of their presidency meetings fostered a strong bond among the members and led to better teaching in the ward as a whole.
00:03:06 – Garret’s Background and Role as Sunday School President
00:07:40 – Monica’s Perspective on Serving in the Sunday School Presidency
00:10:19 – Structure and Dynamics of the Sunday School Presidency
00:14:10 – Importance of Being a Difference Maker in Leadership
00:19:22 – Implementation of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents
00:25:13 – Emphasizing Christ-Centered Teaching
00:29:05 – Structure of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents and Teachers
00:34:11 – Importance of Building Relationships and Camaraderie in Leadership
00:36:38 – Proactive Approach to Leadership and Ministry
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Paul McHardy was raised primarily in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to Utah to earn a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Brigham Young University and eventually a master’s degree in Professional Communication from Weber State University. Paul has managed multiple omni-channel marketing teams (SEO, PPC, email, social, and affiliates), and has experience with branding, market research, user experience, and product development. In 2021 he took the opportunity to specialize in search engine optimization by joining Church employment as the Head of Global SEO.
Paul currently lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah, with his wife, Aleta, and three young daughters. He loves athletics, collecting trinkets, music, and BYU sports. He has served in various callings over the years, but has spent most of his adult life as either a Sunday School teacher or in a Sunday School presidency, and currently serves in his stake Sunday School presidency.
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HighlightsThis conversation delves into the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in ensuring accurate and positive information about The Church is easily accessible online. Paul explains how The Church’s shift from using the term “Mormon” to has impacted their online visibility and search rankings. The conversation also explores the intricacies of local search optimization for Church buildings, including the transition from using the Angel Moroni icon to a cross icon on map listings. Paul details the challenges of managing phone numbers for Church listings and the efforts to improve data accuracy and visibility for local congregations. He also emphasizes the significance of engaging with online reviews and maintaining consistent and up-to-date information across various platforms to enhance The Church’s online presence and accessibility for individuals seeking to connect with local congregations.
00:02:07 – Discussion on SEO and Church Communication
00:17:44 – Importance of Local Search Optimization for Chapels
00:22:02 – Various Platforms for Local Listings
00:28:03 – Transition from Angel Moroni to Cross Icon on Listings
00:35:18 – Importance of Reviews and Responses for Listings
00:40:55 – Integration of Meetinghouse Locator with Local Listings
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in November 2019.
Barbara Morgan Gardner is an associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, and the author of The Priesthood Power of Women. Her research interests focus primarily on women in religious leadership, international education, and religious pedagogy. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Foundations and a PhD in Instructional Psychology, and did post-doctoral work at Harvard University. Barbara was Institute director in Boston, Massachusetts, serving more than 100 universities and colleges in the area and acting as chaplain at Harvard and MIT. She continues to serve as the chaplain-at-large in higher education for The Church, and on the BYU Interfaith Outreach Council. She and her husband, Dustin Gardner, live in Highland, Utah.
Links
The Priesthood Power of Women: In the Temple, Church, and Family
Grounded Podcast with Barbara Morgan Gardner
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Highlights05:40 – Why was the book written? To help women and men understand what priesthood is.
09:25 – Barbara realized that many members and leaders didn’t separate the hierarchical structure of the priesthood and the patriarchal structure of the priesthood. She wanted to help women to understand the prophet has been asking us to learn more about the priesthood.
10:00 – Barbara became more frustrated with women who are not interested in learning about the priesthood than those who are and who may even be unhappy.
11:45 – Is this information on the priesthood power of women new, or would someone historical like David O. McKay be aware of it?
13:00 – Are we shoehorning this doctrine into today’s culture because more women are asking questions?
14:45 – Russell M. Nelson has been asking women to study and know this doctrine.
16:50 – What is the difference between the hierarchical and patriarchal structure of the priesthood?
19:10 – Why don’t we talk about the patriarchal structure of the priesthood?
21:05 – Elder and Sister Renlund’s notions of Big Earth and Little Earth priesthood ties in
23:40 – What are priesthood keys and who holds priesthood keys?
28:50 – How are keys different relating to the hierarchical and patriarchal priesthoods? Who is “in charge” in a family? What does presiding mean in a family vs the church structure? Who has keys in a temple? In a mission?
38:55 – What does it mean that keys will be revealed?
39:20 – General priesthood keys vs keys of presiding
41:15 – What priesthood keys do women have?
43:10 – What can a key holder do in a ward to highlight and enable the priesthood power and authority of women?
48:20 – List of questions that are found in the book
49:30 – Who outranks whom when men and women have disagreements at church?
50:35 – Someone has to preside, right?
53:00 – One way priesthood holders diminish authority of women in their homes
55:00 – How can we better understand and improve the revelatory process of submitting names for callings?
1:02:10 – Women of this time have been prophesied about
1:03:00 – It’s never a competition. Men can do more in partnership with women to save souls than they could alone.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this podcast episode, Nate and Marla Christensen discuss the concepts of codependence and enmeshment in relationships, particularly in the context of addiction recovery. They emphasize the importance of being enmeshed with Christ rather than with other people, highlighting the need for individuals to focus on their relationship with the Savior for healing and support.
The discussion delves into the idea that the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) is not just for addicts but can benefit anyone seeking to strengthen their connection with Jesus and find peace amidst chaos. Marla shares her personal journey of realizing the need to lean on Jesus rather than being overly dependent on her partner’s actions or behaviors.
The couple reflects on the transformative power of surrendering to the Savior and finding solace in the midst of life’s challenges. They also touch on the importance of maintaining individuality and self-care within relationships, even when faced with difficulties like addiction. Overall, the episode underscores the significance of seeking spiritual guidance and support in navigating personal struggles and relationships.
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HighlightsHow Nate and Marla’s Journeys Led to Becoming Therapists
00:03:31 – Nate’s Background and Struggles with Mental Health
00:10:13 – Marla’s Background and Transition to College
The Importance of the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP)
00:24:21 – The Benefits of the ARP Program for Both Addicts and Partners
00:25:02 – The Role of Spiritual Leaders in Supporting ARP Participation
Understanding Codependence and Enmeshment
00:33:35 – Exploring the Concept of Codependence and Enmeshment
00:37:31 – Applying the Principles of Surrender and Enmeshment with Christ
Navigating Relationships and Dependency
00:40:13 – Marla’s Reflection on Codependency in Past Relationships
00:41:45 – Marla’s Shift in Perspective Towards Nate’s Struggles
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Emma Smith’s previous church callings include serving in the nursery, Primary, Relief Society, and as a Young Women president. She currently serves as the second counselor in the Thames Valley Stake Young Women. Emma has a degree in Acting and Performing Arts, and works in infant, primary, and secondary schools delivering mental health, anti-bullying, and resilience drama workshops for a theatre company. She is a parton for the Child Bereavement UK charity, and most grateful for being a mother and raising her 9- and 14-year-old sons.
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HighlightsEmma shares her experiences and insights on leadership in her local Young Women organizations. She emphasizes the importance of pondering and praying for the young women she served, taking time to understand their needs and interests.
Emma also highlights the significance of building relationships with the youth and recognizing their talents to create meaningful connections. She recounts a touching story where the young women surprised her with cards of love and support during a vulnerable moment, showcasing the reciprocal nature of service and love in leadership roles.
Throughout the interview, Emma reflects on how her time as a leader has taught her patience, love, and the value of serving others. Her journey as a leader in the Young Women organization exemplifies the transformative power of service, connection, and faith in leadership roles within the Church.
00:02:53 – Background and Experience in the Church
00:05:08 – Serving in the Young Women Organization
00:10:36 – Activities and Events for Youth
00:15:39 – Importance of Pondering and Praying for Youth
00:18:31 – Engaging Youth through Vision Boards
00:22:00 – Sunday Meeting Approaches
00:23:36 – Giving Time to Study and Pray
00:24:07 – Personal Story of Vulnerability and Support
00:28:01 – Reflection on Leadership Experience and Personal Growth
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Larry Richman retired in 2022 after working as a Church employee for 45 years. He was a project and product manager for many of the Church’s programs, such as Sunday and weekday programs for adults, youth, and children as well as leader training and tools. He was the director of LDS.org and the Church’s social media efforts from 2003–2008.
Larry has authored over a dozen books and thousands of articles in magazines and websites. As an entrepreneur, he has started several businesses and provided leadership training and consulting for several companies. He has also served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for non-profit organizations. From 2022–2023, Larry served a full-time mission as the executive secretary for the Africa South Area Presidency.
Links
LDS365.com
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HighlightsLarry shares insights into his career working behind the scenes at the Church and collaborating with general authorities. He discusses the balance between following the handbook and allowing for flexibility in leadership roles. Larry also highlights the importance of utilizing resources like the Life Help section, Gospel Topics, and My Calling in the Gospel Library app. He emphasizes the principle-based approach in the current handbook and the For the Strength of Youth guide, focusing on teaching doctrine and letting individuals govern themselves. Larry also touches on his experience running the LDS 365 blog and the importance of staying updated on handbook revisions. He shares his recent mission experience in South Africa and working with the area presidency. Larry’s insights provide valuable perspectives on leadership and resources within church structure.
00:02:18 – Larry Richman’s Career in the Church
00:09:19 – Working with General Authorities
00:15:52 – Implementing Church Initiatives
00:30:39 – Larry Richman’s LDS 365 Blog
00:33:08 – Resources in the Gospel Library App
00:40:43 – Understanding and Using the Handbook
00:45:20 – Flexibility and Guidance in the Handbook
00:46:19 – Updates and Changes in the Handbook
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
We are thrilled to announce an exclusive Leading Saints live interview event at Thanksgiving Point featuring our most-listened-to podcast guest, Robert Ferrell! (Here’s that episode) Recently returning from his service as a mission leader in the Peru Lima Central Mission, Robert is ready to share his incredible experiences and leadership insights with you once again.
We will cover topics like…
- What have you learned over the last 3 years about the rising generation?
- What was most difficult about leading in the context of a mission?
- How did you and your wife find success working together?
Join us for an engaging evening as Kurt Francom interviews Robert Ferrell, delving into his mission experiences and the leadership principles he employed as a mission president. This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights and be inspired by one of our most impactful leaders.
Seats are limited!
Date: Friday, July 19th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: The Amber Room at Thanksgiving Point, second floor of the Museum of Ancient Life
No Live Stream Available
Portions of the recorded event will be made available at a later time
How to Register: To reserve your spot, CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to register early to ensure your attendance.
We look forward to seeing you at Thanksgiving Point for this unforgettable event. Thank you for being a part of the Leading Saints community and for your continued support.
Links
Registration for the event
Being an Advocate for Those You Lead | An Interview with Rob Ferrell
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Elder Alvin F. “Trip” Meredith III is the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho and a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his call as a General Authority, Elder Meredith served as president of the Utah Salt Lake City South Mission. He also served as an Area Seventy in the North America Southeast and Asia Areas, and previously served as a missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City Mission, as an elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president.
Elder Meredith received a bachelor of science degree in Psychology from BYU, and a master of business administration in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In his professional career, he worked as a Six Sigma black belt for GE Capital, as a consultant for Boston Consulting Group, and as a senior vice president at Asurion in Tennessee, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Elder Meredith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and married Jennifer Edgin. They are the parents of six children.
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HighlightsIn this podcast conversation, Elder Meredith shares insights on his approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of listening and seeking revelation. He highlights the significance of focusing on individuals and fostering spiritual momentum in leadership roles. The episode also touches on the challenges and joys of working with the rising generation, particularly in the context of YSAs.
Throughout the interview, Elder Meredith reflects on the lessons learned from various leadership positions, including serving as a stake president, mission president, and Area 70. He emphasizes the importance of pointing individuals to the Savior, aligning with the counsel of living prophets and apostles, and conveying the joy of living the gospel of Jesus Christ.
00:03:30 – President Alvin F. Meredith III’s Background and Name
00:08:58 – Transition to BYU-Idaho
00:13:19 – Approach to Leadership at BYU-Idaho
00:22:21 – Leadership Lessons from Tennessee
00:28:12 – Transition to Mission President
00:36:22 – Leadership Journey in Utah
00:41:49 – Focus on the Rising Generation
00:45:29 – Encouraging Joy in Living the Gospel
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ryan Webb grew up in Tremonton, Utah, and has been married to his wife, KaDawn, for 22 years. They have six children. He has taught within Seminaries and Institutes in Orem, Utah, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Raleigh, North Carolina. He also spent 10 months as the Raleigh Temple Recorder. Ryan has served as a Young Men president, elders quorum president, stake high councilor, bishopric counselor, and currently serves as bishop of his ward. Ryan’s bishopric and ward council create sacrament meetings that uplift the congregation and worship Jesus Christ.
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brad Agle is a professor of Ethics and Leadership and holds the George W. Romney endowed professorship in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. Brad recently published The Bishop Book, talking about the experiences of serving as a bishop and using quotes from interviews conducted over the past 30 years with former and current bishops, their wives, and stake presidents.
© BYU PHOTO 2010 All Rights Reserved
Links
TheBishopBook.com
The Bishop Book – Insights from LDS Bishops, Wives, and Stake Presidents
Ethical Dilemmas in Church Leadership | An Interview with Brad Agle
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HighlightsTimestamped highlights coming soon
This podcast reveals the profound impact of being a bishop, with bishops often feeling overwhelmed by the responsibilities and emotional toll of the role. Brad shares personal anecdotes and stories from the book, highlighting the unique challenges faced by bishops and their families. The discussion also touches on the transition from being a bishop to being released from the calling, a process that can be emotionally taxing and challenging for many individuals.
One of the key themes that emerge from the conversation is the importance of family support and the strain that the bishopric role can place on personal relationships. Brad recounts stories of bishops who struggled to balance their calling with family life, leading to moments of reflection and growth. The conversation provides a candid look at the complexities of serving as a bishop and the impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones.
Brad offers a deep dive into the experiences of bishops, shedding light on the sacrifices, joys, and struggles that come with the calling. His insights and the stories shared in The Bishop Book serve as a valuable resource for current and future bishops, offering guidance, empathy, and understanding for those navigating the challenges of leadership within the Church.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2020.
Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, and Ty Mansfield are the authors of The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints. In this interview they discuss where mindfulness and meditation fit into the gospel and how we can better approach our service and our practices with the balance of mindfulness.
Jacob Hess, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor trained through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Carrie Skarda, PsyD, is a psychologist in private practice. She has provided individual and couples therapy with particular interest in attachment trauma and mindfulness, and has studied and practiced mindfulness and formal meditation for over ten years.
Kyle Anderson, PhD, is a professor of Chinese and Asian Studies, currently an administrator in Global Learning, International Partnerships and Initiatives at Clemson University, and came to mindfulness meditation through his studies in Asian literature.
Ty Mansfield, PhD, is a practicing marriage and family therapist, an adjunct instructor in Religious Education at Brigham Young University, and is in the process of certification with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach in their Mindfulness Meditation Teacher training program.
Links
The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints
Jesus: The Perfect Leader, by Spencer W. Kimball
The Council for Sustainable Healing
Transcript coming soon
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Highlights5:40 Jacob was exposed to meditation in graduate school and began to see where it fit into the gospel tradition
7:00 Backgrounds of the authors
9:00 Definitions of mindfulness and what it means to Christians and to Latter-day Saints: compassionate presence in the moment
11:10 Christ was meditative and present in the moment
12:25 Being busy vs. mindfulness 14:00 Looking for words in our own tradition: reverence, peace, stillness, pondering
15:45 Advice for a busy leader: Christ had a practice of punctuating his doing with non-doing; the rhythm of action and pausing is already built in to our practices
19:40 It’s not the gospel that people struggle with, but an impoverished experience of it
20:55 David O. McKay quote: “I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul.”
22:10 Example in a ward council: not praying as a to-do, but sitting with the Savior
23:30 Clarity and priority come through pausing between action
24:25 Centering the attention on the inspiration in the moment and not on the calendar: Am I interruptable?
26:20 The Savior was interruptable in his task at hand and could pivot to what was most needful in the moment
28:35 The Savior was willing to build in his time with His Father, the foundation of His work
29:35 We can meditate on the person in front of us by giving them our full attention in that moment
31:30 The order in which the Savior did what he did: communion with the Father, surrounding himself in community, then going out to minister
33:45 C.S. Lewis (in Mere Christianity): “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.”
35:25 Tech hack for when you’re tied to your computer: the first tabs on the left are dedicated to devotion
36:40 How we organize our lives reflects our core values: look for the bigger purpose instead of organizing in a task-oriented way
37:30 Doing more can be disobedient, and following God’s will can involve taking out good things in favor of better or best; unnecessary sacrifice is evil
39:15 Jacob’s New Year’s resolution to be less efficient; doing our one little piece—what God wants done
41:30 Example of when the Savior didn’t heal and didn’t preach
42:50 There can be big things that need doing, but we are not asked to do them all the time, and the danger comes when we associate our self worth and our relationship with God with the accomplishment of great things; it’s about balance
47:15 The doing mode of mind vs. the being mode of mind
48:40 Addiction and recovery focused on sobriety vs. the unmet needs of the sinner; compassion is to go with people into their pain
52:00 So much of the practices of mindfulness go back to practicing what we truly believe
54:20 We have organized the gospel into behavioral steps, but there is a higher way
55:50 Repentance as a practice of turning back and beginning again, moment by moment
58:15 Love is creating space for another, and this can be healing even if there is no pragmatic solution in that moment
59:30 David Augsburger: “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.”
1:01:10 Smiling and being open to the distraction instead of reacting with fear or annoyance
1:02:45 We love the stories of change and resolution, but we need to be okay with a different process when things get messy instead: being at piece with the progress and the trajectory because change happens in moments over time
1:07:05 It’s consistency over time that leads to substantive change; the culture of narratives of what life is supposed to look like
1:11:55 Expectations are premeditative resentments: the second act of a play is the messy part
1:12:00 The substance of the gospel is practicing being in each moment in the most honest and compassionate way
1:13:10 You impact as a leader related to mental health: there is a healing power in listening; ministering is directly connected to lifting burdens
1:16:00 Mindfulness leads to being less reactive, being more curious, feeling more joy in the moments, and experiencing more steadiness
1:17:30 This may feel very strange, different, and even difficult
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this podcast, Kurt Francom sits down with four Evangelical Protestant pastors, Jeff McCullough of Hello Saints, Curtis Gilbert—a senior pastor in Shiloh, Illinois, Kyle Beshears, —pastor of a nondenominational church in Mobile, Alabama, and Nate Fox—pastor of Lightstone Church in Herriman, Utah. This conversation is part of the Hello Saints Summit, happening June 11-20, 2024, which involves two dozen Latter-day Saint and Protestant presenters—all FREE to watch!
LinksWatch the Hello Saints Summit
Transcript coming soon
Highlights00:02:06 – Introductions of the four evangelical pastors
00:07:11 – Unexpected call to serve as a bishop
00:15:38 – Pastors sharing their unique stories of being called into ministry
00:26:08 – Typical week in the life of a pastor
00:28:40 – Discussion on burnout and validation in pastoral roles
00:35:49 – Importance of humility and avoiding self-validation in ministry
00:43:46 – Involving and supporting pastors’ spouses in ministry
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Maria Duncan was raised in the San Francisco East Bay area where she learned the gospel from sister missionaries and joined the Church as she entered her teens. She moved to Cache Valley, Utah for high school and college, graduating from Utah State with a bachelor’s degree in Technology Systems, then worked in the professional media market and has since transitioned to project work.
In the Church, Maria has served in Young Women and Relief Society, worked with the stake youth, and been a Public Affairs (now Communication) director for the most recent six years. She serves on boards for non-profit organizations in her community while coaching middle school sports and raising seven children with her loving husband, Tom.
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HighlightsMaria Duncan, a stake communications director in the greater Sacramento Valley area, shares insights into her unique calling, which involves internal and external communications for the stake, including interfaith work and community outreach. She emphasizes the importance of aligning her efforts with the priesthood objectives of the stake presidency and building strong relationships with other faith communities.
Maria discusses her approach to visiting various churches in the community, where she focuses on building connections and understanding different worship practices. She highlights the power of genuine relationships in fostering unity and mutual respect among diverse religious groups. Maria also shares her experiences with temple open houses and the impact of inviting community leaders to tour the temple.
– Explanation of the role of a stake communications director
– Misconceptions about the role of a stake communications director
– Involvement of youth in stake communications work
– Attending different churches in the community and building relationships
– Composition and roles of the stake communications team
– Involving youth in stake communications activities
– Importance of networking and building relationships with other faith communities
– Focusing on connections and relationships rather than conversion
– Reflection on the experience of temple open houses
– Gratitude for the stake communications work and its impact
– How leadership in stake communications has enhanced following Jesus Christ
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dan Gray is an author, licensed psychotherapist, and lecturer. He co-founded the LifeStar Network, an internationally-known program designed to help individuals, couples, and families who have been impacted by a family member’s unwanted compulsive or addictive behaviors. Dan mostly loves being a husband, dad and grandpa, while helping other men become stronger and more loving leaders and mentors in their homes.
Dave Gray has an entrepreneurial spirit and has enjoyed careers in the real estate and mental health fields. He believes in the symbiotic connection between the relationships we have with those around us, and the choices we make in our lives. He passionately cherishes his relationships with others, especially his close family and friends and specifically with his kids. Dave couldn’t be more excited to create powerful and unique opportunities for parents and their kids to make deep and meaningful connections with one another through Bridgecamp.
Links
Bridgecamp.com
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Highlights4:30 Introduction to father and son Dan and Dave Gray
7:15 Dan mostly works with people struggling with pornography and other addictive behaviors.
9:24 Dan’s therapy work and the genesis of Bridgecamp
13:45 Overview of Bridgecamp. A place for parents and their kids to connect.
16:01 Components of Bridgecamp: Adventuring, learning, and serving
18:45 The power of experiential activities
19:30 Dan shares how experiential activities with his dad created a strong relationship between them. These activities also gave his dad opportunities to teach him.
23:15 Experiential activities for the youth and church leaders. These activities help leaders connect with the youth and give opportunities for the kids to grow in different areas.
24:50 Bridgecamp is a one-on-one experience for kids 12 to 17. Now that the Church isn’t associated with Boy Scouts it’s a great opportunity to get out and camp and be mentored.
28:00 The best way to describe Bridgecamp is that it’s a relationship-, trust-, and connection-building program. It’s not a therapy program but it is a therapeutic environment.
29:00 Bridgecamp can be an alternative to therapy for a struggling teen. An opportunity for parents to break down their teen’s walls and connect with them.
32:00 How can we be more intentional when it comes to girls camp, high adventure, or doing parent and child activities?
35:00 When you are self aware you are also aware of what’s going on in your relationships and building them.
39:20 Addressing parental issues at Bridgecamp
42:35 Discussion and learning components at Bridgecamp
45:30 The mentoring aspect of the camp is important also. The staff are there to mentor, and give examples of healthy interactions.
46:00 We were created to connect. In Genesis it says that it’s not good for man to be alone. We all long for bonding and the love and connection with others. The camp plants the seeds to create a better relationship that you can continue to develop when you go back home.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Sierra Larson serves as a stake Relief Society president in Brandon, Florida, and previously served as a ward Relief Society president. She served a mission in Santiago, Dominican Republic, earned a master’s degree in Social Work, and is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in trauma. She recently joined the Chaplain Corp in the United States Air Force and graduated with a second master’s in Divinity, with a focus in spiritual leadership. Sierra and her husband Joe Larson have three children.
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HighlightsSierra shares her journey of transitioning from being a ward Relief Society president to a stake Relief Society president, emphasizing the importance of seeking revelation, reading the handbook, and having a clear vision to guide her leadership.
00:05:10 – Sierra’s background and military experience
00:12:14 – Sierra’s leadership roles
00:17:02 – Sierra’s unique approach to leadership
00:25:20 – Sierra’s stake Relief Society conference
00:27:39 – Leadership Principle: Lead Yourself to Christ
00:29:17 – Leadership Principle: Be a Servant Leader
00:33:37 – Leadership Principle: Have an Inspired Vision and Plan
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Todd McLauchlin served a mission to Japan and studied philosophy at Brigham Young University. In this conversation, Todd and Kurt delve into the concept of magnifying one’s calling in the priesthood, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and obedience, and discuss how leaders can magnify redemption to others.
Links
Shattering Triangles YouTube channel
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Scriptures related to this podcast: Doctrine & Covenants 88, 112, 109, 61, 1 Nephi 12, Mosiah 2-5 (King Benjamin’s address), 2 Nephi 9, Jacob 1-2
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Highlights3:40 Todd’s background
6:20 Exploring the intersection of leadership, theology, and priesthood
7:40 A question that has always pounded Todd is do you REALLY believe what you believe? Why do I believe this?
10:30 Being Christ-like is more than just being a nicer person. How can I be a much more truthful person and what am I willing to sacrifice for it? Bring the darkness out of you into the light.
12:00 What is the dread of the holy? If you really want to pursue holiness and Jesus Christ you will most likely face dread in that path. You will have to encounter your demons to feel that sanctifying light.
13:00 Even the person that seems like they have everything together and is temple worthy has a lot of work to do on himself.
17:00 We need to humble ourselves without being compelled. We can go to the Lord with a broken heart and contrite spirit to know the depth of our weakness and insufficiency so that we can know the power and salvational abilities of Jesus Christ. It will be a radically transformational experience.
18:50 The temple endowment is an endowment of the priesthood. The significance of the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood.
22:00 The order of the priesthood is a group of people that are obtaining covenantal relationship intimacy with the Lord in degrees of intimacy. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ share their power with you as you become sanctified and fulfill their purposes.
23:00 The meaning of the order of the priesthood. The ordination is the authoritative invitation to enter into the order of the priesthood but you must do much more to sanctify yourself to share the power of God. That is the difference between being called and chosen.
24:50 Unpacking the temple endowment to understand priesthood theology
26:20 The covenant of the priesthood and becoming clean from the blood and sins of the generation. This is our primary call and covenant.
27:30 Magnifying one’s calling and the connection to priesthood theology
35:20 Sacrifice, leadership, and the impact on relationships and redemption
39:00 The consequences of breaking covenant and the role of priesthood in delivering Christ’s message
42:00 Applying covenant principles to leadership roles like Relief Society and Elder Quorum Presidents. Normally the things that the Lord wants us to do are things that we don’t want to do but that is where the power is unlocked.
45:30 When Adam and Eve were cast out, God said I will give you a savior and the law of sacrifice. We get to partner with Christ through our sacrifices.
46:40 Many are struggling with children that don’t want to participate in the covenant. What can they do?
49:00 When people leave the covenant. They haven’t seen how the gospel can work for them. Their testimony is not the problem; not experiencing redemption is the problem.
50:20 Are people leaving their Sunday feeling the redemption or like they haven’t been doing enough? There has to be a balance. We need to be careful on how we talk about repentance.
54:10 Going through a true repentance process and giving everything to Christ so that you can be transformed. Your own redemptive experience will magnify to others.
56:15 We are ALL sinners. Should we even use the word ‘serious’ in front of sin? We all have to heal our brokenness no matter what the sin.
58:30 Todd’s recommendations for further study (see links)
59:30 Todd shares his most significant experience with the young men.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Over the last 45 years, Jim Ritchie has been the founder or principal of multiple business adventures, including serving as senior vice president for Franklin Quest (now Franklin Covey). He is a member of the Brigham Young University President’s Leadership Council for both Provo and Hawaii campuses, a member of the National Advisory Council for the Marriott School of Business, and has served as an adjunct professor at Provo. He has also served as a board member and NAC advisor to Southern Virginia University. Jim and his wife Carolyn Orton have spent over 20 years serving full time in Church service on four continents, including as bishop, stake president in Simi Valley, mission president in Roanoke, Missionary Training Center president in Ghana, Institute director in New Zealand, CES area director in Africa, regional representative in the Provo Region, director of the Willes Center at BYU-Hawaii, and most recently as the young single adult specialists for the Washington DC South Mission. The Ritchies have eight children and forty grandchildren. He is also the principal founder of the Ritchie Enterprises LLC which began in the late ’60’s, and part of The Ritchie Group, of which he says he is “the gray hair”.
Links
Launching a Rising Generation of Leaders | An Interview with Steven Hitz and Michael Leonard
Transcript coming soon
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ganel-Lyn is a popular motivational speaker, known for inspiring others with her unique honesty, authenticity and spirit. She is dedicated to her family, faith, and inspiring others and loves teaching through speaking and writing. She has experienced healing from a major chronic illness and is the mother to two miracle children. After the heart-breaking suicide of her 40-year-old sister, Ganel-Lyn is constantly working towards prevention. She lives with an open heart and feels passionate about sharing principles that will empower others to live life with more joy. She is a regular television/radio guest and hosts the popular shows “Talk of Him” and “The Middle.”
Links
Why God Calls Some as Relief Society Presidents and Others as Cancer Survivors | An Interview with Ganel-Lyn Condie
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg, an organizational psychologist, holds the title of Chancellor’s Professor at UNC Charlotte for distinguished national, international and interdisciplinary contributions. He is an award-winning teacher, has over 200 publications, been cited well over 12,000 times in the academic literature, and was recipient of the very prestigious Humboldt Award for his research on meetings.
Dr. Rogelberg is the author of two highly-praised leadership books, Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings and The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance. He has been interviewed or featured on major TV and radio broadcasts, podcasts, and in most major newspapers and magazines. His keynotes on meetings span the globe and occur at the world’s leading organizations. He was the inaugural winner of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Humanitarian Award and just finished his term as president of SIOP, the world’s largest professional organization for organizational psychology.
Links
The Science of Church Meetings (including Ward Council) | An Interview with Steven Rogelberg
Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings
The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance
StevenRogelberg.com
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kirby Heyborne is an accomplished actor, narrator, musician, and comedian. He is best known for his roles in Saints and Soldiers, The Singles Ward, The R.M., The Best Two Years, Sons of Provo, and The Three Stooges. He has also starred in numerous television series and national commercial campaigns. Kirby currently hosts the popular BYUTV show, “Making Good.” As an audiobook narrator, Kirby has been nominated for a Grammy, received two Odyssey Awards, and countless Earphones Awards for excellence in narration. He has narrated over 2000 audiobooks, including SAINTS: The Story of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Days.
At church, Kirby has served as a Primary music leader, Sunday School teacher, and bishopric counselor, and is currently the bishop of his ward. He loves spending time with his wife and kids.
Kirby Heyborne, photographed by Justin Hackworth
Links
When Leaders Accidentally Limit Their Effectiveness | An Interview with Dustin Peterson
Build an A-Team in Your Calling | An Interview with Whitney Johnson
Are Leaders “The Chosen One”?
Bearded Bishops, Rated-R Movies, & the Honor Code | An Interview with John Hilton III
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jennie Blaser is the ninth of 11 children and has lived all over the world: Hawaii, Utah, California, Arizona, Argentina, Slovenia, and Hong Kong. She served an 18-month mission in one branch in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and speaks English, Spanish, and Slovenian. She graduated in International Finance with a minor in Spanish from Brigham Young University, returning to earn an MBA. Jennie has taught early morning Seminary, Marriage and Family Relations, Relief Society, Sunday School, and Gospel Doctrine. She has also served as a second counselor in a Young Women presidency twice and second counselor in a Relief Society presidency five times. Jennie is currently the second counselor in her stake Young Women presidency.
Dave Blaser grew up in an Air Force family and also lived all over. He served a mission in Mendoza, Argentina, graduated from BYU in Construction Management, and has worked in commercial construction management for 24 years. He is currently the executive vice president of operations for Layton Construction in Arizona. Dave has served as an elders quorum president, Young Men president, in a bishopric, and as a stake executive secretary. He currently serves as the bishop of his ward.
Jennie recently published her first book, a short novel entitled One Plus One Equals Three. She was an adrenaline junkie until her body literally stopped producing adrenaline—one of the health challenges she deals with daily. Dave runs nearly every day and has finished multiple marathons. He is a parrot-head (Jimmy Buffet fan) and a Swiftie. The Blasers live in Gilbert, Arizona, and have three children.
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Highlights2:00 Kurt introduces Jennie and Dave and their callings.
3:20 Jennie shares how and why she got started researching the Church handbook. She has been on a journey of learning and has written a few articles about the youth programs.
6:30 Dave was a previous priesthood quorum advisor before he became bishop. He shares what he learned from the handbook and tried to apply it in his calling.
8:15 Always start with the handbook when beginning a calling.
9:20 Helping the young women have more interactions and feel comfortable with the bishop. The bishopric needs to be spending regular time with the young women.
10:40 The bishopric is not the Young Men presidency. Since Doctrine & Covenants 107 was written they have always been the presidency over the Aaronic priesthood and nothing has changed.
12:40 There are four different people that are critical to buy into the new system for the youth to make it a success. The first is the bishopric. They need to balance focus between Young Men and the Young Women programs.
16:10 The responsibilities of the bishop have changed in the past five years with the new focus on the youth. To help him focus on the youth, the Relief Society president and elders quorum president can step in and help with people that need help in their organizations.
18:30 Dave’s ward has begun support groups in the Relief Society for people struggling. It helps take some of the load off of the bishopric and allows them to do more with the youth.
19:40 Empowering the elders quorum president and Relief Society president and delegating to them. Dave shares how he does this.
20:40 When the new handbook now states that the bishop’s role is to be over both Young Men and Young Women. With the release of the Young Men presidencies it allows the young men to step up and take on more leadership and responsibility. There needs to be training done to help get this done.
26:30 Helping the young women feel more welcome, more needed, and like they have a place in the Church.
28:30 There are numerous trainings in the handbook and those trainings should happen twice a year.
31:40 The importance of the Aaronic priesthood advisor and specialist. Their role is critical and they should be present at Sunday meetings and activities to make it possible for the bishopric to also be with the young women.
32:15 Dave’s ward has a meeting inviting all the Young Men leaders: advisors, specialists, and bishopric. In this meeting they council together and make sure they are all on the same page.
34:00 What the handbook says about small wards and combining classes to give the bishopric visit the Young Women classes too
34:40 Even though the Church discontinued the Young Men presidency doesn’t mean that there are fewer adult men serving with the Aaronic priesthood. They are now advisors or specialists instead of presidency members.
35:50 Having the Young Women meet for class in the bishop’s office. It happens once a month. He doesn’t sit behind the desk but sits as part of the class.
37:10 The importance of doing the class in the bishop’s office and not just in the Young Women room. Helping the young women feel equal to the young men.
38:00 Responses that the young women gave about switching it up and having class with the bishop in his office. They got a very positive response from all the girls.
39:00 Why are we trying to do all of this with the youth? If the bishop spends all his time with the young men what message does that send to the young women? Let’s make the young women feel valued, loved, and needed.
42:00 Study the handbook. Each ward has different needs. Discuss and apply the handbook in a way that will be best for those in your ward.
42:30 Dave shares how his experience of serving has brought him to Christ. Jennie also shares how when she focuses on individuals she has been brought to Christ.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kayla Shields works as a Certified Personal trainer and Nutrition Coach. She earned an associate’s degree from LDS Business College and is now headed back to Ensign College to finish a Finance degree. Her church callings have included Primary teacher, Activity Days leader, Relief Society counselor, and Relief Society president. She recently accepted the best calling in the Church: Primary music leader. Despite Kurt and Kayla’s recommendation, we did not title this episode “When Salmonella Forms Friendships”. You’re welcome.
Links
“The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction
Unashamed/Unafraid
When Being Released Hurts
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Highlights3:00 Kurt introduces his conversation with Kayla, a recently-released Relief Society president.
4:15 Kayla tells her story of getting called to be the Relief Society president, fear, imposter syndrome, and calling counselors.
9:20 Doing ministering interviews. Take the time to check in with the sisters and see how they are doing and their relationship with God and then you can get to the ministering questions.
11:00 By sharing her story and the hard things that she has been through, Kayla has been able to deepen her connection with the women in Relief Society.
12:45 Ways that Kayla has shared her and her husband’s story of sexual addiction and been vulnerable in her ward. She has decided to remove the shame from it and has found that people have been much more open with her.
15:10 Principle 1 – Acceptance of all
17:10 How Kayla and her presidency did ministering interviews and scheduled them. They decided not to meet with the companionship but have one-on-one meetings.
19:20 Principle 2 – Lean into the awkward
22:10 Working with the bishopric and elders quorum presidency
23:30 Ward counsels, correlation meetings, and personal interviews with the bishop
24:40 Doing monthly activities
27:45 The first year of being president they didn’t call any teachers and had lots of different women teach.
30:00 The overwhelm of organizing the women into ministering routes. Just start and it will work out.
32:30 The shocking grief of being released as the Relief Society president. Kurt shares some advice on ways to still connect to people and gather.
38:00 Kayla shares her final thoughts and testimony of Christ.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Scharman Grimmer serves as a member of the Young Women General Advisory Council for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has served as stake and ward Primary president; ward Young Women president, Primary and Relief Society counselor, stake Young Women camp director, Sunday School teacher, Seminary teacher, and in Primary as a music leader, teacher, and Nursery leader.
Scharman and her husband, Matt, have five children and live in Alpine, Utah. Scharman earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in Child and Teen Development from Syracuse University. She currently works as a child and teen development specialist, consulting parents on best developmental and relationship practices and healthy habits in families.
Scharman is proud to be from Humble, Texas! Growing up in an area with few members of the Church, she learned valuable lessons as she watched her parents faithfully lead in their ward and stake. Her own experiences as an adult in Texas and New York have given her an appreciation that every member can contribute and is needed.
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Finding Strength in the Lord: Emotional Resilience
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Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Acts 8, Acts 3, Doctrine & Covenants 104
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bryan Murray was born and raised in Long Beach, California, and met his future wife, Kristine Clawson, while attending Brigham Young University when they went skiing together with their home evening group. Bryan attended medical school at the University of Kentucky then completed an internal medicine residency with the UCSF San Joaquin Valley Program. He worked with a small group practice in Payson, Utah, before moving the family to Anacortes, Washington, where he joined a small internal medicine group and helped start a hospitalist program at Island Hospital in Anacortes.
Bryan has served in five bishoprics and as bishop of the Anacortes Ward. He retired from medicine in February 2022 and two short months later he and Kristine began a full-time mission as Area Medical Advisor to the North America Northeast Area. They also filled a mission assignment as support to a Young Single Adult branch in the Hingham, Massachusetts Stake. Bryan currently serves as the ward music chairman and Kristine serves as the Relief Society president in the newly-created Fidalgo Island Ward in Anacortes.
Bryan and Kristine enjoy spending time with their six children, five in-laws, and 15 grandchildren. As a family they enjoy skiing, kayaking, biking, hiking, sailing, and camping.
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Why Your Ward Needs a Podcast
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brett and Kristin Walker are a dynamic couple, each thriving in their professional and personal lives while deeply committed to their family and community. Brett is a seasoned marketing consultant specializing in professional development and deep technology sectors. He currently serves as a Young Single Adult bishop and is deeply committed to helping others grow. He’s an award-winning writer and loves the outdoors.
Kristin is a professional interior designer known for her innovative designs and attention to detail. She currently serves as a YSA Institute teacher, where she passionately teaches and shares her deep faith in Jesus. Kristin finds joy in traveling, reading, and spending time outside, cherishing every moment with her family and friends.
Together, Brett and Kristin embody a life full of adventure, faith, and continuous growth, always eager to explore new places and help others achieve their potential.
Links
Healing through the Savior: The Addiction Recovery Program 12-Step Recovery Guide
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Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Philippians 4:13, 2 Nephi 25:23
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2020.
Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg is a professor of Organizational Science, Management, and Psychology at UNC Charlotte. The author of The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance, he is a distinguished scholar addressing issues such as team effectiveness, leadership, engagement, health and employee well-being, meetings at work, and organizational research methods.
The book is a culmination of 15 years of research and thousands of surveys and interviews. It’s a collection of evidence-based insights and represents a strategic approach that leaders and organizations can take that’s highly practical and accessible, but also strongly based in science. In this interview, Steve talks with Kurt about applying the insights from his book to improving meetings in the Church environment. This presentation of this episode was originally included in the Meetings With Saints Virtual Conference, which is now part of the Core Leader Library.
LinksThe Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance
StevenRogelberg.com
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Highlights5:00 We know one thing but tend to do a different thing, but there is no formula for meeting success. Instead the key is making good choices, which is more empowering.
7:00 Steve’s experience with members of the Church
8:15 The cost of meetings is underestimated
11:00 Being self-aware as a meeting leader: stewardship and making changes
13:40 Things to reflect on that are signs that there needs to be improvement
14:30 Start with a quick survey, then work on the little things and assess later
17:00 Talking as the leader vs. leading the discussion
20:00 Transparency and honesty allows you to lead from the back or the front in a genuine way
21:10 Three phases of the meeting: planning/designing, facilitating, and post-meeting activity
21:50 Planning a meeting is not time consuming and has a high return on investment
23:45 Taking a “pre-mortem” moment before the meeting
25:00 Agendas are a hollow crutch: what matters most is what is on that agenda and how it is facilitated
- Frame the agenda as a set of questions to be answered
- Allow other people to different agenda items
- Put the most important/compelling issues first
30:10 Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill whatever time is allotted
- How much time should it take? Dial it back a bit and create time pressure
- Volunteer time is a precious gift: build trust by respecting it
35:00 Combating minutiae in meetings by making meeting time incredibly purposeful
38:00 Councils and update meetings
- What is a good update? Decide and then put people on the clock
- Silent updates via a shared document
41:20 Silence in a meeting is a way of engaging people
44:25 Technology in a meeting: multitasking is a symptom of a bad meeting
- Keep meeting minutes in real time on the screen instead of a powerpoint
- People focused on their phones is actually feedback
47:00 Avoiding the meeting that should have been an email
- Recording your voice with the message you want to give and sending it out
- Start the meeting with questions about the message(s) you sent out
49:30 Presentations in meetings: have the person write their ideas in a document, then discuss it in the meeting
51:30 Where to find his book and research on the science of meetings
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
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Josh Coates studied computer science at UC Berkeley and is the executive director of the B.H. Roberts Foundation.
Links
The Unique Opportunity Local Leaders Have to Encourage Faith Among Latter-day Saint Millennials | An Interview with Jana Riess
Josh Coates articles at Deseret News
Stephen Cranney articles at Deseret News
BH Roberts Foundation
Mormonr.org
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Highlights3:20 Introduction to Josh Coates, one of the founders of the B.H. Roberts Foundation and Mormoner. They write short articles on controversial topics.
5:45 Who is B.H. Roberts? Why is the foundation named after him?
9:20 Josh and his foundation began a research project surveying Latter Day Saints.
16:00 Creating the survey in order to have useful data. You have to be very careful when formulating questions.
18:15 What were they looking to find out in the survey?
21:30 It seems like people are leaving the Church in droves. Is that really true?
23:30 They have found that there are two types of Latter-day Saints according to their analysis.
- Cluster 1 – 80% are pretty orthodox. Follow closely to the commandments and are very active in the Church.
- Cluster 2 – 20% are scattered in their beliefs even if they identify as Latter-day Saints.
29:40 Millennials are dramatically represented in the 20% of members that have scattered beliefs. We worry about Gen-Z a lot but maybe we are overlooking the millennials.
33:30 The cultural evolution of the Church has improved over the last 20 to 30 years but there have also been things that have eroded the foundation of people’s faith.
34:00 The difference between the different generations in the Church. Why are millennials struggling so much compared to other generations?
35:15 How can leaders better approach or talk to millennials? Separating policy and doctrine.
39:30 The data that Josh found on marriage and divorce in the Church. They found that temple marriages are a big deal.
42:00 Research on moral foundation theory. The five foundational values that go into making a decision:
- Will it hurt someone?
- Is it fair?
- Loyalty
- Authority
- Purity
52:00 The survey data on LGBTQ members of The Church of those that have left The Church and their view on marriage
54:30 Resources and places to go to find out more about Josh’s work.
56:00 Josh’s encouragement to Church leaders
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Sahr Doe found the Church when he was eight years old but could not be baptized until he was 13. His mission was delayed due to the Sierra Leone civil war, and at age 21 he was called into his Young Men presidency. He was then among the first missionaries to attend the Accra Ghana Missionary Training Center, and served in the Nigeria Lagos/Ibadan mission where he was an assistant to the mission president for 12 months. Two weeks after his mission he returned to the Ghana MTC as a tutor and driver for 18 months.
Sahr served as district high counselor in the Freetown Sierra Leone district before being called as counselor in the district presidency. He then served as administrative assistant to the mission president of the Ghana Accra mission, Sierra Leone zone, while working as physical facilities manager for Sierra Leone. On his release from the district presidency, Sahr was called as the elders quorum president in his branch, then as branch president. He left to attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii for one semester, without his wife and son, but had an accident while working at the Polynesian Cultural Center and returned to Sierra Leone. He then started a construction company and was called as the secretary to the mission presidency, then as counselor to the mission president.
When the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak sent the mission president, senior couples, and missionaries to Ghana, Sahr stayed as acting assistant to the president. He later assisted with orienting new mission leaders to the country and was called again as counselor to the president. In 2016 he was involved in a serious accident that left him partially paralyzed, and in 2017 was released from the mission presidency and called as secretary to the Area Seventy. He currently serves on the Kossoh Town stake high council.
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Highlights2:45 Kurt introduces Sahr Doe and his background.
4:40 Sahr shares his conversion story. He was baptized at 13-years-old. He has been a member since 1993.
6:30 Making the decision to serve a mission and the civil war in Sierra Leone
7:50 What the church is like now in Sierra Leone in 2024
10:00 Sahr’s leadership callings
12:40 Getting called as branch president
14:00 Responsibilities while serving in the mission presidency
16:15 Working with the young missionaries and teaching them that with a willing heart nothing is impossible.
19:50 Sahr’s advice to missionaries that will go to serve in his country
20:55 Sahr is currently serving on the high council. He describes some of his responsibilities.
21:30 Being grateful amidst the challenges that present the people in Sierra Leone
24:00 Find an excuse to win no matter what you are going through.
27:30 You are in control of your pain.
29:30 Sahr shares a powerful leadership experience. When Sahr overlooked a man for a calling the Lord reminded him that whom the Lord calls, He qualifies.
33:50 More leadership stories and things Sahr learned from them
36:00 The principle of listening. Listen to people as our Heavenly Father listens to our prayers.
39:40 Great followers become great leaders and great leaders become great followers
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Nate Sharp is a scholar and academic leader who currently serves as Dean of the Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, served in the Korea Seoul West Mission, then taught Korean at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, while attending Brigham Young University.
Nate graduated from BYU’s Marriott School of Business with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting and later completed a PhD at the University of Texas at Austin. During his time at Texas A&M, Nate has served in multiple leadership positions, received multiple awards recognizing excellence in research and teaching, and been widely published in top peer-reviewed scholarly journals..
Nate married Holly Carroll, they are the parents of five children, and their oldest daughter is currently serving in the Peru Lima Central Mission. Nate has previously served as an elders quorum president, ward Young Men president, ward executive secretary, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and bishop. He currently serves as stake president in the College Station Texas Stake, a calling he has held since 2016.
Links
Linking Every Sacrament Meeting to Christ | An Interview with Thomas Griffith
Thomas Griffith’s BYU Speech: The Very Root of Christian Doctrine
Why Every Ward Needs Digital Ward Missionaries
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Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Doctrine & Covenants 45:3-5, John 5:38-40
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Highlights2:30 In a previous episode, Nate talked about having digital missionaries for the ward and the blog they created and the impact it made.
4:30 Getting called as stake president
8:40 Their stake has a large number of single adults. The recent changes to put singles and students in leadership has created lots of positive change in the singles ward.
10:45 Nate currently works for Texas A&M and is the dean of the Mays Business School.
12:30 The role of being a dean is about building relationships, selfless service, and elevating the school. The values they have on campus have created an environment similar to BYU.
19:30 Stimulating a positive culture as a stake president. They set a vision of creating a culture and doctrine of belonging. Including more students in leadership opportunities even if they won’t be there very long.
22:50 Approach to mentoring bishops and helping them establish culture in their wards
25:30 The bishop has the opportunity to demonstrate to the youth hopeful repentance.
28:15 How can bishops apply this idea of hopeful repentance? Let the youth know you are proud of them for coming forward with their sins. Share hope filled conference talks about repentance. The more modern resources the better.
35:00 Creating a Christ centered sacrament meeting. Helping people feel lifted up and not weighed down after sacrament meeting.
45:00 Christ is our advocate and pleads our cause. Nate shares Doctrine & Covenants 45:3-5.
50:00 Overcoming our view that our relationship with God is transactional.
55:00 John 5:38-40. Getting over the checklist mentality. The scriptures are an instrument to lead us to Jesus Christ.
1:00:40 Seeing how Jesus changes people’s lives and brings back their testimonies
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Julie McAllister Hillyard was raised in Vancouver, Washington, served in the Philippines Bacolod Mission, and graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Psychology. She taught classes to male inmates and mentored female inmates at the Utah State Prison before and as she launched her career. Julie had the privilege of working and traveling with Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and worked with him as he developed and wrote The 8th Habit. She joined him as he consulted with leaders of countries and companies and helped him prepare and deliver presentations to audiences around the world.
Julie has served in various teaching callings, including as an Institute instructor, Relief Society teacher and president, Sunday School and Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Young Women leader. She currently teaches a stake adult religion class and the high school seniors Sunday School class in her ward. Julie is married with three fabulous kids, owns a pickleball paddle company with her husband, and does consulting work in leadership and communications. She is also a host on the Teaching Restored podcast.
Links
Teaching Restored Podcast
Teaching Sunday School with Questions | An Interview with Kevin Jones
The Power of Learner Councils | A How I Lead Interview with Russell Rigby
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, by Pria Parker
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Highlights2:10 Kurt introduces Julie Hillyard, the co-host of the podcast Teaching Restored. She shares what the podcast is about.
4:00 Julie’s professional background and experience in teaching. She currently teaches the adult religion class for her stake.
6:20 She worked for Stephen Covey, the author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. She shares her experience.
11:00 Julie’s stake offers an adult religion class on Tuesdays and Julie teaches it. It’s for people that want to dive more into the scriptures together. It’s like an institute class for adults.
15:30 Inviting discussion can be a vulnerable way to teach but invites something special. Balance discussion and teaching.
17:40 Her class isn’t about teaching all the content of Come Follow Me but setting people up for further study at home. It lines up with the Come Follow Me lessons.
20:00 Finding simplicity on the far side of complexity. As a teacher you have to dig through the weeds to arrive at what you need to focus on in your class. Discussions can be rich if they are facilitated in the right way.
22:00 Best practices for teaching the youth
- Be real. No fluff. Don’t talk about the superficial stuff.
- Connect on a casual level before teaching them. Build their trust with you first.
25:20 How to be real with the youth when teaching them. Bring your vulnerability to get vulnerability back. Engage in their vulnerabilities and empathize with them. Make every individual in the class feel seen, heard, and valued.
27:50 Don’t try to do too much with the youth. Julie recommends not breaking off into groups but in pairs. It works better to get them talking and so that people don’t hide in the background.
29:40 When your problem is too much discussion and your lesson is going all over the place. Balancing lecture and discussion.
32:00 Instead of a teachers council create a learners council. Teach people how to be better learners. Lay ground rules as the facilitator of the class so that the conversation and discussion moves the class forward and not all over the place.
37:00 We can create a culture in Sunday school. It can be awkward depending on how the teacher responds to comments and the questions they ask.
39:40 Set rules of gathering. Have people consider if their comment is helping move the lesson forward, how long their comment is, and how many times they comment.
43:30 The reason you have rules of engagement is to create a safe space for everyone. A comment can connect people or disconnect people.
47:20 Creating connection in Sunday school. As a teacher you have the ability to hurt people and shut them down. You have to be very careful. Make people feel not just heard but understood.
55:20 Julie shares when she first started teaching she was so focused on teaching that she forgot about applying.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kempe Nicoll is the campus director at Eagle Gate College in Layton, Utah. He also manages the social media channels for Declare My Word. These accounts post gospel-related content intended to share light and truth, making it easy for social media users to share positive messages on their own feeds. Kempe served as a missionary in Estonia in 1996 and currently serves as a new Bishop in Bountiful, Utah. Previously, he served many years as a young men’s and Stake Mission Prep leader. He and his wife, Rachelle, are the parents of six children.
LinksInstagram: @declaremyword
DeclareMyWord.org
Instagram reel with the sister missionaries
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HighlightsComing soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Hailing from the heart of Utah, Joe Speredon’s diverse background and experience led him into leadership within men’s work. Having embarked on his own path of crisis and self-discovery, Joe discovered the healing nature of brotherhood and masculine support. From that place he founded the Utah Men’s Circle and later the Algiz Guard. Working with Sacred Sons and many other influential leaders and groups, Joe has had the opportunity to travel all over the world, meet men from diverse backgrounds, and guide them through their own healing and evolution as a coach, leader and inspirational speaker. Joe currently serves in the Church as a Sunday School teacher and as a stake emergency preparedness specialist.
LinksUtahMensCircle.com Instagram: @utahmenscircle Facebook: Utah Men’s Circle AlgizGuard.com Instagram: @thealgizguard Facebook: The Algiz Guard The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts here.
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Highlights1:40 Introduction to Joe Speredon and his background 4:20 Joe shares why mens work is so important to him and how he got started in it. 6:00 Too many men are suffering in silence. However, when men open up they will find that they are suffering with the same things. 8:00 We have the engine (elders quorum) but we don’t know how to turn it on. We need men to be courageous enough to open up during elders quorum. 10:00 What is brotherhood? We’ve had a cultural shift that the cool thing is to be a lone wolf. Men think they have to do it all and do it alone. 14:30 The war that we fight is mostly against ourselves. The idea of brotherhood is it’s me against myself and having brothers to help us be the best version of ourselves. 15:30 How can an elders quorum president stimulate brotherhood in Sunday meetings?
- Take off your own mask as the leader. Be open with your struggles.
- Be the first to be vulnerable and authentic and others will follow.
17:30 Joe created the Utah Men’s Circle, a gathering twice a month for a couple hours, a time to check in and talk about how you are really feeling. 21:40 Have less formal gatherings and activities to connect and have conversations. 23:00 Doing men’s work outside of elders quorum. We need to create a place for active and inactive members to connect without preaching. 26:00 The vilification of men and toxic masculinity 30:30 Due to wounding and conditioning and because they are mortal, men can turn into:
- The sadist, meaning I’m going to hurt you before you hurt me
- The masochist, meaning I’m going to hurt me before you can hurt me
32:00 To become more realigned is more than just getting your behaviors in check. You have to know where you are going and why you are doing it. 33:50 An archetype that gets thrown around a lot and is related to toxic masculinity is “king”. We can have a reframing of the word king by doing self work. 36:40 As a society we have lost a lot of rights of passage for young men. We need to be giving young men opportunities to set up from boyhood to manhood. 40:10 Resources for fathers and men to find ways to step up and change. 42:10 Unrighteous dominion is another way to say toxic masculinity. What exactly is unrighteous dominion? 43:20 We are teaching young men that what you do is not so much the problem but it’s about how everyone else feels about what you are doing. Instead, we need to help them focus on WHY they did what they did. 47:40 Joe wasn’t called to do men’s circle or help men but he reminds us that we don’t have to be commanded in all things and we should be anxiously engaged in good causes.
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in April 2020. John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver and earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University, where he met his wife, Lani. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem, and China. Currently they live in Utah, and have six children. John has a master’s degree from Harvard and a PhD from Brigham Young University, both in Education. John is a professor of Religious Education at BYU. John has published several books with Deseret Book, including Considering the Cross and his latest book, Voices in the Book of Mormon. He is also the author of the podcast and video series, “The Book of Mormon: A Master Class.” John loves being with his family, doing humanitarian work, learning Chinese, and performing magic.
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LinksThe Founder of Our Peace: Christ-Centered Patterns for Easing Worry, Stress, and Fear John’s article discussing this topic: A Fence Around the Law – Safety Net or Beam in Our Eye John Hilton III books John’s education research There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts here.
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Highlights7:04 John quotes President Uchtdorf addressing the many “shoulds” and “should nots” that become a challenge in our lives. We can lose peace in our lives when we focus on admittedly good ideas, but aren’t grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 8:50 What are “Fence Laws”? Imagine an unfillable hole in your backyard, which poses a threat to children who may fall in. You therefore put a fence around this hole, which represents sin. The fence represents the protective effort against anybody falling into the sin. 9:45 We are already protected from sins by commandments, which John refers to as “core laws”. Yet some still feel the need to add additional “fence laws”. E.g.:
- Core Law: The law of chastity, i.e., no sexual relations outside of marriage
- Fence Law: No kissing until the fourth date, and kiss will last no longer than five seconds
- Fence Law: No going into the bedroom of a member of the opposite sex
10:47 Some fence laws have prophetic sources, like those found in the For the Strength of Youth, etc. There is a goodness to fence laws as guided by the Spirit or other divine sources, like prophets. 13:57 Examples of positive fence laws 15:22 Dangers of focusing on the fence laws while forgetting the commandments: “I didn’t go into the bedroom of a member of the opposite sex, but I still broke the law of chastity.” Children need fences, but the choices should shift away from extrinsic fences to self-imposed fences. 16:50 Too many good fences can become a burden. 22:58 “Take my yoke upon you” meaning 25:49 Ward traditions that become fences 28:56 Allowing the Spirit to fill in the details around prophetic direction 30:14 Anecdotes where a personal fence laws caused harm:
- Unrighteous judgment
- Offending others
- Teaching others incorrectly
43:20 Fences should help us feel the Holy Ghost 45:50 Leading Saints’ contribution to fence laws: learning by seeking to understand the purpose behind a fence 48:14 How to step back from the rush to judgment 51:48 When to correct and when to ignore as leaders 53:10 Did we become members of Christ’s church in order to argue with others what true discipleship looks like? Paul, when using dietary habits as an example of arguing over something inconsequential, said “For meat, destroy not the work of God.” (Romans 14:20) 55:14 “The work of God” and your role, the bishop’s role, and our common goal. 58:01 Trusting prophets as “seers”, even if we can’t “see” the point of their counsel 1:00:08 Review of four key points:
- It’s good to have spirit-driven fence laws
- Some fence laws can be burdensome
- Know the mark: loving God and loving our neighbors
- Judging others over fence laws, and teaching doctrine
1:00:35 “Lord, is it I?” mode: Who needs to hear this podcast? Look inward 1:02:58 Upward empathy toward leaders 1:04:18 Conclusion
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jacob Hansen grew up immersed in and passionate about ideas about the world. He grew up near Sparks, Nevada, in a blue-collar family with parents who now serve as a State Senator and in the Nevada State Assembly. He served a Church mission to Argentina and attended both Brigham Young University and BYU-Hawaii, graduating with a degree in Operations/Supply Chain Management. He then partnered with another recent-grad to start a company that continues to grow. Jacob married his college sweetheart, Erica, and they have four children. He loves just about anything that takes him on an adventure.
Links
YouTube @thoughtfulfaith2020
“Creating Genuine Belonging: Could This Revolutionize the Church?”
Thoughtful-Faith.com
Facebook Thoughtful Saints group
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Highlights1:40 Introduction to Jacob Hansen, the creator of Thoughtful Faith YouTube channel.
3:10 A part of Jacob’s YouTube channel are formal debates. Listening to Christian vs Atheist debates saved Jacob’s testimony.
6:30 Contrast is what creates clarity. That’s why Jacob likes to talk to people that disagree with him and have debates.
7:30 Should most people debate? Formal debate is a skill set and not recommended for everyone. It’s not a good way to minister to someone.
10:00 Although argument doesn’t create conviction and belief, a lack of argument destroys the climate where belief can flourish.
11:30 Interest-based programs. Why are they important in the Church? We can combine values and people’s interests to create a great experience.
17:00 Ministry should happen at a ward level but when it comes to interest based activities you can do them at a stake level. Stop forcing people to go to activities they have no interest in.
20:30 We need to gather in these sub-interest groups for community and human connection between the saints. It’s not about entertainment.
22:00 How can Relief Society presidents and elders quorum presidents begin to implement interest-based activities? It can happen at the ward level but it’s easier for stake leaders because there are lots of people.
26:45 More people will engage in these interest-based activities because it’s actually something they are interested in. It’s also something that non members will show up to. Activities are a much better way to do missionary work.
29:30 These activities are not a ploy to get people baptized but we are bringing the Spirit into someone’s life and then they can decide what they want to do with it. We are facilitating opportunities and loving people.
34:00 Ultimately life is about being one with God and one with each other. The most valuable thing that we have in our lives is our relationships. That’s why we do what we do. That’s why we are building community and groups.
35:50 What about the budget? Start with activities that you don’t need a budget for, such as a yoga night or jujitsu night.
38:00 Why not just do these activities outside the church entirely?
38:30 What if your idea isn’t supported by the bishop or other leaders?
40:30 Liability for these activities. How do we deal with it? Create a simple waiver.
42:30 The point is not the activities themselves. It’s about the vision.
48:00 Thoughts on being a leader
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Doug McKinlay has a masters degree from Brigham Young University in Mass Communications, ran his own successful $35MM company for 17 years, and won national awards for advertising results and creativity. He has also taught as faculty at Brigham Young University for 16 years. Doug loves serving his fellow beings. In the Church, callings have included service as an elders quorum president, ward and stake Young Men president, stake executive secretary, stake high council, stake president and counselor, Regional Representative of the Twelve, mission president, and bishop.
LinksBYU Devotional: “The Approachable Master” There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts here. Watch on YouTube Read the transcript of this podcast
Highlights3:10 Introduction and background to Doug McKinlay 4:30 Doug shares his background of growing up in Utah. His career and leadership experience in the Church. He has served numerous callings such as stake president, counselor in the stake presidency, regional representative, and mission president. He is now 82 years old. 16:00 Getting called as stake president and calling counselors 20:20 Back in the day they used to fly stake presidencies into Salt Lake for leadership meetings in the Tabernacle. President Packer taught that the handbook is the what of church leadership and the scriptures are the how of church leadership. 21:50 When he was released as stake president he was called as a Regional Representative of the Twelve. Douglas explains the responsibilities and duties of this calling. 28:15 In the 80’s and 90’s they had regional conferences for all members and a member of the twelve would be there. As regional representative he would organize it. 29:30 As part of his calling, Doug was always there when a stake president was called and he also helped with training. 32:20 Doug helped President Hinckley find temple sites. 33:40 He served as regional rep for five years and then was called as mission president. Douglas describes the process and interviews he had before getting called. President Faust was the one who called him. 37:40 Doug was mission president in Tucson, Arizona. The mission was quite disobedient at the time and it took about a year to turn the ship around. 40:15 Shifting the mission culture. Making obedience cool. 42:15 Doug created doctrinal diagrams. Creating these diagrams helped with visual learning. 45:40 Get out from behind the desk and do what you proclaim. When Doug was stake president he figuratively released himself and called himself on a stake mission for a month. Focusing on mission work they were able to finally not only reach their baptismal goal but go over it. 49:50 What is your advice on having to get up and speak to an audience? Be timely and topical, as President Hinckley was. 52:00 He skipped being bishop and went straight to being stake president but in his sixties he was called as a bishop. 55:00 Doug is now 82 years old and is in a new phase of life. He gets to let others lead. 55:40 Doug’s final thoughts on being a follower and being a leader
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ashly Leavitt has an associate degree in theatre and music, a bachelor's degree in broadcast communications, and a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. After a 10-year career as an educator, Heavenly Father made it clear that He wanted her to shift to counseling and specialize in betrayal trauma recovery, relationship repair, and divorce recovery. Ashly loves helping those who have experienced betrayal trauma to discover and reconnect with themselves again. As a co-founder of Rejoice! Recovery, she enjoys using her educator and counselor experiences together to create classes on healing and relationships, leading discussions on boundaries, and co-hosting the podcast, Phoenix Forte: Connecting to Healing and Joy After Divorce. You can catch Ashly presenting at conferences and retreats. On Sunday, you'll find her serving in her all-time-favorite calling as a Relief Society instructor. Ashly has previously served in Primary and Young Women's Presidencies, but she's been honored to serve by teaching Relief Society in multiple wards over the last 12 years. However, Ashly’s biggest accomplishment is managing to survive as a single mom of two. During her free time (if such a thing exists) you would find Ashly supporting the local theatre scene, playing board games with friends and family, participating in the Lamb of God Easter production on Temple Square, and laughing with her kids while they dance in the kitchen together. LinksThe Choice to Leave Abuse, by Ryan Anderson PsychologyToday.com There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts here.Watch on YouTube Read the transcript of this podcastHighlights2:10 What is betrayal trauma? Why do church leaders need to understand it? 4:10 Ashly explains betrayal trauma and the sub-behaviors that come along with it. Betrayal trauma has lots of side effects on your health. 7:45 A common source of betrayal trauma is sexual infidelity. 9:00 The "hit by a truck" analogy. The importance of focusing on the person that was betrayed or wounded. Too often we focus on fixing the person that is looking at pornography or being unfaithful. 13:15 The other behaviors that normally come with cheating or viewing pornography. There are abuse tactics, such as lying, gaslighting, blaming, and defensiveness. 15:30 What is gaslighting? Making someone question the truth and their own sanity. Making them second guess themselves. A lot of women have their intuition saying that something is off but their husband makes them feel like they are crazy. 18:00 Often the shame spiral keeps people from telling the whole truth. They are scared of what people will think if they share everything that is going on. In cheating scenarios the wife feels something off but the husband says they are fine. 18:50 Bishops should work with the individuals instead of the marriage. Talk to the husband and wife separately so that they can speak their truth and get validation. 19:45 Everybody in the relationship is trying to maintain control. Wives try to control the behaviors and situations to feel safe and stop from getting hurt again. 22:20 The bishop isn’t supposed to be the one healing everyone. Don’t take on roles that aren’t yours. 23:30 What should leaders and couples consider when the betrayal bomb goes off? 25:20 A great question that a bishop can ask is, "How can I help you feel safe?" Prioritize safety and not the emotions of the betrayer. 28:30 The push from the wife to "punish" their husband by taking away the sacrament or membership council. They are trying to fix the problem but it’s not theirs to fix. 31:30 Shame makes people want to hide and not tell anyone so finding a safe place to share and a support group for those in recovery is important. 35:20 What can we do to help the children in these situations? 38:10 The importance of boundaries and the process of forgiveness 44:30 Appropriate disclosure and things leaders should keep in mind 46:00 Leaders want to sav...
Aaron Jaussi grew up in Riverton, Utah, in "the best family that someone could ask for." He is the second of five children and grew up an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He earned a bachelor's degree in Plant Science/Horticulture from Utah State University and currently works for Intermountain Farmer's Association (IFA). Aaron and his amazing wife, Christa, have been married for nearly 14 years, have five great kids ranging in ages from 12 years to 10 months, and currently live in Payson, Utah. His church leadership has included service as a Young Men president, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and currently as elders quorum president.LinksSonsofThunderProject.com Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret to a Man’s Soul There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts.Watch on YouTube Read the transcript of this podcastHighlights3:15 Aaron is an elders quorum president in Payson, Utah, and is working on a side project called Sons of Thunder, a blog that is focused on men and helping them connect with positive masculinity. 4:30 Aaron shares his background. 5:30 Why Aaron started his project, Sons of Thunder. It began with reading the book Wild at Heart. Aaron shares things that resonated with him from the book and started him on the journey of self reflection and understanding manhood. 11:00 Those calls to do more or calls to repentance are a call to adventure. You can shift your attitude towards your duties and responsibilities as a man and church member. Think of all the people you can meet and help. 15:30 Starting his blog and website. How Sons of Thunder was born. The main purpose is for men to share their stories and thoughts on masculinity and other topics. 21:20 Elders quorum is refreshingly engaged. 22:50 How the Sons of Thunder shows up in his elders quorum and things that have made the quorum successful. 24:40 What makes a good elders quorum teacher? How do they engage the men? 25:30 Working together as an elders quorum presidency. Having consistent meetings. 27:00 How they do visits and interact with everyone active or inactive 28:30 Doing birthday cards and visiting people for their birthday 30:30 Annual men's retreat. A great way for men in the ward to connect with food, games, and a devotional. They keep it simple. 32:40 Using group messaging for the quorum instead of just email 34:10 Wild at Heart can be a great resource to use as an elders quorum president to tap into the hearts of men and help them. 35:40 The gospel is individual.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this solo episode, Kurt reflects on his suggestions from a series of newsletter messages for stake presidents.LinksRead the newsletter messages related to this episode How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | An Interview with Alanna Francom Join the Leading Saints Community Watch on YouTube There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts .Read the transcript of this podcastHighlights3:00 Be intentional about your leadership and it will reach more people. 4:00 Kurt served as a bishop and then served in a stake presidency. 5:40 Principle one - Lead the leaders NOT the stake 9:05 Principle two - Consider mandatory stake programs and themes 11:40 Principle three - How to lighten the load through overcommunication 13:45 Principle four - Minimizing targets 16:00 Principle five - Shepherding the lost 19:00 Principle six- Empower the stake Relief Society president 20:30 Principle seven - Being a stake president also has to do with the president’s wife. Invite her into the experience. 22:30 Principle eight - Take a three year resetThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Clint Argyle has served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since his youth, in several quorum presidencies. He served a mission in Calgary, Canada, and more recently he and his wife served as full-time senior missionaries and director at the Oakland California Temple Visitors' Center. He has also served as first counselor in a stake presidency, on stake high council, as a bishop, and scoutmaster/NYLT leader. Clint received his associates degree from Utah Valley University, bachelors from Brigham Young University's Marriot School of Business, and is a humanitarian, investor, and entrepreneur, and enjoys doing good. He and his wife have four children and seven grandchildren and enjoy spending time with family and friends.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastHighlights3:15 Clint’s background and his senior mission in Oakland, California. He and his wife served as visitor center directors for the Oakland temple. 7:00 The responsibilities of a visitors center director. Be full time missionaries Keep the operation running Train other missionaries Promote and market the visitors center to the local community7:40 Clint has a background in business and marketing that he was able to use to help him know how to market the visitor center. He also got help from a friend to do digital marketing. He worked on creating a digital presence for the center. 12:00 When covid hit they went home and focused solely on digital marketing. They figured out how to do virtual tours on Zoom and were able to do 900 virtual tours. People were still able to have a spiritual experience online. 14:00 You can be a digital missionary wherever you are. 14:40 Something that is important to consider is that people are always looking for reviews. The three main places people look are Google Reviews, Yelp, and Trip Advisor. As members we can leave reviews for the temple, church building, and visitors center. They asked everyone who visited the visitors center to leave a review. 19:00 There are so many ways to do missionary work without having to awkwardly go talk to your neighbor. You never know if just leaving a review can help someone. 19:00 It’s powerful when members and missionaries work together as digital missionaries. The Idaho Falls and Oakland Visitors' Centers took off thanks to reviews. 22:30 If you go to a church history site on vacation you can leave a review and that is your digital missionary work. Where else could you post about your experience? 26:30 Temple open houses are great opportunities for missionary work. Even before it’s dedicated you can help the google algorithm by driving over to the site using maps. Take pictures and upload them. 30:30 Does digital missionary work and marketing really work? Clint shares some of the results they have seen from just leaving reviews on Tripadvisor and Google. 35:50 Rules on creating websites and doing digital marketing. It has to be in conjunction with the church. 37:20 As a leader you can influence those you lead to leave reviews. You don’t have to limit yourself to one. You can be a light online. 38:40 Clint’s final thoughts on leadershipThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie,
Joy McCullough is a Protestant, Evangelical with a background in professional counseling. She is the wife of Pastor Jeff McCullough, the creator of the YouTube channel Hello Saints. She has four children and recently relocated to Utah from St. Louis. Joy spends a lot of time doing photography, thrifting, and playing violin, along with staring at the Wasatch Mountains. She completed her undergraduate degree in speech communication from Greenville University and received a Masters in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in Virginia. Joy is not afraid of her own or other people’s brokenness. She has a heart for creating space for people to come as they are and to find true healing and hope through authenticity and honesty, free from shame. Her faith in Jesus informs this passion and approach.LinksYouTube @HelloSaints There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastHighlights3:50 Introduction to Joy, a therapist and wife of Pastor Jeff from Hello Saints 4:50 What moving to Utah has been like as someone that isn’t LDS 6:30 Joy’s faith development and journey 10:00 The stigma of being a pastor’s wife and high expectations of other people 11:10 Advice to a pastor’s or bishop’s wife 14:15 Journey to becoming a therapist 17:00 Religion and shame. We don’t experience God’s love and grace through shame. 21:40 Helping someone through their shame 26:40 There is no shame in having a need or desire. You deserve to have your needs met and don’t need to feel shame. 28:30 When we feel broken we often feel shame. When people feel shame it’s because they have some sort of need. However, brokenness is an opportunity to receive and feel God’s love and grace. 32:30 How can a bishop help someone buried in shame? 34:00 Joy shares an experience she had as a teen with an abusive pastor. She carried shame from the experience for many years. However, she was able to heal by instead of saying what is wrong with me? But what happened to me? 36:00 We focus so much on the sin and behavior but we should ask what happened? Why are we going towards sin? What led to the addiction? 38:00 Sin destroys our identity. Knowing and feeling the love of God. Do you understand and feel your belovedness? 39:45 Even with grace our lives will not be pain free. We can experience grace but we are going to have to experience grief and sorrow. 41:00 Wounding and brokenness. We have to allow our pain to lead us to Jesus and not sinful behavior. 44:00 When we hyperfocus on the behaviors we bypass our hearts, we bypass our feelings and our emotions and try to achieve certain behaviors and what looks good on the outside but inside we are still a mess. We haven’t truly healed. 51:00 Showing up for people and lamenting with them. How can we do that when we haven’t experienced what they have experienced? 53:30 We shouldn’t try to pull people out of their pain but sit with them in their pain. We have to feel discomfort in order to heal. 54:30 Where there is shame there is also self hatred or contempt for others. One thing that transforms shame is compassion. 57:00 Joy shares how she has experienced Jesus in her life through trauma, wounding, and healing. “Jesus has held me together.”The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson,
Jeff McCullough is a Protestant, Evangelical Pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. He is the creator of a YouTube channel called Hello Saints where he chronicles his journey learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from a Protestant, Evangelical perspective. He’s married with four children and recently relocated to Utah from St. Louis He completed his undergraduate degree in Digital Media from a Free-Methodist school called Greenville University and received a masters in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary in Chicago. He has worked in pastoral ministry for over 15 years.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastHighlights3:10 Kurt introduces his discussion with Pastor Jeff from Hello Saints Youtube channel and podcast. 5:15 Will the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the evangelical church ever merge? What would it look like? 7:50 Kurt’s background and starting Leading Saints 9:20 Kurt shares his insights on the evangelical faith as he has interacted with Jeff and they have had lots of discussions 11:15 Jeff’s wrestle with Latter-day Saint doctrine and all the doctrine that has been added in latter-day times. Evangelicals focus on the Bible. 14:30 How Jeff and Kurt have come together to share their faith and learn to be open to other faiths. 18:20 Are Mormons Christian? Why do people think we are so different? How we look at Jesus differently. 23:30 Jeff shares a perception that he had that Latter-day Saints are so focused on works, ordinances, and covenants that there’s zero concept of grace. 24:40 Kurt articulates what grace is to him and how LDS members see grace and how ordinances and covenants play into grace. 27:30 Will the LDS and evangelical faiths ever merge? What things would we need to overcome? 34:00 Evangelicals can’t get on board with things like modern-day prophets and the Book of Mormon but what things can we come together on? Aligning politically and culturally. 38:20 The difference between Latter-day Saints and evangelicals when a member of the family leaves the faith 41:20 Learn to be comfortable with the hard conversations and topics that come when comparing and talking about different religions and faith. There might be tension but we can sit in that tension and still be friends. 42:30 You don’t have to be a gospel scholar to be having these conversations on faith. At the end of the day, Kurt and Jeff have a genuine, authentic friendship and that is what it’s about. It’s about loving one another.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Richie T. Steadman is a radio host, producer, actor, and founder of the Latter-day Saint podcast, “The Cultural Hall”, where he has been entertaining and informing since 2011. Richie worked for 16 years as the producer of the popular Utah radio show, “Radio from Hell”. He served a mission in Cleveland, Ohio, and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Richie T’s interests extend far beyond the studio—he’s passionate scholar of Mormon history and a dedicated husband. In this podcast, Richie T interviews Kurt Francom about his book, Is God Disappointed in Me?, and they talk about how we can teach and lead without creating shame.The Lisa Show, photographed by Justin HackworthLinksIs God Disappointed in Me? The Cultural Hall Never Giving Up on the Lord (Even When You Want to) | An Interview with Richie T. Steadman There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastHighlights3:45 Introduction to Kurt’s book, Is God Disappointed in Me? Kurt talks about why he wrote the book. 9:15 Guilt vs shame. What’s the difference? Shame is an attack on the divine identity. It’s more than just feeling bad. 11:00 Kurt shares his experiences as a young bishop and not understanding shame and how to help people with it. 13:30 When we want to change we hyper-focus on behaviors. However, first we need to have acceptance of who we are and the identity we have been given and God loves us as we are then we can really change. 15:10 How can leaders help people not feel shame but focus on divine identity instead? 19:15 Kurt shares an experience as a bishop. Some people walking into the bishop’s office don’t need the checklist of things to do or the conference talk to study in order to change. They need empathy. They need to heal wounds. They need to feel God’s love to help them change. 24:00 Who is Kurt’s book for? What can people get from it? 26:30 Have you ever felt that God was disappointed in you? How did you work through it? Kurt shares his personal experience of shame and feeling that God and his parents were disappointed in him. 35:00 The process of writing a book 37:30 One of the reasons Kurt was drawn to write a book is because it’s not just about knowing the gospel but being able to articulate the gospel. 38:40 How it feels to have a book out in the world. What’s the feedback from people? 41:40 I don’t want to be in a high demand religion. I want to be in a highly redemptive religion. We want people to leave church feeling like they are happy they went and not like wow I’m never good enough for those people. 42:50 Let’s stop focusing on behaviors in our church but creating a place where people just feel loved. 45:00 Are we embracing grace differently now? 46:50 Establishing a grace-filled home and in our relationships 49:50 Kurt talks about his calling as ward podcaster.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kevin Jones currently serves as a bishopric counselor and has served as a stake executive secretary, high counselor, stake young single adult advisor, elders quorum president, Young Men president, Seminary and Institute teacher, and just about any other teacher calling in the Church. To help members become more effective gospel teachers, he co-hosts the Teaching Restored podcast and video series. He is also in the finishing stages of writing a book about how to use questions when teaching the restored gospel. Professionally, Kevin is a professional speaker, advisor, and entrepreneur, having worked with all sizes of businesses on their culture and employee engagement. He lives at the mouth of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge outside of Vancouver, Washington, with his wife and eight kids (although there are only two left at home).LinksTeaching Restored podcast Liz Wiseman: The Power of Not Knowing Liz Wiseman interviews with Leading Saints There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:45 Kevin shares his background in teaching and training organizations. He has done this professionally and within the Church. He always wants to improve things and help teachers teach. 5:30 Kevin has a podcast called Teaching Restored. He focuses on how to teach and how to help people learn. 8:10 The power of questions and preparing good questions. Everything can change with a good question. 9:50 The power of binary questions (similar to closed-ended questions). Ways to use these questions in your teaching and to get to a certain point. 15:30 There are factual questions. Factual means that there is a correct answer. These questions are typically ones that we don’t want to use in a classroom because they are so basic. However, in some cases they can still be very powerful. 19:00 Explanatory questions and introspective questions. Questions that make us answer from our heart. 20:20 Building the silence into your introspective questions. Be ok with the silence in order to go deep. 22:40 Transformative questions. These are questions that you don’t plan but they just happen. Questions that change your outlook on everything. It’s on the learners side whether it's transformative or not. 26:30 How to use the different kinds of questions when teaching. Lead with questions instead of content. 29:20 Asking the right kind of questions 34:10 Changing your tone when asking the question can change the meaning and feeling. You can also change one or two words in a question to make it more powerful. 38:00 Working one-on-one and leading each otherThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Marjorie Nelson Lowder grew up as the 9th of 10 children of President Russell M. Nelson and Sister Dantzel White Nelson, surrounded by music, books, art, faith and lots of love. She loves to spend time creating, being in nature and gathering with her family and friends. She is an artist, vocalist, and the author/illustrator of a book based on a favorite lullaby her mother used to sing.LinksPudding on the Moon There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:15 Kurt introduces Marjorie and her background. Daughter of President Nelson and his late wife Dantzel White Nelson. 4:50 Marjorie wrote a children’s book based on a lullaby that her mother used to sing to them. Her mother was a great singer. 8:20 Dantzel’s background and childhood. She grew up in Perry, Utah. How she met President Nelson. 11:00 Marjorie’s memories of her mother. She was masterful at creating beautiful traditions and gathering her family together. She created fun events like family olympics and themed family dinners. 16:00 Marjorie was one of ten children. She shares her memories of their family dynamic and what it was like to have a busy surgeon as a father. 20:00 Marjorie’s teenage years and the dynamic with her mother 22:40 Dantzel sang in the Tabernacle Choir for 20 years. Marjorie takes after her mother and has been very involved in choir. Music was something that was very special in their family. 25:40 When her father operated on President Kimball 27:00 Marjorie’s advice to women that feel like they can’t live up to what other women are doing and the comparison trap that we fall into 30:10 Finding out that her father had been called as an apostle and finding out in conference 32:00 Dantzel adjusting to life when her husband was called as an apostle 33:40 Marjorie’s relationship with her mother as an adult 37:50 Marjorie’s memories from the 20 years her mother served and traveled with her father when he was an apostle 39:15 The passing of Dantzel Nelson. Things that helped them through the time of mourning and grief of losing her. 42:00 Marjorie’s book, Pudding on the Moon 44:50 Marjorie sings her mother’s lullaby, Pudding on the Moon.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2019. In this episode, Leading Saints Executive Director Kurt Francom, shares his closing session from the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. He approaches the subject of supporting and mentoring someone through a difficult struggle with pornography, from a doctrinal standpoint. This concept eventually became Kurt’s book, Is God Disappointed In Me?LinksIs God Disappointed In Me? “The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction Brené Brown TED talk: Listening to Shame James' story on the Unashamed, Unafraid podcast The Heart of Man movie clip The Heart of Man movie Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights3:00 Approaching the topic from a doctrinal standpoint 4:20 Behaviors vs doctrine/heart 5:15 “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.“—Elder Boyd K. Packer 6:40 Change the heart, leading to a change in behavior 8:00 How Satan tempts us, catching us in our own traps by creating contention in our hearts (Doctrine & Covenants 10:12, 10:26, 10:63) 11:10 Satan’s attack on our identity causes contention (Moses 4:11, Matthew 4:3) 14:00 Setting our own trap (example from The Lion King) 17:15 Steve’s story of overcoming addiction19:40 Satan uses shame to alter identity “As a shame researcher, I've learned that wherever perfectionism is driving us, shame is riding shotgun.”—Brene Brown 22:20 “What does that say about you as a person?”—Sam Tielemans23:15 The adversary’s work and glory is to destroy the agency of man. Shame leads to altered identity which leads to a lack of agency. 24:55 “I am an addict” “No one wants to be defined by their hardest struggle, and so we have to find this really interesting space between owning it and identifying it but reject being labeled by it and reduced by it.”—Brene Brown 27:00 Does this reduce or expand the individual’s identity?29:50 Examples of Tom and Tim in the bishop’s office 33:10 A change of heart leads to good behavior Offer hope Explore doctrines (especially mercy and grace) Admit you can’t “fix” them Define the purpose of the behaviors (CPR: church, prayer, read scriptures) Turn them towards their Father Overwhelm them with connection44:20 Story of James 47:45 Disappointment: another tactic of the adversary The principal’s office, the dentist’s office, and the bishop’s office 51:10 Contention created when we believe God is disappointed in us52:30 Can God be disappointed? Can God be surprised? Doctrine & Covenants 3:1-3 Doctrine & Covenants 10:67 “Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will.”—Elder Lynn G. Robbins57:10 Example of learning to walk and falling down “This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.”—Elder Dale G. Renlund “A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on himself. He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”—C.S. Lewis1:01:15 Kurt’s scripture study shame cycle example: “You could _______ and I’d still love you.” 1:05:45 “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”—C.S. Lewis 1:06:20 John 14:16 1:07:50 The Heart of Man movie clip: Think of the violin as commandments and covenants 1:10:10 If ye love me, hold on to my commandments Abraham 3:26, Doctrine & Covenants 78:18 Alma 33:16 Romans 8:38-39
Grant Collins graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho with a degree in Accounting and is the director of People Operations at Nimbl. At Church he is currently an elders quorum instructor and has previously served as first and second bishopric counselor, Sunday School teacher, and elders quorum president. Links"Giving is a Skill" podcast on Apple and on Spotify. JustServe.org Offering Love & Acceptance to All | A How I Lead Interview with Dave Olsen There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights3:10 Introduction to Grant and his work and podcast, Giving is a Skill 7:00 People wait till they are rich or retired to get involved with giving. 7:45 How Grant got involved in philanthropy and giving 9:30 If giving is a skill how does one develop it? 11:50 The challenge with YSA members is that they aren’t seen as adults. We need to give people the chance to serve so they can grow. 13:45 How do leaders help people get involved? Set expectations and agreements before giving out a calling and then follow up with them to see how it's going and make sure that they are following through. 17:20 The misconception that young single adults are too busy. However, because of automation and working at home we actually have more time than ever but its being sucked up by social media and Netflix. We have to learn to distribute our time and pour back into our community. 21:30 Setting up infrastructure in a college YSA ward. Set up clear agreements and follow ups. Let people know what to expect and make sure they are ok with it. 22:45 How can we help students in a heavy career period to invite them into the grass roots giving experience that the church offers? 24:50 Don’t dismiss individuals that seem too busy. Continue to follow up with these individuals to serve. Maybe it’s not the right time to serve but maybe in two months it will be the right time. We can’t shame or guilt people into serving. Give them a choice and respect them. 30:30 We focus too much on people participating and doing a calling that we forget that the focus should be on gaining a relationship with Jesus. Help people with their conversion. 33:50 We shouldn’t be inventing callings so that people can serve. See the ward as a vehicle to make an impact in our communities. Make an impact outside of what is going on in church on Sunday. 35:35 Grant shares how they have been able to connect and bless the community and get young single adults involved in giving. It helps members feel connected and involved. 41:10 Making an impact beyond your ward and your calling. People don’t need a formal calling to be able to serve. Make connections with groups in the community and serve there. 45:45 All we need is Google to find projects and groups in the community. Leaders should find a way to connect with these groups. 47:30 The leader's role isn’t to solve the problems and bring the solution to the community. The leader's role is to find the problem, bring it to the community, and invite everybody to solve it. 49:10 YSA wards get treated like EFY. We need to give them space to solve problems and be involved. It shouldn’t be a hand-catered experience. 53:20 What if people could count on our word? How could it change their experience? 58:00 Instead of what wondering "What would Jesus do?" think of "Where Jesus would be?" If you know where He would be then you can understand better what He would do.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox,
Dean Andersen has served as a counselor in a stake presidency, high councilor, Seminary teacher, scoutmaster, and bishopric counselor, among many other callings. He was recently released as a stake president. He speaks Japanese, French, and Spanish after serving a mission in Japan, living in France while working for a French company, and serving with three Spanish-speaking wards in his stake. Dean and his wife Colleen live in Houston, Texas, where he works as a CPA/CFO. They have eight children and 28 grandchildren.Links"Pressing toward the Mark", by Elder Edward Dube There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights3:10 Introduction to Dean Anderson and his background. 4:30 Getting called as stake president when their plan was only to be in that area for a year. Dean was over an inner-city stake with a lot of students and a lot of immigrants. 7:10 The difficulty and unique dynamic of having a lot of students in the stake 10:20 Choosing counselors for the stake presidency. Dean had only been in the ward and area for six months so he didn’t really know very many people. 11:00 Dean’s leadership experience and the unique circumstances of their stake. Switching from an all-Spanish stake to integrate English and Spanish wards into a new stake. Starting a stake from scratch basically. 17:40 The difficulty of finding bishops 19:15 Principle one - Focusing on your inadequacies is actually selfish 22:40 Principle two - God can do amazing things through weak, simple and flawed servants that keep humbling trying 24:40 Dean shares a story of a bishop that felt completely inadequate and shocked when he was called but eventually flourished in his calling and is now a counselor in the new stake presidency. 26:00 Principle three - As priesthood leaders we can only be effective according to principles set forth by section 121. Kindness, gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned, etc. 29:10 Principle four - God doesn’t punish people 35:10 Things that Dean has found that work for running an effective stake conference 38:50 Dean reflects on his time as a stake president and the miracles he has witnessed.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Thomas Wirthlin McConkie is an author, developmental researcher and meditation teacher. As a teenager, he met his first teacher and has been practicing for over 25 years under masters in the traditions of Sufism, Buddhism and Christian contemplation, among others. Thomas is the founder of Lower Lights School of Wisdom, a nonprofit organization committed to sharing ancient and modern teachings from the world’s Wisdom traditions. He is currently researching and writing on the topic of transformative spiritual practice at Harvard Divinity School. He lives with his wife, two kids, and rescue dog.LinksAtonement: Embodying the Fullness of Human-Divinity (Deseret Book) Atonement: Embodying the Fullness of Human-Divinity (Kindle) Where to Start When Members Doubt | An Interview With Thomas Wirthlin McConkie Creating Space for Those We Lead | An Interview with Thomas Wirthlin McConkie There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights4:05 Introduction to Thomas Wirthlin McConkie. The work that he is doing. New book called, At-One-Ment. 7:00 Atonement is a really powerful invitation to join ourselves to God and with divine life. 8:20 What would you say to a room full of leaders? Embody the fulness of our divinity. 13:00 I’m inviting people to pay attention in a new way and see what divine realities reveal themselves. Thomas shares a meditative exercise to do this. 15:30 Meditative, grounding practices help us slow down, experience the divine and help us turn off our brain and feel with our spirit. We are thinking too much. 18:00 To the skeptical person that feels uncomfortable with Thomas’ approach: We are allowing love to do love’s work to actually open our hearts. It’s less about the eloquent words you say but where those words are coming from. 21:15 What gets in the way of love? How can we show love? 22:50 Go 5% slower. Say fewer words and be vulnerable. Let silence make us a little nervous and uncomfortable. As leaders we don’t have to have quick answers. 29:00 Thomas shares an experience going to conference to hear his grandfather speak. Elder Wirthlin gave the talk Come What May, and Love it. At the time Thomas was not active in the church and he talks about how his grandfather's talk changed and touched him. 33:00 "What changed my heart was my grandparents' simplicity." After 20 years he woke up and decided to go to church. It was simple. 34:10 Leaders that want to help others come to church. Thomas talks about how he never felt a shred of anxiety from his Wirthlin grandparents when he wasn’t active in the Church. They gave him a lot of space and grace that eventually gave him a mighty change of heart. 37:10 Slowing down 5% in our leadership and administration. There is no formula on how to do things. Part of the vulnerability is saying, "I’m not going to know 'til I get there." Have faith that something deeper to come through you. 39:50 You might need to slow down 5% or speed up 50%. If we slow down it will allow the Spirit to speed us up in the moments that we need to speed up and slow down when we are trying to go too fast. 43:30 The teaching moments of parenting and the painful growth there 45:30 Mindfulness and relationships. Helping people feel felt and known. A divine love. 54:20 What does At-one-ment mean to you?The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson,
Shawn Edwards has spent nearly 25 years in brand marketing, including roles at Kraft, Clorox, and Microsoft. He currently manages a marketing consulting firm he founded in 2012. His work with both small and Fortune 500 companies alike has helped him find his love for a good brand, a good logo, and a good t-shirt. Shawn currently serves as a bishop and has previously served as bishopric counselor, stake high counselor, elders quorum president, and ward mission leader, among others. He has been trying to be called as a Primary teacher for over 30 years, but that remains elusive. Shawn currently resides just outside of Denver, Colorado, with his better half, Carrie, and their three children. He loves to wakeboard, snowboard, and has never met a pint of Haagen Dazs he didn’t like.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:40 Introduction to Shawn Edwards, bishop of his ward in Colorado. He grew up in Sandy, Utah, but didn’t grow up in the Church. It wasn’t till college that he got active in the Church. 6:00 Getting called as bishop right as we were getting out of the covid pandemic. Shawn decided to focus on unity during that time. 7:40 Creating unity in the ward with branding. Shawn even designed a logo and t-shirt for his ward. Shawn teaches the importance of brands and how it is about creating new thoughts and perceptions in the ward. It was about creating a mental shift with the members. 11:30 How to establish a brand in your ward. Ways to reinforce your brand. 12:50 Keeping your brand and message alive in the ward. 13:45 An initiative to help his ward focus more on Christ was creating a 90-day challenge to read the Book of Mormon together. It's a movement to help everyone come together. 15:00 As a way to drive temple attendance they created "Faith Fridays". 15:40 Engaging the presidencies in the ward. Shawn likes to focus on empowerment instead of dictating what they do. 16:20 The concept of WE not I. Approach a situation in order to support the ‘’we.’’ 18:50 Servant leadership is about bringing out the best performance as they do what they need to do. 20:30 Making the bishop’s office approachable. 23:45 Other ways the Shawn has made church more approachable. For example, wearing more casual clothes to activities and firesides. Keeping things lighthearted. 27:00 As a leader we bring out the best in others as they come unto Christ. Just like a good coach we have to do the same in order to help others.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bryan Summers was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He served a mission in Carlsbad, California, and earned a Master's Degree in Library Science at the University of Wales-Aberystwyth. He was a county librarian in Yuma, Arizona for 12 years, and is now a mortgage broker in Saint George, Utah. Bryan has served in the Church as a nursery leader, ward mission leader, elders quorum president, and bishop. He is currently a teachers quorum assistant. He and his wife have been married 24 years and are the parents of three boys and three girls. Bryan enjoys backpacking—especially the Timberline Trail on Mount Hood—and once spent three weeks wandering around the Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq and Eastern Turkey. LinksActs of the Apostles: @actsofapostles_ The Talmage Story There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights1:45 Introduction to Bryan Summers 3:00 Things that Bryan learned from being a bishop. The importance of feeling the Spirit. 4:40 Bryan has started a project, Modern-day Acts of the Apostles. He researches apostles and shares his favorite stories on his page. 13:00 Leaders should take a little time to read the apostles' biographies. It can be comforting to read about the apostles' experiences. 15:20 Stories on James E. Talmage. Be careful of the stories you hear. 16:30 Albert Einstein was friends with Henry B. Eyring’s dad. The Mormon Scientist is a great book to learn more about it. 17:20 James E. Talmage’s biography was written by his son. 18:00 Most well known for his book, Jesus the Christ. He wrote the book in just 7 months. 19:20 When James Talmage was an apostle, they would have him speak when there was a hostile crowd. By the end of his talk people were in tears. 20:00 He was brave first and also had a lot of compassion. Early stories on James’ childhood and upbringing in Britain. 24:20 The story of James’ schoolmaster who hated the Church. He got beat a lot for challenging his schoolmaster and stood up for his convictions. Yet he remained friends with the schoolmaster as an adult. 26:00 The story of James’ college friend who constantly teased him for being a prude. 28:40 He was a scientific lecturer from an early age. 31:00 A story from when James was the president of the University of Utah. He would do things over and over again till he resolved something. He was very resilient. 32:50 James was almost like an Indiana Jones of the western territory and went on expeditions to unknown places in the Utah desert. He became a celebrity of the scientific world. 35:50 He was a part of many scientific societies, which was a very big deal back then. 37:00 One of the most popular stories of James E. Talmage. Compassion mixed with bravery. 41:00 The Lord calls you to be you. He was called to be mission president in Great Britain in the height of the anti-Mormon sentiment. He went newspaper to newspaper and became friends with editors from all the different hostile newspapers that were printing anti-Mormon articles. The stories began to stop thanks to him. 45:40 The story of when President Grant tried to teach James to play golf. He was convinced that he needed to take up more recreational activities. 48:40 When writing Jesus the Christ, James was in the temple 24/7. He wrote it in just 7 months and 5 days. 49:00 The death of James E. Talmage at age 70. He passed away from complications of strep throat. This was 10 years before penicillin and was deadly if not treated right away. 52:30 Stories on John W. Taylor, one the apostles excommunicated for polygamy. 55:20 “Being a leader showed me how dependent I was on the Savior.”The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free ...
Angela Okada earned a Bachelor of Arts from BYU and a Master of Arts from the University of Utah, both in Speech Language Pathology. She worked as a speech language pathologist in a northern Virginia school district lived for six years before moving back to Utah, where she continues to work as a school-based SLP. Angela has four nieces and a nephew who she absolutely adores, and she enjoys reading, watching college sports, and trying new restaurants with friends. She has served as a missionary in the Georgia, Atlanta mission, a Young Women counselor, temple ordinance worker, and as a Relief Society counselor and president in both a young single adult ward and a geographic (family) ward.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:40 Introduction to Angela. We need more content for single adults in the Church, not just young single adults 4:30 Getting called as Relief Society president and getting started in a new calling 7:50 Angela talks about her feelings on getting called as Relief Society president as a single adult in a family ward. 9:15 The principles of effective leadership are the same whether you are single or married. 11:00 Angela would love to hear more ideas on how building connections relate to sisters that are married. Start with things that you have in common Listening builds connection and then forms a friendship13:25 Angela shares how they assigned ministers in the ward. It’s important to mix up the sisters. Young and old. Single and married. 15:00 Creating relief and refuge in the Relief Society. How do you do it? 18:00 Mothers Day can be a hard day and create anxiety for some. Angela shares a message that she sent out to the sisters in her ward. 21:00 It's hard to find a balance to make sure that single sisters feel included. But also how can we also focus on strengthening husbands and wives? Focus on Jesus Christ. Whether you are married or single, Jesus is the one that strengthens us through his Atonement.23:30 More ideas on including singles more in the ward while still balancing the focus on families and strengthening husbands and wives. Angela shares how her ward was only having husbands and wives speaking month after month. We sometimes unintentionally exclude people. 26:50 Working together with the bishop and elders quorum. What has worked well? 28:20 How do you balance work life and church service? 29:20 Angela’s church service has expanded her heart to love people that she normally wouldn’t be buddy-buddy with.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bryan Hurd earned a Bachelor's of Science in Accounting from Utah State University and has been a realtor for almost 20 years. He lives his motto, "Be the most positive person I know," and attributes much of his success to a positive, can-do attitude and surrounding himself with "A" players. Bryan and his wife, Chandi, have four amazing boys and you can find the Hurd family at an RSL soccer game, the swimming pool, out on hiking trails, the library, or in the backyard enjoying life together.LinksThe Evolution Project Warrior Heart BHurd in Utah There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights1:45 Introduction to Bryan Hurd. Kurt’s realtor and friend. Kurt’s moving miracle! 6:30 Bryan has great relationships and connections with his clients. He makes everyone feel like they are his best friend. He takes time to listen and ask questions. He makes people feel important. 9:45 There are 3 types of guys in the elders quorum. Connecting with the guy that you don’t normally see. The dude I never see The dude I see but he’s checked out The dude that’s there and trying to do the best he can.13:30 The blessing of being with a youth. A youth leader can be as influential to a youth member as their parents or maybe in some cases more so. That is sacred. 14:10 What’s sacred about elders quorum? Most men don’t have more than 3 friends. We have the opportunity to create that connection. 15:45 Bryan felt the call to help more of the men around him and in his ward. Bryan shares his story and where this call came from. 19:45 A common fallacy is that external success creates internal happiness. Having divine discontentment. 22:15 The best way to heal a broken heart is to put it to work. Working on yourself. 28:30 What is The Evolution Project? How did it start? Bryan’s job is to organize everything and God takes care of the rest. If a man goes in nature then God will find him. The Evolution Project isn’t therapy but about providing men experiences that are transformational. 36:00 Bryan shares an experience of one of the men at one of The Evolution Project events. 38:45 Three principles or rules that The Evolution Project focuses on. Have a safe environment. Don’t share people’s personal stories outside the group. I statements: Own your story. When someone speaks, you don’t have the right to cross-coach them. Ask first.43:20 Men just need to talk it out. Someone to listen. They don’t necessarily need therapy or coaching. 44:30 Seeing the 3 evolution project’s rules in your next elders quorum meeting. Noticing when there is cross coaching and not using I statements. We need to create rules and boundaries in these meetings to create safety so that people feel safe to open up in front of others. 47:00 What do we need to understand about grace? 49:40 More on the next The Evolution Project events and Warrior Heart events. 52:45 You can’t lead people where you haven’t been. We have to go through hard times to help others.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences,
Sisters, step into your positive influence era! Leave the self-doubt, insecurities, and perfection behind so you can have the impact you were always born to make. Join us for a 7-week live online discussion series with Jessica Johnson, where we discuss ways you can feel better prepared to lead in all aspects of your life, including callings, career, and in the home. Classes start Thursday, February 1st at 7:30 pm (Utah time) and continue each Thursday until March 14th. Reserve your spot in the Women's Discussion Series now! In this series, Jessica Johnson will lead you and others through discussion points related to the following: How the Savior leads (and how to emulate it) How to deal with conflict How to have crucial conversations How great women in church history have led How to be resilient How to improve communication and influenceAnd so much more! You get to meet and discuss with other women each week and have the chance to practice what you’ve learned between the sessions. It will help to increase your positive influence wherever you are. Get ready for weekly check-ins on your goals and the opportunity to meet and interact with other outstanding women, just like you. Clear your Thursday nights for a discussion series that has the opportunity to make a deep impact you and those around you. Trust me. This isn’t something you’ll want to miss. So invite your sister your mom your Relief Society for an enriching 7 weeks of life-changing discussions on leadership for life with Jessica Johnson. Reserve your spot in the Women's Discussion Series now!
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in June 2020. Skye Fagrell lives in Queen Creek, Arizona, but grew up in Los Gatos, in the San Francisco Bay Area. He and his wife, Jacque, met at Brigham Young University, where he studied Visual Arts and coaching & teaching physical education. They moved to Arizona when he was offered a position teaching Seminary in Tempe. Skye is the author of More Fit 4 The Kingdom. At the time of this podcast he was serving as a bishop. LinksMore Fit 4 The Kingdom: Gain the Spiritual Strength the Savior Emphasized by Following the Training Program He Utilized Skye Fagrell's Leading Saints articles: Becoming More Fit – Strategies for Growth in the 4 Youth Areas of Focus Inspired Counsel Includes Strategizing for Success Overcoming Crashes Through ChristThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Listen on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights6:40 Skye’s journey to becoming a seminary teacher 9:20 Where the book started: measuring and quantifying fitness 13:55 Story of Milo of Crotan and the bull: the overload principle and how he translates it to spiritual concepts Elder Bednar’s story of the tires spinning in the snow until the heavy load was in the truck16:55 Striving How the concept of striving has been incorporated in the temple recommend questions Taking a productive pause so that we can progress We need to have confidence in the grace of Christ, but we gain that confidence as we are striving23:00 Analogy of the course of life and running a race Elder Renlund quote: “Once back on the path, it’s as if we were never off.” Comparing ourselves to others leads to low spiritual self esteem26:55 Story of snowboard cross athlete Lindsey Jacobellis’ first showing at the Olympics 31:30 Fusing the motivation of striving with grace Luke 2:52 — The four areas of the Savior’s growth D&C 93:12-13 — Grace for grace and grace to grace: an exchange and progress D&C 45:3-5 — Christ is the advocate and when He represents us it becomes about Him, not about us43:10 We need to focus on balancing all four areas: wisdom (intellectual), stature (physical), in favor with God (spirituality), in favor with man (social)—work/life balance 53:50 Goal-setting strategies MOREFIT: a goal-setting funnel 1:09:10 Overcoming plateaus: story of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and changing the frequency of his stroke Change either the duration, frequency, or intensity to break outThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jeff and Jami Downs are the authors of Streaking: The Simple Practice of Conscious, Consistent Actions That Create Life-Changing Results. Both have served in numerous leadership callings, Jami as a Primary president, Young Women president, and currently as a Relief Society president. Jeff has served as a Seminary teacher, in every role in the bishopric, and on the stake high council. Jeff and Jami speak regularly to youth groups, young single adults, single adults, married couples, and many more on the power of consistency in increasing your faith, strengthening your relationships, and excelling in your profession. Jeff and Jami have seven children, and you can see what they do in their life every day, week, and month, by downloading and following them on the Streaking app. If you want to join them in streaking the scriptures, click here to download the Streaking app and start your own scripture reading streak.LinksStreaking: The Simple Practice of Conscious, Consistent Actions That Create Life-Changing Results The Streaking App The Streaking Podcast There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Alma 37 Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights1:50 Introduction to Jeff and Jami and the story behind their book Streaking. Setting different streaks. 8:40 There are a lot of books on habits but Jeff couldn’t find that the suggestions were helping him. He explains the difference between an intentional decision and a habit. 12:00 Why does streaking work? The ways it activates the brain 12:45 The 3 laws that helped Jeff and Jami as they were streaking Make it laughably simple Keep a record of it Create a community17:00 Jami set a ministering streak. Some streaks are more private and some more public. She tried to do something with ministering everyday and she did it even without an assignment. 19:50 “Ministering isn’t this grand thing that I do all the time. It’s a journey and it’s a journey of how I treat other people and how I’m changing inside.” 21:45 We have to be careful that shame and guilt isn’t the driving reason for trying to change our behavior. Jami talks about ways that she addresses the guilt and shame and has worked to change it. 24:00 Jami had been very unsuccessful at journaling. She tried year after year and couldn’t make it stick. She found that committing to a single sentence everyday and making it laughably simple helped she stay consistent. 26:40 Overcoming the natural man by yielding to the prompting of the Holy Ghost. The promptings are small and subtle things normally. Creating streaks helps us overcome the natural man by helping us feel like we are winning and succeeding instead of losing. 30:15 We can apply the idea of streaking for the individual that is in the bishop’s office trying to repent. Stop focusing on the sin. For example, don’t look at pornography. It actually makes us think about it more and feel guilty when we mess up. 31:40 Sometimes we just need something to get us started and then we end up keeping going. We don’t want to get started because the mountain seems too big to climb. 32:45 The brain science behind streaking and creating habits 33:40 What do you do when you miss a day after doing it over a thousand days? How do you overcome shame and guilt? 40:10 Setting a ministering streak. Small ways you can focus on ministering every single day. 40:45 Creating a streak with family history. Just opening the app and understanding how it works can be your daily activity. Jeff talks about how the streak drastically changed his contributions even though he only did something very small everyday. 42:15 Jami talks about creating a streak for family history and how it helped her reconnect with her biological grandfather. 45:40 The scriptural basis of streaking is in Alma 37. 47:30 Does the gospel cause you intense overwhelm?
Travis Hunt is the founder and creative director at Madeby, IPER, and Explanimate!. He has a degree in Screen Production and a master's in Digital Design. In the Church, Travis has served as a Seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, bishopric counselor, and bishop. He currently serves on his stake high council.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:30 Introduction to Travis Hunt 5:00 The church in Brisbane, Australia and some of the struggles they see 7:20 Serving as bishop and what Travis’ ward was like 10:50 Principle 1 - What you bring you will eventually see in the ward. Creating a more welcoming ward. Travis brought his own energy and personality to his calling. 21:20 Principle 2 - Kindness. People feel welcome and wanted no matter what. This can happen in so many ways but as a leader sitting with people empathetically. 23:30 Putting aside the administrative side of the calling and making sure you see people and talk with them 25:00 Anxiety peaks for a lot of people on Sunday. They feel overwhelmed and Travis really wanted to change that. Is church a place that is worthy to receive everyone in whatever state they are in? 27:30 What Travis’ ward did in sacrament meeting to manifest their vision of creating a more warm and welcoming ward 30:00 Leadership needs to make their vision very very clear. All the leaders in the ward need to understand and see the vision. 34:20 Principle 3 - Propinquity. After covid, Travis’ ward needed to grow back together and they would get together as much as possible. Find the beautiful in other people. 41:30 Principle 4 - Lower the bar and increase participation. It might be controversial but let’s make the bar so low that it’s impossible not to reach it. People feel like the bar is so high that they are afraid to participate. So in some cases we really need to lower the bar. 44:30 We can also lower the bar with callings. Do people need to be perfectly worthy to have a calling? So many people are sitting on the sidelines that want to participate but aren’t given the chance. How can we enable people to serve instead of limiting them? 46:40 There is a temple standard of worthiness and a chapel standard of worthiness. Chapel worthiness is if you walk through the door then you are worthy. 47:20 When you are called as a leader you inevitably stretch. Being refined as a person.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 700 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Simon Fagg lives in Colchester, England, and runs his own leadership development consultancy. He is an executive coach where he helps his clients lead their teams more purposefully. For the last 25 years he has been facilitating learning and strategy workshops to some of the world’s leading companies, enjoyed working in nearly 40 different countries across the globe, and has learned so much from different national and organizational cultures. A lifelong member of the Church, Simon's service includes a full-time mission to England Birmingham, bishop, stake president, stake Young Men president, and FSY director. He currently serves alongside his wife as an assistant national director for communications in the UK. Simon loves to learn, sing, read, walk, ski and play volleyball. He and his wife Leah are the blessed parents of six daughters and one son, and grandparents to three wonderful granddaughters. Their youngest daughter was stillborn 20 years ago and this bittersweet experience was transformational for their family and faith.LinksLinkedIn: Simon Fagg With Leadership After Dinner Leadership There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights3:45 Introduction to Simon Fagg, his professional experience, and experience in church leadership 9:20 Simon’s perspective on the dynamic of church leadership. The differences between leadership in the church and in business. 12:30 How do we motivate people to get their ministering done or serve more? 16:30 Infusing individuals with purpose to help motivate them. Hearing vs. doing. 21:20 Come Follow Me was announced and we assume that everyone was on board but there is a lot more to be done and steps in between hearing about something and then actually doing it. 22:20 Identifying barriers that prevent you from achieving a goal. You have to take your foot off the break to be able to accelerate. 25:30 We have a great purpose in the church but sometimes we forget that individuals are finding purpose outside of it. These individuals aren't doing as much in the church. How can we help these people? 30:00 Think of what you are going to bring instead of what you are going to get. For example, instead of wondering what you are going to get out of sacrament meeting you should bring an open heart and mind. Reach out to someone new. 32:00 Building others to be able to serve in your capacity when you are released. How can we prepare our replacement? 36:45 The handbook says, “Being a faithful disciple in order to help others become faithful disciples is the purpose behind every calling in the church.” 38:20 Having tough conversations to help others in their discipleship and leadership 44:45 Jesus Christ sees people deeply. We need to figure out how to do this too. 49:00 Challenging others to change in a loving way. Seeing people with an eye of faith. 53:10 Simon shares a story of inviting someone to change. 56:50 Preparing the rising generation 1:07:00 Three leadership principles that Simon wished he knew sooner. The first is quiet leadership. 1:09:30 Simon shares his final thoughts on leadership and service.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman,
John Walters grew up in Utah after moving there when he was eight years old. His parents are converts and one of his earliest memories is being sealed as a family when he was six years old. John joined the Marines and served for six years, including two one-year-long deployments. He served a mission in Peru and earned a BA in Psychology and a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Utah. John now lives in Houston, Texas, where he works as a sales leader for a large oil and gas company. His greatest joys come from his wife Angela and their four kids. John has served in many callings, including as a Primary teacher, in a Young Men presidency, in several elders quorum presidencies, as a high councilor, and currently as bishop.LinksThe Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts in the community HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:30 Introduction to John and leading the youth as a bishop 5:00 It all starts with mindset 6:30 A youth leader needs a vision for what they are looking toward as they usher the youth along in their own journey. The youth program is a preparatory phase. 7:00 What is the Aaronic Priesthood actually preparing you for? 9:50 Having a mindset and vision of how you are preparing the youth for their future. John shares his mindset and vision for the youth in his ward and talks about the importance of articulating the vision. 12:00 John shares a personal experience of working with a young man that was struggling. Instead of focusing on getting him to go on a mission, he focused on him having special experiences with Jesus Christ. 16:00 There are some common misunderstandings with the youth program. What does it really mean to let them lead? 20:20 An integrative approach to the youth program. The four intentional questions: Know - What do we want them to know by the time they leave the youth program? Do - What do we want them to be able to do or skills do we want them to have? Be - What kind of person should they be? Experiences - What kind of experiences do we want them to have had by the time they graduate the youth program?21:55 Some examples of applying the four intentional questions 24:55 As youth leaders in the ward you can build as much or little structure into the youth program as you need. Use the four intentional questions to help cover the touch points that you have. 27:00 John shares some examples of using the four intentional questions in his ward. One of the skills they have identified the youth needed was to be able to interact and talk with other people appropriately. They plan activities and conferences to focus on this need. They plan with intentionality. 29:50 Customizing the youth program especially for the youth in your ward. You can change things up. John’s young women didn’t do a traditional five-day camp because they couldn’t find a week where everyone could be there. They broke it up into five one-day camps. 34:30 Leadership is a journey and collaborative effort. It takes time to gain some traction in your new calling. 37:15 Meetings between the bishopric and the young women’s presidency. John explains what they discuss and focus on in their meetings. 38:40 How do you focus on the youth and not get caught up with other things in the ward? 41:00 John shares his final thoughts on how leadership has changed him and made him a better follower of Jesus Christ.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R.
Let's look back at 2023, look forward to 2024, and answer some commonly-asked questions about Leading Saints and its future. This is Part 2 of a two-part podcast. Listen to Part 1 here.LinksThe Leading Saints Community Subscribe to the Leading Saints Newsletter About Leading Saints 5 Reasons Negative Church Culture Exists Unashamed Unafraid podcast episode with Kurt Francom The Cultural Hall Podcast This Week in Mormons Podcast The Art of Manliness Podcast Faith Matters Podcast Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret to a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge Warrior Heart Boot Camps There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Doctrine & Covenants 128:9 Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights1:10 In 2024, Kurt will be doing more firesides and traveling. Not always based on leadership but on other topics. 3:45 Find retreats near you. The podcast is great but going to a live event is a more of a transformational experience. 5:15 Why are members not anxiously engaged nor showing signs of having the gospel rooted in their hearts like the pioneers did? Never mistake an ability problem as a motivation problem Never mistake a character problem for an ability problem or motivation problem Find more on this question in the motivating saints library People are in different stages of life and we have to have grace for them11:40 Do you know whether or not you and Leading Saints are on the radar at church headquarters? If so, what kind of reaction has there been? Leading Saints is a trusted independent advocate of the church Kurt has had the opportunity to talk to several members of the seventy16:30 The four pillars of Leading Saints We connect leaders Enhance leadership ability Present leadership scholarship Celebrate divine guidance18:50 What is the most practical leadership principle that you have learned that you wish that church leaders would apply in their service? There is nothing more important for a leader than to establish relationships with those they lead Facilitating autonomy. Don’t micromanage other leaders and anxiously engage your ward council. The connection between trauma and sin Revelation isn’t what you think it is28:40 5 reasons for negative church culture The lack of self awareness Lack of ability Negative mindsets Lack of exposure Misunderstanding doctrine31:35 How can we encourage leaders to discuss and train adults and youth about sexual abuse prevention, personal safety, boundaries, and what to do if it happens? 34:30 Do you think Leading Saints and other podcasts like it strengthen people’s faith? 38:20 Do you think that members realize that there are spiritual battles out there with real bad spirits? 40:40 How can I be a part of Leading Saints? 41:20 How do you deal with people that talk too much in meetings? 43:45 How is the cash flow to Leading Saints going and how does Kurt get paid? 49:20 Do you think that it’s a good idea to put together a scripture reading group among the adults, especially teachers, to help promote involvement? Or is that just more meetings? 52:00 How do you accept people as they are? What is a way to sideline your bias? 53:40 How does or can your content help members that don’t want to lead or don’t have the personality traits for it? 55:40 Kurt's favorite podcasts 56:35 What can women do to better support the men, especially the elders quorum? Encourage them to have adventures and have connections with other men Read Wild at Heart by John EldridgeThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Let's look back at 2023, look forward to 2024, and answer some commonly-asked questions about Leading Saints and its future. This is Part 1 of a two-part podcast. Listen to Part 2 here.LinksThe Leading Saints Community Subscribe to the Leading Saints Newsletter About Leading Saints 5 Reasons Negative Church Culture Exists Unashamed Unafraid podcast episode with Kurt Francom The Cultural Hall Podcast This Week in Mormons Podcast The Art of Manliness Podcast Faith Matters Podcast Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret to a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge Warrior Heart Boot Camps There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights3:30 The story behind Leading Saints and how it started. Kurt’s first leading experience as an elders quorum president in his singles ward. 5:50 Kurt poured himself into his calling and did some good things but also made a lot of mistakes. He gave the typical guilt trip lesson about doing home teaching and got no results. 8:30 After getting married, Kurt moved into a ward and was called to be a counselor in the bishopric and then as high priest group leader. He started looking around at all the leadership books to find ways to improve and understand leadership better. 10:20 May 26, 2010 is the birthday of Leading Saints. It started as a hobby blog where Kurt would read a leadership book and try to apply it to leadership in the church. After four years he turned it into a podcast and did interviews. 12:30 The process of starting Leading Saints and taking it full time. Kurt really had to hustle and do a lot of side jobs when starting Leading Saints but he really had a vision of what it could be. 14:30 What can we expect from Leading Saints in 2024? New website and creating more community within Leading Saints 16:30 Leading Saints hack: Where to find the most downloaded episodes and where to start if you are a new listener Listen to Part 2 here.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Russell Rigby was born and raised in Vancouver, Washington, served in the Mexico City South mission, and helped open the Cuernavaca Mission. He attended Western Washington University where he majored in Accounting and met his wife. He later received a master's in Taxation from the University of Washington and currently works as a tax manager for Paccar. Russell has two sons, ages twelve and ten, and has served in Primary, the Young Men program, a Spanish branch presidency, and as a financial clerk. He is now serving for the first time as a Sunday School president. LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights03:20 Introduction to Russell Rigby and getting called as Sunday School president. 05:30 Starting his new calling by picking really great counselors to work with and dreaming up big ideas. Going beyond the normal. 06:40 Making a difference as the Sunday School president. They expanded the idea of teacher councils and identified certain groups that needed help, not just the teachers. 08:20 The scripture that has inspired Russell in his calling is Alma 31:5. The word of God has a more powerful effect on people than anything else. 10:30 Stimulating discussion in presidency meetings. Russell talks about how they structure their meetings. 14:45 Russell and his presidency did counsels with different groups in the ward. They didn’t just focus on teachers but also on presidencies and some of the youth. Very isolated counsels to get to know the needs of each organization and make the discussions more relevant. They got a lot of positive feedback from all groups. 16:45 Meeting with all the different groups was a little overwhelming but they manage by doing four groups a month and dividing it between two Sundays. They split up their presidency to do the different discussions. Basically they meet with each group once a quarter. 19:00 How they approach the councils. They are there to be facilitators and stimulate the ideas and discussions. Build off each discussion and check in to see how things are going. 26:00 Creating a safe space to bring up concerns. That is one of the reasons they decided to meet as small groups in their learner councils. 28:00 Finding ways to engage with members in the ward through scriptures They send out a weekly email with a scripture plus a ward bulletin.30:25 Creating group councils where meaningful and relevant discussions can happen 31:30 Russell and his presidency are trying out a new idea with google docs where groups can add to the google doc and share ideas between meetings. 36:00 Russell shares the impact that serving has had on him and made him a better follower of Jesus Christ.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kyle Turner is a pharmacist and clinical faculty member at the University of Utah where he researches and teaches courses in leadership. He spends much of his time as a consultant and trainer in leadership development for Intend Health Strategies, a non-profit dedicated to enhancing leadership team dynamics in health care settings. Kyle is currently serving as a counselor in a bishopric and has served previously as a stake Sunday School president, branch presidency counselor, in a ward Young Men presidency and Sunday School presidency, and as ward clerk. He and his wife Katelyn have three children. LinksTeaching Through Better Stories in Sacrament Meeting Talks & Lessons | An Interview with Matthew Dicks Intend Health Strategies Contact Kyle There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights01:50 Introduction to Kyle Turner. His career, calling, and his experience in healthcare leadership development. 04:15 What is relational leadership? 06:30 Where do we start with relational leadership? We have to raise our level of awareness so that we act with more intentionality. 07:30 How do you create more self awareness? 11:20 Kyle shares more examples of relational leadership and awareness. 12:30 When you aren’t the one in charge but you want to create more awareness and share ideas on how to improve. 15:00 There are simple ways to share our stories and there are easy frameworks we can use. Kyle shares ways that we can make sharing our stories less awkward and integrate them into our elders quorum or relief society lessons. 21:20 When sharing a story or having people share their story, keep it to 2-3 minutes. Get to the point and make it easy for people to pay attention. 24:50 Questions to use to help people use the framework challenge, choice, outcome. How leaders can change the lesson dynamic by helping people share their stories. 32:00 Connecting the head and heart through story sharing. We are calling people to action in our church meetings but we aren’t engaging the heart. 33:40 Embedding announcements in stories to help people remember and be more engaged 36:30 If you are teaching or speaking, think about the one point you want to get across, a story that goes with it, and what's the how associated with it. Engage the senses. 38:40 The story of now. It's a call to action. You frame the nightmare if you don’t act and the hope if you do. 42:50 Stop trying to push an agenda but build a community. Stories help us learn more about each other and get past the surface talk. 44:10 One issue in the church is that we are built on a foundation of behaviors and there isn't a connection there. Focusing on behaviors doesn’t propel an organization forward like stories do. Stories help us see people as people. They aren’t just a ministering assignment or a random person in the ward. 48:15 Kyle shows an example of sharing a story. Sharing a challenge, choice, and outcome in 2 to 3 minutes. 56:50 Kurt also shares a story from his mission. 1:02:40 Kyle’s final thoughts on leadership and how it has brought him closer to Jesus ChristThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler,
Emily Poaletti grew up in southwest Wisconsin, went to Brigham Young University-Idaho and got a vocal music degree, then moved with her husband to Northwest Arkansas. She has taught private voice lessons for eight years and has been the music director for five different children’s musicals. Emily has served as a ward choir director, ward music coordinator and stake music coordinator, as well as in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society presidencies. She loves having the chance to sing with others of faith, and served on the music committee for the Bentonville temple open house and dedication this year, also directing one of the dedicatory session choirs. Emily is the parent of five boys. She loves to be in nature with them and convinces them to sing with her at least once a day.LinksPutting Jesus at the Center of Your Ward | An Interview with David Butler Music Library: Hymns How to Send Mass Text Messages on iPhone There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights4:40 Introduction to Emily and her calling as the stake music coordinator. She has spent the majority of her adult life in musical callings along with having a degree in music from BYU-Idaho. 8:10 The story of getting called as the stake music coordinator 10:00 Emily has a team around her that she calls her worship team. It’s a unique calling that you can decide how to set up. She has an organist, secretary, and an events planner. 14:00 Music is a unifying force. Music teaches doctrine. When we are singing together, we are worshiping together. 17:20 Defaulting to an intermediate hymn. Should leaders do it or is it just tradition? 19:30 Teaching the children doctrine through the primary songs that they will carry throughout their lives. These songs can unify families and congregations. 21:30 Be careful about traditions. Is it actually helpful and unifying or just something that we are used to doing? 22:50 Meticulous preparation. There is a lot of prep work in this calling because it involves a lot of events. 25:20 Emily shares ways they were able to be more effective with time and getting everyone checked in quickly. 27:50 Don’t overthink the music that you are going to prepare. Going straight to the hymn book can be just as powerful. 29:10 Inspire saints to use their talents. 31:00 Get the youth involved! They want to contribute and be involved. 33:20 Prelude musical numbers help set the tone of the meeting. Having an instrumental prelude is low stress for the performer and can be a great way to help people share their talents. 35:45 Using technology in her calling. For example, using google forms and QR codes for people to sign in with large groups. Documenting using google documents. 37:45 Emily loves using the markups tool on the iPad or iPhone. You take music and easily edit it for a musical number. 39:50 The iPhone shortcut gives you the ability to mass text everyone but the replies don’t go to everyone. It’s similar to a group text but not. 41:50 On the Church website they have the option to change the key of a hymn. 44:20 A great app that might be underutilized is the sacred music app. It's very easy to make a playlist. 47:00 Emily shares her final thoughts on how her calling has impacted her and made her a better follower of Jesus Christ.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B.
Jim Kasen has degrees in Organ Performance and Interpersonal Communications from Brigham Young University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Utah, and a Masters in Choral Conducting from BYU. He is a licensed social worker, recently retired as Director of University Relations at BYU, and is the author of the book To Belong to Him. Jim first served as a branch president in the Philippines Manila Mission, and has served in branch presidencies at the Provo Missionary Training Center, in elders quorum presidencies, in a bishopric, four times as a high councilor, and as a music director, choir director, and organist many times on the ward and stake levels. He has also served on the Church Music Committee, as a guest organist at Temple Square, a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, and in many other assignments such as directing choirs for general conference and on the hymnal submission review sub-committee. LinksTo Belong to Him There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Ether 12:27 Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:10 Introduction to Jim Kasen and his story 8:15 Moving forward with his struggles with same sex attraction and faith. Jim felt like he couldn’t abandon his faith. However, he did feel like he had to abandon his sexuality. 12:00 Weakness is a state being. God only gives us good things. Things to help us learn, grow, and stay close to Him. 17:30 Jim gives his advice to church leaders as a person that struggles with same sex attraction, anxiety, and has been single his whole life. 25:00 You don’t want to be administered to, you want to be ministered to. 27:40 The individuals you are leading belong to Jesus Christ not the church. Church leaders don’t always handle things how God wants but the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers those mistakes. 34:00 The church is the vehicle to get me where we need to be. We choose to get in the car and Jesus is the driver. We might not agree with everything that the church does but we can give it to Jesus. 39:30 See the church for what it is and be ok if people need to unplug from the church for a bit. Some people need to step away in order to reset. The truth is that the church does cause hurt sometimes. 42:15 We’ve become immune and disenchanted with the word repentance. What we need to ask ourselves is if we are willing to change. There is a lot of agency in being born here and being born again and we need to respect that. 43:20 Leadership and pride. A leader should never say been there, done that. 47:00 Jim reads a letter written to him by a friend about learning from life’s lessons. 49:30 Jim’s book is about his journey. It’s not a standard or formula for others to live by. It gives us lessons on weakness and mortality. 51:15 What Jim would say to someone that says it’s not worth it to stay in the church and that he should have explored his sexuality 56:30 Jim’s final thoughts and testimonyThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric,
Wilson Wu was born and raised in New Zealand, a convert to the Church, and served in the China Hong Kong mission. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in International Business and works as a claims manager for a public health insurance company, Accident Compensation Corporation. Wilson currently serves in his bishopric and has previously served as a Young Men counselor, branch clerk, counselor in an elders quorum presidency, ward executive secretary, elders quorum president, stake executive secretary, and assistant stake clerk. He and his wife have one daughter.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights02:40 Introduction to Wilson Wu from New Zealand. He shares his conversion story. 05:30 Wilson tells about how Leading Saints helped him through a dark time in his life during 2021 08:00 What the Church is like in Wilson’s ward and stake in New Zealand 10:00 Wilson’s advice to someone that has been called as a counselor in the bishopric 12:30 Principle one - Be where the Spirit guides. Wilson shares his own experience of being where the Lord wants him to be and accepting that. 19:20 Wilson shares an experience he had being where the spirit wanted him to be when he was the elders quorum president. 22:30 Principle two - Being willing to serve in the invisible callings. Serving quietly and giving the glory to God. 27:00 Principle three - Loving the people that you serve 34:40 Principle four - To be a great leader you need to be a great followerThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Steven C. Wheelwright is the Edsel Bryant Ford Professor of Management, Emeritus, Harvard Business School. Since his retirement from Harvard, he and his wife, Margaret Steele Wheelwright, have presided over the England London Mission, served at Brigham Young University-Idaho, presided over BYU-Hawaii, and presided over the Boston Temple. Steven taught at INSEAD—a private business school in Fontainebleau, France, the Stanford Graduate School of Business where he also served as the chair of the Strategic Management Dept., and the Harvard Business School where he also served as a senior associate dean overseeing the MBA program, then overseeing faculty planning and development, and concluding as chairman of HBS Publishing. He has held endowed professorships at both the Stanford Graduate School of Business and at the Harvard Business School. Steven and Margaret reside in Oakley, Utah, and have five children, 20 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. LinksThe Wilford Woodruff Papers Images from The Wilford Woodruff Papers: Wilford Woodruff, Mar 8, 1849, Boston, Massachusetts, Wilford Woodruff, Apr 16, 1894 Latter-day Saint MBA Society Podcast: Steven Wheelwright Wilford Woodruff's Witness: The Development of Temple Doctrine There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:00 Introduction to Steven. He explains how he is involved with the Wilford Woodruff papers. 2:50 What are the Wilford Woodruff papers? He wrote 10 times what Joseph Smith wrote. He kept better notes than anybody else. 8:50 Wilford gave about 4,000 discourses but never wrote them down. He believed to only teach by the spirit. 11:40 Missionary work and consecrated service. He joined the Church when he was 26. His first mission was Zion's Camp, soon after he got baptized. 20:50 He felt called to record everything that took place. He said that he felt like a fish out of water until he got something recorded in his journal. The Wilford Woodruff papers are very important to Church history. 21:45 The impact that the Wilford Woodruff papers has had on FamilySearch. There are about 20,000 people mentioned in his journals. There are about 53 million descendants of these people that have been found so far. 24:00 Another thing that is unique to Wilford Woodruff is that he wasn’t afraid to open his mouth. Steven tells the story of when Wilford taught at an inn. 28:30 Stories of when Wilford goes on his mission to England. He was always willing to do and say what the Lord wanted of him. 31:30 He was an amazing example of exact obedience. More stories of Wilford’s mission. 34:00 Recap of Wilford’s service, mission, and marriage 40:20 Wilford and his work in the temple. He became the steward of everything that went on in the temple and helped write down all of the ordinances. There was a continual refinement of the temple ordinances thanks to Wilford. 43:30 When John Taylor died and Wilford was to become prophet. It took two years to organize the first presidency because they were not unified. Wilford was patient and waited for everyone to be unified in the decision. He wanted things to be done in the way of the Lord. 48:10 2,500 pages of the Wildord Woodruff papers have been published. For those that want to get involved: You can help with transcription, verification, and getting the papers published online. It can be done remotely on your computer. Sign up for the newsletters to get updates. You can donate to help pay the interns and make the work go faster.53:00 How has learning about Wilford Woodruff helped you become a better follower of Jesus Christ?The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at ...
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2019.Wendy Ulrich is a psychologist, educator, and writer. She holds a PhD in Education and Psychology from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. A former guest on the podcast, Wendy is the founder of Sixteen Stones Center for Growth and has been a practicing psychologist for over 25 years. She is a former president of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists and a visiting professor at Brigham Young University. Wendy and her husband Dave Ulrich presided over the Canada Montreal Mission and have three children and eight grandchildren.LinksLive Up to Our Privileges: Women, Power, and PriesthoodThe Why of Your Calling | An Interview with Wendy UlrichSixteen Stones Center for GrowthThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights00:48 Wendy’s background as a psychologist01:21 Her book Live Up to Our Privileges discusses “What does it really mean for women to have priesthood power”? How do we get it in our lives and use it effectively?03:49 How can leaders better understand the experience of women in the Church? What can Wendy share about the female experience of feeling dismissed at church?04:47 The work of women is often invisible and misunderstood.05:05 Women and men have different styles of communication. Women may find being talked over (a male communication pattern) to be dismissive.06:21 Women can feel dismissed by the structure of the Church or even the text of the scriptures.07:02 The book is structured after the organization of priesthood offices. Why?07:44 The work of women is also captured in the work of priesthood offices.08:39 In many cases women do more of the work of priesthood offices during the natural course of their lives than men.09:12 Christ was not a priest. He did not hold the priesthood of his day.09:50 Women who may not see themselves as holding priesthood may find something to learn from the Savior’s example and authority.10:39 Women can say I am doing what I’m doing because of the authority I’ve been given in my calling, my temple endowment, my home, my assignments … I have been given authority.11:17 We sometimes project secular perspectives on women and the priesthood and fairness. What can we understand about this topic?12:49 We are not going to be the same or have the same opportunities.13:33 Wendy believes Church doctrine emphasizes the reason we are here on this earth is to become empowered with the power that God has. We believe the most important thing God is trying to do is to create eternal relationships.14:45 What women do and goes unseen may be just as important as what men do in the eternal scheme of things. Even in secular society family is essential, and women are the key “resource” for keeping society functioning17:17 The Lord’s priority is raising the next generation of gods.17:20 We think God is someone who gives power away. We believe he wants to empower us to be joint heirs—to give us all He has.18:59 At times it does seem like some roles are inflated. Kurt shares his experience while all three of his brothers were serving as bishops and the difference in attention his sister received, who was serving as a Primary President at the time. As we consider this, women will have less of that experience of being dismissed.20:40 Chapter 8: Governing with Power and Compassion. How to rise to power in organizations.22:00 Kachner’s research shows how people get into power, but once they get into power people actually lose the skills that got them there. They become more self-serving, less empathic. They are less likely to listen to others, less able to read other’s emotional states.23:40 Research shows teams with women are more effective because women naturally have ski...
Jared Olsen is a father, husband, entrepreneur, workplace culture enthusiast, millennial, and Nacho Libre lover. His days are spent at JobNimbus in People Experience (PX). He is also the president & co-founder of REYFYA—the first outsourced culture consulting business in the Silicon Slopes—and a board member at Disrupt SLC. Jared was named by Utah Business Magazine as the first-ever "HR Disruptor of the Year". He has an MBA and is SPHR & SHRM-SCP certified. Matt Brown is a mentor and coach specializing in leadership, learning, project management, and more. He has worked in real estate and as a police officer, eventually retiring before embarking on a new adventure and earning an MBA. Matt is certified in Strengthfinders and RESPECT styles, and works at JobNimbus as a People Success Coach. LinksGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryJobNimbus It's Not About the Nail OwlHub.com Connect on LinkedIn with Jared Olsen and Matt Brown There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastHighlights2:10 Kurt introduces the episode’s topic and conversation with Jared and Matt. A coaching framework called RESPECT. 4:20 Introduction to Jared and Matt. 5:40 Coaching is about creating culture. The origin for the word "culture" in Latin, and means to care. So culture really is caring about people. 6:50 What is coaching? 7:45 Both Jared and Matt are certified in RESPECT coaching styles. There are 7 different coaching styles you can use. You can use many styles with the same person. 12:50 R in RESPECT stands for the RALLIER style of coaching. This style is the driver. Setting goals and measurables. Ways to move the coachee forward. 16:30 The E in RESPECT is the EDUCATOR. It’s a lecture or education to teach a skill or fill in knowledge. General conference is all about educating. Parenting your child is teaching them and making sure they are learning. 19:20 The S is for the STRATEGIST style of coaching. It’s finding solutions to problems. They are addressing a problem. 21:10 The P stands for the PROVOCATEUR. This style of coaching makes people squirm the most. It’s poking a hole in someone’s logic and it’s often speaking the unspeakable truth. Jesus was a great example of a provocateur. 26:00 The second E in RESPECT is EXPLORE. Asking questions that even you as the coach don’t know the answer to. 29:20 The C in RESPECT stands for the CONFIDANT. The opposite of the provocateur. They ask about feelings and how the coachee interprets things. It’s like a warm blanket and validation. It’s about listening to work things out. 32:30 The T stands for TRANSFORMER. You can use this when somebody has gone through something difficult and you can have them reflect on that. This style of coaching can be used to help people see either how far they’ve come or where they could be in six months. 36:00 When you are coaching, you have to ask questions instead of making statements. 38:00 For the leader that wants to use these styles of coaching but feels overwhelmed: You don’t have to be an expert. 41:50 Jared and Matt coach Kurt as an example of the different styles of coaching and questions that you can use. 50:00 When picking a style of coaching, ask yourself, what do I know about the coachee and their circumstance? Start with a style and if it doesn’t work then pivot to a different style. Explorer can be a great style to start with. 52:20 What would be a good Provocateur question to use as church leaders? These questions are hard questions that come from a place of love. 57:45 Another thing that we can do in coaching is make questions direct or indirect. 59:00 A style that people struggle with is Transformer. However, Transformer can be a way that we turn the hard things that we are going through in life and learn to see them as blessings. 1:05:40 Resources for learning more about RESPECT coaching styles 1:06:00 How coaching has brought Matt and Jason closer to ...
Aaron Bujnowski is a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in the Chile Concepción Mission and has served as a bishop, stake high councilor, stake Sunday School presidency member, and Seminary teacher. He’s currently his ward’s elders quorum president (for the fourth time) and is an ordinance worker in the Dallas Texas Temple. Aaron works as a healthcare consultant. He has bachelor and master of science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University Provo, a Master of Business Administration degree from The University of Texas at Austin, and is currently a candidate to receive a Doctor of Science degree in Healthcare Leadership from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. He and his wife, Julie, are the co-authors of Discovering Your Temple Insights. They have two adult children and live in Frisco, Texas.LinksMinistering is Love Discovering Your Temple Insights Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastHighlights02:40 Kurt introduces Aaron and their discussion on approaching and shifting elders quorum culture through simple, thoughtful questions. 04:45 Aaron introduces himself and shares his leadership experience. He wrote an article recently on ministering. 06:20 Ministering should be something natural and normal. How can we make it simple and show love for our God and neighbor? Ask questions about how they show love in the ward and how they need to be loved. Do this instead of asking if they need anything.10:15 Great questions for ministering interviews In what ways did your families need love over the last quarter? How did you find ways to show those families love?11:00 Typical answers that Aaron hears as he does ministering interviews and asks about how people show love and connect with the families they serve 17:00 By changing our questions and having more authentic concern and love, the minister's heart changes and the person who is being ministered to changes also. We want to actually get to know people and not just check the box. 18:30 The best success you can have is just to show up for people. Be there for them. There is a cultural shift that happens when we consistently show up for people. Can people trust that you are going to be there for them? 22:00 Creating an equally-yoked elders quorum and Relief Society. Set the standard that the elders quorum knows the needs of the ward just as much as the sisters do. Meet with the Relief Society president outside of ward council to talk about the needs of the ward. 24:50 Helping the bishop focus on the youth, and how Aaron as elders quorum president supports him by taking care of the adult concerns in the ward along with the Relief Society president 27:00 Other leaders in the ward can create relationships with the members to take the burden off the bishop. Instead of calling the bishop, people feel more comfortable to go to their Relief Society president, elders quorum president, or ministering brothers and sisters. 29:00 Approach to elders quorum meeting every other week. Before the lesson they have a council to discuss needs in the ward. 33:40 Inviting people to the table. Ask people that don’t come as often or don’t participate very much to give prayers and other small things. 37:30 Aaron and his wife wrote a book about the temple. It’s about how to learn from the temple. 38:30 Aaron’s testimony on leadership and what he has learned from itThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey,
Steven W. Shields, ACMHC, CETII, CECII is a therapist, podcast host, speaker, executive coach, husband, and father who is adamant that true healing is possible and can happen now for everyone. He founded [ACCEPTED] to help clients struggling with addiction, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Through one-on-one1 therapy, groups, intensives, and workshops, clients experience healing. Steven founded Unashamed Unafraid because he believes everyone’s story matters and each individual can be a beacon of hope. Unashamed Unafraid is a non-profit (501.3c) that shares recovery stories of hope, offers scholarships for resources, and creates community for those in recovery for sexual addictions and their families. He also serves on the executive team for Warrior Heart Ministries, a non-profit (501.3c) that runs spiritual retreats nationally to help men restore their hearts and connect with God. Steven knows you can truly be healed and move forward because he's experienced it. While living the picture-perfect life with his beautiful family and serving in church leadership, he had a secret dual life battling with pornography and sexual addiction. Coming forward and confronting his shame was a journey that changed his heart, his profession, and his life. LinksThe Therapy Buffet: Helping Individuals Heal Through Therapy Warrior Heart Unashamed Unafraid [ACCEPTED] NF: Happy There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights01:45 Introduction. Can mental illness be healed? 04:40 I’m not just a therapist but a guide. 06:10 What Steve is seeing most in his office. What are people dealing with the most? 13:00. When did we quit believing people can be healed? Why do we not believe that mental illness cannot be healed? People are led to believe that they just need to manage their mental health and it’s just something they will always struggle with. 20:20 Steve shares an experience he had working with a burned out therapist. You can’t give something that you don’t have. 26:00 As leaders we have to do things in the spirit of healing and love. We have to get back to what makes us feel alive and with the Spirit of God. You have to do your own work so you have something to give. 28:00 The weight that the bishop has to hold. Just to hold all the weight of everyone else's trauma you need God’s help and His healing. None of us are just all good. 29:30 We have example after example in the scriptures of mental health problems and the healing. Do we not believe that anymore? We don’t believe that we can be healed? It’s true that some things we have to endure but most things can be healed. 36:45 Therapy doesn’t heal you. Medication doesn’t heal you. The bishop, yoga class, friend, or a 12-step meeting don’t heal you. God does. He heals you through His son. 38:30 The bishop doesn’t have to know everything and be everything for everyone in the ward. The bishop can refer members to other leaders in the ward to support them and refer them to programs. The bishop is there to share resources and find the appropriate help. 46:30 It’s mind blowing that we look for answers everywhere except for Christ. We look for problem solving everywhere except Christ. 47:30 How does a bishop help people find good therapy that actually leads them toward healing? There are two things that the bishop needs to do. Let people know that Christ can heal your addiction, marriage, etc. Show empathy and provide resources. If one therapist doesn’t work then try another. If one book doesn’t help then try another. 1:01:10 As a leader, the weight of everyone’s problems and unwillingness to do things is not your problem. Give it God and be yoked with Him. If people don’t want to do ministering then give it to God. It’s His church and He will deal with it. 1:04:50 Steve’s top secret tips for therapists. He says to new clients,
Christiane Lauener was born and raised in Switzerland to a Canadian mother and a Swiss father—both the only converts in their families. She has served as a ward Relief Society president, in Primary and Young Women presidencies, Sunday School, public relations, and probably every other calling a woman can have. She is currently serving as the stake Relief Society president for the second time. Christiane served in the Canada Winnipeg mission and later earned a bachelors degree in English Literature. She is married and the mother of four grown sons, including one with severe disabilities, and works as an assistant to a patent engineer. A recurring highlight is her weekly visit to the temple, and she counts her faithfulness to God and His to her as the greatest blessing in life.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights02:30 Christiane shares her background and what the church is like in Switzerland. Navigating church with multiple languages. 07:10 Christiane was surprised to be called a second time to be stake Relief Society president. She shares her leadership experience. 09:00 Visiting the wards in her stake and how they do meetings as a stake 11:15 What are the main concerns of Relief Society presidents right now? 14:50 One of the most important principles for Christiane is personal conversion. 19:40 Stepping up and speaking in stake council. Christiane has been bold in sharing her ideas but they aren’t always well received. However, she keeps going and keeps speaking up. 23:00 Women need to be more seen in our wards and stakes. There is conflict over women leaders sitting on the stand. It’s important for not only the women to be seen but so that they can also see the ward and who might be struggling. Also having young women contribute in sacrament meeting. 27:20 There seems to be more balance seeing men and women serve in the temple than in our Sunday meetings. People visiting our church aren’t seeing the women and probably don’t know that there is a whole organization for the women in our church. 29:30 Switzerland is the motor of Europe. For many years Switzerland had the only temple in Europe. Many of the members of Switzerland emigrated to the US and the growth of the Church there has been slower. 33:30 Do members understand the depth of the changes that President Nelson has made since becoming prophet? The importance of the work of the family and home. 36:15 Christiane shares the people and books that have changed her and inspired her life. 38:45 What motherhood and leadership have taught Christiane and made her a better follower of Jesus ChristThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this solo episode, Kurt talks about how to transform the culture in elders quorum and the entire ward by focusing on the heart of the men.LinksResearch about men and suicideIs Elders Quorum Working?Warrior Heart RetreatsCwic Show: The Problem with Men and Masculinity in the Church - feat. Kurt FrancomThoughtful Faith: Are We as a Church Failing Men? (With Kurt Francom)When the Bishop is Too Nice | An Interview with Dr. Robert GloverHow I Lead with Priesthood Blessings | An Interview With Mike NovakovichOne Couple’s Journey Through Sexual Addiction | An Interview with Chris & Autumn BennettFormer Bishop, Recovering Addict | An Interview with Evan HathawayWild at HeartWaking the Dead: The Secret to a Heart Fully AliveNo More Mr. Nice GuyThe Alter Ego EffectThe Heart of Man (streaming)Questions? Want to discuss this further with Kurt? Contact him here.There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:40 Introduction to the episode’s topic: men at church7:15 If we could crack the code with men to help them and strengthen them so that they can strengthen their own families. Turning to porn and other things for coping. 9:30 The media and social platforms attack masculinity and call it toxic. What does healthy masculinity look like? Does society know what to do with men? Does the Church know what to do with men?11:50 When we unknowingly send the wrong message at church. Men hiding behind the perfect ironed suit and the huge smile. Unfortunately someone in the elders quorum is the most at risk of suicide. 14:00 How can we help men find brotherhood and connection at church? Kurt makes suggestions on things we can do. We need to offer more for men after they age out of Young Single Adult and mission programs. 17:20 If you want to fix the youth then walk down the hall and fix the elders quorum. Think of the impact that the elders quorum can have on the youth and their own children. 19:00 The nice guy vs. masculine man. Kurt dives into toxic masculinity and passive masculinity. 24:00 What does healthy masculinity look like? 27:45 What does the Church attempt to offer men? These are things that are offered on paper and with good intentions but sometimes seem more like assignments.Saving ordinancesSpiritual developmentCommunity and brotherhoodService opportunitiesLeadership opportunities32:15 What do men need from the church? What do they need from their quorum? While it's important to remind them of their duty and responsibility you have to start with a foundation. You have to start with heart. 34:00 There is no laziness in elders quorum, just a lack of fulfillment. How to help men turn back to their heart instead of duty.39:50 According to author John Eldridge, every man has 3 core desires:A battle to fightAn adventure to liveA beauty to love43:40 How to stimulate brotherhoodWe need to provide mentorshipPray together and for each otherInvite people to share their story or share your ownOffer men adventure. Organize activities for men to get out50:00 Kurt shares resources: books, events, podcast talks54:00 How has ministering to men made you a better follower of Jesus Christ?The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander,
Rebecca Smart is currently on her third career. She spent a decade working for the Government of Alberta in Tourism and Communications, chose to be a stay-at-home parent for several years, retrained, and is now working as a registered psychotherapist. She considers it a blessing to bring her skills together to help build the kingdom of God in many different ways. Rebecca serves as stake Primary president and was a counselor in the stake Primary presidency for almost three years prior to that call. Rebecca finds joy serving in the Church. Other callings have included Relief Society president, Relief Society counselor, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Primary secretary. Rebecca lives in Ottawa, Canada with her husband, three children and Labradoodle. In her spare time she loves travel, baking, and spending time with family and friends.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:20 Rebecca talks about her area in Ottawa, Canada. 4:30 Getting called as stake Primary president. She transitioned into the position after being the first counselor in the stake Primary for three years. 6:00 Growing leaders and Primary presidents 9:15 How leadership meetings go in her stake 10:00 Working together as a presidency 11:15 The power of listening 13:20 The strength of combining personal knowledge and personal revelation 15:00 Rebecca shares her own personal experience using gospel learning and working to teach our children. 17:00 Seeking and using spiritual gifts. Bring your gifts to the people that you serve. There are a lot of spiritual gifts and it's our responsibility to seek them. 20:40 When it comes to seeking and using our gifts, it's a process and it can take a lot of time. The gifts that we need might change over time. Pray to know what gifts you need at that time. 21:50 Rebecca shares her approach to stake council meetings. 23:50 Thoughts on Primary programs. One of the most powerful things is the Primary children showing what they have learned and their testimonies. 25:30 The importance of counseling with counselors 27:50 Taking the time for needs assessments. Find out the needs of not only the adults but the children too. It’s easy to get bogged down in administration or in the way we have always done something but are those things meeting the needs? 29:15 How has being a leader made you a better follower of Jesus Christ?The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. CK Bray is a cognitive behavioral researcher who specializes in change/adaption, human performance and potential, and their impact on organizations and individuals. Dr. Bray has a Ph.D. in Organizational Development and Learning, and a second Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology with an emphasis in the Cognitive Sciences (ABD). He bridges the gap between science, research, and organizations and is known for his ability to take complex research and make it understandable and applicable to clients. In the Church, Dr. Bray has served as a Young Men president, bishopric counselor, and stake executive secretary, and is currently the elders quorum president in his ward.LinksThe Adaption Institute The Dr. CK Bray Show How To Raise Remarkable Kids Without Talking To Them There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights04:40 Dr. Bray talks about his brain research, what he does, and why. 06:00 Brain research and how it relates to the gospel. They work together. 10:00 Where do we begin with brain science? What happens in our brain when we experience change? Threat or reward state. When we want to create change it needs to be small. 15:45 Can leaders get people to change? Change has to come internally vs externally. We can get external motivation and rewards but really the change has to come from our own wanting to do it to make it something that will last. 19:20 Doing lessons a little differently and helping people have the 'aha' moment and create change. They start with sharing wins and struggles they had that week. It opened up the quorum to help each other outside of the walls of the church. 28:50 As leaders we need to create aha moments and a community that is sharing those moments. It's really about helping people change their perception and how they show up. 32:50 We need to learn how to be more resilient in a world that is trying to tear us down. 35:45 How can a leader stimulate resilience? Helping people have a reset. Find moments of silence. Self reflection is one of the best things that we can do to become a better human. Stop focusing on doing but becoming! 42:40 This is a gospel of change. It’s about doing smaller things more regularly. Then resilience gets us through the hard times that we all have. 46:30 One thing that Chris started doing in elders quorum is to change how they do lessons. It's more of a discussion and getting to know other men in the quorum. 50:00 Feeling uncomfortable changing old processes and ways of doing things. Elders quorum needs to change for us to grow. Chris shares tips on how to create these changes. Remember it's about small changes. 55:25 Monthly men's community activities. Things that Chris’ ward does. 59:10 Once-a-week presidency ministering. They have informal visits on the doorstep that are more about getting to know people and creating friendships. 1:04:20 Let go of perfection and use your talents to do what you can. 1:06:50 Chris’ final thoughts and testimony on leadership and becoming a better follower of ChristThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.
In August of 2015 I was released as bishop, but my second counselor didn't show up to be release. I was concerned about what he was going through.
George Wootan is a retired physician living in Port Richey, Florida. He is 87 years old, the parent of 11 children, and very active in his ward. George and his wife recently served a mission in the Tampa, Florida mission office, and are currently serving as ward missionaries.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Listen on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:00 Introduction. Kurt is speaking at the Zions camp retreat with a live audience and introduces guest speaker, George. 5:20 George talks about how he spent his life living outside the box while trying to convince people that he's inside the box. 7:40 George has severe dyslexia but still made it through med school and has what he calls an interesting brain that comes up with solutions. He loves creating solutions and sharing ideas, especially in his ward. 8:30 Even though George is 87 years old he still wants to be a part of leadership and have a role in the ward. He just barely retired from being a doctor last year and he still has a lot of life to give. 12:40 George’s leadership experience and the mission he and his wife went on in the Tampa mission office. 17:00 George speaks on ward unity and implementing ideas. He talks about how he organizes activities and even though it’s not technically his calling he takes initiative to plan things in the ward. 21:40 George talks about how he met his wife and the dynamic in their marriage. 27:00 Setting up a new program so that people that can’t afford to feed the missionaries can still feed them with help of the bishops storehouse. George also sets up less active families to help feed the missionaries too. 28:30 Maintaining engagement in the ward. Learning people’s names. One of the traits of leadership is that Christ knew people’s names and changed their names. 30:00 Another one of George’s ideas is baking bread for the ward with the help of the youth. Each week ministers will be assigned to deliver the bread. 31:15 Did you ever have an idea that wasn’t taken well by a bishop and how did you handle it? The difference between the gospel and church policy. 33:00 Starting a men's group for single men over 40 35:20 Advice to future leaders Focus on learning names. Use first names instead of last. We call our friends by their first names.37:50 Reaching out and finding people who are on the records but the bishop doesn’t know about. George talks about how he is going about finding those people and reaching out to them. 40:50 How can we elevate women’s voices in our wards and stakes? 42:00 Final thoughts on leadership 45:40 How 87 years of leadership has made him a better follower of Jesus Christ. Be a disciple not just a follower.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Georgia Travers joined the Church in 2014 and has served in ward Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society presidencies, as Primary Activity Day leader, and currently as ward Relief Society president. She holds a BSc in Physics from the University of Bristol and a PGCE and MSc in Learning and Teaching from the University of Oxford. Georgia is currently raising three small children (including twins) and working part time as a secondary school Physics teacher—teaching ages 11-18—and as a national examiner for Physics GCSE qualifications.LinksThis Week in Mormons There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights04:00 Introduction to Georgia Travers 07:00 Georgia’s conversion story 12:30 Getting called as Relief Society president 13:30 Bringing her unique perspective to her calling as Relief Society president 15:20 Georgia loves combining science and religion. There has to be a place for both and they are more similar than most people think. 18:25 While Georgia loves the Church, she finds it a little rigid and she feels we could do things a little differently to make the church more inclusive to all. She shares a few things that have surprised her in our church. 21:00 There are small things that we can do in our leadership that can make a big difference. Georgia shares some ideas that she has gathered and feels that are important. For example, more worship music and ways to be more inclusive. 24:40 It’s important to come as we are and be able to show up at church as our true selves. Georgia does this by being very open in her church talks about her weaknesses and experiences and this allows others to also be authentic. 28:20 Georgia talks about trying to have more community outreach in their area in England, but it’s difficult because of people’s perceptions of our church. How can we show the community that we are a Christian church and not as scary as they think? 32:20 Georgia shares ways they are doing more community outreach. 34:10 Implementing Relief Society counsels at the beginning of Relief Society meetings. 39:00 Being Relief Society president has taught Georgia perspective and that everyone has their own battle and struggles. 40:00 Georgia's final thoughts on leadershipThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Stephen Jones hails from Tallahassee, Florida, and served his mission in the Brazil Porto Alegre North Mission. He is a bishop in Springville, Utah, and has previously served in various leadership callings, including ward choir director, elders quorum president, in a Young Men presidency, first and second bishopric councilor, ward mission leader, and executive secretary. Stephen holds a bachelor's degree in Physiology with an emphasis in Social Physiology and a master's degree in Public Administration, both from Brigham Young University. He's best known as an American actor, comedian, host, and educator. Stephen's entertainment journey began as a university mascot and a headlining standup comedian, and he gained nationwide attention when he starred in a viral Old Spice parody video. Stephen has cohosted the television series Random Acts and featured in other television shows and commercials. After almost a decade of teaching, Stephen is currently the director, producer, editor and host of "Let’s Get Real with Stephen Jones," an original podcast on Scripture Central. LinksLet's Get Real with Stephen Jones There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights02:05 Introduction to Stephen and what he hopes to accomplish with his podcast. How to apply the principles of the gospel and stories of how people live the gospel. 04:30 Getting called as Bishop during covid and while he was finishing his master's degree 10:20 Learning how to be a bishop and getting his footing. Picking the brains of other leaders, choosing counselors, and receiving revelation. 14:15 Partnering with God to make decisions. We can’t totally rely on God to give us all the answers. We work with Him to make decisions and we have to own those decisions. 19:00 The restoration is not just about restoring the church. It’s about restoring people. God wants to build you through experience. 23:50 Stephen talks about his ward council. Meeting one to one makes ward council more effective. 30:30 How Stephen sees the bishop’s office. It can be for more than just the bishop. Other leaders can have access. 34:00 How Stephen works with the youth in his ward and the things he has learned. Inviting the youth to minister with him and take part in leadership. 40:00 We need to be better at helping people understand where repentance really is. Stephen shares how he helps people with repentance and how he teaches it. 47:15 When it comes to repentance, have more conversations and ask more questions about understanding and belief instead of focusing on the behavior. Get to the base of the problem. 51:15 Repentance is not a straight line. It’s not just a process but a constant and daily turning to God. It's a lifestyle. 59:15 Resources and where to find more about Stephen and his podcast 1:00:20 The best way to lead is to follow Him.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission,
Jim West has a master's degree from Brigham Young University in Civil Engineering and has worked in the private sector for over 22 years. He is now the Project Delivery Manager for the Oregon Department of Transportation. Marla West has a bachelor's degree in Family Living, also from BYU, and has taught part-time at several schools. Jim and Marla are active volunteers in the Salem, Oregon area. They belong to Willamette Riverkeepers and clean up local rivers in their canoe. They also volunteer every Sunday evening in their local hospital emergency department, and Marla volunteers in the local elementary school third-grade classroom. In the Church, Jim has served in a variety of roles including bishoprics, the Young Men's organization, and as a Primary teacher and Nursery leader. Marla has served in Primary and Nursery, and in Relief Society. They have been married 42 years, have five sons and three grandchildren, and love gardening, home improvement, biking, hiking, and playing badminton.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights04:20 Introduction to Jim and Marla 06:45 Jim and Marla’s advice for new nursery leaders. Remember to start with the basics and read the manual. See the vision that the church has for nursery. 08:00 Nursery is more than toys and snacks. The vision for nursery is a moment to introduce the children to structure and a formal class. 10:20 Marla suggests visiting the children in their home with a little game or a treat. She has found that the children are more eager to come to nursery. 11:10 Part of church culture is seeing nursery at the bottom and the prophet at the top. 13:30 Jim and Marla prepare the nursery room before sacrament with an activity set up on the table, music, and anything else they need prepared. They have found play doh is a great ‘draw you in’ activity. They leave the door open to help the children not feel trapped. 17:00 They play spa-like music while welcoming the children to nursery. They have found that it’s more calming to the children not to have music with voices until they do an actual singing activity. 17:45 They spray a natural scent like orange oil to help connect the children to nursery and bring familiarity. 19:00 These tips are useful for elders quorum or any other class at church. We can start class with environmental cues. 21:20 Most Sundays they don’t even get the toys out. 22:30 While all parents are welcome to come into nursery but they don’t allow the parents to talk with them. They have found that the children are much more peaceful, focused, and interact with them better when there aren’t adults visiting together. It’s a real classroom and it’s about the children and not the adults. 25:15 Marla shares the schedule that they use in the nursery that gives nursery a routine and structure. The children know what's coming and they love it. 25:50 The transition to snack and story time. The child’s parents can bring in a special snack and book on their birthday to help highlight each child. 28:30 The importance of transitions between activities. 29:30 Tips for lesson time. They always bring an object or a picture as an attention getter to start the lesson. 31:00 Art projects are a moment to learn skills. Knowing the difference between markers and crayons. Working a pair of scissors or a watercolor brush. Sitting in a chair for a longer period of time. All these things prepare them to go to sunbeams. 34:20 Marla talks about how she created her binder for nursery. She brainstorms activities to teach each topic and get the materials and pictures. 36:30 It’s best to have under 10 kids in the nursery. It’s good to split nurseries that are bigger than this. 38:50 The art project is a time to wind down from nursery. It’s a great time to learn skills. It exposes them to new things and gets them used to instruction.
Emily Cushing was raised in South Jordan, Utah, and met her husband in their middle school math class. Her love of learning led her to become a teacher. She earned a master's degree in Teaching and Learning at Brigham Young University and has taught—among other places—in Tonga, England, and Myrtle Beach. She currently teaches in the Education Department at Utah Valley University. She has served as a Relief Society president, Primary president, and stake Primary president, and currently teaches the Emotional Resilience course to a remarkable group of teens. Emily enjoys reading, running, traveling, living in foreign places, and above all, spending time with her family. LinksShe Did: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Faith Life Sketches; Of Orson Spencer and Others, and History of Primary Work There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights01:30 Who is Aurelia Rogers? She is the founder of the Primary. 03:45 Emily talks about her new book, She Did: Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Faith. 05:50 The Primary organization didn’t come from the revelation of a prophet or apostle but the grassroots effort of Aurelia Spencer Rogers. In 1778 the Primary began but it was in 1880 the Primary was officially organized. Within 10 years Primary was a part of all the settlements. 18:20 Aurelia’s background and family. 14:40 How did Aurelia’s idea even begin to gain momentum? 15:10 Initially Aurelia got the idea to start the Primary because of a bunch of rowdy boys and they needed to be taught manners but Aurelia also wanted to include girls too. She got permission to start it in her town of Farmington, Utah. 17:30 How Primary was in the beginning. It was a weekday activity and not part of the Sunday block. Aurelia really struggled in the beginning, feeling overwhelmed with everything she was starting. Eventually she felt peace. 21:30 The Primary presidency was formed in 1880 and Aurelia was a part of it. 25:10 Emily shares pieces of Aurelia’s autobiography and some of the trials and struggles that she had. 27:10 Additional resources for those that would like to learn more about Aurelia. She has an autobiography. It’s a primary source and shows what Utah was like at the time, and contains so much history. 30:30 Did Aurelia understand the role she played in starting and developing the Primary? Aurelia understood that she had a bigger mission. 33:30 A message for all the Primary teachers. 37:20 Emily has a background with child development and teaching children. She advises teachers and Primary leaders to connect on a personal level with each child. Really get to know them and let them know you love them. 41:00 Emily’s book is about 23 women, Aurelia being one of them. She shares the process of how they chose the women for the book. 42:40 Emily highlights another women from her book, Carmen O'Donnell. She was from Guatemala. She voiced a need and a whole policy changed because of her. It’s because of her the the three hour Sunday block was formed and also the gospel essentials class. 44:20 There are many leaders that are positive deviants. They deviated off the traditional path but not in a bad way. They see a need and try to create change. 44:50 Martha Ann is another woman in the book. She was African American and lived during the time of slavery. She was a leader within her own family. 46:50 Emily shares her final thoughts on leadership and creating positive change. Jump in and help the one that you see needs it. 52:00 Emily shares how researching these women and sharing their stories has changed her.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saint podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Research suggests that it is not uncommon for YSA’s to feel a lack of purpose and belonging within the Church. In this episode, renowned author and psychologist Wendy Ulrich shares insight on how leaders can best minister to YSAs who may be struggling with a sense of purpose and belonging. At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find podcasts. Please give us your feedback about this episode by filling out this short questionnaire: https://research.churchofjesuschrist.org/jfe/form/SV_3Dza9x3tD4YBjzEHighlights01:30 Introduction to Wendy Ulrich. Wendy is a psychologist. She has served on the Relief Society General Advisory Council. She is the author of many books and has taught at BYU. She now teaches institute with her husband in Provo, UT. 02:25 Is there apathy in the YSA wards? Apathy can come from not feeling engaged or that what you are doing has meaning. 06:10 For a lot of people apathy is more about fear. Fear of getting involved. 08:50 Do you feel like you could answer if someone asked you what your purpose and goals are? A lot of times apathy comes from not knowing our purpose. 12:20 Dating your dreams. We have to explore our dreams and it takes time. 13:50 Where does your deep enthusiasm for the gospel come from? Grappling with the question of not "what do I want now?", but "what do I want most?" 22:20 Harvard research shows that relationships are the most consistently important things in people’s lives. Relationships help them find meaning, well-being, and purpose. Wendy speaks about how we find meaning and purpose. 27:00 How can leaders help YSA members to find meaning and purpose? 33:30 The parable of the talents. Doing something small is better than doing nothing. It's OK to take risks and fail rather than sitting around doing nothing. We have to get over our fears of doing hard things. 35:30 Where do you start when you are trying to find your divine identity? We can ask ourselves what we’ve learned from the difficult things that we have gone through. Can you tell a redemptive story about your life? We decide what the meaning of the story is. 40:30 Christ has promised us a redemptive power through his atonement. We can change horrible events and hard stories into redemptive stories through Him. 42:10 What is the relation between redemptive stories and grit? What meaning are you giving your experiences? 46:00 Failing forward. It’s not about failure, it’s about redemption. Seeing your failure as a learning experience and getting up again. Leaders can help YSA members by asking more questions instead of trying to give all the answers. 48:00 The story of the Brother of Jared. The Lord asks him what he wants to do about the problem of having light. Then the Lord steps in and helps him with the rest. The Lord and Christ don’t just give us answers. They ask questions and try to empower us.
As stated in the November 2022 announcement, "Young single adults lead YSA efforts" and "YSA committee members work to help all young single adults participate in the work of salvation and exaltation." In this episode, two YSAs serving on a YSA Institute Council share their experiences, feelings, and best practices. At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find podcasts. Please give us your feedback about this episode by filling out this short questionnaire: https://research.churchofjesuschrist.org/jfe/form/SV_cvkd2ulK8jG9Zyu
With the counsel to consider YSAs for stake and ward leadership callings, leaders are curious to know how this change has been received. In this episode, two YSAs who are serving in ward and stake leadership callings share their perspective on the changes.At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find podcasts.Please give us your feedback about this episode by filling out this short questionnaire: https://research.churchofjesuschrist.org/jfe/form/SV_aVuVz2g9nAE9fNQHighlights01:30 Introduction to Tamsin and Alex04:30 Alex has lived in many different places. He shares his experiences in his different YSA wards and the evolution that he has seen with the YSA. Tamsin also shares her experiences in different YSA wards and how her experience has changed in different stages of her life.09:45 Tamsin shares her experience serving on the stake relief society advisory council.11:15 Alex feels blessed that he has had the opportunity to serve in many different callings in the YSA. He shares things that he has gained through mentorship.14:15 Tamsin has sometimes seen that there is a general attitude that YSA are not as capable or fully adults because they are not married. However, they are fully participating members of the church.16:05 Alex has felt that sometimes in a YSA ward that you are in a holding pattern. Waiting to get married or get that job. However, spiritually they need progression and mentorship in the gospel. YSA members have the need to feel like they are part of the church as a whole and not separated.20:15 Helping other YSA members to feel capable and trusted24:40 In YSA wards there aren’t as many callings, as in primary and nursery. Some callings are created but there isn’t much guidance or follow up after. It’s important to give callings that have meaning and help them feel part of the effort.27:00 How have you seen yourself change in different leadership positions?31:00 Around the world there are different YSAs but what they have in common is that they need to feel valued, loved, and a part of something.33:45 Working with older leaders as YSA members
Dustin Peterson is the founder and president of Proof Leadership Group, a leadership consultancy that works with organizations to train leaders and help develop their company culture. He is also the author of three books—Find Your Fit, Talented, and Reset—and coaches individuals to help them get unstuck in their careers. He currently serves as the stake president in the Friendswood Texas Stake and has served as a branch president, stake presidency counselor, and counselor in the Texas Houston South Mission. He lives in Houston with his wife and four children and loves bacon and Dallas sports teams. LinksArticle: Elevate your next sacrament meeting talk with a few easy tips Self-assessment in Teaching in the Savior's Way Self-assessment in Preach My Gospel DustinPeterson.org ProofLeadership.com Previous podcast interviews: —Clarifying Purpose to Guide Your Calling, Work, & Family Life | An Interview with Dustin Peterson —Leading with Your God-Given Talents | An Interview with Dustin Peterson Dustin's books: —Find Your Fit: Three Steps to Choosing a Best-Fit College Major and Career —Talented : Discovering and Using Your God-given Talents to Find More Joy in Life —Reset: How to Get Paid and Love What You Do There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE.Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Doctrine & Covenants 84:106 Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights02:00 Kurt introduces Dustin and this episode’s topic of the law of the lid. 04:00 Dustin talks about his journey in leadership the last few years. He shares what it was like to serve as a counselor to a mission president and his responsibilities. 07:30 Getting called as stake president, which is his current calling 9:50 Finding balance with work and being stake president 11:15 The law of the lid. The organization will rise no higher than the effectiveness of its leadership. If you aren’t getting leadership training then you will become the lid to that organization’s growth. 14:00 The hardest person that you will have to lead is yourself. Focus on how you can grow, not the other people in your organization. How can you be more effective? 16:00 The law of the lid trickles down to every individual. A family can rise no higher than the effectiveness of the parents. The individual will rise no higher than their own personal effectiveness. If we are not improving then we are flatlining. 17:00 How can we begin to apply the law of the lid? Dustin shares an experience he had as a branch president trying to solve everyone’s problems when they weren’t his to solve. Christ solves the problem. When leaders think that it’s up to them to solve people’s problems then they are the lid. The Savior is the only one that doesn’t have a lid. 20:40 As leaders we have to point people to the Savior. Oftentimes we point people to the mechanism or the vehicle that is going to help them heal. Things like: prayer, scriptures, and the temple. It’s not actually those things that bring healing. It’s Him that is going to heal not the vehicle. We do all those things to hear Him. 22:30 Talk to God about your problems; only He can solve them. It’s not the job of the leader to solve problems. Leaders are to point people to the Savior in order to receive His power and grace. 25:00 People oftentimes know the answer to their problems but they just need someone to talk to and someone to support and lift them. Leaders can ask questions like: What promptings have you received? How do you think you can solve this problem? 26:40 Besides pointing people to the Savior, it's important to develop our personal effectiveness as leaders. Dustin shares some ways that we can do this. 31:00 Dustin shares some examples of how he, as a stake president with his high council, have tried to develop their personal effectiveness and raise the lid in their stake. 33:10 Dustin shares what a couple in his stake did ...
Nate Kimbler is currently serving as the stake president for the Ridgecrest, California stake. He has served as a bishop, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and other callings such as scoutmaster, assistant scoutmaster, elders quorum counselor, ward missionary, and Gospel Doctrine teacher. He served as a full-time missionary in the Peru Lima Central Mission and a short time in the Sacramento California Mission while waiting for a visa. Nate graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS in Physics and is married to Rachel Handly Kimbler. They have five children. He is an avid runner and has run 13 marathons to date, and also enjoys hiking and backpacking in the mountains with his children.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Listen on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights02:40 Introduction to Nate Kimbler and getting called as stake president 05:15 Starting out as stake president and being terrified 06:30 Stake demographics and an earthquake hitting their area 11:15 Following the Spirit. It’s impossible to be a stake president without God’s help. Focusing on the Spirit is essential. 15:30 Nate shares a personal experience that illustrates the principle of following the Spirit. An impression that came to him was, don’t let the high council be a retirement calling. 19:45 Nate talks about how he mentored and guided members of the high council. 24:40 After a meeting with Elder Holland, Nate felt inspired to stop holding high council meetings and only have stake council meetings. It made it more inclusive for the sisters involved. 26:30 They hold stake council twice a month. The first one they council about something important in their stake. The second council of the month is a very brief council subject and then they split into committees. 29:45 Another thing that Nate felt inspired to do in his stake was to invite the stake Relief Society president to all of their stake presidency meetings. Sisters sometimes see things that are going on in the stake that the men don’t. They can share a unique perspective. 32:50 The sisters' involvement in their stake. The sisters can do so much and we need to empower them. 35:10 What Nate has learned about counseling others. It’s not so much about counseling them but listening to them and sitting with them in their pain. 40:15 Seeing miracles in his calling as stake president. Sometimes it’s not always clear to see God working but eventually you realize He was always there. Even just receiving words that someone else needs to hear. 48:40 Being a leader has helped Nate see people in a different light and see people as they really are, cherished sons and daughters of God.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. Ryan is the Wall Street Journal and USA Today best-selling author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership and The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. LinksNewsletter message: "Moving" to Inactivity There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube What Every Leader Should Consider About Community in Their Ward | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Is Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership? | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson The Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Ryan's articles at leadingsaints.org Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights2:00 Kurt introduces Ryan, his background, profession, and books. 4:40 A lot of people step away from the church and do it after a move. They don’t do it in front of people they know. The ward they were in had no idea they left the church. 11:40 How as leaders can we make sure there is life in our congregations? Is there a way to see when people are disengaging and will be leaving soon? Assume there is a problem in your ward even if you can’t see one. 13:40 How can we create a community where people can voice their doubts and concerns? Our church culture can get in the way of people asking questions and sharing their doubts. Our typical meetings don’t leave much room to have these types of discussions. 16:00 Bishops should just assume there are people in their ward that are struggling with their faith. Creating space apart from our regular meetings to have conversations about doubts and concerns. 19:00 It can be difficult to create a community at church that is open because there are different kinds of members with different perspectives. Some members might get up to give a talk and ruffle a few feathers. However, we have to create opportunities for everyone to be heard and feel like they belong. 21:30 Focusing on numbers isn’t bad but it's misguided. The more that leaders focus on numbers and outcomes the more they resist changing things for the future. Instead of focusing on results they should focus on how much life there is in the system. 24:30 Is your ward/stake growing in life and optimism or is it slowly dying? Are your church meetings lacking? Are the activities and church meetings something people actually want to attend and are excited about? 28:30 While you might love your ward, you can’t project your experience on someone else. There are probably people in your ward that don’t like it or feel like they don’t belong. 30:45 Identifying the slow-dying testimony. What do we do when we see people stepping back? Normally those that are stepping away feel like they don’t have a voice and don’t belong. 37:15 We have ministering but we haven’t learned to turn the key on. Is the engine even on in your ward? 39:10 We have a lot of "managers" but not a lot of leaders. Managers make sure that things run smoothly but leaders step out of their comfort zones and create change and new culture. 43:45 Questions to ask in your own ward council: Is there life in your ward? Does healing occur here? Does change occur here?45:30 Ryan’s final encouragement and counsel to ward councilsThe Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead.
Originally from Los Angeles, California, Natalie Cox currently lives in Gilbert, Arizona. She is the mother of five kids ages 10, 14, 16, 18, and 19, and a new missionary mom. Her son left for the Columbus Ohio mission last month and her daughter will leave for the Scotland Ireland mission next month. She is an entrepreneur at heart and has started a few businesses over the years. In 2019 she launched Māedn Bags and running that keeps her pretty busy during the week. At church, Natalie has served in many capacities in Primary, as the first counselor in stake Primary and then as the stake Primary president. She is currently serving as ward Young Women president and considers it an honor to work with the young women. She loves the youth and spending time with them on Wednesdays and Sundays is the highlight of her week.LinksThere is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader LibraryHighlights02:15 Kurt introduces Natalie and her background. 03:40 Getting called as Young Women president in her ward. Natalie felt very strongly that she needed to serve in Young Women even though she was the stake Primary president. She discussed it with her bishop. 09:20 Natalie started her calling terrified and unsure what to even say to the girls. 12:10 Establishing a relationship with the young women. Natalie describes what it looked like for her as she tried to build these relationships with each girl. 15:50 Silent ministering. No one knows who is ministering to whom. Not everyone had a silent minister but some girls that were struggling did. None of them knew the term silent minister because then they would question if it was authentic or not. 21:45 While it’s not allowed, Natalie personally believes in texting individuals. She says that there is nothing more powerful for her relationship with them. She sends encouragement, that she misses them, and asks them how school is going. 23:40 Should we always stick with the rules? What if we feel inspired to go against the rules? 26:00 Natalie takes some of the girls on one-on-ones. It started because a mother reached out to her and asked her to take her daughter on one. It’s an incredible way to get to know them, tell them why they matter, tell them what you see in them. 28:20 The positive development of any young person requires three additional adult influences other than their parents. 29:10 There are rules and we want to keep everyone safe but the things Natalie is trying to do are for the benefit of the youth and are deepening the relationships there. Maybe the best way is for leaders to always ask parent permission. 32:10 Natalie’s ward has a lot of girls. There have been 28 girls in just the oldest class (31 next January) and it’s nearly impossible to connect with all of them without taking extra steps. 33:10 Leaders are terrified of teenage girls. Just remember that it’s not about you and it’s all about them. 35:40 Some youth are so hard to reach. Natalie shares an experience she had with a girl in her young women. Natalie kept reaching out to her but never got a response until six months later. The girl sent her a heartfelt message thanking her. The moral of the story is that you might not be getting a lot of feedback but what you are doing matters. 38:30 Working together as Young Women and Young Men organizations 43:00 Natalie really wanted the young women to be greeters and help them have purpose and interact with the adults. The bishop said no but the feeling kept nagging her. She gave it some time and the bishop finally agreed. Remember that impressions can be different for each leader and to give it time. 46:45 Natalie explains how they involve the young women in ministering. They call it ministering bread. 49:00 Natalie shares her final thoughts on leadership and how serving has blessed her.The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latt...
Loren Grant Dalton graduated from the Harvard Business School and has served as the President or CEO of five different companies. One of his greatest loves is missionary work and he has served in a full-time mission for over 16 years of his life—as a missionary, president, or in a mission presidency, both in the U.S. and Brazil). While serving as mission president, Loren saw far too many missionaries and members who felt that they had never had a prompting through the Spirit. They wondered what was wrong with them. Although he didn’t consider himself to be a writer, this was a book he knew needed to be written. Loren married his high school sweetheart, Annette Nielsen, and they are the parents of four children.
Highlights03:20 Loren speaks on being in a mission presidency and a mission president.
05:50 Speaking at Stake Conference and how he prepared to speak
08:00 Loren recently came out with his first book, You Are Receiving Revelation: Now Act on It. He talks about why he felt inspired to write it.
11:00 We all receive revelation in different ways. Many feel like we aren’t hearing the spirit because we don’t have these huge revelatory moments. We need to teach the youth how the spirit typically talks to us.
13:30 Kurt shares his own personal experience receiving revelation and how he doesn’t have these huge overwhelming moments.
14:20 The Holy Ghost is speaking to us spirit to spirit but as physical beings we’ve forgotten how the Spirit communicates. We have to relate to it as a physical being. A lot of times we miss the promptings we are having because we think it’s our own thought.
15:45 Was that the Spirit or was that me? Maybe it wasn’t the Spirit but we can still act on our promptings. Each time we act on the first prompting it’s like we are tuning in our celestial radio and each time we act on a prompting it gets easier to recognize.
17:00 Kurt shares his struggle listening to content constantly, such as a podcast or book. There is always something playing and he forgets to let his spirit and brain breathe and actually be able to listen to the Holy Spirit.
18:15 One thing that Loren used to tell the missionaries is not to just pop up after saying amen after your prayer. Take a minute and actually let God respond to you.
19:20 Teaching those that we lead how to receive revelation. How can we better teach this principle?
23:00 We also need to keep in mind that Satan is also a spirit and he can give us promptings. We need to recognize the difference between the Spirit and Satan. Follow your FIRST prompting. Satan will normally come second.
29:45 Even if they have sinned, God will still talk to them. Satan makes us feel like we are out of the reach of God because we sinned.
31:40 Kurt shares an experience that he had as a bishop helping a member know that God still loved him and wanted to speak to him even though he had made some bad choices and had been disfellowshipped. God doesn’t give anyone the silent treatment.
32:50 Well-intentioned family members and church leaders can accidentally be the voice of the adversary.
33:30 Remember that Satan is the second voice that comes and tries to convince us not to follow the first voice. Another way to recognize Satan is that he talks in the first person. Negative self talk is not us. It’s the adversary.
38:10 God doesn’t need logic but Satan uses logic to try to convince us not to follow God’s promptings. It didn’t make sense to build an ark on dry ground or cross the red sea but in the end people were able to see.
43:30 Act on a prompting right way because you never know how urgent it is.
43:45 Basketball analogy. Loren believes that God uses bank shots. The shots that are so far away that you are sure they will miss but then they don’t. Sometimes God sends you a way that just doesn’t make sense but then you see how God knew exactly what he was doing and makes the shot.
44:10 Loren shares inspiring stories of following the Spirit from the missionaries.
47:50 Sometimes bad things just happen. It doesn’t mean that you missed a prompting.
49:30 Loren tells the story of a sister missionary and a prompting that she had and followed even though it made no sense.
52:00 Loren shares another story of how what seemed to be just a silly phone call saved a woman’s life.
56:40 Be a great leader by being a great follower of Jesus Christ.
LinksEnsign College Devotional: You ARE Receiving Revelation… Now ACT on it!
You Are Receiving Revelation, Now Act on it!, by Loren Dalton
There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts in the community HERE.
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Loren Grant Dalton graduated from the Harvard Business School and has served as the President or CEO of five different companies. One of his greatest loves is missionary work and he has served in a full-time mission for over 16 years of his life—as a missionary, president, or in a mission presidency, both in the U.S. and Brazil). While serving as mission president, Loren saw far too many missionaries and members who felt that they had never had a prompting through the Spirit. They wondered what was wrong with them. Although he didn’t consider himself to be a writer, this was a book he knew needed to be written. Loren married his high school sweetheart, Annette Nielsen, and they are the parents of four children.
Highlights03:20 Loren speaks on being in a mission presidency and a mission president.
05:50 Speaking at Stake Conference and how he prepared to speak
08:00 Loren recently came out with his first book, You Are Receiving Revelation: Now Act on It. He talks about why he felt inspired to write it.
11:00 We all receive revelation in different ways. Many feel like we aren’t hearing the spirit because we don’t have these huge revelatory moments. We need to teach the youth how the spirit typically talks to us.
13:30 Kurt shares his own personal experience receiving revelation and how he doesn’t have these huge overwhelming moments.
14:20 The Holy Ghost is speaking to us spirit to spirit but as physical beings we’ve forgotten how the Spirit communicates. We have to relate to it as a physical being. A lot of times we miss the promptings we are having because we think it’s our own thought.
15:45 Was that the Spirit or was that me? Maybe it wasn’t the Spirit but we can still act on our promptings. Each time we act on the first prompting it’s like we are tuning in our celestial radio and each time we act on a prompting it gets easier to recognize.
17:00 Kurt shares his struggle listening to content constantly, such as a podcast or book. There is always something playing and he forgets to let his spirit and brain breathe and actually be able to listen to the Holy Spirit.
18:15 One thing that Loren used to tell the missionaries is not to just pop up after saying amen after your prayer. Take a minute and actually let God respond to you.
19:20 Teaching those that we lead how to receive revelation. How can we better teach this principle?
23:00 We also need to keep in mind that Satan is also a spirit and he can give us promptings. We need to recognize the difference between the Spirit and Satan. Follow your FIRST prompting. Satan will normally come second.
29:45 Even if they have sinned, God will still talk to them. Satan makes us feel like we are out of the reach of God because we sinned.
31:40 Kurt shares an experience that he had as a bishop helping a member know that God still loved him and wanted to speak to him even though he had made some bad choices and had been disfellowshipped. God doesn’t give anyone the silent treatment.
32:50 Well-intentioned family members and church leaders can accidentally be the voice of the adversary.
33:30 Remember that Satan is the second voice that comes and tries to convince us not to follow the first voice. Another way to recognize Satan is that he talks in the first person. Negative self talk is not us. It’s the adversary.
38:10 God doesn’t need logic but Satan uses logic to try to convince us not to follow God’s promptings. It didn’t make sense to build an ark on dry ground or cross the red sea but in the end people were able to see.
43:30 Act on a prompting right way because you never know how urgent it is.
43:45 Basketball analogy. Loren believes that God uses bank shots. The shots that are so far away that you are sure they will miss but then they don’t. Sometimes God sends you a way that just doesn’t make sense but then you see how God knew exactly what he was doing and makes the shot.
44:10 Loren shares inspiring stories of following the Spirit from the missionaries.
47:50 Sometimes bad things just happen. It doesn’t mean that you missed a prompting.
49:30 Loren tells the story of a sister missionary and a prompting that she had and followed even though it made no sense.
52:00 Loren shares another story of how what seemed to be just a silly phone call saved a woman’s life.
56:40 Be a great leader by being a great follower of Jesus Christ.
LinksEnsign College Devotional: You ARE Receiving Revelation… Now ACT on it!
You Are Receiving Revelation, Now Act on it!, by Loren Dalton
There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts in the community HERE.
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jennifer Roach is a licensed mental health counselor living in American Fork, Utah. She joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints four years ago after being in the Protestant church her whole life. She currently serves as a Gospel Doctrine teacher in her ward. Jennifer is the recipient of this year’s “John Taylor Defender of the Faith” award and the BH Robert’s Research Grant. Her research primarily focuses on issues that arise when sexual abuse happens in churches. Jennifer does a weekly podcast for FAIR Latter-day Saints that focuses on questions that arise about our faith from Evangelicals. She also teaches as an adjunct for Brigham Young University-Idaho.
Highlights01:50 Kurt introduces Jennifer Roach and her background as a therapist for sexual abuse.
03:30 Jennifer will speak on four specific claims pertaining to the Church and sexual abuse and seven things that the Church does to go above and beyond what most churches do to help and protect youth.
7:00 Jennifer addresses some of the biggest questions that people have. One big question that people have is, “Is there more sexual abuse in our church or not?” Sometimes the media twists things to make it seem that way.
8:30 Boy Scout records data on abuse. Jennifer reviewed and researched all these cases from the past 80 years and was able to find how cases the Church of Jesus Christ has compared to other churches. Around 5.6% of the abuse cases were Latter-day Saint related.
19:10 Why doesn’t the Church do background checks? Jennifer explains the three issues with background checks.
- The issue of delayed disclosure. Most people don’t disclose the abuse they received until they’re in their 50s to 70s.
- Background checks are not thorough. It’s not a deep dive into someone’s past. It only shows convicted crimes but not accusations.
- It only covers the past 7 years.
29:30 The danger of telling people that someone has been background checked. We believe that means this person is squeaky clean and they can be trusted. It really means that they don’t have convictions and they aren’t on the sex offenders list but it does not mean they are safe.
32:20 Jennifer talks about the case from the previous year. The man passed the federal background check every year despite doing horrific things to his own children and none of it was on his record.
34:20 The Church’s helpline. There have been a lot of claims accusing the Church’s helpline of hiding abuse but if we look deeper into the case we find most of these claims are untrue.
38:00 Why do we need a helpline?
- It helps leaders know what to report.
- Each state’s laws are different.
- The helpline helps bishops fulfill their legal responsibilities and get the correct help for the victim.
48:00 There are standard best practices when working with youth and the Church follows all of them. They are all in the handbook. Another concern is there isn’t always a window in the bishop’s office. However, a youth can take a parent, leader, or friend into the bishop’s office. It’s in the handbook.
53:10 What is the Church doing that goes above and beyond those gold standard things in child protection?
- The helpline
- Disfellowshipping
- Gender specific leaders for young women
- The member number system
- Existing associations (go to church with your neighbors who know you)
- Being sustained
- Being called
1:10:50 How can we be better at detecting abuse that is currently going on? Most of the time kids disclose abuse by accident. They normally aren’t going to disclose it to you directly.
1:22:50 Is there anything else we can do to help stop abuse?
LinksJennifer’s Presentation Slides: PowerPoint format | PDF format
4 Reasons Why Bishops Should Be Meeting with Youth | An Interview with Jennifer Roach
Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach
Jennifer’s work at Public Square
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in October 2018.
Scott Braithwaite has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and specializes in marriage counseling. He is a professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University, has a busy private practice, and also enjoys working with the BYU men's basketball team. Scott is a popular presenter at BYU Education Week, where he has taught about supporting loved ones through a faith crisis. He previously served as bishop of his ward and is currently serving on his stake high council.
Highlights 10:10 The difference between sadness and depression 13:40 Leaders should ask for recommendations for good qualified counselors 14:15 You choose who to marry. God gives you agency. 17:40 Scott shares his experience going through a faith crisis 22:40 James Fowler’s Stages of Faith can be helpful in understanding what someone may be going through. Stage three faith identifies as a group, has rules, and is concrete. Most fall under this level of faith. Things also appear black and white. 29:00 During a faith crisis the bottom falls out, they can leave the faith and find community elsewhere. 30:35 Going through the stages of faith are not linear 33:00 Perfectionism shows up in our minds as rules, as all or nothing. 33:40 Doctrinal Latter-day Saints vs. Cultural Latter-day Saints 34:50 Sometimes struggling with faith comes from cultural issues 36:50 The idea of organic evolution showcases the different thought processes of doctrinal vs. cultural Latter-day Saints 38:10 You can’t go back to stage 3 40:30 Stage 5 is accepting the complexity of faith 40:50 Faith allows room for doubt 42:00 All faith allows room for wrestling 43:00 Stage 6 examples, such as Mother Teresa. Most people fall between stages 3, 4, and 5. 46:40 We can act as a midwife and help while people are in a faith crisis 48:30 Help others going through a faith crisis by listening to them. Listen more than talk. 50:50 Elder Ballard: Leaders ought to know and be able to address the difficult questions 56:00 There is a progression from stage 3 to stage 4 57:00 We should be able to talk about doubt at church 59:45 Help create a culture of faith 1:02:00 Elder Hafen's stages of faith Links "Like a Broken Vessel", by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, by Linda King Newell Stages of Faith, by James Fowler Planted, by Patrick Mason "On Dealing with Uncertainty", by Bruce C. Hafen "Help Build 'Unwavering Faith' in Students’ Lives, Elder Ballard Tells CES Teachers" Scott Braithwaite BYU Bio TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tom Roberts, PhD, DD, holds a BTh from Triune Biblical University, a MTh from Covenant Bible College and Seminary, as well as an MDiv and PhD in Theology from Hellenic Orthodox University in Athens, Greece, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at EUCLID University. Dr. Roberts has published two books, From Sacral Kingship to Sacred Marriage – A Theological Analysis of Literary Borrowing, and Divorce and Remarriage – A Middle Eastern View. His articles have appeared in Ancient American, Convergent Streams, and other professional publications. Dr. Roberts has presented at Kent State University’s Communal Studies Group conference, and the Society for Mormon Philosophy and Theology, and reviewed books and articles for The Interpreter Foundation. Tom is also the co-author with Brent Schmidt for the BYU New Testament Commentary volume on Romans and recently taught at BYU Education Week. He and his wife reside in Big Piney, Wyoming. Highlights 01:40 Tom joined the Church in 2017 but has been familiar with the Church since the 1960's. Tom shares his faith journey.
12:00 The moment in 2017 that led him to be baptized. He read the Doctrine and Covenants thinking he was going to disprove it but it led him to be converted.
17:45 Tom’s cultural experience in the Church after being a Catholic Priest.
23:00 The importance of knowledge in the church. It’s important to gain the skills necessary to minister to others. We need to do better preparing people for callings instead of just handing them a handbook.
31:0 The guides and curriculum are there for us but we need to take advantage of them. Tom sees a lot of misinformation in gospel doctrine.
36:00 The effort of leadership development begins by acquiring a strong theological foundation of our beliefs. It’s not just for the sake of intellect. It’s to inform your heart and your growth.
39:15 People are afraid of intellectual pursuits in our culture. While doing seminary, come follow me, and going on a mission are all great, there is more. Giving youth powerful spiritual experiences is important but there is also the piece of gaining deep spiritual knowledge.
42:30 The church focuses more on a very young-oriented spirituality. We go through different spiritual spiritual steps throughout our lives.
44:00 Joseph Smith didn’t have a corporate view of the church. Tom explains what he means by ‘corporate.’
45:30 Local leaders are afraid to step out of line from the 'corporate' church to also pursue more academic and theological information. We need to broaden LDS worship. Everything in our church is so streamlined and almost too much so.
53:10 Tom shares what he would share with a new bishop or Relief Aociety president that wants to move forward with some of these ideas. Tom recommends beginning with Friday or Saturday fireside to talk about more academic subjects. We want to mature the tradition of the church, not attack it.
55:30 Leaders that push the boundaries and create change.
1:03:10 Pushing this movement forward isn’t about any particular person or for self aggrandizement. It’s about unifying in the spirit within our faith and with other faiths too. We need a revolution of the heart.
1:06:00 The more you understand others, the more you understand yourself. Tom believes that this is what the saints need to do. We need to be asking more questions. Having questions is not a bad thing. We cannot question our faith in a faithful way.
1:10:00 Tom shares his final testimony and thoughts on his time as a leader. Links YouTube channel: Sacral Kingship of Christ BYU New Testament Commentary Facebook: Sacral Kingship of Christ Tom Roberts at Academia.edu TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead.
YSAs often have questions and potential concerns regarding the Church’s history. In this episode, two church historians discuss how YSA leaders can respond to questions about church history and what resources are available. At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find podcasts.
Please give us your feedback about this episode by filling out this short questionnaire: https://research.churchofjesuschrist.org/jfe/form/SV_bqG61EEsAqjJ9n8
Gary C. Laney is CEO of Success Masters, #1 bestselling author, former high-tech software executive, former co-Founder and CEO of Trustegrity, a startup investor, and a serial entrepreneur for 20 businesses. Gary has been recognized as a top presenter, motivating tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, professionals, and salespeople. Prior to his entrepreneurial run, Gary spent 25 years as an executive in corporate high-tech and commercial publishing, including for a public company where he was VP of Sales and one of four members that made up the office of the president. He is known for his ability to turn around sales organizations, struggling businesses, and create dramatic revenue growth. Gary has a triple major MBA from Northwestern Kellogg in finance, marketing, and policy. He served a mission in Seville, Spain, and is the author of The Power of Strategic Influence! 10 Success Factors of Highly Influential Leaders. Highlights 01:45 Kurt introduces Gary and his professional background
03:10 Early on in his career, Gary has received mentorship from some very influential people, such as Steven Covey and President Monson.
06:00 The impact of Steven Covey
07:00 Principles that Gary learned from Steven Covey and President Monson
09:10 Begin with the end in mind. Sticking to tasks and finishing them.
11:00 Gary talks about his book, The Power of Strategic Influence. It’s about helping people solve problems and maximizing your potential as a person.
15:00 In callings in the Church we need to start by thinking of what we want the end result to be. The principle of beginning with the end in mind.
19:45 Influence takes work to really earn it. The title of influence cannot be self proclaimed. The same goes for the title of leader or bishop. It’s bestowed on you by the people.
21:30 If you want to have influence then give first.
23:40 How do we find balance in giving? Gary shares a story from his mission. They focused first on making people’s day better instead of only focusing on a lesson or people joining the church.
27:00 Servant leadership. A true leader is someone that is barely noticed. There is a lot of ego in leadership and we want to be noticed. We have to be ok with not being recognized for our work.
29:30 Gary shares an experience from his mission in Spain. Not pushing someone into baptism but holding space for them until they were truly ready.
34:00 Gary’s six spheres
Sphere 1 - Perspective - Counting the costs up front, committing, and not looking back Sphere 2 - Accountability - People trust you Sphere 3 - Relationships - People trust and want to follow you Sphere 4 - Become a leader - You accept the role Sphere 5 - Opportunity to influence people Sphere 6 - Give back - Not just physical things but consoling, listening, and loving others
37:15 The two successful factors of accountability are 1. Accepting personal responsibility. 2. To become responsible and self reliant.
41:30 How to help with apathy and stimulate accountability in an elders quorum
46:30 Gary talks about the new book he is working on.
51:50 What Gary has learned from being a leader Links The Power of Strategic Influence! 10 Success Factors of Highly Influential Leaders GaryCLaney.com TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III,
In this episode, licensed therapist Sheldon and YSA Xochitle discuss approaching mental health issues with YSAs.
At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify.
Please give us your feedback about this episode by filling out this short questionnaire: https://research.churchofjesuschrist.org/jfe/form/SV_7Q9IfqfY2fzvmcK
Previously U.S. Senate legal counsel and general counsel of Brigham Young University, Judge Thomas B. Griffith was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by President George W. Bush. President Biden later appointed him to the President’s Commission on the Supreme Court. Judge Griffith authored Lost, Not Stolen: The Conservative Case that Biden Won and Trump Lost the 2020 Presidential Election along with former federal appeals court judges Michael McConnell and Michael Luttig. He is currently a lecturer on law at Harvard and Stanford, a fellow at the Wheatley Institute at BYU, and active in rule-of-law projects in Central and Eastern Europe. Inspired by the scholarship of Elder Matthew Holland, Judge Griffith devotes a great deal of his time to speaking and writing about the need to emphasize “civic charity” in American political life.
After graduating from BYU and before beginning his legal studies at the University of Virginia, Judge Griffith was a full-time employee of the Church Educational System, directing Seminary and Institute of Religion programs in the Baltimore, Maryland area. His service in the Church includes a full-time mission to southern Africa, bishop of a family ward in northern Virginia, president of a campus stake at BYU, and teaching young single adult Institute. He also serves on the advisory board of the Faith Matters Foundation.
A convert to the Church, Brother Griffith married fellow-convert Susan Stell Griffith. They live in rural northern Virginia and are the parents of six and the grandparents of eleven. Highlights 02:00 Kurt introduces the episode and Thomas Griffith.
04:20 Thomas introduces himself and his professional and religious background.
07:00 Thomas’ conversion story
13:30 His first career was in the church education system. He later became a lawyer and judge.
15:00 Speaking at the BYU devotional and his popular talk, The Very Root of Christian Doctrine and his time as a stake president. Every talk and every lesson given in the stake needed to have a direct link to the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
23:30 After one year of getting everyone in the stake to make the Atonement the main focus of every single talk and lesson they saw amazing results. The bishops reported back with excitement.
27:15 What it actually means to focus on and teach doctrine at church.
28:00 The most important thing that a bishop can do is put on a GREAT sacrament meeting! When Thomas was bishop he sat down with each speaker to discuss the topic and how to link it to the atonement. It was a lot of work but he focused on the details.
32:15 Where the idea and vision came from to focus more on Christ at church
35:45 The hard work that goes into establishing a culture and vision in our wards and stakes. They had to be persistent and repetitive with their messages.
38:00 Refocus the core message on Jesus and redemption so that people leave feeling uplifted and not bogged down. Speakers should be told that they aren’t there to call people to repentance. “Refresh” people’s hearts and make them feel encouraged and nourished.
43:45 Additional tips for making sacrament meeting great. Everything ought to flow out of the experience that we have partaking of the sacrament. You don’t just take it and then move on.
45:45 Thomas’ time as a judge
47:30 Lessons learned from being a judge that can also be applied to church leadership. We should also always use the counsel system and not make decisions alone. Decisions should be made through the process of discussion and disagreement. This is where revelation happens.
52:20 Thomas shares principles that he learned while serving as stake president at BYU. They wanted a pure religion community instead of the activities committee. Every ward was to form a partnership with a service provider and those would be the church activities.
58:10 You can’t do everything.
At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify.
Monte Holm spent his early years working on a farm in Idaho, and at age 17 moved himself to St. George, Utah, where he worked odd jobs in construction, finished high school, joined the Church, and chose to serve a two-year mission in North Carolina. Following his mission and studying at Dixie State University, Monte co-founded and built a successful financial services business with hundreds of offices across North America. He has served as elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president, and with his wife Lisa served as leaders of the South Carolina Columbia Mission, and have also served on corporate boards and as trustees for charitable organizations. Monte authored the book Expect to Win and he and Lisa are often asked to speak at conventions, universities, and at business, church and charity events. They currently live in St. George, Utah, and have six children and 23 grandchildren. Highlights 02:10 Monte grew up in a fundamentalist community but joined the Church when he was 17 years old. He talks about his conversion story.
06:50 He served a mission at age 19 and was called to North Carolina. He later served as mission president in South Carolina.
08:10 After getting home from his mission he was mentored by a man that he met on the mission in the financial services industry.
09:30 Monte talks about his first leadership experiences in the Church shortly after joining. His Bishop gave him a calling right away and has been one of the most influential people in his life.
12:00 Monte has had the opportunity to serve as an elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president. One of the things that he learned about the most is love. When it’s about the people you serve and not about you, you lose yourself in their lives and not your own.
13:30 Examples of showing love
17:45 Transitioning from being a bishop to stake president. One thing that he learned and that he really felt in this transition was that duty is more important than pleasure.
21:40 Monte served as stake president for seven years due to moving out of the area. He felt like it was his duty to stay for the nine years but had a very instructional calling with a general authority. The Lord has also prepared others to take our place. It’s okay to have changes.
26:50 Transitioning out of being a stake president.
28:30 Monte was called to be a mission president before he was a bishop and stake president. He tells the story of getting called by Elder Holland.
31:00 How being a mission president before being a stake president impacted how he served as a stake president.
33:15 How he handled meetings with young people that were preparing for a mission. Things he did to make sure they were prepared.
35:50 Starting out as mission president in South Carolina. Monte talks about the process of getting prepared and trained beforehand.
38:10 Casting a vision on his mission and missionaries. Aligning your vision with the Lord and the first presidency.
43:40 Reflections on being a mission president for three years in South Carolina. Things that he taught his missionaries. Setting culture through mottos and sayings.
50:00 There are really only two things that inspire people: things that they see and things that they hear. When people see you and hear you being a great leader they will be inspired to do the same.
51:30 Monte’s final thoughts on leadership Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg,
Anna Rast is a service missionary for the Disability Services division of the Priesthood and Family Department at Church headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. She loves serving as the stake disability specialist in the American Fork East Stake, and she previously had the honor of serving as the stake disability specialist for the Valencia California Stake. She lives with her wonderful husband, her two fantastic and brilliant children with autism, and her tiny dog, Daisy. Highlights 02:20 Anna shares her background as a service missionary at Church headquarters in the disability department. She is also the disability specialist for the American Fork East Stake.
03:15 Disability specialist is a new calling and most people don’t know about it because there aren’t many called.
04:10 Anna has two kids on the autism spectrum and that is how she got into disability work. She shares stories of them growing up with these issues.
09:20 The power of a disability specialist is to have an advocate and to make sure that there is a place for everybody.
11:10 There are five things that a disability specialist does
They serve as a resource for ward leaders, stake leaders, families and individuals. Get to know and reach out to families that are touched with disabilities. Research all of the members' disability-related questions and concerns. Identify meaningful ways to serve people with disabilities. Identify community resources to help church members.
14:40 Working with Primary-age children. The specialist can work with Primary leaders, do trainings, and classroom observations. The Church also has online trainings available.
19:00 Calling classroom helpers and working one on one with kids that might need a little extra help.
20:20 Other resources that are available. Facebook group - Disability Specialists The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is where people can ask questions and post scenarios.
22:00 Some needs are obvious to identify. Some wards might think they don’t have any disabilities but really there are always extra needs and struggles in every ward. Some families might need extra ministers. Some people might have a problem that isn’t diagnosed.
28:30 You don’t have to have a disability to work with the disability specialist. Maybe you have a temporary need that you need help with or a struggle that you need some extra support.
30:40 The number one thing that Anna sees that adults are struggling with is anxiety and depression.
33:00 We need the gifts and talents of each member. Every member needs a friend and a calling. Be prayerful on how someone with a disability can help and be included. Don’t just mark their name off the list.
35:50 The Church recently released some new guidelines for service animals.
37:00 Helping the elderly and people struggling. If you don’t have a disability specialist, ask for one!
39:50 There is a facilities manager for every building. So if you have someone with mobility issues you can contact the manager to fix mobility problems in the buildings and make them more accessible. Also think about what activities you are doing to include the needs of all the members.
42:10 How to find out if your stake has a disability specialist or not.
43:00 Ways to support families that are touched with disabilities.
47:40 Anybody can be a disability specialist. You don’t have to have any work experience or degree. You just have to be willing to serve.
48:30 Anna shares how her calling has blessed her and taught her. Links
Handbook: Disability Specialist Calling Disability Resources Facebook: Disability Specialists - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Policies and Guidelines Related to Disabilities To contact Anna, use our Contact Page and we will pass on your message TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent...
Dr. Ben Erwin received his master's degree from the University of Hawaii, and his PhD from Brigham Young University. His clinical specialties include marriage counseling, addictions and working with adolescents. Ben is currently the program manager for the Addiction Recovery Program for the Church and is also adjunct faculty for Utah Valley University's Marriage and Family Therapy program. He has served as a member of the Utah Governor’s Behavioral Health Workgroup and a board member of the Salt Lake County Mayor’s Behavioral Health Advisory Council. He and his wife Sarah are the proud parents of five children.
Highlights 03:40 Ben Erwin's background. He's a project manager for the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He helps oversee the worldwide Addiction Recovery Program that the Church sponsors to help people find recovery through Christ. He has a varied educational background. Eventually he got a Masters degree and interned with Family Services. He has worked with Family Services ever since. He still meets with clients.
7:40 People ask Ben if it isn't difficult to be a therapist and walk through difficult issues with clients. He does walk through darkness with clients, but they don't stay there. He watches them grow and move towards the Savior.
9:30 There's not a better program to help people find hope and healing than the Addiction Recovery Program.
10:00 History of the ARP. Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by two Christian men who were suffering from alcoholism. They turned to the Bible for teachings to help themselves in their recovery.
11:00 What are the most important doctrines and principles to help someone recover and repent from addiction? Ben believes it is "the twelve steps" [of the AA program or the Church's ARP]. The twelve steps are the application of the principles. In the 1970's and 1980's, many church members were attending AA meetings and asked church leaders if they could have AA meetings at the church. That is where the Addiction Recovery Program was born. Last year, there were 400,000 "seats filled."
14:20 Ben is contacted by church leaders across the world. One of the frequent questions they ask is "What kind of help can I get?" Ben first refers the leader to a local Family Services counselor, even before he suggests the Addiction Recovery Program.
15:30 A leader can reach out to a local Family Service counselor at any time with a question about helping a member. The counselor will, for free, counsel with the church leader to develop a plan to help the member. The counselor won't tell the church leader what to do. But they will help the church leader see the issues from a therapeutic, social, or emotional point of view.
19:00 When a church leader is counseling with a member, the church leader may "prescribe" Family Services. However, even before referring the member to Family Services, the church leader can counsel with the Family Services counselor to help the church leader in their discussions with the member. Performing the consultation up-front avoids the disconnect and gives the church leader more ideas of what they can do as the spiritual minister. For example, when bishops consult with the Family Services counselor, it can help the bishop see the things the therapist can do that may be different from what the bishop can do.
22:20 There can be a misconception of what Family Services is. We frequently understand it as "the Church's therapists." Family Services' primary mission is to assist leaders to assist members to develop emotional self-reliance and overcome obstacles to keeping covenants. Therapy is part of what Family Services does, but consultation with church leaders is the primary duty of Family Services.
25:00 Some leaders may not utilize Family Services because there is not a location near them. That's fine. Even if the leader doesn't use Family Services for therapy,
Max Hall is a former quarterback for Brigham Young University and later played in the National Football League for the Arizona Cardinals and in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Over the course of his football career, Max sustained multiple concussions as well as other injuries that led to an opioid addiction. Today he is the varsity offensive coordinator at American Leadership Academy High School in Queen Creek, Arizona, and co-owner of Victory Recovery, an addiction recovery program. Highlights 2:15 Max Hall played as a quarterback at BYU. Later he played professionally for the Arizona Cardinals.
6:20 Max felt his faith was strong and his testimony grew at BYU. But he began to be consumed by his identity as a football player. He began to lose focus on his callings as a husband, father, and in the Church. Football became his focus and his identity. In his first few games, he was knocked out twice with concussions. A few games later he dislocated his shoulder. Dislocating his shoulder changed him. He felt that his NFL career was over, and consequently that he was losing his identity. At the same time, he was given a 30-day supply of percocet to manage the pain of the shoulder injury. The Percocet made him feel better. He took the 30-day supply in three days. The drug hooked him, and he became physically addicted.
9:30 Max started losing focus on everything other than the drugs. The drugs became more important than recovery and than being a good father.
10:15 Max had previously tried Percocet in high school. He gave in to peer pressure and tried some with friends. It was an amazing feeling. In high school, he didn't get addicted to it. He'd try it on weekends for fun. After his shoulder injury, when he finished his 30-day supply in three days, he called up his high school friend, who supplied him with oxycontin.
12:00 The following year, Max played again. But he dislocated his shoulder again. His addiction continued to grow. He turned to other drugs - heroin, cocaine, meth. Over the next five years, Max did have times of sobriety. He failed an NFL drug test, and a doctor put him on suboxone. Max started coaching at BYU, and it started out well. But come spring, he started using again. He played for two years in the CFL, where he didn't use hard drugs. When he came back to Arizona, he had a bad relapse. He was arrested for possessing cocaine. When it hit the press, he considered suicide. His mom called him, he entered rehab, and he started on his path to sobriety.
17:45 Addiction is hell. It takes your soul. It makes you a different person. He was a manipulator, a liar, and a cheater. He would do anything he had to do to keep his addiction going. It takes the soul of the addict and breaks the hearts of those around them. In rehab, he was wondering how he could ever fix everything that was wrong. He's been fortunate to have a strong support system.
18:40 Max does EDD's (every day drills) to keep himself right. He gets up with the alarm, goes to the gym, does meditation, and reads a book to set himself up for the day. He's been doing it for over 8 years. Without a program and discipline, it won't work. A lot of recovery is the things you do on a daily basis to make yourself a better person.
20:30 During his addiction, Max could not look up. He had lost his connection with the Spirit and with Christ. It got to the point where he was mad at God - "Why did this happen to me?" It took a lot of searching and prayer and relying on the Savior to regain that connection. Without Christ, Max wouldn't be where he is at. 22:00 Max considers getting arrested to be a blessing. His secret was out. He wanted to die. He wanted to disappear. But he had to make a decision to own it and to fight. Max's wife told him that if he was willing to fight, she would fight alongside him.
23:00 Max's wife learned of his addiction about a year into it. He lied about being sober and he convinced her to k...
To register for the Recovering Saints virtual conference visit: https://leadingsaints.org/recovering
The Hope of God's Light Video
Kevin Asher is the bishop of a young single adult ward in Far West, Missouri, and has previously served in an elders quorum presidency, Young Men presidency, as a ward mission leader, and as a counselor in a YSA bishopric. He holds a degree in Psychology from Menlo College, studied to be a Catholic priest in the Capuchin Franciscan Order, and has has traveled to numerous countries exploring culinary traditions and cultures. He and his wife own a business—The Asher Family Table—cultivating connection through food and experiences. Kevin won the Silos Baking Competition Holiday Cookie Episode in 2022. Highlights 02:40 Introduction to Kevin, the YSA Bishop and chef
07:40 Getting called as a YSA bishop. He refers to himself as Jesus Christ’s nurse. Christ is the true physician.
13:30 The Savior is the perfect example of leadership. Being a servant leader. “To be a good leader is to be an even better servant.”
17:20 How do you offer servant leadership? Remember that it's not about you, it's about them. It’s their journey.
19:40 Kevin shares a personal story on helping someone come to Christ. Questions to ask yourself when trying to help someone:
What key can I be for this individual? What is binding them up or constricting them? How can I be a key for them to unlock that lock to feel the Savior more?
24:00 Stop talking at people. Stop going in as a fixer. That’s not your job. What questions can we ask people to figure out where people are at?
27:20 Discovering God is at the root of all questions
28:20 Be careful with why questions because they invite the adversary. Ask questions with a sincere heart.
29:30 Compassion is sitting down with any person from any background and seeing them as a child of God. Even within our faith we all have different views and perspectives and we have to show compassion.
33:10 From Catholic to LDS Bishop. Kevin shares some of his spiritual journey. Links The Asher Family Table Silos Baking Competition: Holiday Edition TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Joseph Grenny is a lifelong student of social science whose writings are references in major universities around the world. He is a New York Times bestselling author of eight books, including leadership, influence and communication classics Crucial Conversations, Influencer, Crucial Accountability, and Change Anything. His books are available in over 30 languages and have sold over six million copies.
Joseph is a co-founder and current board chair of Unitus Labs, an international nonprofit that has helped over 15 million of the world’s poorest to move toward self reliance. In 2015 he and his colleagues started The Other Side Academy, a 2.5-year school for those with long histories of crime, addiction and homelessness. The Other Side Academy is free, requiring only a desire to change for admission.
In April 2021, Joseph and the leaders of The Other Side Academy announced their intention to build The Other Side Village, a 400-home community for those who are chronically homeless based on principles of self-reliance and peer accountability. Joseph is married to the former Celia Marie Waldron. They have six children and eight grandchildren and live in Salt Lake City. Highlights 02:45 Introduction to Joseph Grenny
04:20 Moroni’s war on addiction
06:10 Joseph’s work with addicts. Satan makes addiction look so attractive that all of us are falling to it.
10:30 The definition of addiction and modern addictions that interrupt our ability to feel the Spirit
11:30 The word of wisdom isn’t so much about substances but the evil designs of conspiring people. People that manipulate us in order to invade our agency.
13:00 Joseph’s son Seth’s story. His addiction to heroin.
19:50 Even with Joseph’s background he couldn’t help his son with his addiction. He couldn’t understand it. He turned to the scriptures and learned profound truths from Moroni.
Saving Principles from Joseph’s book, Moroni’s War on Addiction.
26:30 Satan wins when you hide the problem so rally your troops. 32:00 It’s ok to make mistakes. You are a small-s savior not the capital-S Savior. 35:10 Victory has nothing to do with the strength of the enemy. 40:40 The best way to motivate the rebellious is to get out of God's way. 50:00 You are commanded to feel joy while the war is raging. You do this by looking for tender mercies and practicing gratitude.
54:10 A lot of us at one point heard the phrase, “No good parent is ever happier than their least happy child.” If this is true then Heavenly Father must have a miserable life. The truth is that Heavenly Father is the happiest person.
1:01:00 Joseph shares his final testimony and how his son is doing now. He now works with hundreds of addicts at The Other Side Academy.
1:05:10 You never know how many attempts it’s going to take to overcome an addiction. There is no key. As a loved one you just have to surrender and let them deal with the consequences. It’s not your responsibility to fix or save someone.
1:08:40 What do people need from their ward or bishop that are going through addiction?
1:10:10 Showing up authentically. “I've sat in far too many priesthood meetings where we’re talking about abstract concepts when people are dealing with concrete problems in the room…”
1:11:10 A lot of rehabs just don’t work. The Other Side Academy isn’t your typical rehab. It’s a 2-year program, not just a 30-, 60-, or 90-day program. It’s a long-term program for long-term problems.
1:14:14 Parents of a teenage addict. What is the approach there? Links Recovering Saints Virtual Conference Moroni's War on Addiction: A Scripture Hero's Strategy to Win Today's Battle for Souls The Other Side Academy Are we Losing?: A Gospel Perspective on Imperfect Families Jacob's Answer to Parental Despair: The Olive Tree and the Antichrist TRANSCRIPT coming soon
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saint...
Jill Johnson was born and raised in Cache Valley, Utah. She graduated with a dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education from Utah State University and taught both high school resource classes and fourth grade before beginning a career as full-time mom. She is a self-taught graphic designer and designs for several companies including Snapfish and Swivelhead. Jill served in the Venezuela Valencia Mission and has had a variety of ward and stake callings, including Gospel Doctrine teacher, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, stake Young Women president, and stake Primary secretary. Her favorite calling of all time is stake Young Women camp leader. Jill currently serves as the Primary president for her stake. She lives in South Jordan, Utah with her husband, three children and a puppy named Ginny. Highlights 04:20 Jill’s background and her experience at the Leading Saints women’s retreat.
07:50 The story behind Jill getting called to be the stake Primary president.
08:30 Stepping into her role as stake Primary president. The difficulty of starting.
12:00 Elevate primary and elevate yourself.
15:30 #1 Elevate Jesus in Primary. Four ways to invite Jesus into Primary.
Begin with Jesus - more pictures of Jesus up front Center on Jesus - saying His name more often. Focus teaching on Him. Focus on the children End with Jesus - always ending Primary with a testimony of Jesus
20:40 #2 Elevate leadership of Primary
Model a clear vision Model clear communication
28:30 #3 Elevate Stake Primary calling
What does the stake Primary even do? How would Jesus serve if He was in your calling? Be more present in the wards so that people actually know you The stake is the guardian over the structure. Making sure the organization is running according to the handbook.
34:00 Issues that seem to come up in Primary over and over again. Jill shares ways to help with these conflicts and issues.
Teachers feeling lonely and forgotten Issue of conflict between Bishoprics & Primary presidents
40:00 In the Church we used to lose our youth at 14 or 15 years old but now we are losing them at 10 or 11. There is a need to elevate Primary and really focus on the children at a young age.
43:40 Jill shares her testimony on leadership and how it has changed her. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brant Hansen is an author, nationally syndicated radio host, and advocate for healing children through CURE International. He’s won national “personality of the year” awards for his work on his offbeat and quirky radio show, which airs on more than 200 stations. His podcast with his friend and radio producer, Sherri Lynn (“The Brant and Sherri Oddcast”) has been downloaded more than 10 million times. Brant's first book, Unoffendable, has prompted a national discussion on the idea of forgiveness, and our culture’s embrace of self-righteous anger. Brant and his wife Carolyn have been married 30 years and have two grown children. Highlights Summary coming soon Links BrantHansen.com Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better The Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Daniel Brown currently serves as bishop of the Searcy Ward in Searcy, Arkansas. He has previously served as a counselor in the bishopric, elders quorum president, Young Men president, and a counselor in the stake Young Men presidency, among other callings. He served in the Nevada, Las Vegas mission and has been married to Lacey Brown for 20 years. They are the parents of five children. Highlights 03:00 Introduction to Daniel Brown and leveraging the Justserve app
05:00 Daniel shares the background of his area in Arkansas.
07:50 The story of Daniel getting called as bishop and his awesome beard
09:40 What he focused on when starting out as bishop. He was called right after covid and during social distancing and it was a struggle to get back into ministering.
12:00 Why should we be using JustServe? Working with other churches to use JustServe too.
22:00 How Daniel’s ward is using the Justserve app
24:15 The easiest way to feel the love of Christ in our lives is to serve His sons and daughters.
25:00 The missionary effort in Arkansas
25:40 The lesson Daniel’s dad taught him when called as bishop
26:50 Handling youth dynamics as a bishop. They try to do one service activity a month with a youth. They use JustServe to help with these activities.
29:00 There is no role in the church that can’t be covered by the JustServe website.
30:10 Daniel’s testimony of how leadership has brought him closer to Jesus Christ Links JustServe.org TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Emily Belle Freeman has written more than a dozen books and spoken at a variety of conferences, workshops, and gatherings. She taught for many years in the Church Educational System and has served in numerous callings in the Church, including in Young Women, Sunday School, Relief Society, and fourteen times as girls camp director. She was called to be the next Young Women General President at the April 2023 general conference. Emily has a deep love of the scriptures, which comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life, and her greatest joy comes from spending time with her family. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to Emily Belle Freeman
03:15 Emily’s calling experience
04:00 What Emily learned as a girls camp director. She has been Girls Camp Director about 14 times. She explains how she let the girls lead girls camp.
10:15 Emily gives tips to structure girls camp. She involves the girls and they brainstorm all the activities, food, etc. together.
12:00 One thing Emily learned as a Relief Society President
14:40 What should a leader do or say going to visit someone in the hospital? Just be there.
20:30 Emily and Kurt discuss grace and how we can give grace as leaders
The difference between grace and the atonement Jesus will meet you where you are as you are with grace You don’t have to qualify for grace. It’s not after all you can do.
24:45 The different types of grace
Saving grace helps us overcome sin and death Exalting grace helps you become like Him. It transforms us and lifts us up.
26:30 As leaders we need to begin by meeting people where they are as they are (acceptance stage). It’s then that we invite Jesus in and lift.
28:25 Grace in the context of the bishop’s office.
Meet them where they are first and then see how they need to be lifted Love needs boundaries
31:45 Kurt and Emily discuss giving people grace but also having expectations for them. Emily shares a personal story of grace.
37:15 Bishops should acknowledge that people dealing with addictions and other problems are going to mess up and that’s ok. They shouldn’t set high expectations right off the bat. Expect them to mess up for a while as they go through the healing and changing process.
40:20 What is grace? Making space for growth and mistakes
41:50 Repentance: to turn again or turn back to. Repentance and grace work together as we turn to God for enabling strength.
44:45 What should bishops do to help people repent or turn back to God?
47:50 How does grace work when dealing with someone who has experienced a withdrawal of membership? Links emilybellefreeman.com Books by Emily Belle Freeman Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Do you feel called to be there?
See all the details for these retreats at: https://leadingsaints.org/gathering
Jeanette Bennett is a mother of five, magazine publisher, cancer survivor, current Relief Society president, and former ward and stake Young Women president. She is a frequent emcee, moderator, and speaker along the Wasatch Front. Jeanette was named Top Entrepreneur in Media in 2018, along with Martha Stewart. She sits on the Board of Trustees for Utah Valley University, Thanksgiving Point, and United Way. Jeanette loves coming up with themes for girls camp but can't cook or tie cute ribbons. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Jeanette Bennett
04:55 Jeanette explains why she and her husband started the Utah Valley magazine and their mission to contribute to the community.
7:30 The power of telling people’s stories in the community. Communicating helps create community.
9:40 Jeanette’s tips and advice to the newsletter specialist or someone that is trying to stimulate community in their ward
Make it about people Make it fun. Add humor. Highlight different people and things happening in the ward
12:00 How does ward culture and personality get formed? It’s important to know that one person can impact the culture of the ward even without a title or calling.
13:00 Jeanette’s leadership style
Acknowledge people one by one. Remember their names and their kids’ names. Remember things about them or significant things in their lives. Creative leadership. Having themes, colors, and ideas.
14:00 Being a busy Latter-day Saint and juggling all the things. Having faith to say yes to opportunities.
17:00 Saying no to things. Being intentional with your time. What things do and don’t bear fruit in your life?
21:00 Jeanette’s advice to mothers of young children that want to have an impact but are also balancing the dynamic of work, callings, and kids.
26:00 God is a God of miracles. Our faith to say yes and keep trying brings miracles. Give what you have and witness the miracle.
29:40 The temptation for perfection. Getting things done is better than having things perfect.
33:00 Delegation isn’t always the answer to every busy person’s problems. As a leader, you also have to take ownership and be the one to create the vision and framework. You can’t delegate that.
36:45 Leadership as a young women’s president
40:00 Girls camp tips. There are lots of great ideas out there but every brainstorming session needs to start on your knees. Your girls' needs are going to be different from other wards. Connect to heaven first instead of copying and pasting what other wards are doing.
44:00 Helpful ways to communicate with those in your organization. Use all your avenues.
45:30 When Jeanette started her calling as Relief Society president she sent out a survey to help her understand the needs and wants of her Relief Society.
50:20 Engaging with the people that are not so engaged in the ward. Suspend all judgment and understand where they are at. They have their reasons and if they don’t show up that's ok.
54:30 Things that Jeanette really felt that she needed to do when she started as Relief Society president.
Help the women document their spiritual experiences To get a pink golf cart. She goes to visit people on it and has them jump on. Links Utah Valley Magazine BusinessQ Magazine Utah Valley Bride TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander,
Brooke Petersen lives in Cleveland, Utah, a rural town south of Price. Her husband, Hans, commutes to West Valley City, Utah, where he practices pediatric dentistry. Brooke and Hans have five children, and Brooke enjoys working in the yard. She currently serves in the Church as the stake young women president of the Huntington Utah Stake.
Thomas Sitterud also lives in Cleveland with his wife and three children. He served a mission to Vladivostok, Russia, and then studied Russian at Brigham Young University. He graduated from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and specializes in estate planning. Thomas currently serves as stake Young Men president and stake high councilor. His previous service includes bishopric counselor and elders quorum president. Highlights 03:10 Introduction to Brooke and Thomas and their stake callings
07:20 Stake activities for the youth that they are preparing for
08:20 Stake young women president is Brooke’s first leadership calling. Even though she was intimidated she has been able to have lots of support and shares a fresh perspective.
12:10 Brooke shares the dynamic between her and the ward young women presidencies and how she works with them.
15:20 Thomas shares his perspective on working with the wards as stake young men president.
17:50 Focus on the what. Trying to get to know each girl better by attending youth sporting events and things they are involved with and sending out birthday cards to every girl in the stake.
24:00 Thomas shares what they do as stake leaders to help connect with the one.
27:20 Feeling supported by local leaders. Don’t tell people how important they are to you but show them how important they are to you by your actions and giving them your time.
29:40 Let the youth lead. Let them be a support to the ward just like the youth in Helaman’s army.
32:20 Brooke shares ways that they invite the youth to participate and lead. Giving the youth opportunities to speak with the high council on the third Sunday.
36:30 Getting youth involved at younger ages. Sometimes they have more enthusiasm for leadership roles.
39:30 Final thoughts on leadership. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Derwin L. Gray and his wife Vicki Gray are the co-founders of Transformation Church, just outside of Charlotte, North Carolina, where he serves as Lead Pastor. They met at Brigham Young University where he played football and she threw the javelin on the track team. They have two adult children. After graduating from BYU, Pastor Derwin played professional football in the NFL—five years with the Indianapolis Colts and one year with the Carolina Panthers. During that time, he and Vicki began their journey with Christ.
Pastor Derwin went on to graduate magna cum laude from Southern Evangelical Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in Apologetics, and was mentored by renowned theologian and philosopher, Dr. Norman Geisler. He was later awarded an honorary doctorate from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and he received his Doctor of Ministry in the New Testament in Context at Northern Seminary under Dr. Scot McKnight. Pastor Derwin speaks at conferences nationwide and is the author of several books, including How to Heal Our Racial Divide: What the Bible Says, and What the First Century Christians Knew about Racial Reconciliation. Highlights 02:00 Kurt introduces Pastor Derwin Gray.
03:30 What do you do as a pastor? It’s not a job. It’s a calling.
06:00 How he came to play with BYU football and in the NFL. The spiritual awakening that led Derwin to become a pastor.
13:00 Taking religious courses at BYU without much of a religious background. Derwin shares some of the experiences that he had in his classes.
16:30 Being at BYU taught Derwin to learn the story of other people that you love. It taught him a moral framework and what it means to take care of your own.
19:10 Leadership from Coach Edwards
He surrounded himself with good coaches He delegated to them He empowered his staff He built strong relationships
22:30 Delegation means finding and equipping the right people to implement the vision and championing them to do it.
23:30 Tips for delegation
You are clear on what you are asking them to do You are prepared to prepare them to do what you are asking them to do Celebrate them for what they do
26:45 Motivating the volunteers and people that are serving. Lovingly pushing people towards action.
32:15 The dynamic between the congregation and a pastor. They have a big staff to care for and shepherd their people. The pastor can’t do it alone.
34:40 The biggest things that Derwin sees that his congregation is struggling with: anxiety, depression, fatigue, comparison, trauma.
37:15 I can’t carry people’s hurts; I have to carry them to Jesus. Learning to have compassion without getting compassion fatigue.
39:40 Crash course on giving a sermon on Jesus. It’s not about information, it’s about transformation.
45:00 Derwin shares his insights on sharing a testimony. Many in our church testify that Joseph Smith is a prophet and that the Church is true but don’t talk about how Jesus has changed their lives.
46:00 The role of Derwin’s wife, Vicki, in the ministry. Women have a vital ministry role.
48:00 To be a bishop or pastor doesn’t mean telling people what to do. Their job is to serve the staff and congregation.
49:30 A lot of times we get our leadership style from culture and not from Christ.
52:40 Pastor Derwin shares his final thoughts and testimony on leadership. Links derwinlgray.com Books by Pastor Derwin Gray TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox,
Meagan Patterson is studying fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandise in Los Angeles. She is currently serving in her ward Young Women presidency in California. She has previously served as a ward Relief Society president and stake Relief Society president as a young single adult in Utah. She also served in the Zambia Lusaka mission. Highlights 2:40 Meagan’s background
4:30 Meagan shares her experience going from being in a Young Single Adult ward in Utah and moving as a mid-single adult to a geographical ward in California.
6:00 Previous leadership experience and mission in Zambia Lusaka
9:30 Story behind getting called to be the stake Relief Society president
12:50 Getting started as a Relief Society president and choosing counselors. Setting a foundation with the handbook.
16:20 Advice from Meagan’s dad before her mission. Let the elders serve you. It’s the same in our wards. Relief Society and elders quorum should serve one another and work hand in hand.
20:00 Coming together to work with the elders quorum. Things that Meagan did did to help the men in the ward to feel loved.
22:45 Love fuels leadership. We are leaders because we love. People recognize leadership when they feel loved.
24:40 Meagan’s experience working with young women. The unique challenges of an inner city ward.
28:20 Meagan shares her final thoughts and testimony on leadership and how it has brought her closer to the Savior. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is Part 2 of a 2-part podcast. Listen to Part 1 HERE. Sara Newman Sara Newman currently serves as a member of her ward’s Relief Society service committee in whatever capacity is needed. She earned her bachelor's degree in Family Science from Brigham Young University and enjoyed raising five children with her husband. She anticipates “retiring” soon, once her youngest is launched, and is enjoying her new role as a grandmother. She has lived in four states, served as Relief Society president in three different wards, and as Relief Society counselor, pianist, chorister, Cub Scout leader, Primary teacher and counselor, Relief Society teacher, and Gospel Doctrine teacher.
Highlights 0:15 Sara speaks on being released from as Relief Society president earlier than she expected.
3:30 “I cried when I got the calling; I cried when I got released. I was surprised by it.”
5:30 Something for leaders to think about is giving leaders more time to transition when a release is coming. It can be very jarring to have a calling and the next day nothing.
6:50 There was no excitement or relief getting released. Just devastation. Sara shares the reasons why she felt so hurt when released.
9:30 Part of the devastation was loneliness and loss of the community she was a part of. Also, not feeling like she was doing a good enough job.
12:30 Looking back Sara can say the time was right to get released because of health challenges that happened. She can see the Lord’s timing but at the moment it was very hard.
13:30 The first weeks after getting released were the hardest.
16:50 The bishopric and other ward council members had a small gathering to thank Sara for her service. It helped her have some closure.
19:20 Sara’s encouragement to other leaders that are also going through a transition after getting released Darren Bush Darren Bush is a husband, father, and paddler who advocates outdoor activities to feel the Spirit. Darren served a mission to southern Italy, met his wife, Stephanie, at Brigham Young University, and completed degrees in Italian and Psychology at University of Wisconsin–Madison after discovering it was the best place in the world. After completing a master’s degree at the University of Rochester the family moved back to Wisconsin where he eventually bought Rutabaga Paddlesports. He has previously served as a bishop, Primary teacher and nursery leader, elders quorum and Young Men president, ward missionary, high councilor, in a young single adult bishopric, and as an executive secretary and financial clerk.
Highlights 20:11 Darren Bush, recently-released bishop
22:30 The relationships that were built over the past five years as bishop were gone.
24:00 The day Darren got released made him feel lighter. He didn’t realize how much weight he was holding. However, it was still hard. Missing the people and seeing people’s faces.
26:30 The lost puppy phase after getting released
30:00 Advice Darren was given from his uncle, a former bishop. “Don’t go inactive.”
33:00 We need to separate our personal identity from our calling in the ward.
35:15 Combating loneliness after being bishop
40:45 Darren’s encouragement to the former leader that is fighting loneliness Julie Kiser Julie Kiser is a graduate of Brigham Young University and currently works part-time as a professional organizer and as a part-time administrative assistant to her husband and his financial advising firm. She currently serves as a special needs mutual advisor and a Gospel Doctrine teacher. Past callings include stake YSA Relief Society president, YSA Relief Society advisor, counselor in Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society presidencies, Primary teacher, Young Women advisor and compassionate service leader. Julie has been married for 37 years and has five children. She loves spending time with her husband and family, reading, long walks with friends, traveling, hiking, cooking and baking,
Kurt Francom is the founder and executive director of Leading Saints, manages the day-to-day efforts of Leading Saints, and is the host of the podcast. Kurt graduated from the University of Utah in 2008 with a degree in Business Marketing. He ran a web development company for five years before focusing on Leading Saints full time. Kurt currently lives in Stansbury Park, Utah with his lovely wife Alanna. They are blessed to have three children. Kurt has served as a full-time missionary (California Sacramento), as a bishop, first counselor in a stake presidency, and elders quorum president.
This is Part 1 of a 2-part podcast. Listen to Part 2 HERE. Highlights 01:00 Kurt introduces the episode’s topic of feeling hurt when released from a calling.
04:15 Sometimes getting released from a calling is an identity shift and is accompanied by feelings of loneliness or feeling lost.
07:30 Kurt shares his story and leadership journey. Being bishop and in the stake presidency then going back to being brother Francom. The sadness about not being as involved.
14:00 There is a transition period when being released from a big calling. Even years later it can still hurt.
16:20 It hurts not to be called, not to be chosen, not to be the leader.
18:45 It’s ok to hurt and struggle with the transition of not being in leadership anymore.
19:10 Episode takeaways:
Remember that closure is crucial Reach out to others for support Surrender your impact and things you started in the ward. The next leader is probably going to change things
23:00 Minister to the bishop who just got released. Help them through the transition. Share your own story.
24:10 Kurt reads a letter from a former bishop that got released suddenly. Links Part 2 of this podcast Is Aspiring Wrong? Finding Purpose in Your Ward After a Heavy Leadership Calling | An Interview with Rob Eaton TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saint podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ben Thatcher is a life-long church member, having grown up in small wards and branches across Texas. He served in the France Paris mission and has degrees in Mass Communication (University of Utah) and Public Administration (University of North Texas). Ben has worked in local government in several cities across Texas and currently is the city manager of Boerne (pronounced Burn-nee), Texas, northwest of San Antonio. He currently serves as bishop of his ward and has also served as an executive secretary, ward clerk, Sunday School president, bishopric counselor, and high councilor. When he is not at city hall or church, Ben can often be found coaching youth baseball in his spare time. He and his wife, Summer, have been married for over 23 years and have four sons. Highlights 02:50 Introduction and background of Ben Thatcher
08:30 What it's like working as a city manager
11:30 Ninety percent of the time our problems can be solved by going and having a conversation with someone.
12:30 Tips for having tough conversations on direction of leadership
18:50 The principle of focus
Focus on fewer things Understand your role from the handbook and focus on that
27:10 Ben explains extended ward councils: a yearly, 90-minute council in a new environment
30:30 The engagement principle
Applying principles used with employees at church with ward council How to support your ward council Give the ward council a framework
36:00 Are you talking to your members about their progress and how they are personally?
39:15 The importance of personal talents and strengths
42:20 Ben shares an experience he had with Elder Dunn of the seventy and what he was able to learn from him to help him as a new bishop.
44:30 Ben had a rough first year as bishop but he explains how he was able to turn it around and get more help from the ward to help with the youth.
49:30 Ben applies what he has learned as a city manager in his service in the Church.
53:40 Ben’s final thoughts on leadership Links 12: The Elements of Great Managing TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bonnie Oscarson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah but her family moved and lived in several different states as she was growing up. She attended Brigham Young University and majored in commercial art. Bonnie met her husband, Paul Oscarson, when her family lived in St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of seven children and have 29 fascinating grandchildren.
Paul and Bonnie served as mission president and companion in the Sweden Gothenburg Mission as a young couple and then returned to Sweden in 2009 to serve as president and matron of the Stockholm Sweden Temple. She finally finished her bachelor’s degree from BYU in British and American Literature 41 years after she first began. (She is glad she did it but doesn’t recommend that educational plan.)
Bonnie was called to serve as the Young Women general president in April 2013 and released in April 2018. Since her release she is enjoying spending time with those grandchildren and catching up on her reading. Bonnie and Paul recently moved to Provo where they serve as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple and as ecclesiastical leaders in the Provo Missionary Training Center. Highlights 02:15 Kurt introduces Bonnie Oscarson.
03:00 Bonnie talks about her upbringing and background.
8:45 Leadership opportunities. When Bonnie was 25 and her husband was 29 years old, they were called to serve as mission leaders in Sweden.
12:20 Stepping up to a big calling at a young age
18:30 Preparation for her calling as the general young women’s president
18:50 The Lord knows what's coming. Bonnie talks about how leadership callings and going back to school prepared her for what was to come.
23:10 Being called as matron to the Stockholm temple
25:40 Her biggest takeaway from serving at the temple was, “To see the hand of the Lord so clearly.” The daily miracles.
27:30 Getting called to be the general young women's president and choosing counselors
33:00 Feeling inadequate in her new calling and how God pulled her through
34:20 Starting out as the Young Women general president. Do I change things?
40:00 Speaking in conference isn’t hard. Writing the talk is hard.
43:20 What Bonnie learned in her time traveling and visiting other places
45:00 Bonnie’s advice to a new Young Women presidency. Learn how to follow the Spirit.
48:20 Issues and things they focused on when Bonnie was Young Women general president.
54:00 Speaking up in ward council; Women struggling to feel heard in councils
58:15 What Bonnie’s up to today: Serving in the temple and MTC.
59:10 Bonnie’s final thoughts on leadership Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bonnie Oscarson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah but her family moved and lived in several different states as she was growing up. She attended Brigham Young University and majored in commercial art. Bonnie met her husband, Paul Oscarson, when her family lived in St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of seven children and have 29 fascinating grandchildren.
Paul and Bonnie served as mission president and companion in the Sweden Gothenburg Mission as a young couple and then returned to Sweden in 2009 to serve as president and matron of the Stockholm Sweden Temple. She finally finished her bachelor’s degree from BYU in British and American Literature 41 years after she first began. (She is glad she did it but doesn’t recommend that educational plan.)
Bonnie was called to serve as the Young Women general president in April 2013 and released in April 2018. Since her release she is enjoying spending time with those grandchildren and catching up on her reading. Bonnie and Paul recently moved to Provo where they serve as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple and as ecclesiastical leaders in the Provo Missionary Training Center.
Highlights02:15 Kurt introduces Bonnie Oscarson.
03:00 Bonnie talks about her upbringing and background.
8:45 Leadership opportunities. When Bonnie was 25 and her husband was 29 years old, they were called to serve as mission leaders in Sweden.
12:20 Stepping up to a big calling at a young age
18:30 Preparation for her calling as the general young women’s president
18:50 The Lord knows what’s coming. Bonnie talks about how leadership callings and going back to school prepared her for what was to come.
23:10 Being called as matron to the Stockholm temple
25:40 Her biggest takeaway from serving at the temple was, “To see the hand of the Lord so clearly.” The daily miracles.
27:30 Getting called to be the general young women’s president and choosing counselors
33:00 Feeling inadequate in her new calling and how God pulled her through
34:20 Starting out as the Young Women general president. Do I change things?
40:00 Speaking in conference isn’t hard. Writing the talk is hard.
43:20 What Bonnie learned in her time traveling and visiting other places
45:00 Bonnie’s advice to a new Young Women presidency. Learn how to follow the Spirit.
48:20 Issues and things they focused on when Bonnie was Young Women general president.
54:00 Speaking up in ward council; Women struggling to feel heard in councils
58:15 What Bonnie’s up to today: Serving in the temple and MTC.
59:10 Bonnie’s final thoughts on leadership
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in December 2019.
Jason Coombs is a Utah native and lives in the Boise, Idaho, area with his wife and 7-year-old twins. They own a chain of substance use disorder treatment centers called Brick House Recovery. Kurt previously interviewed Jason as part of the Liberating Saints Virtual Conference, and for the upcoming Recovering Saints Virtual Conference.
Brent Daines was Jason’s bishop from 2006 to 2011. Brent now serves as a stake president, lives in Centerville, Utah, and is the father of seven incredible children and 12 beautiful grandchildren. He is currently the CEO of RLL Insurance and loves to flyfish, ski, and golf in his spare time.
Kurt Francom, Brent Daines, Jason Coombs
Highlights06:30 Jason’s story started with an auto accident
07:45 Jason is the grandson of President James E. Faust, and at the time attended church weekly but wasn’t living close to the Spirit. Went to lunch with a friend from work who connected him to a doctor prescribing opioids
12:30 Ignored the warnings in his head but justified his actions and saw the doctor
16:00 The physician was indicted for fraud five months later, sending 139 addicted patients to the street for drugs
22:00 Didn’t believe he had a problem, but had merely been “found out”; marriage failed and was homeless and living in a very dark place
24:30 Incarcerated and in a drug court program but couldn’t stop using
25:25 Brent received a phone call from Jason’s ex-wife and went to see him in jail
28:15 Brent had been prepared by his experience with his brother and was able to see Jason as Christ sees him
32:10 There will be a few people who are greatly affected by you during your time serving as a church leader
36:00 Called President Faust at Jason’s request and learned more about coming to this from a place of love
38:30 Weekly visits from Brent led to hope for Jason, but he was still not ready to commit to change for four years after being released from jail. Brent would still appear at critical points in Jason’s life.
42:00 Brent could still feel Heavenly Father’s love for Jason, even though it seemed his actions were not helping
44:10 Jason made the decision to change after his son was born and in intensive care, but still went through rehab five times before he was able to complete the 12 steps and fully change
47:45 Made a final confession to Bishop Daines, in spite of his fears about judgment and excommunication
50:30 Immersed himself in friendship with others who were actively recovering, made good decisions, and changed his perspective on church discipline; Brent was his advocate through all of this
55:50 The challenge of self-forgiveness and recognizing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior
LinksUnhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover, by Jason Coombs
Brick House Recovery
Recovering Saints Virtual Conference
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kurt Brown hails from Sacramento, California, where his family joined the Church when he was young. He played two years of college basketball, studied Finance and Economics at Brigham Young University, and dropped out senior year to go to Wall Street, where he was a trader on the New York Stock Exchange and the co-manager of an investment fund for 13 years. He started his own firm, TownSquare Capital, in 2018 and sold it to a larger, national firm (Orion) in 2022.
In the Church, Kurt’s callings have included single adult ward bishop, Young Men president, scoutmaster, Gospel Doctrine teacher, elders quorum president, and ward clerk. Kurt and his wife, Katie, have been married 16 years and have four children: one biological son, an adopted daughter, and two special-needs foster children they adopted. Kurt and Katie have been called to serve as the mission leaders of the Washington Tacoma Mission starting July 2023.
HighlightsSummary coming soon
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tommy Wilson was born and raised in Georgia. He now lives in Crestview, Florida, and serves as first counselor in the stake presidency. He has also served in the stake Young Men organization and as a bishop.
Highlights02:40 Introduction to Tommy Wilson. He shares about getting called to the stake presidency.
09:00 Tommy describes his area and the demographic of his stake
11:15 Advice to a new bishop
14:15 The personal weaknesses that come to the surface as a bishop. Things Tommy regrets.
21:15 Being vulnerable as a bishop and encouraging others to do the same
25:20 Tommy shares about losing his baby boy. The thing that helped him the most was finding a community that had gone through the same thing. The people around you have more in common with you than you think. Open up and talk to them.
29:15 Tommy’s invitation to his ward to open up and talk. You have to learn to be okay with uncomfortable topics.
32:00 Connecting with people on a deeper level. One on one.
40:40 Not taking yourself too seriously as a bishop
43:40 Tommy shares how he gained his testimony and the first time he felt like God loved him.
46:00 An experience Tommy had feeling the love of God for a man in his ward
LinksRead the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Keyth Pankau was baptized a member of the Church about six months after joining the Navy when he was 21 years old. He spent nine years in the Navy, including deployments to Fallujah, Iraq, as a member of a convoy security team, and providing relief immediately following Hurricane Katrina. During this time he obtained a degree in Persian Studies from the Defense Language Institute and a bachelor of science. Keyth continued to serve in the Church between deployments as a youth Sunday School teacher, a Gospel Doctrine teacher, a counselor in the Young Men presidency, and a scoutmaster, along with serving while deployed as a sacrament group leader.
Keyth was selected as a Direct Commission Intelligence Officer and switched over to the Coast Guard where he continued a life of travel and service with much shorter trips. He was a dual career track officer (Intelligence/Operations Ashore Response) where he specialized in crisis/emergency management. In the Coast Guard, Keyth also completed his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Master of Science in Environmental from Louisiana State University. During this time, Keyth served as a 2nd counselor in a Young Men’s presidency, scoutmaster, Young Men president, second counselor in a bishopric, ward mission leader, and a branch president. When the Baton Rouge Temple was rededicated he started serving as an ordinance worker and continues in that capacity today. He is also the bishop of his ward and has been serving for about a year.
Keyth currently works as a civil servant for the Coast Guard and is pursuing a doctor of education in Applied Learning Sciences from the University of Miami. He is the producer, host, and content creator of the podcast “That ALL Might Be Edified: Discussions on Servant Leadership”. Keyth and his wife Tiffany have two daughters and one granddaughter. Originally from Washington, Keyth spent about a year in Illinois and met Tiffany in California. They have also served & lived in Georgia, Alaska, and twice in Louisiana, where they now reside.
Highlights02:00 Introduction to Keyth and the episode theme
03:20 Keyth’s background in the Coast Guard, serving as bishop, and his podcast
07:15 Search and rescue and how it relates to church leadership
13:41 The indicators that we can use in the Church to search for the individuals who might need rescue
15:10 Keyth shares a personal experience he has had with a member in his ward.
19:10 Coming together as a ward council to help one individual: Keyth shares how a targeted approach can work in search and rescue.
21:00 Finding the families that need help. How do you do it? What to look for and tools to help. Your ward council is your team.
27:30 Not everyone wants to be rescued. Not everyone is excited to help either. We have to try to help them understand that the Lord wants what is best for them.
33:10 Who are the bystanders in the ward? Who is not active in the Lord’s vineyard? What invitations could we make to them to help them feel the Lord’s love?
37:40 Coming together as a ward council to find people that need invitations
39:15 Helping the bystander. It’s more than just giving them a calling. We need to invite them to do inspired things. Maybe what they need is help finding friends.
41:40 Keyth shares an analogy about boats and making sure they are seaworthy. In the same way individuals have to be ready and “seaworthy” before they can go out and rescue others.
49:20 As a council we have to learn how to ask better questions. What do you like? What works for you? What skills do you have? We have to understand who someone is and what skills they have. Then we can harness those gifts and skills to help them get active in the vineyard.
50:20 Where are you at? How are you really doing? Get used to asking these questions and create an environment where people will answer you truthfully and vulnerably.
54:20 Final testimony on the importance of leadership
LinksPodcast: That ALL Might Be Edified: Discussions on Servant Leadership
Blog: That ALL Might Be Edified: Discussions on Servant Leadership
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jenna Rhoads currently serves as stake activities director, ward nursery leader, and temple ordinance worker. She has loved planning ways to gather the saints, create a fun relaxed environment, and provide a great place for missionary opportunities. Jenna’s previous church callings have mostly been with the young women and the youth. She loves Girls’ Camp and has only missed about four years since she was 12 years old. She has also been a Gospel Doctrine teacher, which prepared her to teach four years of Seminary.
Jenna and her husband, Daryl Rhoads, have been married for 30 years and raised their family of four in Las Vegas, where they have enjoyed a fun, full life together. She studied education and worked as a substitute teacher before working as a cosmetologist for 17 years. Her next adventure is to get a degree in Business Management so that when her husband retires from the police department they can start a business together.
Highlights02:50 Jenna’s story and background
05:00 Jenna describes her ward and stake in Las Vegas, Nevada. She serves as a stake activities director.
07:00 Jenna describes what she does as a stake activities director and how her calling came to be. She began something called first Friday, which is basically a huge hangout.
12:00 Working with the stake presidency to plan activities and budgeting for the activities
14:40 Ideas for stake activities. Everything from dancing, movie nights, fall festivals, and service projects.
22:15 Jenna’s advice is to not focus on the fluff and remember that you don’t have to do anything extravagant. Each person on the committee had their niche.
25:20 First Fridays were to help the stake gather again after covid. However, they shifted gears and are only doing three stake activities a year and Jenna goes around to the wards and helps them in their ward activities.
28:00 CHARITY. Christ gathered everyone and made people feel like they belonged. It’s charitable to create an activity that makes people feel like they belong.
33:30 UNITY. Come as you are and be a part of it.
36:30 MISSIONARY WORK. It’s easier to invite people to an activity. It’s a more comfortable atmosphere and place to connect. Plus everyone loves free food.
39:50 GIRLS CAMP. Invite people that want to be there. One bad apple spoils the bunch. Jenna shares how they create experiences for the girls.
41:50 Marketing stake activities. Use several ways to advertise.
44:00 What’s next for Jenna’s stake? They want to focus on doing more interfaith activities.
48:00 Jenna shares her final testimony and what being a leader has taught her.
LinksRead the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Reyna Aburto studied Industrial Engineering in her home country, Nicaragua, and holds a degree in Computer Science from Utah Valley University. She owns a translation business with her husband. She has served as the second counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency and is the author of Reaching for the Savior.
Elena was born in Utah and served a mission in Modesto, California. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in Music from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Currently she is working toward her masters at Utah Valley University, works at a junior high school, and teaches piano.
Reyna and Elena co-host the Consecrating Your Life Podcast.
Highlights01:15 Introduction to the episode
03:00 Reyna and Elena introduce themselves and their backgrounds.
05:30 Reyna getting called as a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency
10:50 Getting started in her new calling in the General Relief Society Presidency
12:30 Reyna’s advice to presidencies and the bishoprics working together
- Put your personal agenda aside
- Say what you feel in the counsels but then let it go
14:40 Elena shares her perspective on her mother’s calling and they talk about how it changed their family.
17:50 The process of writing a talk for general conference.
21:30 Elena’s shares about her mental health struggles and how it led Reyna writing a talk on mental health.
25:00 All talks must be submitted three weeks before conference. The last three weeks before conference she would prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally because the delivery of the talk is also important.
28:30 It’s much easier to relate to your leaders when they are vulnerable and open up.
38:00 Counsel WITH people and not ABOUT them. Go directly to the people and organizations and ask them what they need and want.
41:00 How would you like me to pray for you this week? This is a question that actually helps people open up and be vulnerable.
44:30 Sit down as friends or as family and counsel together on how you can help a family member or friend.
45:50 Getting assignments as a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency. Reyna shares the purposes of those visits and sitting down with area presidencies.
50:00 Preparation for speaking at devotionals and stake conferences. It’s different from general conference. Reyna struggled to prepare but has learned to use an outline and rely on the Spirit.
55:10 Being a general leader but wanting to be a personal leader
- Get there early to greet and hug people
- Stay at the end if possible and continue to talk with people. Sometimes a hug or small conversation can make a difference for people.
56:50 Elena talks about being an FSY counselor
1:00:00 Be inclusive with your words as you are talking with people and giving talks. By changing a few words you can include everyone.
1:03:15 Elena and Reyna started a podcast called Consecrating Your Life.
1:05:30 Final testimonies on the importance of leadership
Links2023 NorthStar Conference
Consecrating Your Life Podcast
“Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!”
Reaching for the Savior
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dave Olsen is a husband, father, business owner, and mountain biker. He grew up in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, and married his high school sweetheart, Jacki, soon after his mission to Melbourne, Australia. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a masters in Information Systems, and from University of Virginia with a masters in Accounting.
Dave has spent 18 years mostly in youth-focused callings including Young Men president twice, bishopric counselor twice, and recently released as bishop of his ward in South Jordan, Utah. He was thrown into the leadership deep end late in 2017 when he began leadership training through the coaching firm Ontocore and soon after that co-founded a business and was extended the bishop calling on the same day. His business, Nimbl, provides accounting outsourcing services.
Highlights03:00 Introduction to Dave and his experience as a bishop
05:10 Story of getting called as bishop. Demographics of his ward.
07:50 Starting out as a bishop and what Dave really tried to focus on
10:50 In Utah, there are so many people with experience in church leadership. It’s hard to make sure that everyone gets the opportunity to serve when there are only so many callings.
13:40 Principle 1 – Leadership is creating an intentional future that is different from what it would have otherwise been.
15:30 Real life examples of having a vision and leading others to that vision
19:30 Real life examples of creating love and acceptance in the ward and community, especially when it comes to same sex attraction
26:30 What are you doing now to establish a relationship with people in your neighborhood? If you already have a relationship with them then when it comes time to invite them to a temple open house or activity then it won’t be awkward.
28:40 Principle two – One of a leader’s most important roles is creating leaders around them.
33:55 Look for opportunities to help the youth lead. They are the future of leadership.
35:10 Principle three – Love is giving people space to show up like they’re perfect, as they are.
38:00 Love and accept first. Then you can take time to teach and figure out how to improve.
41:50 How being a leader has brought Dave closer to Jesus Christ
LinksRead the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 here.
Katherine Herrmann lists all things Apple, new wave/alternative music, and fantasy/science fiction among her fandoms. She works as a principal software engineer/architect for a video streaming company, and recently published TransLucent: How I put off my natural man and found a spiritual woman. At church, she has served as secretary for deacons, teachers, and priests quorums, as a Sunday School and elders quorum teacher, elders quorum secretary, ward executive secretary, newsletter editor, and assistant ward clerk—historian. She has also hugged a lot of people at general conference, and bore her testimony in over 40 wards in three years.
Highlights00:20 The argument many are having is whether or not to let young teens transition and have transition surgery. Katherine shares some useful perspectives.
07:45 Katherine’s teenage years, pressure to go on a mission, and being suicidal.
13:30 Does transition help suicide ideation? Some things that help suicide ideation are affirming who people are and using their preferred pronouns.
15:45 Being shunned for being transgender. How can we help transgender individuals? What can leaders do?
20:15 The actual Church handbook and Church policies allow transgender to attend all meetings that they identify with. However, a lot of local leaders are biased and won’t allow them to go.
24:30 Advice for leaders on letting transgender individuals go to Relief Society or priesthood meetings. Many individuals have felt uncomfortable with her going to Eelief Society so she gets kicked out to make others comfortable.
29:20 How would Jesus treat a transgender individual? Where would He let them worship?
33:30 Making tough decisions as a leader. You are never going to make everyone happy. Katherine wasn’t able to have a calling because people would object to it. It was another way she felt rejected.
37:20 People say that being transgender is a trial. The difference is that transgender people don’t have any support from church leaders, ministering sisters, home teachers, or callings. There is no one to lean on in the trials.
39:30 Is being transgender a mental illness and in the after life it will be worked out?
44:30 Our genders are eternal. But how does that relate to our body? Katherine shares a real-world example of genetic issues that occur.
55:00 For the majority of people your eternal gender is the gender that you were assigned at birth but what about transgender individuals? Is it possible that their spirit and body are different genders?
1:04:15 Katherine goes into dating her former wife, getting married, having seven kids, and church callings.
1:11:30 Katherine stands outside general conference with a sign that says, “Hug a transgender Latter-day Saint.”
1:14:30 President Oaks is Katherine’s favorite apostle.
1:17:45 Where does affirming a transgender individual become condoning? What are the lines that we are condoning?
1:29:20 Katherine talks about her book. She wants people to understand her life experiences and what she has gone through as a transgender individual.
LinksListen to Part 1
TransLucent: How I put off my natural man and discovered a spiritual woman
Facebook page: TransLucent
North Star Saints
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 600 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Katherine Herrmann lists all things Apple, new wave/alternative music, and fantasy/science fiction among her fandoms. She works as a principal software engineer/architect for a video streaming company, and recently published TransLucent: How I put off my natural man and found a spiritual woman. At church, she has served as secretary for deacons, teachers, and priests quorums, as a Sunday School and elders quorum teacher, elders quorum secretary, ward executive secretary, newsletter editor, and assistant ward clerk—historian. She has also hugged a lot of people at general conference, and bore her testimony in over 40 wards in three years.
This is Part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Listen to Part 2 here.
Highlights02:00 Kurt introduces the topic of transgenderism and what people can expect from this podcast episode.
05:30 Katherine is introduced and she shares her experience with church leaders.
09:15 Katherine shares her background and the beginning of her story. She was born biologically male but since she was a young child she felt female.
14:10 What is gender dysphoria? Katherine describes how it has felt for her.
18:15 Katherine’s teenage years. Always an outsider and having different interests.
22:30 Transgender youth and transition surgeries.
24:50 Is your child really transgender? Based on her personal research and experience, Katherine believes there is a huge difference between kids that come out as transgender when they are 3-4 years old and kids that come out between 10-12 years old.
LinksListen to Part 2
TransLucent: How I put off my natural man and discovered a spiritual woman
North Star Saints
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 600 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ashley Smith is serving her second term as mayor of Cañon City, Colorado, after serving on the city council four years prior. Ashley serves on the Region 15 Opioid Governance Committee, Cañon City Schools Compass Advisory Committee, Cañon City Urban Renewal Authority, Community Solutions for Homelessness, and Fremont’s Exceptional Women Board. She is a member of her local Lion’s and Rotary clubs, has a black belt in women’s self defense, and is a graduate of Brigham Young University. Her current church calling allows her to hang out with her favorite constituents of all time, the 9-11-year-old Primary children. She and her husband, Dr. David Smith, have six children and two grandchildren and enjoy skiing and hiking the Colorado mountains together.
Highlights01:45 Kurt introduces Ashley and the topics of the episode.
03:00 The Stake President and Ashley agreed that her calling was to serve in the community and that was just as important as having a calling inside the Church.
07:00 Ashley speaks to being a woman in politics and her experience.
10:30 Ashley felt called by God to serve her community. She ran for city council and then mayor.
13:40 Ashley shares her family’s back story and being raised to be a strong woman. She felt ready and willing to be a leader and get her voice heard.
15:55 Advice to women that feel like their voice isn’t being heard.
18:00 As a leader you have to have a thick skin. Ashley’s tips to have a thick skin.
- Understand that the issue isn’t personal, it’s more about the topic or issue.
- Keep the bigger picture in mind. It’s not about you or the other person but about the bigger issue.
- When you feel attacked, be civil and listen anyway.
20:45 You will always be disliked by some. What do you do with the people that don’t like you?
- Focus on what you like about them.
- Remember that sometimes they are right and you are wrong.
- Take time to listen to their perspective. They need to feel heard.
24:40 Shifting from city council to being mayor. Learning to be a figurehead.
28:50 How do you gain buy-in? As a leader in the church you wouldn’t use this with doctrine but with some aspects of administration.
33:30 Making assumptions is when we tell ourselves that something is true without having any evidence that it is. Make sure that you investigate what is really going on.
39:30 Is there a role in your community that you could step into? Serving the community is a way to take care of God’s people.
41:10 Ashley shares her testimony and what she has learned from being a leader.
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Riley Jensen has been playing or coaching high school and collegiate football for more than 27 years. He started as a quarterback at Utah State University, coached at North Carolina State, and has coached several successful Salt Lake City-area high school teams and been part owner and co-founder of the Mountain West Elite sports camps.
Riley completed his MS in Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Utah. He is currently the lead mental performance coach for Real Salt Lake and the Real Monarchs, as well as Utah State University Athletics and Weber State University Athletics. He tutors individual athletes from the Olympic, world cup, pro, collegiate, and high school ranks, and works with corporate athletes from a range of organizations and businesses.
Riley served his mission in Marseille, France. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he enjoys hiking and time spent his wife Georgann and their three children.
Highlights02:20 Kurt introduces Riley and his work.
04:00 Riley shares his background of playing football and serving a mission.
08:30 Riley describes what he does as a mental performance coach.
12:00 What do mental performance skills look like in real life? What are those skills?
18:30 The definition of happiness is improvement.
21:30 What’s the number one way to build confidence? Take small steps out of your confidence everyday.
23:40 As a leader, we want everyone to improve and we want to guide them. However, we have to start with ourselves. It’s not about doing more. Sometimes it’s just about your attitude and enthusiasm about what you are doing.
29:00 Leadership is really about embracing the gospel into ourselves and then using the spirit that is within us to help people with little steps.
30:00 In Greek, enthusiasm means that God is within you. Do you have enthusiasm in your calling? Do you know what your purpose is?
35:30 Measuring confidence. Helping others to have confidence.
46:15 Dealing with anxiety in leadership. Riley shares examples and tips to help calm the anxiety.
53:30 Have you tried singing hymns to erase the bad thoughts and calm anxiety? How else can you get focused on the positive?
58:30 Anxiety is inversely proportional to confidence. So anything that you can do to lower anxiety will also strengthen your confidence and motivation.
59:10 Motivational interviewing or reflective listening. Riley gives examples.
1:10:00 Resources that Riley offers and where you can find him
1:11:30 Riley’s final thoughts and testimony
LinksRiley Jensen Performance Group
Twitter @RileyJensen
Mindset Matters Podcast
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in January 2020.
Kim Partridge is originally from West Valley City, Utah, and has lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years. She is a nurse and a life coach for teenage girls, has served as a Young Women president, and currently serves in her stake Young Women presidency. Kim and her husband are the parents of four children.
Since this podcast was originally broadcast, Kim has changed the hike for the young women to be statewide and include the young men as well. She also speaks more in depth with the youth now about how the hike is like the Plan of Salvation, how we are disciples of Christ as we are hiking in the Grand Canyon, and about the names of Christ that we either take upon us as we hike or that we see in the Grand Canyon. Learn more HERE.
Highlights7:40 Young Women are all about relationships
9:50 Conflicts within relationships can play out in the church setting
- 12:00 Micromanaging relationships seldom works out well; story of two Laurels
- 17:30 Story of young woman whose grandmother asked that they invite her into Young Womens: grandma was angry that she hadn’t been welcomed like she wanted
- 23:40 Everyone cannot always have a fantastic time
24:30 She learned that she needed to know what the young women wanted
- 25:00 They wanted to do activities similar to what the young men were doing
- 26:45 Target shooting at her first girl’s camp
- 29:00 Goal to connect with the young women at camp
- 33:20 Expectation that they will tell her what they want: get interested/pay attention to the clues
36:00 She encourages fun with everything but also balances that with the spiritual aspects
38:15 Admit when you make a mistake: left someone behind
42:00 Making sure the youth are handling their goals without the adults always pushing
- 45:00 Go back to the basics, help them recognize what they want, and know that they are developing a relationship with Jesus Christ
49:00 Request for a change from physical challenges to an embroidery challenge
51:45 Grand Canyon activity: what the girls learned while doing a hard thing
59:35 Leading young women has developed her relationship with the Savior
LinksKim Partridge Coaching
Deseret Book SEEK course: How to Help Young Women Be Confident Leaders
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tyler Bastian is an educator, filmmaker, father, and founder of Roots Charter High School. Tyler loves to teach and has a passion for discovering and developing potential in everything around him. For four years, Tyler taught Character Education at a local high school and believes positive character is the greatest indicator of success. In 2012, Tyler began to develop the concepts that have become Roots—Utah’s first farm-based charter high school—where educators work with students who come from risky environments, helping them find and reach their potential.
Highlights02:00 Kurt introduces Tyler Bastian.
03:45 Tyler talks about why started the charter school and his backstory.
08:00 How do you begin to teach character development?
09:30 How Tyler was able to start a charter school
11:20 Tyler shares the mission that he has with Roots.
12:50 The type of students Roots charter school aims to help. Most of the kids are there because their previous school wasn’t working for them.
14:00 How do you run an organization based on hope and love? If you are going to lead someone, you have to love them or it won’t work.
19:30 Tyler shares ways that he instills love in the school. The students need to hear it, see it, and feel it. They have created visuals all over their school.
21:30 Tyler shares a personal experience that he had with a student and how he was able to show love and help a student confess that they wanted to take their life.
23:00 Helping the students feel safe, loved, and protected is more important than trying to fix their behavior.
27:30 If you want a kid to feel safe, call them by name. The number one thing that you can do as a youth leader is learn every kid’s name in your ward.
29:50 Create safety by not having disputes. We have disputes because we are holding on to things and not having hard conversations. Create safety by having hard conversations.
31:45 You have to have a healthy community before you can be a healthy ward. Do you know your neighbor’s names? Can you go to them to borrow something? Do your kids play with their kids?
33:15 The ward influences the community and vice versa. Tyler shares a personal story of doing a home visit with a student that was struggling. He lived across from the church but nobody knew about him.
37:00 In order to create a safe place we have to learn to be ok with political differences. Create a space where kids can say anything and by asking loving questions.
40:00 Showing authenticity instead of perfection is what the youth are looking for in an adult they can trust. Let them know that you’ve had to go to the bishop’s office to confess and get help too.
41:30 Tyler’s charter school focuses on a smaller number of kids. Knowing each student. One loving adult can change a kid’s life.
47:45 Tyler knows each student and tries to interact with each one but the students also have an advisor that does one on one meetings with them.
50:00 In our culture we say that you have to receive love to survive. However, the philosopher Andrew de Mello says that you have to give love to survive. It’s not about receiving but about giving. Our job is not to be loved but our job is to love.
53:00 Tyler works with a lot of struggling students that have been through a lot. He describes how he shows them the school is a safe place and builds trust with them.
55:20 How can youth leaders take the principles that Tyler teaches and apply it to their own youth groups? The leader’s job is culture. They need to create visuals.
1:02:00 What if the student’s home life isn’t good? What can you do?
1:06:30 Resources that Tyler recommends. Check out his Instagram.
1:08:00 How being a leader has made him a better follower of Jesus Christ.
LinksBonds That Make Us Free
Roots High School
Tyler on Instagram: @teach_243
Tyler’s documentary film: Everything is Incredible
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Originally from Eagle, Idaho, Eric Jenson earned an MBA from Brigham Young University and has built a successful financial services business that has grown to over 100 financial professionals and more than $1 billion in assets placed under management. He now lives in Denver, Colorado, and works as a father-son team with his two oldest sons.
Eric served a mission in Santa Rosa, California, and has served as an early morning seminary teacher, a Gospel Doctrine instructor, and in the elders quorum presidency, but his favorite calling was as the priest quorum advisor. He loves to swim with sharks, ski, surf, mountain bike, hike, travel, play tennis and pickleball—but most of all spend time with family creating once-in-a-lifetime memories over and over again.
Highlights02:30 Introduction to Eric Jenson
08:00 Don’t sit around waiting to be picked to be a leader. You are a leader now. Heavenly Father picked you. You were born to lead.
10:00 Eric shares his background. He has had leadership opportunities in his job and in the church.
16:20 Ultimate leadership is helping people achieve their divine potential. It’s about how you serve others and what you do to bring the best out of them.
19:00 Eric shares his personal story of growing up and the culture of perfectionism and the shame and guilt that comes with it.
27:30 How you influence people outside the church, in your job, is just as important as how you influence people in the church
28:00 Make room for everyone in the church. We are all at a different point in our progression and faith journey.
34:00 The gospel and the church are two different things. The gospel is the good news and the atonement of Christ. The church is an entity that helps us come unto Christ and live His gospel.
35:45 Believing vs. knowing. Which is more important?
38:20 Leading those in a faith crisis
46:45 Focus on the doctrine, not the dogma.
47:40 The positive changes in the church and the new strength of youth pamphlet
59:30 Final testimony
LinksSheri Dew: “You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory”
Elder Russell M. Nelson: “Perfection Pending”
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Laauli Faamausili serves as bishop in his ward in southeastern Washington state, and has previously served as a Sunday School and Primary teacher. He has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and works in agriculture. He is a big fan of how Leading Saints has helped him in family, church, employment, and civic service.
Highlights03:10 Introduction to Laauli and his background
05:30 Demographics of the ward Laauli leads
07:15 Getting called as bishop and starting out
10:00 Things he has learned in the last five years of being bishop
12:30 Principle one – Jesus is love
16:10 Balancing administration and ministering
18:45 Principle two – Grace. As leaders we need to ask for grace and give others grace.
24:00 Principle three – The Elias principle. Being a forerunner. You are preparing the way for future leaders.
28:48 Focusing on the youth of the ward
33:00 Using technology and apps as leaders
37:00 Laauli’s testimony
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Casey Paul Griffiths is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before returning home to complete a B.A. degree in History at BYU, an M.A. in Religious Education, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Foundations. Casey served in Seminaries and Institutes for eleven years as a teacher and a curriculum writer.
Casey’s research focuses on the history of religious education among Latter-day Saints, the history of the Church in the Pacific, and diverse movements associated with the Restoration. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Latter-day Saint history, including Truth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, and Apostle. He is married to Elizabeth Ottley Griffiths and they live in Saratoga Springs with their three children.
Highlights2:00 Introduction to Casey and his new book
5:10 The background of Joseph Merrill
8:50 Joseph Merrill’s faith journey
19:00 Joseph’s wife had very progressive and feminist views. They had a very powerful partnership together. They were both leaders and innovators.
21:20 The Church then and now
22:55 Different political views within the leaders of the church. They were all able to get along. We shouldn’t be afraid of different views.
26:15 The setbacks in Joseph Merrill’s life led him to what he was really supposed to do. He was called by the church to be the church commissioner of education. He created an institute program to help students reconcile their faith with science and other things they were learning at school.
32:15 Joseph’s life didn’t go as he expected but just as God planned it to be. Casey talks about Joseph’s marriages.
37:00 Joseph Merrill was the founding father of the Institute and Seminary programs that we have today. However, in the beginning there were a lot of obstacles and push back to get it started.
48:00 As a leader you have a dynamic vision for something but there’s so much pushback from others. It can feel like maybe it’s not meant to be but keep going! Small changes can bring about big results in the end.
50:45 Education is a spiritual activity. Learning and growing are consecrated activities in the church.
52:15 When Joseph was an apostle he was also called as a mission president in Europe. He was very innovative in his church service.
54:20 Joseph Merrill was Gordon B. Hinckley’s mission president. Joseph mentored Gordon. Because of them, the Church started creating new media.
57:00 It’s important to be innovative in the church. How can we use technology to our advantage? Push the possibilities.
59:55 Revelation comes at all levels. Joseph wasn’t an apostle when we came up with the idea for Seminary and Institute. Revelation doesn’t always come from the top down.
1:01:20 The truths of the gospel don’t change but we can go about doing things or teaching things in different ways. President Nelson is a great example of this. He changed up the way we do home teaching and women can now be witnesses.
1:02:30 We are so lucky to have the journals of Joseph Merrill. His writings show his frustrations and inner feelings that really humanize him.
1:04:20 Joseph tried his whole life to find solutions. He always tried to mix science and religion. In the end, after he lost his 2 wives and daughter, he learned that sometimes things are in God’s hands. Faith is vital and reason cannot fix everything.
1:07:30 Faith is the first principle of the gospel because there are so many things that are beyond our control.
1:08:30 The story of Richard Lyman. He was the last apostle to get excommunicated in our dispensation. Joseph was a great friend of Richard.
1:18:30 The messiness of our history makes it genuine instead of manufactured. Sincerity is more important than eloquence.
LinksTruth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, and Apostle
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Skyler Droubay has a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from Utah State University, and works at a trucking company, Double D Distribution. He is currently a counselor in his bishopric and has previously served as elders quorum secretary and counselor, Cub Scout leader, and teacher in Sunday School, elders quorum, and Primary (including nursery). Skyler and his wife live in Lehi, Utah, with their two daughters, ages 10 and 8.
Highlights02:30 Introduction to Skyler, former elders quorum secretary
06:30 Skyler shares an experience he had as a youth with an executive secretary that has influenced his time as a secretary.
12:30. The secretary takes care of the clerical and administrative aspects of the quorum to help enable the other members of the presidency to focus on ministering and the more spiritual aspects of the quorum.
14:50 The admin and clerical work is a very important part of the church too. There are many working pieces that go into making a meeting happen.
16:50 Never underestimate the spiritual power of doing temporal things well. You bring spiritual power to your presidency by taking care of the administration.
18:50 Taking notes is the most important part of being a secretary. You are a revelation recorder. Be proud of being the note taker.
23:30 Take the lead on organizing notes with google docs and google sheets.
26:40 Find a template that works for you and go with it.
28:30 Setting up interviews and appointments. Skylar found it easier to call people rather than text. Try to catch as many people as you can at church.
33:00 Don’t underestimate your impact as a secretary.
34:10 Skyler shares his testimony on leadership and coming closer to Christ through his service.
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Matthew Dicks is an author, columnist, teacher, storyteller, podcaster, blogger, playwright, and more. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Speak Up, a storytelling organization that produces shows throughout New England as well as a weekly podcast, and the author of Storyworthy. He’s also the CEO of StoryworthyMD, where he teaches storytelling online. He consults with Fortune 500 companies, universities, attorneys, entrepreneurs, the clergy, and many more on storytelling and communication. Matthew is a 58-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion and has told stories for a wide range of events, radio shows, and performance venues. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Elysha, and their two children.
Highlights07:26 With his wife runs an organization called “Speak Up” which puts on storytelling events
08:13 The science of telling a good story, i.e., public speaking in an engaging way
10:15 Basic storytelling principles:
- Know what a story is: a moment in your life that is transformational and reflects change over time, as opposed to a simple retelling of chronological events.
- Ask yourself: Am I speaking about a moment in my life that changed me in some way? You can’t really change your audience with a story unless that story changed you.
- Share something of yourself, that makes you authentic and vulnerable. Being vulnerable to others also makes you safe to others, and they will be more willing to be vulnerable with you.
- Set out to have your listeners feel like they connected with you in the end.
- Showing emotion is acceptable so long as you can speak your truth in a clear way.
21:10 Teaching from scripture versus sharing of yourself
- It is hard for people to care about the scriptural content or lesson unless they can see a relatable example of application from a person they trust.
24:26 Using our own stories versus using “borrowed” stories, e.g., using a story given in General Conference in a sacrament meeting talk
- Telling your own story is the best way to be authentic.
26:50 Improving our storytelling:
- “Homework for life”: Before going to bed, ask yourself “what’s the most story-worthy moment of today?” Write it down. Explore why and how the experience changed you.
- Matt has noticed that he has changed every day of his life, as documented in his “Homework for life” spreadsheet.
- Frame of the story is most important: what is the end, and what is the beginning?
- Must have some entertainment value.
- Jump right into the story. Stay within the story.
- Remember the story without memorizing–rehearse! Tell the story in “scenes”.
- How to tell a story “on the spot”: what does something mean to me? Listeners should know how you are different at the end of the story from the beginning.
- Asking “why?” five times about your storyworthy moments. I.e.: Today I was changed by X experience. Why did X experience change me? Why A? Because B. But, why B? Because C. Why C? Because D. Etc.
55:21 Storytime!
65:49 Reviewing and deconstructing the story
72:25 How storytelling has helped him become a better person
LinksMatthewDicks.com
Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling
TED Talk: Homework for Life
Speak Up Storytelling
StoryworthyMD.com
YouTube stories
Art of Manliness podcast episode
Watch this podcast on YouTube
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Shannon Foster taught seminary full time for thirteen years in the Salt Lake area. Shannon has a passion for the scriptures and for discovering the best ways for children and youth to learn the gospel. She has written over twenty books to help people study the scriptures and creates helps for people to study and teach the Come, Follow Me chapters in their homes. Shannon and her husband Tyson have two amazing children and she is currently a Relief Society teacher.
Highlights02:00 Introduction to Shannon Foster. Shannon provides resources for Come Follow Me and teaching our families.
03:40 Shannon is also known as The Red Headed Hostess.
05:00 Best advice for gathering people
- What will make this feel special?
- What will help people feel comfortable?
07:00 If the youth feel like you strengthen them and that you care about them they will return again and again.
08:00 Shannon shares her story and how she started teaching.
13:30 The classroom is not the ideal learning circumstance. While it’s a good place, it’s not the best. Parents know their children so much better and can teach them so much better.
16:00 Shannon is the creator of The Red Headed Hostess. It started as a blog and she now has 15 people on her staff. She offers scripture study help for families and for all ages.
18:00 Common obstacles that come with teaching in the home and with Come Follow Me. One of those obstacles is not having enough time and not everyone is home at the same time.
23:50 We all want the picturesque family scripture study and we think we are failing if that’s not what it looks like for us.
29:30 How to adjust family scripture study and what to do to stay on track.
31:40 Another big obstacle in family scripture study is that they don’t understand the scriptures. It has to start with the parents. The parents have to learn to love the scriptures. You then become like a fire and want to share that with your family.
34:20 How would you coach someone that is in the beginning stages of trying to get into scripture study and is relying on podcasts and blogs to help them understand?
- Get a scripture journal
- Learn to slow down while reading. Remember it’s line upon line.
37:30 We underestimate the youth. Teach your youth to slow down and do their own journaling.
39:30 Advice for keeping a scripture journal.
- Topical journal
- Chronological journal
44:45 Making Sunday school or studying with family a more profound experience. Don’t only teach but invite them to act to help them get the evidence they need to know something is true.
58:00 Shannon shares her final thoughts on the importance of the scriptures and what a gift they are to have.
1:03:00 Shannon’s testimony and reflections on her time as a teacher
LinksTheRedHeadedHostess.com
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Eli Nelson is originally from Seattle, Washington and is studying business at Brigham Young University. He has served as a counselor in an elders quorum presidency, ward temple and family history leader, and as a full time missionary in the Trinidad, Port of Spain Mission. He currently serves as elders quorum president in his young single adult ward in Provo, Utah, and is the soon-to-be husband to Claire Darby.
Highlights02:20 Eli’s background and mission experience
06:10 Getting called as elders quorum president in a YSA BYU ward
10:10 Principle one: Loving the handbook
12:15 Principle two: Finding the balance between magnifying your calling while also being a good peer
16:00 Principle three: Fostering active leadership in the quorum and ward
17:20 Principle four: The oxygen mask analogy. In order to serve others you have to have something to give. You have to take care of yourself first.
22:00 Time management is very important to taking care of yourself. Eli explains what time boxing is and how he uses it to manage everything in his life.
22:55 Principle five: There’s no substitute for a good secretary
25:05 Principle six: Delegation is critical
28:50 Principle seven: Sometimes you need to be a catalyst for change and push programs and initiatives from the ground up
32:30 Principle eight: The proper motives in church leadership are the two great commandments
36:15 Principle nine: Church leadership is 45% administration and 55% ministering
40:45 Eli shares his final thoughts on leadership and testimony.
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube (coming soon)
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Richard Nash spent his career as a writer and a speaker (not always by choice). He worked in management and marketing for Intermountain Healthcare for 35 years and previously served as a speechwriter and jokewriter for political and corporate leaders. He’s a former bishop and has also served as stake Young Men president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and nursery leader. Most recently he is the author of 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk. His previous book, Lengthen Your Smile, is a best-selling collection of brief stories (most of them funny) that illustrate faith-based ideals. Richard and his wife, Laurie, have three children and four grandchildren.
Highlights02:10 Introduction to Richard and his book, 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk
07:50 Richard’s book was inspired by David O. McKay.
10:40 Principle 1: Have an objective
- The objective is the message you want listeners to take away from your talk.
- Keep your objective to one sentence.
- You are normally assigned the topic but take the time to pray and read and figure out the objective that you need to teach.
14:30 Is your lesson objective clear? How can you make it clear?
16:20 Richard shares his own personal experience of giving a talk and creating a clear objective and an attention grabbing opener.
17:45 Principle 2: Share examples
- People love stories. They connect with stories.
- We remember stories more than anything else we talk about.
- Stories are a way to show our personality.
22:30 Richard shares how he uses his own personal stories to connect with people.
28:00 Tips for sharing stories
- Keep a journal of your stories.
- They should be simple and day-to-day things. It doesn’t have to be a huge experience.
- Reference scripture stories or other people’s stories but bring your own personal experience into it.
32:45 Principle 3: Emphasize application
- What can people do because of the things that I’ve spoken today?
- Emphasize how people can apply principles to help them live the gospel every day.
36:00 The typical sacrament meeting talk is on a conference talk. We are putting their talk in our words. What can we do differently?
37:00 Nervousness is part of giving a talk. It makes us humble and gives us the experience of leaning on the Holy Spirit.
45:00 Is humor appropriate in a sacrament talk?
51:00 Tips for preparing a talk when you are assigned a topic or given a conference talk to speak to
53:50 Oftentimes our objective in Sunday School is to cover the material or certain chapters of scripture. We need to take the time to search those scriptures to find an objective that will help people live their lives.
57:15 Write down notes, quotes, and make an outline but don’t write out your talk verbatim. This allows the Spirit to interrupt us and give us guidance.
Links3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk
BetterTalksLDS.com/
Teaching Through Better Stories in Sacrament Meeting Talks & Lessons | An Interview with Matthew Dicks
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Sharla Dance was finishing her degree in Music Education at Brigham Young University when she took a children’s music class from Susan Kenney. The principles and methods used in that class changed the way she wanted to teach music. When her daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age seven, Sharla delved into research about how the brain learns, Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, and the body’s role in learning as taught by neurologist Carla Hannaford. Since then, some of her research and experience has centered around music in a group setting for special needs children. She also started applying her research to Primary music and has continued to learn and teach workshops, helping church music leaders learn principles and brain research that can make them more effective in teaching children.
Sharla has taught piano and voice lessons, group preschool, and school age music classes in her studio, Dance Sing and Play, for twenty five years. She has served as ward or stake Primary music leader in over ten different wards and stakes, and as a youth choir specialist in her stake for twenty years. She has served several times as ward choir director and stake music chair, and is currently first counselor in her ward Relief Society. Sharla is the mother of five children and she and her husband live in Washington state where she is also a full-time caregiver for their daughter who had that brain tumor so many years ago.
Highlights04:00 Sharla is the Primary music leader. A Gospel Doctrine teacher for children through music. She shares her resources with other leaders.
06:10 Sharla shares her background and how she got into music.
10:00 Resources Sharla shares for Primary and why she got her website started
12:50 The overall breakdown of what you should do during music time is to teach three different songs with three different activities and bear your testimony in one or two sentences.
15:50 Each child should be actively involved with a specific song. Help the children use their senses to learn and practice the songs.
22:00 One thing that researchers have found that helps the frontal lobe develop is purposeful movement with a steady beat.
23:30 When children learn music with props, beats, and movements it creates an experience for them and brain hooks that help them remember that song.
24:20 Sharla believes that when we teach a child music with these different hooks that the song will come back to teach the child and to teach them doctrine when they really need it.
26:00 Drilling the words of a song and practicing them over and over is what we commonly see in Primary. However, Sharla teaches that we need to focus on the beat, rhythm, and the melody while singing the words. This is way easier for the brain to connect everything.
30:20 The process of audiation is singing a song in your head. It’s the strongest way to remember a song. Leave out words and have the kids fill them in and sing it out loud.
31:00 Sharla explains why movement while singing and to a steady beat is so important and useful for children. It activates the whole body and turns it into a thinking machine.
34:00 Line upon line is a great way for the brain to learn, especially when we sing the whole song.
37:20 Parents have found that even the children that don’t really participate in Primary are singing at home all the time.
40:00 Sharla does activities that can involve all the children and the songs that they are learning, especially because there is only twenty minutes to do it in.
41:30 Research shows that to keep the attention span of an adult active and attentive we need to change the pace every ten minutes. Children need a change of pace every six to seven minutes.
45:30 The teachers need to be involved in music time too.
46:40 Each child takes in information in a slightly different way and the brain craves variety. We need to teach in different ways to reach different children.
53:40 Bear a short, sincere testimony every week. Consider the children the biggest group of investigators in the church.
55:45 Tips for a sacrament Primary program. Remember that the Primary program is not a culmination of the children’s experience.
59:50 Sharla shares her final thoughts and testimony of teaching children through music.
LinksWatch on YouTube
TeachingPrimaryMusic.com
YouTube @TeachingPrimaryMusic
The Teaching Primary Music Podcast
To Teach a Child a Song
Facebook: Sharla Dance Teaching Methods
Facebook: Latter-day Saint Primary Music Leaders
Smart Moves: Why Learning Is Not All In Your Head
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
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Is Elders Quorum Working?
Glenn R. Schiraldi, Ph.D., Lt. Colonel (US Army Reserve, Retired), is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, and a Vietnam-era veteran. He holds graduate degrees from Brigham Young University and the University of Maryland, and has served on the stress management faculties at the Pentagon, the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, and the University of Maryland School of Public Health. He has trained mental health professionals and laypersons—including high-risk groups such as the military, police, and firefighters—on stress, trauma, and resilience.
Glenn is the founder of Resilience Training International, which teaches how to prevent and recover from stress-related conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety, while optimizing mental health and performance under pressure. An eternally-grateful convert of 47 years, Glenn serves in a young single adult branch presidency and, with his wife, leads the Addiction Recovery Program in his stake in Florida.
Highlights02:40 Kurt introduces Glenn and the topic of childhood trauma.
05:15 Glenn shares his background and conversion story.
08:25 Glenn explains what he does and what led him to write many books and create courses to help people with their mental health.
11:30 Childhood wounds and how they affect people who are religious versus non religious
13:50 The original ten adverse childhood experiences that cause wounds that people carry into adulthood
16:00 Unresolved pain leads people to drugs and pornography. Unresolved childhood wounds can manifest physically or spiritually.
18:50 How can a leader be a resource to those struggling with childhood wounds and lead them in the right direction to find healing?
20:30 How memories are imprinted on us
23:30 We need a deeper, more dynamic approach to healing childhood trauma. It’s important to find a therapist that is a trauma specialist.
27:00 Glenn explains Accelerated Resolution Therapy, known as ART. This is a fairly new form of therapy that is very effective for helping people with trauma.
34:30 Leaders can encourage people to write out their feelings. Expressive writing and journaling can benefit people trying to deal with old trauma that don’t want to talk about it.
40:00 God is the ultimate attachment figure and his love is the ultimate answer to shame.
45:00 According to research it’s a myth that religion adds to more shame. Religion can cause guilt. Religion is the answer to guilt.
48:50 Big T trauma and small t trauma
51:50 Do most issues come from childhood trauma?
54:45 Coping with trauma by perfectionism and overachieving. They try to overcompensate.
58:00 Latter-day Saint people tend to be overachievers. Most overachievers were adaptive and they like it. Others have fear-driven overachievement.
1:01:00 We don’t have to suffer for decades. A lot of times we just need to learn certain skills to overcome. Take the time to find the right therapist.
1:03:20 A good leader loves the people as Christ did.
LinksThe Adverse Childhood Experiences Recovery Workbook
Glenn R. Schiraldi books
Accelerated Resolution Therapy
Resilience Training International
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Sara Payne is currently serving as the stake Relief Society president in Billings, Montana, and previously served as a branch Relief Society president in rural Maine. She loves Relief Society and considers it one of her purposes to help women in the Church understand that they belong and are wanted and needed in this great organization. Sara is a relationship coach and spends her days helping women who are married to physicians to create thriving marriages.
Dale Williams has served in elders quorum, as a bishop and bishop’s counselor, and in a stake presidency. He is currently a stake president in Billings, Montana. Dale is a business owner and practices as a chiropractor.
Highlights02:30 Introduction to Stake President Dale Williams and Stake Relief Society President Sara Payne in Billings, Montana.
04:45 Sara’s past experience and getting called as stake Relief Society president.
06:20 Dale shares his experience extending callings. He called Sara because she is a person who thinks outside the box.
09:45 Sara talks about beginning her calling and the intimidation she felt.
11:20 Dale talks about coming together and gathering ideas and thoughts. This creates an atmosphere of openness.
14:50 Dale describes the culture of the meetings they have as stake leaders. Things that he has found that work and don’t work.
16:15 The stake president states his opinion last. He lets everyone else speak and share first. This is a way he can also gain revelation.
18:50 There is a difference between respecting our leaders and putting them on a pedestal, like they are all knowing.
20:00 Reaching for unity. Go into any interaction knowing that you are on the same team even though opinions might differ.
23:00 Dale shares an experience of not agreeing and changing things up in the stake.
27:15 Sometimes we have to let go of who can do it the most effectively. Let everyone serve in their own way.
29:00 Dale has one-on-one meetings every month with Sara. She leads the discussion normally and takes time to prepare for it.
31:30 At the beginning of any meeting or one-on-one they begin by talking about a concern they have or gospel principle and counsel together before getting to the agenda items. They unify their thinking and come together.
33:10 Sara was very intimidated in stake councils to share her opinions and speak up. She talks about the things that helped her feel safe and open up.
35:40 Dale and his counselors share what they are going through. They are vulnerable. He has found that it’s not normally in our strengths that we come together but in our weaknesses.
38:10 What it means to be heard. Being heard doesn’t mean getting your way.
40:30 It’s not about what the leader can do but what they can help others do.
LinksTRANSCRIPT coming soon
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Emily Robison Adams is married with three children and is a practicing appellate attorney. She received her undergraduate degree in linguistics from Brigham Young University and her JD from the University of Minnesota Law School. She worked for judges on the Minnesota Court of Appeals and the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota before returning to Utah. She is a partner at The Appellate Group, a boutique law firm focusing on appeals. Emily has served in Relief Society and Young Women presidencies, taught Relief Society, and currently serves as the Primary chorister.
Highlights02:00 Kurt introduces Emily and her story.
04:00 Emily shares her background.
06:00 Emily’s faith crisis. She felt like she couldn’t get answers from God.
09:10 A crisis dismantles your framework and the story you’ve built your life on.
11:20 The shame that comes from feeling like you can’t connect with the divine.
15:25 How leaders can help with a faith crisis.
17:50 Emily shares that she dealt with bitterness and doubts and didn’t know what to do with her doubts.
20:40 How leaders can use the tool of rethinking to help an individual struggling with their faith.
23:30 Emily shares how she was able to rethink. She did this by finding people that were feeling the same way. She found books from other religions and perspectives that really helped her.
28:45 There are moments where scripture study feels empty. Find new ways to connect with God. It could be a hike, a walk, ten minutes of quiet.
31:50 Leaders are there to mourn with those that mourn. Be careful about preaching to someone that is in the tender stage of their faith crisis. Try to gauge where the person is at and what they need at the moment.
35:00 Leaders should resist the urge to fix everyone’s problems. Listen to their story. Show empathy for their difficulty.
37:15 Spencer Fluhman talks about how you answer gospel questions by not answering gospel questions but by connecting to the person who is asking you the question.
38:15 How to spot if someone is having a faith crisis or mental health issue.
43:00 Emily talks about sending smoke signals to people when she started struggling with her faith.
45:15 Leaders need to create safety in their wards. Safety to share. “There is no such thing as resistance, only lack of safety.”
48:00 Where Emily is at now in her faith journey.
53:00 Emily talks about how she is grateful for the quietness. How her faith has grown.
LinksDivine Quietness: Finding Meaning When Heaven is Silent
Faith After Doubt
Stages of Faith
The Dark Night of the Soul
What Every Leader Needs to Know About Faith Crisis | An Interview with Scott Braithwaite
“Answering Sincere Gospel Questions,” with Spencer Fluhman
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ofi (oh-fee) is an American pop rock artist from Huntington Beach, California, featuring frontman/vocalist/writer Burke Laidler accompanied by Matt Wilson on drums and Johnny Diaz on lead guitar. Ofi/Burke left full-time financial services and a beach home in Huntington Beach, California, to pursue music full time. This podcast interview was recorded on the Renew23 East cruise in January 2023, where Kurt and Ofi were both guests.
Highlights09:15 Ofi talks about his upbringing and living in a mixed-faith household.
14:00 Ofi never thought he would serve a mission but thanks to the influence of his girlfriend at the time he ended up going to Panama City.
17:50 God binge-watches your life like a Netflix series. You are his favorite character.
18:45 Ofi started playing music at 14 years old. He gave up on music till after his mission.
21:15 Ofi talks about what it was like growing up with divorced parents, struggling with money, and constantly moving.
24:00 Pursuing his passion for music and also being a gospel doctrine teacher.
24:50 Ofi has a rough background but he shares three things that have helped him maintain his growth in the Church and his faith in Jesus Christ.
- Seek Jesus Christ
- Study Him
- Stay. Choose to stay.
28:50 How can you be excited for a Savior that you don’t know? How can you be excited for the scriptures or the Book of Mormon if you don’t understand the value? How can we follow a God that we don’t know?
30:30 Will my service and faith in God stop me from following my dreams?
31:15 Ofi tells the story of his name. His name is actually Burke.
32:45 Most-loved songs and their meanings
34:45 Ofi was inspired by Elder Bednar’s quote, “Thoughts to the mind. Feeling to the Heart.” That is the best way to describe the way Ofi writes his songs.
40:00 Having support from his wife, Samantha. She has supported his dream despite not having any money.
42:30 Ofi shares the story of a song that he wrote about Peter walking on water.
43:45 Ofi performs his song “I Will Walk.”
LinksOfi Band
Instagram: @ofiband
YouTube: @Ofiband
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
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Evan Hathaway owns the Time To Smile Dental practice in Eagle, Idaho, just outside of Boise, specializing in cosmetic and sedation dentistry. He particularly loves serving those needing reconstruction from fear-based dental neglect. Evan grew up in southeastern Idaho and attended Rick’s College and Brigham Young University. He earned his doctorate degree in Dental Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, and a general practice residency in Northern California prior to settling in the Boise area.
Evan served a mission to Leeds, England, and has served in an elders quorum presidency, a bishopric, as a Young Men president, high counselor, YSA bishop, and high priest group leader. He is currently serving as the elders quorum instructor and as a senior service missionary for the Addiction Recovery Program. Evan loves art and creating, reading and learning with his wife of 39 years, Missy, and enjoys weight lifting to stay fit, but his greatest passion is his family and serving and ministering to those recovering from addictions. Evan and Missy have four children and 13 grandchildren.
Highlights02:00 Evan introduces himself and his story.
06:00 Evan’s mindset was, it’s up to me and all I have to do is work hard to overcome this. He wasn’t surrendering to God.
07:20 Addiction started for Evan when he got addicted to painkillers after shoulder surgery. He had a lot of other addictions in his life that he wasn’t even aware of.
09:30 Evan talks about his early addiction to pornography and other things he did to cope. Extreme exercise was one of the ways of trying to stay away from pornography.
12:30 Evan goes more into his addiction of painkillers and his state of denial.
14:00 Overcoming addiction is not about having more willpower. It’s about humility and getting help from God.
15:40 Evan describes the nuclear bomb that went off in his life. He got caught in his addiction, went to a 90-day rehab, almost got his license taken away, and was faced with possible jail time.
20:45 Going to the rehab center and overcoming shame and fear
24:10 “I had to be force-fed vulnerability.” Evan was forced to be humble and truly learn to be honest and vulnerable.
25:45 Evan’s advice to leaders when it comes to letting people share their stories
- Don’t add to shame culture because you feel uncomfortable talking about certain topics
- Shame culture shackles healing
31:15 What can leaders do to help with addictions? As leaders we need to be the catalyst of de shaming.
34:00 Evan illustrates the difference between having a perfectionist attitude and hiding your sins vs being honest, open, and vulnerable.
36:00 As a Bishop are you sending a shame message or a redemption message?
36:15 In today’s world we can’t teach obedience more than we teach redemption and healing.
37:00 Invite someone like Evan to your fifth Sunday to share their story of redemption.
39:00 Let’s stop categorizing sin. All sin keeps us from God.
42:00 Telling stories. We can connect to stories and we can feel the Spirit through honest stories.
44:20 Create a space where it’s ok to admit to the things we’ve done wrong.
47:00 Evan talks about the things that his wife has had to do in order to support Evan and take care of her own mental health. She went through a program called Al-Anon.
48:40 Evan is dedicated to going to 12-step meetings for the rest of his life. This helps him not relapse and keeps him engaged.
52:00 Step twelve is to share the message. Keep helping others.
52:40 What Evan’s recovery looks like today and where he’s at in his dentistry career.
54:30 Recovery as a family. Reconnecting with his wife through recovery and regaining emotional intimacy.
1:01:10 Evan’s wife’s journey to healing and dealing with betrayal trauma.
1:04:45 Evan’s final thoughts to church leaders trying to help people with addiction
LinksRegister for the Recovering Saints Virtual Conference
Al-Anon
Addiction Recovery Program
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube (coming soon)
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Pre-register HERE for the Recovering Saints Virtual Conference
Kelly Thompson Clark is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic who spent three decades battling the disease of addiction. Plagued by the effects of mental illness and addiction, she eventually descended into homelessness and prostitution. In 2016, after finding faith in Jesus Christ and entering twelve-step recovery, Kelly’s life of tragedy and despair transformed into one that overflowed with purpose and hope. Kelly is a published author, public speaker, podcast co-host, and social media influencer. She has dedicated her life to sharing the reality of hope with those who continue to suffer from the devastating impact of addiction.
Heather Granata Warren and her husband are the parents of nine kids, her two nieces, a daughter-in law, and two dogs. They reside in the Lehi, Utah area, and she owns Little Adventures, a company that manufactures clothing-quality princess dress ups. Her full-time job, however, is as a wife and an Uber driver (for the kids), and handling the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of all those young people. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. Heather currently serves as a Young Women 13–15-year-old advisor. Her favorite callings—and most of the last twenty years—have involved serving the youth and in the Young Women organization.
Highlights02:00 Kurt introduces Kelly and Heather.
04:00 Introduction to Kelly’s story of addiction and redemption
07:00 Kelly shares their family background and how they were raised.
09:20 As a very young child Kelly suffered from anxiety disorder and depression. She had very troubled teenage years and got into drug addiction and harmful behaviors.
16:00 Kelly looks back on her journey and shares what her young self needed at that time. The true solution was always God and the atonement of Jesus Christ.
17:40 The journey was important. Kelly had small glimpses of the spirit and Jesus Christ throughout the years. In the end, all those experiences combined to help her finally surrender to God.
21:00 The family dynamic and how they were dealing with Kelly’s problems
25:45 Coping with different substances, food, or work. Putting these behaviors before God and losing all peace of mind.
26:30 Hitting her absolute rock bottom using meth and heroin, losing her two daughters, and living out on the streets of Salt Lake
27:40 Heather shares her experience watching her sister suffer and go out of control, not being able to help her.
29:20 Addressing codependency. How can families not enable the member of the family with the addiction? What can they do to truly help?
32:30 The Atonement isn’t just for sin. Heather shares her grief and unbearable pain of thinking she was going to lose her sister. She had to surrender her sister to God.
35:20 Bishop’s should teach surrender to God. Everything always goes back to the Atonement. Let God carry you.
36:10 Kelly describes her gethsemane and how she slowly learned to turn to God and surrender unconditionally to God.
44:45 Kelly describes her emotional journey and miracles that happened to get sober and come back to Christ.
50:30 The process of getting off of heroin and meth
58:30 It’s not just about getting clean and sober but it’s about feeling joy again and coming back to Christ. Not all people that get off drugs are happy.
59:50 Advice for a ward or relief society that is trying to help someone in the midst of addiction and chaos. Love them where they are at with no expectations.
1:01:30 The more vulnerable and honest Kelly is, the more people connect with her. The less judgmental they are.
1:04:00 The Atonement of Jesus Christ lifts the shame.
1:07:20 Rings of light sometimes have frayed ends. However, in time everything will come full circle. Healing is individual and will happen in different time frames for everyone.
1:08:30 Kelly shares where she is now.
1:11:20 Heather’s relationship with Kelly now
1:15:00 Heather’s final encouragement to those that are family members that are discouraged and going through a dark moment with their loved one
1:16:15 Kelly’s final encouragement and advice. Remember that the pain is never wasted. Sometimes we have to go through the darkness to find Christ.
LinksRegister for the Recovering Saints Virtual Conference
Between Monsters and Mercy: An Inspiring True Story of a Soul Lost and Found
Helping Addicts Share Their Story | An Interview with Jessica Butterfield & Kelly Thompson
Lamar’s story
Addiction Recovery Program
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube (coming soon)
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Pavel Mykhailovskii was born and raised in Ukraine, and served a mission in Dnipro, Ukraine. He was called as the second counselor in the mission presidency in Dnipro only eight months after serving his mission. He has also served as branch president and is currently serving as stake president.
Highlights02:35 Introduction to Pavel and his background
04:00 The current state of Ukraine due to the war. Pavel lives in one of the biggest cities in eastern Ukraine where, for the most part, life is normal.
07:30 Pavel is a 29-year-old stake president. He shares his background in the Church.
15:15 What Pavel learned as a counselor in the mission presidency
18:15 Pavel describes his experience as a branch president in Ukraine and what his ward dynamic was like.
19:30 The effect that the war has had on wards and branches
23:30 Pavel describes how his stake was created. It was a miracle that it was able to be created during the pandemic.
26:30 Getting called as the stake president
31:30 Being stake president during the Russian invasion
37:00 Miracles that happened during the war
52:20 You can’t freeze revelation. You have to act on it immediately.
57:20 How we can help the people of Ukraine
1:00:00 Pavel shares his final thoughts on serving and becoming a disciple of Christ.
LinksListen to the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Karla Fonseca was born and raised in San Pedro Sula, the industrial capital of Honduras, in Central America. She graduated as an environmental engineer before serving in the Guatemala City Central Mission. She later earned a master’s degree in Environmental Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and is now a senior in Marriage and Family Studies in BYU-Idaho’s online program. Karla has worked as an environmental coordinator and manager and is currently the project manager at her family’s insurance business.
Karla has served in Young Womens as a president, counselor, secretary, and stake Personal Progress specialist; as an Institute teacher, ward Relief Society secretary, and temple worker in Las Vegas. She has also been a stake YSA representative and historian for the regional EFY conference, and has served as stake historian for over 10 years. She currently holds three additional callings as stake self-reliance specialist, Institute teacher, and ward Primary president. She hopes to continue in Primary in her new ward as a music leader. Karla and her husband Sergio Mejia have been married eight years and have a 5-year-old son.
Highlights02:40 Introduction to Karla and her background
04:40 Karla describes the church in Honduras and ward demographics.
08:00 Ward dynamics and the challenges that it has, covering a large geographic area but with very few members
10:00 Karla’s experience as primary president in Honduras. Learning on her own and as she went due to the lack of leaders in her area.
16:10 Principle one – Seek help from others
- Look for resources online
- Join Facebook groups
- Get help from local leaders
23:00 Principle two – Work together with the ward council. Karla shares her experience of how her ward council works together to support families.
28:00 Primary needs the help of the ward council because it’s not just the kids that need support but the parents too.
29:40 Principle three – visualize the potential of the children. Karla shares a personal experience she has had with the youth.
32:30 Karla shares her mission experience in Guatemala and a lesson she learned. Seeing each person as important, even the smallest child in your ward.
34:00 Final thoughts and Karla’s testimony of Jesus Christ and being a leader
LinksSharla Dance: teachingprimarymusic.com
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Travis Richey is an entrepreneur and speaker. At the age of 25, Travis managed a hedge fund with millions of dollars under management. Due to a regulatory oversight in the State of Arizona, he was charged with transactions of an unregistered securities dealer and sentenced to 2 years in Arizona Department of Corrections. This 17,520 hours became the framework of Travis’ new mission in life; he founded AccomplishED Ventures to provide incarcerated and returned citizens the proper resources for a second chance at a successful life. Over the past 10 years he created the largest incarcerated curriculum company In America. His weekly message is seen or heard by over 500,000 inmates.
When Travis is not impacting the incarcerated community, he speaks the language of identity and adversity to youth around the world, helping them understand their greatness and true potential. Travis’ message to the world is that biography is not destiny and no matter your past circumstances, you are in control of how far you go in life and what you achieve. Travis lives by the idea that every adversity carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit; the challenge is for most people that they’re so focused on the adversity in front of them that they don’t water the seed. Travis believes that the worst prisons in America are not made of concrete and steel, but moreso the limiting beliefs which keep us locked inside a mindset—or even worse, a life that does not serve our potential or purpose.
Travis served in the Washington, Spokane mission and has degrees in finance and business administration. He has served in various church callings: nursery, Primary, Young Men, elders quorum, and his current and favorite calling as Gospel Doctrine instructor. Travis and his wife Melissa have been married 15 years, have four children, and reside in Boise, Idaho.
Highlights02:00 Kurt introduces Travis Richey.
03:30 Travis’ background
06:00 Travis talks about his incarceration and what led to it.
15:00 Many leaders were involved in Travis’ case and it was confusing for all of them.
21:30 Travis describes the years of mental anguish and court hearings. After a six year legal battle he was finally sentenced to 2 years.
24:45 Taking ownership and accountability and getting out of victim mode
27:30 What Travis learned from his experience and what he hopes listeners and leaders can get out of his story is empathy. He explains the difference between sympathy and empathy.
28:40 What does it look like to crawl in the pit with someone? Do people know that they can count on you?
33:20 As church leadership, how do you help someone who is incarcerated? Get them out of victim mode.
38:10 Travis shares what he does when he sits across from someone in jail. When you don’t know how to relate to someone, start with the end in mind. Help them see where they want to go and who they want to be.
40:00 Stop focusing on behavior! Focus on identity.
40:50 Where do we start when talking about identity? Kurt shares his own personal story of finding identity.
42:45 Telling your story unlocks levels of authenticity.
44:30 Bringing authenticity and unlocking identity at church
48:50 If you hide your story, you hide God’s glory.
50:50 Moments of change. Travis’ time incarcerated was his self mastery moment. He was able to reframe his whole experience. His story is now global and changes people’s lives.
52:30 Changes that will be made to the Gospel Library for people incarcerated
59:45 Resources and Travis’ nonprofit
1:01:50 How being incarcerated helped Travis become a better follower of Jesus Christ
LinksAccomplished Ventures
Travis Richey Ep. 570 The Cultural Hall
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Scriptures referenced in this podcast:
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Jennifer Sumko grew up in Salt Lake City Utah and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Communications. She worked in various marketing and account management jobs prior to having children and staying at home as a full-time mother. She started a photography business while her husband was in residency and taught herself how to sew by watching YouTube videos while her babies were sleeping. It was during those years, living on the east coast, that she gained a deep love and appreciation for antiques and making old things appear as new.
Jennifer has always had a love and passion for design. In 2018 She started Jen Sumko Vint—a company rooted in a love of all things vintage—and took on design clients specializing in textiles, wallpapers, and antique furnishings. She launched an earring collection early in 2019 and created her own small dress label the end of that year. Her latest project has been a spring and summer clothing, swim, and shoe collection with Dillard’s that will launch and be available nationwide in February 2023.
Jennifer is currently serving as a Young Women president in Mesa, Arizona, after serving as Relief Society president in a ward doubling in numbers weekly. She has also served in a stake Young Women presidency and as a counselor in Young Women, Relief Society, and Primary while living in Pennsylvania. You can find her on social media through Instagram @JenniferSumko or at a local thrift or antique store sorting through treasured goods.
Highlights03:00 Introduction to Jennifer Sumko, her work as a designer, and using Instagram for business
10:40 God gave us technology to make us strong but it can also be a weakness. Social media can be an unhealthy escape.
13:40 The dynamic of social media with the relief society sisters
15:30 The danger of social media is judgment and comparison, even if it’s wholesome content.
17:40 The top five people on your feed are actually the top five people that are influencing your life. Take a look and evaluate your feed and what you are seeing daily and how it’s influencing you.
18:20 Invite God into your work and social media.
21:20 Even though we need to be careful with social media, so much good is coming from it.
22:45 Be intentional with your social media
- Why are you on social media? Is it education or entertainment? To escape?
- Use social media to reach out to others
- Think of how you can use social media in a positive way
25:30 Reaching out on social media
- Simply liking someone’s post
- Writing a comment
- Engage with people’s content
- If you are not on social media, text a friend
26:45 How can the Relief Society leverage social media?
30:00 Social media should not replace in person connection and community. Focus first on your most important relationships.
35:40 We can learn a lot about people by who they follow online. Create an activity about it and share who you follow online. This could help people connect over common interests.
36:50 Dealing with disagreements. Ask people questions not to attack but to understand. Invite Jesus in to help us understand other individuals. Remember that no one has the answers.
39:00 The struggle we are all having right now is feeling like we have a seat at the table and helping others feel included too.
40:00 Jennifer’s final thoughts and testimony
LinksJennifer Sumko Vintage
Instagram: @jennifer_sumko
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Ether 12:27, Doctrine & Covenants 8
Gathering Saints
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this episode, Kurt Francom and Ross Richey (former member of the Leading Saints Board of Directors) talk about random topics distantly related to leadership. This is a fun end-of-year episode where there are no rules. 🙂
LinksWe Are Not Saved podcast
Leadership Systems | How I Lead: Ross Richey, High Priest Group Leader
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
In this episode, Kurt Francom discusses the past, present, and future of Leading Saints.
Links from Episode:* Donate to Leading Saints * Upcoming Retreats
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Watch Video Episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq9wtA6KSm4
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He is also an associate leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. As a consultant, he works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture.
Ryan is the author of The Elevated Leader and Success Mindsets. He has written multiple articles for Leading Saints, presented at a live event about mindsets, and is a repeat podcast guest. As Ryan reviewed leadership research, he found it primarily answered one question: “What do leaders need to do to be effective?” The focus of his work has been on “What do leaders need to be to be effective?”
This podcast is a follow-up to a previous discussion about vertical development as individuals and leaders in the church. Listen to Part 1 here.
Highlights02:10 Introduction and Ryan talks about the book that he recently released
04:40 Focus on vertical development not only works in the office but within the family
06:15 Ryan breaks down vertical development and how it’s different from horizontal development
09:00 Retreats are to help focus on our own character development or vertical development. It’s so much more than just gaining more knowledge.
13:00 Researchers have found that adults can develop but most don’t
16:00 We force our youth to get into uncomfortable situations where they can learn and grow. However, as adults we refuse to do things that are uncomfortable.
18:00 A heat experience. They are externally or internally driven. These are experiences that cause us to change.
19:30 Can we apply this idea of vertical development in our church meetings?
23:00 A necessary prerequisite for vertical development is vulnerability. So as church leaders it’s important to be vulnerable and create a space for others to be vulnerable too.
25:20 Ryan shares some of his past trauma and what he has learned from it in his vertical development journey. He applies it to church leaders.
30:20 What makes us, as leaders?
32:40 Experiences as a child can affect us as adults and how we lead. Even if you didn’t have dramatic trauma in your past, everyone has some sort of trauma.
33:40 Kurt shares his personal experience
36:15 Look into your past. What has happened to you? What type of leadership have you experienced? What was your testimony development like? How are all these things impacting or impeding your vertical leadership development?
36:50 Ryan gives examples of how past trauma affects current leadership
41:30 The journey to becoming a more positive influence, a better leader, and more like our Savior is foundationally a healing journey
45:00 We need to stop comparing our pain and trauma. Everyone’s pain matters.
51:00 It can be helpful to look into the history of trauma in your family
54:15 Past trauma affects how we parent and connect with others
58:00 Less vertically developed leaders focus on results and outcomes. The best leaders focus on the leading indicators, not the lagging indicators.
1:00:00 Watching other people go through vertical development
1:06:20 Vertical development is a focus on elevating our being and not just focusing on our doing
1:08:40 The first step is self awareness. Take the time to learn more about vertical mindsets. Once we become self aware and learn we can take action.
1:14:00 Final encouragement that Ryan has for leaders
LinksPart 1: The Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson
Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership
The Elevated Leader: Level Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development
ryangottfredson.com
Vertical development assessments
Vertical development article: Two Ways to Develop as a Church Leader
The Body Keeps the Score
Kurt’s book recommendations
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Watch on YouTube
Learn more about the Gathering Saints experiences
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Justin Sorensen was recently released as bishop of his ward in Indiana and is now serving as stake Young Men camp director and youth Sunday School teacher. He has previously served as ward executive secretary, Young Men president, elders quorum president, and counselor in a bishopric. Justin grew up in Northern Indiana, served a mission in South Korea, and graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor of science in Industrial Engineering. He has been an insurance agency owner for the last 14 years, married to Angela for 23 years, and they are the parents of five children.
Highlights02:30 Introduction and background of Justin Sorenson
05:00 Transitioning from being bishop and having a large role in the ward to having a much smaller role
06:30 The dynamic that the bishop has with the youth and the ward. It can be exhausting to be everything for everyone.
11:00 Justin talks about his experience as a bishop helping the youth. Things that they did.
16:30 Young men’s advisors
17:20 Principle one – Be with them (the youth). Always be communicating.
20:40 Interviews with the youth
21:30 Principle two – Let them lead. How Justin went about helping the youth lead.
23:50 Justin’s ward created a planning conference for the youth. The youth were able to plan activities for the next six months plus they got to have fun.
30:30 Trust the youth. Let them lead to unleash their power. Be willing to let the young men fulfill their responsibilities. Let them fail once or twice instead of jumping in right away to fix everything.
31:45 As a leader you need to be willing to sit back and listen and let the youth do their thing. We try to jump in way too soon and release them from that responsibility.
34:10 Principle three – Connect them with heaven.
- Connect them with the importance of the sacrament
- Talk about covenants and the temple. Prepare them for the future.
- Always being open to inspiration and what the youth need
39:40 Helping the youth plan activities. You can help give them a framework but within the framework the youth can do what they want.
40:15 Ward council is the board for the ward with a unified objective
42:50 Principles of the ward council: Principle one – As a bishop, you should be with them
- One meeting a month with the full agenda
- All other weekly meetings were about people. Only 10 minutes long.
45:20 Ward council principle two – Let them lead
- Everyone had very clear responsibilities
- Let them manage their own organization
- Allowing them to lead helps them have their own spiritual experiences
51:30 Justin’s final thoughts and what he has learned from being a leader
LinksRead the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Keith Erekson is an award-winning author, teacher, and public historian who has published on topics including politics, hoaxes, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, and Church history. Keith grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, served a mission in Brazil, and earned advanced degrees in history and business. For seven years he directed the Church History Library, overseeing expanded online research access and enriched public exhibits, and now works for the Church History Department in efforts to encourage outreach and historical engagement. In this podcast, Kurt and Keith discuss receiving and engaging with patriarchal blessings.
Highlights2:00 Introduction and new book about understanding patriarchal blessings
6:00 Patriarchal blessings are so unique and a special part of our religion
8:00 The history of patriarchal blessings
11:45 Why a patriarchal blessing? Comparing baby blessings and patriarchal blessings
16:00 Apocryphal things people say about patriarchal blessings
18:15 Can we share our patriarchal blessing?
19:45 Be careful about your expectations of your blessing. Some blessings can be very specific and others very general.
23:00 How can Bishops help youth prepare for a blessing?
26:00 Is patriarch an official title?
27:00 Request your direct ancestors or direct descendants blessings
32:40 Keith’s thoughts on lineage. Sometimes we take the lineage too literally or as if it’s biological. Our lineage is a spiritual and a symbolic connection.
37:30 Mysteries of God are just things that He knows and we don’t know. Oftentimes we make it into more than it is, like something magical and spooky.
38:00 Our patriarchal blessing is an invitation from God to learn more about you and your relationship with Him. Our blessing is like a doorway to learn more. It’s not a destination.
40:40 Real vs rumor. It’s a rumor that Joseph Smith’s bloodline is a literal bloodline to Ephraim.
42:30 Keith’s book would be great for the person that just got their patriarchal blessing
45:00 Oldest and youngest blessings in history
46:00 Keith’s favorite stories of patriarchal blessings
49:50 Things that Keith is working on for church history. Joseph Smith Papers, last volume of Saints, Eliza R. Snow sermons, journals, and more.
52:15 Final thoughts on patriarchal blessings
LinksIncorrect Quotes, Urban Legends, and Magical Thinking at Church | An Interview with Keith Erekson
Making Sense of Your Patriarchal Blessing
Real vs. Rumor: How to Dispel Latter-Day Myths
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kolette Hall is a Success and Self-Management Coach for Leaders. She teaches high-achieving leaders how to manage their thoughts and behavior so they can make aligned decisions in every area of their life—without having to micromanage their time. She is an educator, author, entrepreneur, mother, and widow. Her husband was a quadriplegic in a wheelchair and they were married for 27 years before he passed away suddenly. Kolette has served in a stake Primary presidency and ward Young Women program. She currently serves in her Syracuse, Utah, stake Young Women presidency, where she uses her superpower of offering realistic, simple, and powerful ways to help ward leaders implement the youth-led program.
Highlights02:30 Introduction and Kolette’s review of the Leading Saints women’s retreat
05:54 Kolette talks about the book, Messy Victories, that she wrote with her late husband, Jason Hall
10:40 Jason was a quadriplegic and she talks about the unique dynamic that it brought to being elders quorum president
12:00 What should leaders do when someone in their ward loses a loved one or is grieving? What do these people need?
19:20 Serving in the stake Young Women presidency
23:30 Things that have worked while serving in the stake Young Women leadership
25:00 “Mind the gap”: Where you are as a leader vs. where you want to be. There is always a gap. It’s the same with our youth. How can we help bridge the gap?
28:40 How can we arm the youth with tools to succeed and lead?
- Identify everyone’s unique needs. We are all different.
- Figure out the ‘how.’ How to help youth get skills.
- Find a mentor to help them learn
- Leaders need to know how to teach skills to the youth
33:45 In order to help the adult leaders have the necessary skills to help the youth learn, Kolette’s stake has all the adult leaders come to the stake meetings.
35:00 Needs Kolette has seen in her stake and how they have been able to address those needs and come up with effective solutions
40:00 Kolette explains what a start to finish walk through is. Walk through each moment of an activity and make a plan. Make sure everyone knows their jobs. This increases everyone’s confidence.
45:15 Kolette’s final thoughts. We are preparing our youth for everything that happens after they turn 18.
LinksMessy Victories: A Story of Allowing Grief, Pursuing Joy, and Rolling Forward
KoletteHall.com
Young Women & Young Men Class Presidency Leadership Materials (use promo code “saints”)
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is PART 2 of a 2-part podcast conversation. Listen to PART 1
Steven Croshaw is the co-founder and President of SA Lifeline Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing hope, education and resources related to sexual addiction and betrayal trauma recovery. He was instrumental in the production of Understanding Pornography and Sexual Addiction: A Resource for Families, Religious, and Community Leaders. Steven is a commercial real estate developer. He has been married to Rhyll Anne Croshaw for 49 years and they are the parents of seven children and 27 grandchildren. They are grateful to be working recovery one day at a time.
Chris Raleigh grew up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, and served in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission. He has a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in education, and has taught for 28 years in both public and private school settings—including 23 years as a seminary and institute instructor. Chris’ church assignments have included callings in the elders quorum, Sunday School, high council, bishopric, and as a bishop and stake president. In his current assignment he serves with his wife, Peggy, on the Church’s Corrections Committee, ministering to both Church leaders and inmates in six county jails and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah. Chris and Peggy have nine children and 14 grandchildren.
Chris’ desire in sharing his story is to lend hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to the many men and women who feel trapped within the grasp of the illness called addiction. Trying to reverse four generations of addiction within his family has not been easy but he knows it is possible.
Steven Croshaw
Chris Raleigh
Highlights0:15 Can church leaders do anything to help people be completely honest and change?
1:45 What happens when you are radically honest?
2:40 We can’t always understand God’s timing for things or why we have to go through them again and again
5:00 Leaders have to surrender too. Surrender those they are trying to help to God. You can’t mess with other people’s agency.
8:00 We can talk about recovery but they won’t know it and understand it till they go through it. Steven explains the steps and what he had to be willing to do to recover.
10:00 It’s necessary to find a safe place to be radically honest
12:00 Practicing honesty brings us closer to Christ. Addiction cannot survive the light of Christ. Without honesty you can’t get there.
15:30 Is disclosure to a bishop the best first step to recovery?
18:30 Instead of trying to decide if it’s an addiction or not, just treat it as such
- Create boundaries and bottom lines
- Be honest about all behavior
- Receive the help you need
21:00 Many people have an aversion to the word addiction. Call it what you want but it’s a biochemical brain condition. It has a chemical hook.
23:30 Watching pornography first brings euphoria but is followed by feelings of shame and anger towards yourself
24:00 Whether you are a periodic user or a daily user it creates a feeling of unworthiness before God, unworthiness of the love from others, and self hatred
24:45 Sexual addiction deosn’t just want more it wants different. Pornography gets deeper and darker. There is a change in brain chemistry.
28:00 A lot of times bishops give advice based on their own experience however they need to keep in mind all the past history and possible family issues of the person they are trying to help
29:00 Pornography is not my problem. Pornography is my solution. So what is my real problem?
30:40 Recovery is being humble, honest, and accountable
31:30 What does it mean to surrender?
34:20 I have to set boundaries to stay safe
36:00 It has less to do with pornography and more to do with the emotions and feeling that we have. It’s very important to deal and process those emotions. For many the solution to avoiding these feeling and getting relief is pornography.
39:00 When it comes to confession there needs to be consequences. Bishops should give consequences because it helps change the behavior.
42:20 It’s important to learn how to process your emotions so that you don’t go back to self medicating with pornography or any other type of behavior
44:15 Taking away a temple recommend is not about shaming but it’s about addressing the problem that it is
45:15 What does it mean to get strength from the Savior and how do we do it?
49:45 What happens when a bishop minimizes a serious sin? How does it affect their spouse? It can cause more trauma and cause her to doubt her testimony.
53:40 If you love me, be honest
54:40 Don’t keep your candle under a bushel. Set it on a hill. The best way to stay sober is to find someone with the same problem to help. We need people to be honest, recover, and then help others recover too.
59:00 How can you tell if an addict is in recovery? He will tell his story. He will be willing to talk about it.
1:02:00 Resources for recovery
1:08:00 Final thoughts for leaders
LinksListen to PART 1
When the Stake President Struggles with Pornography | An Interview with Chris Raleigh
How to Help the Spouse of an Addict | Interview with Steven & Rhyll Croshaw
Facebook Group: I Am Finally Free
Iamfinallyfree.com
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, by Anna Lemke
S.A. Lifeline Foundation
SAL 12-Step
What Can I Do About Me?
He Restoreth My Soul
Understanding Pornography Addiction and Betrayal Trauma
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Steven Croshaw is the co-founder and President of SA Lifeline Foundation, a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing hope, education and resources related to sexual addiction and betrayal trauma recovery. He was instrumental in the production of Understanding Pornography and Sexual Addiction: A Resource for Families, Religious, and Community Leaders. Steven is a commercial real estate developer. He has been married to Rhyll Anne Croshaw for 49 years and they are the parents of seven children and 27 grandchildren. They are grateful to be working recovery one day at a time.
Chris Raleigh grew up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, and served in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission. He has a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in education, and has taught for 28 years in both public and private school settings—including 23 years as a seminary and institute instructor. Chris’ church assignments have included callings in the elders quorum, Sunday School, high council, bishopric, and as a bishop and stake president. In his current assignment, he serves with his wife, Peggy, on the Church’s Corrections Committee, ministering to both Church leaders and inmates in six county jails and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah. Chris and Peggy have nine children and 14 grandchildren.
Chris’ desire in sharing his story is to lend hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to the many men and women who feel trapped within the grasp of the illness called addiction. Trying to reverse four generations of addiction within his family has not been easy but he knows it is possible. This is PART 1 of a 2-part podcast conversation.
Steven Croshaw
Chris Raleigh
Highlights02:15 Introduction to the episode and the topic of sexual addiction and the speakers, Steven and Chris
05:30 Chris talks more about his story of dealing with pornography and how it has inspired others as he has been willing to be honest and tell his story
10:30 Steven tells his story of how he got into pornography and how he and Chris met in recovery.
19:00 Betrayal trauma is equally important to address as pornography addiction. Wives need to be brought into the recovery process. They need support and resources to get through the process too.
25:00 You can’t just stop the behavior. You can’t do it by yourself.
27:00 While Steven’s leaders cared and were loving, they didn’t give him the right advice and resources that he needed
27:30 Steven’s first experience with a sexaholics 12-step meeting. He walked away from it because he couldn’t relate.
28:40 Steven’s life-changing experience of getting arrested for picking up a prostitute. It was a turning point for him.
32:00 Through all of his recovery, Steven now understands that recovery is based on total and complete honesty.
33:00 Steven describes his third disciplinary council as a positive experience even though he got excommunicated
34:50 Anyone struggling with sexual addiction needs to know that you are responsible for your own recovery. Bishops and stake presidents don’t know how to help you.
35:45 The steps Steven took to find the proper help
37:15 How can I trust my husband after so much betrayal? How do I know my husband is truly in recovery?
39:30 Steven and his wife have created a foundation to help others recover from sexual addiction and betrayal trauma
40:00 What does recovery take and what does it look like?
- Radical honesty
- Willingness
LinksListen to PART 2
When the Stake President Struggles with Pornography | An Interview with Chris Raleigh
How to Help the Spouse of an Addict | Interview with Steven & Rhyll Croshaw
Facebook Group: I Am Finally Free
Iamfinallyfree.com
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, by Anna Lemke
S.A. Lifeline Foundation
SAL 12-Step
What Can I Do About Me?
He Restoreth My Soul
Understanding Pornography Addiction and Betrayal Trauma
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2021.
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D., is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He is also an associate leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. As a consultant, he works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture.
Ryan is the author of The Elevated Leader and Success Mindsets. He has written multiple articles for Leading Saints, presented at a live event about mindsets, and is a repeat podcast guest. As Ryan reviewed leadership research, he found it primarily answered one question: “What do leaders need to do to be effective?” The focus of his work has been on “What do leaders need to be to be effective?” In this podcast, Ryan and Kurt discuss the concept of vertical development and how it applies to individuals and leadership.
Highlights06:25 Vertical development is the next topic Ryan has been studying and writing about. It applies to us emotionally and spiritually, and possibly even physically.
07:40 Overview of mindsets: Mindsets are the mental lenses we wear that shape how we view the world
09:10 What vertical development is
- Three adult developmental stages that are a function of effort, both horizontally and vertically
- Elevating our ability to make meaning of our world in more cognitively and emotionally sophisticated ways
- 12:00 Examples of how people in different levels respond to constructive criticism
13:45 The three different levels
- Mind 1.0: Focused on our comfort, safety, and belonging. Self-protective. Dependent thinkers, exchanging power and independence for these needs.
- Mind 2.0: Focused on being seen, advanced, and getting ahead. Independent thinkers, in self-reward mode.
- Mind 3.0: Focused on contributing and adding value, externally focused on lifting and elevating others. Interdependent thinkers, able to see from different perspectives and sit with complexity. Only 1% of adults get to this place.
20:00 Becoming more like the Savior happens through vertical development
- Example of Mind 1.0 recommendation for seeking information
- Approaching teaching from the perspective of vertical vs. horizontal development
25:15 The tension between safety and truth
- Example of people protecting the safety of beliefs in a Sunday School lesson
- Being a seeker of truth and learning to sit with complexity instead of becoming defensive
- It is in the interpreting that we connect with God
31:05 Leaders operate differently depending on their vertical development
- Do we even allow for a conversation about interpretation?
- “Aspiring” fits into Mind 2.0
- Mind 3.0 leaders are focused on creating a culture that is inclusive and allows for growth and development
37:25 The culture of aspiring to leadership
39:00 How do we go about developing vertically?
- What makes meaning for us are our mindsets
- Example of an inward vs. outward mindset and how it helps us become more like Jesus Christ
- Seeing others as doing their best: “What has happened to you?” vs. “What is wrong with you?”
46:20 Learning acceptance: Healing from our own traumas as we recognize Christ accepting us
- Vertical development involves calming our response so we have a greater tolerance
- The new “Sunday School answer”: get to where you can have 100% acceptance before doing anything
- 51:35 When we help people repent we help them change their hearts and how they make meaning with their world, not their behaviors and actions
55:00 Where to start
57:55 Our vertical development is about healing our minds and hearts
LinksSuccess Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership
The Elevated Leader: Level Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development
ryangottfredson.com
Vertical development article: Two Ways to Develop as a Church Leader
Rising Strong
What Happened to You?
The Body Keeps the Score
The Bonds That Make Us Free
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Dr. Tyler Johnson is is a medical oncologist, author, and a clinical assistant professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine. He also serves as a leader of the Stanford inpatient oncology services, including supervising the oncology housestaff service. Tyler has served as Bishop in the Stanford Ward and taught institute. He co-hosts The Doctor's Art podcast and writes on the intersection of medicine, ethics, and spirituality. Tyler's writings has been featured by Religion News Service, the Salt Lake Tribune, BYU Studies, Dialogue, and The San Jose Mercury News, where he is a regular contributor. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to the episode and Tyler Johnson
03:30 Tyler’s background as an oncologist and professor
09:30 Teaching experience in the church and at the institute at Stanford
14:00 Many youth are leaving the church. We can do a better job at teaching them.
18:20 Where do we fail to teach the power of the gospel to youth and others?
20:00 Us vs them dynamic when it comes to people who leave the church and those who stay
22:30 As a leader, how do we avoid the us vs them dynamic at church and in our classes
25:45 Tyler breaks down the four parts of America and why it’s important to understanding and helping our youth today
Free America Real America Smart America Just (justice) America
36:30 Most youth today belong to "just America." They value justice and fairness and have lots of concerns. Understanding these values is really important as a leader.
39:30 How can leaders best help and guide the youth (just America)?
41:20 When someone comes to you with a deeply felt question, it's better to recognize the virtuous impulse behind the question before dealing with the content of the question
47:00 Empathy before certainty or ambiguity. Productive discussions are going to come from showing empathy for people’s concerns. Show them you are on their team.
52:00 The different types of Americans and these mindsets in the church. People that belong to just America don’t feel like they belong in the church.
59:00 Tyler talks to people that feel they are part of just America
1:05:30 We all need space and grace. Even the highest leaders of our church.
1:06:45 We hold back empathy from our leaders because they are the ones in power
1:08:00 Why the past 10 years of American life have been uniquely stupid. Social media makes it so easy for us to shoot people down who value different things than us.
1:13:00 A lot of us grew up with the fairytale version of the gospel when in reality church history was really messy. This is what young people are struggling with today. We need to let go of the fairytale and embrace the messiness.
1:22:00 The defining virtue of the Savior's atonement is his perfect empathy. We are joining the Savior in His work when we show empathy to those that we lead.
1:23:30 Tyler’s final thoughts and testimony Links How America Fractured into Four Parts, by George Packer Why the Past 10 Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid, by Jonathan Haidt The God Who Weeps The Other Prodigal, talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland The Doctor's Art podcast TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson,
Rick Bennett currently serves as family history leader in his ward and as a temple worker at the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple for the past ten years. He has served previously as ward mission leader, elders quorum counselor, membership clerk, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Primary teacher, and missionary in South Carolina/Georgia. He has a masters degree in biostatistics from the University of Utah and teaches at Utah Valley University and Western Governors University. For the past seven years, Rick has hosted Gospel Tangents, a podcast and YouTube channel focusing on Mormon history, science, and theology, where he interviews not only Latter-day Saint scholars and leaders, but Restoration leaders from other offshoots like Community of Christ, Strangites, Bickertonites, and even fundamentalist Mormon cousins in the Restoration Movement. Rick loves not only family history but Mormon history as well. Highlights 02:40 Introduction to Rick Bennett
04:40 Rick talks about his podcast, which focuses on Church history, science, and theology
21:30 How Rick got into family history
23:30 Roots Magic, a tool for family history
27:15 Family history tools and programs
27:50 If family history doesn’t excite you then that's ok. Do what you can do. Take the time to record your own history and your parents' or grandparents' history.
30:15 Doing a ward podcast can be another way to record people’s history
34:30 Do what you want to do in family history. Some people love uploading photos or interviewing family.
37:15 Rick shares some of his family history and talks about how he has found some of his family records
42:45 Tips for improving family history in your ward
Find the computer guy Connect to your in-laws by helping them with their history Get people excited about finding stories
43:20 Another way to help with family history is to take pictures of grave stones and put them on findagrave.com
49:00 Cancel Sunday school and do family history. Get people excited by going to the church history center.
56:45 Creating groups as families or wards to help give people names for the temple
1:03:00 Final thoughts and testimony Links Gospel Tangents Podcast Gospel Tangents podcast interviews with Kurt Francom Why Your Ward Needs a Podcast Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Brooke Rasmussen is completing her masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and is an intern at Partners with Families and Children, a social safety net for families facing neglect and abuse. Brooke is passionate about helping clients find personal and relational growth in their marriages and teaches Gottman Institute Marriage Courses online with her husband, Scott. Her research at Whitworth focuses on pornography use and its connections to emotional intelligence. Brooke and Scott traveled the world through his career as a diplomat, living in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East before putting down roots in Spokane with their eight children. Brooke's experience as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is fundamental to her development as a leader and thinker.
Highlights 02:15 Introduction to Brooke and the topic of personal development
05:30 Brooke’s process of preparing for the Leading Saints Women’s Conference
07:45 What is a vertical relationship?
10:00 In a vertical relationship, there are only winners and losers. You are one up or one down. It can lead to pulling rank, shaming, and others feeling less than.
14:30 Identifying our own behaviors of trying to one up someone else
16:30 Kurt gives examples of one-up situations
18:40 We go one down in a vertical relationship when we are playing a victim role. When we are minimizing our choices and acting like we are forced into things. When we hide our needs or desires.
20:00 A one-down mindset can be when we let others emotionally protect us or we try to protect them. This happens a lot in families. Brooke gives examples of what this looks like.
22:00 Playing small can be deflecting or self deprecating. It’s ok to want to aspire.
24:30 Historically women use the one-down spot for power. There is a victim power.
26:00 It gets tricky with the one-down position by saying it's a Christlike position
26:30 Brooke explains what it really means to turn the other cheek
28:30 Christ invites us to have horizontal relationships, where we are all on equal ground
29:40 The call of Christianity isn’t a call to be a victim. It’s a call to step into power.
30:40 If someone tries to one-up you then what does it look like to bring them back down to a horizontal relationship?
31:30 Brooke shares her own personal experience of a marriage fight and stopping the dynamic of trying to one-up each other
34:15 What to do in a church meeting when you feel like you got bulldozed. Learn to speak up for yourself and bring a meeting back to horizontal.
37:20 What can you do or say when someone else is playing the one-down card and acting like they are fine? You know they are trying to be accommodating. You can invite them to equal ground.
38:15 How anxiety plays into the horizontal and vertical relationship dynamics
41:00 God has established horizontal relationships and plans since the beginning of time. It’s not meant to be a power struggle, that is why He established councils.
42:00 If you are receiving as much as you are giving then you aren’t going to get burned out in your calling. It has to be a team effort and a horizontal experience in our wards.
46:20 We shouldn’t abolish all authority and priesthood keys but it's all about inner intention. As a leader you can take the time to listen to everyone and put yourself on equal ground with others.
49:30 What to do when you have a tyrannical leader? Some people will refuse to step down.
51:30 There are real victims and perpetrators. We can still find dignity in our situation and show respect for ourselves. Links The Courage to Be Disliked, by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga Jennifer Finlayson Fife Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast WATCH on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,
Joseph Dixon attended the University of Utah and has worked in the engineering field in management most of his career. Opportunities to travel throughout the world have allowed Joseph to meet many saints in many different countries. In the Church he has served in three bishoprics as counselor, as an elders quorum president, assistant high priest group leader, Young Men president and counselor, ward mission leader, family history leader and consultant, as a missionary in the Florida Ft Lauderdale Mission, a family history missionary working with stake leaders, a stake seminary teacher for 15 years, a temple worker, and now as Sunday School president in his North Salt Lake ward. Highlights 2:20 Introduction to Joseph Dixon
6:15 Ward dynamics and how that affects Joseph’s calling as Sunday School president
8:30 What do people want out of Sunday School?
13:30 Joseph’s tips to new teachers
15:30 Don’t cover it all. Look for one or two principles and have a discussion with your students.
16:50 At school, students are getting their heads filled with facts and information. At church we want our students to be getting their hearts filled with the spirit and the understanding that the Savior is on their side 100% of the time.
20:30 How Joseph does teacher councils. His tips and advice for these councils.
Start by talking about issues that have come up Second part of the meeting is pulling out a principle from Teaching the Savior's Way Last 10-15 minutes of class talk about how to apply the principle you are talking about
27:00 Teaching starts in the home. Constant discussion in the home is very important. Encourage students to take what they have learned and go home and teach their mom and dad about it.
29:20 Working with counselors
31:30 Allowing opposite thoughts and diverse ideas
32:30 Vietnam story
35:40 Final thoughts and testimony Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Loren Spendlove served as a young missionary in Brazil, then found himself speaking Portuguese again as a missionary couple with his wife Tina—this time in Mozambique. They later returned to Mozambique as mission leaders. Loren and Tina served as missionaries again in Brazil and as Kennedy Center teachers in Guangzhou, China, and Loren served as a branch president in Bethlehem, Palestine.
Loren has an MA in Jewish Studies from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a PhD in Education, an MBA, and is a Certified Management Accountant and Certified in Financial Management. He has worked in corporate financial management, as a teacher in accounting and finance, and operated his own business for 20 years. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to the topic of the podcast and Loren Spendlove
03:50 Loren Spendlove, an atypical mission president and person
06:30 The unusual story of getting called as mission president to Mozambique
22:00 Loren’s first experience being a mission president with not having much leadership experience. He had to be ordained a High Priest.
26:40 Loren talks about serving in the church as a divorcee
28:20 We have a hard time differentiating culture from gospel. We want to impose our ideas onto other individuals.
31:30 The first step is to discover your culture and see how it impacts your view of the gospel
34:20 Orthodoxy keeps us all in line but there is also room to innovate. Depending on the culture and area we might need to change some things.
43:15 Principles vs rules. What works for the area that you are in?
46:40 One thing that Loren taught his missionaries was that their true obedience was to the Spirit of God and not to the written word. The Spirit always trumps the written word.
50:00 Differentiate between questioning and doubting. Question everything and doubt nothing. Questioning is not knowing and trying to discover and research. Doubting always starts as negative and normally ends negative too.
57:00 As mission president, Loren decided it would be more beneficial to de-emphasize baptisms and stop reporting them to the missionaries. They started reporting sacrament meeting attendance because that's what they really wanted to focus on.
1:00:00 “Instead of being a forceful mission president, I decided that I was going to be a gospel teacher.”
1:01:15 The purpose of the zone conferences was to become a better follower of Jesus Christ. Becoming a better missionary will be an automatic result of becoming a better follower of Christ. Loren focused on the doctrine as a mission president.
1:05:30 Doctrine isn’t invented but it’s still being discovered. The restoration is still ongoing.
1:08:10 How can we study the gospel better?
1:12:00 Times where Loren felt the Spirit the strongest
1:16:00 Loren’s final thoughts and testimony on being a follower and leader of Jesus Christ Links Changing our Perspective on Addressing Welfare Needs | An Interview with Blair and Cindy Packard The Interpreter Foundation Book of Mormon Central Academia Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Theron Andersen served in the Hong Kong mission and while he was out his family moved to Dixon, California and he came home to a new ward where he immediately began serving in the Young Men Presidency. He has served as Young Men secretary, assistant adviser, deacons quorum advisor, and president. He has also served as a Seminary teacher, scoutmaster, elders quorum counselor, and for the past five years as elders quorum president. He has worked for 25 years as a general building contractor, building high-end custom homes, and recently bought the company. Theron and his wife, Allison, have three daughters and live in Sacramento, California. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to the podcast episode.
04:00 Introduction to Theron and his background
05:30 Episodes from Leading Saints that impacted Theron and helped him as a leader. Learning how to help people with mental health issues and having the right resources to direct them to.
07:45 Ward demographics.
10:00 How Theron felt about becoming elders quorum president. He doesn’t feel like the typical leader with his beard, motorcycle, and helmet with skulls.
13:00 Theron shares his experience of beginning his new calling of elders quorum president. He had no idea what he was doing.
15:30 The culture of ministering. Theron shares what it means to him to really minister and be like the savior.
17:20 How do you move ministering forward in the quorum?
19:00 How would you coach someone on doing a ministering interview? What are the important things to talk about?
20:00 Making assignments and organizing ministering.
23:00 Stop ministering in a way that is meaningful to you but minister in a way that is meaningful to the receiver.
23:30 The changing church of today. This isn’t my father’s church from the 70s. We do things very different from how they were 30 years ago but some people want to hold on to the traditions.
27:30 The atonement is an extraordinary personal event. The way it affects us is different for each individual. Each person has to discover the atonement for themselves.
33:20 Final thoughts and how Theron has become a better leader and follower of Jesus Christ. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Theron Andersen served in the Hong Kong mission and while he was out his family moved to Dixon, California and he came home to a new ward where he immediately began serving in the Young Men Presidency. He has served as Young Men secretary, assistant adviser, deacons quorum advisor, and president. He has also served as a Seminary teacher, scoutmaster, elders quorum counselor, and for the past five years as elders quorum president. He has worked for 25 years as a general building contractor, building high-end custom homes, and recently bought the company. Theron and his wife, Allison, have three daughters and live in Sacramento, California. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to the podcast episode.
04:00 Introduction to Theron and his background
05:30 Episodes from Leading Saints that impacted Theron and helped him as a leader. Learning how to help people with mental health issues and having the right resources to direct them to.
07:45 Ward demographics.
10:00 How Theron felt about becoming elders quorum president. He doesn’t feel like the typical leader with his beard, motorcycle, and helmet with skulls.
13:00 Theron shares his experience of beginning his new calling of elders quorum president. He had no idea what he was doing.
15:30 The culture of ministering. Theron shares what it means to him to really minister and be like the savior.
17:20 How do you move ministering forward in the quorum?
19:00 How would you coach someone on doing a ministering interview? What are the important things to talk about?
20:00 Making assignments and organizing ministering.
23:00 Stop ministering in a way that is meaningful to you but minister in a way that is meaningful to the receiver.
23:30 The changing church of today. This isn’t my father’s church from the 70s. We do things very different from how they were 30 years ago but some people want to hold on to the traditions.
27:30 The atonement is an extraordinary personal event. The way it affects us is different for each individual. Each person has to discover the atonement for themselves.
33:20 Final thoughts and how Theron has become a better leader and follower of Jesus Christ. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Theron Andersen served in the Hong Kong mission and while he was out his family moved to Dixon, California and he came home to a new ward where he immediately began serving in the Young Men Presidency. He has served as Young Men secretary, assistant adviser, deacons quorum advisor, and president. He has also served as a Seminary teacher, scoutmaster, elders quorum counselor, and for the past five years as elders quorum president. He has worked for 25 years as a general building contractor, building high-end custom homes, and recently bought the company. Theron and his wife, Allison, have three daughters and live in Sacramento, California. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to the podcast episode.
04:00 Introduction to Theron and his background
05:30 Episodes from Leading Saints that impacted Theron and helped him as a leader. Learning how to help people with mental health issues and having the right resources to direct them to.
07:45 Ward demographics.
10:00 How Theron felt about becoming elders quorum president. He doesn’t feel like the typical leader with his beard, motorcycle, and helmet with skulls.
13:00 Theron shares his experience of beginning his new calling of elders quorum president. He had no idea what he was doing.
15:30 The culture of ministering. Theron shares what it means to him to really minister and be like the savior.
17:20 How do you move ministering forward in the quorum?
19:00 How would you coach someone on doing a ministering interview? What are the important things to talk about?
20:00 Making assignments and organizing ministering.
23:00 Stop ministering in a way that is meaningful to you but minister in a way that is meaningful to the receiver.
23:30 The changing church of today. This isn’t my father’s church from the 70s. We do things very different from how they were 30 years ago but some people want to hold on to the traditions.
27:30 The atonement is an extraordinary personal event. The way it affects us is different for each individual. Each person has to discover the atonement for themselves.
33:20 Final thoughts and how Theron has become a better leader and follower of Jesus Christ. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Richard “Rich” Watson served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and has an education in psychology, with additional degrees in education and social sciences. Since his retirement from the military in 2015, he has worked for a veteran service organization in their mental health department. He and his team provide resiliency-based retreats for individuals, couples, and families.
Rich has served as a ward mission leader and elders quorum president (several times each), as a high priest group leader and branch president, in the young mens presidency and bishopric, on the stake high council, and more. He currently resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg, has been happily married for over 22 years, and has four amazing children and one pretty-OK beagle.
Highlights 1:15 Introduction
5:15 Conversion story. Joining the Church at 20 years old.
8:15 Rich’s background with the military
10:30 Rich’s education and how he got into mental health
13:40 Therapy isn’t for everyone. There are other options, such as retreats.
16:40 The importance of creating a unit in an elders quorum or relief society. There isn’t enough trust to call each other and ask for help.
20:20 Rich’s advice to an instructor to stimulate vulnerability in elders quorum
23:30 Creating circles instead of rows in our classes. How it changes the dynamic.
24:50 Connecting with veterans in our wards. Rich talks about what veterans are struggling with.
29:30 Know the veteran’s background and their family dynamic. The families of veterans have their own struggles.
30:30 Who is considered a veteran?
32:00 Know what type of veteran they are and how long they served
33:00 What to talk about on the first visit with a veteran. What questions to ask.
35:30 Remember that being a veteran is a part of who they are but not all of who they are. Ask them about other aspects of their lives.
36:15 Other things to know about a veteran. What’s their relationship to their spouse? Were there kids involved in their deployments?
37:30 One of the biggest problems for veterans is finding life outside the military because that’s all they’ve known. Finding a job and transferring skills into a different reality can be very difficult for them.
42:00 We all get tied up in our identities. We let titles become our identity. Really it’s only a small piece of us.
43:50 What can a church leader do to help guide someone as their identity is shifting? This could be someone transitioning out of the military or from a leadership role.
What’s your why? What are your values?
50:45 The average veteran will have 3 different jobs within the first 4 years of getting out of the military
50:20 Veterans and mental health. Roughly 22 veterans commit suicide everyday. PTSD is also common.
53:00 There are different levels of PTSD. Sometimes it’s clear when someone is struggling and sometimes it’s easy for people to hide.
54:45 Rich explains how he personally was affected by PTSD
59:00 Coping mechanisms for PTSD and mental health. Rich’s are physical fitness, music, and learning to take a moment.
1:01:00 Unhealthy coping mechanisms. These could be pornography, self medicating with prescription drugs or alcohol. Instead of focusing on the unhealthy behavior, focus on the underlying emotions and thoughts.
1:04:45 The things that have helped Rich the most as he dealt with PTSD
1:06:00 We often hear about PTSD but two other mental health issues that veterans struggle with are survivor's guilt and moral injury
1:10:00 Knowing what not to say is more important than knowing what to say to people that are struggling. Connection and empathy is more important than saying the right thing.
1:12:40 Let people cry
1:16:00 How leaders can help individuals with moral injury
1:17:50 Check on the family of the veteran. They struggle with the difficulty of caring for their veteran.
Ben Sabourin has over 25 years of experience managing people in various industries in the for-profit and nonprofit business worlds and was most recently employed by the second-largest health information management company in the U.S. as Director of Accounts Receivable. Currently, he is a Certified Life Coach, a Real Colors Certified Facilitator, and is back earning his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from BYU-Idaho through the Pathways Program.
Ben has served as an assistant ward clerk, elders quorum president and counselor, and a ward mission leader. Ben served in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo East Mission, where his love for the Spanish language, culture, and people was fostered. He is now a high counselor assigned to serve the Spanish Branch in the Green Bay, Wisconsin Stake. Ben and his wife Cindy have been married 23 years and have two children and three grandchildren. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Ben Sabourin and his backstory
13:50 Leadership opportunities Ben has had outside the church
14:30 After 14 years of inactivity Ben came back to the church. He talks about his path to come back.
21:30 Getting called as elders quorum president 6 months after reactivating. It forced him to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ faster.
24:00 Ben knows how to meet people where they are because he himself has been there
25:00 Starting out as elders quorum president and what Ben needed and learned
29:30 As elders quorum president, Ben noticed that the men were very guarded and it wasn’t easy to be vulnerable and talk to each other about their struggles. His goal was to create opportunities to fix that.
30:45 Service is the way that we build a bridge to unity. We have to be friends besides just the hour that we are at church.
32:00 Ben shares his ideas for socials for men and things that worked for him. Socials became a way that Ben was able to help create unity in his quorum.
36:25 Don’t wait for people to ask for a blessing. Ask them if they need one. People, especially men, have the tendency to say, “I’m fine.”
39:00 Love, share, invite. People don’t care unless they know how much you care. In order to teach and lead the people, you have to love the people.
41:50 What Ben has learned from his time on the high council serving in the Spanish ward
You are there to love, share, and invite, not dictate Make yourself available and earn trust After you’ve earned trust, do what you say As a high councilman, stay out of their way and let them know what their resources are and that you are available to them
50:45 Ben’s final thoughts and what he has learned from being a leader Links "Love, Share, Invite" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ben Sabourin has over 25 years of experience managing people in various industries in the for-profit and nonprofit business worlds and was most recently employed by the second-largest health information management company in the U.S. as Director of Accounts Receivable. Currently, he is a Certified Life Coach, a Real Colors Certified Facilitator, and is back earning his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from BYU-Idaho through the Pathways Program.
Ben has served as an assistant ward clerk, elders quorum president and counselor, and a ward mission leader. Ben served in the Dominican Republic, Santo Domingo East Mission, where his love for the Spanish language, culture, and people was fostered. He is now a high counselor assigned to serve the Spanish Branch in the Green Bay, Wisconsin Stake. Ben and his wife Cindy have been married 23 years and have two children and three grandchildren. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Ben Sabourin and his backstory
13:50 Leadership opportunities Ben has had outside the church
14:30 After 14 years of inactivity Ben came back to the church. He talks about his path to come back.
21:30 Getting called as elders quorum president 6 months after reactivating. It forced him to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ faster.
24:00 Ben knows how to meet people where they are because he himself has been there
25:00 Starting out as elders quorum president and what Ben needed and learned
29:30 As elders quorum president, Ben noticed that the men were very guarded and it wasn’t easy to be vulnerable and talk to each other about their struggles. His goal was to create opportunities to fix that.
30:45 Service is the way that we build a bridge to unity. We have to be friends besides just the hour that we are at church.
32:00 Ben shares his ideas for socials for men and things that worked for him. Socials became a way that Ben was able to help create unity in his quorum.
36:25 Don’t wait for people to ask for a blessing. Ask them if they need one. People, especially men, have the tendency to say, “I’m fine.”
39:00 Love, share, invite. People don’t care unless they know how much you care. In order to teach and lead the people, you have to love the people.
41:50 What Ben has learned from his time on the high council serving in the Spanish ward
You are there to love, share, and invite, not dictate Make yourself available and earn trust After you’ve earned trust, do what you say As a high councilman, stay out of their way and let them know what their resources are and that you are available to them
50:45 Ben’s final thoughts and what he has learned from being a leader Links "Love, Share, Invite" by Elder Gary E. Stevenson TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.
Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes.
Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Bronco Mendenhall has coached football for the past 34 years. The former head coach of Brigham Young University's football team, he surprised the football world when he stepped down as head coach of the University of Virginia team last year. Recently he has started co-hosting a podcast, HeadCoachU. At BYU, Bronco led the Cougars to win 99 games in eleven years—the second-most wins in school history—along with eleven consecutive bowl invitations. He has served in the Church as a Primary and Sunday School teacher, a Sunday School president and ward mission leader, Young Mens advisor, high councilor, and in a bishopric. He and his wife Holly have three sons and live in Montana. Highlights 01:20 Introduction to Bronco Mendenhall and his background
03:20 Bronco talks about what it’s like to finally have a fall where he isn’t coaching football.
07:00 Having courage and faith to step down as head coach of the University of Virginia. How Bronco knew it was time to step down.
11:45 Is it really true that fear and faith can’t exist at the same time?
14:00 We all have so much going on everyday. Does your calendar reflect your priorities? It doesn’t matter so much how much time you spend on something but that it’s scheduled everyday.
16:30 Taking a pause from a successful career. Sometimes a pause accelerates the journey or outcome. Listen to the spirit to know if you should keep stepping or if it’s time to pause.
20:45 Different times or days to take a pause. Sunday could be a good day to take a pause as a family. Other ideas could be family dinner and in the morning before everyone leaves.
22:45 Starting out coaching at the University of Virginia. It was more than just coaching football, it was building character.
27:00 What did your father teach you about leadership?
32:00 Advice that Bronco has for elders quorum presidents about creating an atmosphere of motivation and development. Apart from the lesson, there has to be a connection of true love and true caring that is undeniable.
38:15 If we can engage 5 to 15% to a new cultural movement it will spread to everyone else
38:30 How Bronco would do tryouts and recruiting for his Virginia team and how it applies to the church and activities. The activities need to be really well thought of in terms of the intent. You can learn a lot about people and the state of their heart through these activities.
42:40 Significant emotional experiences facilitate long term memory. What if we disrupt the normal lesson on Sunday to create an experience?
49:00 How do you begin to develop personal relationships with people when you become a new leader?
52:15 An open door policy is not good enough. Don’t make people come to you. Be there with them. Make it effortless for them to talk to you.
56:40 Advice for doing one on ones with people. Bronco explains what carefrontation is.
1:01:50 Why Bronco started reading. As a leader he had to continually learn new things to help those he led.
1:05:30 A few books that Bronco would recommend to a new leader
1:10:00 Bronco’s podcast, HeadCoachU
1:16:30 How being a leader and coach has made Bronco into a better disciple of Jesus Christ Links HeadCoachU podcast Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box, by the Arbinger Institute Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don't, by Jim Collins TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox,
Bronco Mendenhall has coached football for the past 34 years. The former head coach of Brigham Young University's football team, he surprised the football world when he stepped down as head coach of the University of Virginia team last year. Recently he has started co-hosting a podcast, HeadCoachU. At BYU, Bronco led the Cougars to win 99 games in eleven years—the second-most wins in school history—along with eleven consecutive bowl invitations. He has served in the Church as a Primary and Sunday School teacher, a Sunday School president and ward mission leader, Young Mens advisor, high councilor, and in a bishopric. He and his wife Holly have three sons and live in Montana. Highlights 01:20 Introduction to Bronco Mendenhall and his background
03:20 Bronco talks about what it’s like to finally have a fall where he isn’t coaching football.
07:00 Having courage and faith to step down as head coach of the University of Virginia. How Bronco knew it was time to step down.
11:45 Is it really true that fear and faith can’t exist at the same time?
14:00 We all have so much going on everyday. Does your calendar reflect your priorities? It doesn’t matter so much how much time you spend on something but that it’s scheduled everyday.
16:30 Taking a pause from a successful career. Sometimes a pause accelerates the journey or outcome. Listen to the spirit to know if you should keep stepping or if it’s time to pause.
20:45 Different times or days to take a pause. Sunday could be a good day to take a pause as a family. Other ideas could be family dinner and in the morning before everyone leaves.
22:45 Starting out coaching at the University of Virginia. It was more than just coaching football, it was building character.
27:00 What did your father teach you about leadership?
32:00 Advice that Bronco has for elders quorum presidents about creating an atmosphere of motivation and development. Apart from the lesson, there has to be a connection of true love and true caring that is undeniable.
38:15 If we can engage 5 to 15% to a new cultural movement it will spread to everyone else
38:30 How Bronco would do tryouts and recruiting for his Virginia team and how it applies to the church and activities. The activities need to be really well thought of in terms of the intent. You can learn a lot about people and the state of their heart through these activities.
42:40 Significant emotional experiences facilitate long term memory. What if we disrupt the normal lesson on Sunday to create an experience?
49:00 How do you begin to develop personal relationships with people when you become a new leader?
52:15 An open door policy is not good enough. Don’t make people come to you. Be there with them. Make it effortless for them to talk to you.
56:40 Advice for doing one on ones with people. Bronco explains what carefrontation is.
1:01:50 Why Bronco started reading. As a leader he had to continually learn new things to help those he led.
1:05:30 A few books that Bronco would recommend to a new leader
1:10:00 Bronco’s podcast, HeadCoachU
1:16:30 How being a leader and coach has made Bronco into a better disciple of Jesus Christ Links HeadCoachU podcast Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box, by the Arbinger Institute Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don't, by Jim Collins TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally published in December 2019.
Jason Hunt has a PhD in endocrine physiology and teaches pre-med classes at Brigham Young University-Idaho. He has served as a family ward bishop, a Young Single Adult ward bishop, and as counselor in a Stake Presidency, but his most difficult calling was as the primary pianist.
Highlights 07:15 Culture and rules are not doctrinal 09:20 Keyholder applications are different from personal applications 11:00 Elder Bednar’s concept of applications: Doctrines are statements. Principles are embedded in the doctrines and tell us what we should do. They never change. Applications change. 14:50 Keyholder applications hold true when the keyholder is saying them and would apply to those who are within their responsibility, and they do not extend beyond 18:10 Cultural norms are applications that have extended beyond their boundaries 19:00 How you view these cultural norms depends on your personal moral theory. The most common are:
Consequential theorist: consequences Obligation theorist: rules Divine theorist: what God has said Egoist: personal priorities
25:00 The best leadership should be able to move between these theories 27:30 When you understand these moral frameworks, how different people respond to the culture makes more sense. Cognitive development also applies. 30:30 Jason’s experience considering the story of Noah 34:30 It’s important to be open and talk about things, even if you don’t have the answers 36:30 Stephen R. Covey: Listen with the intent to understand, not to answer 39:30 Pornography, brain addiction science, and the bladder comparison. Identify the justifications. Ensure they trust and are comfortable and willing to share. 44:00 The response depends again on the personal moral theories of everyone involved 47:00 The Holy Ghost knows what needs to happen and we can be open to that and understand that there can be different consequences for different people 47:40 Have empathy for people with different moral theories and respect them for their approach 49:00 The divine command theorist must be doctrinally grounded or there can be misapplication within the culture. Examples that happen in a YSA ward. 53:20 Egoism: put the mask on first 55:30 When you are working with a leader who is coming from a different moral framework there will be friction and it requires greater empathy. We have to learn to step into different quadrants and embrace the differences of opinion 58:45 A mission is not a saving ordinance. The temple is the culminating event with the saving ordinances and that is where the focus needs to be. 1:00:10 Jason’s motorcycle example compared to technology use: youth do not have the ability to utilize their agency, so they need stages of responsibility Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering,
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally published in December 2019.
Jason Hunt has a PhD in endocrine physiology and teaches pre-med classes at Brigham Young University-Idaho. He has served as a family ward bishop, a Young Single Adult ward bishop, and as counselor in a Stake Presidency, but his most difficult calling was as the primary pianist.
Highlights 07:15 Culture and rules are not doctrinal 09:20 Keyholder applications are different from personal applications 11:00 Elder Bednar’s concept of applications: Doctrines are statements. Principles are embedded in the doctrines and tell us what we should do. They never change. Applications change. 14:50 Keyholder applications hold true when the keyholder is saying them and would apply to those who are within their responsibility, and they do not extend beyond 18:10 Cultural norms are applications that have extended beyond their boundaries 19:00 How you view these cultural norms depends on your personal moral theory. The most common are:
Consequential theorist: consequences Obligation theorist: rules Divine theorist: what God has said Egoist: personal priorities
25:00 The best leadership should be able to move between these theories 27:30 When you understand these moral frameworks, how different people respond to the culture makes more sense. Cognitive development also applies. 30:30 Jason’s experience considering the story of Noah 34:30 It’s important to be open and talk about things, even if you don’t have the answers 36:30 Stephen R. Covey: Listen with the intent to understand, not to answer 39:30 Pornography, brain addiction science, and the bladder comparison. Identify the justifications. Ensure they trust and are comfortable and willing to share. 44:00 The response depends again on the personal moral theories of everyone involved 47:00 The Holy Ghost knows what needs to happen and we can be open to that and understand that there can be different consequences for different people 47:40 Have empathy for people with different moral theories and respect them for their approach 49:00 The divine command theorist must be doctrinally grounded or there can be misapplication within the culture. Examples that happen in a YSA ward. 53:20 Egoism: put the mask on first 55:30 When you are working with a leader who is coming from a different moral framework there will be friction and it requires greater empathy. We have to learn to step into different quadrants and embrace the differences of opinion 58:45 A mission is not a saving ordinance. The temple is the culminating event with the saving ordinances and that is where the focus needs to be. 1:00:10 Jason’s motorcycle example compared to technology use: youth do not have the ability to utilize their agency, so they need stages of responsibility Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering,
Jeff McCullough is on a quest to learn about all things Latter-day Saints. He's not looking for a debate. He's looking to explore and learn, and to fight criticism with curiosity. Jeff is a Protestant, Evangelical Pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the creator of the HelloSaints YouTube channel. He completed his undergraduate in Digital Media from a Free-Methodist school, Greenville University, and received a Masters in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Jeff is married with four children, lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and has worked in pastoral ministry for almost 15 years. Highlights 1:30 Introduction to Jeff and his background
3:10 Jeff is not the typical Leading Saints guest. He was born and raised Evangelical Protestant. He is now an Evangelical Pastor.
6:15 Often our doctrines and practices can become elevated to a point that we begin to major in the minors. What is most important is the spiritual reality of your soul before the one that created you.
7:55 What was the moment that you thought you wanted to become a Pastor?
9:10 The steps Jeff took to become a Pastor
12:15 Why Jeff started Hello Saints. A channel where Jeff explores the church in a respectful way.
21:20 What you can expect on Jeff’s channel. He invites his audience to be curious and connect.
23:40 Negative culture. Why aren’t we talking about it more?
25:30 We can all maintain our dignity and disagree with people without tearing each other down
29:00 Is it a good or bad thing to live in “the Utah bubble?” Do we need more diversity?
31:10 Missionary work in our church and measuring our success based on baptisms. What are we missing?
33:10 What are sinner’s prayers?
35:30 Jeff talks about his religion and focusing on the wrong things. Let’s focus less on the numbers and more on how you are living out your testimony.
37:15 Is Jesus looking for a checklist and that we’ve checked all the boxes?
38:45 Jeff talks about how he guides his congregation, as to not focus on the numbers and the sinners' prayers
41:45 Kurt and Jeff share their perspectives on church programs. While the programs are inspired and great sometimes they feel like homework. The most important part of the gospel is creating and strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ.
47:45 Anything that we ever build, even with the best intentions or in ministry, will at some point lose its focus and become an idol. We’ll have to tear it down and go at it again.
49:50 What Jeff wished he had known when he first became a Pastor
46:45 Jeff shares his view on the Book of Mormon and why he hasn’t read it
1:06:00 Jeff’s view on Brigham Young and Joseph Smith and the things he struggles with pertaining to the church.
1:10:10 The thing that intrigues Jeff the most about Joseph Smith
1:12:40 Final thoughts and wrap up Links HelloSaints YouTube channel Instagram: @hello.saints HelloSaints Patreon
Jeff McCullough is on a quest to learn about all things Latter-day Saints. He's not looking for a debate. He's looking to explore and learn, and to fight criticism with curiosity. Jeff is a Protestant, Evangelical Pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the creator of the HelloSaints YouTube channel. He completed his undergraduate in Digital Media from a Free-Methodist school, Greenville University, and received a Masters in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Jeff is married with four children, lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and has worked in pastoral ministry for almost 15 years. Highlights 1:30 Introduction to Jeff and his background
3:10 Jeff is not the typical Leading Saints guest. He was born and raised Evangelical Protestant. He is now an Evangelical Pastor.
6:15 Often our doctrines and practices can become elevated to a point that we begin to major in the minors. What is most important is the spiritual reality of your soul before the one that created you.
7:55 What was the moment that you thought you wanted to become a Pastor?
9:10 The steps Jeff took to become a Pastor
12:15 Why Jeff started Hello Saints. A channel where Jeff explores the church in a respectful way.
21:20 What you can expect on Jeff’s channel. He invites his audience to be curious and connect.
23:40 Negative culture. Why aren’t we talking about it more?
25:30 We can all maintain our dignity and disagree with people without tearing each other down
29:00 Is it a good or bad thing to live in “the Utah bubble?” Do we need more diversity?
31:10 Missionary work in our church and measuring our success based on baptisms. What are we missing?
33:10 What are sinner’s prayers?
35:30 Jeff talks about his religion and focusing on the wrong things. Let’s focus less on the numbers and more on how you are living out your testimony.
37:15 Is Jesus looking for a checklist and that we’ve checked all the boxes?
38:45 Jeff talks about how he guides his congregation, as to not focus on the numbers and the sinners' prayers
41:45 Kurt and Jeff share their perspectives on church programs. While the programs are inspired and great sometimes they feel like homework. The most important part of the gospel is creating and strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ.
47:45 Anything that we ever build, even with the best intentions or in ministry, will at some point lose its focus and become an idol. We’ll have to tear it down and go at it again.
49:50 What Jeff wished he had known when he first became a Pastor
46:45 Jeff shares his view on the Book of Mormon and why he hasn’t read it
1:06:00 Jeff’s view on Brigham Young and Joseph Smith and the things he struggles with pertaining to the church.
1:10:10 The thing that intrigues Jeff the most about Joseph Smith
1:12:40 Final thoughts and wrap up Links HelloSaints YouTube channel Instagram: @hello.saints HelloSaints Patreon
Jeff McCullough is on a quest to learn about all things Latter-day Saints. He's not looking for a debate. He's looking to explore and learn, and to fight criticism with curiosity. Jeff is a Protestant, Evangelical Pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance, and the creator of the HelloSaints YouTube channel. He completed his undergraduate in Digital Media from a Free-Methodist school, Greenville University, and received a Masters in Biblical Studies from Moody Theological Seminary. Jeff is married with four children, lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area, and has worked in pastoral ministry for almost 15 years. Highlights 1:30 Introduction to Jeff and his background
3:10 Jeff is not the typical Leading Saints guest. He was born and raised Evangelical Protestant. He is now an Evangelical Pastor.
6:15 Often our doctrines and practices can become elevated to a point that we begin to major in the minors. What is most important is the spiritual reality of your soul before the one that created you.
7:55 What was the moment that you thought you wanted to become a Pastor?
9:10 The steps Jeff took to become a Pastor
12:15 Why Jeff started Hello Saints. A channel where Jeff explores the church in a respectful way.
21:20 What you can expect on Jeff’s channel. He invites his audience to be curious and connect.
23:40 Negative culture. Why aren’t we talking about it more?
25:30 We can all maintain our dignity and disagree with people without tearing each other down
29:00 Is it a good or bad thing to live in “the Utah bubble?” Do we need more diversity?
31:10 Missionary work in our church and measuring our success based on baptisms. What are we missing?
33:10 What are sinner’s prayers?
35:30 Jeff talks about his religion and focusing on the wrong things. Let’s focus less on the numbers and more on how you are living out your testimony.
37:15 Is Jesus looking for a checklist and that we’ve checked all the boxes?
38:45 Jeff talks about how he guides his congregation, as to not focus on the numbers and the sinners' prayers
41:45 Kurt and Jeff share their perspectives on church programs. While the programs are inspired and great sometimes they feel like homework. The most important part of the gospel is creating and strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ.
47:45 Anything that we ever build, even with the best intentions or in ministry, will at some point lose its focus and become an idol. We’ll have to tear it down and go at it again.
49:50 What Jeff wished he had known when he first became a Pastor
46:45 Jeff shares his view on the Book of Mormon and why he hasn’t read it
1:06:00 Jeff’s view on Brigham Young and Joseph Smith and the things he struggles with pertaining to the church.
1:10:10 The thing that intrigues Jeff the most about Joseph Smith
1:12:40 Final thoughts and wrap up Links HelloSaints YouTube channel Instagram: @hello.saints HelloSaints Patreon
This is Part 3 of a 3-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women’s retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 03:15 Your strengths are pieces of God’s DNA in you
04:00 DeAnna shares her personal experience as a Relief Society president and how self awareness and understanding her strengths and weaknesses has made her a better leader
09:20 We look at leaders and think they just have it all figured out and we don’t. But maybe it’s that they are self aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
09:50 Managing your strengths and weaknesses
11:50 DeAnna explains what will happen in the virtual self leadership conference
14:50 You will learn 10 different self leadership skills in 7 sessions
15:00 The self leadership conference is an opportunity to deepen your awareness of who you are and strengthen your skillset
18:00 Anyone who wants to influence is a leader Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 1: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Part 2: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is Part 3 of a 3-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women’s retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 03:15 Your strengths are pieces of God’s DNA in you
04:00 DeAnna shares her personal experience as a Relief Society president and how self awareness and understanding her strengths and weaknesses has made her a better leader
09:20 We look at leaders and think they just have it all figured out and we don’t. But maybe it’s that they are self aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
09:50 Managing your strengths and weaknesses
11:50 DeAnna explains what will happen in the virtual self leadership conference
14:50 You will learn 10 different self leadership skills in 7 sessions
15:00 The self leadership conference is an opportunity to deepen your awareness of who you are and strengthen your skillset
18:00 Anyone who wants to influence is a leader Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 1: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Part 2: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is Part 3 of a 3-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 and Part 2.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women’s retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 03:15 Your strengths are pieces of God’s DNA in you
04:00 DeAnna shares her personal experience as a Relief Society president and how self awareness and understanding her strengths and weaknesses has made her a better leader
09:20 We look at leaders and think they just have it all figured out and we don’t. But maybe it’s that they are self aware of their strengths and weaknesses.
09:50 Managing your strengths and weaknesses
11:50 DeAnna explains what will happen in the virtual self leadership conference
14:50 You will learn 10 different self leadership skills in 7 sessions
15:00 The self leadership conference is an opportunity to deepen your awareness of who you are and strengthen your skillset
18:00 Anyone who wants to influence is a leader Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 1: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Part 2: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 here.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women’s retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 02:00 Kurt talks about the importance of self awareness and relates it to Eve and her awareness in the garden of Eden
03:15 Developing self awareness. We all have blind spots. We need other people to help us see those blind spots.
06:00 Confident vulnerability - the confidence of standing in who you are that awakens your ability to be ok with what you are not.
07:00 Analogy of an iceberg. We get sunk by the things that are beneath the surface of our consciousness.
07:55 Strategic interdependence. How can we get our puzzle piece to fit with someone else’s piece, that is completely different from our own. This is applicable to marriage, working with others in a calling, at work, or blending families.
09:00 Understanding strengths and weaknesses
Talents travel. You had talents before you got here and your mission is divine. Strengths are like a unique type of intelligence Look at how adversity shapes your strengths
12:45 The probability that you have the top 7 strengths as someone on the planet is 1 in 10.3 billion. Remember that your strengths are so unique.
14:00 Part of self leadership is…
Recognizing what your strengths and weaknesses are. How do my strengths and weaknesses combine together to help me achieve a unique and sacred purpose? Learning what your unique and sacred purpose is Make that what’s important
14:30 How do I notice when my strengths are flipping into weaknesses and stop it?
14:50 Being proactively aware and reactively aware. Awareness can help us prevent our weaknesses.
17:00 Tools to help you find your strengths Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 1: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Part 3: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Strengths Multiplier Online Assessment Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 here.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women’s retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 02:00 Kurt talks about the importance of self awareness and relates it to Eve and her awareness in the garden of Eden
03:15 Developing self awareness. We all have blind spots. We need other people to help us see those blind spots.
06:00 Confident vulnerability - the confidence of standing in who you are that awakens your ability to be ok with what you are not.
07:00 Analogy of an iceberg. We get sunk by the things that are beneath the surface of our consciousness.
07:55 Strategic interdependence. How can we get our puzzle piece to fit with someone else’s piece, that is completely different from our own. This is applicable to marriage, working with others in a calling, at work, or blending families.
09:00 Understanding strengths and weaknesses
Talents travel. You had talents before you got here and your mission is divine. Strengths are like a unique type of intelligence Look at how adversity shapes your strengths
12:45 The probability that you have the top 7 strengths as someone on the planet is 1 in 10.3 billion. Remember that your strengths are so unique.
14:00 Part of self leadership is…
Recognizing what your strengths and weaknesses are. How do my strengths and weaknesses combine together to help me achieve a unique and sacred purpose? Learning what your unique and sacred purpose is Make that what’s important
14:30 How do I notice when my strengths are flipping into weaknesses and stop it?
14:50 Being proactively aware and reactively aware. Awareness can help us prevent our weaknesses.
17:00 Tools to help you find your strengths Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 1: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Part 3: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Strengths Multiplier Online Assessment Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
This is Part 2 of a 3-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 here.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women’s retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 02:00 Kurt talks about the importance of self awareness and relates it to Eve and her awareness in the garden of Eden
03:15 Developing self awareness. We all have blind spots. We need other people to help us see those blind spots.
06:00 Confident vulnerability - the confidence of standing in who you are that awakens your ability to be ok with what you are not.
07:00 Analogy of an iceberg. We get sunk by the things that are beneath the surface of our consciousness.
07:55 Strategic interdependence. How can we get our puzzle piece to fit with someone else’s piece, that is completely different from our own. This is applicable to marriage, working with others in a calling, at work, or blending families.
09:00 Understanding strengths and weaknesses
Talents travel. You had talents before you got here and your mission is divine. Strengths are like a unique type of intelligence Look at how adversity shapes your strengths
12:45 The probability that you have the top 7 strengths as someone on the planet is 1 in 10.3 billion. Remember that your strengths are so unique.
14:00 Part of self leadership is…
Recognizing what your strengths and weaknesses are. How do my strengths and weaknesses combine together to help me achieve a unique and sacred purpose? Learning what your unique and sacred purpose is Make that what’s important
14:30 How do I notice when my strengths are flipping into weaknesses and stop it?
14:50 Being proactively aware and reactively aware. Awareness can help us prevent our weaknesses.
17:00 Tools to help you find your strengths Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 1: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Part 3: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Strengths Multiplier Online Assessment Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women's retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won't want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 04:00 DeAnna’s experience at the Gathering Saints women’s retreat
06:40 DeAnna shares her back story and describes what she does for companies and organizations
08:30 Masterclass on self leadership. What is self leadership?
11:00 Learn to lead yourself. Do the work on yourself. Changed people change the world.
12:50 DeAnna shares an analogy between self leadership and seeing the world through lenses that are distorted. Self leadership teaches people to clear the lenses and respond to people and situations with calmness and wisdom.
15:00 DeAnna shares a personal story and how to manage difficult situations
18:15 We create colored lenses through past experiences. We bring our untrue beliefs into our leadership callings without realizing it.
19:20 We must denounce deception and unravel our limiting beliefs
20:30 The first step in self leadership is to become aware of our limiting beliefs and understand the things that are holding us back
20:50 Awareness activates agency
21:30 Our strengths are our tools to help us make that difference in the world
21:50 Sometimes our strength gets flipped around and turns into a weakness in another situation
22:45 How do I use my strengths to solve my problems, to recover when I’m frustrated, to pull out the lies that I’m holding about myself or others? Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 2: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson,
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women's retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won't want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 04:00 DeAnna’s experience at the Gathering Saints women’s retreat
06:40 DeAnna shares her back story and describes what she does for companies and organizations
08:30 Masterclass on self leadership. What is self leadership?
11:00 Learn to lead yourself. Do the work on yourself. Changed people change the world.
12:50 DeAnna shares an analogy between self leadership and seeing the world through lenses that are distorted. Self leadership teaches people to clear the lenses and respond to people and situations with calmness and wisdom.
15:00 DeAnna shares a personal story and how to manage difficult situations
18:15 We create colored lenses through past experiences. We bring our untrue beliefs into our leadership callings without realizing it.
19:20 We must denounce deception and unravel our limiting beliefs
20:30 The first step in self leadership is to become aware of our limiting beliefs and understand the things that are holding us back
20:50 Awareness activates agency
21:30 Our strengths are our tools to help us make that difference in the world
21:50 Sometimes our strength gets flipped around and turns into a weakness in another situation
22:45 How do I use my strengths to solve my problems, to recover when I’m frustrated, to pull out the lies that I’m holding about myself or others? Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 2: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson,
A few weeks ago, master coach/facilitator DeAnna Murphy presented at our Gathering Saints women's retreat and an idea was hatched! You may know DeAnna from some of the remarkable interviews she has done on the podcast. She will be leading an online intensive experience for those interested in developing individually in order to be a more-prepared leader in life. In this 3-part conversation, DeAnna and Kurt talk about some of the concepts that will be covered in this upcoming online experience that begins November 1st.
This special offering of the Self-Leadership Masterclass is a holistic learning experience designed especially for followers of Leading Saints—those who are the up-and-coming difference-makers, who have a work to do and are looking for the leadership skills to help them do it. This program involves interactive classroom and peer coaching experiences, in addition to riveting online learning and self-leadership projects to increase mastery of self and strengthen self-leadership.
This learning experience will help you and others discover how to use strengths to be more interdependent, create a more purposeful positive impact, and find greater joy at work and in life. If you feel called to grow your leadership, you won't want to miss this opportunity to become more of your best self—and to help others do the same! LEARN MORE HERE. Highlights 04:00 DeAnna’s experience at the Gathering Saints women’s retreat
06:40 DeAnna shares her back story and describes what she does for companies and organizations
08:30 Masterclass on self leadership. What is self leadership?
11:00 Learn to lead yourself. Do the work on yourself. Changed people change the world.
12:50 DeAnna shares an analogy between self leadership and seeing the world through lenses that are distorted. Self leadership teaches people to clear the lenses and respond to people and situations with calmness and wisdom.
15:00 DeAnna shares a personal story and how to manage difficult situations
18:15 We create colored lenses through past experiences. We bring our untrue beliefs into our leadership callings without realizing it.
19:20 We must denounce deception and unravel our limiting beliefs
20:30 The first step in self leadership is to become aware of our limiting beliefs and understand the things that are holding us back
20:50 Awareness activates agency
21:30 Our strengths are our tools to help us make that difference in the world
21:50 Sometimes our strength gets flipped around and turns into a weakness in another situation
22:45 How do I use my strengths to solve my problems, to recover when I’m frustrated, to pull out the lies that I’m holding about myself or others? Links Self-Leadership Masterclass Part 2: The Self-Leadership Online Experience | A Conversation with DeAnna Murphy Gathering Saints Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Teaching the Gospel Virtually | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love | How I Lead: DeAnna Murphy Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson,
Murray Meszaros is originally from Saskatchewan, Canada, and joined the Church at age 21 after years of searching for peace and answers. A year later he was serving a mission in Austria. Murray worked in education for 42 years, including in elementary schools, as director/CEO of a YM/YWCA, a college administrator, a consultant, and lastly with the Utah State Board of Education. He has served in the church in most Young Men advisor positions, as Sunday School president and instructor, early morning seminary teacher, elders quorum president, bishop and bishopric member, stake clerk, and high councilor. Murray enjoys inventing board games and is married to Melanie Meszaros. They have four children and nine grandchildren and live in Ogden, Utah, where Murray currently serves both as membership clerk and (for at least the fifth time) ward mission leader.
Highlights 01:40 Introduction to the podcast
02:50 Murray’s background and callings
05:00 Murray shares his conversion story and how he created new approaches for sharing the gospel
07:40 The first characteristic of sharing the gospel is to have a Christ-like attitude in all of our connections
09:30 The second characteristic is to be creative. We have to create our own opportunities to share the gospel.
11:00 The third characteristic is to be curious about individuals. What makes them tick? What’s their situation? How can you connect with them through these things?
11:15 The fourth characteristic is to be complementary towards others
11:40 The fifth characteristic to continuously follow up
12:15 You have to go find the sheep. They aren’t going to find you. Very rarely are opportunities just going to fall into your lap.
14:15 Murray shares stories of ways that he has shared the gospel in an easy and natural way
15:20 The first question. Ask permission to share anything with anybody. Would you be willing…? Would you mind if I ask you some off the wall questions.?
16:40 The second question. If you could ask God a question right now what would you ask Him?
17:20 The third question. If you could know the answer to your question would you want to know?
17:40 The fourth question. Would you be willing to pay the price to know the answer to your question?
18:15 The fifth question. Could some friends and I come by and answer some of your questions?
19:30 What to do if people say no
20:00 If people don’t have any questions, Murray gives some ideas of questions you can ask them
27:30 We make sharing the gospel too hard! Start talking to people at the gym or grocery store.
29:15 Murray shares what the 5 star is and how it can help you share the gospel
38:00 5 star can help you not only update your records but it’s an opportunity to meet new people and start meaningful conversations with them
41:00 Murray uses his same questions over the phone and over social media too. He shares a story of how he set up zoom calls with a man that was living in another state.
42:00 When to bring the missionaries in
42:30 Going back to the question of do you want to know the answer to your question? Murray will first teach them how to talk to God and get that answer before he gets into answering their question.
43:40 Creating a team in your ward and involving the ward counsel in nurturing and ministering to this new individual that has been found.
50:00 Murray’s questions help us use the love, share, invite model
52:00 Murray shares some quotes from The Power of Everyday Missionaries by Clayton Christensen.
56:00 Being a good follower makes us a good leader Links PDF download: 5-Star Improving Member Missionary Efforts and Engagement Powerpoint download: 5-Star Improving Member Missionary Efforts and Engagement The Power of Everyday Missionaries Following Up, by Elder M. Russell Ballard Sharing the Restored Gospel, by Elder Dallin H. Oaks Fourth Floor, Last Door, by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ian Nishimoto’s mother and father were born and raised in Hawaii. His father served in the US Army for 30 years, giving Ian the opportunity to live in many areas and hence his place of birth is Staten Island, New York. Ian completed his master’s degree at the University of Wisconsin–Stout in Training and Development. He began his law enforcement career at the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff, then worked part-time for the U.S. Marshal Service and other municipalities as a patrol officer. He recently retired from 24 years of teaching at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College as a full-time instructor for the Criminal Justice Department.
Ian has served as branch president and bishop of the Oneida Ward, on the high council and as a patriarch, is now considered a non-functioning patriarch as he serves as first counselor in the Green Bay Wisconsin Stake. He and his wife have been married for 41 years. They have two daughters, two sons, and five grandchildren, and reside in Oneida, Wisconsin. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Ian Nishimoto
09:00 On being branch president and then bishop of the Oneida Branch. Ian explains why the branch kept opening and closing.
12:30 In 1994 they wanted to open the Oneida Branch once again and were met with a lot of backlash and hurt feelings from when the branch was closed previously.
15:00 The opposition that Ian faced being called to be the branch president of the newly formed reservation branch. His counselors wouldn’t even do it.
18:00 Creating momentum starting the new branch
23:50 The discouraging times and the slow progress of re-creating the branch. Helping people reactivate in the church.
25:10 Dealing with cultural and racial issues in the branch
32:20 Ian’s tips to a bishop or branch president of a reservation branch or ward
33:30 Going about loving people. Ian would look at what they valued as a culture and related it to the Savior. He got to know them, their culture, and past stories of their tribe.
36:00 Ian talks about his father, Arthur K. Nishimoto. He was called to preside over the Japan Fukuoka mission and then at the temple in Tokyo. He also set up the Church office in Japan.
40:30 Story of couple missionaries serving in the Oneida branch and how they learned to love the people there. They had to learn to understand the culture.
43:00 Ian talks about being a patriarch
47:00 Transitioning into the calling of patriarch
52:00 Final thoughts and Ian’s personal testimony of leadership and becoming like Christ Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Lee Van Dam served as a missionary in Hong Kong and Singapore where he taught the gospel in Cantonese, later returning as president of the China Hong Kong mission. He has also served as a branch president, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and assistant director of Church Hosting. He is currently an elders quorum president. Lee has an MBA from the University of Utah and worked first for Ford Motor Company, then in real estate management, consulting, and sales, and was the owner and principal broker of Van Dam & Associates. Lee and his wife Holly are the parents of two daughters and seven grandchildren. He is the author of four books.
Highlights 01:45 Introduction to Lee Van Dam and his new book, The Sacrament: The Historical View
03:15 Being called as a Mission President
04:30 Books that Lee has written
11:00 Writing his book on the sacrament. It’s about the historical evolution of the sacrament.
11:45 The first sacrament passed was on April 6, 1830. The sacrament in the early days was passed on any day that they could, not necessarily every Sunday.
13:00 What the scriptures say about the sacrament and the changes that have been made
14:00 Changing the practice of everyone drinking from a goblet to individual cups. This change came about in 1911.
21:30 There was not a general handbook for the church till 1898. Lee explains the evolution of the church’s handbook.
23:15 In the absence of a handbook, the saints did things as they saw fit. They used to kneel and sometimes hold their hands up during the sacrament prayers.
24:15 The changes that have been made to General Conference
25:50 Sunday school and the sacrament. From 1877-1980 the sacrament was also served in Sunday school.
28:00 What are sacrament gems?
29:30 How Sunday meetings used to be and how the names of callings and meetings have changed
31:30 Interesting places where the sacrament has been administered
35:00 Do you have to wear a white shirt to pass the sacrament or is it tradition?
38:50 The presiding authority taking the sacrament first
46:00 Worthiness and the sacrament
50:40 What covenants are renewed when taking the sacrament? Just baptism covenants or all of them?
53:45 The history of preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament. It wasn’t always clearly defined.
57:20 Will there be a sacrament meeting someday where Jesus Christ presides? Links The Sacrament: A Historical View Because it is on a Church-related subject, Lee is happy to provide a free copy to anyone who wishes to have one, while supplies last. Send your name and U.S. mailing address via the Leading Saints contact form and we will forward it on to him. TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Lee Van Dam served as a missionary in Hong Kong and Singapore where he taught the gospel in Cantonese, later returning as president of the China Hong Kong mission. He has also served as a branch president, bishop, high councilor, stake presidency counselor, and assistant director of Church Hosting. He is currently an elders quorum president. Lee has an MBA from the University of Utah and worked first for Ford Motor Company, then in real estate management, consulting, and sales, and was the owner and principal broker of Van Dam & Associates. Lee and his wife Holly are the parents of two daughters and seven grandchildren. He is the author of four books.
Highlights 01:45 Introduction to Lee Van Dam and his new book, The Sacrament: The Historical View
03:15 Being called as a Mission President
04:30 Books that Lee has written
11:00 Writing his book on the sacrament. It’s about the historical evolution of the sacrament.
11:45 The first sacrament passed was on April 6, 1830. The sacrament in the early days was passed on any day that they could, not necessarily every Sunday.
13:00 What the scriptures say about the sacrament and the changes that have been made
14:00 Changing the practice of everyone drinking from a goblet to individual cups. This change came about in 1911.
21:30 There was not a general handbook for the church till 1898. Lee explains the evolution of the church’s handbook.
23:15 In the absence of a handbook, the saints did things as they saw fit. They used to kneel and sometimes hold their hands up during the sacrament prayers.
24:15 The changes that have been made to General Conference
25:50 Sunday school and the sacrament. From 1877-1980 the sacrament was also served in Sunday school.
28:00 What are sacrament gems?
29:30 How Sunday meetings used to be and how the names of callings and meetings have changed
31:30 Interesting places where the sacrament has been administered
35:00 Do you have to wear a white shirt to pass the sacrament or is it tradition?
38:50 The presiding authority taking the sacrament first
46:00 Worthiness and the sacrament
50:40 What covenants are renewed when taking the sacrament? Just baptism covenants or all of them?
53:45 The history of preparing, blessing, and passing the sacrament. It wasn’t always clearly defined.
57:20 Will there be a sacrament meeting someday where Jesus Christ presides? Links The Sacrament: A Historical View Because it is on a Church-related subject, Lee is happy to provide a free copy to anyone who wishes to have one, while supplies last. Send your name and U.S. mailing address via the Leading Saints contact form and we will forward it on to him. TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Mike Novakovich currently serves as elders quorum president in his ward in Orem, Utah. He has served in the bishopric, as a gospel doctrine teacher "more times than I have fingers on my hand", and has taught Seminary and Institute for many years. He claims to have been fired as a membership clerk after the bishop realized his talent was in teaching and not keeping records.
Mike is originally from Alaska and works as a consultant for commercial roofing systems and enjoys marching to the beat of a different drummer in entrepreneurial endeavors. He has served as president of various school boards on local, county, and state levels, and has a passion for finding what doesn’t work and thinking outside the box to make it function. He believes change always requires someone to stand up and face the headwinds—usually alone—until others see the positive results and rise to join them. Highlights 02:15 Introduction and Mike’s background
04:30 How Leading Saints has impacted Mike and helped him in his calling.
08:10 Mike explains and shares his experience of how he implemented what he learned from Leading Saints in elders quorum. He was able to create unity and provide Priesthood blessings to men right in elders quorum meeting.
16:50 Creating unity in elders quorum.
19:00 Implementing new things and uncomfortable changes.
20:20 Elders quorum is not another Sunday school class. Making it different.
21:30 Mike shares a personal experience. He teaches us about using the church’s tools but with our own flavor.
26:10 Do you know what your gift of the spirit is? Find your gift and use it.
27:00 Mike shares more on giving blessings during elders quorum
29:00 Mike starts elders quorum every time with 30 seconds of introspection and the opportunity for anyone to receive a blessing and share what they are going through
31:00 Let’s get rid of the concept of oversharing in our faith. It’s not a bad thing.
33:00 In Mike’s quorum there are no instructors and never have a lesson planned. The meeting is more discussion based.
34:50 We’ve been given this Ferrari of priesthood power but many don’t know exactly how to drive it
36:00 Mike’s tips for starting a discussion in elders quorum instead of a very structured lesson. Ways to teach a conference talk without just rereading it.
40:15 Discussion creates a brotherhood and a quorum feeling rather than a formal instruction. Plan topics and some questions to start a discussion.
43:15 Besides just talking about gospel topics in quorum, they talk about and bring up other topics that need to be discussed. For example, talking about specific people that need help.
44:30 How to deal with helping move people. Mike’s ward has constant move ins and outs. He has had to come up with solutions so that his quorum doesn’t feel overworked and under pressure to help every single Saturday.
47:00 Mike’s unique approach to ministering and including the quorum in the assignments. His overall goal is to remove the guilt. Everyone needs something different out of ministering and he gives everyone a voice to say what they need and want.
49:45 Mike collects all the information and knowledge about his quorum and then takes it to the Lord. He doesn’t rely solely on getting inspiration without getting to know the members of his quorum first.
53:50 Mike shares his final thoughts and testimony of being a leader Links Is Elders Quorum Working? Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith,
Mike Novakovich currently serves as elders quorum president in his ward in Orem, Utah. He has served in the bishopric, as a gospel doctrine teacher "more times than I have fingers on my hand", and has taught Seminary and Institute for many years. He claims to have been fired as a membership clerk after the bishop realized his talent was in teaching and not keeping records.
Mike is originally from Alaska and works as a consultant for commercial roofing systems and enjoys marching to the beat of a different drummer in entrepreneurial endeavors. He has served as president of various school boards on local, county, and state levels, and has a passion for finding what doesn’t work and thinking outside the box to make it function. He believes change always requires someone to stand up and face the headwinds—usually alone—until others see the positive results and rise to join them. Highlights 02:15 Introduction and Mike’s background
04:30 How Leading Saints has impacted Mike and helped him in his calling.
08:10 Mike explains and shares his experience of how he implemented what he learned from Leading Saints in elders quorum. He was able to create unity and provide Priesthood blessings to men right in elders quorum meeting.
16:50 Creating unity in elders quorum.
19:00 Implementing new things and uncomfortable changes.
20:20 Elders quorum is not another Sunday school class. Making it different.
21:30 Mike shares a personal experience. He teaches us about using the church’s tools but with our own flavor.
26:10 Do you know what your gift of the spirit is? Find your gift and use it.
27:00 Mike shares more on giving blessings during elders quorum
29:00 Mike starts elders quorum every time with 30 seconds of introspection and the opportunity for anyone to receive a blessing and share what they are going through
31:00 Let’s get rid of the concept of oversharing in our faith. It’s not a bad thing.
33:00 In Mike’s quorum there are no instructors and never have a lesson planned. The meeting is more discussion based.
34:50 We’ve been given this Ferrari of priesthood power but many don’t know exactly how to drive it
36:00 Mike’s tips for starting a discussion in elders quorum instead of a very structured lesson. Ways to teach a conference talk without just rereading it.
40:15 Discussion creates a brotherhood and a quorum feeling rather than a formal instruction. Plan topics and some questions to start a discussion.
43:15 Besides just talking about gospel topics in quorum, they talk about and bring up other topics that need to be discussed. For example, talking about specific people that need help.
44:30 How to deal with helping move people. Mike’s ward has constant move ins and outs. He has had to come up with solutions so that his quorum doesn’t feel overworked and under pressure to help every single Saturday.
47:00 Mike’s unique approach to ministering and including the quorum in the assignments. His overall goal is to remove the guilt. Everyone needs something different out of ministering and he gives everyone a voice to say what they need and want.
49:45 Mike collects all the information and knowledge about his quorum and then takes it to the Lord. He doesn’t rely solely on getting inspiration without getting to know the members of his quorum first.
53:50 Mike shares his final thoughts and testimony of being a leader Links Is Elders Quorum Working? Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 500,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith,
Robert Millet, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and professor of Ancient Scripture and emeritus dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Author of more than 75 published works, he has been involved in BYU Education Week for many years and is well-known as a commentator on the BYUTV Scripture Discussions program. He is also manager of Outreach and Interfaith Relations for the Church’s Public Affairs department. Brother Millet chose to write his book The Holy Spirit: His Identity, Mission, and Ministry because the Spirit is so frequently referred to and discussed, but we might not appreciate all that it is. Highlights 03:00 Strategy for covering topics: he makes a list and works on it daily, narrowing it down over a period of weeks/months to develop the book. Work on prophetic statements that relate and continue narrowing the information. Also asking “what experiences have I had with this”. He wanted to cover the topics of sons of perdition, the light of Christ, and God's power.
13:00 How, as leaders, can we have a better understanding of the Holy Spirit: having it, losing it, etc.
13:47 What does it mean to “lose the Holy Ghost”? We lose feeling, we withdraw ourselves. You can’t take a vacation from the Spirit – you can’t sit still; you either fall back or move forward
19:45 The Holy Ghost “strives with us”. It “battles with us”. There will always be an element of the Spirit to help you; you can’t “lose it”. All people can have the Spirit. They may not have the gift of the Holy Ghost that comes from baptism, but they certainly can have the Spirit and inspiration.
25:40 How do you know when a sin is forgiven? Study Mosiah 4:1-3 (joy, peace of conscience, larger measure of the Spirit). “Just don’t do things that are offending to the Spirit.”
28:40 Where is “grace” in the doctrine? The Holy Ghost is an act of God's grace to us. We can put ourselves in a position to receive that gift by our actions. “The sun doesn’t stop shining just because I put a bag over my head, it continues to shine”. It is the same with God; He loves us through everything.
32:30 Justification and Sanctification
44:10 Be cautious about “I feel impressed that…” It is good to teach what you feel, but if you announce that it came from the Spirit, it can come across as boastful.
45:35 How about church callings and the Spirit? If you pray to start a meeting and pray for the Spirit to guide decisions, you don’t need to kneel individually about all decisions. As we strive to live our lives to keep the Spirit with us, we will see that the Holy Ghost has been guiding us in all decisions and shaped our lives. Those decisions were inspired, and hopefully good judgement. We don’t need to pray over every decision. “The Spirit prepares us today for decisions we have to make in the future.”
53:00 Joseph McConkie story about calling Stake Presidents: The Lord fits us to our assignments. “God honors the servant”. Difference of being called “by God” or “of God”.
55:00 Final story related again to his friend Joseph McConkie, prior to him leaving to Scotland as a Mission President. Asked him if he had read everything and felt prepared. “What do you think?” He said, “What could cause us not to worry about 63 rules? I will teach my missionaries this: never do anything that would cost you the influence of the Holy Spirit.” That is a great standard to live by. Callings in the Church are not to be superheroes but to live in the way to be directed by the Holy Spirit. It is a solemn responsibility. Mosiah 26: Alma “feared that he would not do right”. As leaders we need to strive to do that. Links The Holy Spirit: His Identity, Mission, and Ministry Grace in the Bishop’s Office | An Interview with Robert Millet Photo of Robert Millet by Richard Crookston Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iT...
For over thirty years, Shawn Moon has worked with clients across the globe, from Fortune 500 to governmental organizations. His deep knowledge and robust experience inspire others to improve their own leadership capabilities and to achieve remarkable results. Shawn is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and a highly sought-after speaker. He has served in several leadership capacities in the Church, including as a bishop and member of a stake presidency.
Highlights 01:45 Introduction
02:50 Shawn talks about why he wrote his book, Learning Leadership from the Scriptures
06:00 Shawn gives tips on studying the scriptures. He has found that studying by topic allows you to go very deep.
08:50 Shawn explains how to study leadership in the scriptures and what topics to look up
11:00 Leadership is a lot of things. It’s a very complex topic. Each one of us has the responsibility to be a leader in our lives.
14:00 “Leadership is a choice, not a position.”—Stephen Covey
15:20 If you are leading a ward then you need to create a vision for that ward
16:00 In our own lives, do we have the vision of who we are?
17:00 The first practice in Shawn’s book is to know who we really are. This is a foundation.
20:50 Being an effective leader has a lot less to do with doing the textbook leadership things and a lot more to do with trusting God and following the spirit
21:55 Sometimes we have just enough light for the next step. We don’t have to have all the answers as a leader, we just have to keep going and trusting in God.
22:30 Leadership and trying to motivate
30:00 Shawn talks about how he organized his book
32:15 Leadership in my calling
Practice 1: Organize and manage the work Practice 2: Teaching with power Practice 3: Develop other leaders Practice 4: Lead one by one
34:45 Kurt and Shawn discuss organizing and managing the work and what we can learn from the scriptures
40:30 Teaching with power. Alma 38 is a good example.
43:30 When leaving a great teaching experience like General Conference, there are many things to emulate when we teach:
A firm reminder and a firm personal conviction of Jesus Christ I feel His love Committed to doing and being better I feel the Savior’s love for me and also the speaker’s love for me I feel that the speaker is on the Lord’s errand. It’s very clear what their motivation is.
45:00 Should we look to other places, besides the scriptures and handbook, to find leadership resources?
49:20 Shawn’s favorite leadership stories in the scriptures
53:30 Final thoughts and testimony of leadership Links Learning Leadership from the Scriptures: 12 Practices for Building Leadership Effectiveness Based on Timeless and Eternal Principles Spencer W. Kimball: "Jesus the Perfect Leader" Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Restore: A Faith Matters Gathering
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
For over thirty years, Shawn Moon has worked with clients across the globe, from Fortune 500 to governmental organizations. His deep knowledge and robust experience inspire others to improve their own leadership capabilities and to achieve remarkable results. Shawn is a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and a highly sought-after speaker. He has served in several leadership capacities in the Church, including as a bishop and member of a stake presidency.
Highlights 01:45 Introduction
02:50 Shawn talks about why he wrote his book, Learning Leadership from the Scriptures
06:00 Shawn gives tips on studying the scriptures. He has found that studying by topic allows you to go very deep.
08:50 Shawn explains how to study leadership in the scriptures and what topics to look up
11:00 Leadership is a lot of things. It’s a very complex topic. Each one of us has the responsibility to be a leader in our lives.
14:00 “Leadership is a choice, not a position.”—Stephen Covey
15:20 If you are leading a ward then you need to create a vision for that ward
16:00 In our own lives, do we have the vision of who we are?
17:00 The first practice in Shawn’s book is to know who we really are. This is a foundation.
20:50 Being an effective leader has a lot less to do with doing the textbook leadership things and a lot more to do with trusting God and following the spirit
21:55 Sometimes we have just enough light for the next step. We don’t have to have all the answers as a leader, we just have to keep going and trusting in God.
22:30 Leadership and trying to motivate
30:00 Shawn talks about how he organized his book
32:15 Leadership in my calling
Practice 1: Organize and manage the work Practice 2: Teaching with power Practice 3: Develop other leaders Practice 4: Lead one by one
34:45 Kurt and Shawn discuss organizing and managing the work and what we can learn from the scriptures
40:30 Teaching with power. Alma 38 is a good example.
43:30 When leaving a great teaching experience like General Conference, there are many things to emulate when we teach:
A firm reminder and a firm personal conviction of Jesus Christ I feel His love Committed to doing and being better I feel the Savior’s love for me and also the speaker’s love for me I feel that the speaker is on the Lord’s errand. It’s very clear what their motivation is.
45:00 Should we look to other places, besides the scriptures and handbook, to find leadership resources?
49:20 Shawn’s favorite leadership stories in the scriptures
53:30 Final thoughts and testimony of leadership Links Learning Leadership from the Scriptures: 12 Practices for Building Leadership Effectiveness Based on Timeless and Eternal Principles Spencer W. Kimball: "Jesus the Perfect Leader" Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Restore: A Faith Matters Gathering
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Kathy Marler and her husband Kurt live in Escondido, California. Their family consists of their five children, their spouses, and their 20 grandchildren. Kathy has served as regional director of public affairs for Orange County, California, as a mission leader with her husband in Trujillo Peru, and as a Relief Society and a Young Women president. Kathy and Kurt currently serve as young service mission leaders in the Newport Beach Service Mission. Highlights 02:15 Introduction and background to Kathy Marler
04:20 How has leadership been a blessing and a sacrifice for your family?
08:40 Kathy describes family and ward dynamics from when her husband was bishop
10:00 Kathy's calling as Director of Public Affairs and what the calling entailed
11:00 Kathy's opportunity taking part in interfaith efforts and taking people to Utah for a three day tour and temple open house
15:10 Taking the opportunity to invite people/neighbors to big events like temple open houses
16:50 Being the bishop’s wife
18:40 Getting called to serve as mission leaders in Peru
20:00 The sacrifices and blessings of being called to serve as a mission leader
24:30 Kathy describes her preparation to become a mission leader and learning Spanish
26:20 Working with the sisters and creating relationships with the missionaries
28:40 Kathy's participation in meetings, conferences, and teaching with the missionaries
32:00 What people need to know about the wife of a church leader
34:30 Kathy's advice to the wife of a leader who is feeling discouraged or overlooked
36:20 Final thoughts and how Kathy feels she has grown closer to the Savior through her leadership Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Noelle McBride is a professional motivational speaker and teacher with over 20 years of experience counseling and teaching women in groups and individually. She currently leads women in gospel-based workshops that are focused on overcoming the trials and hardships of divorce. She also serves as an ordinance worker in the Seattle Temple and in her stake Relief Society presidency.
After having been blessed with three children during a 17-year marriage, Noelle went through a difficult and heartbreaking divorce. Notwithstanding this hardship, she experienced much healing and hope in her personal life, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Desiring to help other women navigate the same trial, Noelle shares the promises and peace of the gospel in her first published book, Beauty for Ashes: Divorce and the Latter-day Saint Woman. Highlights 03:15 Noelle explains why she wrote her book and what led her to write it
04:30 Noelle shares her story of marriage, divorce, being single, and getting remarried
06:40 What was the breaking point in the marriage?
08:00 How do you know you're healed? What does that feel like?
10:30 Divorce is like the death of a marriage. There is a grieving process to go through.
11:15 When you marry someone your hearts are knitted together. Divorce rips them apart. True healing of your heart only comes through Jesus Christ not outside sources.
12:25 Noelle served a mission of sorts after her divorce. When she wasn’t with her children she would go out with the sister missionaries. She followed a routine similar to the missionaries to aid her in her healing.
16:00 Sometimes when we are hurting and grieving we seek for outside sources instead of going to Christ
19:30 Concepts and questions that leaders can ask to help someone going through a divorce
21:30 Noelle shares things that leaders did in her ward that helped her get through her divorce
24:00 The power of being present and just sitting with someone
26:30 As leaders we need to keep members' names safe. Allow people to share the details of their situation that they want to share.
28:45 Noelle shares the dynamics of staying in the same ward as her ex husband and how she navigated it. She always had someone to sit with.
33:10 What a leader should do when a man or woman comes in and says they are getting divorced. Leaders need to respect personal revelation and allow them to have space and silence to receive revelation.
40:20 Kurt shares his experience as a bishop working with divorcees. Bishops should encourage people to get legal counsel and therapy.
44:20 The doctrine of forgiveness when it comes to divorce
50:00 Noelle shares her experience with therapy and the help she received from her bishop
57:20 Use single brothers and sisters in service
1:03:00 How can leaders utilize Noelle’s book?
1:06:45 Noelle shares how her divorce brought her closer to the Savior Links Beauty for Ashes: Divorce and the Latter-day Saint Woman TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences,
John Deacon lives in Durham, England with his wife of 23 years, Debbie, and their two teenage children. He runs a finance company based in the UK. John has most recently served for nine years on the Sunderland Stake Presidency and is currently serving on the British Pageant Presidency, a unique and unexpected calling. Highlights 02:30 John’s background and previous callings
11:00 After getting released from the Stake Presidency, John was called to lead in the Pageant Presidency
16:45 What is the purpose and mission of having pageants? The pageant is a vehicle to bring people to Christ.
20:20 Is this something that is going to be transformational? What can we do to make pageants, church meetings, and activities transformational experiences?
22:40 John summarizes what the British pageant is about. The story is taken from the journals of 2 to 3 families.
25:00 John gives behind the scenes details. The cast members apply and are set apart to participate, similarly to a calling.
30:00 Allow people to fulfill their calling without getting in the way. John describes his calling as empowering others to do their part and use their talents.
38:15 About 900 volunteers are involved in making the pageant happen plus other departments of the Church
39:30 John isn’t involved in the creative planning or acting in the pageant. His role is to provide spiritual leadership. He is there to help create a spiritual experience for the cast and the people attending.
44:00 John explains more on the casting. It’s a very competitive process.
47:00 Working together as a pageant presidency is reflective of a Stake Presidency
49:00 This isn’t just a show; it’s a vehicle to greater things
49:00 A key part of any leadership calling is not letting your own feelings and opinions get in the way of hearing the spirit and doing what God wants you to do
50:30 The next pageant is in August 2023
52:50 Protestors at the pageant
54:20 John shares final thoughts and how being a leader has made him a better follower of Jesus Christ Links British Pageant TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Gathering Saints: leadingsaints.org/gathering
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tony Overbay is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Mindful Habit Coach, and a popular motivational speaker. Tony regularly speaks at corporate training events, schools, and churches in formal and casual settings mixing humor, clinical experience, his Christian faith, and a wealth of personal stories gleaned from years of helping others achieve their goals. This is part 2 of a 2-part podcast discussion. Listen to Part 1 here. Highlights 03:20 Tony shares experiences people have had with a very harsh stake president
12:25 Leaders or sometimes therapists hand people a list of things to do in order to overcome addictions or whatever it may be. But what happens when checking off those boxes doesn’t help?
13:50 Typically people go into the bishop’s office with the energy of shame. The bishop needs to diffuse that energy. People should also consider other people they can talk to besides the Bishop.
18:00 A good question to ask an individual is, “Who do you feel comfortable talking to?”
19:30 Tony breaks down shame and where it comes from
24:50 We feel shame when we are unable to overcome certain behaviors or addictions. However, we are approaching it in the wrong way. We need to dive deeper into why we are doing what we are doing.
25:40 Tony shares his own personal experience on being human and making mistakes. We need to give ourselves a break because we are all just human having human experiences.
29:20 Leadership and narcissism. Too often people are throwing out the word narcissist when dealing with a difficult person.
30:45 What is narcissism? Where does it come from?
38:20 There is a healthy level of narcissism in all of us
40:20 We most often see narcissism in a negative light. There is also normal healthy narcissism. That could also be called a normal healthy ego or your sense of self.
44:10 Pathological defensive narcissism
53:30 Jesus had a healthy ego. He had a full understanding of His identity.
55:45 Tony explains confabulation
1:02:00 Dealing with narcissistic leaders
1:04:15 Internal validation versus external validation
1:12:30 There isn’t much we can do about a narcissistic leader. What we can do is set our own boundaries. Links Part 1 of this podcast Unhealthy Ways We Seek Validation As Leaders | An Interview with Tony Overbay The Bishop’s Strongest Tools to Help Addicts | An Interview with Tony Overbay Tony's podcasts The Path Back: Overcoming Pornography The Magnetic Marriage Course Tony's PDF of James Fowler's Stages of Faith Development Why Am I the Last Person to Know What to Do with My Life? Am I the Narcissist? Exploring Narcissistic Traits and Tendencies Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Watch Tony's Leading Saints Live with 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Tony Overbay is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Mindful Habit Coach, and a popular motivational speaker. Tony regularly speaks at corporate training events, schools, and churches in formal and casual settings mixing humor, clinical experience, his Christian faith, and a wealth of personal stories gleaned from years of helping others achieve their goals. This is part 1 of a 2-part podcast discussion. Highlights 2:40 Introduction
5:30 Tony’s background and his story of becoming a therapist
13:50 Tony talks about his background helping people with pornography addictions.
17:00 Shame hasn’t helped anyone in their recovery from porn
18:45 Tony talks about the most common problems people come to him with
22:15 The types of clients that Tony normally works with
25:45 Tony explains how he helps his clients and how a lot of times it leads to the topic of emotional immaturity and narcissism
28:00 Tony’s new podcast, Waking Up to Narcissism
31:15 Is it easier for people to walk into a therapist’s office or a bishop’s office?
34:30 Tony shares an experience he had training Bishops in his stake about Fowler's stages of faith and his 4 pillars of a connected conversation. He shares what he thinks bishops should know and understand when trying to help people. Links PART 2 of this podcast Unhealthy Ways We Seek Validation As Leaders | An Interview with Tony Overbay The Bishop’s Strongest Tools to Help Addicts | An Interview with Tony Overbay Tony's podcasts The Path Back: Overcoming Pornography The Magnetic Marriage Course Tony's PDF of James Fowler's Stages of Faith Development Why Am I the Last Person to Know What to Do with My Life? Am I the Narcissist? Exploring Narcissistic Traits and Tendencies Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Watch Tony's Leading Saints Live with 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Emma Larsen is a Senior at Brigham Young University studying Theatre Education, works at the BYU Center for Teaching and Learning, and tutors English to Taiwanese students. She is also the author of the book, The New Kid: Finding Friendship and Belonging in the Face of Life Changes. Emma served in the Taiwan Taipei mission and has served as a Relief Society teacher, ward music chair, and sacrament meeting pianist. She is currently the Relief Society president in a young single adult ward in Provo, Utah. Highlights 03:15 Introduction to Emma Larsen
06:15 Emma talks about focusing on individuals and how she goes about doing that
07:15 What does a YSA member need to feel loved?
08:40 Ministering tips for wards with a lot of turnover
10:00 Ministering interviews.
11:40 Emma talks about her new book and why she wrote it
15:00 Her book is for new kids that are feeling alone but also for people to know what a new kid feels so that they can offer friendship and be more welcoming
15:30 Emma talks about what it was like to move constantly growing up. Moving into new wards and new schools and what she learned from it.
17:30 Emma’s advice to leaders on creating belonging in their wards and organizations
19:10 Emma shares her personal experience of how another young woman helped her feel like she belonged
21:00 As a leader, know people’s names. You might not be able to do and be everything but knowing people’s names helps them feel seen.
24:45 Remember that the little things are the big things. Doing the small things like learning names or asking someone to sit by you.
27:00 Diversity is under appreciated. We are all different and those differences are to be appreciated and cherished.
29:00 Everyone is a little selfish. Stop worrying about yourself and start looking outward. Links The New Kid: Finding Friendship and Belonging in the Face of Life Changes, by Emma Larsen How to Remember Everyone’s Name at Church | An Interview With Greg Clawson TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube (coming soon) Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts in iTunes, gets over 300,000 listens each month, and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Roger Connors has worked in leadership consulting for over 35 years and is a graduate faculty professional member of Utah Valley University. He is also adjunct for the Woodbury School of Business MBA program, and a four-time New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. His most recent book is Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessings of Heaven. Roger has served as president of the Kennewick, Washington mission, stake president and branch president in the Provo Missionary Training Center, and currently serves in a Provo young single adult stake presidency.
Highlights 01:15 Introduction to the topic of patterns
01:30 Roger’s background in leadership
03:30 How can we have smoother transitions in leadership?
Start with results. Know what you want to accomplish How do we get people to change their thinking? Create new and powerful experiences
07:20 Cognitive bias and but leading by the Spirit
12:00 How can we get people to change their thinking?
12:40 Real life examples of suspending belief bias from when Roger was a mission president
14:30 As leaders we keep doing the same things over and over expecting different results
15:00 Roger talks about his new book Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessing of Heaven. He explains how patterns tell us what to do. Especially patterns in the scriptures.
16:50 Where do we start as leaders when we are trying to help someone? Roger suggests starting by identifying patterns that could help that person in their specific situation.
17:20 We need to be careful applying patterns where they don’t fit. For example, the 5 steps of repentance.
22:30 We don’t earn blessings, we qualify for them by doing what we can. It’s up to God to deliver what He sees is best for us. He will make sure that the right thing happens at the right time for us.
23:40 Promising blessings as a leader
26:50 You can have what you want or you can have something better. Remember that God’s will is always better.
30:00 When you give your life to God, He will make something out of you that you could never make out of yourself
30:40 Roger shares experiences of listening to two different apostles speak and the very different talks they gave about following the spirit
32:15 Hold on, continue faithful, and God will come through for you. Bind yourself to Jesus Christ.
33:20 Roger shares his own difficult experience of coming home early from being a mission president because he was diagnosed with cancer. Trials can make us feel like victims. Roger’s advice is to stop focusing on why it’s happening. The right question to ask is what? What should I do next?
35:00 The main takeaways from Roger’s book
Be conscious of the patterns found in the scriptures to help yourself and others Trust in the Lord’s timing and His way
35:50 Roger shares his own personal experience of trusting God and following promptings
38:15 God wants to be involved in your life. As leaders we need to help people see the hand of the Lord is their lives.
40:00 Roger shares how to find patterns in the scriptures using Ether 12:6. He shares his own trial of faith.
42:50 More scriptural patterns. There are a lot of simple scriptures that have powerful concepts.
45:30 Remember that patterns are not formulas Links Divine Patterns: Seeking the Blessings of Heaven TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B.
Jody Moore is a master certified life coach, well known as the host of the Better Than Happy podcast and for her live events and online coaching program, Be Bold. She also has a BA in Communications and an MA in Adult Education along with 15 years of experience as a corporate trainer and leadership coach. Jody and her husband live in Spokane, Washington, and are the parents of four children. Highlights 9:00 We hear counsel or advice and immediately see where others could use it. 11:10 We have an idea of what the "right way to be" looks like for certain roles that people fill in our lives. 12:00 Expectations are premeditated disappointment. We create manuals for others and are disappointed when they don't follow those rules. 14:00 We lose our own authority for ourselves when we blame others for our thoughts and emotions; instead we can get to compassion by recognizing they are imperfect people doing their best. 15:30 The Atonement has two parts: the saving part, and the strengthening and enabling part; we can access that strengthening and enabling power. 17:00 We are punishing ourselves and it doesn't change the other person; we also then unconsciously mirror them and we end up "doing it wrong", and that's what feels terrible. 19:30 How to recognize when you default to these negative thoughts: Examine yourself instead of others. What am I doing that might be similar to what they're doing? In what way am I doing the very thing that I'm judging this person for? 21:45 Next we start to judge ourselves. Recognize that sometimes we are also imperfect. When we can do that for ourselves, we get better at doing it for other people. 23:20 The adversary helps us take the gospel and turn it into part of our manual, and then we judge others by it, driving a wedge between us. We should look at the gospel and counsel for ourselves, not others. 27:00 David O. McKay quote: "The purpose of the gospel is to make bad men good and good men better." Susan Easton Black quote: When I go to church, I go to take the sacrament. That part's for me. But everything else, I go there thinking, What am I bringing? What can I give to other people? 29:15 Sometimes we take the principle of obedience too far; obedience should not come at the expense of our own integrity and relationship with Jesus Christ. 30:10 Be clear about the difference between the gospel and the people. If you want to believe and sustain your leaders, that is enough. The Lord will work with you where you are. 31:40 Giving people permission to be themselves. Sometimes we can manipulate people to be what we want, but then they aren't really who they are. 33:10 What if our only expectation is that they be themselves? 34:25 We can make requests of people, but it becomes a problem when we hang our emotions on whether or not they do it. 36:40 We don't need more people who are like us. We need people who think differently than we do. 38:00 We can define our own success, keeping our expectations to ourselves and holding ourselves to them because others are outside our control. 40:40 When you are the leader, you can start to wonder what others expect of you and become a people pleaser. 42:10 We step into our best version of ourselves as leaders when we try to be ourselves instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others. 44:00 Managing up: you can make a request of the person above you to try or change things. 45:00 Have boundaries and don't allow mistreatment, but don't take it too far and have expectations that diminish the quality of your life and relationships. 48:00 If you want to do something differently, do it now, wherever you are. Example story of people asking a farmer about the people in the town. You will find whatever you are looking for. Links JodyMoore.com Better Than Happy: Expectation Pain Leading Others to be Better Than Happy | An Interview with Jody Moore Mental Health & Youth | An Interview with Jody Moore TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Adam S. Miller is a professor of philosophy at Collin College in McKinney, Texas. He earned a BA in Comparative Literature from Brigham Young University and an MA and PhD in Philosophy from Villanova University. He is the author of more than ten books, including Original Grace, Letters to a Young Mormon, and An Early Resurrection. He and his wife, Gwen, have three children. Highlights 4:30 Adam talks about his book, Original Grace: An Experiment in Restoration Thinking.
5:50 Grace is a very powerful name for what it's like to interact with God. It’s where God’s life and our lives overlap.
6:35 Kurt and Adam discuss Stephen Robinson’s book, Believing Christ.
10:00 Grace is not God’s backup plan. It’s God’s plan A. The means and the ends of salvation.
12:00 We attempt to save ourselves when we misuse God’s law.
13:40 Is God’s love unconditional?
17:45 Original sin mentality vs. original grace mentality.
21:45 Justice is only in the business of what’s good, not evil. Justice is not there for the punishment.
22:20 Justice is to give what good is needed depending on the circumstance. It's basically another name for grace, which is to give good for good and good for evil.
24:00 We think that God is coming for us with punishment when we sin but that is faulty thinking. God is coming for us with grace. He is never trying to punish us but give us the treatment that we need.
25:45 What about all the scriptures about God’s anger and wrath?
28:45 Adam talks about his earthly father in his book about grace and why he included him.
32:55 How do we manifest this doctrine of grace in the context of leadership?
39:00 Discussion on suffering. It can feel like suffering is a deserved punishment but Adam explains why suffering is needed.
49:30 Kurt and Adam share perspectives on the subtitle of Adam’s book, an experiment in restoration thinking.
52:50 Discussion on simplicity. Adam talks about how he used to overcomplicate religion but step by step and through experimenting he has been able to find simplicity. Links Original Grace: An Experiment in Restoration Thinking, by Adam S. Miller Grace Is Not God's Backup Plan: An Urgent Paraphrase of Paul's Letter to the Romans, by Adam S. Miller Letters to a Young Mormon, by Adam S. Miller An Early Resurrection: life in Christ Before You Die, by Adam S. Miller Believing Christ, by Stephen E. Robinson TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube (coming soon) Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Corry Perkins was born and raised in Boise, Idaho, graduating from Boise State University with a BA in Communications. He served a Spanish-speaking mission in the Canada Toronto Mission and has served as bishop over a traditional geographic area ward and as a temple ordinance worker, and is currently bishop in a married student ward. Corry owns an insurance and financial services agency. He and his wife have been married 42 years and have 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren. Highlights 02:30 Background of Corry Perkins. He explains the dynamics of his ward.
09:45 Corry isn’t in a traditional ward. His responsibilities are a little different as a bishop. His main responsibility is training and developing the next leaders of the church. He focuses on sacred daily routines to help those in his ward have strong relationships with Jesus Christ.
11:40 Corry has established a ward theme. They keep track of everyone's temporal and spiritual goals.
13:15 The ward has been broken into four committees
Redeem the Dead Committee (temple and family history) Perfect the Saints Committee (service) Activities Committee Missionary Committee
15:30 How Corry keeps track of each committee and keeps each one going
17:10 How do all of the committees stay unified and the other organizations (Relief Society or Elders Quorum) fold into the committees?
21:00 On an annual basis everyone rotates committees. So freshmen serve in each committee by the time they are a senior and graduate. Everyone in the ward has the opportunity to serve on a committee.
23:45 Third Sunday of every month each committee meets for 15 to 30 minutes after church and then everyone eats together.
24:30 Corry tried to create and work with committees in a traditional ward but it failed. He goes into reasons why maybe it didn’t work there.
26:55 The ward mission leader is the co-chair of the missionary committee.
27:30 Your ward can create committees according to your ward's needs.
28:30 Corry explains more on his ward’s theme
He gives each couple a magnet to write out their spiritual and temporal goal for that year’s theme He puts each couple's goal on a big bulletin board On the fourth Sunday 3 couples speak in Sacrament meeting about their goals
34:00 Corry’s mission president was President M. Russell Ballard. He shares some experiences he had and President Ballard’s leadership style.
35:00 Corry shares more about the Redeem the Dead Committee and the amazing experiences that members of his ward have had. Links
Jon McNaughtan grew up in Heber City, Utah, and completed a PhD in higher education with a focus on organizational behavior at the University of Michigan, a masters degree in educational policy from Stanford University, and a bachelors degree in communication from Southern Utah University. Over the last 10 years he has utilized his educational background and professional experience as a leadership consultant with aspiring corporate and educational leaders to identify and cultivate positive practices designed to expand the capacity organizations and individuals.
Jon is an associate professor and the associate department chair of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Counseling at Texas Tech University. His research focuses on leadership from multiple perspectives, first on the role and experience senior leaders and teams have—with an emphasis on how they engage and empower employees—and then how employees develop a sense of empowerment, satisfaction, and purpose in their work. His goal is to enhance the practice of leadership and create spaces where people can be their best.
Jon and his wife Liz live in Lubbock, Texas, with their four children. He has served in many callings including ward mission leader, high counselor, scout leader, Primary teacher, Young Men leader, and is currently the elders quorum president of their ward.
Highlights 03:00 Introduction and background of Jon McNaughton.
05:30 How do we create a culture where people can be their best? We all need feedback and engagement. The problem is that most people don’t give feedback and are afraid to give feedback.
08:15 We are afraid to give our bishop or stake president feedback yet we have no problem giving our kids' Primary teacher feedback.
09:15 Part of giving feedback is being vulnerable and asking hard questions.
09:45 How can I provide feedback without complaining or criticizing? Jon shares two scriptural examples.
14:30 When we give feedback we make it too personal. Be reflective in your feedback and don’t take it personal.
15:30 Come with a question instead of an answer.
16:00 Be direct and ask your leader if they would like feedback.
17:00 When we give feedback we need to know why we are giving it. Think about your why.
Are our leaders the ones that need to change or is it us? Is what that leader doing harming others?
20:00 Figuring out your why and the motivation behind giving feedback to your leader.
Write down what the feedback is and what the goals would be if that person were to take it. Are the goals about you or about that other person? What is the end goal and what would change through giving feedback?
22:30 Things to remember when you want to give feedback.
What works really well for us doesn’t always work well for others. There is not just one way to do things in the church. Remember that the Lord will consecrate the work that people do.
27:00 Sometimes complaining or criticizing leads to change.
28:50 Feedback provides self awareness.
29:30 Advice for giving and receiving feedback.
What am I doing to receive feedback beyond just having an open door policy? Feedback is built on trust and building relationships with people. Have plenty of one on one conversions and interviews.
34:15 We need to create a culture of feedback. Feedback can really create a better experience.
35:20 How do I balance obedience with feedback?
36:15 1 Nephi 3:27. It was the Lord that sent Nephi and his brothers into Jerusalem to get the plates but the brothers were angry with Nephi and Sam and beat them. Nephi did not send them.
37:00 Jon shares the story in Ether 2 on giving feedback to the Lord.
38:10 The Lord expects us to give feedback to Him and to our leaders. We are supposed to cry unto Him.
44:30 What do I do when my feedback isn’t heard? What can leaders do to make sure that the people in their congregation are heard? Are you following up with people?
Norbert Kalogo Ounleu is from Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast). He grew up Muslim and was baptized when he was 25 years old. Norbert served as a Sunday School teacher, ward mission leader, and Young Men president, and was called as a bishop at age 27, just two years after he was baptized. He then served as a stake president, mission president of the Ivory Coast, and area seventy. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher. He has worked as an Institute director and teacher and currently works for the Church History Department. He and his wife Valerie have four children. Highlights 01:45 Introduction to Norbert Ounleu and his conversion story.
07:10 Norbert talks about his very first calling teaching Sunday School.
09:40 How Norbert met his wife and their story.
12:15 Norbert was called as a bishop at 27 years old, just two years after his conversion.
14:00 Norbert describes what it was like stepping into a bishop’s role without much experience or knowledge. He went to the missionaries for help.
16:00 If Norbert could go back in time and give himself advice as a new bishop he would tell himself to just follow the Spirit.
16:30 Ward demographics and dynamics at the time that Norbert was bishop.
18:00 Day-to-day responsibilities as a bishop in the Ivory Coast
Welfare needs Helping people with their callings
20:45 After 3 years as bishop, Norbert was called to be a stake president.
21:30 How being a stake president is different from being a bishop.
22:15 Stake demographics. It was a very large area for a stake. Members would have to travel for a couple of hours to get to the stake center.
23:10 Norbert’s advice to stake presidents and other leaders
Be united with your counselors
24:40 The Church was very new to the Ivory Coast in the '90s and it was difficult to find leaders and train them for callings. They relied heavily on the handbook.
26:00 What Norbert learned as a young leader. He had to learn the handbook very well. He made plenty of mistakes at first but was humble when told what he did wrong.
27:45 Getting called as a mission president. He had less than two months to prepare.
31:40 Once again he started a new calling, as a mission president, knowing nothing. He relied on the help of other leaders. He had the unique dynamic of dealing with a civil war, no MTC, and not having a temple. Most missionaries were not endowed.
35:35 Serving as mission president helped Norbert and his wife grow together.
36:50 Norbert’s wife focused on the missionaries' health and training the sister missionaries.
37:30 Norbert talks about how he helped grow the Church in his country when he served as a mission president.
38:00 Right after his mission, Norbert was called as an area seventy.
39:30 From the mission home, Norbert moved his family to Ghana and started teaching and directing the Institute, and served as an area seventy.
40:15 What it was like to be an area seventy. He served in this calling for seven years.
44:00 Working for the Church History Department Links Pioneers in every land: Norbert K. Ounleu has seen the restored gospel grow exponentially in the Ivory Coast and in Africa Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown,
Brad Pelo has been a lifelong member of the Church and has served as a bishop twice and most recently as a counselor in the New York City YSA stake presidency. He is currently executive producer and president of The Chosen and was executive producer of the feature films Forever Strong and The Legend of Johnny Lingo. Brad is married to Melody Allen and they are parents to 12 children and 17 grandchildren.
Derral Eves is a family man of great faith. He earned a bachelor's degree in communications at Southern Utah University. Professionally, he has been on YouTube since 2005, where he has helped generate nearly 86 billion video views, and his book The YouTube Formula is a Wall Street Journal bestseller. He is currently the CEO and Executive Producer of The Chosen. Derral is also founder of Creatus, a marketing and consulting company, and VidSummit, an annual video conference. He served a mission in Paraguay and has since served in several callings including as elders quorum president, bishopric counselor, bishop, and counselor in a stake presidency. Derral and his wife Carolyn live in La Verkin, Utah, and have five amazing kids.
The Chosen is a television series about the life of Jesus Christ that broke the all-time crowdfunding record in film and television. Their 2021 Christmas special broke box office records and was the #1 movie in the country at its theatrical release. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Derral Eves and Brad Pelo, producers of The Chosen.
03:00 Derral shares his background story and how he came to work on The Chosen.
18:50 Brad shares his story and how he got involved with The Chosen.
29:40 The story behind the Goshen set, where The Chosen was filmed.
31:10 How would you create a ‘Chosen-like’ experience on Sunday?
Focus on relationships with Christ in every talk, lesson, and discussion. The new generation wants authenticity and nothing sugar coated.
41:10 How do you encourage people to focus more on Jesus in Sunday meetings?
Remember that you set the tone. Be very specific with topics for speaking. Let people know what you want to accomplish.
45:50 As members we feel obligated to accept callings. We should let our leader know what is going on in our lives before accepting a calling. While it’s important to serve we need to avoid burnout.
48:00 Derral shares a story about a meeting with Elder Renlund and getting to ask him leadership questions.
52:20 Avoid burnout. It’s ok to say no. This is God’s work and we are just assisting Him.
54:45 Brad shares his own perspective on creating a ‘chosen like’ experience at church. He believes that it’s important to not only create content but also context.
56:30 The gathering of saints is a community experience not a social experience. The body of Christ requires us to experience Him together.
1:00:00 As leadership we need to look for opportunities for people to experience Christ as a body. Gathering should be more than reviewing the doctrine. Everyone should be speaking of Jesus and participating.
1:00:50 Brad shares about a documentary they filmed having nine Gen-Zs watch The Chosen together. How they reacted and their experience. He shares what can be learned from this experience.
1:05:00 If you want people to open up and be vulnerable then you need to model it for them.
1:08:10 Derral shares a story of what it looks like to be real and authentic.
1:17:30 We often make the mistake of showing people who appear to be as perfect as Jesus when we need to model people that are broken and have a relationship with Jesus.
1:18:30 In our church culture we create this false facade. We think that because people are called that they are perfect.
1:20:20 Brad talks about what he has learned from the interfaith effort working on The Chosen.
1:24:30 Because of our religious persecution we have sheltered ourselves away from others of the Christian faith. Bringing people to Jesus doesn’t mean handing out ...
Michael Albright grew up in Colorado and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming. In 2000, at the age of 23, Michael was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and shortly afterward joined the U.S. Navy, earning his Commission as a Supply Corps Officer after completing Officer Candidate School in Florida. He attended several Training Commands before serving tours in California and Hawaii, leaving active duty military service in 2006 to attend graduate school at Brigham Young University.
Michael has served in several elders quorum presidencies, as a Primary, youth, and Sunday School teacher, a membership clerk, a ward emergency preparedness & employment specialist, and is now an assistant executive secretary for youth. He and his wife Oriah have three boys and their family resides in Texas. Highlights 02:30 Michael went to the May 2022 men's retreat, Warrior Heart and he shares his story and how he ended up there.
05:00 Michael explains why he thinks that going to a third party retreat, like Warrior Heart, is important apart from the normal week to week elders quorum meetings.
07:30 Michael was called as an assistant executive secretary, specifically for the youth. The ward wanted to do something to focus more on the youth. Michael shares what he does in his calling.
10:45 The day to day focus and main priorities of Michael’s calling.
He keeps track of what activities are going on and informs everyone through email He sends out reminders for appointments Follow up with people for interviews Keeps track of youth that need temple recommends that will expire soon Gets interviews for new youth in the ward so that the bishop can get to know them
13:30 There are about 100 youth members in Michael’s ward. Having a youth executive secretary helps the bishop and the other executive secretary so that no one slips through the cracks.
13:50 Michael is basically the part of the bishop’s brain that focuses completely on the youth.
15:05 The dynamic of setting up appointments with the youth.
16:20 Michael considers himself a gate keeper of the bishop’s time. He is there to help the bishop not get overloaded.
17:00 Michael explains the dynamic with the other executive secretary and how they work together and coordinate all the appointments.
21:00 Michael shares his principles of leadership. Principle one - Ownership and stewardship
23:40 Principle two - Communication
25:30 Principle three - Being respectable and adaptable as you are working with people
31:30 Michael’s focus is creating better relationships with the youth. He isn’t great with technology and with the platforms that the youth are on but he works to connect with them in their interactions.
33:00 God loves us no matter what. What does change is our ability to feel His love because of the choices that we make. This is the message that Michael loves to share with the youth that he works with.
35:00 How being a leader has helped Michael become a better follower of Jesus Christ. Links Is Elders Quorum Working? Warrior Heart Bootcamp TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie,
This is an update to the podcast episode Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach.
Jennifer Roach earned a Masters of Divinity from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and a Masters of Counseling from Argosy University. She is a licensed Substance Use Disorder counselor, a Clinical Mental Health counselor, and was an ordained Anglican Pastor prior to her baptism in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Highlights Episode summary will be available soon Links AP News article: Seven years of sex abuse: How Mormon officials let it happen Public Square Magazine article: Are Publicized Abuse Cases Exceptional or Representative of Our Faith? General Handbook 32.4.4: Confidentiality 4 Reasons Why Bishops Should Be Meeting with Youth | An Interview with Jennifer Roach TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube (coming soon) Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
David Snell is a host on the Latter-day Saint YouTube channel, "Saints Unscripted." He served a mission in Chihuahua, Mexico, and then studied journalism at Brigham Young University. He married his incredible wife in 2017, and they now spend most of their time having a blast raising their baby boy. David loves diving into Church history, but also enjoys gardening, power tools, and onion rings. Highlights 2:00 Introduction to David Snell. He explains what Saints Unscripted is.
5:30 Saints Unscripted is a YouTube channel aimed towards helping people with tough questions. It's a place that shares the gospel to people in our faith and outside of our faith. They make it possible to understand difficult concepts without having to read an academic article.
10:50 David gives suggestions on teaching and guiding the youth and young adults.
Be prepared for the youth to find antagonistic material and be prepared to talk about it with them.
13:50 The days have passed when you were able to respond to questions by telling people that they need to have faith or by bearing your testimony to them. Youth today want more facts.
14:20 We trust social media influencers way more than we should. Influencers give us quick answers instead of us going and doing our ‘homework’ and studying things out to come to our own conclusions.
18:20 Leaders should remember that youth are growing up in a much different world than we did. We need to take them seriously and understand what they are going through. They are our future leaders.
22:10 The faith and beliefs videos on Saints Unscripted are valuable for new converts or for members that are learning about new controversies, for missionaries to help answer controversial questions that instigators might have. These videos are even valuable for those just wanting to know more about the church but not necessarily wanting to meet with the missionaries.
25:00 Leaders aren’t trained on how to answer controversial questions and Saints Unscripted helps leaders have resources and videos to help them.
27:20 David talks about how he comes up with content for his videos.
30:00 While conference talks and the standard stuff on the Church’s website is great, it doesn’t always address the things that people are really struggling with today. David encourages leaders to check out Saints Unscripted because it could be a way to connect with someone that is struggling and provide them with more resources.
36:15 David’s journey with Saints Unscripted and how it has made him a better follower of Jesus Christ Links Saints Unscripted Facebook: Faith and Beliefs Facebook: Saints Unscripted Faith is Not Blind, by Bruce & Marie Hafen Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Michael and Susan Daley are currently serving as temple missionaries in the Palmyra, New York Temple. They lived in Las Vegas, Nevada for 40 years and later moved to Logan, Utah. Michael has served as a stake president, stake Young Men president, bishop, bishop’s councilor, elders quorum president, stake mission president, Seminary teacher, and as a young missionary in the Switzerland, Geneva Mission. He earned a bachelor's degree in Communications and Media Sales from Brigham Young University, and worked as a media sales manager for Don Rey Media and Stephens Media in Las Vegas, Nevada. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Elder and Sister Daley, serving as missionaries in the Palmyra Temple.
05:00 Michael’s story and his mental health struggles. He was released as stake president and was out of a job when the depression and anxiety started to take over his life.
10:00 Michael talks about how he got help for his depression and his treatment. The things that worked and didn’t work.
14:00 Working in the temple every day helped ease his depression. He would work and pray.
15:00 Michael began working at Deseret Industries when the temple closed down during the pandemic. It was important for him to serve and work again.
17:45 At Deseret Industries they helped Michael create future goals. His next goal would be a mission.
20:00 He still has his bad days. However, through medication, temple service, his wife, family, and friends, Michael has been able to get his depression under control and feels more like his old self.
21:15 The key to Michael’s mental health when he was a bishop and stake president was having a great executive secretary. Between his wife and secretaries they were able to monitor him and help support him.
29:45 Don’t let pride get in the way of getting treatment and getting help. There is a stigma around mental health that causes many people to avoid getting professional help.
31:30 Kurt and Michael share experiences of getting released from big callings in the bishopric and stake presidency and feeling a loss. Michael encourages others to embrace their new calling or ask for a calling.
37:15 Susan shares her perspective on Michael’s transition from huge leadership callings.
39:00 Michael talks about his mental health after losing his job and being released from the stake presidency. His biggest advice to others struggling with mental health is to find something to do and finding a sense of purpose.
42:20 Co dependency issues. Feeling like your self worth is tied to helping people.
46:00 Susan shares how going through these mental health struggles with her husband has made her a better follower of Jesus Christ.
47:45 D&C 121 and 122 have helped Michael through his mental health journey and he encourages others to read and study them. Links Why working at Deseret Industries helped a former stake president heal from depression TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube (coming soon) Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership,
Michael and Susan Daley are currently serving as temple missionaries in the Palmyra, New York Temple. They lived in Las Vegas, Nevada for 40 years and later moved to Logan, Utah. Michael has served as a stake president, stake Young Men president, bishop, bishop’s councilor, elders quorum president, stake mission president, Seminary teacher, and as a young missionary in the Switzerland, Geneva Mission. He earned a bachelor's degree in Communications and Media Sales from Brigham Young University, and worked as a media sales manager for Don Rey Media and Stephens Media in Las Vegas, Nevada. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Elder and Sister Daley, serving as missionaries in the Palmyra Temple.
05:00 Michael’s story and his mental health struggles. He was released as stake president and was out of a job when the depression and anxiety started to take over his life.
10:00 Michael talks about how he got help for his depression and his treatment. The things that worked and didn’t work.
14:00 Working in the temple every day helped ease his depression. He would work and pray.
15:00 Michael began working at Deseret Industries when the temple closed down during the pandemic. It was important for him to serve and work again.
17:45 At Deseret Industries they helped Michael create future goals. His next goal would be a mission.
20:00 He still has his bad days. However, through medication, temple service, his wife, family, and friends, Michael has been able to get his depression under control and feels more like his old self.
21:15 The key to Michael’s mental health when he was a bishop and stake president was having a great executive secretary. Between his wife and secretaries they were able to monitor him and help support him.
29:45 Don’t let pride get in the way of getting treatment and getting help. There is a stigma around mental health that causes many people to avoid getting professional help.
31:30 Kurt and Michael share experiences of getting released from big callings in the bishopric and stake presidency and feeling a loss. Michael encourages others to embrace their new calling or ask for a calling.
37:15 Susan shares her perspective on Michael’s transition from huge leadership callings.
39:00 Michael talks about his mental health after losing his job and being released from the stake presidency. His biggest advice to others struggling with mental health is to find something to do and finding a sense of purpose.
42:20 Co dependency issues. Feeling like your self worth is tied to helping people.
46:00 Susan shares how going through these mental health struggles with her husband has made her a better follower of Jesus Christ.
47:45 D&C 121 and 122 have helped Michael through his mental health journey and he encourages others to read and study them. Links Why working at Deseret Industries helped a former stake president heal from depression TRANSCRIPT coming soon Watch on YouTube (coming soon) Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership,
David Farnsworth was a retired leadership and executive coach who spent years helping organization improve their interviewing skills through the 3D Interviewing method. He passed away in July 2020. In this episode David explains methods latter-day saint leaders can use in order to improve the effectiveness of one-to-one interviews and classroom teaching through effective questions.
Highlights 7:15 Why do I want to develop my interviewing skills?
The question is: how do you see your role? Understanding the leader's role in an interaction
11:35 The Fundamentals
Be sincerely interested in others Reading others accurately Having the vocabulary to articulate Be willing to be authentic and consistent Having a good sense of ourselves (self-awareness) Trust others in their ability to respond Not seeing yourself as the expert, but to uncouple yourself from having all the answers
17:45 Drawing the Cube exercise (see graphic, below) 22:00 The Art of Formulating Focused Questions Preparing questions in advance
Draft good questions Try to put them in a logical order Examine questions carefully and fine-tune them
29:45 Active Listening
Paraphrase in your own words what the other person has just said Leaving the other person in control allows you find out how they think, what they're feeling, etc. Three levels of paraphrasing:
What was said? (make sure you're clear about what they've said) How was it said? (for example, "I can see this is difficult for you...") What was not said?
Three reactions to paraphrasing:
Agreement Correction/clarification Amplification
44:20 Summarizing: different than paraphrasing.
Pulling together the major points of the discussion or topic (your understanding of the discussion). Same three reactions to summarizing as paraphrasing (agreement, correction/clarification, or amplification).
52:45 Sequencing questions
Getting acquainted example 55:00 Problem-solving example 58:50 Classroom example
67:00 How can I start interviewing using the 3D-I model?
After Action Review
Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
David Durfey's 39-year career with Seminaries and Institutes has included serving as a teacher for 12 years, as a region and area director, and director of the Institute at Utah Valley University. In the Church he has served as branch president of the Missionary Training Center in Provo, bishop, counselor in multiple stake presidencies, and as a patriarch.
Highlights 02:00 Introduction to David Durfey
06:00 David designed an institute course on repentance and forgiveness. He tells the story of working with Elder Andersen to write the book, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness.
11:50 Repentance is NOT punishment, penalty, or payment for sin. David talks about how the meaning and translation of the word repent got misinterpreted.
13:50 While there can be pain in repentance, that pain is not repentance. The cause of the pain is the sin not the repentance. Repentance is not the suffering; it relieves the suffering.
15:50 Jesus Christ has already suffered for the sin but you will suffer because of the sin.
16:30 Repentance is not a checklist or a change of behavior. An atheist can change their behavior but that’s not repentance. Repentance has to be through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
18:30 Repentance and forgiveness is not through the Church. The Church can guide us through the process but repentance and forgiveness come solely through Jesus Christ.
19:15 Confession is not repentance.
20:10 David explains why repentance is not through the Church.
21:40 Repentance is a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance is not turning from sin but turning to Jesus Christ and beginning to live a Christlike life.
22:45 Sin hurts, not repentance. How do we shift the shame of repentance to a more hopeful outlook? It all starts with understanding the power of the Atonement.
25:00 Stopping the behavior is not going to heal the past. It has to be through Jesus Christ.
25:55 The key to repentance is first understanding the fall of Adam and Eve and that we are all sinners.
28:10 David paraphrases the words of Boyd K. Packer. The root of Christian doctrine is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Any other doctrine or teaching in the Church that does not touch that root is dead. We deal a lot with the leaves and branches in the Church but we aren’t getting down to the root.
29:30 Any time we see the word "doctrines" in the scriptures it's always negative. For example, the doctrines of men. There is only ONE doctrine. That is the doctrine of Jesus Christ.
30:15 David tells about one of the most impactful experiences of his life. He was a young father serving as branch president at the missionary training center and President Packer came to speak. The main points of the talk were:
You won’t be judged on how many baptisms you get. Your success will be determined by what kind of parents and grandparents you are. Focus less on teaching commandments and more on teaching the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every teaching has to be focused on Jesus Christ.
33:00 The story of Mary and Martha. The one needful thing is to know Jesus Christ.
36:30 How can we be better at focusing on Christ in our Sunday meetings and in our daily lives? David Shares D&C 6:34-37 and explains how.
43:20 Learning to forgive ourselves. If Jesus isn’t going to condemn me then who am I to condemn me? We can’t condemn anyone, even ourselves.
45:30 D&C 19. This scripture says that we will suffer but not for our sins. We are not capable of suffering for our own sins.
47:30 Quoting Elder Andersen’s book, “If we worry whether we have paid back or suffered enough for our sins it will impede our ability to repent and feel forgiven, bringing painful discouragement with it.”
48:00 Advice to a bishop helping someone through repentance. A bishop’s number one priority should be helping that individual come unto Christ and accessing the Atonement.
52:20 Not being able to participate in ordinances,
Weston Robinson was born and raised in Las Vegas and served in the Ecuador Quito mission. He has since served as an elders quorum president twice, as a Sunday school teacher, an executive secretary, and currently as second counselor in a bishopric. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from UNLV and has worked in manufacturing, grading and demolition with heavy equipment, interior design, and as a light and sound tech for a local comedy production group. He currently works with a law firm and will begin his first year at UNLV’s Boyd Law School next month. He is married to Kyra Ah Quin and his hobbies include reading, writing, anything outdoors, and lifting heavy things. Highlights 02:50 Introduction to Weston Robinson
06:20 Weston shares his experience as an elders quorum president
07:50 Principle 1: Striving to repent daily, our connection with the Spirit is enhanced and that allows us to discern the needs and concerns of others
10:00 Repentance is more than just changing behavior. It’s turning to Christ and seeing ways we can center our lives on Him.
10:30 How can we repent day to day?
11:50 Weston shares a story and applies it to seeing the needs of others
14:00 Discerning the needs of others requires a lot of conversations. You need to be approachable and open.
16:15 Principle 2: Be a mentor
23:30 Don’t be afraid of being a mentor despite age difference and different life experiences. Know what resources are available and be prepared to know what to share.
24:15 Principle 3: If an elders quorum meeting is properly facilitated then the quorum will engage and the connection will deepen
26:10 How can we facilitate better elders quorum meetings? Can you let go of your outline or notes and lean into the discussion and the organic nature of the Spirit?
28:50 Ask questions and be ok with the silence
29:30 Remember that it’s a quorum meeting not a Sunday School lesson. It’s a place for people to gather and to discuss more sensitive topics.
31:00 Weston shares his personal journey as an elders quorum president. It wasn’t a perfect storybook experience. It was messy and full of ups and downs. Luckily he had brothers to lean on and reached out to his leaders.
40:00 It might sound simple but church is for everyone. No one has a perfect experience at church and many times there are struggles with leaders. Many might choose not to show up but you are welcome as you are. Links Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash the Greatness in Others Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has over 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Ganel-Lyn Condie is a popular speaker, host, and author. She is a mental health advocate, social commentator, and faith warrior. Her latest book is The Stewardship Principle. Highlights 01:50 Introduction to Ganel-Lyn
05:15 Ganel-Lyn talks about her new book, The Stewardship Principle
13:30 What is stewardship? It is everything. Stewardships are not always fun or something that we want.
15:00 Leadership stewardships. Some leadership stewardships are more celebrated than others.
17:00 Some stewardships are hard and painful. Some are invisible and nobody cares. Others are visual, obvious, and that people sustain.
17:30 Ganel-Lyn shares her own stewardships and personal losses
18:50 Different stewardships are more intense but others that are more quiet are equally important.
21:00 The opposite of stewardship is ownership. The quickest way to understand stewardship is parenting.
23:00 Examples of stewardship vs ownership. Ownership starts to take away agency in parenting and in leadership.
27:00 How do you tell if you have an ownership mentality?
Comparison Control Burnout Praying away someone else’s agency Being hyper focused on outcomes
29:30 Stewardship thinking is offering based. Ownership thinking is outcome focused.
32:15 How can we refocus on stewardship and let go of ownership?
38:00 We have calling changes and pass the stewardship around. That way we don’t stay stuck in traditions and get introduced to new perspectives.
39:15 So many people have left our church because they were in ownership mode for so long. We do so much ‘’doing’’ and it doesn’t always turn out.
40:20 Ask your child, your companion, or people in your ward what support looks like.
41:30 Kurt shares a story about stewardship
44:15 When we start to see what our friends and family are going through as a stewardship, it allows us to validate them more but also helps us understand that we don’t have to fix it or save them.
44:50 Understanding stewardship doesn’t take away the pain or hurt from a situation but it teaches us that God is not punishing us. The hard thing that you are going through can still be consecrated for your good.
47:55 Dealing with infertility and all the rude things that people say. People act as if we are more righteous then it will solve our problems.
49:00 The story of Job. All of Job’s friends had opinions on why he was losing everything. We can have hope though because everything that Job lost was returned plus more.
51:10 Stewardship doesn’t always have to be hard. Stewardship helps you appreciate the good stuff too.
54:00 We don’t have to be everything for everyone. Our stewardships can be very different at different times in our lives and we shouldn’t compare our stewardships with others.
57:15 Don't underestimate how your stewarding is influencing and inspiring others in their own stewardships.
1:00:50 Remember that Christ owns it. He has just entrusted you with this stewardship. Links ganellyn.com The Stewardship Principle: Reframing Your Life A Night of Hope: Benefit Concert Featuring Nathan Pacheco Real Talk: Come Follow Me Getting Real about Come Follow Me | An Interview with Ganel-Lyn Condie and Scott Sorensen Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast More about Gathering Saints
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown,
Sheree Nixon is a California native and has recently returned to Palos Verdes after some time in Utah. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Print Journalism from BYU and has worked as a freelance writer and editor, a co-founder of Quick Cup Fix, a full time mom, and currently as Executive Director of the Come Follow Me Foundation. In the Church she has served as a Primary president and a counselor in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. Highlights 01:50 Introduction
03:40 Come Follow Me Foundation and the Come Follow Me app.
11:45 Sheree talks about her background and different callings in the church.
14:50 Principle 1 - Teach the doctrine of Christ.
17:45 Sheree explains how she teaches the doctrine of Christ and her teaching tips.
22:15 Principle 2 - Be a friend.
Be aware of the needs of the people in your life. Be a friend to those we serve in the church helps us connect with them.
25:30 How to get beyond being superficial friends. How to really make friends.
29:10 Make sure you are friends with those outside of the church. The people on your street and in neighborhood are your ward too.
32:30 Principle 3 - Speak up!
Women in the church can be scared to speak up. The church is guided by the priesthood but we need to be involved in the discussions.
Karri Stoker discusses with Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth what will go on at this Gathering Saints Women's retreat and how to determine if you should be there.
For all the details related to the Fall 2022 Women's Retreat visit leadingsaints.org/gathering
John Eldredge is a bestselling author and counselor. He is also president of Wild at Heart, a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God and recover their own hearts in God’s love. John and his wife, Stasi, live near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Highlights 2:00 Introduction and updates with Wild at Heart.
4:30 We are now in the after effects of the pandemic. How do we recover?
6:00 One of the after effects of the pandemic is that many people are walking away from traditional religion. They are going to other places to try and find relief. They are walking away from the source of their rescue and recovery.
8:50 The Edens in our life. The things that we long for. Instead of finding replenishment in God we go on vacations, we scroll our phones, etc. to find relief.
10:00 We are dealing with the traumatic aftermath of the pandemic. John explains how it has changed us and our ability to deal with everyday life. The classic trauma symptoms are:
Mental fragmentation A loss of a sense of time The exhaustion The lack of grace for irritating people
12:30 We are struggling to go to church after the pandemic. We are exhausted, dealing with trauma, and our reserves are gone.
15:20 Advice for leaders trying to help people find Jesus in their Sunday meetings.
You design opportunities for quiet and prayer. You don’t have to fill every moment.
21:00 Spiritual warfare creeps in. It’s not always a big, traumatic event. The adversary wants us to give up on God.
23:20 Notice how you react when someone gets in the way of your “Eden agenda.”
25:10 How leaders can help people reconnect with God. We need to recast the vision.
28:30 Kurt shares his own personal experience of connecting to God in a new way. His running routine has become a spiritual experience.
29:45 Nature heals as opposed to technology. First thing in the morning don’t look at your phone or listen to the news. Give a quiet moment to God.
31:00 John unpacks the meaning of the shallows, the midlands, and the depths.
35:20 How do we get our hearts out of the shallows? We begin by loving God and expressing gratitude. If we expect results and fixes from God then we are just going to be frustrated and disappointed.
38:00 How do we love God? It’s more of just keeping the commandments.
41:15 Written prayers can help us articulate things in a way that maybe we couldn’t do on our own.
44:00 John talks about his app called One Minute Pause.
46:50 The pressure of leadership is having to come through for people. They don’t need you. They need God. You are there to help them get to God.
48:15 Invite people to be a part of the larger story that God has for them. God’s story puts everything into perspective. Human beings use stories to make sense of reality. Links Resilient: Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times Wild at Heart Wild at Heart Podcast One Minute Pause App Reconnecting with God as a Distracted Church Leader | An Interview with John Eldredge TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society,
Karri Stoker, the director of the 2022 Gathering Saints Women's retreat, discusses with Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth the purposes of a women's retreat like this.
For all the details related to the Fall 2022 Women's Retreat visit leadingsaints.org/gathering
Karri Stoker, the director of the 2022 Gathering Saints Women's retreat, discusses with Kurt Francom and Dan Duckworth the purposes of a women's retreat like this.
For all the details related to the Fall 2022 Women's Retreat visit leadingsaints.org/gathering
Sarah Randall grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah, served in the Portugal Lisbon South mission, and graduated from Utah State University in Elementary Education. She has served in many ward Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society presidencies in Iowa, Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Alaska. Sarah and her husband have six children and together they love to backpack, hike, bike and kayak all over Alaska.
Sarah recently served as a facilitator for the Church’s new “Emotional Resilience-Strength in the Lord” course and was thrilled to find that it covers the stages of the grief cycle. She has found that understanding the grief cycle has been pivotal in processing the losses in her own life, in therapy, and as a leader in the church seeking to minister as Christ would. Understanding that the grief cycle applies to any loss in life including trauma and betrayal (not just death), has enabled her to be a better instrument for Christ to honor people’s pain—to learn how to support them through that grief process—to mourn with those who mourn. She also has loved sharing some of her family’s favorite kids books for grieving, gaining empathy, and connecting with joy in their Anchorage Stake Women’s Conference, which can be found on her Instagram @strength.through.stories. Highlights 02:15 Sarah Randall’s background.
06:45 Sarah talks about her experience in the Relief Society Presidency and their approach to ministering.
14:45 Connecting with sisters from all different backgrounds and experiences. Honor their experiences and validate them.
20:50 How to get to the point where people actually do open up to you.
Removing the reporting dynamic when it comes to ministering interviews. Asking questions like, “what do you want?” or “how can I help you?”
25:25 Sarah shares a personal experience of how she was able to help a sister in her ward who had had a lot of neglect and trauma in her life.
28:10 Codependency is enabling unhealthy behavior. When we are reaching out to help someone they need to be engaged in the process. As a leader you can invite them to take action instead of doing it for them.
33:00 Other questions to ask someone in need:
Who have you already asked for help? Do you have an extended family that can help?
35:40 When people came to Jesus he would always ask, “what do you want?” He didn’t want to take away people’s agency.
37:45 One thing that leaders should really understand and get familiar with is the grief cycle. Honor other people’s feelings.
39:00 There are lots of unhelpful phrases like, “everything happens for a reason.” Links My Approach to Ministering Interviews | A How I Lead Interview with Sharon Kaye Fisher Instagram: @strength.through.stories TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
We are excited to launch Gathering Saints where we will provide remarkable in-person experiences in order to help individuals transform as leaders in their church, community, and home.
To see the details of all upcoming retreat experiences, visit LeadingSaints.org/Gathering
Mat Duerden received a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and an M.S. from Brigham Young University. His experience design research focuses on memorable, meaningful, and transformative experiences. Mat is an Associate Professor of Experience Design and Management and Alumni Research Fellow in BYU's Marriott School of Business, and also teaches an honors program course, The Art of Transformative Storytelling. He works with organizations across a variety of sectors to provide training and consulting around experience design, and is also the co-author of the book Designing Experiences.
Mat currently serves on his stake high council and in the stake Young Men presidency. Previous callings include bishopric counselor, Young Men president, elders quorum president, and executive secretary. He and his wife Chenae have four children and their favorite experiences occur outdoors on bikes, rafts, and skis.
Highlights 01:45 Introduction to Mat Duerdon. He explains experience design.
11:15 How can leaders create an experience? What do you want people to say at the end of the experience?
23:30 When you are designing experiences in the church that doesn’t mean you have to create something new. Take what you have and tweak it.
26:30 There is a pressure on the bishopric to make everyone’s experiences great.
28:00 How to help the person that isn’t enjoying the experience of church or activities. What are their needs?
29:45 Mat shares an example of creating an experience for a ward or community. 59-minute service projects.
31:30 All experiences have three phases
An anticipation phase A participation phase A reflection phase
33:10 Good experiences ask for people’s attention at the right points and respectfully minimize the attention needed at different points.
33:30 The anticipation phase. Make sure the information for an activity is very clear and given in advance.
34:45 Are there ways that we can create an anticipation phase for a sacrament meeting?
40:00 Good experience design is 90% creating really smooth-running, ordinary experiences. Leaders shouldn’t be stressing out on doing huge things.
42:30 Start with just one thing that your ward or organization really needs to work on. It’s better to do one or two things great than a bunch of things poorly.
44:00 The participation phase. We should be thinking about what needs we are trying to meet. Does your activity meet a need?
46:00 The reflection phase. The phase where we are actually harvesting what we’ve been growing. This is the phase that is most often overlooked but vitally important.
50:30 How do we help others in the reflection phase?
Help them be a good storyteller. Retell their experience to someone. Journal about the experience. Make sure you follow up with them.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in May 2020. Dan Duckworth is a disciple, family man, and changemaker. As a teacher and coach, he guides elite leaders to the top of their game. He’s the author of Stop Asking Why: Your Purpose is Self-Evident, and president of the Leading Saints Board of Directors.
Highlights 05:39: Dan discusses the life cycle of a crisis and creating a “new normal” for Home Church 11:51: Statistics of geographic areas and types of leaders that responded to survey 15:20: Bishops in a transactional mindset 18:13: All about hypothetical worries 21:14: Feeling like you need to be doing something 23:32: The Youth Program and God’s plans for 2020 27:33: Taking a break from worrying to ponder 30:40: Comparing yourself and your ward to others’ 35:18: D&C 1, Hyrum Smith, and disciplined reflection 42:28: Creating connections in ministering and knowing what God wants us to do as leaders 51:02: Knowing the why behind actions you take and transactional mindset vs transformation mindset 55:45: Reintegrating into regular church life 58:32: The number one leadership tool Links DanDuckworth.net Subscribe to the Leading Saints Newsletter The One Thing Bishops Worry Most About During Church-at-Home, and Why They Should Stop Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library The Leading Saints Podcast gets over 300,000 listens each month and has nearly 10 million total downloads as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org. Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, J. Devn Cornish, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler and many more in over 700 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
Joseph M. Spencer is a philosopher and an assistant professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He has a BA in philosophy from BYU, an MLIS in library science from San Jose State University, and an MA and PhD in philosophy from the University of New Mexico. Joseph is the author of six books, including the recently-published Book of Mormon Studies: An Introduction and Guide. He serves as the editor of the Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, as the associate director of the Latter-day Saint Theology Seminar, and a vice president of the Book of Mormon Studies Association. In the church, Joseph has served as an early morning seminary teacher, Gospel Doctrine teacher, a counselor in a variety of presidencies, and currently serves as a bishop. He and his wife Karen have been married 20 years and have five kids. Highlights 01:00 Introduction to Joseph Spencer
03:40 Advice Joseph would give to his younger self about teaching.
04:30 How Joseph got into philosophy and how he ended up at BYU teaching religion.
08:00 Advice to make scripture study better. Slow it down.
09:50 Joseph talks about his experience as a Bishop and things that have worked.
13:50 Joseph’s perspective on repentance and how he compares it to the sabbath.
19:50 What are we missing when we read the Book of Mormon?
We are good at connecting with the divine but we aren’t actually paying attention to what is said. We are really bad at getting the big picture.
26:00 Leadership in the Book of Mormon. Nephi’s leadership and struggle to be a leader.
37:30 The dynamic between Nephi, Laman and Lemuel.
44:00 Asking questions and figuring out what your role is as a leader. We tend to want to follow a formula or rely solely on the handbook.
46:20 Going deeper into Nephi. Joseph shares his perspective on Nephi’s leadership.
56:40 Nephi and Jacob were able to tell their own stories in the Book of Mormon. They didn’t portray themselves as perfect. They showed us their imperfection.
59:20 The passage of scripture that Joseph shares with people most often is Ether 12. Links Book of Mormon Studies: An Introduction and Guide Y Religion: Hugh Nibley’s Contribution to Book of Mormon Studies Art: Go and Do, by Jorge Cocco
This episode is a conversation on the One Heart One Light podcast with Matt Allred, where Kurt talks about the power of story and how we can connect and find healing through our stories. Highlights 03:25 Introduction to Kurt Francom
04:40 Kurt talks about his path to starting Leading Saints.
10:30 The most important thing that Kurt has learned as a leader
14:20 Master the skill of connecting. Connecting person to person.
15:00 How do you get people to open up and connect with you?
18:00 Most people want to share more but they don’t feel safe. As a leader you can help create a safe space for people to share and open up.
23:45 Worried about oversharing? Share the past transgression because that also shares the past redemption.
24:50 After Christ’s resurrection He shared his scars. Just as it was important for Christ to share His scars, it’s important for us to share our own scars.
30:45 What does it mean to bear each other’s burdens?
32:30 Kurt shares his own personal experience of reaching out to a friend going through a hard time. He has learned to just be present with them.
34:15 Oftentimes we feel shame just as Adam did in the Garden of Eden and hide from God and others. God is calling out, “where are you?”
38:00 While service is also a part of bearing other’s burdens, it means so much more when you also have a great connection with that person. You have sat with them and listened to their story.
38:40 What’s the value of brotherhood? There is a hole in our hearts that can only be filled with brotherhood.
47:10 Kurt talks about where he plans to go with Leading Saints and his vision for it.
50:30 Kurt speaks to what he thinks building Zion looks like and what we need to do to get there. Links One Heart One Light TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Crystal Hurd is an educator, poet, and researcher from Virginia. She holds a master of arts in Literature from East Tennessee State University, a master of fine arts in Creative Writing from the University of Texas at El Paso, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University. Her doctoral research focused on C. S. Lewis as a Transformational Leader. Crystal currently serves as reviews editor for Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal. Her articles have appeared in SEVEN, Christian History Magazine, Inklings Forever, Perichoresis, and The Faithful Imagination. She serves as a visiting professor for Northwind Seminary’s Doctorate in Theology and Ministry for Inkling Studies and Romantic Theology as well as the Master's in Spirituality, Creativity, and Writing. Crystal has been happily married for over twenty years to a technology director. They have two boisterous rescue dogs. Highlights 3:30 Introduction to Kurt’s Cohost, Tyler Snow
4:40 Crystal talks about why she wrote her book about C.S. Lewis
6:45 C.S. Lewis was a servant and that’s what made him a leader. He was a mentor to many.
8:40 Summary and life scope of C.S. Lewis
17:40 Crystal wrote her dissertation on transformational leadership and she explains what it is. She explains how C.S. Lewis embodies this type of leadership and how he transformed the lives of so many.
21:40 Lewis got a lot of criticism when he wrote The Screwtape Letters. Many people thought he was giving voice and sympathy for the devil.
24:00 Lewis brought people to Christianity. He went through his own faith crisis and was an atheist for a time. Because of these experiences, he was able to understand the doubts and faith journeys that people go on. He was able to speak to so many through his own experiences.
28:30 Is C.S. Lewis relevant to modern-day Christians?
32:30 Crystal gives her advice to leaders on how they can use Lewis’ writing with their congregations
35:30 Crystal explains different leadership models
43:00 Being a leader without having a title and what we can learn from that. C.S. Lewis is a perfect example of this.
47:10 How can we find balance in serving and being there for people while still setting boundaries for ourselves?
Delegation Find other people’s talents and build them up
52:30 Was C.S. Lewis radical in his beliefs?
55:00 Although C.S. Lewis was considered a saint, he had his personal struggles and he sinned just like us.
1:01:00 C.S. Lewis was a wounded healer. He was able to help people because he had experienced the same things. Links The Leadership of C. S. Lewis: Ten Traits to Encourage Change and Growth CrystalHurd.com Twitter: @doctorhurd Instagram: @doctorhurd Image: Aronsyne, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jason Noel currently serves on his stake high council with a stewardship over missionary work. He has served previously as a bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, and as a teacher in Primary, Sunday School, and Young Men. He is passionate about entrepreneurship and developing businesses that reflect and engage his interests. He owns a hot rod shop in Arizona called Fat Fender Garage, that specializes in building custom-classic-trucks and Broncos. They have recently been awarded “Builder of the Year” for the second year in a row in addition to features and awards from numerous shows and publications. Jason and his wife, Jen, share a combined family of eight children in Gilbert, Arizona. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to Jason Noel. His work and church callings.
05:00 Jason’s approach to love, share, and Invite. He explains what it is and how he uses it in ward counsel. Ward counsel is more focused on people rather than spiritual thoughts, training, or activities.
13:10 We do not decouple love, share, invite. It is one thing.
16:30 We need to change how we do ward councils. A great question is, “Who has been on your mind this week?” “What invitation can we extend and who can extend it to?”
The ward council doesn’t do all the work but they come up with the ideas and take those to the different organizations.
19:30 We need to free up some time in ward council. What can we eliminate? What traditions do we need to let go? We need more time to discuss people.
22:40 Invitations don’t have to be big. They should be small and feel natural. Think of some invitations that you can make.
24:40 Everything that Jason does in his stake comes back to love, share, and invite. It's teaching, loving, and sharing just the way that Christ did it. It’s not a missionary tool, it’s a way of life.
27:40 What does it mean to love? Love is compassion and understanding.
30:50 What is the share component? It’s what either you can contribute or what they can contribute. This is where activities come into play. Don’t have ward activities, have community activities.
34:30 Making invitations. It doesn’t have to be a spiritual invitation. Jason gives ideas on what invitations to give.
38:50 People don’t change unless an invitation is extended.
41:10 Create accountability in ward counsel. Write down what the invitations were and then follow up to see how they went. Maybe they need to be changed.
42:00 Jason shares thoughts on how being a leader has taught him how to be more like Christ. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
J.D. Griffith is the Vice President of Administration for BYU-Pathway Worldwide, an online higher education organization serving nearly 60,000 students from over 180 countries, and was its first employee in 2009 when he assisted with the creation of the original Pathway program. He previously worked at BYU-Idaho as a faculty member in the College of Business and as an administrator in the Division of Continuing Education. J.D. holds a bachelor’s degree in business management, and an MBA and a PhD in business administration. His previous church callings include bishop, counselor in the bishopric, high councilor, elders quorum president, Young Men president, ward clerk, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and missionary in the Ireland Dublin Mission. He currently serves as a primary activity leader. He and his wife Tasha have five children and one grandchild. Highlights 03:45 Introduction to J.D. Griffith and how Pathway began back in 2008.
05:50 How is the Pathway program different from an online university? J.D. explains why this program was formed.
12:00 While the majority of the Pathway program is online, they meet weekly in person.
14:00 How does it work? Can you get any degree?
15:40 J.D. talks about who the Pathway Program is for.
21:00 The Pathway program is so unique and possible through the church that would not be possible through other universities. The church has been able to subsidize tuition, use senior missionaries as volunteers, and access to the church buildings to hold classes.
24:30 What to expect in the Pathway Program. Step 1 - Pathway Connect (first year) Step 2 - Certification Step 3 - Associate's Degree Step 4 - Bachelor's Degree
29:30 The first year is a transition into college. It’s about coming together and helping each other on a weekly basis. The first year has life skills, university skills, and other basic classes.
32:15 Pathway is for the unemployed or underemployed. It can help them get job ready certificates.
33:40 How can leaders use BYU Pathway in their ministry?
34:50 Leaders can help the young single adults that get left behind when everyone else is off to college by inviting them to do Pathway. It also helps these individuals get involved in institute.
37:50 Mission Presidents and Bishops should offer the Pathway Program for recently returned missionaries.
41:15 Pathway is a great way for a leader to connect with Individuals that are less active in the church. It’s less intimidating than inviting them to go to church.
42:20 Leaders can connect with part member families with Pathway.
44:00 The Pathway Program can help recent converts and help continue to nurture them.
45:20 Pathway is for non native English speakers. They will have the opportunity to learn English along with the curriculum.
47:30 How can leaders better promote the Pathway program?
Find the local BYU Pathway missionaries Invite Pathway missionaries to your ward counsel Have a Stake Education Specialist Identity individuals in your ward and talk with them
51:10 J.D. elaborates more on how special the Pathway Program is and how it can serve so many different kinds of people.
53:15 Even though the costs are low there are scholarships available to those that need it.
54:20 J.D. shares more about himself and his own education. Links BYU–Pathway Worldwide byupathway.org/churchleaders Contact service missionaries near you TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Walter Franco most recently served as a bishop and has previously served as an elders quorum president, Young Men president, Sunday School teacher, ward mission leader, and as a missionary in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a principal for a boutique sports business consulting firm based out of Park City, serves on a few University of Utah boards and the KSL Community Board, and is president of a non-profit that raises college scholarship funds for DACA students in Utah. Walter and his wife have been married for 14 years, have three daughters, and currently live in Herriman, Utah. Highlights 02:30 Getting called as a Bishop in a Spanish speaking ward and ward dynamics
10:00 There is actually a lot of diversity in a Spanish speaking ward. They are united by language but there are a lot of different cultures. It can cause drama and clics and Walter talks about how they created more unity.
12:40 Principle #1: See them as the Lord sees them.
16:00 Walter gives examples of how he goes about helping people in the Bishop’s office. He strives to give the individual ownership of their repentance rather than just giving them a prescription like a doctor.
19:30 Walter elaborates more on how he works with other leaders in the ward and the struggle in the Spanish ward to have strong leadership. He gives examples of how he gives feedback. It’s important to understand that it’s a process not an event.
24:45 Principle #2: Listen first and listen a lot before you speak
This is the way to gain confidence and create great relationships Ask lots of questions and really understand where they are coming from and going through
30:00 Helping individuals with doctrinal questions. They might not get answers to certain questions in this lifetime but you can bring them back to core principles and doctrines.
31:15 Principle #3: My role is to lead by serving.
Be the first one to extend your hand or respond
36:50 Leading a Spanish unit in an English Stake. Walter shares his view on how to address common misconceptions that English speakers have. Remember that we are united by faith and struggle with a lot of the same things.
49:00 Apps they use in the ward. Whatsapp has helped them create different groups and communicate easier. Links TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Clay Olsen serves as the CEO and Founder of Impact Suite, which owns and operates a suite of award-winning self-care apps that have helped hundreds of thousands of individuals find deeper healing and recovery in over 150 countries. Early in his career, he co-founded and lead the creation of Fight the New Drug—a youth movement dedicated to raising awareness on the harmful effects of pornography and other forms of sexual exploitation through science, facts, and personal accounts. He now sits on the board of directors and helps guide the larger vision. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to Clay Olsen.
05:00 What are bishops/leaders missing what it comes to pornography?
Most are wildly naïve to the scope of pornography. Bishops focus on boosting their spirituality but don’t help the individual get professional help. Both are needed.
10:15 Therapy is just one way to get help with addiction but for some other methods might be more helpful.
13:00 Addiction can be a huge Mount Everest. Instead of focusing on the summit, focus on the next right step.
14:00 Addiction or mental health issues boil down to a deficiency in 1 of 3 relationships.
Relationship with self Relationships with others Relationship and connection to a higher power
16:00 Clay highly recommends approaching recovery through community. Having a support system is a powerful tool for recovery.
20:45 Are Sunday School lessons on pornography helpful? Clay gives his tips on how to teach it.
29:00 How can do reduce shame around pornography addiction?
Guilt vs shame What drives the shame?
42:20 Fight the New Drug and other organizations have a lot of free resources that leaders can use in lessons.
46:50 Fortify is an app designed to help individuals heal and recover. Missionaries will also have access to this app.
49:15 Clay and Kurt discuss accountability. Fortify is not an accountability app.
53:40 Is pornography an addiction? It’s a spectrum of struggle. Be careful of what you call an addiction, especially when talking about young people.
1:01:40 Often times a person struggling with pornography is also struggling with their mental health.
1:06:00 We often discount the role that our lifestyles and environments have played in our collective mental health. While depression can be genetic, it is most commonly a disease of our civilization and lifestyle. Links FightTheNewDrug.org ImpactSuite.com, workplace mental health support Brain, Heart, World docuseries Let's Talk About Porn, conversation blueprint Fortify, app for quitting porn TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
In this podcast, Kurt sits down with four members of the Little Valley Stake in St. George, Utah, to talk about what happened when the stake president asked the youth (and their leaders) to plan stake conference. Guests include stake high councilor and Young Men leader Steve Chase, stake youth council member and high school sophomore Lucy Hansen, stake Young Women president Ashlie Bundy, and Brad Simister, second counselor in the stake presidency. Highlights 01:45 Introductions to the speakers.
03:20 Planning for stake conference. They felt that the stake youth committee should plan and prepare stake conference.
05:15 Lucy, from the youth council, describes how they went about planning everything.
05:45 Ashlie talks about the difficulties they encountered at first and her role as a leader to help the youth open up.
08:45 President Simister goes into how they structured the meetings. Overall, the stake president would just ask for updates but let everyone do their thing.
10:30 Lucy gives advice to other youth councils that might want to do the same thing.
11:15 The stake presidency planned the leadership meeting and youth were in charge of the adult session and general meeting. The youth committee was asked, “What do you want your parents to know?” That was the focus of the planning sessions and conference.
12:30 The benefit of having the youth help plan the conference was that they felt a part of it. It wasn’t just another adult meeting.
13:50 The youth chose the topics. They chose and wanted to hear about anxiety, mental health, how adults can connect with youth, and the second coming.
16:20 How they got the youth to open up, get engaged, and share ideas.
17:30 The leaders really stepped back and let the youth lead.
20:00 The stake president and other leaders were able to teach the youth how to create and get the agenda approved and speakers approved.
22:15 Lucy gives her perspective on how the stake conference went and how planning it changed her experience.
24:15 The youth felt special and valued by being included in the planning process.
26:10 Overall, the experience was positive for the youth and adult leaders.
26:50 There was more effort to include and work with the youth but there is power in it. It will help the youth with their future callings. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Brian Klaas is an expert on democracy, authoritarianism, US Politics, Western foreign policy, political violence, and elections. He has advised governments, US political campaigns, international politicians, the European Union, NATO, and more. Brian holds a doctorate in politics from the University of Oxford and is an associate professor in Global Politics at University College London. He is a regular commentator and political consultant to an extensive lineup of international media outlets, a Washington Post columnist, and the author of several books, including Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us, a look at what power is, who gets it, and what happens when they do.
Highlights 01:45 Brian tells about his background, work, and new book.
05:45 Corruption in power
10:15 A lot of the time the wrong people get into power because of their superficial charm.
12:45 The importance of having the right people in power and the consequential outcomes
14:25 Studies show that we choose leaders by how they look.
16:00 Do we have biases, based on looks, in the church when selecting leaders?
20:00 How can we pick the best leaders without letting our natural human biases get in the way?
27:00 Brian’s overall message from his book is that there are better and worse ways to select leaders. It takes a lot of self reflection.
28:00 Systems matter a lot for how humans behave. Brian explains why that matters.
29:40 As latter-day saints we are afraid to challenge the system.
30:50 We don’t always have to destroy the whole system but maybe tweak something small that could make a big difference or be more effective.
34:50 Different types of power hungry people; it isn’t always bad. There is a stigma in church that people shouldn’t want high leadership roles and power. It’s all about being humble.
40:30 Hungry to serve rather than power hungry
43:45 Does having a position of power corrupt us?
48:15 Kurt describes his experience as bishop in an inner city area that had high need. He had to balance his empathy for these people but still stay in control of the finances.
49:30 The goldilocks solution: just the right amount of emotional distance. As leaders we have to have a balance of empathy and pragmatism.
54:30 How do we deal with corrupt leaders? Links Corruptible: Who Gets Power and How It Changes Us BrianPKlass.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in June 2019.
We are instructed in the General Handbook (8.1.1) that “Members of the elders quorum work together to help accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation. They serve others, fulfill priesthood duties, build unity, and learn and live doctrine.” How effective is your quorum at succeeding in this purpose? Is there more that can be done to leverage the inspired quorum structure that has been restored in these latter days?
The reality is, men live lives of quiet desperation even while attending elders quorum once a week. They attend elders quorum with the hope of brotherhood, unity, and a restoration of their heart. Every man is striving to answer one question, “Do I have what it takes?” They wonder if they have what it takes to support a family, keep their job, overcome addiction, maintain their worthiness. They know the restored gospel can help them answer that question but they don’t know where to find the answer.
In this episode, Kurt Francom discusses some points to consider related to the heart of men and how the adversary is winning the heart of many men in ways we may not expect. There is great opportunity to build brotherhood in our quorum in order to give more purpose in the lives of those who attend.
Kurt also discusses the powerful experience he and others have had by attending a Wild at Heart Boot Camp and how it can help establish an effective model for increasing elders quorum brotherhood and unity. Next Boot Camp Details & Registration Highlights 02:45 Is Elder’s quorum a revelatory experience?
04:20 The number one thing that men would change about Elder’s Quorum, that isn’t a policy, is to have more informal meetings and get togethers. They are seeking more connection and comradery.
06:25 What is the purpose of Elders Quorum?
08:20 Never let an Elders Quorum meeting turn into another Sunday School class.
9:45 As an Elders Quorum Presidency, are you fulfilling your purpose to:
Serve others Build unity and brotherhood Instruct members on doctrines, principles, and duties
11:45 Kurt quotes a blog by Sheldon Lawrence, “A Quorum of Strangers.” Mormon men live isolated and lonely lives.
14:00 Kurt quotes proverbs 12:27 “The substance of a diligent man is precious.”
14:30 What is the biggest threat to men today? The heart of men is under attack. Everyday men ask themselves, “Do I have what it takes?”
16:25 How does the adversary work?
19:25 Kurt talks about how to help the men that are struggling and the things that are probably not going to help.
23:45 Kurt describes the book Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. The main three concepts of the book are:
A battle to fight An adventure to live A beauty to rescue
28:00 Kurt relates his experience of going to the Wild at Heart boot camp, which Kurt describes as a leadership conference in the woods.
33:00 Chris shares his story of healing, doubting God, and going to the Wild at Heart men’s retreat.
44:00 The thing that impressed Chris most about the retreat was how the men interacted with each other. They came together and “prayed on” each other.
46:40 One thing that Chris was introduced to at the retreat is worship music and it’s something that he has been able to take home to keep changing.
48:00 Steve shares his experience at the Wild at Heart retreat and recovery from addiction.
50:30 The biggest thing that impacted Steve was experiencing God’s love through brotherhood.
54:00 James White from Southern California shares his journey getting to boot camp and his experience there.
59:20 James from Utah shares his struggle with pornography, going through the shame cycle, and his anger with God. Boot camp changed the spiritual trajectory of his life.
1:06:35 Orin shares how going to boot camp helped him and how it strengthened his relationship with God.
1:11:40 Kurt concludes by sharing more about the retreat and how to s...
Bonnie Lyman has a BA in Elementary Education, is the parent of five "grown up kids", and a certified life coach. She has served as a ward Relief Society, Primary, and Young Women president, as a stake Young Women president and Primary counselor, a youth Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society teacher, and as a mission medical coordinator and a music coordinator. Bonnie and her husband served in the Kenya Nairobi Mission as service missionaries before she launched her coaching business in 2019, and she now works with women struggling in their relationships with their adult children.
Highlights 02:15 Introduction to Bonnie and her mission with her husband.
04:30 Bonnie talks about what she does and navigating life with adult children.
08:15 Bonnie talks about the biggest concerns that parents have with adult children. Most parents are concerned about their children leaving the Church and how to deal with it.
11:45 As parents to adult children remember that your only job is to love them.
12:15 One of the biggest things that parents of adult children struggle with is their children’s choices. They think that their children’s choices are a reflection of their parenting.
19:00 Remember that your kids have agency. As parents we get stuck knowing what our responsibility is as a parent and when to let our kids exercise their agency.
21:30 Sometimes we have to surrender to God and remember that He is the all knowing parent. We have to stay out of God’s business.
25:30 Bonnie gives her advice on how parents can deal with different behaviors from not moving out to drugs and alcohol.
31:50 We depend too much on our adult children to meet our needs. We are responsible for fulfilling our own needs. For example:
Wanting equal time for holidays Wanting your children to call you everyday
34:35 How Bonnie would coach a parent wanting their children to fulfill their needs.
Identify what they were feeling and the thought that was creating that feeling
40:45 What can parents do who have children who have completely severed the relationship?
46:50 What kind of a relationship do you have with yourself? The more you accept yourself, the more you can accept others for who they are. Links BonnieLyman.com Podcast: Loving on Purpose Instagram: @bonnielymancoaching Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Gregory K. Stapley is the executive chairman and recently-retired chief executive officer of CareTrust REIT, a real estate investment trust investing in healthcare real estate. He received his J.D. from the University of Arizona and his B.A. in Humanities from Brigham Young University. He is a stake president and former high councilor, bishop, bishopric counselor, Gospel Doctrine teacher and missionary in the Spain Seville Mission.
Deborah E. Stapley got her start in television in the late 80’s after winning a nationwide how-to video competition on ABC’s The Home Show. She spent the next 15 years appearing on The Home Show, Good Morning America, The Leeza Show, and The Better Homes and Gardens Network. She eventually hosted several craft shows on the DIY network and The Learning Channel and served as a spokesperson for Department 56 and Charles Craft. She is a Relief Society teacher and former stake Relief Society president, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, stake music chair, stake temple youth celebration director, ward Young Women president, ward Young Women adviser, ward missionary, and Primary chorister.
Greg and Deborah have six children and fifteen grandchildren, and live in San Juan Capistrano, California. They have accepted the calling to serve as mission leaders over the Mexico Querétaro Mission beginning July 2022. Highlights 01:45 Introduction to Gregory and Deborah Stapley and their call to be mission leaders
06:15 Deborah talks about how they are preparing for their mission.
09:00 Deborah talks about the years where her husband was a bishop and stake president.
11:30 Greg’s work background and callings in the church
13:30 Greg talks about the different leadership dynamics in a business setting versus in a church setting. Church is about the people, not the programs.
15:15 You have to have a lot more patience with people at church than you do in business. Remember that the Lord takes care of the outcomes in church and your focus should be on helping people grow.
19:50 Deborah relates her experience as a stake Relief Society president and the biggest things that she learned
25:30 Gregory describes how he went about loving and connecting with people as a stake president and bishop.
33:15 We have a natural instinct to oversolve problems and miss the mark in both business and the church
34:50 Kurt’s story of how it could be possible to miss the mark
36:40 Greg and Deborah speak about how being a leader has made them better disciples of Jesus Christ Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Dennis R. Deaton is co-founder of Quma Learning Systems and a nationally known corporate educator and popular convention speaker on Mind Management, Human Productivity, Visioneering and The Ownership Spirit. He has taught numerous adult education classes for the Church Education System and was a regular speaker at BYU Campus Education Week for 22 years. Dennis received his BA degree from the University of Utah and his doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis, and has authored several books including his capstone work, Looking Unto Christ in Every Thought: Defeating Fear, Doubt and Discouragement, which was released this year.
Dennis served a full-time mission to Italy and has held numerous leadership positions in the Church: elders quorum president, branch president, bishop, high councilor, stake Young Men president, and counselor in a stake presidency. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Queen Creek, Arizona, and are the parents of nine children and thirty grandchildren. He currently serves as stake patriarch and as a temple worker in the Gilbert Arizona temple. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to Dennis Deaton
03:00 Dennis’ journey started in dentistry but ended up in teaching.
06:30 Dennis talks about his leadership experience and his training company.
11:40 What is mind management? How can leaders apply it?
22:15 We are responsible for our state of mind. Remember that attitude is a choice. You are in charge of the states of mind that you dwell in.
25:25 We all receive temptations but we get to choose the intensity and duration of those temptations. We need to intercept those thoughts.
28:15 How can leaders help those they lead with mind management and dealing with negative thoughts and temptations?
A great leader is a great teacher Validate their feelings first and then teach them about their feelings and where those thoughts are coming from
31:00 Are the negative thoughts coming from ourselves or our enemy? Start questioning your thoughts and where they are coming from.
35:00 Righteousness is being enticed to do evil and not going there.
36:20 There is an aggressive force that is against our eternal progression. Satan interjects thoughts into our heads so subtly that we think they are our own. We have to push back against these thoughts and turn to God.
39:00 How do we look unto Christ in every thought?
44:00 Satan uses fear to paralyze us and prevent us from acting on possibilities. He wants to prevent us from even starting.
48:00 Satan uses discouragement to get us to quit. There is no magic solution except to keep going and keep praying.
49:45 Always have a pad and pencil close by when you pray. Be ready to listen.
51:40 Dennis speaks about his experience as a Patriarch and what he does to prepare for giving blessings. Links Looking Unto Christ in Every Thought: Defeating Fear, Doubt and Discouragement TRANSCRIPT coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Tim Welch currently serves as second counselor in the Provo Missionary Training Center presidency. He previously presided over the Ohio Cincinnati Mission and has served as a stake president, bishop, high councilor, MTC branch presidency counselor, ward Young Men president, elders quorum president and missionary in the Michigan Lansing Mission. Professionally, he was vice president of sales for Won-Door Corporation. He and his wife Michele have five children and live in Highland, Utah. Highlights 01:30 President Welch’s background and callings
03:15 President Welch talks about his experience so far in the MTC
06:40 Current plan for missionaries entering the MTC
09:45 How should missionaries prepare for the mission? President Welch gives his advice from his experience as a Mission President and MTC Counselor
14:20 When everything is important then nothing is important. Simplify and find a place to focus. The central message is to be holy and clean and everything that is taught should stay close to that central message.
17:00 President Welch gives an example of how he taught his missionaries
20:30 Sometimes leaders overcomplicate the Lord’s work and try to be strategic. However, the most important thing to do as a leader is to model how to be clean and holy.
23:30 A mission president’s focus shouldn’t be numbers. When we focus more on faith, obedience, and sanctification then the numbers will get better too.
27:15 When we focus too much on convert baptisms we miss the true message. Missionaries need to be having deep and powerful experiences that are going to change their lives and make them better people.
27:40 How can local leaders work better with missionaries and vice versa? Let’s trust that God will do the work and he will lead us. It’s not about making people uncomfortable and getting them to do things that they don’t want to do.
37:00 God’s work is like no other work and we cannot treat it like any other work
40:00 Understanding passion and the doctrine behind it Links The Father's Day Classic Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Emily Belle Freeman is a best-selling author and popular inspirational speaker. She has a deep love of the scriptures, which comes from a desire to find their application in everyday life. She is the author of numerous books, a favorite speaker at Time Out for Women, and cohosts with David Butler Don't Miss This, a "Come, Follow Me" study channel on YouTube. Emily has served in numerous callings in the Church, including in Young Women, Sunday School, Relief Society, and fourteen times as girls camp director. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with her family. Highlights 1:15 Introduction to Emily Belle Freeman
3:15 Emily’s calling experience
4:00 What Emily learned as a girls camp director. She has been Girls Camp Director about 14 times. She explains how she let the girls lead girls camp.
10:15 Emily gives tips to structure girls camp. She involves the girls and they brainstorm all the activities, food, and ect all together.
12:00 One thing Emily learned as a Relief Society President
14:40 What should a leader do or say going to visit someone in the hospital? Just be there.
20:30 Emily and Kurt discuss grace and how we can give grace as leaders
The difference between grace and the atonement Jesus will meet you where you are as you are with grace You don’t have to qualify for grace. It’s not after all you can do.
24:45 The different types of grace
Saving grace helps us overcome sin and death Exalting grace helps you become like Him. It transforms us and lifts us up.
26:30 As leaders we need to begin by meeting people where they are as they are (acceptance stage). It’s then that we invite Jesus in and lift.
28:25 Grace in the context of the bishop’s office.
Meet them where they are first and then see how they need to be lifted Love needs boundaries
31:45 Kurt and Emily discuss giving people grace but also having expectations for them. Emily shares a personal story of grace.
37:15 Bishops should acknowledge that people dealing with addictions and other problems are going to mess up and that’s ok. They shouldn’t set high expectations right off the bat. Expect them to mess up for a while as they go through the healing and changing process.
40:20 What is grace? Making space for growth and mistakes
41:50 Repentance: to turn again or turn back to. Repentance and grace work together as we turn to God for enabling strength.
44:45 What should bishops do to help people repent or turn back to God?
47:50 How does grace work when dealing with someone that has been excommunicated? Links Grace Where You Are Grace to Become EmilyBelleFreeman.com Don't Miss This Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Barton Stuart Sloat was born in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, the youngest of four children. He attended BYU before serving a mission in the Nevada Las Vegas Mission, and later attended the University of Utah, graduating in Political Science and receiving a commission as a 2d Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He served as an Infantry Officer and commanded at the platoon, company, battalion and regimental level. He also served in numerous staff positions, including the faculty at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia, and on several combat tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He retired as a Colonel with 32 years of active duty in 2012.
Bart’s church service has included serving as a counselor in four bishoprics, a member of the high council, and in numerous teaching callings. He served as bishop and then stake president, and he and his wife, Anne, have been called to serve as mission leaders in the Hawaii Honolulu Mission beginning in July of 2022. The Sloats have five children and 19+ grandchildren. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to Bart Sloat and his leadership background
10:15 Bart describes the process of becoming a better leader in the military
14:00 Bart talks about what he learned from his leaders and mentors
15:00 The people that you are leading only care about four things. If you do those four things they will follow you anywhere.
They have to know that you REALLY care about them Really care about their family That you are fair That you are consistent
16:00 God very rarely tells us why when he gives us a commandment. When people trust you as a leader they won’t need to ask you why.
17:00 Bart’s leadership experience in the church
18:15 Impactful moments from Bart’s Marine Corp experience
23:40 Stimulus vs. response
25:30 Transitioning from a military leader to a new Bishop
30:30 The Bishop’s focus should be on the youth. Help the ward understand this and consistently talk about it.
32:30 What Bart learned as a Bishop. People confuse God’s love and God’s approval. Help people understand that the commandments were given for our benefit.
35:30 Transitioning from being a Bishop to a Stake President and what he learned in the process
37:30 We should first be converted to the Lord and then the Church. Baptism is for the remission of sins not membership in the church and same with the sacrament.
46:30 Thoughts on becoming a Mission President. His main goal is to help each missionary feel the love of God, find success, and keep them there.
47:25 Bart’s learning experience being a Stake President and dealing with missionaries
50:40 Truly caring about people is the most important thing to do as a leader Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Michele Portlock is a mother of four children living in Parker, Colorado. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University and worked as an elementary school teacher for two years before taking an extended sabbatical to raise her family. Michele recently completed a master’s degree in behavior therapy from Arizona State University where she developed skills which enable her to help others navigate the autism experience.
Michele has three neurodivergent children, and has spent countless hours researching and studying how to best provide necessary and adequate resources for her children. This learning sparked a desire in Michele to reach out and help other parents navigate the autism spectrum in a meaningful way. At church, Michele has served as a stake public affairs assistant director, in a Primary presidency and a Relief Society presidency, and as a teacher. She currently serves as the Relief Society president in her ward. Highlights 3:45 What does spectrum mean in the world of autism?
8:20 How can leaders help people that are autistic?
Take autism on an individual basis Each autistic person has different needs
11:15 Autistic individuals don’t always pick up on social cues. They can be very direct and honest, which could make others feel uncomfortable.
13:00 Many but not all autistic individuals have alexithymia, which is the lack of awareness of emotions. It’s difficult to understand others' emotions.
16:00 Autism can be an invisible disability
17:30 Michele gives advice to the parents of autistic children and explains how she involves the leaders or teachers of her children
22:15 Is autism genetic?
25:00 Leadership and autism
30:00 Would it be possible for an autistic individual to handle a big calling?
35:30 Autistic individuals take a more logical approach rather than an emotional or empathetic one. Sometimes they can come off cold or harsh but that’s just how they think. It’s not them trying to offend. Learning to communicate with these individuals is important.
42:15 Michele shares her experience as a Relief Society president. Her number one takeaway is that we won’t always connect with people but ministering is an opportunity to learn, love and listen.
47:10 When we accommodate one, we unknowingly accommodate many. We need to focus on inclusion because it’s a way to show love. Links Podcast: Navigating the Spectrum with Michele Portlock MichelePortlock.com Leading Those with Special Needs | An Interview with Stan Beagley Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2020.
Blake Fisher works in the Brigham Young University Office of Success and Inclusion, offering confidential support to people who, for various reasons, feel marginalized. The goal is to help student body members feel unity. Previously he worked in the BYU University Relations office. One of his main areas of focus is helping LGBT students. He is a returned missionary.
Highlights 3:24 Blake’s personal experience helps him relate. How he has navigated that journey before, during and since his mission. Positive things Church leaders, family and friends have done to support him and help him feel valued and loved. Dealing with feelings of denial/shame/perfectionism.
10:50 Learning to value certain life challenges and feeling unconditional love from God and others.
12:00 The Success and Inclusion office provides support for individuals on campus facing challenges re: race, religion, gender, sexuality. Their support group may be otherwise small. How students are referred to this office. Why go there and not to a therapist? Guiding those who perceive discrimination.
17:00 The vast majority of stories he hears about interactions with Church leaders are positive, but occasionally the perception is that the interaction did not go well.
18:20 How Church leaders can manage expectations when inviting someone to the office and during the meeting in the office. Reducing anticipatory tension. Responsibilities of both parties, i.e. Church leader and the ward member. Increasing the comfort level. Active listening is vital. Don’t offer canned responses. People want to feel understood. Drawing on the principles of listening espoused in Preach My Gospel. Good listening techniques.
33:13 Leaders and counselors can show vulnerability and develop skill as to how to “prime the pump” to help someone who feels exhausted emotionally by just showing up. Don’t make them feel rushed.
39:49 Post-meeting anxieties. The individual may need reassurance in the days following a crucial conversation meeting. Helping those counseled to feel valued for who they are and not just based on certain decisions/behaviors they may have thus far exhibited.
44:00 Vulnerability hangover—the person feeling exhausted after they have shared deep things. Ensuring they see that what they told you hasn’t changed for the worse your feelings about them as a person. Body language can make them feel awkward. They may feel uncertainty regarding the next step after sharing. Manage expectations. Don’t exhibit passive-aggressive avoidance. Good intentions usually show. If they withdraw seek them out.
48:40 Having faith in God, not in a specific outcome is helpful when the future feels otherwise uncertain or hopeless. Avoiding comparisons with others. Journeys are individual. Focus on Christ now.
53:38 Sitting in the tension between faith and sexuality. Don’t feel your only way out is to get rid of one of your sources of tension. If we overly focus on not having any tension, we may give up something important. Feel the joy of Christ. A leader can sit with someone in the tension even if he/she can’t fix it.
58:40 Leaders can discern and focus on the light in someone’s life. Light leads to more light. They need to know that if their choices lead to hard things, you are still there. Don’t give the feeling you are ending the relationship just because they didn’t go the way you had hoped. Maintain a sustained interest.
1:03:50 Spend time with LGBT people to get comfortable with them and other things will fall into place. Information and Links Find the BYU Office of Student Success and Inclusion at C-374 Abraham O. Smoot Building (ASB) or 2010 Wilkinson Student Center Hope Works: Mourn With Those That Mourn Read the TRANSCRIPT of this interview
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
David P. Kasperson has been building high-trust partnerships and innovative solutions for clients of FranklinCovey’s Global Trust Practice for more than 15 years. Most of that time has been spent in collaboration with Stephen M. R. Covey, managing his speaking business, and custom client solutions as the Director of Business Development. An expert on trust, he has served clients via consulting, coaching, program design, and keynote speaking in more than twenty countries. He is co-author of the bestseller, Trust & Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash Greatness in Others.
Kurt and David served together in the Sacramento, California mission. David has twice served as an elders quorum president and as a counselor, in a Young Men presidency, and as a teacher in Sunday School and Primary.
Highlights 01:45 Introduction to David Kasperson and the book he co-authored with Steven M. R. Covey
04:30 Two styles of leadership
Command and control Trust and inspire
05:00 David breaks down the command and control style of leadership
Home teaching is enlightened command and control
16:00 The trust and inspire style of leadership
Trust and inspire are action words not nouns Great leaders see and feel the greatness in everyone
24:00 Trust is a verb not a noun. When extending trust make sure you have clear expectations and a process of accountability
27:00 Real life examples and phrases to use and not to use to show that you trust an individual
31:30 The difference between trust and delegation
33:00 Management is for things, not people. We aren’t trying to manage people. We are trying to help them grow.
42:30 Leadership is walking hand in hand with someone not stepping in and doing their job
54:15 We are afraid to let go of the control. We default to the command and control style of leadership. As a leader, you can have control without being controlling. Do we want compliance or conversion?
56:30 Leadership is really stewardship. God is trusting us to help others grow and learn.
57:40 Even those that we lead might prefer the command and control style of leading. They just want their leader to tell them exactly what to do. However, that is not what’s best for growth.
1:01:00 Success vs. significance
1:03:45 Inspiration is a skill. It’s a muscle that has to be worked.
1:07:50 David’s new book gives you the day-to-day steps to take as a leader to inspire and extend trust. It’s a great place for a new leader to begin. Links Trust and Inspire: How Truly Great Leaders Unleash the Greatness in Others FranklinCovey.com SpeedofTrust.com TrustandInspire.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
In this short interview, Kurt talks with Brent & Courtney Ebmeyer about the upcoming North Star Conference. The 2022 conference is June 9-11 both in-person and streaming online.
Learn more about NorthStarLDS.org Listen to the podcast with Brent & Bruce Ebmeyer, Learning to Lead SSA Saints Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Greg Matsen is the founder of Cwic Media and the host of its primary show called Cwic Show, which focuses on cultural issues affecting the restored church. He ran a large web development and marketing firm representing the vast majority of the sporting goods industry and some of the auto industry in Newport Beach, California in the 1990s, then built a wealth management firm in Scottsdale, Arizona, which he sold in early 2020.
Greg has studied the scriptures and history almost daily since his mission, seeks and develops interfaith relationships, and diligently seeks to help others learn what he has learned through lenses he developed called Cwic Interpreters. He also does a weekly Come Follow Me podcast. Greg has served as an elders quorum president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, Young Men president, in a stake Young Men presidency, and currently serves in a bishopric.
Highlights 01:00 Introduction to Greg
06:45 The church and politics. Why are most members so conservative?
08:40 Greg’s message to conservative members that are maybe going too far right.
13:00 What Greg says to more liberal members
15:15 How do we deal with politics at church?
17:40 What can leaders do to stay ahead of the issues?
26:00 How to get a well rounded perspective of the issues. Greg suggests to:
Stay away from TV news Don’t rely on social media for your news Read through articles that are well thought out
29:30 Focus on issues and not on demonizing the political parties
33:15 Politics and social media
Not great for dialog The algorithm only shows what’s most popular It’s full of memes and doesn’t show the full story Go to the actual source and form your own opinions
42:00 Greg explains his approach to Come Follow Me and why he got started teaching online about it
47:00 It’s not easy to teach doctrine
52:00 Advice to parents or young adult leaders
56:45 One of the most important things that Greg has learned in leadership is service. It’s not so much about what you say but the relationships that you form. Links cwicmedia.com Cwic Media on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Tyler Lefevor, PhD, is an assistant professor of psychology at Utah State University where his research focuses on understanding how LGBTQ+ latter-day saints can flourish. He was raised LDS, served a mission in the New Jersey, Cherry Hills mission, and served as an Elders quorum president for 4 years. Tyler has since left the church to marry his husband, Brock. He also operates a small therapy practice.
Sam Skidmore, MS, is a third-year doctoral student of clinical/counseling psychology at Utah State University. He was raised in the church and served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sam’s research and clinical focuses include understanding the experiences of LGBTQ+ members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ways in which LGBTQ+ mental health can be improved.
Sam and Tyler are researching the experiences of LGBTQ+ latter-day saints with their church leaders. Their goal is to help leaders improve how they minister and interact with LGBTQ+ individuals.
Tyler Lefevor Sam Skidmore Highlights 04:00 Introduction to Tyler and Sam and their research on LGBTQ Latter-day Saints
09:00 The study was focused on LGBTQ experiences with their church leaders. Their goal is to help leaders with their interactions with LGBTQ individuals.
10:20 Tyler and Sam share their own experiences coming out to their leaders and why they decided to come out
13:15 Sam tells his story. Sam goes into details of interactions with leaders, church members, and his family.
22:30 Tyler’s story and experience of coming out. He also shares stories of experiences with family and leaders.
33:00 Sam's negative experience with his bishop and his feelings for the church and leaders now
35:45 Tyler shares his feelings on where he stands with the church and leaders.
38:15 Tyler shares findings from their research and gives suggestions to bishops and other leaders. Leaders need to understand why individuals are coming out to them so they can respond appropriately with what that individual needs.
40:50 Sam talks about what LGBTQ members found helpful in interviews with their bishop when coming out. Their research revealed that it wasn’t what the bishop said but how he acted that was the most impactful.
42:00 Skills that leaders should learn are empathic listening skills. It’s so much more about listening than saying the perfect thing.
43:45 When you know more you can do more. The more leaders know about LGTBQ individuals the better they can help them. Bishops should be open to talking about it and asking questions.
47:45 LGBTQ individuals' message to leaders
49:50 Stepping into the bishop’s office can be an intimidating or even shameful experience but by changing the environment or moving out from behind the desk can make people feel more comfortable.
52:50 An important question that leaders to ask is, “tell me what it means to you to be queer?”
53:10 Meetings with the bishop can be very impactful to an individual that is opening up about their sexuality. One meeting can help them feel more included or lead them out of the church.
53:50 Tyler and Sam have a mission to get in front of ward and stake counsels to talk about their experience to help leaders improve how they lead and interact with LGBTQ members.
56:40 Tyler and Sam need leader’s perspectives on how to counsel LGBTQ members and their feelings on it
57:40 Advice specifically for youth leaders. Youth leaders need to stop avoiding the topic of LGBTQ but begin to have open conversations about it on a yearly basis.
1:00:00 Kurt shares his own personal experience as a bishop and they discuss how a bishop should help LGBTQ members
1:07:30 What Sam and Tyler want to say to their previous church leaders and where they are at right now with their lives and happiness Links lgbtqmormonresearch.com Council presentation request Leadership experience survey Infographic: Counseling LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints
Sharon Kaye Fisher has been a president of ward Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society organizations. She served as stake Primary president with one branch 800 miles away and one branch covering remote villages throughout Alaska. Sharon Kaye was raised in southern California and met her husband, Brent, at Brigham Young University where she received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught elementary school for a short time at the beginning of their marriage and then devoted her time as a stay-at-home mother to their four daughters and one son. Although she has mostly served in leadership callings, her love is teaching in the classroom with any age group. Sharon Kaye and Brent currently live in Anchorage, Alaska where she serves as the stake JustServe specialist. Highlights 01:30 Sharon’s background
03:00 Getting called as a Relief Society President and her experience calling counselors
06:30 Sharon shares her approach to ministering as a Relief Society president
09:00 Sharon breaks down her principles of ministering
Be a safe place. Keep confidentiality and don’t judge. Be a good listening ear. Validate and acknowledge their feelings and experiences. Ask permission to share a thought or message. Ask specific questions. What do you need? What do you want? How can I support you? Leaders are connectors. You don’t have to meet everyone’s needs but you can connect them to people that can help. Encourage them to connect with God. Express love. Let them feel your love and be the bridge to help them feel the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
20:00 Principle one: Ask God what is most needed now
22:40 Principle two: Let God take you on detours. Make your plans but be willing to change course
27:00 Principle three: Give how you are able, God makes up the difference
29:30 Principle four: Strengthening those that you have stewardship over
31:45 Sharon shares her final thoughts on things that have worked for her to create unity and sisterhood Links Relief Society President Resources Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2016.
Greg McKeown has dedicated his career to discovering why some people and teams break through to the next level—and others don’t. The definitive treatment of this issue is addressed in his New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. Greg hosts The Essentialism Podcast and is the CEO of McKeown Inc., with clients including Adobe, Apple, Google, Facebook, Pixar, Salesforce.com, Symantec, Twitter, VMware, and Yahoo!. Originally from London, England, Greg now lives near Phoenix, Arizona, with his wife Anna and their family.
In this interview Greg and Kurt talk about how the principle of Essentialism applies to his calling as bishop and the culture at-large in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. At the time of this recording, Greg was serving as bishop of his ward in California. Highlights 1:30 Introduction and Greg’s background and how he ended up in America
9:00 Greg’s testimony development
14:00 How Greg met his wife
16:30 Greg was a coauthor with Liz Wiseman on the book, Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter.
19:00 Getting called as bishop
21:50 What is Essentialism? The disciplined pursuit of less.
22:40 Greg talks about his book Essentialism and why he wrote it.
30:30 The closet analogy of essentialism and how it relates to leadership
Our obligation as leaders is not to our traditions, to the past, or to what other people are doing. Strip away all the things that are non-essentials.
36:30 The power of saying no. Can I say no to “inspired” requests?
Remember to pause and think. Remember that the Lord’s voice wins over any other voice. Divine tradeoffs are a requirement of our lives. There are always hard tradeoffs. There are good and great things but we need to do the essential things.
43:20 Think of all the things that Jesus DIDN’T do. He didn’t feel the obligation to do everything. He did His Father’s will.
45:30 How do you create a culture of essentialism in your ward?
Focus on the people instead of the programs and activities. When it comes to meetings in the church, have a tight purpose and a loose agenda.
55:45 Thomas S. Monson’s experience struggling with the social obligations of his calling versus following the spirit. His life was a beautiful example of putting people first and the social obligations second.
58:30 Think about what sacrifice really is. For thousands of years it meant to kill and to cut a baby lamb. In our day it means to eliminate, or to make a tradeoff. You can’t do it all. Links Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most GregMcKeown.com 7 Unbreakable Rules of a Meeting Liz Wiseman Interviews & Articles on LeadingSaints.org Creating Essential Change In Your Organization | An Interview with Greg McKeown Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver, and got a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. While there he met his wife Lani and they have six children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem and China. John has a master's degree from Harvard and a Ph.D from BYU, both in Education. John is a professor of Religious Education at BYU.
John has published several books with Deseret Book, including Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ. He is also the author of the video course and podcast “Seeking Jesus.” John loves teaching, reading and spending time with his family. Highlights 3:30 Kurt and John talk about John's new course, Seeking Jesus.
5:30 Jesus should be at the center of our lives. Sometimes we focus on other parts of the gospel and forget that He comes first.
9:40 How do we make sure that Christ is at the center?
16:00 What if we didn’t just focus on scripture study but Christ study? What if we didn't just go to the temple to focus on the ordinance but focus on how it connects us to Christ?
17:50 The sacrament can be an ordinance that becomes very commonplace that we forget to focus. There needs to be a mindset shift to make it a worshiping moment.
19:00 If you are looking for a way to grow and worship Christ then take President Nelson’s challenge. Read all the verses in the topical guide about Jesus Christ. The promise is that you will be changed.
21:45 How can we make Come Follow Me more meaningful? In every story we need to figure out how it connects to Christ.
25:55 Where is your hope centered? There are so many things that we hope for but our real hope should be centered on Jesus Christ.
27:00 John breaks down what people will learn in his new course.
30:00 John gives his book recommendations on Jesus Christ from authors from other religions.
31:15 Our time at church is limited so everything that we speak about needs to be connected to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Links Seeking Jesus course Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us With Christ Bearded Bishops, Rated-R Movies, & the Honor Code | An Interview with John Hilton III Connecting Others to Jesus Through the Cross at Calvary | An Interview with John Hilton III Instagram: @johnhiltoniii Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
After years of struggling in isolation to overcome pornography, Chandler founded Relay—an app that helps people stay connected and accountable along the road to recovery. It makes it easy to find and maintain tight-knit support in a team-based environment. Chandler served a Spanish-speaking mission in New York City and is graduating this spring from Brigham Young University in Strategy and Computer Science. Highlights 2:00 Chandler’s background and why he started his app
6:00 Chandler talks about his teenage years and dealing with pornography. He was able to open up to his bishop and his parents.
8:10 Finding connection and community
9:15 Chandler explains why he started the app.
10:45 How the app works and what you can do on it
Track your personal journey Daily check-ins Give and get support through conversation
16:45 How are people using the app and who is it for?
It’s not an app just for pornography or just for guys You can get matched into a group with people with similar problems Great for addiction recovery groups Find connections beyond in person 12 step meetings Anyone can join the app
23:20 What is the future of the Relay app?
27:20 Final thoughts and why the app is such a powerful tool to connect, find support, and overcome challenges Links VIDEO version of this podcast A leader's intro to the Relay App Visit https://joinrelay.app to download the app or share it with a loved one Instagram @joinrelay Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, and previously taught Seminary and Institute for 13 years. With an early interest in art he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts before pursuing religious education, earning a Ph.D in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. He is the author of several articles and books dealing with the teachings and history of the Church, and a regular speaker at Latter-day Saint events and conferences. As a practicing artist his paintings center on religious themes, including underrepresented events in Church history. Anthony and his wife Cindy are the parents of seven children. He is currently serving as bishop of his ward. Highlights 1:45 Kurt and Anthony discuss his books about the temple and covenants
4:15 What can we talk about outside the temple? Most members are scared to talk about what goes on inside the temple because they don’t know what’s appropriate.
8:30 Anthony talks about what he does as a bishop to help people get ready to go to the temple and receive their endowment.
14:20 What to focus on when teaching about the covenants made in the temple. Make sure people have a great foundation.
18:30 Most religions aren’t talking about covenants.
20:15 The order of the son of God is a covenant group of people that are given power and capacity in their lives to overcome evil, to discern between right and wrong, to call down the ministering of angels, to know how to ask and receive revelation, part the veil, etc.
23:30 Covenants guarantee the future behavior of the participants. We are not making covenants for that moment but for future moments.
24:45 Listen to your covenants more than the state of your emotions. Your covenants will tell you what to do.
28:30 How to answer people’s questions after they go through the temple. What is ok to talk about?
31:00 The five laws or major covenants of the temple
33:00 Seeing the big picture of the five laws. You are entering into an order which means that you are patterning your life after the son of God.
35:00 The first law is obedience to the law of the Lord. The law is a little different depending on the time that you are living.
36:00 The law of the gospel. Faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, and receiving the holy ghost. This law sanctifies us and purifies us.
37:25 The law of sacrifice. The release of the unholy. Letting go of the things that are keeping us back from the kingdom. It’s not about dying for the church but letting go of the natural man.
38:25 The law of chastity. It’s not just about sex. It’s about trust. Can I be trusted with power and the power to create? God is in perfect control of his power. He knows how to control his power and passion. If we want to be like him we must do the same.
42:00 The law of consecration. There is confusion between the law of consecration and the applications of the law. We are covenating to dedicate our time, talents, and means to the kingdom of God.
46:00 Part of the law of consecration is not to have to be told to do everything. We should be anxiously engaged in a good cause and do things of our own free will.
47:45 Garments are a very personal thing. As a leader you should teach the doctrine and not focus so much on the behavior. “True doctrine understood changes attitudes and behavior.” Boyd K Packer.
53:00 The temple is a house of progression. It’s a house for revelation. Links Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library The Holy Covenants: Living Our Sacred Temple Promises The Holy Invitation: Understanding Your Sacred Temple Endowment Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Neil Henderson serves as bishop in his ward in Gorleston, England. He has previously served as a Young Men president and 1st counselor, counselor in numerous bishoprics, high councilor, and in the stake Young Men presidency. As a student he studied carpentry and joinery and also served in the British Army infantry RSV for around 10 years before joining the Fire and Rescue service in 1997, where he currently serves as a Watch Manager. Neil is a convert and the only member of the Church on his side of the family. His wife Carolyn (née Bone) served in the Canada Toronto mission, and they have two sons who served missions in Ghana and South Africa. Highlights 02:15 Neil’s story of conversion and how he got connected to the missionaries
18:15 Demographics of Neil’s area
20:20 Getting called as Bishop
23:00 Neil’s 1st principle of leadership: You aren’t going to fix everything
27:00 Principle 2: Don’t try to do everything yourself
29:00 Tips for one-on-one meetings with leaders; they create improvement plans
33:20 Principle 3: Keep meetings to time and use technology when appropriate
When appropriate they meet over Zoom for meetings because it’s a rural area that is very spread apart They use Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram, and Zoom to connect
42:30 To be a leader is to walk in the footsteps of Christ. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Elder Don R. Clarke served as a General Authority from 2006 to 2015, first in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and as president and a counselor in the Central America Area, later in the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was assistant Executive Director in the Missionary Department and Area Assistant for the Utah North, Utah Salt Lake City, and Utah South Areas. He also served as Director of Church Hosting and currently serves as an emeritus General Authority and President of the Great Salt Lake Utah District (Correctional Facility).
Elder Clarke earned an associate’s degree from Ricks College and a bachelor’s degree in business from Brigham Young University. He completed a master’s degree in business administration from Washington State University. His career included senior executive positions in several retailing companies. He also served as a volunteer professor of business at Southern Virginia University and was involved with Ascend Humanitarian Alliance in beginning microcredit operations in Bolivia. He has served the Church in various other capacities, including full-time missionary in the Argentina Mission, president of the Bolivia Santa Cruz Mission, stake president, high councilor, bishop, stake Young Men president, and elders quorum president. Born in Rexburg, Idaho, Elder Clarke married Mary Anne Jackson and they are the parents of six children.
Highlights 01:20 Elder Clarke’s background
11:00 Elder Clarke’s leadership journey
13:00 The people you associate with are very important. They will impact your life and change your eternity.
20:45 As a leader, how do you help others improve?
Give them a vision. After they have a vision you help them set goals. Each person should measure themself according to those goals.
27:15 How do you help people have a vision?
Learn how people think. Know who you are leading. You have to want to know what people think. You have to create an environment where people can tell you what they think.
32:45 Five parts of life. If you are good in all these areas then you have a good life.
Relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Family Work or schooling Friends Yourself
35:55 You love people by wanting them to be better.
Happy always but content never “Those that I love, I chasten.”
43:15 Story of getting called as a General Authority
48:45 Principle of there is always a better way and Elder Clarke’s experience at Southern Virginia University
51:10 In leadership, you need to know the power of the Holy Ghost.
54:40 Elder Clarke talks about his time in the second and first quorum of the seventy. There are two parts to a calling. Minister first and administer second. No matter what your calling is in the church, you are always a minister first.
59:45 You minister to those that God puts in your path. Elder Clarke speaks of his own experience.
1:02:20 Elder Clarke’s story of his grandfather, a blind farmer, who was about to lose his farm.
1:05:00 Ministering is a journey not an event. Everybody needs somebody.
1:09:00 Who you marry and your relationship is so important.
1:10:30 Adopt people into your family. Invite people to your home on the holidays. Help them feel loved.
1:12:50 The way you get close to heaven is to help His children.
1:14:00 Husband and wife dynamic when the man is in leadership and gone a lot and the woman is at home with the children.
1:18:15 Elder Clarke shares his testimony. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Daniel Bingham is the previous CEO of Helena College–University of Montana and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin where he earned a doctorate in community college leadership. His church service has included mission president, stake president, high councilor, bishopric counselor, ward Young Men president, seminary teacher, scoutmaster, ward mission leader, and missionary. During his service as mission president in the Australia Sydney South mission, he was in a bicycle accident resulting in incomplete quadriplegia with limited use of his limbs. Originally a native of Northern California, Brother Bingham and his wife Donna are the parents of four children and nine grandchildren. Highlights 01:50 Background
03:45 Getting called to be a mission president in the Sydney South mission
05:45 A cycling accident that left Daniel partially paralyzed while still on the mission.
12:00 What Daniel learned in his eight months as a mission president.
15:00 Traditional leadership principles, when applied in the church, are simpler to use and more readily accepted because of our foundational doctrine.
21:00 Know and allow for more than one way to accomplish a task or achieve a goal.
Leaders aren’t there to bark out orders but to guide and observe. Give people space for growth and to receive their own revelation. All should be empowered to participate and have a say.
32:50 All communication should be honest, two-way, frequent, and clearly consistent.
39:30 Your mission/purpose should be well defined, widely understood, and consistently modeled by leadership
43:45 Real life example of how to focus on your purpose and actively model to your council to do the same
47:40 Everything in the gospel is individually centered not collectively centered. As leaders we make a difference one person at a time.
48:30 Service Leadership can help you know and understand who you are leading. Being a leader is so much more than sitting in your office and giving the orders. You have to get out and serve.
55:00 Daniel talks about what’s next for him as he deals with his paralysis.
57:15 What is my home town initiative? Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Russell T. Osguthorpe has served as Sunday School General President, Area Seventy, and with his wife Lolly as mission leaders and temple president and matron. They are currently serving as virtual BYU-Pathway missionaries for students in the Caribbean. He holds a Ph.D. in instructional psychology and has served as a professor and administrator at Brigham Young University. He speaks several languages and enjoys swimming, hiking, and biking. He and his wife are the parents of five children and live in Provo, Utah. Highlights 01:30 Brother Osguthorpe relates his experience of how he got called to be Sunday School General President.
07:00 His calling is equal parts revelation and using his professional background of education and teaching. The Lord prepares us with gifts to help us in our callings.
10:30 Brother Osguthorpe’s professional background
12:30 Brother Osguthorpe explains how he balanced using his professional background and using revelation from God when making decisions about Come Follow Me.
15:30 Gospel learning is distinct from educational learning.
18:00 Discussion on the struggle leaders face when it comes to trying to motivate the ward or fix problems in the ward
19:30 The lesson doesn’t come from the manual or from a group of people. It comes from inside the learner. Leaders are to motivate, invite, and inspire the learner to look inside themselves.
21:45 Elder Bednar says that we don’t want teachers to act upon the students. As students we need to act and the desire needs to come from within them.
23:45 As leaders we think that we are there to just help fix problems and try to meet needs. However, what really needs to happen is we need to think of how we can magnify their gifts.
25:00 How do you teach doctrine rather than application?
29:00 How do we approach balancing lecturing and discussion?
36:00 Brother Osguthorpe talks about how he prepared General Conference talks and what he has learned from it.
41:45 Brother Osguthorpe discusses his new book, Filled with His love: Strengthening Our Attachment to God and to Others, and why he wrote it.
46:00 Attachment theory and fixing relationships
50:50 Kurt talks about how leaders can best help individuals that are struggling with their relationship with God. Oftentimes we focus on behaviors rather than the deeper cause of their struggles. It’s so important to listen to their story.
52:52 We need to analyze the relationships we had growing up to understand why we are struggling with relationships as adults.
53:15 Relationships are at the core of our doctrine. Covenants with God can be likened to creating a deeper relationship with God.
55:40 Brother Osguthorpe explains more about attachment theory and how it affects our relationships.
1:01:30 How to help negative self-talk in the individuals that we are trying to help.
1:10:25 Leaders should remember that every trial, sin, problem, etc., begins with an attachment problem and a detachment from God.
1:10:55 Brother Osguthorpe simplifies attachment theory and gives an example of how to use it to help individuals dealing with relationship problems.
1:11:45 A person’s desire can change their attachment style.
1:15:30 Our attachment to God has the most powerful influence on our attachment to others. Links Filled With His Love Podcast Filled with His Love: Strengthening Our Attachment to God and to Others Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Lisa Valentine Clark is a writer, actress, and the host of The Lisa Show on BYUradio. She is a founding member of the theater-as-improv comedy troupe, The Thrillionaries; a writer, producer, and actress on the film Once I Was a Beehive; a host for 3 seasons on the TV show Random Acts; and a star in the BYUtv production Show Offs. She is the mother of five and author of Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go. Lisa is currently serving as the Young Women president in her ward. Highlights 01:30 Introduction to Lisa and her background
06:00 The difference between the old and new young women’s program. The new program is more young women led.
09:15 Principle one: Belief in the purpose
Know your why Talk about your purpose with your presidency Be open with the young women and ask them why they are there
16:40 Principle two: Focus on the individual
Take care of each girl one by one Everyone has different needs and needs you to show up in different ways for them. It’s not a one size fits all.
21:00 Principle three: Lead by example
The young women probably won’t remember all the lessons you taught or activities but they will remember how you lived your life, your kindness, and the time you took to build a relationship with them.
24:30 Lisa shared a story of her late husband and how he created connections with a group of young boys in their ward that created forever friendships
27:30 Lisa explains the dynamic between her (the young women’s president) and the bishop.
29:00 Girls camp tips
30:00 Using technology to communicate with the young women.
34:30 Lisa talks about the passing of her husband and how ward members can help in these types of situations
39:30 Kurt and Lisa discuss the help that we can get from our families versus our ministering brothers and sisters. How can ministers help best?
45:40 Getting called as Young Women’s President in what seemed like the worst timing. There is never a perfect time so you just have to jump in. Links The Lisa Show Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Dr. Mark McConville is a Clinical Psychologist licensed by the State of Ohio with over 30 years of professional experience in adult, adolescent, emerging adult, and family psychology. Mark serves as a senior faculty member of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (GIC), a world renowned post-graduate training source for consulting and counseling professionals, and currently chairs GIC’s Advanced Training Program for Working With Children and Adolescents. Mark is the author of Failure to Launch: Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up...and What to Do About It, a guide for parents of the 2.2 million young adults in America who are struggling to find their way in the world.
Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Mark and his background
09:15 The demands on youth today as they enter into adulthood are much greater. Parents and grandparents shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking that it's as easy as going out and getting a job.
11:20 Kurt and Mark discuss young missionaries and if it’s a good idea to send them on missions at such a young age.
16:45 Kids growing up right now have the most supportive generation of parents in history. This is a huge plus but also has it’s negative aspects.
21:30 Kurt asks Mark if there are any ways that we can better prepare our missionaries.
25:00 The presence or absence of community is one the the critical variables in predicting success of starting a new phase in life. Such as, moving and starting a new job or leaving on a mission.
26:45 Mark talks about the developmental stages of being a parent and tips for parents at each stage. He gives his 3 primary ways that parents influence their children.
Supervision Negotiating Consulting
34:40 How can we help youth reach out to other adults rather than their parents?
47:30 Mark’s tips for setting goals with youth. He suggests setting goals that are in the near future.
51:00 The importance of giving your kids responsibility
59:50 The concept of shame. Shame is one of the most toxic emotions.
1:03:00 The first thing a leader should do is de-shame the situation. Neutralize the shame and then go into how to fix the problem.
1:05:45 How parents can deal with older children in their twenties that are living at home and not progressing in life.
1:09:20 Mark’s final encouragement to youth leaders Links Failure to Launch: Why Your Twentysomething Hasn't Grown Up...and What to Do About It Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2020.
Diljeet Taylor is the Brigham Young University Head Women's Cross Country Coach and Associate Director of Track & Field, and has been with BYU since 2016. She ran for Cal State Stanislaus and for the Nike Farm Olympic Development Team, then coached at Menlo College and later replaced her own coach at Cal State Stanislaus. A three-time All-American herself, she has coached 43 All-Americans and led the BYU Women's Cross Country team to first and second place NCAA titles the past three years. In 2021 she coached Whittni Orton (XC individual), the DMR team, Courtney Wayment (3000m), and Anna Camp-Bennett (1500m) to national titles. Diljeet and her husband Ira have two children, Taj and Avi.
Highlights 04:35 Running and coaching history and how she ended up at BYU 06:30 Embraced the standards because it is similar to how she was raised, even though she is not a member of the Church 07:40 Coaching cross country involves both the physical and especially the mental components 08:45 Her first goal was to bring the team back to national relevance 10:10 The team gets the recognition they need from the school and feel valued and supported; it consists of 35 women who are part of “the sisterhood” 13:10 Leading young women is about empowering them, advocating for them, and teaching them to build each other up instead of comparing and competing 15:15 Get reminders daily so they can compare themselves to where they have been, and work toward their own goals; each has their own challenges 17:30 Talking about their dreams; the five most important words are “How can I help you?”
The way you can teach them to achieve their dreams and goals is to help them achieve the goals they are working toward right now, which for the team members right now is personal growth in running
20:30 Bringing their individual goals together as a team happens through focusing on the journey and not the outcome 22:15 Establishing a culture of support by writing note cards to team members before every race, and an empowering culture of relationships
Emphasizing how important it is to genuinely care about the person next to you The locker room: the teammates who are left home from meets aren’t left out because they are the supporters in the culture of sisterhood and recognize this is something bigger than one person
30:45 “Athletes don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” 32:40 Transparency is the key to making the tough calls and dealing with the disappointment of staying home in the locker room
35:45 Being honest even when you have to be tough: the athletes also know that when she says positive things, she means it 36:45 Knowing which athletes can handle or even need tough love Giving feedback through two things they’re doing well and one thing to improve on If an athlete seems unable to handle the tough love, it means the relationship isn’t strong enough
39:20 Drama and conflict with young adult women: They learn to handle it because they learn to be confident women and to step away from the comparison mindset; acknowledging that drama and conflict is part of being human, and validating and normalizing their feelings 42:00 How to diminish the comparison component: Comparison is the thief of joy
You can’t go through life without experiencing the success of others, but someone else’s success doesn’t take away from yours Being happy for others while still being very competitive
45:20 Time and vulnerability are most important in creating connection so you have to be vulnerable as a leader, get out of your comfort zone, and put in the time to build a relationship
47:20 Admitting when you’ve made a mistake
48:30 No overall approach: each athlete has individual goals and training plans 50:30 Athletics activities for young women: sign up for a 5k together so they can train together and work toward a goal together...
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Dan Duckworth is a disciple, family man, and changemaker. As a teacher and coach, he guides elite leaders to the top of their game. He’s the author of Stop Asking Why: Your Purpose is Self-Evident, and president of the Leading Saints Board of Directors. This podcast is the second of a 2-part presentation for the Young Saints Virtual Conference.
Listen to PART 1: Why Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 1
Highlights 00:40 In general, our goal for the youth is to develop disciples of Jesus Christ. We want people who show up for Christ and contribute to the kingdom. We are looking for leaders and contributors that can be productive and effective leaders, missionaries, parents, and spouses.
04:20 Kurt and Dan talk about character building and why it’s important to leadership. Youth development could also be considered character development.
06:25 Youth development isn’t about knowledge or skills. Character is the most important thing.
07:20 Dan explains what character is and how it affects youth development and leadership.
09:20 Contrary to popular belief, character isn’t good or bad. It’s either effective or ineffective relative to your goals.
10:55 It’s not just about staying on the covenant path. Christ is looking for builders of the kingdom. He wants people to work alongside him. That is why character is so important. Character is about how consistently you show up.
11:40 Becoming a disciple of Christ is equally about developing character and testimony.
Character is how you show up. Testimony is why you show up for Christ.
13:40 It’s easy to get hyper focused on testimony development and completely overlook character development. Both are equally important.
15:40 Examples in the scriptures of testimony and character. Great examples are Jonah and Peter. They had great testimonies but weak characters. Jonah tried to run away. Peter denied Christ three times.
16:40 How do you gain a testimony? Testimony is built through direct experiences with God. You are a witness of something. You could be a first hand witness or you have an experience with the holy spirit.
19:40 We need to understand character and testimony to be effective youth leaders.
20:30 Between 20 to 30 percent of missionaries go home early. Most have the testimony but lack the character. The emotional and mental maturity isn’t there to help them deal with the demands of a mission.
23:40 More scriptural examples of testimony and character.
25:55 How does character develop in the real world?
30:35 Leadership development with adults vs. youth development. Adults are much more stuck in their ways and harder to change their thinking. They aren’t malleable like the youth.
33:05 The single most impactful factor on youth development is if mentors are involved and if that mentor was not just assigned but if they emerged. They became that youth’s mentor because they were a teacher or coach and they also wanted to mentor them.
33:55 Dan shares a real life example of how a teacher became a mentor to a young man who was struggling on his sports team and also Dan’s son, who was training to run a half marathon. This man wasn’t assigned. He wanted to mentor these kids.
36:00 Most of us block people off who try to mentor or influence us. It’s only occasionally that there is a special connection made and we then open ourselves up to be mentored.
38:25 Our behavior and the narrative that we have for ourselves is based on the experiences that we have. We have to be open up to rewriting that narrative and accepting mentorship or therapy.
40:00 A huge part of mentorship is just helping that person understand the experiences that they have had or are currently having and what those experiences mean to them or about them.
41:00 How to get in a state of mentorship
1 Deeply care about the growth of that youth or person.
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Dan Duckworth is a disciple, family man, and changemaker. As a teacher and coach, he guides elite leaders to the top of their game. He’s the author of Stop Asking Why: Your Purpose is Self-Evident, and president of the Leading Saints Board of Directors. This podcast is the first of a 2-part presentation for the Young Saints Virtual Conference.
Highlights 6:10 What’s the difference between being a youth worker vs a youth mentor?
Mentorship is a state. You are only a leader if someone is following. Leadership and mentorship are synonymous.
9:45 Too often in youth programs there is a lot of teen check out and adult burnout. The overall goals are not being accomplished despite all the hard work that is getting put into it. Dan’s goal in this session is to help leaders be effective mentors and not just youth workers.
13:30 One thing that is fundamental to youth development is letting go of control and letting the natural processes take place. A leader should learn to nurture these processes instead of trying to control them.
16:30 Dan explains positive youth development or positive leadership.
24:30 Many difficulties come to youth leaders in the church because they didn’t sign up for it. They weren’t trained in youth development. It’s a calling and they were asked to be there. Links PART 2: Why Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 2 Register for FREE to watch the Young Saints Virtual Conference Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Smith Alley is an 18-year-old high school senior who struggled with the harmful effects of pornography and social media for five years. Deciding to change the course of his life at 14, he went through an addiction recovery program and fell in love with helping other people. He now speaks to groups on how to establish internal filters and use technology in a balanced and intentional way to avoid negative mental health effects and achieve their goals. Smith has started a nonprofit organization called Live Life Bigger Foundation. His mission is to help kids live life bigger and rise up to their true potential. At age 16, he also started a company for parents called ProtechtStrong that helps families set up parental restrictions on devices and create healthy social media habits. Highlights 3:30 Story about papercuts to the heart.
5:25 Smith’s story being exposed to pornography at a very young age, dealing with social media, and with depression.
8:00 Smith shares his recovery story.
15:00 There is no such thing as a normal life or being a normal human being. We put such high expectations on what is ok or what is normal behavior. Part of human behavior is making mistakes and we aren’t normalizing that.
18:15 Let your heart break. Be vulnerable. We are taught to suck it up and not cry. We can’t grow or heal without being vulnerable and talking about our feelings.
19:00 A huge part of Smith’s healing was service. He replaced his bad habit with a good habit.
20:15 Smith tells stories of other youth that are struggling and how he has been able to help them by being open about his own struggle. His vulnerability has lead him to help so many other youth and help them open up too.
24:45 Smith leads through acceptance, vulnerability, and love.
25:20 Be a church leader not a church controller.
32:00 Teaching youth about their true identity is what is going to save them not trying to control their behavior. Do they know who they are? Do they identify themselves as sons and daughters of God?
34:00 How can youth leaders communicate better acceptance? God and Christ see us for who we are and not for what you are doing. Show them who they can be by using the atonement of Jesus Christ.
38:15 How can we help youth feel loved?
44:45 As leaders we want to talk about commandments and righteousness but maybe what we should really be talking about is brokenness and wounds. Sharing our brokenness leads us to Christ, the healer of brokenness.
47:30 Smith’s advice to youth leaders. Links livelifebigger.org protechtstrong.com Instagram: @live.life.bigger LinkedIn: Smith Alley Read the TRANSCRIPT of this presentation
Kessa Merrill is a young single adult member originally from Gilbert, Arizona, and is currently serving as stake Relief Society first counselor. Professionally she is an esthetician, studied public relations at Arizona State University, and is currently pursuing both of those passions as she works as the Operations Manager for the SkinBoss SkinSpa in Provo, Utah. During her time in Arizona she served as both the Latter-day Saint Student Association president and Interfaith Student Council president, and prior to that she served as her YSA ward Relief Society president. She has also served in several presidencies as secretary and held many music callings. In her free time she likes to cook dinners with friends, sing karaoke, and redecorate her home. Highlights 5:30 Kessa shares her experience working on the institute council and interfaith council at Arizona State University.
8:30 Getting called as a Relief Society president at 21 years old in her YSA ward
10:00 The most difficult thing about being Relief Society President
11:00 Visits with her counselors was one of the most important and consistent things that she did as a Relief Society president.
14:45 Those simple visits that Kessa took time to make every week impacted her life and helped her gain connections that have stayed in her life years later.
17:00 Kessa shares her experience getting called to be the first counselor in the YSA Stake Relief Society Presidency.
19:30 Kessa was one of the first YSA members that was part of the Stake Counsel. She has been able to speak up for YSA members in these councils.
21:30 Be organized and share responsibility
Applying this principle has allowed her to reach out to more people They take advantage of technology. It’s harder to reach YSA members with their schedules so they use text and zoom calls to communicate a lot.
26:20 Loneliness is one of the biggest hardships that YSA members struggle with.
27:45 What a leader can do to help with the loneliness that YSA members are experiencing
It’s not about more activities Make connections in small groups and through ministering
29:00 Serve with your eyes wide open and love. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Chris Raleigh grew up in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, and served in the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Mission. He has a bachelor’s degree in business, a master’s degree in education, and has taught for 28 years in both public and private school settings—including 23 years as a seminary and institute instructor. His Church assignments have included callings in the elders quorum, Sunday School, high council, bishopric, and as a bishop and stake president. In his current assignment he serves with his wife, Peggy, on the Church’s Corrections Committee ministering to both Church leaders and inmates in six county jails and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison, Utah. Chris and Peggy have nine children and 14 grandchildren.
In this podcast, Chris candidly shares a decades-long struggle. His desire is to lend hope through the Atonement of Jesus Christ to the many men and women who feel trapped within the grasp of the illness called addiction. Trying to reverse four generations of addiction within his family has not been easy but he knows it is possible.
Highlights 1:30 Chris talks about his background and faith development
7:00 Family history of addiction
17:00 Chris’ personal story and struggle with pornography addiction
27:00 Chris was always looking for a “cure” for his problem. He thought teaching seminary or becoming a bishop would help him but the struggle was always there.
30:30 Good people struggle with very hard things. It’s not about being flawless but worthy.
33:00 We normally see vulnerability as a strength in others but a weakness in ourselves.
34:00 Kurt and Chris discuss his time as a Bishop and his continual struggle to stay away from pornography. No matter how hard he tried it just kept coming back.
43:20 Becoming a Stake President and dealing with his addiction
52:00 Getting to a place of healing and getting help from a general authority
55:15 Telling his wife and her struggle with betrayal trauma. Chris shares their marriage struggles.
59:45 Getting divorced, getting released as a stake president, and getting terminated as a seminary teacher. He continued to seek healing, recovery, and find blessings when life was falling apart.
1:04:45 Chris shares how God has blessed him for telling his story. He has rebuilt his life and remarried.
1:09:00 Chris had to walk a hard path to get where he is. He prayed for years and years to be rid of his addiction but he needed to go through treatment first. He had to be ready.
1:10:00 By healing and recovering, Chris is also helping his ancestors who struggled with addiction.
1:13:00 There is hope for everyone. However, addiction is an illness and it needs treatment.
1:16:45 The power of telling your story
1:17:45 To the lonely leader that is struggling with sin. The bravery to speak up. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Randy Lonsdale and his wife Linda (Mendenhall) are Canadians living near Calgary, Alberta. They are thrilled to have six wonderful children and nine practically-perfect grandchildren. Randy is an in-house attorney handling engineering and construction contracts for a supermajor energy company. Randy's law career has taken his family to Vancouver (Canada), twice to South Korea, and to the island of Saipan (CNMI), and he still speaks Korean first learned during his mission to Seoul, Korea. He has served as bishop as well as a counselor in a stake presidency and a military district presidency. For the past 5 years he has served as a stake president. Highlights 3:00 Introduction and Randy’s background
5:00 Story of how Randy was called to be a Stake President and Stake demographics
11:45 The most important things that Randy has learned in his leadership
Showing people love is always number one Teach people how to build a stronger relationship with Jesus Christ through teaching and by example
13:30 In Randy’s stake they have a vision statement and also a set of goals. They try to keep it simple.
14:30 Traditions and their approach to High Council meetings
16:30 Helping youth prepare for their missions: They have a "missionary bootcamp" checklist
21:40 Randy explains how their stake runs and things that he has found that really work
23:00 Tools they use for administration
25:40 Randy’s personal stories and family tragedy
30:45 How losing his daughter has helped him be a better leader Links Church Missionary Preparation pages Pre-Mission Boot Camp Checklist (DOCX) Pre-Mission Boot Camp Checklist (PDF) Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Elaine Dalton was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, and received her bachelor's degree in English from Brigham Young University. She served alongside her husband, Stephen, in a singles ward bishopric and in stake callings, then at the general level of the Church for ten years on the Young Women general board and as the first and second counselor of the Young Women general presidency. She was called as Young Women general president from 2008 to 2013. Elaine and Stephen are the parents of five sons and one daughter and the grandparents of 16 grandchildren. Highlights 4:00 Elaine introduces herself and tells about her background.
10:00 Getting called into the general Young Women presidency
14:00 Elaine’s experience calling counselors.
17:00 Advice for Young Women’s Presidents and how they can help the young women the most.
Help them know their worth and true identity The power of prayer
22:00 Elaine shares special experiences that she has had serving.
28:40 From all her travels Elaine has learned that the only hope for the world is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
29:45 Thoughts on girls camp and getting away from the messages of the world.
34:00 Stories of speaking in General Conference.
36:20 Preparing a talk for General Conference
44:30 Dealing with friction between leaders and how to manage it. Remember that every "no" is one step closer to "yes".
48:00 Kurt takes questions from the audience. Elaine talks about how she met her husband.
49:50 Elaine tells the story of when she got called to be the General Young Women’s President.
53:00 What do you do when you get released? Many find it more difficult to serve and find purpose after they are released from a calling. Links Photo by Michelle Lehnardt for RubyGirl.org Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in June 2019.
Dr. Robert Ferrell has served as an elders quorum president, high councilor, YSA bishop, and YSA stake president, and has presented at firesides and conferences—including BYU Education Week—about connecting with young single adults. He grew up in the Bay Area of California but lives in Mountain Green, Utah, and worked as a periodontist in the Ogden area prior to leaving to serve as a mission president in the Peru Lima Central Mission. He has a bachelor's degree in family sciences and a doctoral degree in dental surgery, and he and his wife Lori are the parents of eight children. Highlights 7:30 His call as a YSA stake president came while serving as a bishop, forming a new YSA stake
11:00 He saw a need for a greater understanding of young adults today, and decided to present at BYU Education Week as an advocate for young adults
13:10 Stigmas of the Millennial generation in and outside of the Church
14:20 The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not lose people; the culture, tradition, false doctrine, and application loses people
15:20 Creating a young adult program needs to start with a strong organizational structure
16:00 Most wards are not aware of the problem with the activity rate among YSAs
17:10 Priesthood keys and leadership have to be behind the leaders in a YSA program
21:10 It can be easy to lose track of YSAs, and family wards need to work with YSA programs to focus on rescuing—most effective when the stake presidents work together with YSA leaders
25:00 Worked with his area seventy and coordinating councils and were able to see great success with the program
Multiple ward mission leaders were assigned to the stakes that funneled YSAs to their YSA ward, and senior adult couples assigned to be the bridge between the YSA ward and the home stake Returned missionaries are prepared to help rescue other YSAs
27:25 Wanted as many of the less-active records as they could, so they could organize and reach out to rescue them
Focused on organizational structure with leaders working together Ministering happened among the active members, YSA ward mission leaders handled the rest
31:10 The organizational process has to be there to help young adults come unto Christ
31:50 #1 cultural concept that must change: YSA wards are not about marriage, they don’t need to be reminded, and that message turns them away
34:00 The purpose of the young single adult program is helping them connect with Jesus Christ
36:40 YSA programs are not glorified YMYW programs, and activities need to be planned by the YSAs and be focused on things that help connect them to Christ
40:15 Leadership by collaboration instead of control: turn it over to them
The Lord used young adults to restore the Church; they can be trusted with the YSA program
45:10 Example of giving autonomy: Stake YSA Relief Society presidency recognized a pornography problem with the sisters and taught about it at ward conferences
47:10 Encouraged the sisters to turn to their Relief Society president when they have a problem, and take it to the bishop when they are ready to repent
49:30 Counsel given to him as the stake president was that you cannot rescue YSAs and then throw the book at them
Is that approach too soft? Story of missionary who returned after less than a week in the MTC, due to sexual transgression
1:00:30 The sins are a symptom of a more serious doctrinal problem and the purpose of discipline is to save the soul of the transgressor, not to punish
1:04:00 Bishops and counselors need to be working on the same level so they can develop relationships with the YSA ward members
1:05:00 Behavior vs. doctrine: sin is the consequence of Satan’s real purpose
1:08:00 Leaders need to help them resolve contention in their lives
1:10:45 Not knowing the meaning of worthiness is the greatest cause of contention
Brandon Comstock has been teaching seminary for the past fourteen years in Southern Utah, and has also taught religion courses online for BYU-Idaho and Pathways International for five years. He has a bachelors degree in Business Management from BYU-Idaho, a masters in Instructional Technology from Utah State, and a doctorate in Educational Technology from Boise State, where his research focused on using smartphones in religious classrooms. He has previously served as a Sunbeam teacher, four times as a Gospel Doctrine teacher, and as Sunday School president and Young Mens president. He current serves as elders quorum president and on the Gospel Library awareness and user education committee. Brandon and his wife Carly live with their five children in St. George, Utah.
Watch the video as part of the Teaching Saints Virtual Conference
Highlights 5:30 Is using a cell phone to study the scriptures too distracting?
10:15 Scientific research regarding cell phones and how they affect our relationships and study.
12:20 Putting away devices at church or banning devices isn’t going to fix the problem. There has to be a mindset shift from seeing cell phones as toys to seeing them as tools to bring us to our Savior.
14:15 Five things that have to happen to get effective smartphone use at church.
Training Modeling Simplification Direction Assistance
14:40 Training students to use phones. Most parents and teachers only focus on what NOT to do on phones but don’t train youth on how to use phones.
16:00 Digital reading vs print reading.
29:00 Examples of how to train youth to do digital scripture study. It’s not just about showing them which buttons to push but showing them why they are doing it. Give it value. Focus on where am I doing this, when am I doing this, and why am I doing this.
32:15 Modeling - show me, don’t tell me.
36:50 Simplifying - the gospel library has made it possible for members to create QR codes so that you can easily share specific parts of talks or scriptures. It simplifies the process and makes it easy for an entire class to scan the code and get to the quote quickly.
44:45 Examples of simplifying. Be very redundant in your instructions.
48:20 Brandon gives specific tips and phrases to use in your church classes as you guide your class in using the Gospel Library app.
55:20 Assist - this principle is more for youth teachers. Let students use paper or cellphones in their gospel study. Let them make the choice. You are to assist them in their learning, not exercise power over them. Links Stimulating More Personal Revelation in Your Ward With the Gospel Library App | An Interview with Richard Bernard The Teaching Saints Virtual Conference Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Darren Bush is a husband, father, and paddler who advocates outdoor activities to feel the Spirit. Darren served a mission to southern Italy, met his wife, Stephanie, at Brigham Young University, and completed degrees in Italian and Psychology at University of Wisconsin–Madison after discovering it was the best place in the world. After completing a master's degree at the University of Rochester the family moved back to Wisconsin where he eventually bought Rutabaga Paddlesports. He has previously served as a Primary teacher and nursery leader, elders quorum and Young Men president, ward missionary, high councilor, in a young single adult bishopric, and as an executive secretary and financial clerk. He currently serves as Bishop Darren and loves every individual he meets. Highlights 3:15 Darren’s story of how he was called to be a bishop. He doesn’t feel like the typical bishop.
5:55 Darren’s ward dynamic having both an English and Spanish ward combined.
15:15 Principle One - Ignore everything administrative and delegate to counselors
The bishop’s main focus should be spirituality not administration. The principles of leadership are the same in business and in the church. Everyone has their different roles. Everything is under the direction of the bishop but that doesn’t mean he has to be involved in everything.
18:45 "What do you think?" is the best question that a bishop can ask.
21:15 Stories of being a bishop and loving others. Darren adapts to his members. He meets many of the members in Mexican restaurants and creates meaningful relationships with them outside of the bishop’s office.
27:00 Guilt and shame don’t help people change their behavior
27:30 Principle Two - Hug every widow before sacrament meeting
Pay attention to those that are in the overflow or out in the foyer. Make sure they know that they are noticed.
31:15 Principle Three - Teach the doctrine of the Atonement as central to the gospel
We are all broken together The atonement is Plan A and there is no Plan B.
32:30 Pornography is never the root cause of the problem but a symptom of the problem. Help the individual understand the root cause of their pornography addiction.
34:45 Learn how to pray or you won’t be able to use the Atonement effectively in your life.
How personal are your prayers? How do you talk to God? Trying to hide from God is not using the atonement.
41:20 Principle Four - love everyone, no exceptions
45:50 Loving people is seeing them
47:00 The handbook is great but it’s general. It’s there to guide you but it's not a book of commandments. Do what's best for your members. Links Rutabaga Paddlesports Canoelover blog Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Kirk Weisler is a leadership coach and trainer focused on team building and culture training. He is currently Chief Morale Officer for companies and organizations around the globe, offering coaching, keynote addresses, and workshops. A past leader of the National Speakers Association, Kirk is a master team builder and a professional storyteller, and has been a part of seven start-ups. He previously served in the 19th Special Forces and as a US Army Ranger. Kirk and his wife have been married over 30 years, have six children, and reside in Gilbert, Arizona.
Highlights 3:30 Thoughts on becoming a bishop.
7:20 Implementing a positive culture in your ward.
14:00 Examples of implementing positive culture. Give people a story to tell.
24:30 How do you actually apply this principle of implementing positive culture? What are the actionable steps?
30:00 Example of creating moments and positive culture.
32:00 Unite your presidencies. It’s not enough just to go and do your calling but it’s about creating unity between leaders.
35:00 Ask your members what their dream calling is. What are their talents and strengths? Give them a chance to give input.
38:30 Another way to create positive church culture is to eliminate the shame that people have about their sins. Help them see how amazing they really are. We are not our sins.
42:15 Shifting culture is about shifting the traditions and rituals. These things are not a part of our doctrine.
44:45 Culture has momentum. In order to change culture we have to slow things down.
49:00 Story of removing shame and playing with nerf guns. Links kirkweisler.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Nick Greer has been interested in all kinds of business and helping others his entire life. After serving a mission in Romania, Nick finished a degree in Finance at Brigham Young University and later shared his business-building passion as an adjunct professor. He has started multiple businesses, including Skipio–a customer-messaging platform—and Built Bar—low-calorie, high-protein bars that taste like candy. Nick and his wife, Deborah, also created the Five12 Foundation that provides a weekend meal backpack that feeds thousands of children in his community every week. Over 50,000 bags of food will be provided to kids this school year. Nick and Deborah have seven children, who Nick loves to travel and spend time with. He is currently serving as a bishop. Highlights 4:45 Nick’s principle of "Me too doesn’t work". You can’t do the work the same way that it has always been done.
12:30 We are scared to do things differently. If you are comfortable, maybe you need to get a little uncomfortable. If you are safe then maybe you need to get a little unsafe.
15:15 Nick’s "Attack mode" means to be able to attack anything at any time. Letting go of tradition and accepting change. Be ready to act.
18:45 Nick’s attack mode and how it applies to our church callings.
21:00 Culture is everything. It makes you feel something.
24:00 Do we have a culture of love in our wards? Do people feel love when they walk in the doors?
30:00 Dealing with conflict in leadership.
32:30 Belief structures and creating wins for everyone.
43:30 The Bishop’s main focus is on the young men and young women.
47:30 Help the youth have a vision and rise up. Let them paint the vision but you help them make the plan and explain the why.
49:30 There are two types of leadership: Transactional leadership and transformational leadership.
51:30 Let youth paint their vision and then they will fight for it. If you do it for them then they will most likely resist it.
52:15 How Nick delegates as a bishop and relies on the Relief Society president and the elders quorum president so that he has time for his family.
54:00 The most important part of repentance is willingness to talk and change. Links Built.com Skipio.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Evan Fitzpatrick is the founder of the Come Follow Me App. He is a husband and father of four girls, and for the past ten years has served in several bishoprics and with the young men. Professionally, Evan works for Bain Capital helping to lead the firm's efforts to drive growth and transformation in their portfolio companies. Highlights 1:30 Evan created the Come Follow Me app.
4:15 How the Come Follow Me app came about
9:15 Other communities/religions are driving innovation and creating apps. Why aren’t we?
13:00 The Come Follow Me app is directed towards members that struggle with the habit of daily scripture study. Even if the study is 5 to 15 minutes.
14:15 The most popular part of the app is the verse of the day that is accompanied by a story.
15:30 Another feature of the app is the devotional section. It’s designed to do it with someone else.
16:25 Another large part of the app is pulling content from many different creators. Lessons for adults and kids.
25:00 “The quality of your life largely depends on the quality of your questions.” What’s the question that you are trying to answer?
27:00 Whatever leadership role you have you should be asking a lot of questions. Focus on asking questions, not giving answers. Questions help you get input from others.
28:30 Asking questions in context of marriage and children
31:00 Questions to ask your kids
32:45 It can be effective to ask questions in advance. For example, if you are having a meeting then ask the question a few days in advance so that people actually have time to ponder it.
37:30 What do the members of my class or organization need right now? It’s not about what you want to share but what they want and need.
41:45 Evan’s favorite question: How would I rather be wrong?
45:45 Where am I giving my best self?
47:15 Ministering should come first and administration second.
50:00 How would my view change if I knew another person was acting rationally and had good intentions? Links ComeFollowMeFoundation.org Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Elder J. Devn Cornish is an Emeritus member of the First Quorum of the Seventy. He was sustained as a General Authority Seventy on April 2, 2011, and granted emeritus status on October 2, 2021. A newborn intensive care physician, he was a professor, chairman, and later vice chairman in the Department of Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. He was also president and chief executive officer of the pediatric practice plan at Emory Healthcare.
In the Church, Elder Cornish has served in numerous callings, including full-time missionary in the Guatemala–El Salvador Mission, bishop, stake president, area seventy, and president of the Dominican Republic Santiago Mission. During his tenure as a general authority, Elder Cornish served as a counselor and as president of the Caribbean Area, headquartered in the Dominican Republic, as a counselor in the North America Southwest area presidency, and as an assistant executive director of the Church History Department and of the Correlation Department, among other assignments at Church headquarters.
Elder Cornish and his wife Elaine are the parents of six children and 32 grandchildren. Elaine Cornish passed away from cancer in June of 2019. Elder Cornish married Rosanne Brown in May of 2021 and they live in Salt Lake City, Utah. Highlights 5:00 Elder Cornish’s first experience being an elders quorum president in inner-city Baltimore and what he learned
6:20 Elder Cornish’s "look in the mirror" principle
Problems have an origin. Get to the root of the problem.
11:20 Creating a plan for your area, ward, or organization
What is your purpose? What is your process? Who are your people? What are your fundamental principles?
12:20 6 key principles for leadership
Keep the wheels on and the trains running Don’t do dumb things It’s not about you Take care of your people Mind the dollars Nurture purpose and joy
13:20 Principle of "keep the wheels on and trains running"
You don’t need to make big changes in the first months. It’s a time to get to know your people and encourage them.
17:00 Principle of taking care of your people.
The key to the ninety-nine is the one. Strengthening the outlier strengthens everyone in the ward.
18:45 Principle: It’s not about you.
The only credible motivation is real love and the only effective method is ministering. Don’t do things to get credit. It doesn’t matter who is right but what is right.
27:00 Principle of "don’t do dumb things"
Don’t try to be a one man show.
33:30 What do you do when you can’t trust your counselors?
Treat them the way the Savior treated his disciples. Lean on his strengths and help him with his weaknesses.
39:00 Principle of "minding the dollars"
Money should be used to build people and create meaningful experiences. It’s not to maintain traditions. The money of the church is not something that we are entitled to but something that we are responsible for.
40:00 Advice for minding the dollars when it comes to helping the poor and needy.
Is this a relief situation or a development situation? How much responsibility does this person have for getting themselves into this situation? Are you doing something for them that they can and should do for themselves? Are you increasing their capacity to help themselves?
48:00 Nurture purpose and joy
If people don’t feel purpose and joy in the church and in their callings then they will start to go elsewhere to look for it.
57:00 Elder Cornish’s advice on preparing and giving talks
1:00:00 The most dangerous thing that a Bishop can do is to want to be liked. Please the Lord, not the people. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
There are many reasons to start a ward podcast. It allows individuals to hear the real stories of those they worship with. This naturally creates a deeper level of unity in the ward which stimulates success on many levels.
In this episode, Kurt Francom gives you a rough outline of how a ward could develop a ward podcast at no cost. Links: Canva Audacity Auphonics Ward Podcast Handout Template
Kerry Muhlestein is a professor and director of research in the Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, and also the director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project. He has taught in the history department of three universities and has been part of award-winning history publications. He received his BS in psychology with a Hebrew minor from BYU, his MA in Ancient Near Eastern studies from BYU, and his PhD from UCLA in Egyptology. He and his wife, Julianne, are the parents of six children. His latest book, Let's Talk about the Book of Abraham, is for people who have sincere questions and are seeking answers.
Highlights 3:30 Kerry has a new book out with Deseret Book called, Let’s Talk about the Book of Abraham. His book is designed to be very readable and understandable.
7:00 Summary and background of the Book of Abraham.
11:45 There are two main theories surrounding the papyri.
The missing papyrus theory The catalyst theory
18:45 Kerry’s advice on how to address member concerns about the Book of Abraham.
20:00 Methods of learning
The academic method The revelatory method
22:00 The academic method of learning is not reliable. Academics are always changing. We are always finding out that we were wrong. The revelatory method is much more reliable. Both methods should be pursued.
26:00 Leaders should not discourage people from studying through academic books. However, they also must spend equal time searching the scriptures and seeking revelation.
28:00 Write down your revelatory experiences. Write down your testimony and how you know Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon is true. If you have a testimony of those core beliefs then it can help you remember when you have times of doubt on other controversial topics.
31:45 It’s ok for people to have questions and to wrestle with their faith. Leaders need to validate people that have questions and guide them on their journey. It’s not about telling them that they are wrong.
34:45 What do people struggle with when it comes to the Book of Abraham?
37:45 What connection did Abraham have with Egypt that his writings would end up with a mummy?
49:30 Let’s not get waylaid by the complicated issues that we find with the Book of Abraham but continue to be open and seek revelation.
51:45 God really wanted us to have the Book of Abraham. It was miraculous how it ended up in the hands of Joseph Smith.
52:40 How to approach the Pearl of Great Price this coming year in your Come Follow Me study.
What can or should I get out of this book? What is the restoration perspective that I gain from this? What wouldn’t I understand without these books? What do these books teach me about my relationship with God?
Links OutoftheDust.org Let's Talk About the Book of Abraham Leading People into the Abrahamic Covenant | An Interview with Kerry Muhlestein Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Please consider contributing to Leading Saints to help us in the coming year. See details HERE.
What are the most popular podcast episodes from Leading Saints? Listen to this short episode for clips from 2021's ten most-downloaded podcasts from Leading Saints.
Jamee Adams & Jody Streurer - Speak Up, Sister! Ryan Gottfredson - Success Mindsets Andrea Lystrup - When Church is a Burden Jennifer Reeder - Women Leaders in Church History Ryan Gottfredson - The Research Behind Becoming Christlike Mark Mathews - Understanding Priesthood Keys in Leadership DeAnna Murphy - Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews Michael Goodman - The Doctrine Related to Being Single or Married Steve Shields - Helping Individuals Heal Through Therapy Bruce Chang - How I Lead in a Mission Presidency
Honorable Mention: Gary Miller - From Baptist Preacher to Latter-day Saint
Wow!
Talk about some great interviews!
Make sure you listen to each one (twice!)
And we can’t step away from the podcast statistics without looking at the overall statistics.
Here are the 10 most downloaded episodes of all-time.
Rob Ferrell John Hilton III Barbara Morgan Gardner David Butler Jason Hunt Tony Overbay Kurt Francom (never heard of him) Group of SSA Women The Power of Stillness Authors DeAnna Murphy
Another list of episodes that would be worth your time.
Here’s to even more fantastic interviews in 2022.
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast.
Please consider contributing to Leading Saints to help us in the coming year. See details HERE.
I am often asked where people can find a list of books that all Latter-day Saint leaders should read.
So, I’ve gone back to my library and looked at all the books I have read and made a list of recommendations.
I created a page at LeadingSaints.org that lists all these books and I hope to keep it updated.
I’ve organized the list into specific categories and ranked them in the order I would recommend people read them in that category.
One book on this list is not better than another.
They are brilliant in their own way.
Some books are mentioned in multiple categories.
And, of course, it goes without saying that canonized scriptures and words from living prophets are always recommended resources even though they are not listed here.
Personal Development - These are books I would recommend to leaders who are simply trying to become more well-rounded in their approach to life which would naturally lead to them improving their leadership capacity.
Leading an Organization - These are books I would recommend for leaders who are striving to improve their ability to lead a group or organization. Some are more helpful for specific leadership roles.
Repentance & Engaging in the Gospel - These are books I would recommend to anyone who is looking to engage more deeply in the gospel of Jesus Christ (that’s just another way of saying repentance). All leaders should read these books but they should also consider recommending them to individuals they lead who are struggling to engage in the gospel (or, in other words, who are struggling to repent). Their focus is diverse; some are focused on helping people overcome pornography, while others are focused on helping individuals who are questioning their faith.
I am forgetting some books, so let me know what books you would add to the list.
See the full book list at LeadingSaints.org/books
[Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast]
Dan Duckworth is a disciple, family man, and changemaker. As a teacher and coach, he guides elite leaders to the top of their game. He's the author of Stop Asking Why: Your Purpose is Self-Evident, a frequent contributor to Leading Saints, and a member of its Board of Directors. Kurt Francom is the Executive Director of Leading Saints.
In this podcast, Kurt and Dan open up the conversation to address leadership issues stemming from political and social tensions in the world.
Highlights 6:30 Scenario: A Relief Society President is worried about the political dynamic and divide in her ward due to COVID-19.
11:15 Politics are beginning to affect our church experience. There is starting to be a division in many wards. Leaders should bring up the problems and open up discussion instead of being passive.
19:45 Political issues are not only creating problems in our wards but also in families.
21:30 Leaders try to avoid having conflict and keep the peace. As leaders we want to be peacemakers but we need to be changemakers. Many times making trouble and change can bring about peace.
26:30 How do we go about addressing these political issues?
Open up discussion with the whole group despite the discomfort. It’s so important to listen to each other. Be authentic. Talk about feelings opposed to "I’m right and you’re wrong". There may be a need to talk to specific people privately about political comments.
29:50 Start having consistent, open conversations. Don’t wait for a huge issue to have the conversations. Our classes at church should be a place to connect and be open.
31:00 There will be situations that you need to address with the community but there might also be situations where it might be more appropriate to address an individual one-on-one.
32:30 How to set boundaries with members who create tension and make politically motivated comments at church.
37:50 Our goal is not just to censor or shut someone down to avoid conflict but it’s to help them grow and create unity in the ward.
40:45 When bringing up issues in class, the goal of the leader is not to talk at people but to invite others to join the conversation.
44:20 Conclusion: There is no right answer to dealing with these leadership challenges. Keep praying and learning. Links Clarifying Values PDF, from The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris Sheri Dew - “Will You Engage in the Wrestle?” Connect with Dan at https://danduckworth.net Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Find all the details about how to contribute to Leading Saints and also how to become a Core Leader by visiting LeadingSaints.org/donate
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Richard Bernard, the author of Digital Scripture Study for The Busy Latter-day Saint, has taught classes on using the Gospel Library for BYU Education Week and has also been a guest speaker in Utah, California, Arizona, and Texas. He recently taught three classes on journaling at RootsTech 2021. Richard is also the host of the Busy Latter-day Saint podcast, interviewing church members throughout the United States about their approach to studying the scriptures. In April 2021 he was called to serve an indefinite mission as a consultant in the Priesthood and Family Department, helping the Gospel Library and scripture study become more prominent in the lives of church members.
In this podcast, Richard and Kurt talk about the powerful tools in the Gospel Library app and how leaders can help stimulate revelatory study experiences.
Highlights 10:50 General Church leaders have two purposes for the Gospel Library app.
Provide members with digital offline access to scriptures, hymns, and talks. Facilitate revelatory experiences and get them recorded.
12:00 The point of scripture study is revelation. If you want revelation you have to study and you have to write. Elder Scott said, “Your pen is the antenna to revelation.”
13:00 Everyone has different circumstances and time to study. God will bless you for your effort and the time that you can put in. Put in the time to get daily revelation.
14:15 How can we make our scripture study effective?
Start with a prayer Come with a question Pay attention to words that pop out to you. Slow down your study. Read for understanding
17:00 The Gospel Library is a very powerful tool. All your resources are in one place. It’s a personal Liahona.
20:15 Important features in the app
Make notes Tagging Linking Screens (like tabs) Notebooks
24:00 The importance of tagging. Tagging is a way to take a scripture and assign it to a topic.
31:00 You can link conference talks to scriptures or videos.
32:10 The app also has a notebook section to take notes and create talks.
33:40 Leaders should be using the Gospel Library and model for others. The way to get others to use it is by leading by example.
37:00 How do you help the youth use the Gospel Library?
38:15 Richard gives advice to youth leaders and ways to use the Gospel Library app in their classes.
40:45 The key with the youth is not to take the device away but to use the devices to get them more involved with the gospel and receive revelation.
55:30 Widgets for the Gospel Library app. Links The Busy Latter-day Saint Digital Scripture Study for The Busy Latter-day Saint Email questions or request to Richard at help@thebusylatterdaysaint.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Steve Hitz describes himself as a Baby Boomer with a Millennial heart. He studies, thinks like, celebrates, and advises what he calls “a great new generation.” As a company founder, president, and CEO, he employed more than 10,000 Millennials; he has also served as a young single adult bishop. Steve is a founding member of Launching Leaders Worldwide Inc., a faith-based nonprofit leadership program which helps young adults examine their lives, determine where they are now, where they want to be, and how to create their future while embracing their faith. Steve and his wife Ginger are blessed with three sons, two daughters, and eleven beloved grandchildren.
In this podcast, Kurt and Steve discuss how to address the concerns of the rising generation.
Highlights 2:45 Launching Leaders is an online personal leadership course. It’s facilitated by youth to empower youth.
7:20 How to address the concerns of the rising generation.
Loneliness Connecting with God
9:30 Lessons Steve has learned from his cows and his coming alongside theory.
10:50 Example of coming alongside theory. We need to lead, not force.
16:30 Steve quotes President Nelson, “Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, how he feels about you and your mission here on earth.”
17:30 What’s more important than knowing our true identity?
19:15 How can youth leaders help their youth with knowing their identity?
22:00 As teachers we want to have everything planned out to the minute. Plans are great but following the spirit is more important. Be vulnerable and trust the spirit.
25:15 Young people believe they can live compartmentalized lives. They have their church life, school life, etc. Many youth are unhappy because of this.
32:00 Steve talks about the things that he has learned in his studies and working with youth.
Implement and learn the doctrine come alongside theory Allow youth to discover their own answers even if it’s different from ours. Let them progress and use their free agency.
34:00 Relationships are the key to everything. Youth today don’t want us to tell them what to do but they want us to listen.
35:20 Give space to your youth so that they can find their identity.
37:40 Giving people love is more important than trying to push religion on them. Creating loving relationships is the most important thing.
39:30 Opportunities to share the gospel come when we have a foundation of community and deep relationships.
45:50 Steve’s final encouragement on how leaders can connect with youth. Links Launching Leaders Launching Leaders: An Empowering Journey for a New Generation Steve's articles and previous podcast at LeadingSaints.org Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in August 2017.
Bennett and Becky Borden are a married couple who both experience same-sex attraction and who were both in same-sex marriages and relationships for many years prior to returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and prior to their marriage to each other. Bennett and Becky both grew up in the South in active LDS families. They met about 30 years ago when Bennett was a young man and served his mission in Becky's ward. Bennett became close with Becky's family and over they years they have remained friends. In their early 20s, both Bennett and Becky came out as gay, left the Church and went on to live a gay lifestyle for many years.
After many years away they each decided separately they wanted to come back to the Church. They met up at Becky's family reunion and knew they should get married. Returning to church attendance, they were married and after a time had their blessings restored and were sealed in the temple. A lot can be learned and gained from their amazing journey, their relationships, their faith transitions, their interactions with family and church leaders, and their spiritual experiences. Highlights 3:15 Bennett's upbringing 5:00 Becky's upbringing 7:30 Bennett's close relationship with Becky's family 8:00 After his mission, Bennett's first marriage to a woman 9:30 Bennett lives a gay lifestyle and stops going to church 10:30 Becky's journey coming out as gay 13:30 Their relationships with God as they left the church and lived the gay lifestyle 14:30 Bennett's experience studying other religions 16:00 Becky's experience joining several other churches 18:00 What can we learn from our crises of faith? 19:00 Every relationship has goodness to them 20:30 "The light and love of God shines everywhere"/Growth can happen even as we are lost 22:00 Becky's excommunication and the blessing of it 24:30 The thing that brought them back to the gospel 26:00 Bennett's same sex relationship and what brought him back 28:20 Becky and where she was as Bennett's relationship ended 31:00 Leaders and family members and how they reached out to Bennett and Becky while they were living a gay lifestyle 34:00 Love within church membership councils 35:30 Bennett and Becky's friendship as they came back to the church 44:00 How to reconcile thoughts of going back to the church with being gay 45:00 Reading the scriptures assuming it's all true 48:00 Bennett and Becky decision to get married 50:00 Becky's experience meeting with her bishop to discuss coming back to church 53:20 Bennett's experience meeting with his bishop to discuss coming back to church 56:15 How Satan worked to keep them from coming back 57:00 Their marriage by a bishop in Washington D.C. 58:45 Bennett's ex-husband Richard joined the church 1:02:30 How to pray for a child with same sex attraction 1:08:00 How can leaders use Northstar to help them 1:09:00 Message to individuals wanting to come back to the church Links North Star Bennett & Becky's North Star Conference Keynote Bennett & Becky would love to connect with anyone who has questions or needs further support. You can reach them at their joint email: Bennettandbecky@gmail.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Jay Stringer is a therapist, author, and public speaker. He guides men and women to overcome unwanted sexual behaviors, and to discover how their story is shaping unwanted sexual behavior or betrayal trauma. He grew up as the son of a Protestant minister in the Presbyterian church, holds a master of Divinity and masters of Counseling Psychology, and is an ordained minister.
Steven Shields, ACMHC CET1, is a therapist who acts as a guide to help others heal from trauma and addiction. As founder of Unashamed Unafraid, a non-profit organization, he hosts the podcast that shares hope for sexual addiction recovery. Unashamed funds scholarships for people to go to retreats and receive therapy. Steve works in his private practice in Salt Lake City, at OnSite in Nashville Tennessee, and at the Oaks in San Diego California doing trauma intensives and workshops. His favorite event to speak at is the WarriorHeart Bootcamp every year. Steve is unofficially the biggest Leading Saints and “KF” fan!
In this podcast episode, Kurt and co-host Steve speak with Jay about how leaders can best provide help and guidance to those who have been affected by unwanted sexual behaviors.
Jay Stringer Steve Shields Highlights 6:15 How can leaders help members with sexual brokenness? Leaders should stop trying to ‘manage’ the problem but try to help the member find the core problem.
8:10 Unwanted sexual behavior is a roadmap to healing, not a life sentence to sexual shame or sexual addition.
9:30 Leaders need to listen to the stories and experiences that are behind the unwanted behavior.
13:30 Invite people to take authorship and authority over their unwanted behaviors. It’s so much more than ripping out their behavior from their life. Behaviors and addictions come from somewhere much deeper.
17:00 Many people turn to unhealthy sexual behavior or porn because they lack purpose.
17:45 How can a leader create space to listen? Stories are what change the human heart. Stop the practical suggestions because they are not going to work.
20:10 Jay gives a list of questions that can help leaders in interviews. These questions will lead to stories and help the member connect the dots between the current unwanted sexual behavior and the past pain or underlying story.
22:30 You don’t have to be a therapist but a safe place for people to share their stories. People don’t always need suggestions but someone that has compassion for them.
30:00 How do you help members come to you to confess and talk about the problems they are having?
34:15 Shame convinces people to stay silent about their sexual brokenness. Leaders need to normalize talking about sex and porn.
40:45 Share your scars, not your wounds, when you are in leadership. Be vulnerable to share your scars and experiences too. God wants us to share our stories.
42:30 This is not just a men’s issue but a human issue. Many women are also viewing pornography and having affairs.
47:30 While connection and community are very important to recovery and healing it’s also very important to take time alone. You have to learn to sit with yourself and not just try to distract yourself all the time.
53:00 How can we find the right community? Links UnashamedUnafraid.com Unwanted: How Sexual Brokenness Reveals Our Way to Healing The Journey Course Kintsugi pottery jay-stringer.com Instagram @jay_stringer_ Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Blair Hodges is host, producer, and editor of the Fireside podcast and works as a communications manager for a non profit in Salt Lake City. He served a mission in Wisconsin and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications (journalism) at the University of Utah and a master’s degree in religious studies at Georgetown University. Blair hosted the Maxwell Institute Podcast for eight years and has served many years as a Sunday School President and Sunday School instructor. He loves reading, family time, weekend napping, the Utah Jazz, and living in Salt Lake City. Highlights 9:00 Blair talks about being a liberal in a very conservative church.
12:00 How can leaders help everyone feel welcome despite having different views?
14:40 Leaders need to address tattletale culture. Instead of going to the bishop to complain, go directly to the person you have a problem with.
19:00 What is doctrine?
24:30 We all mingle the doctrine of men with scripture. We all see doctrine a little differently. We don’t have to be so rigid in our views but be open to new ways of thinking.
26:15 It’s a strength to hold space for uncertainty and let go of the need to be certain about everything.
31:15 Discussion of apologetics
46:30 The most important thing that a leader can do is provide a welcoming space for everyone. Give people space to disagree or to have questions. What matters is finding common ground. A leader can change the whole dynamic of their ward.
50:25 People become disaffected from the church. Meaning that many people come to feel unloved and disconnected. Feelings are the root of it all.
55:40 Our love and relationship with others shouldn’t be contingent on whether they stay in the church or not.
56:30 What does it look like to love someone without trying to change them?
56:45 Blair encourages leaders to get familiar with other resources and entities to help them get familiar with different situations. Examples: read a book from the Maxwell Institute, listen to podcasts, presentation from a FAIR Conference, BYU studies, read a couple of Dialogue articles, etc.
58:45 Even general authorities have different views on things. We don’t always have to agree. Some choose to defend their faith aggressively and others passively. The key is to be charitably peaceful. Links Fireside with Blair Hodges Maxwell Institute Podcast FAIR Faith Matters BYU Studies Dialogue Sunstone Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Gene R. Chidester served a mission in Argentina and has since served as a bishop, branch president, high councilor, stake president's counselor, mission president in Uruguay, and Area Seventy. He is a BYU fan, husband, father, grandfather, the owner of Evince Naturals, and producer for the Latter-day Lives podcast. Gene and his wife Robyn live in North Salt Lake, Utah.
In this podcast, Kurt and Gene discuss what leadership is and the key leadership processes Gene has used in his church service. Highlights 9:45 Gene defines leadership as a process of exerting social influence over others. This process can be learned, studied, observed, and trained. That is why anyone can be a leader.
10:40 Attributes of a leader. D&C 121:41-42.
11:50 Key leadership process one - A leader needs to create a vision, mentally and verbally, for their followers. What is your vision for your organization or ward? How can you convey that vision to others?
13:50 Key leadership process two - Create a shared plan that can help you get to your outcome. It’s not just the leader’s plan. Everyone in the organization should contribute to the plan.
15:00 Delegation. The leader has the responsibility for setting clear expectations. Such as: who will carry out the plan, time frame, provide appropriate resources, and follow up consistently.
16:00 Key leadership process three - Develop appropriate measures and metrics. Measures to track performance and progress.
17:30 Example of how to carry out a plan.
20:20 Key leadership process number four - When appropriate, celebrate successes.
22:00 Leadership gives power and influence. It can lead to either unrighteous dominion or righteous dominion. D&C 121:39.
27:00 In leadership meetings, set aside calendaring and administration. Come prepared to talk about specific individuals and their needs. Who needs ordinances done?
32:15 Communication councils play a vital role in connecting stakes to other faiths.
37:15 Gene’s approach to zone conferences when he was a Mission President.
45:00 Gene’s advice to prepare leaders for a visiting seventy. A seventy is not there to judge the meeting but to help the stake or ward.
47:00 Gene talks about his experience giving out callings. It’s not about who has the best church resume or who is the best prepared. Let God inspire you because it’s His calling, not yours. Links The Latter-day Lives Podcast Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Dr. Frantz Belot is co-founder of Tyfoom, an engagement mobile-first platform that documents and improves communication, productivity, and training. He is also a co-founder of Tech Trep Academy, a tuition-free, public school program tailored to the unique needs of each student. He worked as an executive with Imagine Learning, which provides a complete suite of adaptive digital curriculum and assessment solutions for PreK–8 in language development, and was instrumental in helping the company to a successful acquisition.
Frantz is a native of Haiti and was raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He obtained his PhD from Brigham Young University in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Behavior, and his entrepreneurial spirit permeates all aspects of life. He’s passionate about helping people access education and training so they can positively impact their lives, businesses, and communities for good. He and his wife Brandi are joyfully raising their five sons in Mapleton, Utah.
In this podcast, Kurt and Frantz discuss the principles that Frantz has learned from his professional life, along with his experience as a bishop and counselor in a stake presidency.
Highlights
12:00 A bishop presides over a ward but his mission is to help “the one.” Frantz always tried to go out and visit the members to help him focus on individuals.
13:20 Kurt and Frantz discuss how to schedule visits with the members and how Frantz went about visiting.
18:00 What Frantz has learned as he has been transitioning from a bishop to the stake presidency.
20:00 Stake and ward dynamics. Stake leaders should counsel with ward leaders before making decisions. Ward and stake leaders should be working together.
24:15 Counsel with one another to create the best outcomes.
25:00 Our Heavenly Father established councils. Members can receive more inspiration about planning and coordinating the Lord’s work.
26:30 Learn your duties and responsibilities. Use the handbook more to learn and know the purpose of each organization.
34:30 Seek to love, unify, and lift others.
38:45 How do we unify? One way is to counsel and not have one person dominate the conversation. Each person listens respectfully to one another.
43:00 There is no person that is the fountain of all knowledge.
43:30 You are a representative of Jesus Christ. Understand the nature of the savior and do your best. He can make up the rest.
46:40 You are not representing yourself in a meeting but the savior Jesus Christ.
48:10 The greatest leader is the greatest servant. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Audrey Perry Martin is the CEO and founder of Project Elect, a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on getting women members of the Church more involved in public service. She is a California-based election law expert with over 15 years of experience, including extensive presidential election involvement as deputy general counsel at Romney for President and FEC Counsel at John McCain 2008. Audrey has worked at the Federal Election Commission, for Congress, and at private law firms in Washington, D.C. and California. She taught election law at Brigham Young University law school and serves as the vice president for communications and California chapter chair for the Republican National Lawyers Association. Audrey received her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor's degree in political science and journalism from BYU. She has appeared on numerous national and international media outlets, including Fox News and NPR. Audrey grew up in Utah, is the mother of three daughters, and lives in Rocklin, California. She's served in many capacities in the Church, including as Primary president, in the Young Womens presidency, and in lots of teaching callings.
Rachelle Price serves on the Project Elect Board of Directors and is a small business owner and mother of five. After being unanimously appointed to her local school district board of education in 2019, she was elected in 2020 to a four year term as school board trustee and is currently serving as the vice president. In addition, Rachelle is a delegate on the California School Board Association and director on her local educational foundation. She has spent years as a community and school volunteer. Some of her favorite experiences include being part of site and district strategic planning committees and coaching her local special needs baseball team. Originally from Idaho, Rachelle holds a bachelor of science degree from BYU and resides with her husband and children in Rocklin, California. She has served in many capacities in the church, but her favorite callings have been stake girls camp hike leader and ward choir director. Rachelle currently serves as the stake communication assistant director.
In this podcast, Rachelle and Audrey help us understand why it is important for women to run for office and get involved in their communities.
Rachelle Price Audrey Perry Martin Highlights 3:30 Project Elect is a non partisan and non-profit organization. Their mission is to help more Latter-day Saint women get elected in public service.
4:20 Reasons why women should run:
They are asked to by their leaders Because their communities need them
8:15 Women can use the skills that they use in their church callings to help contribute to their communities.
11:45 Project Elect helps support, encourage, and train Latter-day Saint women to help them run for office.
16:00 How can a bishop help?
21:40 Should women who are elected also have a calling?
23:30 Community service is a great opportunity for those who have been released from a calling and still want to get involved.
25:00 How can women find somewhere to serve?
Each community is different and you have to get out and find opportunities. We have to step up as individuals even when we are unsure of what to do.
28:30 Everyone is busy but you can find small ways to serve.
29:45 There are seasons in a woman’s life. Some seasons you will have more time than others. Do what you can in the season that you are in.
31:30 Many are concerned about the time it will take away from their families to serve in their communities. However, you can actually include your family in what you are doing. By serving and speaking up in your community you are teaching your children to do the same. Lead by example.
36:40 We need bridge builders and peacemakers in a time of contention and drama. Latter-day Saint women know how to lead by lifting up others.
Ryan Addams was an active duty Air Force Pilot for ten years before he started his current job as an airline pilot, and continued as a pilot in the Air Force Reserve until his retirement in 2018. He served in the Chile Santiago South mission and graduated from Brigham Young University in International Relations and Aerospace Studies. He has served as a branch president, bishopric counselor, stake presidency counselor, and is currently serving for the second time as a bishop. Ryan and his wife Kristina live in the Phoenix, Arizona area with their two sons.
In this podcast, Kurt and Ryan discuss how Ryan leads as a bishop while traveling frequently as an airline pilot.
Highlights 8:00 Ryan is gone three to four days a week as a pilot. He has to decide which activities and meetings are most important to attend.
11:20 Let God make your weakness strong. A weakness doesn’t always mean a sin or transgression but working through the problems that you face on a daily basis. Ryan’s schedule and professional life are a weakness that he has had to make a strength.
15:30 Ryan has a global bishop’s office. He sets up appointments through zoom and is still able to meet with members and stay connected no matter where he is.
17:00 Ryan uses down time in his schedule to prepare talks and lessons or review rosters for callings.
20:45 Ryan talks about what his family dynamic looks like being a pilot. Traveling has its downsides but he also finds ways to bless his family.
22:45 Technology and apps that help Ryan with his calling and professional life.
24:30 Ryan uses group texts to stay connected to the members of his bishopric and keep track of the Lord’s work.
31:00 If the bishop is gone, still have your meetings. The ward still needs to function and stick with a routine.
36:25 The bishop is not 911. Many people think that if you have a problem that they need the bishop immediately and treat the situation as an emergency. The bishop will need to treat the situation with love but redirect the member.
42:20 Be a PhD-level delegator.
Learn about the talents and skills of your ward council. What can they do best? Know your audience (ward council). Everyone has a different experience level. You might have to work with new leaders a little more and give more specific instructions.
48:00 Example of delegating and trusting the members of your ward council.
53:20 Delegation helps you prioritize as a bishop.
57:15 Analyzing Mark 6. Remember that God will make up the difference. Links What Seek Ye? How the Questions of Jesus Lead Us to Him Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in November 2018.
Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, and previously taught Seminary and Institute for 13 years. With an early interest in art he obtained a BFA from the University of Utah before pursuing religious education, earning an M.Ed in curriculum and instruction and a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction from Utah State University. His sustained interest and skill in art provides him an avenue of expression that he often blends into his teaching of religion, especially by painting previously-undepicted church history scenes. Dr. Sweat is the author of several books and a regular speaker at Latter-day Saint events and conferences. He and his wife Cindy are the parents of seven children. Highlights 07:20 Discussion of what constitutes official Church doctrine? Doctrine of Christ; other doctrines.
10:23 Culture or doctrine?
13:00 Where do we find doctrine? Church handbooks, standard works, official correlated Church publications; Family Proclamation. Multiple witness concept versus “outliers.” Unanimous (by the Brethren) declarations. Cohesive, cumulative statements from Church leaders acting as the Lord’s agents. Reference to D&C 107:27.
19:00 Types of doctrines. 2011 official Church statement during the campaign season involving presidential candidate Mitt Romney. What about a single statement by a single leader on a single occasion—binding? Avoid pitting one general authority against another. Are some doctrines more important than others? Are core doctrines unchangeable? What are “supportive doctrines” according to the model (four rings) developed by Dr. Sweat and his colleagues? Can faithful members have differing views on supportive doctrines? Progressing in the next life? Discussion of policies or doctrines that are authoritative, timely and unique to a given time period. Are they “mere policies?” Can they be clarified/amplified?
30:13 Don’t try to get ahead of or undercut prophets/revelators. Scriptures authenticate that God honors His prophets. Example of tribes of Israel that were required to wait to receive the priesthood. Orthodox today but heterodox tomorrow. Brigham Young said Section 76 was a “great trial” to him, but he did not reject it and later understood.
33:42 Fourth ring: “Esoteric doctrine” is obscured or ambiguous. Role of Mother in Heaven? Is Jesus married? Is there kingdom progression in the next life? What’s in the sealed portion of the Book of Mormon?
34:33 Section 128:9 relates to receiving revelation and is “bold doctrine.” Prophets who hold sealing keys, acting truly and faithfully as the Lord’s agents, have the authority to record on earth and bind in heaven. The role of “agents.”
39:51 Dealing with ambiguity in a church classroom setting. Clarity can come through the “wrestle.” Inviting discussion without straying from doctrine. Teaching what is declared and known without shutting off sincere comments about things that are not. “Managing opinions.” Listening without agreeing.
49:30 Leaders need to be dialed into core doctrines and official policies.
50:25 There are clearly things that have not yet been revealed. Embrace ambiguity. Just as artists don’t always reveal precisely what they had in mind in their work of art, God seems to want us to grow by wrestling with some things where only hints are provided. He wants “seekers” who ask and knock.
53:35 Gratitude for Joseph’s role as a called, inspired, and revelatory prophet who nonetheless had mortal weaknesses. Each of us, though weak, can be instruments in the Lord’s hands. Links AnthonySweat.com Instagram @brotheranthonysweat The Holy Invitation: Understanding Your Sacred Temple Endowment Doctrine: Models to Evaluate Types and Sources of Latter-day Saint Teachings Approaching Mormon Doctrine Seekers Wanted | An Interview with Anthony Sweat
Keith Erekson is an award-winning author, teacher, and public historian who has published on topics including politics, hoaxes, Abraham Lincoln, Elvis Presley, and Church history. He enjoys speaking at Latter-day Saint conferences and events, including BYU Education Week and RootsTech. Keith grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, served a mission in Brazil, and earned advanced degrees in history and business. For seven years he directed the Church History Library, overseeing expanded online research access and enriched public exhibits, and now works for the Church History Department in efforts to encourage outreach and historical engagement. In this podcast, Kurt and Keith dive into concepts in Keith’s book, Real vs. Rumor: How to Dispel Latter-day Myths.
Highlights 5:40 Dispelling false history and rumors can help eliminate negative church culture.
6:00 Girls camp story
10:35 Always read the scriptures, talks, etc. in context. Make sure you aren’t changing the meaning.
12:45 There are many things that are true but not useful. We can use Church history but that doesn’t mean it’s useful for the building of our faith and learning.
14:30 Be careful when quoting someone. When quoting make sure to use exact words and the name of the author. Study the context around the quote.
19:20 What should bishops do when you hear someone misquoting in Sacrament meeting or in Sunday School?
22:00 How to go about correcting others and dealing with myths.
Always correct with love and the spirit. Correct them only if you have the accurate information or an exact quote. It’s about helping each other out rather than proving each other wrong. If you feel like someone’s quoting is off, look it up yourself.
28:00 If you feel the urge to share a quote but don’t have all the pieces, go home and do your homework first. Find all the missing pieces before you share with everyone.
30:00 Use multiple quotes to prove a concept. You can’t just use one quote to make your case. We have to be careful not to teach false doctrine.
36:35 People exaggerate historical events to make them more inspiring.
Details get lost Details get added to a story
43:25 Magical thinking: We blow up our stories or historical events and make them seem magical. The gospel should make us look inward. It’s not about an outward show.
48:00 Projecting opinions: The scripts that we have are usually built on assumptions. We are acting on assumptions not information.
51:00 Many people are questioning their faith based on information, a historical event, or a quote. We often leap to conclusions and don’t know how to think about things correctly. Treat historical events with history tools not church tools. Learn about how history works.
54:00 Change your script to learning: Take in new information with the intent to learn from it instead of letting it take a toll on your faith.
Links Real vs. Rumor: How to Dispel Latter-Day Myths Keith Erekson: Investigating Latter-Day Saint Rumors and Assumptions Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
In this solo episode, Kurt Francom discusses five reasons behind the development of negative culture within the church, and what we can each do to recognize it and take action to stimulate positive culture. Highlights 4:45 Church culture is the monster in the room.
6:15 Why does negative church culture exist?
7:00 Church culture is creating a never-ending judgment loop.
9:15 Reason one - Lack of ability. It’s not about lack of motivation. It’s an ability problem.
12:30 Sometimes it’s not for lack of trying but lack of skills. Some people have the skills to teach, lead, or show empathy. Some try but they have to develop these skills.
15:00 Reason two - Negative mindsets. Our mindset is the lens through which we see the world.
17:00 Open mindsets create psychological safety. Psychological safety roots out negative church culture. Everyone feels safe to express opinions and feelings.
18:00 Examples of leaders that have different mindsets and how it affects those in the ward.
22:10 Reason three - Misunderstanding doctrine. Embracing false doctrines as truth.
25:50 Example of misunderstanding doctrine. The push for youth to serve missions can lead to people misunderstanding that missions are a saving ordinance.
27:35 Reason four - Lack of exposure. Expose yourself to a diversity of lifestyles and hear people’s stories to gain a higher level of empathy. Many times we project our life experience onto others.
32:00 Seeking exposure to different types of people and gaining more empathy is not a passive exercise. It's a very proactive effort. This is why it’s so difficult to perpetuate a positive church culture.
34:15 Ideas of how to gain more exposure. Ask people their stories. Exposing ourselves to other people’s experience gives us so much love for them.
36:50 Reason five - Lack of self awareness. Take the time to know what kind of leader you are. Gain a deeper understanding of yourself and how other people perceive you. People perceive us differently than we perceive ourselves.
42:15 What do we do with these five reasons? The goal is to stimulate positive culture. Links Is Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership? | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson The Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Life, Work, and Leadership Is Aspiring Wrong? What I Learned About Leadership When My 2nd Counselor Left the Church North Star International Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question Ministering to Those Who Question | An Interview with David Ostler Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Most of Vicki Clason’s life has been spent in the tiny town of Auberry, located in the foothills near Fresno, California. Vicki loves the natural beauty and close-knit community of her foothill home where she and her husband together raised five children. Her love of community inspired Vicki to run for the local school board where she served for five years before becoming employed as a high school teacher for the same district. She is now retired and spending more time with her 11 grandchildren (with another due soon). Vicki was serving as Relief Society president when the devastating 2020 Creek Fire altered her beloved community forever. A year later, Vicki continues to serve the Auberry Ward members they rebuild and recover to create some beauty where there once was ashes. In this podcast, Vicki shares her experience as a Relief Society president during a time when 97% of her ward had to be evacuated, giving tips and advice to prepare for such crises. Highlights 3:40 Vicki’s experience evacuating her family and her ward in September 2020.
7:45 Where did people go when they were evacuated? How did the stake help those that didn’t have anywhere to go?
10:00 Vicki explains how she coordinated and took care of those in her ward during the evacuation.
11:50 Ministering is what really helped Vicki keep track of everyone and make sure everyone was safe.
13:20 They had a team of people calling everyone on the roster.
14:50 When there is a crisis there needs to be an organization in place to call everyone and organize information for everyone that is in the ward. Everything should be recorded on a document.
17:15 The importance of gathering. The ward wasn’t able to physically gather but they gathered through Facebook and emails. Communication is key. Many were able to gather at the Stake center.
23:15 Gathering and sharing experiences brings healing.
25:20 Feelings of inadequacy as a leader in times of crisis. Heavenly Father will lift you up. You are not alone.
28:00 Vicki gives ideas of things that she feels they could have done better in an emergency situation. Each ward should create a plan and be prepared for a crisis. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
"I remember standing on a hot, dusty hiking trail at girls camp when I was 14 years old and having the profound impression that I got to decide whether I was going to be miserable or not. It was so empowering." Many years later, as a certified life coach, Heather Rackham is the host of the Latter-day Life Coaches podcast and director of Latter-day Saint Life Coach Directory, ldslifecoaches.com. That 14 year old girl had no idea she would get to spend much of her life helping others found the coaches and tools to empower themselves in the same way: choosing who you want to be, on purpose. Heather has served as ward Relief Society president, stake Young Women president, Cub Scouts and achievement day leader, Primary teacher, nursery leader and various other callings, but her favorite calling has been the Primary music chorister.
Highlights 4:40 A life coach will help you discover what you want to do and help you use your agency. They don’t tell you what to do.
7:40 What does life coaching have to do with leadership?
8:50 What is the difference between a therapist and a life coach? Which one do I need?
9:40 Heather explains how to find the perfect life coach for you using her directory. There are different filters on the directory to help you find a life coach for your specific problem or struggle.
14:15 How do I know that a life coach is the perfect fit for me? The first session is free and can help you get a feel for what that coach is like.
15:50 Life coaches can help you know if you should get therapy or not.
25:15 Heather explains the difference between one on one vs group coaching. Watching someone else be coached can be very effective and you can get just as much out of it as one on one coaching.
29:50 Heather walks us through what a session with a life coach might look like and what types of problems people come to a life coach for. A life coach can help you untangle your thoughts and beliefs.
35:35 We create certain narratives in our minds. We make meaning out of everything. A life coach is there to help you observe what you are making things mean and help you make sense of it all.
37:50 Heather explains how being a leader and life coach has helped her deepen her relationship with Jesus Christ.
Links ldslifecoaches.com Latter-day Life Coaches podcast Instagram @ldslifecoaches Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Brooke Hellewell Reynolds grew up in Laguna Niguel, California. She studied graphic design at Brigham Young University and moved to New York City a few days after graduation. Brooke spent 10 years in New York, art directing magazines at Martha Stewart, meeting her husband John in the Manhattan singles ward, and began working as a freelance designer after the birth of her first child. After a particularly dreary New York winter, she convinced her husband to move back to California where she has been working from home (in more ways than one) ever since. Brooke has served in stake Relief Society and Primary presidencies and currently serves as the Social Media Director in the Laguna Niguel, California stake. Though she cried when she was first called to work on social media (true story) she has since realized the great power of these inspired tools. She and her husband John have four children.
In this podcast Brooke takes us through how she runs her stake’s social media pages and give us ideas on how to unify our own stakes, wards, and communities using social media. Highlights 2:35 Why stake social media pages? Why not just use the church’s social media?
6:20 Where to begin as a communications director. Create a stake website first.
7:57 Brooke’s stake Instagram is used to share personal experiences and Come Follow Me posts. Their Facebook page shares stories and experiences of different members. It’s a way to connect the stake and get to know people.
9:45 Third hour is their stake’s private discussion group to discuss Come Follow Me. Each week a different member of the stake hosts and does a couple posts during the week.
10:25 Youth instagram account. Just for youth 11 to 18 years old.
11:00 Twitter account. Used to share recaps of talks from church leaders, highlights from the Church News, and local news.
11:25 Good News Laguna is a page the stake started on Instagram and Facebook that is for the community.
12:20 Stake Youtube channel. They make videos of events and Seniors graduating or a special message from the Stake Presidency. During Covid when everything was shut down stake and ward members could turn on the TV and see a message from their bishop and stake president.
13:53 Stake Podcast. It's not a formal podcast with weekly content but they pull audio from their Youtube channel or record a talk from Stake Conference.
15:10 YSA Instagram page for people 18 to 30 years old. It's the best way to get the message out because that's where they are at.
18:40 Brooke explains how she can manage all these pages and how she creates the content.
22:30 Tips on how to design content for social media
26:30 Use the missionaries as admins on Facebook to help answer questions and help community members.
30:30 Use social media to help prepare people for events and remind them when things are happening.
36:45 Where should a stake start? Brooke advises stakes to start with a website, Instagram, and matching Facebook page.
37:35 Brooke shares an experience of how using social media has helped her community.
Links Good News Laguna Instagram Good News Laguna Facebook Presentation graphics about Laguna Niguel Stake social media Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in April 2018. DeAnna Murphy serves as the Chief Development Officer at People Acuity, the premier career pathing and talent development company based in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. An internationally-known keynote speaker, Top 100 Global Coaching Leader, and author, her experience leading organizational leadership efforts worldwide informs her advice for leadership and teaching in the Church. She was born in Provo, Utah, but grew up in Canada and met her husband at Ricks College. They are the parents of three children and live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has served as a stake Relief Society president. Highlights 5:25 How do we help ourselves and others stay fully engaged? 7:35 How can you understand your auxiliaries strength? 8:10 How can we apply engagement at home? 8:35 To be meaningfully engaged there must be a sense of connection, and an ability to understand your contribution and purpose alignment. 12:00 Understand your role/purpose 12:45 What is the bigger “why”? 14:00 Doctrine and Covenants 43:8,9 The Lord teaches Joseph Smith by council 15:20 Ask good questions/teach by council 19:30 Get correct counsel on core principles. 22:20 To feel alignment while teaching ask:
What did you notice about that? What's important about that? What does that mean? What will you do? (How would you apply that?) Has anyone had an experience like that?
24:15 John 17- Why does He want us to be one so badly? That my joy might be fulfilled in you. 28:35 Which of these points in the lesson are important to Heavenly Father? 30:45 The council creates interdependence. 32:20 There is no engagement from a talking head. 33:20 Co-dependence is the primary voice of us vs. them. 34:15 There should not a be a “you people” in our church culture. 36:20 Our value does not go up and down like the stock market. 38:15 When people begin to see their value through the lens of strength they see God's DNA in them. 39:00 We need to understand our identity, but have lost it 41:50 If I'm not judging myself, I feel connected to other people and to God 42:10 Four categories of strengths
Strategic Thinking Executing Relationship driven
Influencers Relationship-builders
50:30 We are drawn to those like us because they validate us, and afraid of those who are unlike us because we do not understand them. 53:45 We disengage when our needs are not being met. 54:30 What does my patriarchal blessing show me about my strengths? 57:40 What can you count on me for? What do I need to feel confident? 59:00 The power of one-on-one ministering 1:00:00 During one-on-one interviews, pull up an extra chair for the Savior to sit with you as you minister 1:00:50 Be okay with no knowing, and always pray with them. 1:01:25 During the interviews ask them: How are you doing? What are you learning from the Spirit in your personal study? What are you learning in your assignment? These questions create connection. 1:05:00 Finally, ask tell me about the people that you are serving and what do they need? 1:06:15 Everyone is a "one" and there is great power in ministering and one-on-one interviews. 1:06:55 Ask your children—even grown children—what the Spirit is teaching them. 1:09:00 Experience with a group in Abu Dhabi learning six strengths strategies. 1:16:45 Read Moses 1:6 with your name instead of Moses: He will magnify your gifts through Him Links Shift Up! Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living PeopleAcuity.com Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings Teaching the Gospel Virtually Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love Claiming Your Contribution (for missionaries) Gallup StrengthsFinder (CliftonStrengths Assessment) Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Kevin Tolley has worked for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion for over twenty years. He taught release-time seminary in Utah for ten years and has spent the remainder of his career teaching Institute in Southern California. He earned a BA degree from Brigham Young University in Near Eastern Studies with a minor in Hebrew, an MA degree from the University of Notre Dame in Theology, and a PhD degree in Hebrew Bible at Claremont School of Theology. After serving a full-time mission in the California, San Bernardino mission, Kevin met and married his wife RaShelle in the Toronto Canada Temple and they have five incredible children. He has served as an elders quorum president, in a bishopric, and is currently serving as a counselor in a stake presidency.
In this interview, Kevin takes us through Church history and the calling of apostles and prophets.
Highlights 7:00 Details into the history of Joseph Smith and beginnings of the Church
7:45 Finding and choosing the twelve apostles
19:00 One of Joseph’s greatest qualities was being very quick to forgive
19:45 Organization of the Quorum of the Twelve in the early church. Seniority was by age not how long they had been serving like it is today.
21:10 Brigham Young’s time and experiences as president of the Church.
24:30 It took 32 years for the Quorum to all get together. They were so busy preaching the gospel that someone was always gone. In those days their primary responsibility was to preach.
27:45 Section 107 of the Doctrine and Covenants was one of the first revelations to train the Quorum of the Twelve.
36:00 Assistant to the Twelve was a previous position. Marion G. Romney was the first assistant to the Twelve.
38:45 The assistant to the Twelve was taken away in the 1980s and members of the seventy were called instead.
41:50 Unexpected deaths in the Quorum of the Twelve
49:50 Heber J. Grant was called to be in the Quorum of the Twelve when he was only in his twenties. He was very overwhelmed and didn’t feel qualified. He had an amazing vision.
1:01 President Nelson is changing the way that Apostles get called. He is the first President that also called the spouse in to be part of the call.
1:03 President Nelson also changed the process of calling members of the Twelve to be in the First Presidency. He interviews each member of the Quorum and each person gets to make suggestions and nominate someone.
1:05 Concept of being foretold. Many Apostles knew that they were going to get called. Links Apostolic Succession in the Restoration Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Jessica Johnson works in leadership development with the RBL Group. She holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and previously worked in management and marketing consulting, and in television sports.
Highlights 2:14 “Tell us about your journey as a single member inside the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints” 4:21 What defines your journey as a single member of the church?
I’ve been able and willing to serve in any capacity. Not being categorized by others.
8:01 Describe the Focus Group work that has been happening in relation to this Single Saints Summit: It’s non-scientific data gathering from single adults across the United States. 9:35 How do we help single member feel more welcome or more like they belong? Use President Hinckley’s advice about things all converts/members need:
A friend (10:47) If someone is sitting alone, it’s ok to ask if they’d like someone to sit by them. But it’s also ok if they want to sit alone. Inviting them is more important. Are there things that you only invite other families to? Or other couples? Single people usually want to be included in those things too. This builds deeper connections. It’s important to know as a single member that someone thinks of you and is concerned for your welfare (especially in a pandemic) Also If you are a single member and feeling overlooked it’s important to speak up! Story of no ministering priesthood assigned. Responsibilities: What calling should a single person have? Any calling! Get to the individual! Story of New Member Meetings. “Callings are an anchor to the ward.” Nurturing with the good word of God: Home-Centered Church Supported…. Singles may love to be invited to participate in family study on occasion. If you are preparing a lesson stop to consider multiple demographics. Single, divorced, widowed etc. do you prepare broadly so all feel included?
26:45 Do Single Adults in the church prefer a single ward over a neighborhood ward?
Globally single wards not available It’s up to the individuals in the areas that have them. It’s also important that they be allowed to choose, not told where to attend.
30:00 Story of “You’re NOT welcome here”; figure out the “warm hand-off” 32:00 What do good-intentioned people say to singles in the church, that they should stop saying?
Check your blind spots: do you have biases or superficial relationships? The single members don’t want to be labeled or lumped into groups. Get rid of the “ites.” Men will often refuse to meet with single women, especially in their homes. It’s smart to be cautious, but it’s also important to be thoughtful and kind. Sometimes there’s a hierarchy that is referenced that single lives are “less than or less celestial” than married lives. They don’t need pity or assumptions that they don’t live up to their covenants. Read Elder Gong’s GC talk “Room in the Inn.”
37:28 Have you noticed improvements in the way Single Adults are treated over the last few years?
In GC talks, for sure! It’s cultural to have “menace to society talks” that needs to stop. Most people engage in the self-similarity principle: we need to step out of that. “Can’t we just treat all people like they are individuals?”
40:17 Are the needs of the single/divorced/widowed etc. treated differently?
In short yes. It’s important to remember that we will never become one in Christ if we keep defining people by their differences. People don’t want to be known by their marital statuses.
42:00 Final Thoughts?
Get to know individuals Take time to know or understand what it is like to walk in others' shoes.
Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast.
Bruce Chang immigrated to the United States at age 12 and lived in Hawaii and Washington State. He is originally from Taiwan and belonged to the Buddhist faith, was baptized at age 17, and served a mission in the California, Arcadia Mission, speaking Chinese. Bruce has a PhD in Organizational Leadership and has worked as a seminary teacher and an institute director and coordinator for over 20 years, teaches at BYU Education Week and EFY, and was recently a visiting professor at Brigham Young University. He has served as a counselor in a young single adult stake in Syracuse, Utah, and in the California Arcadia Mission presidency. In this podcast, Bruce shares his experience working with youth and full time missionaries and how to effectively teach and support them. Highlights 3:15 Bruce relates his experience meeting Elder Cook and getting called as a counselor in a newly-formed YSA stake.
9:00 Bruce’s experience being converted and baptized as a member of the Church. Bruce is the only member of his family and he has passed through many difficult experiences because he didn’t have much support from family.
23:08 The measure of a true leader is to be someone that listens more than he speaks.
25:00 How do we connect with youth and help them progress in the gospel?
Understand where they are at and where you think that the Lord wants to take them.
27:30 Bruce’s tips to help youth that don’t think they need organized religion.
Ask, don't tell. Don’t try to change their behavior.
29:20 Teach them correct principles but let them self discover.
29:30 Bruce gives an example of how to talk with teens and get them to pay attention when you teach.
35:15 Lead your children into the scriptures. Bruce gives a real life example of how to teach with scripture instead of getting angry with his child.
41:00 Bruce gets called to serve in the mission presidency in the same mission that he served in as a young man.
43:00 Experiences working in a mission presidency and with the missionaries.
52:10 How can we better help and prepare missionaries?
We need to focus on conversion and not baptism. It can be discouraging for missionaries when they can’t achieve their baptism goal. You can’t set a goal that infringes on other people’s agency. Control the controllable.
55:15 How can parents best support their full time missionaries?
Don’t focus on outward rewards, such as, being an AP, zone leader, district leader or getting a certain number of baptisms. Instead ask them to share experiences and how they have seen God in their lives. Ask them not if they get along with their companion but what they have learned or like about their companion. How has your companion helped you? Be prepared weekly with great questions.
1:03:38 To be a great leader is to be an exceptional follower. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Michael A. Goodman has worked for the Church Educational System since 1989 and was the manager of CES College Curriculum before joining the Brigham Young University Church History and Doctrine department in 2007. He was recently appointed as associate publications director for the Religious Studies Center. Michael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with Public Relations, a Master’s degree in Information Technology, and a PhD in Marriage, Family, and Human Development. He is a coinvestigator on the Family Foundations of Youth Development longitudinal research project, focused on adolescent and family faith development and mental health outcomes with a special emphasis on suicidality. Michael is married to Tiina Anita Goodman.
Highlights 1:55 BYU Eternal Families course chair and online curriculum author. 4:10 How does BYU teach the doctrine of Eternal Families?
Courses based on doctrine with some social science mixed in. Eternal principles and daily principles taught (money, sexuality etc)
5:50 We don’t have to convince BYU students that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values families, but they don’t often know why. 8:30 D&C 131 and 132. The Degrees of Glory and importance of eternal families 10:40 The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Quotes document. 11:40 President Oaks Quote: “Our theology begins with Heavenly Parents. Our greatest aspiration is to be like them.” “The purpose of mortal like and the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to prepare the sons and daughters of God for their eternal destiny- to become like our Heavenly Parents.” 13:35 Divine Identity and Divine Destiny... as children of God. 15:45 Mother in Heaven: foundational doctrine. 16:35 When speaking to single adults after the foundation has been laid, what do you say next? …Well someday?!? NO! Acknowledge their pain and the issues they face. 17:45 Neil L. Anderson quote: “We will continue to teach the Lord’s pattern for families, but now with millions of members and the diversity among those in the church we need to be more thoughtful and sensitive. Our church culture and vernacular are sometimes quite unique. The primary children are not going to stop singing “Families can be Together Forever” but when they sing “I’m so happy when Daddy comes home” or “With father and mother leading the way..” Not all children will be singing about their family.” 20:50 What do we need to know Now, to feel joy Now? 4 overarching principles:
No one denied any promised blessing because of something outside of their control. YOU, are included in the plan of salvation, and because of that inclusion there is hope Heavenly Father will not abrogate agency. God loves us with a perfect love and will do anything in his power to exalt us. Through the grace of Christ, Heavenly Father can provide solutions to those things outside our control (24:51)
26:04 Quote President Kimball: “We promise you that in as far as eternity is concerned, NO soul will be deprived of rich and high and eternal blessings for anything which they could not help. That the Lord never fails in his promises. Every righteous person will eventually receive ALL to which they are entitled and have not forfeited through an fault of their own.” 28:15 Stay covenant connected. 28:30 Quote President Nelson: Through no failing of their own “they” deal with the trails of life alone. May we all be reminded that in the Lord’s own way and time no blessing will be withheld from his faithful saints. The Lords will judge and reward each individual according to their heartfelt desires as well as deeds.” 29:45 It’s ok if you aren’t the “ideal” family yet… Richard G. Scoot quote and discussion. 31:55 Live relationally now! Live familially. 33:10 None of us are broken, just in process. 33:55 Kurt- as a leader- “I won’t deny callings based on marital status” Few callings have any sort of marital qualification.
Mark Ogletree is originally from Texas and joined the Church right after high school. He attended Brigham Young University, eventually finding his way back to BYU where he is now an associate professor in the department of Church History and Doctrine. Mark taught for 21 years in the Church Educational System where he was a seminary teacher and principal, institute instructor and director, and CES coordinator. He received his bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development from Brigham Young University; his master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and Educational Psychology from Northern Arizona University, and his Ph.D. in Family and Human Development from Utah State University. Mark owned and operated his own marriage and family therapy practice in McKinney, Texas, and has written several books and articles on marriage and family related topics, as well as Church history and doctrine. Mark and his wife, Janie, have eight children, 18 grandchildren, and reside in Provo, Utah. He currently serves as a stake president. Highlights 2:30 Mark's conversion story, finding the Church through friends in high school sports 4:15 Teachings of the Living Prophets and The Eternal Family at BYU, and his call as a stake president 5:15 How their service was different during the pandemic, holding month-long ward conferences and using the opportunity to get to know the members better 7:25 Sending members to work in the BYU wards 10:00 Breaking through cultural and traditional bands to get bishoprics and members to turn over responsibilities to Relief Society and elders quorum presidents
Getting the members on board: emphasizing in meetings, talks, and individual visits with members, "beating the drum" of delegation in every setting Getting the bishoprics on board: help them embrace their role with the youth so they have something to focus on, and helping them learn to turn people away 18:20 The bishop's role in the repentance process and what can be delegated to counselors and later to other ward members
20:20 Bishops might struggle to connect with the youth, but they have talents and abilities that are magnified in their calling; be involved in planning and activities, meetings, activities, being with and connecting with the youth
23:35 Routine bishop youth discussions monthly, Aaronic Priesthood training, discussions in BYC meetings, supporting the youth individually in what they are doing Youth discussions: alternated locations, approaching topics that he would come up with through what was discussed in youth interviews Taught the youth to lead meetings and then let them be in charge The adage that "a parent should never do anything for their child that the child can do for themselves" applies to youth leadership You have to have participation to have conversion Experience teaching the young men to plan the year beyond playing basketball each week Helping them understand that they can do this now and don't have to wait until they are older to lead
33:50 Working with the high council and bringing in younger men to help them learn leadership principles
The focus on making high council a revelatory experience Bringing in the best people they can, giving them responsibilities, and getting out of their way
37:30 Doctrines that leaders should understand in their roles: Any scriptures that teach about the Atonement and the restoration, doctrinal teachings that help motivate and inspire us to be committed, and teachings from General Conferences
Looking to other loving leaders and representing the Savior to the people in your ward Taking General Conference seriously, taking notes, and approaching it together as a family; "Saturday is for the saints and Sunday is for the world"
44:10 His leadership has been formed by being surrounded by great leaders and learning by watching them lead and serve, and even by those who weren't as great Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He is also an associate leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. As a consultant, he works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture. Ryan is the author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership. He has written multiple articles for Leading Saints, presented at a live event about mindsets, and is a repeat podcast guest.
As Ryan reviewed leadership research, he found it primarily answered one question: “What do leaders need to do to be effective?” The focus of his work has been on “What do leaders need to be to be effective?” In this podcast, Ryan and Kurt discuss the concept of vertical development and how it applies to individuals and leadership.
Highlights 6:25 Vertical development is the next topic Ryan has been studying and writing about. It applies to us emotionally and spiritually, and possibly even physically. 7:40 Overview of mindsets: Mindsets are the mental lenses we wear that shape how we view the world 9:10 What vertical development is
Three adult developmental stages that are a function of effort, both horizontally and vertically Elevating our ability to make meaning of our world in more cognitively and emotionally sophisticated ways 12:00 Examples of how people in different levels respond to constructive criticism
13:45 The three different levels
Mind 1.0: Focused on our comfort, safety, and belonging. Self-protective. Dependent thinkers, exchanging power and independence for these needs. Mind 2.0: Focused on being seen, advanced, and getting ahead. Independent thinkers, in self-reward mode. Mind 3.0: Focused on contributing and adding value, externally focused on lifting and elevating others. Interdependent thinkers, able to see from different perspectives and sit with complexity. Only 1% of adults get to this place.
20:00 Becoming more like the Savior happens through vertical development
Example of Mind 1.0 recommendation for seeking information Approaching teaching from the perspective of vertical vs. horizontal development
25:15 The tension between safety and truth
Example of people protecting the safety of beliefs in a Sunday School lesson Being a seeker of truth and learning to sit with complexity instead of becoming defensive It is in the interpreting that we connect with God
31:05 Leaders operate differently depending on their vertical development
Do we even allow for a conversation about interpretation? “Aspiring” fits into Mind 2.0 Mind 3.0 leaders are focused on creating a culture that is inclusive and allows for growth and development
37:25 The culture of aspiring to leadership 39:00 How do we go about developing vertically?
What makes meaning for us are our mindsets Example of an inward vs. outward mindset and how it helps us become more like Jesus Christ Seeing others as doing their best: “What has happened to you?” vs. “What is wrong with you?”
46:20 Learning acceptance: Healing from our own traumas as we recognize Christ accepting us
Vertical development involves calming our response so we have a greater tolerance The new “Sunday School answer”: get to where you can have 100% acceptance before doing anything 51:35 When we help people repent we help them change their hearts and how they make meaning with their world, not their behaviors and actions
55:00 Where to start 57:55 Our vertical development is about healing our minds and hearts Links Success Mindsets Rising Strong What Happened to You? The Body Keeps the Score The Bonds That Make Us Free
Melanie Wellman Stroud hosts the popular podcast Come Follow Me for Us. She served in both the Kobe and Tokyo South missions and graduated with a degree in Special Education from Brigham Young University. She has served in numerous church callings including Relief Society president, Young Women president, stake Young Women president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and her favorite: nursery leader. Melanie currently resides in Surprise, Arizona. Highlights 4:45 Melanie explains why her podcast is different from the other Come Follow Me podcasts. Her podcast is more about practical application, for the everyday person trying to apply the scriptures to their lives.
6:15 Advice and tips for studying Come Follow Me.
8:15 Melanie relates her experience getting called as the Relief Society President.
10:50 Melanie’s first principle of leadership: The importance of delegation. It’s not always easy to ask others for help but it’s very important not to get burned out.
13:50 Second principle of leadership: Ditch the fluff. Focus on needs first. Forget the tablecloths or decorations.
15:30 Third principle of leadership: Use the materials that you are given. Stick to the manual. Look closely at the questions asked. People spend way too much time on things that aren’t going to get you to heaven.
18:30 Tips on teaching a General Conference talk in Relief Society.
21:15 The fourth principle: Use the Book of Mormon as much as you can. When the Church began all they had was the Book of Mormon. They didn’t have any fancy manuals. Don’t let Come Follow Me take the place of the Book of Mormon in your studies.
27:45 Melanie gives her advice on how to connect with the youth. Bond through having fun together and through spiritual discussions. Links Come Follow Me for Us Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Steven Shields, ACMHC CET1, is a therapist who acts as a guide to help others heal from trauma and addiction. As founder of Unashamed Unafraid, a non-profit organization, he hosts the podcast that shares hope for sexual addiction recovery. Unashamed funds scholarships for people to go to retreats and receive therapy. Steve works in his private practice in Salt Lake City, at OnSite in Nashville Tennessee, and at the Oaks in San Diego California doing trauma intensives and workshops. His favorite event to speak at is the WarriorHeart Bootcamp every year. Steve is unofficially the biggest Leading Saints and "KF" fan!
This is part 2 of a 2-part podcast discussion. Listen to Part 1 here.
Highlights 0:30 How do I interview someone every week who is in therapy and dealing with addiction? Check in to see if the therapy is working or not.
4:50 How bishops can communicate with therapists. Bishops should get a consent form to be able to get information from the therapist about how the therapy is going.
15:30 How do bishops find a good therapist? Steve describes the different types of therapists and specialities.
26:18 Don’t refer a person to an agency. Refer them to a specific person. LDS Family Services is a great resource but it’s an agency.
30:00 It can be difficult to find a good therapist. However, therapists like to work with people that like to do the work. Reach out to the therapist you want to go to and show them that you are willing and ready to do the work. It might be worth it to get on a waiting list for a really good therapist.
34:40 What do you do with people that don’t want to do the work? The only thing you can do is invite.
36:55 Steve’s recommendation to all bishops is to have the person pay for at least part of the sessions, even if it’s only five dollars.
40:20 Two questions to ask your therapist. Make sure they are doing the work too and putting what they teach into practice. Do you currently go to therapy or have you been to therapy? What are you currently getting trained in?
41:30 Leaders are carrying the burdens and the huge weight of the ward. Bishops and other leaders should also be getting therapy. Steve challenges all bishops to find a good therapist and do at least three sessions.
43:20 How can a leader begin to understand the resources for intensive therapy? It can be very expensive but much more effective in some situations.
52:00 Steve explains value systems. A therapist should not try to change your value system and if they do you should pick a new one. Links Part 1 of this podcast UnashamedUnafraid.com WarriorHeart Bootcamp It’s Not Your Job to Fix Pornography Addiction | An Interview with Todd Olson and Steve Shields 6 Things I Wish Bishops Knew About Addiction | Guest Post by Steven Shields (Recovering Addict) “The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast.
Steven Shields, ACMHC CET1, is a therapist who acts as a guide to help others heal from trauma and addiction. As founder of Unashamed Unafraid, a non-profit organization, he hosts the podcast that shares hope for sexual addiction recovery. Unashamed funds scholarships for people to go to retreats and receive therapy. Steve works in his private practice in Salt Lake City, at OnSite in Nashville Tennessee, and at the Oaks in San Diego California doing trauma intensives and workshops. His favorite event to speak at is the WarriorHeart Bootcamp every year. Steve is unofficially the biggest Leading Saints and "KF" fan!
This is part 1 of a 2-part podcast discussion.
Highlights 5:30 Kurt and Steve begin the topic of therapy.
6:50 The truth about therapy. Jesus is the true healer.
7:55 Therapy then and now. How it has changed over time.
10:40 What is therapy for? To help you get unstuck when you don’t think you can do it on your own.
13:00 Therapy can help you in your process of healing and using the atonement in your life.
15:00 Therapy offers a safe place to express whatever you need to. It can get messy emotionally when trying to talk to a leader or a loved one. Another plus is that they are professionally trained to help you.
18:45 Therapy helps you open the door to find healing. How would Christ heal you today?
20:45 Find a safe place to talk about whatever you need to talk about.
21:50 “What you can’t see, you can’t feel and what you can’t feel, you can’t heal.”
22:20 Christ is still healing today just as He did in His ministry. He lives!
23:00 Even though bishops aren’t therapists they can still help you. Depending on the situation and bishop they can help you or help you get the counseling you need.
27:00 Therapy is about connecting to your internal source. It’s not about a therapist telling you what to do in your life. We don’t need advice. We come to it on our own.
32:00 The different types of therapy and what type is most effective.
36:15 Does Christ’s healing take time? Links PART 2 of this podcast UnashamedUnafraid.com WarriorHeart Bootcamp It’s Not Your Job to Fix Pornography Addiction | An Interview with Todd Olson and Steve Shields 6 Things I Wish Bishops Knew About Addiction | Guest Post by Steven Shields (Recovering Addict) “The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in October 2018.
Ryan Gottfredson, Ph.D. is a cutting-edge leadership development author, researcher, and consultant. He helps organizations vertically develop their leaders primarily through a focus on mindsets. He is also a leadership professor at the College of Business and Economics at California State University-Fullerton. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Brigham Young University. As a consultant, he works with organizations to develop their leaders and improve their culture. Ryan is the author of Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership. He has written multiple articles for Leading Saints, including a series of articles on community.
Highlights 8:10 Where the community articles started 9:50 Many people attend church but they don’t feel they fit, or don't attend
“What community is and why is it important?” How do we create a community in the church so everyone feels welcome?
14:00 There are three community types: basic, involved and united. It is a continuum.
14:45 Basic community: little attachment, little involvement, much like an alumni group, few demands and little connection 15:45 Involved community: share more, some emotional connection but still disconnected but not fully accepted, much like a large workplace 17:30 United community: Share interests, goals and beliefs. Strong identification with group much like a family: when they hurt, we hurt. Provides acceptance, love and protection. This is what it should be within the church.
20:20 A united community is ingrained deep in the LDS culture and doctrinally founded, but with some negative side effects
Low cognitive diversity. Can't think outside a box, inability to allow different perspectives. This is not doctrinal thought, but community thought. 25:30 Lack of inclusivity. Difficult to allow others in, many feel judged, hard to accept others. Often is unintentional judging over what is/is not socially acceptable (tattoos, piercing). 29:00 Lower psychological safety: When something is different, or comments in class get questioned, others are less likely to share. People feel uncomfortable expressing their opinions. 33:40 "Sometimes we have a stronger desire to be right, than we do to love others."
36:20 How do we improve the united community in the Church? We must be "intentional". 37:20 Six elements of an intentional community
Charity Safety Openness Inclusiveness Being present Having a clear purpose and common cause
38:30 Charity: we must see everyone as people, and value them as such.
41:00 Safety: do our members feel safe and able to to comment in class?
43:25 Openness: we have a social pressure to certainty. If value is on knowing, we are limiting learning. We don't know all and we can learn from others
45:50 Inclusiveness: everyone should feel welcome. Don't let little things get in the way of loving them. Care less about how they look and more about how they feel.
47:40 Be Present: we are as involved as we can be, regardless, while we are there in attendance we should be present. Make our meetings matter, provide a value. Intentionally create meetings worth coming to.
50:45 Having Purpose: is everyone heading in the same direction?
53:00 Cliques are not necessarily bad. Smaller groups may allow more connections with others. Perhaps smaller groups can strengthen the whole community.
56:40 Most important to understand what community is and why it is important. Be mindful. Links RyanGottfredson.com Articles about community in the Church:
The Foundation of Belonging Flaws We Need to Recognize and Overcome Becoming an Intentional Community Moving Forward in a Changing Social Landscape
Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Life , Work,
Jamee Adams and Jody Steurer are sisters. A little over a year ago they began their podcast, Speak Up Sister, striving to strengthen men and women to speak up clearly and effectively at home, work, church, and in their communities. Jamee Adams holds a Master's in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University, Israel. She is a small business owner specializing in business systems development, and currently serves in a Primary presidency. Jody Steurer has a Bachelor's in Psychology from Brigham Young University and is a certified life coach. She currently serves in a young women presidency.
In this podcast, Kurt, Jody, and Jamee discuss the dynamic in councils and meetings between men and women, finding not only equality in numbers of men and women attending the meetings but also helping women feel heard and giving them more opportunities to speak up. Highlights 4:45 Discussion of women being outnumbered in church meetings. It’s not so much about numbers but women feeling confident in speaking up and also being invited by the men to speak up. It’s time that women are given more of a role.
12:40 The cultural dynamic in our faith is based on the patriarchal system. Men having the keys and the power of the priesthood has also been taken to also mean that they have more authority and voice over the women. However, this is completely not true. Women might not hold the keys of the priesthood but they do have equal access to the priesthood power to serve in their callings.
14:20 A shift must be made to be more collective of both men and women.
14:45 There are certain assumptions in the church that the stake president or man with the highest authority makes the final decision. We need to let go of those old assumptions and shift to follow the pattern of the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency to discuss and all agree before making a decision.
18:30 Both men and women come into a meeting with the assumption that because women don’t hold the priesthood their opinion doesn’t weigh as much as a man’s does.
19:00 There are also assumptions that we should all communicate the same way and if someone doesn’t then their opinion is discounted. Women are often discounted for having strong personalities or for being direct when men are applauded for such traits.
22:00 Generally speaking, women can be more sensitive and take a lot of time explaining and storytelling. Men prefer to get to the point and get straight to the facts. Both men and women need to work on different skill sets of communication. Men can improve on their sensitivity and women can work on clearer communication.
34:20 The goal is not a majority rule. The goal of our councils is unanimity. Everyone should have a voice in ward councils.
40:00 Jody and Jamee coach women on how they can speak up more effectively.
45:00 Jody and Jamee coach the Bishopric walking into ward council. The bishop needs to advocate and validate everyone in the room.
47:35 Dealing with disagreements. Find ways not to alienate that person and automatically shut the person down when there is a disagreement. Leaders should strive to have a great connection and relationship with the women leaders to create unity even when there are disagreements. Links SpeakUpSister.net Instagram @speakupsisterpodcast Facebook page Unleashed: The Unapologetic Leader's Guide to Empowering Everyone Around You, by Frances X. Frei How Connection Can Improve Your Ward’s Mental Health | An Interview with Geoff Steurer Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Lewis Howarth was born and raised in the small European country of Luxembourg. His native language is English but he is also fluent in French and German. He studied at Brigham Young University before transferring to Penn State to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. Other than working as an MTC teacher for French-speaking missionaries in Provo, Lewis has worked in the technology space for his entire career, most recently working with a Gold Partner of SAP, Qualtrics, and Amazon Web Services. He leads a team across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, supporting the AWS Marketplace. Lewis served a mission in Berlin, Germany, and has served as a Sunday School and elders quorum teacher, ward executive secretary and president, Young Men president, Institute teacher, on the stake high council, and most recently as a bishop. Highlights 10:45 Lewis describes what being a member of the church in Luxembourg is like.
12:30 Lewis describes his experience being called as a bishop and the revelation he received in the temple.
15:30 Demographics of Lewis’ ward in Luxembourg. There are 19 different languages spoken and a very diverse group of people from all over the world. It’s a difficult situation to have to translate for many different languages in every single meeting they have. Despite the complex situation they face, the Luxembourg Ward has grown tremendously in the last few years.
20:55 Lewis explains how ministering works in his ward with so many different languages and cultures. They don’t always speak the same language but show up for each other with love.
25:00 Principle 1 - The importance of setting up a structure. In many places of the world the Church is not established like it is in Utah. There are no roots and many people don’t know what they are doing yet. However, it's important to establish the correct organizations, programs, and activities.
33:30 Principle 2 - Different seasons for different focuses and goals. Understanding the needs of today is very important. Each year is going to be different and there will be different challenges. God will prepare you for that next season.
40:20 Principle 3 - Don’t get in the way. It’s important as a leader to learn when you need to step in and when you need to step back. Let other leaders run their organizations. Let them make mistakes and learn. Check in with your organizational leaders in Ward Counsel or monthly one on ones. This gives them a chance to talk about the problems, their struggles and also hold leaders accountable.
55:20 Lewis describes how his time as a leader has helped him become a better follower of Jesus Christ. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Sarah Jane Weaver is the editor of the Church News and also hosts the Church News Podcast. Her favorite assignments include reporting on temple dedications and writing about members around the world. Sarah graduated from BYU with a degree in journalism and history and served as editor and chief of the BYU student newspaper, the Daily Universe. Before joining the Deseret News staff, she completed a Pulliam Fellowship at the Arizona Republic in Phoenix, Arizona. Sarah currently serves as Relief Society president in her ward. Highlights 2:20 What is the Church News? How is it different from typical journalism? Sarah explains how the Church News is there to help connect church leaders to members. She describes the Church News as the living record of the restoration.
9:55 The Church News is there to amplify the words of the First Presidency, the Quorum of the Twelve, and women church leaders. Their goal is to get the words of the leaders out to more people and help members understand the church better.
10:30 Sarah talks about a series of the Church News called, "Inside Church Headquarters". The purpose of the series is to take readers inside the Church and show them how decisions are made.
12:00 Sarah’s journey to becoming editor of the Church News. She majored in Journalism at Brigham Young University and has been a reporter and editor at the Church News for 26 years now.
15:20 Sarah shares experiences of traveling the world and being able to cover President Nelson’s world ministry and the speeches of many of the apostles and other leaders.
16:50 The Church News is a vehicle to help members learn in ways that they can understand. The Church News is able to give us leadership perspectives outside of the General Conference setting. We are able to get their thoughts on world events and the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
22:20 Sarah has also been a Relief Society president for the past two years. She describes her experience of calling counselors and accepting her calling.
25:05 Sarah’s principles of leadership:
The most successes are possible because of the love and support of other people. It’s ok to be vulnerable. Great Leadership is built on a foundation of leaders that came before us. Be yourself. Ministering matters a lot. I do all that I can so that the Lord can make up the difference.
35:45 Sarah’s two favorite questions. “What is it that we are trying to accomplish?” Follow up question, “What is the best way to do that?” These two questions can help us meet the needs of the sisters in the ward and plan meaningful activities.
40:00 President Nelson is always inviting us to do things. There is power in invitations that can bless and strengthen all of us as leaders. What invitations can we give to others? Links Church News Church News Podcast Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Barb Venema has always worked with kids, coaching gymnastics, teaching Physical Education, and serving in Sunday School, Young Women, and Primary. Most recently she has served in the Primary as an instructor, chorister, and president. Her patriarchal blessing even mentions her time in the Primary. Recently retired, Barb lives in Kearns, Utah, and has five children and 20 adorable grandkids—of which she is most proud. Highlights 3:00 Barb’s experience being called to be a Primary President. She has been in the Primary 12 years straight.
5:30 Principles of working in the Primary
6:45 Principle 1 -"He knows your name so know their name." Know the names of each child in your Primary. We need to follow Heavenly Father’s model of knowing everyone’s name. Barb gives the example of Joseph Smith. Can you imagine how Joseph felt when God came down from heaven and called him by name? Each time that God came down and talked to His prophets He began by saying their name. Pray for your Primary kids by name everyday.
10:20 Principle 2 - See the children through the Savior’s eyes.
10:58 Principle 3 - Be flexible. The gospel is the same but the church and programs are constantly changing. Let go of ward culture and traditions. Let go of what you did in the past. We have to change with the times.
17:30 Advice to the Primary teachers: We need to help our children be strong now so that they can also be strong teenagers. We don’t want to lose our teenagers or young adults. We need strong teachers.
18:45 Principle 4- Accept Change. It’s hard to accept change but we need to throw away the old manuals and move forward with the new programs and manuals that are given to us.
20:35 Principle 5 - Have a sense of humor. Let the kids know that they are completely loved and accepted. Let them be themselves. Give them moments of pure joy.
23:50 Primary program tips and tricks
Let the teachers step back and have the kids take charge of the program. Use their talks throughout the year for the program. Let them share their experiences. Make a copy of their talks and write their name on it. In this way the program gets developed throughout the year. The Primary program is not a production. It’s the kids sharing what they have learned and their testimonies. You don’t need a Saturday practice. Don’t take away from family or Primary time.
27:15 Principle 6 - Handbooks vs. Facebook. Don’t ask the people on Facebook what they do. Look at your handbook. Go directly to the source. Although many other people have great ideas, there are many things that are not necessary or are old traditions.
31:40 Relationship between Primary presidency and members of the bishopric
36:00 Final thoughts Links He Knows You by Name by Sister Elaine Dalton Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Jenny Reeder is a historian and writer, currently the nineteenth-century women’s history specialist at the Church History Department in the publications division, and was one of the first historians hired to specialize in women’s history. She holds a PhD in American history from George Mason University, specializing in women’s history, religious history, memory, and material culture. She also holds degrees from Brigham Young University, Arizona State University, and New York University. She served a mission in Italy, and has served three times as a ward Relief Society president, including when she was in graduate school and fighting leukemia. Jenny has collaborated on several books about Latter-day Saint women's history and is the author of First: The Life and Faith of Emma Smith.
Highlights 2:50 Writing her book about Emma Smith. Her goal was to write about her as a pillar of the Restoration and a significant founder of the Church with Joseph, and to make her a real woman and show how complicated her life was, her commitment, and her heartbreak. 5:20 So many members of the Church have been influenced to believe she was a fallen person because she did not come west with the other pioneers, but she retained her testimony and hers is a story of redemption. 7:45 Jenny's experience with cancer while serving as a Relief Society president during her time in graduate school at George Mason
Participating in ward council from her hospital bed Visiting with less-active people and learning to receive service Sending emails and physical cards to people as she was prompted Finding her purpose outside of "not dying"
15:15 Serving is an opportunity to learn, serve, and receive revelation in way you haven't before, and this can be a blessing in a difficult time. 19:00 The goals of RS were to provide relief and save souls. She found relief for herself as she provided relief to others, and came to understand the Atonement on a deeper level. 21:00 Developing relationships that continue: maintaining relationships from her old ward has been powerful for everyone as they have rallied together to support each other through difficult times. 23:00 The Church was never really organized until the Relief Society was organized. Having women involved is significant and they have Priesthood authority in their stewardship. The most beneficial experience is when they are recognized for that leadership and allowed to do what they can. 27:00 Emma's instructions in Doctrine and Covenants Section 25
Emma struggled with her role to teach and had to learn how to lead In Nauvoo Relief Society, you had to apply for membership. It was a step toward being able to participate in temple ordinances. Emma's role in creating the hymnbook, and being the first woman to receive her endowment She was called to be a support for Joseph: significance of the words "comfort" and "office", and of leaving her family to go with him and to stay with him
36:50 The Relief Society was told to create offices to expand what they needed 39:00 Speaking up to have your voice heard: It was not normal for women to speak publicly in the 19th century, and even now women can be unaccustomed to speaking and leading
Eliza R. Snow was asked to assist bishops and to instruct the sisters, but she was not accustomed to speaking out, but she learned how to do this and taught others how Relief Society was shut down and Eliza became the de facto Relief Society president before she was called by John Taylor, which was also after the death of Emma
46:30 President Nelson has called for women to speak up and speak out
Speaking up in discussions as well as in councils Relief Society was previously more discussion-oriented, and then moved more to a lesson/lecture format. The move back to discussion with Come Follow Me works better to involve more people.
52:15 There was a deep commitment to Relief Society that we don't seem to have today
Keith Wonnacott is a former bishop, currently serving as Stake Young Men’s president as a member of his stake High Council. He lives in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C., and works in regulatory affairs for Pfizer. In this podcast he talks about a fifth Sunday presentation he did while serving as bishop, how it came about, and how parents can help lead their children through difficult conversations. Highlights 3:00 How Brother Wonnacott came to have difficult conversations with his sons and learned how to help parents have difficult conversations with their kids. LDS Handbook Section 31.1.7.1 “Parents have the primary responsibility for teaching their children the gospel of Jesus Christ. They help their children grow spiritually and prepare to make and keep sacred covenants. Parents also counsel with their children regarding worthiness and help them repent and improve. Bishops and other church leaders support parents in these efforts.” 6:35 The bishop is a resource for parents to help facilitate difficult conversations. The interview questions for missionaries has been published and parents can view these questions ahead of time to help their child prepare for the interview. 9:45 Role play during a 5th Sunday lesson to parents helps them to prepare and see an example of how to approach difficult subjects with their child. 12:45 Realizing that Plan A doesn’t exist, and Play B is about being and imperfect human being who needs repentance and the Atonement. 15:15 Sample conversation with your child. Brother Wonnacott gives many great questions to ask your child. 19:45 The child will “spotlight” and test the adult to see how trustworthy they are. They are testing the waters to see how you will react. 24:50 Dealing with feelings of failure as a parent when you find out information about your child. 27:40 How to craft a plan to help your child. 31:40 Shifting in your parenting as your child gets older and how to support them as they grow. 35:10 Inviting the parents to have planned conversations with their children. 39:00 Questions from the live audience on Facebook Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Note: We recognize that the doctrine of Mother in Heaven is a very sensitive topic for many individuals in our faith community. Many will come to this episode seeking hope and encouragement in their eternal faith journey (especially women). Both the host and interviewee intended this discussion to be hopeful and encouraging (especially to women). We also recognize that some women have felt marginalized and diminished in our religious community and might interpret some of this discussion (especially around the discussion of the role of Mother in Heaven) as short-sighted or diminishing. Please know this was not intended. Since we have so little revelation around this topic it can only be discussed with speculation. Please listen with an open heart as we strive to bring more discussion to the important doctrinal topic of Mother in Heaven.
Scott Layton is a native of West Valley City, Utah and served in the Philippines Angeles Mission. He received a master’s degree in religious education from Brigham Young University and is currently employed by Seminaries and Institutes in the Salt Lake area. He has served in various church positions including Young Men president, scoutmaster, high councilor, bishopric counselor, and was recently released as bishop. Scott and his wife, Kali, are the parents of seven children, six boys and one girl.
In this podcast, Scott talks about what he learned while preparing a presentation on the doctrine of our Heavenly Mother and compiling resources for seminary teachers, and how as leaders we can do better at including Heavenly Mother in our dialogue.
Highlights 05:05 His research started with “Mother in Heaven” in the Gospel Topics Essays.
06:20 When do we refer to Heavenly Father versus Heavenly Parents?
07:25 Our theology, everything we believe, everything we are as latter-day saints begins with this foundation of heavenly parents: Dallin H. Oaks said, “Our theology begins with heavenly parents, and our highest aspiration is to attain the fulness of eternal exaltation” (“No Other Gods,” General Conference, October 1993).
08:15 Why don’t we talk about Mother in Heaven? Kathryn H. Shirts sorts reasons based on “human conventions” versus “divine reality” (“Women in the Image of the Son: Being Female and Being Like Christ,” 1991 Women’s Conference). Weigh human conventions against the reality of a divine goddess who possesses all power, all attributes, all perfections, and then question what’s mere strong tradition.
11:25 General authorities in general conference peaked at 9 references to Mother in Heaven in the 1970s, yet references to both Mother in Heaven and Heavenly Parents skyrocket to 67 in the 2010s. We must apply what we know about Heavenly Father to understand Heavenly Mother’s powers, capabilities, and perfections because they are equal.
13:35 The doctrine of Heavenly Mother is distinct to the Restored Gospel of Christ and not included in modern Protestant Christianity.
14:14 B. H. Roberts points out that our doctrine distinctly ennobles women, motherhood, and wifehood by “placing [Mother in Heaven] side by side with the Divine Father” (Defense of the Faith and the Saints, Salt Lake City: Deseret News, 1912).
15:03 The doctrine that if faithful, we can gain all that the Father has creates a misnomer that a woman’s eternal identity and purpose is to become like a man. The doctrine of Heavenly Parents is fundamental to all we believe.
17:13 That all humans, male and female, are beloved spirit children of Heavenly Parents is rooted in scripture. For example, Genesis teaches we are made in the image of God, and the Hebrew word for God is plural. The book of Moses teaches there was a spiritual creation before the physical creation: he sees this as the Father and Mother working together for the spiritual creation while the Father and Son work together to make it a physical reality.
19:35 What are the distinctions between roles and purposes in the Godhead and...
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in September 2018. Mark Mathews was born in Houston, TX. He served a mission in Guatemala and met his wife at Brigham Young University. He later earned a Ph.D. in education from Utah State University. He has been teaching for the Church Educational System for 17 years and has taught in Brigham City, Utah Valley, and at BYU.
Highlights Temples
5:27: Will include the word “temple” in his class titles moving forward. 6:14: There are many things that happen in the temple that can and should be discussed. 7:24: To understand the temple, the best source is the Doctrine and Covenants as the Lord reveals and restores knowledge regarding the purpose and power of temples.
Priesthood Keys (8:42)
9:21: Understanding priesthood keys 9:36: What is the priesthood, and what are priesthood keys? 10:37: Keys give the right to be the president, to direct, control, and preside over the priesthood and the work of the priesthood in the church within a jurisdiction 11:20: Different keys were gradually restored over time and as needed.
Aaronic Priesthood keys, John the Baptist: authority to baptize Melchizedek Priesthood keys; “The Keys of the Kingdom”; Peter, James, and John: authority to preside over, organize, and lead the church Keys of the Gathering of Israel, Moses: “gathering” begins with missionary work, and culminates in gathering disciples to the temple Keys of Abraham’s Dispensation, Elias (27:25): celestial marriage Sealing Power, Elijah 14:47: Quorum presidents
17:24: Before being taught anything regarding priesthood keys, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are taught in Doctrine and Covenants 18, “remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” and the importance of bringing those souls unto Christ. Each quorum president, adult, and youth, must understand the worth of the soul, and the charge to help bring those souls unto Christ.
22:36: Keys helps members know whom to follow. When members hear contradictory messages, follow the keys. 24:00: While we have many general authorities, we have only fifteen individuals who hold all of the keys, and we sustain them as “prophets, seers, and revelators”. 25:11: Delegation. Seventies do not hold keys but are acting using keys delegated to them by key holders. The same principle applies to counselors to keyholders.
Sealing Power
26:22: Seals all ordinances performed for both the living and the dead. 32:43: The importance of proper record keeping: Joseph Smith taught that as ordinances are recorded on earth, they are recorded in Heaven. “All things are spiritual.” 34:28: On sealing cancellations. “When you are sealed in celestial marriage, you aren’t just sealed to your partner. . . you are being sealed up to Eternal Life. . . When a marriage is dissolved, you don’t want to cancel that sealing until they are ready to renew it again with someone else. Even if they don’t want to be with their partner, they still have been sealed up to certain blessings that they don’t want to loose/unseal.” (not ‘lose’--important distinction). God is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He will not force somebody to spend eternity with somebody against their will. 39:22: What happens to the sealing of the children of divorced parents? All your losses will be restored to you; see Doctrine and Covenants 130:2. 45:54: We should seek to better understand the doctrines behind sealing and God’s love
The New and Everlasting Covenant
46:28: The sum of all ordinances and covenants, not simply eternal marriage. 49:17: This is the same covenant that was given to Abraham. It is the fulness of the gospel. It helps us understand what the Restoration is. It is the Plan of Salvation. 54:15: These ordinances are connecting to become exalted and become like our Heavenly Parents.
How has being a leader made you a better follower of Jesus Christ?
Andrea Lystrup is a licensed marriage and family therapist and owns a private practice—Andrea Lystrup Therapy—in Tucson, Arizona. She received her master’s degree from the University of Maryland in Couple and Family Therapy. She specializes in couples' therapy, particularly working with sexual issues, betrayal trauma, and mixed faith marriages. She serves as the stake sister support specialist for the Tucson stake, providing training to stake leaders on issues like abuse prevention and recognition of mental health struggles, as well as to advocate for sisters who need support addressing abuse in their own life. She also serves as the Young Women second counselor in her ward. She is mom to three boys under age five and supports her husband in his career as a doctor in the Air Force.
Highlights 2:30 In Andrea's practice she meets many people who report they are feeling “spiritually worn-out”. This may happen because of mental health challenges, life struggles, a faith crisis or something else. Often they feel like they aren’t getting the same answers to prayer as others, and they wonder if there’s something wrong with themselves or everyone else.
5:25 Andrea has watched people who have left the church and those who are struggling with returning after Covid and describe how challenging it is to want to go back. Church can be like a wrestling match when managing young children. It is easier to watch from home when we don’t need to worry about how our children may be affecting those around them.
8:55 Depression or anxiety may affect your ability to feel the spirit or share a testimony. Something you hear another share at church as a great spiritual experience or healing you have not received can be triggering and difficult to process, which can make it difficult to engage with church or members. This is one way you might feel spiritually worn out.
13:45 Sharing vulnerabilities may be one way to help members who are struggling with this type of spiritual exhaustion feel like they have a place to share and belong. We often share these vulnerabilities after they are resolved, but we don’t share struggles in real time while they are happening. This real time sharing can take more courage and ultimately may be more helpful to yourself and others as you are able to connect with others who are struggling.
17:05 Covid has exacerbated these feelings in some members, because depression and anxiety are fueled by loneliness and isolation. We should look out for the likely in our congregations to make them more welcoming places. Do less offering off a talk that will solve a problem and more inviting someone to lunch or to hang out. Remember they are “person(s) to be loved”.
19:10 People who are spiritually worn out often express feelings of being unlike others or punished by God. Others in a faith crisis may decide if the gospel equation is working for everyone else and not them, the problem is either with them or the system, and many reject the system all together and leave. Instruction like don’t rehearse your doubts with other doubters can discourage these individuals who are already feeling like they don’t believe our think the same as others from reaching out when they struggle.
24:20 One way to think of how spiritually worn our members engage is with a trauma model: fight, flight, or freeze. A freeze mentality might look like someone who attends church for years and years but not fully participating, reading scriptures, magnifying a calling, etc. There may be afraid of making things worse and so they just don’t engage. Some who “fly” leave, often suddenly. There are some fighters who may post on social media and leave in a blaze of angry posts and others may still engage and try to fix things from the inside by making edgy out challenging comments in meetings.
29:00 It is important to understand how people are raised. Some have a “don’t throw the baby out with the bath water” mentality and others are more...
Maclain Nelson is the director, writer, and producer of Once I Was Engaged, the sequel to the film Once I Was a Beehive (which he also wrote, produced, and directed.) He is also known for The Saratov Approach and BYU TV's Show Offs, as well as many other films produced in Utah. Maclain earned a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts Studies from Brigham Young University and is married to Clare Niederpruem.
Ken Craig plays a bishop in the film, a reprisal of his previous role in Once I Was a Beehive, as well as his actual church calling as a bishop. Ken grew up in Southern California and Hawaii then served a mission for the Church in Lisbon, Portugal. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Advertising, but his favorite thing about college was being part of The Garrens, BYU’s first-ever sketch comedy, an improvisation troupe. This is also where he met his wife Katie, and that’s where they fell in love. Ken currently works in the Philanthropies department of the Church. He and Katie are the parents of eight children.
Highlights 3:30 First interview with Maclain Nelson, the director of Once I was Engaged. Kurt and Maclain discuss the overall theme of the film.
8:45 Maclain describes the characters from the movie and how he cast the characters.
13:30 Maclain’s first principle of being a good leader. A good leader has to be a good collaborator. Listening and integrating the ideas of the people that you work with will bring more energy and creativity to whatever you are doing. It will make it better than you could do on your own.
24:45 Maclain’s second principle of being a good leader. You have to lead with gratitude. Recognize and be grateful for the people working with you and the effort they are putting in. Make sure they know that they are appreciated.
30:40 Maclain’s third principle. You can’t give everyone the same advice in the same way. Personalize the message. Take into account the personalities of others. Some people don’t mind getting critiqued in front of others whereas others need time one on one.
39:00 Maclain talks about how being a leader has helped him become a better follower of Jesus Christ.
41:00 Interview with Ken Craig begins. Ken Craig has been a bishop in real life, as well as in the films, Once I was a Beehive and Once I was Engaged.
51:10 Ken shares his experience and feelings getting called as a counselor and bishop.
54:40 Ken’s first leadership principle. Lead with love. We don’t always feel qualified but we can always extend our love and compassion to those we serve. Love creates a Christlike culture.
56:50 Second leadership principle. Empowering others. Empowering others is letting others contribute and trusting them. 1:02:30 Third Principle. One by one leadership. Meeting with people face to face and one by one. Minister to the one.
1:11:20 How Ken has become a better follower of Jesus Christ through his leadership Links Once I Was Engaged movie Faith, Fatherhood, and Food, by Ken Craig Sharing Time podcast Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Morgan Jones is the host of the All In podcast for LDS Living. She previously wrote for the Deseret News, where she published more than 480 stories and served as senior web producer. She is a passionate storyteller and loves having the opportunity to share stories that deserve to be told. Her new book, All In: Exploring What it Means to be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ, shares what she has learned from nearly three years of hosting the All In podcast. She has served as a ward Relief Society president, a counselor in a stake Relief Society presidency, Primary chorister, and is currently a Relief Society teacher. Highlights 2:40 Beginnings of Morgan becoming a podcaster: While working at Deseret News, discussions came up with Hal Boyd and hearing so much about why people leave the LDS Church; Bro. Boyd’s thought was to do a podcast about why people choose to stay. HB went on to say that the decision for people who choose to stay is “just as thoughtful and deliberate” and needed to be talked about. Bro. Boyd’s belief in Sis. Jones and her experience interviewing led to her being tapped for the role of host of a podcast when she later went to Deseret Book. 5:30 Evolution of the podcast “All In” discussion of content and the name; appreciation of the fact that reflecting on what it means to be “All In” the gospel of Jesus Christ lends itself to reflection and genuine feelings; also would help prevent pompous, self-righteous explanations. It would cause people to think. Also the benefit of having a consistent question that elicits thoughtful responses. 7:30 Guests-Kurt observes that Morgan has had some well known people on the program; while those can be wonderful episodes, the diversity of members can provide some amazing insights from unexpected, even obscure members of the church in far flung areas that really resonate. The benefit of talking to the everyday person; everyone has a story. 8:15 Things MJ has learned while interviewing and how to connect:
Find common ground, establish a connection with that person (where are you from? Common acquaintances) Everybody wants to be heard-to listen to them, help them to feel important and be genuinely interested Beware of distractions; sometimes we may be thinking of our next question to ask or otherwise lose focus; listening to listen and not with the intention of forming a reply is very helpful. People then feel cared about and in a safe place. Cultivating a connection is an art MJ quotes her grandfather, a fan of Dale Carnegie. DC wrote that the most beautiful word in any language is the person’s own name; MJ experience with interviewing Thurl Bailey and how he repeatedly said her name-that got her attention.
11:00 Discussion of ministerial interviews and the pitfalls that can be faced. While the purpose of the interview is to ask “how are your families?” this can prevent an opportunity to allow the person you’re interviewing to share information about themselves; (we default to an administrative level of communication) 11:30 Ministering interviews vs. visiting teaching or home teaching interviews; Ministering provides us with an opportunity to also check on the person we’re talking to just as much as the families the person is assigned. 12:00 The beauty of the good question-in the case of the podcasts, having a well-chosen question can lead to having the Spirit. In the case of ministering interviews, a good question can leave people feeling that spirit and coming away with a positive vibe. 13:15 Importance of being prepared and being present. MJ quotes D&C 38:30 “If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear.” She testifies that the Lord will bless us if we have prepared to the best of our ability. He will make up the difference. The Spirit cannot call things to your remembrance if they were never there in the first place. 13:45 New project the book: “em>All In: Exploring What it Means to be All In to the gospel of Jesus Christ
Jeff Burningham is an entrepreneur, founder & chairman of Peak Ventures and Peak Capital Partners, an apartment investment and venture capital firm. He holds an MBA from Brigham Young University, where he started his first tech company, is an active philanthropist, and ran for governor of Utah as an "innovative outsider" in 2020. He also has a podcast called Extraordinary Us. Jeff was called as a young bishop at age 27. He and his wife Sally live in Provo, Utah. Highlights 3:05 – Introduction: recently ran for Governor of Utah; background is entrepreneurship, started several Utah companies, funded many startup companies. Run for Governor was an “interesting ride”. Came to the race as a newcomer with no background in politics. He remembers Elder Ballard's talk about “good men should stand up” and felt compelled that they should do it. Discusses first debate in St. George.
7:30 – Advice for anyone who might be interested in public service. If no one will step up who isn’t a seasoned politician, what is the point? Friends supported, but also some friends were “not there” and not supportive at all. Be willing to step out and step up. Be proactive, not reactive.
11:50 – Utah is in a massive growth, economy is so strong. He tried to bring fresh perspective to political arena, as a businessman.
With growth in the area, we need good people to step up to serve and help lead the state.
17:10 – First business cleaning carpets and then first tech company while undergraduate at BYU. Entrepreneurship is an accelerated path to learning. He wanted to keep learning and found that it was the path for him. Fall down and fail, and then get up and learn. We all fail but learn from mistakes.
19:30 – Money is not the “root” of all evil if it is done right and providing jobs for families.
20:10 – Shares story of being called as bishop at 27 in a very unique way.
12:15 – Advice for a new bishop: Remember the burdens are not yours; direct members to the Savior. You can be a “repentance coach”, turning them to the Savior to pray and helping to change their hearts and allowing the atonement to work. It is all about the youth, focus on the youth. Have the counselors work with other members so you can focus on the youth.
Listen Don’t pretend to be an expert on something you are not. Everything good and bad that you can imagine is happening in your ward. Don’t pretend to be an expert. Step up and point them to the Savior. Be prayerful for and with members Find your “go to” readings that you can read together, you can share.
31:43 – During time as bishop, he rarely experienced feeling the “wrath” of God even when dealing with abuse, but he felt love and mercy of God and the Savior. It is not about punishment.
37:05 – Leadership is extra-special stewardship, so your thoughts, your prejudices, etc. don’t become the recipe for a successful ward. The handbook doesn’t cover ministering, love, stewardship, but it covers organization. You are not given a “checklist” for ministering. All leaders and callings are in the same boat; we should not be divided.
41:35 – Atonement is fascinating. Served a mission in Charlotte, North Carolina, and challenged on Bible every day. Had a desire to go to Jerusalem after mission and studied four months there. Had opportunity to study the Atonement in those sacred locations. The Atonement is about healing our hearts, allowing the Savior to make our hearts more like His.
We are saved by the grace of God, and we should embrace the word grace more in our culture.
47:05 – “Bootstrap” mentality: just pull yourself up and go for it. Because of this mentality, we can certainly use it in the workplace, but we cannot “bootstrap” ourselves to Heaven. We cannot do it without God. We are not meant to do it alone.
49:45 – Relationships vs. results. We often have expectations from people, ourselves, our God that WE place and when they are not met, we stop praying, treat others poorly,
Brigette Heller was born in Alaska and raised all over the Western United States. She is a life coach and speaker, and is determined to share life-changing mindset techniques using radical motivation to women in her Strong and Capable community. Brigette and her sister also own Deco-Crate Event Design, an event planning business. She has served in a variety of church leadership positions, including as a young Relief Society president. Brigette and her husband Mike are the parents of three children and live in Phoenix, Arizona. Highlights 3:00 Her calling as a young Relief Society president in a large, established ward 5:30 A comment from a luncheon and her choice to be dedicated and supportive anyway 7:10 Authenticity in loving and supportive people is what matters
Alma 31:5 Try the virtue of the word of God instead of treats and handouts Let people know when you are struggling Delegate to others 10:25 Let go of more to have more
14:00 Successful leaders need empathy
18:45 Lawn example: sitting with someone instead of instructing them
20:20 Communication
It has to be done in every way possible, and determine what works best for your people Communication is consideration Commit to living by your system
25:30 Paint the vision
Finding the inspiration to bring hope of what could be Ask the Lord what vision He wants you to paint 27:20 Created a "journey journal" that tied in with lessons and activities 30:15 A lot of people have not been taught how to seek personal revelation through General conference Finding beauty in the journey
33:50 About her life coaching community and podcast 35:00 When you want to be a good leader and step into that role, you are letting go Links The Strong and Capable podcast The Strong and Capable website 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 the comments (you will need to split it up) on the page and we will get it published!
Brent L. Top is a professor of Church History & Doctrine at Brigham Young University, but will be retiring in July after 45 years as a religious educator within the Church Educational System, the last 34 years at BYU. He served for several years as Dean of Religious Education, and prior to that as department chair and associate dean. He is the author of more than 20 books, primarily directed to the Latter-day Saint audience, and scores of articles and book chapters in both academic and church venues.
Brent has served in many capacities within the Church, including as bishop, counselor in a stake presidency, president of the Illinois Peoria Mission, and president of the Pleasant Grove Utah East Stake. He currently he serves as a sealer in the Mount Timpanogos Temple and as a Gospel Doctrine Sunday School teacher in his ward. Brent is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Wendy Cope from Idaho Falls, Idaho, and they have four children, 24 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
In this podcast, Kurt and Brent discuss leadership within the context of callings such as Bishoprics, Stake Presidencies and Mission Presidencies. They relate the experiences of these callings to other leadership opportunities and discuss how to better prepare missionaries, serve in leadership capacities, and relate those experiences to living the gospel. Highlights 8:05 Leadership Experiences: 10:09 “As Leaders we need to remember who’s kingdom it is.”
Serving is often overwhelming. “I had to remember it’s not about MY plans.” Sometimes what I thought wasn’t what was needed. I often heard the Lord tell me “These are my missionaries; this is my church I will not let you fail.”
14:37 I have had feelings about callings, names etc. and I pushed those away. They were uncomfortable. I found that often those times were the Lord preparing me. Tells story of being called to Stake President and needed to find his counselors within 15 minutes. The Lord had been preparing him to call those counselors by bringing people to his mind previously. 16:49 No matter how the call is received (by shock or with inspiration that it was coming) the Lord is giving us life experiences, insights, thoughts so that we don’t come into his kingdom to serve totally unprepared. Expectations when called as a Bishop? 17:41 Two things I learned:
No matter if you’re 30 or 60 when the keys are conferred upon you, you are changed. Things change. I began focused organizationally. The Lord wanted me to focus individually. He wanted me to Love.
Stake President vs Mission President
Stake Presidents are “therapists” to many bishops. They have nowhere else to turn. As a Stake President I had a lot of people to support me in my calling. There were many who served well and lightened my load. As a Mission President I was literally in charge of making sure my 150-200 missionaries stayed alive! I was responsible for them at all times. That can feel overwhelming. Mission Presidents see non-stop action. Mission Presidents don’t have the supporting roles Stake Presidents do. It often feels lonely.
ADVICE for leading: *The key in one-on-one leadership 22:57 I was often overwhelmed when I thought of all the moving pieces. Things are more manageable one on one.
The church and therefore the kingdom of God is really no bigger than an individual or a family. The more complex the leadership the less effective: The more I focused on administration, the more I micromanaged. The more I did that, the less I represented the Lord. As a mission president my time with each individual was so small. I knew the time I did get really had to matter. Interviews really had to be used to connect to the individual, they needed to feel loved. Meeting had to have meaning. They needed to provide a way for individuals to connect with one another.
29:00 BEST PRACTICES for INTERVIEW (esp. EQ/RS Presidents)
Your calling is a calling of Love.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in December 2018. Dustin Peterson was raised in Dallas, Texas, and served a mission in the Puerto Rico San Juan Mission. He graduated from BYU-Idaho in Communications where he met his beautiful wife and fellow Texan, Samye Martino, and later completed a Master's degree in Educational Leadership at Indiana University. Dustin has trained and coached executives and leaders at a variety of organizations. He is currently the founder and CEO of Proof Leadership Group, a career coach, and the author of Talented: Discovering and Using Your God-given Talents to Find More Joy in Life and RESET: How to Get Paid and Love What You Do.
Dustin lives in Houston with his wife and four kids and serves as the branch president of a Spanish unit in the Friendswood Texas Stake. He has previously served in a stake presidency, on a high council, and as an early morning seminary teacher. He loves bacon, Dallas sports teams, and is a believer that everyone has a God-given superpower! In this podcast, Dustin talks about why we often believe we don't have talents, and how to identify and put our talents to work to bless those we lead and serve. Highlights 8:00 Calling to the Stake Presidency 10:10 Talents: People believe they don’t have them and don’t know how to identify them; helping people identify their talents is a tremendous gift 11:35 Identifying talents first allows us to magnify them 12:20 Talents are superpowers. They are powerful skills that make you unique. 14:30 Men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25) 15:10 Parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Every person has talents (verse 15) You can gain more talents (verse 15) Talents lead to joy (verse 21) When we are afraid, we tend to hide our talents (verse 25) Everyone that uses their talents gets more (verse 29) Those who bury them have them taken away (verse 29)
16:30 Elders Quorum discussion of talents vs. 6th-grade class discussion of talents 19:45 The Broken Paradigm: What’s the problem with identifying our talents? Our mindsets
Deficit perspective: we identify our weaknesses (22:30) Scarcity belief: a few people have talents and the rest are left behind (25:30) Humility complex: we overvalue humility when it comes to talent and talk ourselves out of our own talents
28:00 The secret is to be grateful. 29:00 How do we identify our talents?
Definition: Things you do naturally, consistently well. Think energy. Skills are transferable and can be taught; talents are innate, energizing, and can be developed; a sign of talent is that it is instinctual 33:50 Talents energize and makes us feel good; we can become highly skilled at a weakness 34:20 What moments in my calling do I feel energized in? 36:00 God knows our talents and if we use our talents to serve, we will get where we need to be 36:30 Diversify your perspective on talents; talents come in three varieties, but we only give respect to “doing” talents
Doing: arranging, organizing, developing, communicating, writing Thinking: connecting, influencing, positivity, relating, empathy Feeling: ideating, inputting information, learning, analyzing
41:30 What do you do when you don’t have a talent in a certain area? God expects us to develop all of these talents 42:15 Examples of talents that are easy to identify, and talents that are more difficult to notice
Easy: being a good athlete, gardening, singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, drawing, painting, sculpting, cooking, baking, writing, public speaking, teaching, acting, composing songs, sewing, storytelling, repairing things, photography, bow hunting Less easy to notice: having empathy, being a peacemaker, being positive and energetic, communicating effectively, being a good listener, having self-control/discipline, being able to make decisions, setting goals, getting tasks accomplished, giving service,
Dan Duckworth is a master changemaker and founder of The Crucible Life, a global community for changemakers who are learning to master the hidden forces that shape leadership, communities, and change. He's the host of The Purpose Workshop and author of Stop Asking Why, a little book that answers life's biggest question in a surprising way. Dan serves on the Leading Saints Board of Directors and is a frequent content contributor.
Highlights 2:30 About Dan's Changemakers community 4:15 Going from resisting the topic of purpose to embracing it: everyone is searching for meaning in their life
The leadership gurus' search for the holy purpose statement Our true purpose is to wander and learn to make meaning in every situation we find ourselves in your psyche does not hold your purpose; instead you have to get outside of yourself and go create your purpose
11:45 The message we hear at church is "you are special" and it is interpreted as meaning we must each find our own special mission
Girls camp experience: these girls live in their psyches, trying to figure out who they are and what everything means The Lego Movie example: all the talented people out there want to be The Special When we tell ourselves it isn't true, then we don't have to feel the pain of not being special
16:15 People in his program have spent their lives searching for their purpose and are now recognizing that instead their purpose is to search for meaning by fulfilling the life they want to live, creating fulfillment 17:20 This is where God/history/fate has placed me and my job is to embrace that and learn how to be who I want to be in this situation 18:35 "Not all who wander are lost."—J.R.R. Tolkien 20:30 Being commanded in all things vs. being instructed in the principles 23:40 Having a vision is different than having vision: "If God reveals the future, it's because it's a future he wants to see changed." 26:10 The first action principle of wandering: Ask the basic question, "How do I live the life I mean to live in every situation?"
Leaning into discomfort: Example of talking with his son's basketball coach and the recognition that followed The question is not "What is the meaning of my life?" The Harry Potter Moment: waiting for your assignment from God and failing to live a life of purpose until God gives you your assignment
35:40 Aristotle: If you want to know the purpose of something, you just have to look at the nature of it. You don't have to ask its creator.
The one thing that God can't create is what I am here to create Example of his wife's calling as Primary president and the desire to hold a party the first week back to church "It's time for you to start doing your calling because God called you to do it."
39:50 The transformational leadership concept in this: When you are living the meaningful life you mean to live, others are drawn to you and your influence 41:15 If God would just tell us what to do, we would do it, but instead He is asking us to think and act with intention
Find something good to do and go do it, and God will assist as you go Example of Nephi going back for the plates Doctrine and Covenants 128:9 The bold doctrine that when we act with agency, we create revelation
45:40 At first Joseph Smith was dictating revelation directly and that was needed at the time, but later the details became less important than the process of living the way the Saints were instructed to live 48:45 Purpose-driven organizations are actually led by purpose-driven leaders
How do you invite the community to wander with you? Start living with purpose and the community will come with you
51:25 Why didn't God just dictate everything? Because He is not going to violate the purpose which is for us to figure out the details
God's plan is to keep the state of probation open for each of us as long as makes sense so that we can try and fail, and slowly become more like Him in the wandering
Rachel Wagner has served as the Beehive class president, Mia Maid 2nd counselor, stake youth council representative, and seminary council president. She enjoys composing uplifting music, baking and decorating cakes, dancing, playing soccer, and being with friends and family. Rachel is also excited to continue to help others come unto Christ by serving in the Benin Cotonou mission this fall. Highlights 2:50 About Seminary council and her calling as president 5:30 Getting started in this leadership position and learning to listen to each other's ideas 6:30 Leading the weekly council meeting, preparing committee leaders, and arranging a spiritual thought and prayer by members who had not participated recently 8:35 Planning with a schedule and being prayerful about making changes as needed Leadership Principles 1. Feast upon the words of Christ and say two kneeling prayers every day (9:45)
Example of her busy schedule and learning to put God first in her life; decided to read her scriptures first as soon as she got home from school Saying two kneeling prayers creates a stronger relationship with Christ and makes it easier to turn to Him and seek personal revelation Encouraged this with the entire council Making time for the Lord shows the effort God appreciates
- Love and accept everyone for who they are (14:00)
Christ never turned anyone away; they focused on loving every student at the high school Anonymous answers to questions at a retreat helped her realize we have no idea what people are going through "Heart attack" for people who are experiencing a trial or need some extra love Doing the simple things: looking people in the eye, calling them by name Assume that everyone is going through something hard; reach out to everyone because we can all use some love
- You get out what you put in (18:00)
It can be easier to fall back and not contribute as much The Lord loves effort 19:45 At first it was more difficult when they didn't know each other but as people found their places and were patient with each other things fell into place
- Be open to all ideas (21:10)
Personal revelation is distributed among everyone involved Experiences choosing a scripture to focus on as a group Importance of listening to the Spirit
24:40 Activities they did: Focus on "love, share, invite"
Daily prayer meeting with all students Also invited students of different faiths to participate Sought to make their prayers more conclusive 27:25 The ministering wheel of love with service ideas for each week WWJD bracelets 29:35 Changes in assemblies and devotionals because of Covid restrictions Friday forums: a speaker each month over Zoom because they had school from home on Fridays Devotional with teachers rotating through the classes
32:45 Being patient with yourself: we are all learning together 34:30 Whenever we serve others and lead we are Christ's hands and can serve others as He did Links 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 (or comments) on the page and we will get the corrected text published!
Mike Houghtaling was raised in Bellevue, Washington, and Raleigh, North Carolina, and served in the Argentina Cordoba mission. Since entering recovery, he has served as a bishop's counselor, a high councilor, and is currently serving as the bishop of the Fayetteville Georgia YSA Ward. He worked for the Federal Aviation Administration for 37 years, most of those as an air traffic controller, retiring in 2019. Mike and his wife Andrea have five children and seven grandchildren. Highlights 5:10 About Mike's ward and his personal family history 10:30 Discovered pornography at age 10 and immediately fell into addiction and shame 12:30 Sought help from his bishop but the guidance didn't help 15:15 Considered his mission a failure and returned home believing himself the worst of people 17:30 The misunderstanding that marriage and sex would eliminate the problem 19:10 "Porn has no more to do with sex than alcohol has to do with thirst" 20:45 Misunderstanding the difference between sobriety and the healing of recovery, never addressing the shame and wounding 23:00 Hitting rock bottom and finally realizing that he could not hide anymore 26:30 The hopeless concept that everyone protected by the Atonement was under a big umbrella, but he was not under that umbrella 28:30 A tiny thread of hope touched his heart and he began to take the 12 steps seriously and began seeking recovery and healing, not simply sobriety 31:10 Recognition that his wife needed attention for her wounds 33:00 You have to pick up every tool along the way because they can all be helpful 34:00 One helpful tool: Face it, replace it, connect; the power of connection 35:50 Called as a bishop's counselor 36:30 Explanation of PASG: Pornography Addiction Support Group and the spouse support group 41:15 Telling his story to his YSA ward to show that he is relatable and unafraid of their struggles 44:45 Advice for bishops: invite those struggling with addiction to go to an ARP meeting, go with them, study and seek to understand 47:00 "You are not beyond His help, you are not beyond His reach." 49:00 Advice for stake presidents: take a chance on different candidates for positions of leadership in the Church 50:50 Metaphor of a quilt with one inky square in the shadows 53:00 Still working steps 10, 11, and 12, the maintenance steps 54:30 Advice for those in the circle of a recovering addict: love them, show grace for and connect with them, and continue to point them towards the Savior 56:30 Supporting the addict's family members: connect, encourage, listen, point them toward therapy 58:45 Learning to be a true follower and finding healing in understanding the Savior is what has helped him to be a better leader Links ODAAT coins Warrior Heart retreat Heart of a Woman retreat Is Elders Quorum Working? Wild at Heart in Church Leadership | An Interview with Doug Nielsen Heart of a Woman in Relief Society Church resources 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!
Jordan Romans served in the Australia Brisbane mission and graduated from BYU with a BA in English. He holds an MBA in Marketing from the University of Phoenix and is the founder and managing director of JLR Creative & Consulting, with 15+ years in sales, marketing, training, and management roles in the medical and aesthetic sales industry. He is currently serving as a bishop in the Beaver Creek Ward in Apex, North Carolina, right by the Raleigh Temple. His previous church callings include bishopric counselor, elders quorum president, Young Men president, ward mission leader, executive assistant, Primary Worker, and Gospel Doctrine instructor. Jordan is married to Melissa Romans and they have four children. Highlights 5:10 Remembering his first Sunday as bishop and the recognition that what he said could be taken as "the gospel truth" by those he counseled 8:45 Advice from his dad: You're not going to solve anybody's problems. The Savior will do that. Principles of Leadership 1. The Lord's forgiveness is essentially immediate (10:00)
12:00 If we can believe it, then the repentance process is easier, more effective, and longer-lasting; Forgiveness is freely offered and we must bring the sincerity 14:20 Christ is not interested in punishment, but in progression
- Leaders should do more to build bridges outside the ward community (14:50)
Minister friend at a local Methodist Church 16:25 Youth cookie bake service project with the youth from both congregations 18:00 Podcast discussion about the rededication of the Raleigh Temple 19:25 People in the South are open and willing to invite others to church 22:50 The stake's annual Community Leaders Luncheon for civic and community leaders
- Callings are Rarely about Efficiency or Proficiency (27:50)
We just have to be willing to serve 31:25 As a bishop, his dad once called a Sunday School teacher who was not a member; "The Lord wasn't interested in his proficiency. He was interested in Brother Barnes." 33:35 Prompting to call a sister as Young Womens president who wasn't baptized yet 39:25 Going down the list and looking for the least-likely candidate
41:15 Recognizing how involved Christ is in the bishop's service; recognizing that others can lead while you lead Links Views From the Peak: Jordan Romans 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!
Mitchell’s first book, Perfect in Christ: The Good News of God’s Grace, was published when he was seventeen years old. Mitchell graduated high school in 2021 and has been accepted to attend BYU-Idaho in the fall. He plans to serve a full time mission at the start of 2022. Mitchell has been homeschooled since the third grade but played soccer on the Rigby High School team. During his senior soccer season, he served as the team captain and was voted first team all-conference. Mitchell works as an entrepreneur and one of his businesses was featured on Shark Tank this year. Highlights 3:13 Mitchell Taylor is 18 years old and lives in Rigby, Idaho. 5:10 He was taught by his father about the grace of Jesus Christ. What he heard at church seemed to be different. The Spirit kept prompting him to write a book about Christ’s grace, which he eventually did over two years. 6:50 His father taught him of the parable of the Pit of Sin. If you look up, Christ is reaching down as the only one who can take you out. Justification makes you perfect in Christ. Christ then takes us to the ladder of sanctification. He is always right beside us, holding our hand, as we repent and desire to become more like God. He encourages us to keep trying, even when we fall down a few rungs. This simple parable helps people understand. 9:48 What’s your elevator pitch on grace? In 30 seconds, teach justification and sanctification. 10:40 In 2 Nephi 25:23, there are two ways you could interpret being saved by grace “after all we can do.” Through a lens of grace, we see that we are saved even after all we do, a perspective Elder Uchtdorf has shared. 12:20 All works and ordinances only have meaning and power when they are connected to Christ. We shouldn’t trust in ourselves but rather strengthen our trust in Christ. 15:50 He experienced pain from his flat feet. He finally got inserts perfectly fit to his flat feet that helped alleviate all his pain. This is like getting youth and young adults to Jesus and to understand his mercy and grace. Once they understand that, they will develop a desire to do what they should. All our spiritual practices are appendages to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and his grace. We model gospel behaviors in our home, but how do we model grace? We can model grace in our relationships. 22:00 It’s not our job to get those under our stewardship to practice the gospel or serve. You can, however, offer them grace. 23:30 Showing people grace or unconditional love is not giving them license to sin. Many are confident they want to go to the celestial kingdom but are uncertain if they will make it there. The need for perfection discourages them. Sometimes we bury grace in a culture of legalism that overemphasizes works. 26:30 The medical school analogy teaches that work is required but it doesn’t save you. It’s like assuming that if someone offered to pay for all of your expenses for medical school, that somehow you wouldn’t feel obligated in turn to work hard and give your best service to others in order to show gratitude for the gift. True understanding of grace is the best motivator. 29:40 His yoke is easy and his burden light. Jesus died so we could become perfect in Christ now and become perfect like him later. Works can help us become like him through sanctification. 32:10 Legalistic culture emphasizes the law, works, merit, reward, and earning. Rather, when we see the law as an instruction manual for how to become like Christ, we keep the law not to show how amazing we are but rather to emulate a characteristic of Christ. 36:35 Jesus is with us the entire time. He will never leave us or forsake us. It’s good to strive for perfection, but know that now we can only become perfect in Jesus. 38:30 Building a relationship with Jesus Christ. In Matthew 6, the woman comes to anoint Christ with oil from an alabaster box. His apostles reprimand her and point out the expensive oil could have been sold to give money to th...
Brad Brockbank was born and raised in Lehi, Utah and served a mission in Salvador, Brazil. He attended the University of Utah, graduated with a BA in History, and has worked for Zions Bank in various positions for 18 years. Brad has served in the Church as a Sunday School teacher, in the nursery and Primary, as executive secretary, in elders quorum as a counselor, secretary, and president, and was recently called to be a counselor in his ward's bishopric. Brad and his wife Julie have been married for 19 years, live in Star, Idaho, and have four children. Highlights 4:30 Transitioning into the role of elders quorum president and learning to rely on the Spirit Principles of Leadership:
Listen to Minister 5:20
Checking things off the lists can get in the way of listening We can Hear Him through others as we engage and listen
Stagnant Water Loses its Purity 7:10
Involving others to continue to progress
Don't Inhale 9:00
Elder Faust's advice to recognize that great things happen because of God, not because of what we have done
Priesthood Keys are Real and Meant to be Used 11:15
Leaving a blessing or promise with those you lead
14:30 Being open and vulnerable as a quorum
Creating a culture of sharing and celebrating success over addiction with the quorum Sharing redemption will strengthen others 21:30 Listening and building trust will help with understanding Building relationships creates opportunities for support in many areas
25:20 Leading has helped him learn to rely on Jesus Christ and how much the Lord loves each individual Links 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!
Jessica Butterfield and Kelly Thompson are two delightful, committed, intelligent Latter-day Saints who grew up in Utah. Both Jessica and Kelly are also recovering addicts with a compelling story that needs to be heard—a story of struggle, redemption, and a fervent desire to help the addicted and their families, friends, and church leaders. Kelly has authored the book Between Monsters and Mercy and has been a facilitator for the Church’s Addiction Recovery Program. Together they have begun a new podcast, "The Hope Addiction", as an extension of a podcast Jessica previously initiated. Highlights 04:15: Kelly’s story: Turned to drugs as a teen to deal with physical ailments. Her siblings were on the BYU/temple marriage path. Time on the streets doing whatever it took (e.g., prostitution) to support her addiction. Testimony struggles in a less-active family. God became a punching bag and later her best friend during her time in a deep abyss. D&C 121 took on added meaning. Has been sober 4 ½ years, following 28 years of addiction. Sister missionaries showed up miraculously at a critical time. Began to realize that she was not inherently all the bad labels she had taken upon herself. Wants other to know the Savior can change lives and hearts. Gratitude for other recovering addicts whose stories inspired her to change. 10:48: Jessica’s story: Raised in a small Utah town in an LDS home. Family became inactive when she was 12. Introduced to drugs/alcohol at 12. Had anxiety and depression she was not aware of. Addicted to heroin at 16. Addicted for four years. Hated the person she had become. At 20, went through heroin withdrawal. Did not wish to believe in the “Mormon God.” Attended an LDS 12-step meeting and experienced grace, hope and a priesthood blessing that changed her life. What could it hurt to try a different approach to life? Faith grew. Sealed in temple 3 years shy of being clean. Experienced a transformation through the Atonement. Has not relapsed since that change ten years ago. 15:45: What leads people to try drugs? Alcohol originally offered relief and seemed like a solution to anxiety/depression/trauma/family dysfunction/family history of addiction. Substance abuse worked fast and came with fun partying. Seeking out associates with similar adulterated values. Wired for anxiety? Drugs provided an escape “needed” to cope. God’s love supplanted the need for harmful substances. 21:40: Rationalizing the foray into drugs? Escape 23:20: Common misconceptions about the disease. Where does choice end and addiction/disease begin? Lying and manipulation comes with the territory. Abuse affects the brain and takes over the survival instincts. If you are on fire you jump into a water to save yourself. Addicted people begin viewing drugs as a survival tool. Addicts are not bad people who need to be good; they are sick people who want to be better. As an addict your behavior affects others adversely. Mental health issues require compassion. 27:30: What can a church leader or family member do when someone is in the middle of their addiction? No easy answers. Allow someone to suffer the consequences of their choices--landing in jail isn’t always a bad thing. Addicts need to be humbled. Pray for addicted loved ones to hit bottom and confess to being an addict so they can turn to the real source of strength. Heavenly Father knows our hearts and can provide healing circumstances. Be willing to plant seeds that can help an addict even if you don’t see immediate results. When Jessica was ready to change, she remembered the good people in the church who had been very kind (e.g., non-judgmental home teachers, sister missionaries, etc.) 33:40: What about relapse? It is a one-day-at-a-time deal. Need Christ. Don’t become overly confident. 36:45: Pushing the addictive experiences into the background vs being open about prior struggles. What about involving recovering addicts to help wards?
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in March 2018.
Tom Christofferson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who experiences same sex attraction. He is also the brother of Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Tom grew up in the Church as a member, served a mission and married in the temple. His short marriage ended and he came out as gay and lived that lifestyle for many years. He started coming back to church with Bruce Larson as a bishop and David Checketts as his stake president. His story is told in his book, That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family, and he has more recently published A Better Heart: The Impact of Christ’s Pure Love.
Tom has spent his career in investment management and asset servicing, living in the United States and Europe. He was a founding board member of Encircle, a group providing resources to support LGBTQ individuals and their families in Provo, Utah. Tom is an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and serves as a Gospel Doctrine teacher in his Salt Lake City Ward. As leaders we can learn a lot from his experience of coming back to church and being rebaptized.
President David Checketts (far left) and the Christofferson brothers Episode Highlights 6:30 Tom's story from the beginning 9:30 His story of excommunication 10:50 How his family wanted their love to be perfect as they accepted him 13:20 Bishop Bruce Larson's side of the story 16:00 Stake President David Checkett's side of the story 18:00 Bishop Larson and President Checketts did not know at first that he was related to Elder Christofferson 20:30 Sharing with the ward council how to make feel Tom welcome 22:30 Response of the ward council 24:00 Tom was welcomed and loved unconditionally 29:00 Tom attended the ward for 5 years before wanting to come back to live the commandments 31:45 During the 5 years how Tom felt welcome in the ward 33:20 Everyone focused on the the relationship with Tom and not his progress 34:30 Study sessions with Tom and President Checketts 38:00 Meeting with Tom's partner 42:00 President Checketts meets with Elder Christofferson about Tom 45:00 Tom Christofferson's rebaptism 48:00 How this experience has helped Bishop Larson to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ 50:00 How this experience has helped President Checketts to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ Links That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family A Better Heart: The Impact of Christ’s Pure Love Read the TRANSCRIPT for this episode
Julie Cluff is a speaker, author, international grief coach and the owner of Build a Life After Loss, where she helps those who are grieving to rebuild their life after loss. She hosts the Build a Life After Loss podcast, and she is the author of the book Miracles in the Darkness, in which she shares her experiences with grief, including the death of her two youngest children in a car accident on Mother’s Day in 2007, and the journey back to hope and healing. Julie currently serves as the Relief Society Activity Coordinator and has previously served as a Stake and Ward Primary Counselor, Young Women’s president, Relief Society Counselor, and Stake Public Affairs Director. Julie and her husband Ron have 6 children and 10 grandchildren.
Highlights 3:55 - Julie’s Background
Felt compelled to support others who experience loss and grief after significant personal losses: brother died by suicide, divorce, and two children died in an automobile accident
5:20 - Recounting automobile accident
Our lives were changed forever We have had things we have had to overcome because of the accident Healing from our Savior is available
10:20 - How she processed and moved forward post-loss
It is a long process and not an overnight experience Painful experiences and discomfort led to healing (the weight and heaviness of the darkness began lifting) Healing happened when the timing was right for her to appreciate what the Savior did for her Everyone’s healing doesn’t come in the same way or instantaneously She was given a unique and miraculous experience so that she could testify of healing and where it comes from Ultimate healing comes from the Savior
15:45 - The difference between grieving and healing
Grief is the path to healing, it is part of the solution not the problem Grief is the pain we experience that tells us we have experienced an emotional injury and we need to take care of it
19:05 - The process of grief and healing
Emotional pain is painful for those around us, we want everyone to be okay Trust the process of grief and healing and do not rush it
21:15 - Getting trapped in the grief cycle
Going online to find support can contribute to getting stuck in our grief and pain Richard G. Scott - It is crucial that we be active participants in our healing Most of us know very little about grief and the process or effort required to heal We grieve and then we pile on shame and guilt as we don’t know what to do As a leader, the challenge is to honour their grief path and the pain they’re experiencing
25:55 - We’re not responsible for someone’s healing but we can be there to support
Support looks like accepting the pain Sympathy = more pain Empathy = that must be so hard Instead of telling the person what they need, ask them how you can support them in their healing process
27:50 - Show up and answer their questions
Our presence says I love you and I care about you No need to fear saying the wrong thing, we don’t have to have the right words
35:10 - Avoid overreacting to their emotions and concerns
Everyone’s reaction to grief is unique and different and we should not judge or dictate their healing Whey they ask questions, that’s when we get to answer their questions rather than asserting information
41:05 - Don’t be overwhelmed trying to say the right thing
The overwhelm comes from thinking that somehow we can make it better or that there is the perfect thing to say (and there isn’t) Just show up and it will become more comfortable the more willing you are to sit with the discomfort
46:10 - Set up a support structure
Coordinator efforts to address both the emotional needs and the physical needs
50:45 - Being sensitive to the ongoing impact of grief
The emergency situation vs. the ongoing impact of grief and loss The ongoing impact is where the spiritual support is most needed Stay engaged so they have someone to go to answer their questions,
Brent Ebmeyer has been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints his whole life and served a mission in Argentina. He and his wife Courtney married in 2004 and have five children. A year after they were sealed in the temple, Brent shared that he experiences same-sex attraction. It took them to the brink of separation, but through consistent communication, compassion, and love they have been able to find hope in their future together.
Bruce Ebmeyer is Brent's brother. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Carolyn, for 30 years and they have eight children. Born and raised in the church, he has served in various callings including full-time missionary, stake high counselor, stake Young Mens president, bishop, and is currently a stake president. He owns and operates a transportation company, and likes to work and travel. Highlights 3:55 Brent's experience sharing his same-sex attraction with his wife
Thought it meant he would be leaving the Church Experience finding the North Star community
5:55 Bruce's experience finding out about Brent's SSA 7:45 How Brent got to the point of coming out to his wife and later to his family
Realization that his wife was willing to go through this with him
12:45 Bruce's experience after finding out
His wife got closer to Bruce's wife as she needed more support Realized he was wrong and it was not a choice Opened his heart to understanding as he interacted with people at the North Star conference
19:00 Brent's testimony of the gospel and the cognitive dissonance of also acknowledging his SSA
Realizing the "why" of this experience is to help others Turning a struggle into a blessing by sharing with others
24:20 Bruce's recognition that sharing with others is vital to helping leaders serve church members experiencing SSA 28:40 What kept Brent in the Church was the power of his testimony that he could fall back on 30:45 We don't know why we have these trials, but we can work together to get through them 31:30 The experience at the North Star conference
Leadership sessions available online this year and are still free for church leaders Gaining knowledge is gaining power and losing fear
Links northstarlds.org 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!
Kimberly Day graduated from BYU with a Bachelors in Psychology, served a mission to Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and then went back to school to earn a Masters Degree from Washington State University in Counseling Psychology, where she also taught seminary and then Institute. She worked in higher education and later at a financial planning firm, but eventually felt the call to come back to her love for counseling and working with people through life’s challenges. Kimberly's focus is working with individuals suffering from betrayal trauma or other types of complex relationship traumas, and she is trained in the Association of Partners of Sex Addicts Trauma Specialists' Multidimensional Partner Trauma Model (M-PTM). She lives in Olympia, Washington with her husband and four kids.
Highlights 5:30 Kim's experience counseling around and studying abuse and healthy/unhealthy patterns of behavior 8:00 The word "abuse" 9:30 Catching negative patterns and recognizing their impact 10:30 Three ways to define abuse: the impact on the victim, the actual interaction in a relationship, or the intent
Can be damaging even without intent Gaslighting 15:30 A shift in power and control in the relationship 18:30 Honoring the impact of what the victim is experiencing even when the intent is not to abuse
24:20 The subtle messages that perpetuate trauma, create isolation, and threaten her safety 25:50 The myth that the spouse needs to step up to meet his needs 27:50 When there is an intent for power and control 29:00 Men are receiving an education in dehumanizing women and it becomes a belief about how the world works
Book of Mormon example of the conflict between Laman & Lemuel and Nephi: abusive behaviors from a sense of entitlement to power and control, perpetuated across generations A trick Satan has been using for a long time The spectrum of unrighteous dominion This model of power and control applies across a range of relationships and situations
39:00 Reprogramming of the brain
Teach them to be aligned to God and if they are tuned-in, He will correct them 45:50 Recognize that the learning remains and continues to cause problems in relationships
50:00 The lens of impact on women
Women don't recognize the impact and don't use/accept the word abuse in these dynamics Most couples don't have the language to address it Setting boundaries can lead to retaliation
56:50 Next steps to learn more
Abuse is seldom apparent to other men Know your local resources (outside the Church)
59:20 Be willing to be open and address puzzling situations without needing to have answers Links Life Changing Services Church Handbook section about abuse (28.6.2) Why Does He Do That?, by Lundy Bancroft What Every Bishop Needs to Understand About Betrayal Trauma Have We Forgotten the Betrayed When the Sinner Confesses? 6 Things I Wish Bishops Knew About Addiction | Guest Post by Steven Shields (Recovering Addict) Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault | An Interview with the Staff of The Refuge Recognizing Abuse in a Relationship 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!
Denis Grinevicius was a young teen when Lithuania broke from the USSR and become an independent country in 1993. Shortly afterward, as previously-forbidden religion became available, his family met the missionaries and he and his mother were baptized. Because the branch was small, he has had many opportunities to serve. He has been an elders quorum counselor and president multiple times, a branch counselor and president (twice), a district president and counselor, and a counselor in the mission presidency. Denis served in the Scotland Edinburgh mission and met his wife Nadezda at a youth conference in Moscow. They are the parents of three children.
Highlights 4:30 About the Church in Lithuania; his conversion and Church service experience 11:20 Church experience with Covid 12:50 Care more about what the Lord will think and not what people think 14:30 Just do your best even when it's overwhelming 15:35 Never complain 17:30 Find joy in the service or re-evaluate what you are doing 18:45 Training the youth or training your replacement
Trust the youth and give them opportunities to serve 23:00 Allow them to participate in presidency meetings so they learn from experience
25:00 Loving the people
It can be easier to love than to accept love, but choosing to love people breaks down barriers Sometimes correcting people causes more harm than what we are trying to correct
30:30 Leadership in the Church is not like leadership in the world; his service helps him understand how the Lord served Links 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!
Jody Moore is a mother, speaker, Master Certified Life Coach and the owner of Jody Moore Coaching where she helps women improve their self-concept, live from empowering emotions and accomplish their goals. She has a multiple-7-figure coaching practice where she works with her clients online, teaching classes and hosting live calls, supplemented with live events.
She has four children ages 4 to 13 and resides with them and her husband in Spokane, Washington. Prior to founding her coaching practice, Jody earned her Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University and a Master’s Degree at the University of Phoenix where she worked for many years as a sales trainer and leadership coach. Highlights 4:55 Life as we expected it this past year did not happen and this has especially affected the youth Tools to use with youth:
1 5:45 Normalize feeling unhappy
Give our kids permission to feel something that isn't happy This is a normal part of being a human and nothing has gone wrong 8:15 Kelly McGonigal study on stress
2 11:30 Focus more on thoughts and less on actions when speaking with the youth
Our thoughts are different than God's thoughts We need to start by choosing our thoughts intentionally Agency is also the ability to choose how/what to think and this is a skill youth can learn
3 16:30 Teach the youth how to feel their feelings
Different approaches to emotion: resisting, avoiding, or feeling The "easy" button Relaxing into emotion instead of resisting Opposition in all things: we are not supposed to feel happy all the time
4 24:00 Seek to minimize shame
Shame is natural but toxic The message of shame can easily slip in, even when we don't mean for it to Empathy is the antidote to shame Shame thrives in hiding Example of her experience with a bishop that steered her away from shame
5 29:15 Stop labeling everything as anxiety
Sometimes it is anxiety, but sometimes it's just labeling negative emotion and thinking it needs to be fixed The better we become at accurately labeling our negative emotion, the better our chances at learning how to manage them
32:45 We have to get better at doing these things ourselves; learning to manage our own thoughts will help us help others better 36:00 Slowing down and making space for feeling emotions; "this is the part where I feel ____" 39:10 Learning how God thinks so we can become more like Him; asking the question, "What would Jesus think?" 41:30 Stress is a very useful thing and we can learn to handle it 42:40 Taking a deep breath and relaxing into the emotion 43:30 Her daughter's experience getting shots at the doctor: it's okay to just cry 44:30 Shame and guilt
Shame is the feeling of guilt gone wild when the first feelings are not addressed Most people have learned to go straight to shame Guilt is information
48:30 Increasing our emotional vocabulary so we can have more leverage over the emotion 51:20 Addressing the thoughts and feelings first, and then the behavior 54:00 Final advice to leaders: embrace that you will do an amazing job and also not such a great job Links JodyMoore.com The Upside of Stress, by Kelly McGonigal 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!
Sue Peterson has been a stake Relief Society president in Elk Ridge, Utah, for three years. She joined the Church at age 21 and has previously served as a ward Relief Society president, with the Young Women, in Sunday School, and as a Webelos leader. Sue enjoys writing and has taught journalism and drama classes. She and her husband Jack have been married 40 years and have six daughters and 12 grandchildren. Highlights 5:45 Her calling as stake Relief Society president 7:30 Calls herself a realist and believes in dropping the facade 11:15 Being brave and modeling vulnerability and openness from her own difficult life experiences 14:30 Others may be uncomfortable with vulnerability, but all that matters is what God thinks of you, not what others think 16:45 The Lord is always working on people, whatever their circumstances 19:10 Focusing on the Relief Society presidents in her stake: her job is to help them have every tool they need and be their advocate 24:15 "The Pretty Presidents Press" for her Relief Society presidents; being there in Relief Society regularly 26:00 One-on-one meetings with presidencies before ward conferences 30:45 Visits Relief Society meetings regularly but purposefully doesn't intrude on the meetings as a leader. Even ward conference was a discussion of two questions and not a lesson. 34:00 Actions she takes when a new ward Relief Society president is called
35:20 Teaching delegation; getting out of the way 36:10 Promoting Just Serve with specialists in each ward
41:20 Changes due to lessons learned from technology during the pandemic
Stake Relief Society YouTube channel
46:00 "The Lord can do a lot more with my life than I can" Links Outline for new ward Relief Society presidents 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!
Geoff Steurer is a licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice in St. George, Utah, with over 20 years of experience. He is the co-author of Love You, Hate the Porn: Healing a Relationship Damaged by Virtual Infidelity and the host of the weekly podcast, "From Crisis to Connection". He has produced workbooks, audio programs, and online courses helping couples and individuals heal from the impact of sexual betrayal, unwanted pornography use, partner betrayal trauma, and rebuilding broken trust. He received a bachelors in communications studies from Brigham Young University and a masters in marriage and family therapy from Auburn University, and maintains a private counseling practice in beautiful Southern Utah. Geoff has served as a bishop, on the high council, a young men's president, and currently serves as the gospel doctrine teacher in his ward. He's been married for 25 years to Jody Young Steurer and they are the parents of four children. Highlights 6:00 Why Geoff chose to talk about healthy attachment for the virtual summit because connection and attachment are within our realm of control 8:20 Making space for attachment
Recognizing that attachment matters 10:15 Connection and individuality are not either/or; they both matter for our psychological well-being The messages of individuality as the source of happiness have pushed our culture in that direction, but the research says the web of relationships is vital 14:45 Adam & Eve: from the beginning we have known it is not good to be alone 18:25 The tendency to send away people who are lonely: people just need to be witnessed 20:40 It's the relationship that matters. 75-80% of what affects change in therapy is the relationship between the therapist and client 23:00 A leader or therapist cannot always be there. There are always people who care and can be part of their life if we get creative. The Church has a built-in system to create healthy relationships and attachments that can help people feel included; it's part of our baptismal commitment 27:45 There are opportunities beyond the ministering program for us to connect with others; the surface relationships can go deeper and we are all looking for that 34:30 A summary of attachment science 41:25 Marriage isn't the solution to loneliness for single adults 42:20 Exercises for calling on attachments and creating connection even when alone; our system is designed to store those bonding moments 48:00 Reaching out to an old friend
49:45 How to leverage attachment
As individuals: take the risk to connect to others 55:55 In our families: children are a mix of dependency and a need to be independent; parents need to support both
58:40 Children will thrive even in the messiness: just show up and support people
1:00:30 In the Church: we have opportunities to connect with people who we would not otherwise be part of our lives
Don't overcomplicate with organization: See people as people and connect with them
1:05:25 Start by recognizing your own comfort level with connection
Links GeoffSteurer.com Trust Building Academy 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!
Donald Kelly has served as a bishop, executive secretary, Sunday School teacher, YSA representative, and in an elders quorum presidency. He joined the Church as a teenager, served a mission in Detroit, Michigan, and graduated from Brigham Young University Idaho with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing. He is the founder and CEO of The Sales Evangelist sales training organization in South Florida, and host of The Sales Evangelist podcast. Highlights 3:40 What his organization does teaching sales principles as business consultants 4:35 His conversion story and convincing his mother to allow him to be baptized and serve a mission 10:40 Calling as a bishop at age 31 12:00 The challenge of developing leaders in the Church
Coaching from both excellent examples and learning experiences Being intentional about mentoring other leaders so they can develop and stand on their own 18:00 A letter and binder of information for newly-called leaders 20:00 Emphasis on one-on-one interviews to identify challenges and offer guidance
21:20 Details about how they created and used the binders and instructional videos for new leaders to transition between individuals in callings 31:30 Details about using one-on-one interviews to counsel together and empower leaders in the ward 34:50 Including counselors in ward councils to share the burden and help develop their leadership skills 40:40 Never assuming understanding 44:00 Gained a greater understanding of the Atonement and a richer study of the scriptures Links TheSalesEvangelist.com LinkedIn: DonaldCKelly 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!
Dr. David Morgan received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Master of Science in Counseling and Guidance, and Doctor of Philosophy in Counseling Psychology, all from Brigham Young University. He has worked in the mental health field for more than 25 years and has been a licensed psychologist for almost 20 years. Dr. Morgan maintains a private psychology practice in Washington state. He is a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and currently serves as the elders quorum president in his ward. Highlights 4:00 There are so many principles of the gospel that can help us with mental health 6:15 Alma 46 verse referencing physical health remedies: wouldn't he have done the same for mental health? True principles founded in research and good psychological practice but also found in scripture 8:50 Six Gospel-Centered Principles
Don't worry about having anxiety
Some anxiety is good for us and helps improve our performance or gives us energy boosts; the problem comes when we have a chronic response to circumstances that are not dangerous 12:30 It's okay to have challenges and weaknesses; Ether 12:27: reach out for help; you are not broken or cursed
14:45 Understand diagnostic labels, but let the professionals determine what is going on
Diagnoses change as professional opinions change Most mental health diagnoses are temporary
19:40 Realize the power of your thoughts
Our thoughts play a significant role in how we feel; scriptural example of the storm on the Sea of Galilee and the different reactions to it 22:20 You can't control everything that happens around you, but you can control what we think about those things 24:20 "The challenge is closing the gap between our beliefs and the truth."
26:00 Anxiety management involves confronting anxiety
Until you do the thing that is causing anxiety, you won't know the result; not doing it reinforces the anxiety "That wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be." 29:50 Start with small steps: you become more tolerant and the anxiety lessens
31:30 Recognize anxiety as a means of building faith
Challenge exercises and strengthens our faith as we go through the process of growth Parable of the talents; faith and fear are opposites and faith can replace anxiety
36:40 Be careful about what you feed your brain
The brain will respond and adapt to what we put into it Our brains become better and better at what we do over and over Find balance: the scriptures are full of the call to peace and faith, not anxiety A gospel of action: Your brain can change and become better
44:00 Should members go to their church leaders or get professional help? It's best to get as many people involved as possible when someone needs extra help dealing with mental health issues.
Church leaders aren't therapists, but they can be a gateway to more help 49:30 The bishop's role in counseling is being minimized: elders quorum and Relief Society leaders can take much of the load off the bishop's desk 54:30 We are not alone: if we could see each other without pretence, we could relieve ourselves of the shame of struggling
Judge Thomas B. Griffith is an expert in constitutional law. He has served as chief counsel for both the U.S. Senate and for Brigham Young University, and was appointed to a judgeship by George W. Bush on the Washington, D.C., Court of Appeals, from which he recently retired. In his church experience he has served as both a bishop and a stake president. He lives in Virginia, practices law in D.C., and teaches at Harvard Law School.
In this collaboratory episode, Kurt Francom and Faith Matters co-founder Bill Turnbull talk with Thomas to explore President Oaks' most recent General Conference address. President Oaks spoke passionately about the U.S. Constitution and ended with an urgent admonition to end political tribalism and division, insisting that we address this in our wards and stakes. They also discuss what lies behind those divisions—the rapid erosion of goodwill and trust in the American body politic—including among Latter-day Saints. Thomas believes Latter-day Saints can and must play a critical role in healing today’s divides. Leaders especially have a role in helping ward members follow President Oaks' counsel. Highlights 2:10 Quote from President Oaks' talk: "On contested issues, we should seek to moderate and unify. … There are many political issues, and no party, platform, or individual candidate can satisfy all personal preferences. Each citizen must therefore decide which issues are most important to him or her at any particular time. Then members should seek inspiration on how to exercise their influence according to their individual priorities. This process will not be easy. It may require changing party support or candidate choices, even from election to election." 3:45 The thought never occurred to him that his political views were driven by his faith commitments Quote from President Oaks' talk: "Such independent actions will sometimes require voters to support candidates or political parties or platforms whose other positions they cannot approve. That is one reason we encourage our members to refrain from judging one another in political matters. We should never assert that a faithful Latter-day Saint cannot belong to a particular party or vote for a particular candidate. We teach correct principles and leave our members to choose how to prioritize and apply those principles on the issues presented from time to time. We also insist, and we ask our local leaders to insist, that political choices and affiliations not be the subject of teachings or advocacy in any of our Church meetings." 6:40 What can leaders take away from this: How does this apply to me? How can I change and be a better disciple of Christ based on this counsel? 8:30 Rigid identification with one political party has been a long-time concern with the general leadership of the church 9:45 Polarization is complicated: we sort ourselves with like-minded people and have less interaction with people who think differently, and those interactions are increasingly hostile 11:15 Media, social media, and confirmation bias: living in an echo chamber 13:45 Be introspective and thoughtful, always questioning your own assumptions; Jesus is always challenging us 15:15 Beyond Politics: the role of politics for disciples of Christ; we need to learn how to do politics differently than the political parties do 17:00 The narratives of fear and demonizing the other 18:40 "Bishop Griffith" would quote President Oaks in a talk and instruct his ward to leave politics out of all conversations at church 21:55 Kurt's experience in a more conservative church meeting 24:40 Political views are separate from religious views; you can have widely divergent political views and be an active member of the Church 26:10 How faith should inform our political views: the purpose of politics is to help "the least of these" 28:00 One thing a leader can do is to give permission to believe differently politically 31:30 Leaders often mistake an ability problem f...
Patrick Mason holds the Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture at Utah State University. He is the author of multiple books, including Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt and Restoration: God's Call to the 21st-Century World. He and his wife Melissa have four children and live in Logan, Utah, where he currently serves as ward Sunday School president. Highlights 5:30 What led him to write the book Restoration 8:00 Change and restoration on every level 9:35 God is more interested in restoring His people than in restoring "things"; everything else is a means to the end of restoring His children to wholeness 16:00 Encouraging leaders to join in the Restoration without stepping outside the lines: there is room for creativity and engagement 19:30 Joseph Smith never used the terms "restored church" or "restored gospel"; the word restoration referred to the house of Israel and bringing marginalized people back into wholeness in the embrace of the love of God 23:50 As leaders we need to consider what it is about what we are doing that will bring people wholeness; WHY do we do these things that we do? 26:00 Relativism and exclusivism
Exclusivism: if one thing is true then something different cannot be true Relativism: different paths up the mountain Particularism: God gives specific gifts to all people; what is God doing among the rest of His children?
32:10 The scriptures also point outside of themselves: seek wisdom out of the best books and the Spirit will help you discern what is true 35:30 Brigham Young quote: "It is now our duty and calling to gather up every item of truth." 37:30 Having a lay leadership leads to diversity within the Church; bring the best of who you are and apply it to the Restoration 39:55 We have been a church addicted to growth; maybe our calling is to have a transformative effect, not a dominating effect 42:50 History is different than the present and part of the Restoration is to recognize what is being restored today; complacency holds us back and recognizing our baggage and changing it is part of our collective repentance process so that we can move forward 47:50 The burden of local leaders is localized and they can lean into the inspiration for their local congregation's struggles 51:30 Wards are outwardly homogenous: share your struggles and ask how you can do better; there are a lot of needs outside the ward boundaries as well 54:20 Start with our responsibility to teach the doctrine then listen and learn from one another 56:00 The world doesn't offer a place like this to love and learn together that we have within our church organizations 57:30 Cultural colonialism: separate the culture from the doctrine, and empower people to bring their gifts 1:02:15 Fundamentalism: rigidity, intolerance, condescension; the opposite of gentle, open, humility 1:07:50 Keep the focus on the individual, not a set of ideas 1:08:30 Catching the vision of the Restoration Links Planted: Belief and Belonging in an Age of Doubt Restoration: God's Call to the 21st Century World 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!
Joshua Konietz is the grandson of one of the pioneers for the Church in Europe, and served in the England Birmingham mission. He has served as elders quorum president, high counselor, and as a bishop for three years. Joshua manages a development team working in northern Europe to reduce auto and industrial weight and CO2 emissions. He and his wife Janina live in Friedrichsdorf, Germany, near the Frankfurt temple, and are the parents of three children. Highlights 3:45 The Church experience today in Friedrichsdorf 5:15 Meeting and serving during the pandemic
7:20 Seeking personal connections
Leadership principles: 8:20 Principle 1: Personal preparation to lead with authenticity and integrity
Preparing the next generation of leaders 9:20 Felt the desire to serve with the same influence on others that he felt from general authorities 11:30 Wrote his vision of his service as a bishop Seeks to reconnect with the vision of his responsibilities and who he wants to be 16:15 A vision helps him set priorities and set the agenda for ward council 19:00 Examples of considering specific questions and objectives
21:35 Principle 2: Empowerment
Influence from the examples of his Young Mens president and his mission trainer 25:00 Mentoring others to catch the vision of why we are doing what we are doing 26:30 Turning first to the handbook and seeking their own revelation
30:15 Principle 3: Influence
Authentic relationships are key 32:25 Spending time with the members forms the basis for relationships and influence
39:20 The influence of the Savior and our dependence on the Lord's counsel helps us do what we could not do on our own Links The Science of Church Meetings (including Ward Council) | An Interview with Steven Rogelberg Liahona article with a story about Joshua's grandfather 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!
Jeff Mask is a business growth and leadership expert, international speaker, and CEO coach to some of the best and brightest business minds around the world. At church he has loved serving the youth in his wards and stakes from California, Arizona, and Utah over the past 20 years. He is currently the Stake Mission Preparation teacher for his stake. Jeff and his wife are the parents of four children. Highlights 5:00 Jeff's purpose and work coaching CEOs 7:00 Getting past imposter syndrome: relying on the Lord 8:50 Continual learning and always striving to be the best he can be 12:00 Coaching leaders so they don't "lose their soul"
Losing sight of the big picture The principle of temperance in all things: the slow evolution into being consumed Slipping away from the morning routines Allowing fear to replace faith: the fears most humans have of not being good enough or of being rejected 18:35 Using the five layers of "why" to get to the root of what is holding them back
20:10 Advice to those working with leaders who are showing fear
Be humble Have empathy Ask them questions to get to a different place
22:50 Advice for the leaders who see themselves acting from a place of fear Three R's he coaches about in mindset
Recognize that's where you are: simply acknowledge it and don't judge or run from it Replace with a powerful statement Recite your statement out loud
32:30 Inspired and inspiring meetings
Make it a transformative experience: frame the meeting as a revelatory experience 34:10 Get clear on the purpose and agenda of the meeting 43:30 Mix it up: let others fill different roles
45:20 Inspiring people: rooted in love
Ask yourself, How have I as the leader contributed to their behavior? If I don't like someone, I don't know them well enough yet 48:30 Love individually and you can inspire greatly
53:15 Fear, duty, and love are the true motivators: Making love the motivator is energizing, but duty and fear break us down 56:20 The Helaman Principle for leading the youth
Helaman had a vision of them and for them When they lead they rise
1:01:30 No one has it all figured out; vulnerability is powerful; the most powerful leaders combine humility with courage and vision 1:03:40 Coaching another leader
See the worth and value of the individual and work to extract their genius Ask inspired questions
Links MaskPrinciples.com 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!
Stan Beagley and his wife are the parents of four children, including a young adult son with nonverbal autism. He joined the Church at age 17 and served a mission to Paraguay, then attended Dixie State and Brigham Young University. Stan is the President and CEO of the Piano Gallery stores and has served as the chairman of the Carmen B. Pingree Autism Foundation and on the board of directors of Valley Behavioral Health in Salt Lake City, with an emphasis on autism advocacy. He has served in the Church as a Young Mens and elders quorum president, as a counselor in a bishopric, and on the High Council. He is currently the bishop of the Deer Creek Ward in Midway, Utah. Highlights 3:25 His experience with a son with autism 6:15 Autism, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Autism+ 9:20 Where can a leader even begin to help?
Parents will probably say, "We've got this" when they're really in absolute survival mode Breaking through the shell to find the struggle
15:15 Helping the autistic person in social circumstances 17:30 Creating opportunities for support; the Ward Disability Specialist 20:45 Recognize that there are some things you should not say; don't try to explain it away 21:20 Autistic Primary class: These kids are here for the people around them 24:50 What to say instead 25:30 Don't skip over the parents for callings because they are capable and could need it as much or even more than others; once they are beyond survival mode, everyone has challenges 30:10 Learning words such as "neurotypical"; don't talk in front of the child as if they aren't there 32:00 To parents: Hang in there. It gets better. 33:00 Being Jake's parent has helped him be more accepting and inclusive Links Disabilities.ChurchofJesusChrist.org The Navigating Autism Podcast 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!
Louie D. Hamner III has served with bishoprics as a ward clerk, finance clerk, and executive secretary, as a bishop and a bishop's counselor, as a Young Men president, and in the elders quorum. He grew up in a farming community in Mount Auburn, Indiana, and graduated from Utah Valley University in Accounting. Today he owns Vanguard Title Insurance Agency, one of the largest title companies in Utah, and Acclaimed Title in Texas. Louie and his wife Vivian have three children.
Highlights 5:00 A lifelong learner reading and attending training programs; learned skills for his work that he sought to apply in his role as a bishop 7:35 Realized that he needed to be good at helping people solve problems; the bishop's office doesn't work the same as a business owner's office 10:50 Leading with Vulnerability
Sought to create a culture that would ease the pain points Realized that if he could share his struggles as a bishop, it would make it okay for everyone else to share where they are struggling as well First made Ward Council a safe place Shared about his relationship with his parents in a 5th Sunday meeting Made a point of recognizing when someone was being vulnerable
20:20 Stimulating more vulnerability in a youth setting
Bringing out the struggles and walking through them together This is a skill that has to be practiced with vulnerability Ask questions and talk about it Acknowledging their experience instead of simply correcting and creating shame
27:50 Creating Safety
Studied books in Ward Council and applied what they were learning to gospel situations Allowing vulnerability in ward council created an environment where people could feel safe Discussion after a singing testimony
37:40 Creating a Growth Mindset Culture
37:30 Sharing vulnerable personal experiences to help the ward grow 39:00 Young man who had decided not to go on a mission: created a growth plan 47:40 Young man with a porn addiction: this is progress
51:15 Creating a Vision
His vision of teaching people how to lead What will you do beyond checking the boxes? President Nelson's call to identify what sign you are going to give to God 56:00 God wants you to be the instrument you are
1:00:00 Leading with Empathy
The baptismal covenant is a covenant of empathy A choice to go into that person's pain the way they are experiencing it
Appreciate and understand that person's model of the world Recognize the emotions they are experiencing Convey understanding of those emotions No judgment
1:03:55 Taught this in ward council and then as a 5th Sunday lesson
1:08:00 Building Leaders
Solve problems as a presidency first before bringing failures to Ward Council Leadership lessons in Ward Council helped the members grow as leaders Challenging them to identify what they are supposed to do as a leader in that role
1:12:20 Realized he is always on a path to become greater, and that path involves pain Links The Gifts of Imperfection, by Brene Brown Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown The Power of Vulnerability (Brene Brown TED Talk) Mindset, by Carol Dweck Crucial Conversations, by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler Planted, by Patrick Mason 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!
Sandy Utah Willow Creek Stake Presidency, Joe Staples, Davis Smith, and Alan Matheson share their experiences teaching the youth in their stake about the gospel topics essays, as well as members struggling with their faith.
Joe Staples recently stepped away from a 22-year career as Chief Marketing Officer and is now a Go-to-Market Advisor, using his experience to help other companies succeed. Joe grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints right after his high school graduation, then attended Brigham Young University and served a mission in Brazil. He previously served as a bishop in Seattle, Washington.
Alan Matheson is the Executive Director of the Point of the Mountain State Land Authority, overseeing planning and development of the 600-acres of state land currently occupied by the Utah State Prison in Draper. He served a mission to the Canada Calgary, Spanish-speaking mission and has served in bishoprics, elders quorum, and with the young men.
Davis Smith is the Founder-CEO of Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah with a social mission at its core. His father worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Latin America and Davis grew up there before later serving a mission to Bolivia. Highlights 04:10 About the Willow Creek Stake 05:20 Teaching the youth about the gospel topics essays
5 sessions each year, the 5 months before high school senior-age youth graduate from high school, so that they have faith-based answers to questions they may encounter 10:30 These youth usually have a basic knowledge of the topics, but much of the details they are not aware of 13:00 Young adults struggling with their faith often leave the Church because of a lack of trust 16:00 Held a fireside in advance, inviting both the youth and their parents; surveyed the youth about topics they were most interested in 20:10 They are going to encounter these topics at some point, and discussing them in a trusting environment where they can ask questions and get answers will serve them later
24:00 Ministering to those with faith challenges
Trained stake and ward councils on how to approach this with members Stake Relief Society also taught alongside them 27:30 Used the structure of the topics of trust, belonging, and meaning
31:30 "Group therapy" with elders quorum presidents from the stake where they could ask questions and find moral support 32:45 "Look for what you can do"; the pandemic has been an opportunity to change for the better 35:00 President Matheson's experience feeling love for the people of the stake and recognizing that the Savior must love him even more; recognizing the source of his comfort and hope in the Savior, and that his job as a leader is to help others access the Savior Links How I Lead as Stake President | An Interview with Joe Staples Weaving a Vision into Your Service | An Interview with Davis Smith Planted, by Patrick Mason Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question, by David Ostler Ministering to Those Who Question | An Interview with David Ostler 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!
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2018.
Whitney Johnson started as a secretary on Wall Street while taking business classes at night. She worked her way up to an award-winning equity analyst and later co-founded an investment firm with the late Clayton Christensen, She is the bestselling and critically acclaimed author of Build an “A” Team, and Disrupt Yourself, and hosts the weekly Disrupt Yourself podcast.
Whitney grew up in San Jose, California and served a Church mission in Uruguay. She attended Brigham Young University, where she received a B.A. in music and met her husband. They have two children (a son and a daughter), and live in Lexington, Virginia. Highlights 10:35 In her twenties, Whitney asked herself, “Do I believe?” While she took a step back, her husband fasted for her on and off for two years. 13:13 While serving in her current calling she realized, "I don’t need to save them just love them." 18:20 Early in her career she started a blog to help her discover what her dreams were. 19:30 Every man and women needs to learn how to be a ship and a harbor. 21:00 Her first book came out in 2012, Dare Dream Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare To Dream 22:30 She later wrote the book Disrupt Yourself: Putting The Power Of Disruptive Innovation To Work 25:10 A disruptor is a silly thing that takes over the world. When you disrupt yourself you take over your world. 26:10 Disrupting is managing change. 28:00 How do you disrupt yourself or your ward? Seven Levers of Change 28:35 #1 Take the right kinds of risk
29:00 Serve the Lord the way you need to using your talents. 32:00 Ask yourself what you want to accomplish in this calling.
32:40 #2 Play to your distinctive strengths in your calling.
34:40 What am I bringing to the table in regards to my calling? 36:25 Think about the things that make you feel strong. 36:45 Think about what exacerbates you. That is one of your strengths. 37:05 What compliments do you get all the time? That is your super power. 37:20 Read your patriarchal blessing. Look for your spiritual gifts while reading it. 38:30 Are you using your strengths and your superpowers deliberately in your calling?
38:50 #3 Embrace Constraints
39:10 How do we turn those constraints into a tool of creation? 40:20 Elders Bednar's 2017 General Conference address Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease is a great example of how our load is what gets them out. 42:05 Elder Carmack's address about the Powers of the Priesthood is a great example to use your Priesthood Power at its fullest. 42:20 Be prayerful and listen to the Lord. 44:00 Communicate and be open about your constraints with your Bishop. 45:20 Extend callings and invite them to pray about it first.
45:56 #4 Battle Entitlement
47:00 The Church helps battle entitlement by the way it is organized, and callings change.
48:45 #5 Give Failure its Due
48:50 Reframe your failures. 49:30 We believe we can change, but we don’t always act like we believe it. 50:10 Be open about the things that are hard for us. 51:45 Ask yourself, “how can I make meaning of this?” 51:40 Shame limits disruption, not failure.
53:51 #6 Step Back in Order to Grow
54:20 In church we step back to grow as we get new callings.
55:03 #7 Be Driven By Discovery
55:50 With each new discovery, alter your plan. 56:30 We are driven by discovery in our church when new information is shared in callings. 57:00 Deal with ambiguity. Work with the unknown. Alter your plan. 57:50 The sin of certainty: we battle entitlement when we feel like we have it all figured out, when we feel like we have no questions, but the questions are what we need to guide us to discovery. 58:55 Those seven principles move you along the learning curve. 60:00 Heavenly Father helps us jump to a new learning curve. 60:00 Studying the learning Living Christ helps to remind us tha...
John Hilton III is an associate professor of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University. He previously worked with the Seminaries and Institutes program for eleven years and has a master's degree from Harvard and a PhD from BYU, both in education. He is the author of several books including The Founder of Our Peace and Considering the Cross. John and his wife Lani have six children and live in Utah.
© BYU PHOTO 2011-Kylea Knecht/BYU-All Rights Reserved Highlights 5:20 The question he sought to answer when writing his latest book, Considering the Cross
We may have a cultural tendency to discount Christ's crucifixion
7:45 We emphasize both the living Christ and the loving Christ 8:50 The importance of separating the cross as a symbol and the doctrinal significance of the crucifixion 11:15 We cannot comprehend Christ's experience on the cross or in Gethsemane, but the crucifixion can be easier to imagine
There was also an atoning significance of suffering for our sins on the cross
13:10 Pastoral opportunities to use the cross as a bridge-building tool with people of other faiths
Seeing the beauty in how other people see the symbol
19:00 Teach directly from the scriptures about the crucifixion and the multiple reasons for it 21:20 Helping an individual repent by offering hope and encouragement: Romans 5:8, D&C 18:10-13
Increasing our understanding of any aspect of the Savior's Atonement will bring us closer to Him Peter was specifically given a message of hope; Barabbas' release as an image of hope; the criminals crucified with Him; the grace of Jesus Christ can reach even you
33:00 Helping people in challenging circumstances
The shattering of Friday, the patience of Saturday, the redemption of Sunday Disciples on the cusp of losing hope on the road to Emmaus, but Christ was walking with them
38:00 Approaching the gory aspects of the crucifixion: it can be connecting and take us to a place of solidarity with him 44:15 Preparing individuals to receive temple ordinances: symbolism of the altar and the sealing covenant 49:00 Bringing Christ's crucifixion into our personal study and devotion
Good Friday Studying the scriptures Watch a dramatization about Jesus
54:55 Jesus' final words on the cross point us back to God Links Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us With Christ Similarities and differences in the gospels johnhiltoniii.com/crucifixion 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!
Image: The fresco of Crucifixion in church kostel Svatého Cyrila a Metodeje, probably by Gustav Miksch and Antonin Krisan; Renata Sedmakova/Shutterstock
Megan Hanson is originally from Idaho and has lived in Utah and now Arizona. She has taught in Primary, Young Women, youth classes, and gospel doctrine, and offers lesson helps for parents and teachers to help them be confident and stay on top of teaching Come Follow Me at Love Pray Teach. In this podcast, she talks about effective methods of leading and teaching online lessons with Primary children. Highlights 5:40 Plan (for Primary presidencies)
Decide what is age-appropriate to teach online Ask the parents what you can do to help them Decide how you're going to use whatever platform you're using and learn all the things about it, such as how to use the whiteboard or breakout rooms on Zoom Use your counselors Work with your songleaders and figure out what to do; don't do something just because someone else is
11:05 Prepare the lesson
Are you going to use visuals? songs? a board behind you? How long are you going to talk? Do I need to email or drop off anything to the children? Do parents need to be prepared with anything, such as paper and crayons? Let them know if you want their screens on Find the best ways to communicate with parents (use them all as possible)
14:00 Participate
Be a little overdramatic Be okay with chaos - remember why you are doing this Bring some variety to it and stay away from the talking head Have a reward system and use their names
20:20 Perfection is not your goal
Be okay with families that do not participate
23:50 People are struggling with a lack of connection but that is what we need Links loveprayteach.com Facebook group: Latter-day Saint Primary Presidencies 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!
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!
Kerry Muhlestein is a professor and director of research in the Department of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University, and also the director of the BYU Egypt Excavation Project. He has taught in the history department of three universities and has been part of award-winning history publications. He received his BS in psychology with a Hebrew minor from BYU, his MA in Ancient Near Eastern studies from BYU, and his PhD from UCLA in Egyptology. He and his wife, Julianne, are the parents of six children. In his latest book, God Will Prevail: Ancient Covenants, Modern Blessings, and the Gathering of Israel, he encourages readers to take hold of God’s promise to gather His covenant people by recognizing the connection between covenant making and the eternal and transformative love of the Savior.
Highlights 5:20 Found that most of his students didn't really understand the covenant; even the teachers didn't understand it as well as they probably should 9:10 Foundation of what the covenant is: the covenant that has existed since the foundation of the world, was established with Adam and Eve, and needs to be re-established periodically
THE new and everlasting covenant (vs. "a" new and everlasting covenant) The Abrahamic covenant The baptismal covenant The marriage covenant
13:30 Teaching 8-year-olds prior to baptism about the covenant they are making
15:00 Its primary purpose is establishing a closer, higher relationship with God; we can have that as we change our nature and become more like him 18:20 "Leveling up" 20:15 Blessings: you become a holier person and God will give instructions so you know how to act, and the Holy Ghost is key to that
22:45 Making covenants brings us to neutral ground, and keeping or not keeping the commandments leads to consequences in the form of blessings or curses
Negative consequences are to humble us (covenant corruption cycle) Love and mercy are always available to those in the covenant; He will always give us another chance: this is the gathering of Israel There is a long history in the scriptures of the Israelites losing their blessings and consistently getting them back
31:50 Sacrament restriction: the sacrament is a covenant renewal ceremony, so the primary reason to restrict it is to keep people from renewing the covenant when they aren't ready
35:00 For everyone who sins, there is a balance in the struggle Am I really seeking to do this? We are bound together with God Follow the Spirit in determining when someone is ready to take the sacrament after a period of restriction The goal of leaders should be the same as God: to get people back into the covenant
42:00 Divorce and families in the eternities: We really don't know how sealings will work after this life, but recognize that if we are exalted we will be happy with the results
43:45 There is only one thing we can completely control: our relationship with God; once you are in this covenant, God will not leave you 45:35 Children and sealings to parents: we need to look at the larger picture and recognize the sealing is into the house of Israel 49:30 The doctrine of geography about families being together forever; the empty chairs spectre: odds are, you don't have to worry so much; there is always hope
55:00 Grace in covenants: grace is available to everyone, but it only has its full effects on someone who chooses to form a full relationship with God
Exalting grace is available to those who have fully bound themselves to Christ; if you allow that relationship, eventually it will change you The atoning power of Christ's sacrifice cannot enter in if we are not willing to submit ourselves to it
59:35 A leader is supposed to represent Christ and you do that by binding yourself to Him, then forgetting yourself and serving others Links God Will Prevail: Ancient Covenants, Modern Blessings, and the Gathering of Israel outofthedust.
Sharla Goettl lives in Newberg, Oregon, where she serves as a stake Young Women president. In-person activities are still fully restricted there right now, but they have been able to see great success by crafting non-virtual but safely-interactive activities, and are implementing changes that will improve class/quorum leadership. Sharla is the author of the book Spiritual Resilience: Leading Our Youth to Go and Do. Highlights 3:38 Status during pandemic. No Stake youth conference or activities. Large geographic Stake and difficult to get youth together. Still only small groups, no youth activities, most through zoom. Principles: 1. Have events that are shared experiences without being virtual ie Bingo phone-a-thon. Youth registered through online form. Certain rules. Received bingo card with 25 names, must have 5 minutes conversation by phone over a one week period. Helped with fear of phone conversations, required skills needed to get phone numbers and initiate call. Few conversation starters provided. Required download tools app, and/call parents, and set up church account. Helps with further ripple effect to help with familysearch, Gospel Living app etc. Incentives and prizes awarded. Rented local drive-in for participants and families. 15:10 2. Running effective Stake youth council. Her stake assigned the YW co-president of Stake youth council as honorary members of Stake YW presidency. Also 2 of rhe oldest yw in the Stake as her assistants to form a "YW board". They are advisors for all plans. The stake youth leadership committee includes the Stake pres, High Council members over youth, Stake YW/YM pres and co-presidents 17:50 More youth leaders allows them to have more visibility for events. "So much more relatable when you see it coming from a youth rather than from an adult". It is more relevant and hells them recognize they can fill leadership role. 20:33 As a ward leader she would make a plan, fill out agenda but no ownership by the youth. They must be included in the process and planning. Class presidency meetings are so much more important than the adult presidency meeting. Shift focus to class presidency meeting- weekly if possible. (Shorter and more frequent) more ministering, less administration. 26:36 Meetings by zoom may be long-lasting. Or before/after church or activity Include youth leaders in adult presidency meeting, monthly. 29:20 Regarding lessons—be as honest and relevant as we can. Focusing on spiritual resilience. Must be humble, and honest and aware of ways to improve and how the Holy Ghost interacts with us. More aware of small interactions and promptings-they happen daily! How has being a leader helped you be a better follower of Jesus Christ? She feels more confident about the future and the youth today that will find the solutions and implement things that were created by adults. Links Spiritual Resilience: Leading Our Youth to Go and Do 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.
Clint Pulver is an Emmy Award-winning, motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. The president and founder of The Center for Employee Retention, Clint has transformed how corporations create lasting loyalty through his work and research as “The Undercover Millennial”. His book I Love It Here shares how extraordinary leaders create companies their people never want to leave, and in this interview he helps translate some of that wisdom into local leadership in the Church. Highlights 4:40 Writing a book with lots of research was a difficult project 7:35 Culture changes in different wards come down to leadership 9:00 Engagement is low due to the pandemic but we can change some things even now 10:20 "Let me know when it gets to the part about me": getting to the people in the gospel is what builds a stronger culture 13:25 Give them a reason to connect with you; make the little efforts to connect with people 15:30 "Who said the guy wanted a fish?" Ask people what they want; do more listening than talking 17:30 Traditional leadership vs. mentorship and personal connection 19:30 Four types of leaders
The leader who is removed The buddy The controller The mentor
24:15 Do you have the right people in the right places?
27:25 When inviting someone to a calling, make an invitation, talk about the expectations, and look for some buy-in
31:10 Status interviews and the power of meeting regularly
Not a performance review Three questions:
What can we do to keep you more engaged? What's getting in the way of your success? What can I do to help you get there?
35:15 Start with a check-in and vocal praise 37:00 Repeat back so they know they were heard and understood Follow up on what you said you would do Create a growth development plan with them Invoke the help of other people and make it simpler for you
40:00 Core values and a vision: keep it simple and memorable 42:30 Reflective questions
Be open to feedback The to-don't list
47:35 Story of the business leader who was open and vulnerable, leading to a sense of ownership for her employees 51:00 Look for inspiration through association and connection with other people 53:00 What do you offer that Google can't? 54:20 "I love who I am when I'm here"
Links I Love It Here: How Great Leaders Create Organizations Their People Never Want to Leave clintpulver.com Instagram @clintpulver 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!
Norman Hill worked for ExxonMobil for 25 years and then for Reliant Energy as the vice president of Human Resources. He served as the mission president of the Ghana Accra Mission, temporarily including the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission, and is the author of What They Don’t Teach You at the MTC. Highlights 5:00 What methods have been shown to be successful with online missionaries 7:30 Missionaries can start with their interests and find ways to share those with others 8:00 Norm shares several case studies of missionaries who are sharing naturally by getting involved with others who share interests, including cooking demonstrations, sports groups, Rubix cubes speed solvers groups, etc. Opportunities to share will come naturally. 21:30 Opportunities to develop friendships online can lead to natural questions 23:45 Missionaries can pass off the people they are teaching online to missionaries in the area they live in and remain part of the process online 30:30 Self-reliance classes and English language classes lift the people and open up natural opportunities to share the gospel 36:10 Reverse dinner appointments: the ingenuity of missionaries Links What They Don’t Teach You at the MTC Problem Solving Together to Lift and Improve | An Interview with Norman Hill 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!
Dustin Peterson is a leadership trainer with Proof Leadership Group and works with organizations to help develop their culture. He is also the author of “Reset: How to Get Paid and Love What You Do”, and coaches individuals to help them get unstuck in their careers. He has served in a stake presidency in Houston, Texas, and also on a high council and as an early morning seminary teacher, and currently serves as a branch president. In this interview, originally recorded as a Facebook Live session, Dustin talks about clarifying personal purpose to better lead in all areas of your life.
Highlights 4:45 About Dustin and what he does as a leadership trainer and career coach 6:00 Where his passion for purpose came from 7:30 Research study: What makes you an effective leader? Identified the only commonality is a clear sense of purpose with a story to go with it 10:15 Transferring this knowledge into the gospel and the church 12:20 Most of us just want to help other people, but we need to get more specific 13:10 What purpose is: your intention to contribute to the well-being of other people 15:20 The concepts for individual and organizational purpose are the same 16:55 Purpose can be confused with goals or a mission; focusing internally is demotivational 18:00 Your purpose is Your Big Why: What drives you 18:35 To identify your purpose you first need to know three things
Purpose is broad and ambitious: a big, bold statement
It serves as an umbrella over everything It's what wakes us up in the morning It's what motivates us to move forward and pulls us through the hard things "Be anxiously engaged in a good cause" Example of hospital custodial staff who saw themselves as healers 29:20 Macro-purpose, micro-purpose, nano-purpose: everything I do should have purpose 32:00 Dissonance of having a strong purpose and having goals that drive you elsewhere: purpose is the unifying force
33:20 Purpose is short: 10 words or less
Share it with other people Edit it down
36:15 Purpose comes from the ups and downs of your life
Draw a journey map line Purpose lies in the past, not the future
39:00 Routines to keep your purpose top-of-mind: reading it out loud as an affirmation 40:30 Example of ward council/bishopric purposes: look at the evolution of the unit you are in
Let it guide all your goals Let the goals then guide your agenda
44:30 When your calling seems to be outside your purpose: example of educator looking for a way to stop dreading cafeteria duty 48:15 A purpose can't be identified in isolation; we can help others by being a listening ear and by reflecting what we see from the outside 50:10 What has helped shape who I am today? Questions to ask yourself to help identify your purpose:
What three people have most shaped who I am today, and why? What are three experiences that have most affected you and why? What are three interests that are most motivating and fulfilling? Imagine you could write the script for you life, knowing everything would go as well as it possibly could. What is the story you'd like to see unravel before you? What is a problem that you see in your family/church/community/city that really bothers you and you want to solve? What is a problem you see that you really want to get to the heart of, that's near and dear to who you are?
52:05 Two forces push against us when it comes to the choice to step up and lead: resistance from the adversary telling us not to grow (fear, lack of confidence, self-doubt) and the reaffirming voice of the Lord telling us to lift where you stand Links Leading with Your God-Given Talents | An Interview with Dustin Peterson Reset: How to Get Paid and Love What You Do, by Dustin Peterson https://thepurposeblueprint.com/training Email: dustin at proofleadership.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Note: This transcript was machine-produced. We would be grateful for help correcting errors. You can help!
This is a re-broadcast. The episode originally ran in February 2018. Dan Conway is a bishop in Newcastle, in northeast England, and has also served as an elders quorum president. He served a mission to Scotland and works as a digital marketing executive. In this episode, Dan walks us through his crisis of faith prior to being called as bishop, and how that affected how he leads now. Episode Summary 5:45 Mission to Scotland 8:45 Faith crisis 14:40 Reading and praying didn’t work as a solution 19:20 Call as Elders Quorum president in the midst of a faith crisis 21:50 Finding the answers to his questions 28:30 Experience bearing his testimony of Joseph Smith 31:15 Becoming the bishop after a faith crisis 43:45 Understanding that people can change and become better 46:15 First year as a bishop 51:20 How he does ward council: short meetings every other week, then visits 56:35 Using an agenda and PPIs 1:01:00 Visiting people after ward council 1:04:00 PPIs Links Interview with Arthur Boutin FAIR Mormon 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!
Jana Spangler is an Integral Professional Life Coach with Symmetry Solutions who specializes in coaching individuals and couples who are experiencing shifts in their religious belief or are affected by a loved one’s shifting belief. Her work centers around understanding faith and spiritual development and offering tools to manage the challenges of relationship, identity, spiritual growth, and spiritual connection that emerge during times of shifting faith. She currently serves as a Relief Society Compassionate Service Coordinator in her ward. Jana attended The Living School—a wisdom school run by the Center for Action & Contemplation under the direction of Fr. Richard Rohr. During this two-year program, she studied Contemplative Christianity and other Wisdom Traditions and how they can support the transforming work of love in ourselves, our communities, and the world. Jana is a frequent speaker at conferences, workshops, firesides, retreats, and on podcasts, and has lectured as a guest at BYU on issues of faith and development. She lives in Holladay, Utah with her husband and three teenage children. In this episode, Jana talks with Kurt about how church leaders can have solidarity with those they lead, and the importance of having solidarity—not just service—in the church.
Highlights 7:15 Everyone needs to have their own faith journey 10:15 What is solidarity vs service? 11:00 We love to serve but hate to be served 12:30 When we are going through difficulties we don't want anyone to know 13:30 What is solidarity? The move of being one with another person 15:00 We do service more than we do solidarity 17:45 The hierarchy of our church is a blessing and a curse 19:00 The shame cycle with service and solidarity 21:00 Being aware of our ego needs and how it's getting in our way of journey 22:30 The bishop is not the only one who can facilitate solidarity 23:00 A barrier to solidarity is someone who shows that they have everything together 25:00 Vulnerability is not oversharing 26:30 Jana's faith struggle and how vulnerability helped her and others 29:30 Vulnerability can help solidarity 31:00 Sharing with family 32:00 Our worth is separate from worthiness 33:30 Jesus showed us how to descend into the abyss of the difficulty of humanity 34:00 Sometimes when things are new they are uncomfortable and that's ok 40:00 A key to solidarity is that we can all learn from others, even other faiths 40:30 Another pitfall is lack of mutual accountability 42:00 It's hard to feel that we are broken and those who are listening don't share their struggles with us 42:30 Give the people who are ministered-to a chance to serve their ministers 44:00 Lean more into empathy than sympathy 46:00 Getting in the hole and not fixing things for others but make others feel heard and understood 48:30 Solidarity makes others feel heard and understood 49:30 Don't judge people in their need 52:00 When you really get to know another person your esteem of them only goes up 53:30 Stop talking people out of their experiences 54:30 Imagine that people are really doing their very best 55:15 We don't want to be attached to weakness 55:30 Solidarity as it relates to sin: being one with those who are sinners 57:00 Withhold judgement of those who sin 58:15 If you have not been through something you have no standing to have an opinion on it: just listen to them 59:30 We do a lot of damage when we think we know better because it's working for us 59:45 How do we create solidarity? 1:01:00 Connecting people who have been through similar experiences 1:02:00 Start having conversations and welcome in solidarity 1:04:00 Find a way to have people share each other's stories 1:05:00 Leaders have keys and mantels but they don't have everyone's answers. We need to trust and be with them. 1:06:15 Tradition of Quakers to meet and only ask questions and not give advice. 1:07:30 Solidarity can bring Zion
Danny and Liliana Bolaños live in Eagle Mountain, Utah, where they serve in their Spanish-speaking ward as Ward Mission Leaders. Highlights 6:50 Making sure members understand their value
The youth in their ward love missionary work and aren't phased by the challenges of the pandemic, and know their value as children of God and as missionaries The youth are first/second-generation members of the Church and either the pioneers in their families or have direct contact with family members who are, so they have seen people progress through the faith of accepting the gospel
11:55 The youth have unique skillsets for missionary work
The bishop has called many of the youth as ward missionaries in preparation for serving missions They are held to a higher standard and treated as missionaries, learning to overcome any fears of sharing the gospel Weekly missionary coordination meetings include all the ward missionaries and the elders quorum and Relief Society counselors over missionary work, not just the full-time missionaries and ward mission leaders
15:30 Liliana's experience as a young convert with leaders who made sure she knew that they genuinely loved her and wanted to connect with her
Leaders and the youth spent a lot of time together and planned activities where they could bring friends and share the gospel in natural ways, as well as interacting with the full-time missionaries
19:30 The youth really know how to use social media and reach people through it 20:15 How their ward is doing missionary work during the pandemic:
The Latino Outreach program Virtual Christmas lessons for primary kids—an activity developed by the youth to reach less-active families 27:30 #BajoEstaMascara social media challenge—Idea to share testimonies that we are all children of God, via social media
32:00 Coordinating with the full time missionaries
Using WhatsApp to communicate with everyone: missionaries, youth, ward missionaries
34:50 Being a Ward Mission Leader is challenging and humbling, and has helped with trusting in Heavenly Father 36:30 Loving people is the best way to be a missionary Links 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!
Terryl L. Givens is a Neal A. Maxwell Institute Senior Research Fellow and Fiona Givens is a member of the Institute’s research staff. Together and individually they are the authors of many books about Latter-day Saint history and culture. Their latest book, All Things New, explores the roots and flawed inheritance of our religious vocabulary and suggests healthy ways of reformulating our language. Fiona and Terryl have co-authored three other books: The God Who Weeps, The Christ Who Heals, and The Crucible of Doubt. In this podcast they discuss examining our religious vocabulary and relearning pure doctrine. Highlights 3:30 About writing a book together 4:30 Where it started: going back to the beginning and pulling together concepts from their other books; a celebratory hymn to the Restoration 6:00 Examination of our religious vocabulary and its Protestant roots; example of repentance 8:00 The idea of a wrathful God compared to the weeping God of Moses 7 and recuperating a theology of love 11:45 Trying to put words and concepts together that don't fit together, creating a rift between us and God, making us feel less worthy and lovable 14:30 The Restoration is telling a different story; example of "the fall" 20:00 Precious doctrines are easily understood; reverting the vocabulary to a clearer definition empowers us and turns our focus outward to others 22:45 Misreading of the earth being consumed with fire 25:30 The tragedy of the tribalism of politics being mirrored in the church culture: the early Christians were diverse but renowned for loving each other 29:40 Guarding against creating idols and keeping Christ front and center; not taking religious texts completely factually 32:45 Dealing with discordance in scripture 37:00 Recognizing our woundedness and psychological traumas; returning to the love of God 41:30 The Book of Mormon as a bridge from the 19th century sensibilities to today 42:50 George Q. Cannon quote 44:20 God is our father, not our sovereign 45:20 Mormon was a general in a war of genocide and this influenced his voice 46:45 Christ healing a wounded world, changing hearts and minds; growth of our understanding of trauma and generational trauma 49:50 Paradigm shift from sin to woundedness 52:50 The rite of Atonement is a healing ritual; stuck on the concept of death rather than the miracle of healing 55:00 "No soul will be saved in isolation": the community of Zion 56:45 The American church and the focus on the individual; spirituality compared to religion 58:20 Community-building and Zion-building; the baptismal covenants and the godhead 1:01:10 Slow paradigm shift transitioning to an ability to speak of our own woundedness; authenticity in bearing testimony 1:06:00 Going back to the Restoration church solidified a testimony of Christ 1:07:15 Traversing the field of voices brings a familiar voice Links All Things New: Rethinking Sin, Salvation, and Everything in Between, By Terryl and Fiona Givens 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!
Elder Craig A. Cardon served as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2006 to 2018. He served as a member of the Africa West Area Presidency and the Pacific Area Presidency, as editor of Church magazines, and in the Priesthood and Family Department. He was previously an entrepreneur with multiple business interests, and has served in many callings ranging from institute instructor to bishop, stake president, and mission president. Most recently he authored the book Growing Up Unto the Lord: Recognizing and Responding to the Voice of the Spirit, Living in Peace, and Blessing Generations. Elder Cardon and his wife Deborah live in Gilbert, Arizona and are the parents of eight children. Highlights 7:45 Receiving the call to be a General Authority Seventy and preparing to serve in Africa 12:20 Receiving the confidence to serve along with the mantle of the calling 13:30 Training in Salt Lake City to become familiar with people and operations 16:30 The people of West Africa have so little of what isn't important and so much of what is 19:00 Challenges and blessings that came from the need to grow from centers of strength 24:00 How the patient modeling of leadership has led to a new generation of members in West Africa 26:00 How General Authority Seventy assignments are given 27:30 The Priesthood and Family Department, their responsibilities and structure
32:30 The revelatory process in the department committees and how this process can translate to local units 34:30 The inspired development of Come Follow Me
37:20 His approach to presiding at stake conferences 41:30 A bishop's opportunity to preside over the revelatory process in ward council 43:15 The inspiration for his book: conversion occurs within the home and the need families have to receive personal revelation 47:15 Seeking inspiration and revelation as leaders in the church 52:00 Receiving direction when calling leaders: the reality of revelation and the process of gathering information to identify who can serve and be blessed in the position 57:20 His experience of a testimony meeting at a youth conference: the lesson of a strong feeling compared to bearing witness of the Savior
Caution of strong feelings being motivated by an unrecognized personal agenda and the potential to supercede the voices of others 1:03:10 The great value of councils that can draw out the thoughts and ideas of the members, listen to each other, and let a topic rest before making a decision
1:07:15 Help individuals seek their own revelation by asking inspired questions and teaching them to turn to the Lord 1:09:50 "The hierarchy of heaven is amazingly flat"
Links Growing Up Unto the Lord : Recognizing and Responding to the Voice of the Spirit, Living in Peace, and Blessing Generations, by Craig A. Cardon 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!
In this episode, Kurt talks with Assembly of God Pastor David Jayne, an Associate Pastor at Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri. He holds a Master's degree from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and has been a credentialed minister for over 45 years. Pastor Jayne is the congregation's Pastoral Care and Community Engagement pastor and also serves on community task forces and advisory councils. Highlights 6:15 About the Central Assembly Church and the Assembly of God: a cooperative fellowship of churches
10:00 Perspectives can vary but they all adhere to the core values and fundamental truths At Central Assembly, a team of pastors cover different areas of the ministry in the church The licensing and ordination process
14:45 About his pastoral care and community engagement responsibilities 19:30 Drawing out the needs from individuals
Learning new skills, such as monitoring social media activity Meeting with people in the lobby at church Distinguishing the need from the details
25:10 Visiting at homes
Never knock on the door unannounced Keep the visit short Be sensitive to their boundaries
31:00 Visiting the sick
In a hospital, assess and keep it short Pray with them and for God's will Monitor visiting and contact options Coordinating funerals and helping with services as needed Creative meeting options in a pandemic
39:20 Working with homeless people 42:45 Leaders are also followers and want others to share the experience of following Jesus Christ Links 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!
Popular guest DeAnna Murphy serves as the Chief Organizational Development Officer at People Acuity, The Interdependent Leadership Company based in the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Her experience leading organizational leadership efforts worldwide informs her advice for leadership and teaching in the Church. Highlights 5:56 How do you teach in the Savior’s way to achieve dynamic, impactful, transformational virtual instruction?
7:06 She notices some Church leaders struggling with virtual classrooms and wanting to be able to accelerate people’s ability to create authentic connection with others, feel the Spirit, and counsel together in the same way as if they were in person. Many people are intimidated by virtual environments, but they can have positive experiences virtually to help others to feel the Spirit and feel the Savior’s love. There’s a very brief and simple way to approach lessons or talks in a way that invites others to participate in counseling together to experience the same gifts as if we were live. [Notice both DeAnna’s method as well as the content as she models teaching and leading in the following.]
8:15 If you are open to it, let’s start with a scripture together. Doctrine and Covenants 43:8-10 has some really important direction to give us that I believe can help us while we’re learning how to teach and operate in a virtual environment. Let’s take on this together. Listen for the promises that come and what it is that’ required of us. Then we’ll talk about the terms the Savior uses there and what that means for us in a virtual environment.
After Kurt reads it, Deanna continues: Let’s just pause for a second and let me ask you as we are in a virtual environment, what words jump off the page to you when you read those verses.
Kurt: Sanctified--we want people to have a personal, changing experience during a church interaction. Then, “you shall bind yourselves” is a unifying factor: we grow or bind closer together through that instruction.
DeAnna: Wow. I’m just listening to how you’ve come to the essence. I’m noticing in our day, what’s important about 1) being sanctified and 2) being bound together at this time of division and tearing down?
Kurt: With tribalism and separating that is happening via technology and social media, we need the blessing of the function in our church of geographic wards that come together regardless of economic status or background. It’s an opportunity to unify despite the disunity perpetuated online and in the chaos of the world.
DeAnna: I’m loving what you are describing at a time when we are feeling more disconnected and pulled apart. The Lord has given us a promise that when we come together to instruct and edify each other, that our hearts will be bound together. I also love that you chose the word sanctified because these two promises are keys to a Zion society: that we become sanctified, holy, and pure, and we are bound together with others who also are.
12:20 I would love you to notice, too, that one of the other gifts is we are promised to know how to act. I was in Minneapolis when the rioting happened and things were going crazy. We literally were experiencing martial law with 700 buildings burning to the ground. We didn’t know how to act--it was coming to our neighborhood. THere’s something about us counseling together in a virtual setting that gives us increased ability to know how to act. And notice as we are starting today, we are doing what we are inviting others to do.
Each person in a virtual environment sees something. I had a conversation with a client earlier today who said she had heard feedback from her team: they got a better experience from the virtual gathering than they did live because everyone had a voice. Isn’t that interesting that in a day when so many are marginalized, some who don’t think they are good enough, a virtual environment ensures that all voices are in.
13:37 Let’s just counsel together for a second: fo...
Anthony Sweat is an Associate Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He received his bachelors degree in painting and drawing and his PhD in curriculum and instruction. He is the author of several books, most recently Repicturing the Restoration. Anthony is a regular speaker at Latter-day Saint events and conferences. He and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of seven children. Highlights Find the images mentioned at @leadingsaints on Instagram 5:40 Recently called as a bishop 7:10 Combining the worlds of fine art and being a religion professor, and intention to paint images that had not been done or could be done differently 8:55 Unconscious consumption of images as a source material for history vs. the role of art
10:00 Example of the Prayer at Newburgh compared to the Prayer at Valley Forge 11:20 Images he has painted about women giving blessings, Michael detecting the devil, and a Black man being ordained
13:30 Art has a role in leadership: teaching is the essence of leadership and art teaches
Follow the recent directives to refresh art in the building Consider the art in the church building and ask: What does this say? What is it teaching? Who is it representing and making feel welcome here? How many pictures of Christ are up and what do they portray? Are there images of women and of people of color? What concepts or ideas are represented in the art? Art is not meant to be historical or doctrinally accurate, but to be representative and interpretive
Leadership principles in the paintings 22:15 Painting: Joseph and William Fight and Forgive - Joseph made the decision to say something to his brother William following a debate, resulting in a physical attack and a fight that Joseph lost - lesson in making a mistake and seeking forgiveness, and in welcoming disagreement 30:20 Painting: Divers Angels - Who is the angel Raphael? What powers and gifts did these angels bring? - The Church is true because it is authorized - The Restoration is ongoing 35:40 Painting: Washing the Feet at the School of the Prophets - We are all invited in to the temple 40:45 Painting: Sidney’s Sermons - Sidney Rigdon sermons that had negative impacts - Danites and the Missouri extermination order - D&C 121:41-43 - Sermons gone wrong when they try to force righteousness Links Repicturing the Restoration: New Art to Expand Our Understanding, by Anthony Sweat Y Religion podcast (Episode 17/October 2020: The Missouri "Danites") Instagram: @leadingsaints and @brotheranthonysweat Previous interviews on the Leading Saints Podcast: Seekers Wanted | An Interview with Anthony Sweat Church Doctrine, Policy, & Leadership | An Interview with Prof. Anthony Sweat 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!
Thomas McConkie is the founder of Lower Lights School of Wisdom and has a passion for the world's Wisdom traditions. Raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, at age 18 he discovered meditation, which remains a wellspring of inspiration over 20 years later. Thomas is trained as a developmental researcher, facilitator, and mindfulness teacher. He hosts the Lower Lights Sangha in Salt Lake City, Utah, with the intention of supporting seekers of diverse faith orientations to become all they are meant to become.
Highlights 5:40 Transformations of Faith: participating willingly in the process of becoming as Christ is 7:30 Talking and listening is relationship and our relationship with God can also reach a level of profound intimacy 9:40 Our lives are moving at a frenetic pace and we have an opportunity to make space for stillness, opening up to connection and to the blessings God has waiting for us 15:00 Presence: the Kingdom of Heaven is among us and the more we open ourselves up, the more we understand that there are no ordinary moments 17:45 Why we need to practice being present in our lives: example of being in the grocery line 21:20 The more we connect with ourselves, the more we realize that all we are doing is offering our state of being to others: our quality of being is our service 24:35 Defining presence: being fully present in the body with both the physical, emotions, and thoughts
Part of being present is forgiving the conditions of life: Thy will be done
31:00 Metaphor of digestion 33:00 Experience with a coworker who explained his environment to explain any loss of presence 35:10 Fakeness: I'm overwhelmed and I don't know how to be more present so I'm going to fake it
Recognizing this in others
37:30 Stillness isn't about quiet but about being fully human 40:00 Connecting this to the first principles and ordinances 41:10 Repentance and creating space
Making space for the suffering of others is a first step toward healing Helping someone begin a practice of mindfulness as a step toward repentance Divine confidence: presence is a divine attribute Getting out of the way so the Atonement can work in us
50:40 The pain of others resonates in us, and a commitment to practicing kindness within ourselves helps with the overwhelm
The more committed we are, the more people realize they can be themselves with us Recognizing the pain body in others
58:45 Awareness that we are often defended against God: Can we notice the ways we keep the light out as a defense against the uncomfortable? Links transformationsoffaith.org (Use code LEADINGSAINTS25 for 25% off the course) Where to Start When Members Doubt | An Interview With Thomas Wirthlin McConkie Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast 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!
Gary Miller hosts the Narrow Gate Podcast, "what happens when a hellfire preaching Independent Fundamental Baptist discovers the Book of Mormon and becomes a Latter-day Saint." A former preacher/pastor, he served in the military and studied at Liberty Theological Seminary and Graduate School. He works in sales and marketing. Highlights 5:00 Gary's pathway to conversion from a Baptist preacher to a Latter-day Saint 8:10 Always interested in hearing things out 14:25 Discovering additional scripture in the Book of Mormon: the Gospel in hi-def 4k 18:25 Facing down and wrestling with the cultural change and his own identity 28:07 God's pathways can appear impossible 32:00 From the full court press to post-baptism follow up: what does this person bring? Are we truly connecting with the person in the pew? 40:40 How do you bring people together outside of the confines of Sunday morning? 47:00 Connecting to people through ministering 52:30 How do we engage better as ministers? Fight for the feedback 56:15 Finding informal ways to connect and you will eventually be able to have the important conversations that otherwise would not happen 1:01:00 The process of becoming a Baptist minister 1:03:30 What happens when someone takes interest in leading, and how this compares 1:07:00 Paul to the Corinthians: different gifts 1:12:00 A desire to lead is the reason to create opportunities to minister and have an impact 1:15:25 If you feel you don't have influence, what can you do? 1:19:10 How can we reconcile the discomfort of accepting the grace built into the plan of salvation? 1:21:30 When we are operating in grace, we can start working to become like Jesus, and we can extend that grace to others 1:24:20 How do you lead from the standpoint of grace? 1:28:50 Part of leadership is setting the example, which drives us to get closer to Christ Links Updated podcast: http://www.hopeinhimtoday.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast This transcript was machine-produced and only partially corrected. 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!
Norm Hill worked for ExxonMobil for 25 years and then for Reliant Energy as the vice president of Human Resources. He served as the mission president of the Ghana Accra Mission, temporarily including the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission, and is the author of What They Don't Teach You at the MTC.
Highlights 6:00 Getting from an application to an idea; example of identifying competencies from Preach My Gospel and creating a self-assessment and training program for missionaries; example of creating reverse dinner appointments for missionaries; example of the innovation in missionary work 11:00 Applying general principles: the same principles apply to virtual teaching 15:15 Getting past the creative barrier to do something different; example of air conditioning in church buildings 17:00 Example of basketball courts in Ghana: applications can be customized without compromising gospel principles 19:35 Design Thinking focus on problem solving together
Empathy Defining: gathering good information; example of self-assessment for teachers Ideating Creating a prototype Measuring your success Experimenting Improving
24:00 Information leads to inspiration: identifying local/individual circumstances where an organization can make changes to lift to a higher ground; example of using ministering brothers and sisters to gather information 28:20 How do you know you're gathering the right data? We have basic gospel principles and structures for guidance 29:30 Example of effective virtual teaching
Asking "what" and "how" to get good information Look for themes Bring information to a council/quorum and seek inspiration and revelation
34:20 Example of request for a hospital in Ghana and recognition of the high number of people receiving financial assistance 38:35 Example of more men than women being baptized in West Africa and recognition of the need for literacy training for women 43:20 Brainstorming using a facilitator and reframing the problem; example from Tom Sawyer: redefining to change perspectives 47:55 "Too often problem solving is a solution in search of a problem" as opposed to gathering information first 48:30 Are there other ways of defining the problem? Example of slow elevator/impatient people problem; example of missionaries teaching starting with the fruits of the gospel and moving back to the doctrine 54:30 Reframing the problem of making connections during isolation; example of how church members connected during "the freeze" in Ghana; example of Sierra Leone during the Ebola epidemic 1:03:00 Applying the process: mindset of testing/observing and being willing to experiment outside of your comfort zone 1:09:50 Adjustments and guard rails: example of New Orleans bridge 1:12:40 The new normal: what are we learning about ourselves that we can take with us? Links What They Don't Teach You at the MTC, by Norman Hill Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast 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!
In this solo podcast, Kurt talks about the history and purposes of Leading Saints, answers questions, and shares where we are going from here. Highlights 01:30 Remembering David Farnsworth 04:30 How Leading Saints came to be 09:00 What Leading Saints seeks to do: Four Pillars of Leading Saints
10:00 Connect leaders 10:50 Enhance leadership ability through learning opportunities 12:25 Present leadership scholarship, connecting leaders to experts and scholars 13:30 Celebrate divine guidance
14:50 A community of leaders 15:35 Questions from social media 16:15 What about Leading Saints in Spanish? 17:45 What’s your approach to figuring out what home-centered church-supported means? 20:00 How can Leading Saints stay relevant in a home-centered church environment? 22:20 How can we help leaders who aren’t interested in improving? 24:20 How do we adapt to changing world conditions without acting outside leaders’ guidance? 25:10 What’s on the docket for 2021? What is Leading Saints’ mission in preparing for the second coming? How much happens as exposure/business/feedback and how much happens as inspiration? 27:00 What contact has Leading Saints had with Church headquarters or authorized leadership? Have any ideas presented to Leading Saints caught the attention of General Authorities? 29:20 What about an app? 30:15 Have you thought about doing some sort of fireside/workshop/training tour? 33:00 What about retreats? 34:00 What about moderated forums where people with similar callings can ask questions and create discussions? 34:35 What about leading from the bottom up? 35:10 How do you get and schedule interviews? How do you prepare for the interviews? What techniques do you use to help the interviews flow? What are you doing behind the scenes? 38:30 Fundraising and financing the goals of Leading Saints
Core Leaders contributing monthly/quarterly/yearly Virtual Summits have raised additional funds Larger donors
46:40 The impact we are having
250,000+ podcast downloads each month (that’s 830 wards and 120 stakes of leaders) Testimonials
54:55 Bringing every topic back to the Savior Jesus Christ because we are building His kingdom in each of our lives Links Donate to become a Core Leader Contact Leading Saints with questions, suggestions, or possible donations Register for group virtual meetings with Kurt Becoming a Master Interviewer | An Interview With David Farnsworth Wild at Heart in Church Leadership | An Interview with Doug Nielsen Heart of a Woman in Relief Society Transcript 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!
00:00:03 - 00:05:09
Data dat dat dat dat dat dat da. Okay that that is at work. And this is kurt with leading saints. This the podcast. Obviously you're on a podcast app and you press play expected my voice to come out. Now i'm the host of the leading saints. Podcast if you're new well a welcome you in this good episode to start on if you're new because we're going to dive into some a lot of details related to leading saints but just a quick summary where are a nonprofit organization. Dedicated helping latter-day saints better prepared to lead and the podcast is one way we do that. We have a newsletter website leading. Saints dot org. You know there's many people who actually have listened to the podcast for years and never actually gone to our website. I implore you go check it out leading saints dot org great content and and he just we'd love it so this is a solo episode. Just me folks. Sorry to disappoint you expert on the line no author just me but hopefully i can deliver some value and give you a a perspective on the future of leading saints. What we expect in twenty twenty. One i'm excited for it.
Jeff Harbach is the CEO of Kaufmann Fellows, an organization helping venture capitalists focus on becoming better versions of themselves. He serves as a bishop in Austin, Texas, Highlights 8:00 The overlap between work and church service 10:00 Leading in uncertain times: Why are we doing what we do? Gathering Israel and helping individuals along the covenant path. 11:30 The brain handles bad news better than it handles uncertainty. Uncertainty and fear come from the adversary. The Savior is completely certain about what we're going through. 14:15 Infusing this into the culture of our organizations
Example of a Christmas gathering during a pandemic: Is there a way to accomplish this in a different way? This requires getting uncomfortable and pushing ourselves.
18:30 Setting a vision in uncertain times: Do it despite uncertainty. Some goals will be met and some will not anyway.
A goal might need to be done differently, but it still needs to be intentional. 21:00 Goal-setting is the process of creating measurable steps toward the vision, not a test of perfection. 22:40 Vision is not a feel-good warm blanket, but needs to be taken down to the specifics of the individuals. 25:20 We have inspired leadership that gives us the framework for what we should be doing, and delegation to allow individuals to receive revelation for the people they are responsible for. 28:40 Despite uncertainty, we will be looking back and asking how we did with our goals. This is an invitation from the Lord to figure out a new way of ministering. Challenge to come up with just one new thing to do.
31:45 Example of Summer of Heroes project for goal-setting for the youth. There are heroes all around us. 39:30 How can you lead like this without taking over for the youth and allow them to lead?
Their experience is part of this and they will be in different places. Invite them to the process and allow them to learn from their successes instead of their failures: Help them towards that. Walk alongside them as they have their experience. There is no one size fits all strategy. Maintain communication and help them know they can trust you and always ask for help.
46:00 Results of the Summer of Heroes: reward for striving 50:15 There will always be hard times and something that we can blame for our difficulties, but great things come from hard times. The Lord is preparing the youth for great things. 54:12 Think outside the box and set your goals high despite uncertainty 55:00 SCARF model developed by David Rock
The brain processes physical threats and social threats in the same way. What is being triggered for us? What matters for us? What happens when we are triggered by these things? 57:40 Newness removes certainty and our brains start to focus on these threats. Instead, go back to the basics and focus on three areas: diet sleep, exercise. Your body will respond better and it gives you something certain to focus on, bringing control over what you can control and the certainty that comes with it. Embrace the boring and the minutia.
1:01:50 There is a lot of new and we have been invited to embrace it 1:03:00 Solving problems in the calling he has been given has taught him to rely on the Lord and embrace his relationship with the Savior Links Your Brain at Work, by David Rock
Serving as a Sunday School President during a time of change and a pandemic can be challenging. In this podcast, Kurt speaks with two leaders who have sought to implement different strategies that might push Sunday School teachers and students in ways that make gospel learning more powerful. James Grandon James Grandon has been an elementary school principal in Missouri for over 25 years and holds a master’s degree in education and educational leadership. He currently serves as a bishop, and previously served as a stake Sunday School president. Highlights 7:40 Principles from Teaching No Greater Call using teaching strategies that were different from lecture
Sought to make social connections between the Sunday School presidents in the stake Stake Sunday School presidency modeled the teaching strategies, pairing them with doctrines during ward conferences
Principles of Leadership
14:30 Change takes time
Teacher council meetings are still stretching the culture and can be a revelatory experience
16:50 Focus on gospel doctrines and people
19:30 Asking class members to teach what they know about a topic, rather than asking them to read a quote “Turn and talk”: Challenging the class a little to make it more personal Modeling in meetings
27:15 Reimagining teaching strategies
Appendix F in Teaching No Greater Call It’s about action and not knowledge
34:45 Online teaching can still be very personal and connect people Greg Nalder Greg Nalder lives in Meridian, Idaho, where he works as a software engineer. He currently serves as a Sunday School president and previously served as a bishopric counselor. Highlights 40:00 For pandemic teaching, his ward has a gospel doctrine class and a youth Sunday School class with split in-person and online students 43:10 Coordinated to hold teacher councils on alternate weeks and had the Primary President lead the Primary teacher councils 45:30 Rotate through attending Sunday School classes to look for some topics they can focus on in teacher councils Principles of Leadership
46:50 Don’t just stick to what you know
Lead a discussion instead of teaching a class 52:00 Getting away from the lecture: be persistent and don’t be afraid of silence
53:30 Observe
Visit the classes; take the responsibility for finding a substitute, use a list provided by the bishopric, and step in to teach as needed
58:00 Counsel together as a presidency and invite the bishopric member who is over the Sunday School; don’t do all the talking in teacher councils
1:02:40 Using an online spreadsheet to organize classes, instructors, and rooms, coordinating with the bishopric 1:05:10 Seek to make your calling a joy and blessing to you
Dan Duckworth is a changemaker, teacher, and community-builder. He founded Crux Central to facilitate his mission to make deep change accessible to the masses—not just to executives. He writes and podcasts at danduckworth.net and hosts high-intensity leadership workshops at cruxcentral.com. He’s also a member of the Leading Saints Board of Directors.
Highlights 7:30 The struggle with virtual church: Dan’s experience as a youth Sunday School teacher moving to once-a-month teaching opportunities, then to no church, and then to virtual church 10:00 The realization that came from creating an online transformational learning community: This can actually work 13:10 Switching your mindset into humility, self-awareness, and acknowledgment of your own mediocrity: “Broken but Brimming” 14:30 For an individual to intentionally have a transformational experience, it requires connecting with others 15:25 Current You has to go into the refiner’s fire in order to transform into New You. What we want students to do is want to go into the fire, and feel safe enough to do it. 18:00 Do the people need the leaders or do the leaders need the people? 19:10 Dan’s experience
Learned from his previous teaching experiences that community is key and leads to people wanting to leap into the fire 21:00 His key belief that was wrong: You can’t develop authentic community virtually. He enrolled in an online workshop and realized he was connecting with strangers. 26:15 Creating his own workshop and struggling to get past the focus on the content and getting it “right” 27:30 “You’re giving me content. What I came for was the conversation. The magic was the community and the conversations that we had. That’s what changed my life.” 29:45 The conversation started to change and people started to care about each other 31:30 Of the people who participated, 100% has a transformational experience
32:50 Experiment with his Sunday School class
Texted a video inviting them to class, including one principle and a story 34:55 The error was his investment, not the students
35:45 Principle 1: Curate people
Let people self-select 37:50 Get the right people into the room in the right mindset: it’s your job to protect your guests from the “party spoiler” Your goal is to get people to want to be there Set the expectations of the group: turn your cameras on no matter what you are doing, so we can be ourselves 42:28 People want to be part of something awesome. Focus on creating something magnetic, not on controlling them.
45:08 Principle 2: Connect people
What am I doing to connect them to each other? (not to the lesson content) 46:50 Stop the “lesson” and get one person to share their story 49:30 Start with your own authenticity: share your truth without being plastic because everyone recognizes plastic Break the rules and show others that they can, too
53:20 Principle 3: Create arguments
An argument is making a claim that can be proven wrong Inspire them to engage in the wrestle: let go of the need to be right and create cognitive dissonance, planting questions (not about the doctrine) about our experience 56:10 It’s never appropriate to be a devil’s advocate in the church setting; this is an argument for the sake of arguing, which only entrenches beliefs instead of creating transformation People should walk away having shared their truth, heard the truth of others, and looking to change
59:30 Principle 4: Ground it in real life
Why Gospel Principles class is better than Gospel Doctrine class 1:01:00 Share a principle, what it means to you, and a story from your own experience
1:03:30 Experience teaching in elders quorum, talking about the Sharon Eubank talk, By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God, and creating a powerful discussion
Stepping into the fire when you try to do something positively deviant Go find people to listen to this interview and ask their opinions
Jason Hewlett is a speaker, performer, and entertainer. In 2020 he added “bestselling author” and “virtual entertainer” to his repertoire. Jason has served as an elders quorum president and currently serves on the high council in his stake. He is also a husband, and a father to four children. Highlights 5:00 Introduction 7:45 Advice to leaders handling virtual events
10:55 Instruct people attending meetings to turn on their camera Warm up with a question in chat
14:15 Jason’s experience serving on the high council 16:30 Jason’s journey writing and publishing The Promise to the One
The foundation of his message is in keeping promises to ourselves
19:20 Experience serving as an elders quorum president and trying so hard to do it all that he wasn’t keeping the promise to himself 24:00 Signature Moves: The unique talents, skills, and traits you can share with the world
Identify, clarify, magnify Do this with others and recognize what others see that you might not
31:40 Property line living: recognize where we can stop or keep going in the service of others
Keeping a promise to those we serve
39:20 Experience struggling to figure out how to work during a pandemic, and the gifts of a friend playing music outside the house, and friends offering to help 44:00 Leaving a legacy: What can you create now that will live beyond you? What do I want the end game to be? How can I serve at the highest level of engagement? 49:35 Experience of choosing to leave in chapter 10 56:00 What it means to keep your promise as a disciple of Jesus Christ Links JasonHewlett.com The Promise to the One, by Jason Hewlett How This Professional Entertainer Can Help Improve Your Next High Council Talk | An Interview With Jason Hewlett
Chad Ford is best known as an analyst and entrepreneur covering the NBA and NBA Draft for ESPN. His primary work, however, is as a peacebringer, an international conflict mediator, college professor, and director of the David O. McKay Center for Intercultural Understanding at BYU-Hawaii. In this interview, Chad discusses the concepts in his book Dangerous Love: Transforming Fear and Conflict at Home, at Work, and in the World, and how they apply to church leadership. Highlights 4:00 Chad’s path to BYU Hawaii 6:30 The path to writing the book started with writing a textbook, then changing to writing it as stories that connect with people in a variety of circumstances 8:30 Written for a secular audience but doesn’t shy away from faith and religion 10:00 Connection with the Arbinger Institute 12:50 Leaders aren’t called because of their pastoral qualifications and training, but a lot of the day-to-day work in leadership revolves around conflict 14:30 Association of sin with conflict and contention leads to conflict avoidance 21:00 “Easy love” and relationships 23:00 Agape: the Greek notion of love described by Paul 25:30 Outward accommodation and keeping conflict inside is not love 26:30 The most difficult person is the person you actually need to get closest to 27:45 This is the calling of discipleship. This is what Christ does. We naturally pull away when people need us the most, when there is struggle and conflict. 30:35 Learning this concept from Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s call to love your enemies 34:15 This means I have to humbly seek to understand their experience and perspective 37:10 We need to see people we struggle with as people and not as objects. Chad’s own experiences missing this in his life and seeking to truly see at least one person each day. 44:50 The concept of “turning first”: choosing to see the person first and turning toward them, inviting them to connect 48:05 Example of the prodigal son and the father’s open arms 50:00 Example of reconciling with a man in the ward 52:00 We create justifications for loving people less, but can commit to loving more. “In the litany of sins, not loving one of our brothers and sisters is probably there at the top.” 54:10 The unsolvable conflict: you’ve probably tried all of the wrong things on the inside even as you do and say all of the “right” things on the outside 55:00 The seven why’s: Get deeply curious about people. Keep telling me why. 56:15 There can still be disagreement, and this is when you take the time and patience to seek to find the common ground 58:00 Failing to invite those labeled as the terrorist to the peacebuilding process. Unanimous decisions begin with exploring the perspective of others, as with the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. 1:01:00 When people do feel heard, valued, and seen, they are willing to make adjustments. This can’t be faked and must be felt at a deeper level through the hard work of intentionally building a relationship. 1:03:35 Dangerous love is always a struggle because we are imperfect, but the key is the humility to repent and reconnect. 1:04:30 We have the same stigma around conflict that we have around sinning. Repentance is a gift and our lives should be spent repenting, using this gift to correct relationships and not simply to correct outward sins. 1:07:30 Offering grace to others just as we receive it from Christ 1:10:50 Begin to encourage this by talking about what a Zion ward would look like and how we can build the relationships we need Links dangerouslovebook.com Dangerous Love: Transforming Fear and Conflict at Home, at Work, and in the World, by Chad Ford The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict, by The Arbinger Institute Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box, by The Arbinger Institute
KaRyn Lay produces LDS Living's This is the Gospel podcast and the Sunday on Monday study group, and hosts and writes the This is the Gospel segments. KaRyn has a degree in English Literature and a masters in Communication with an emphasis in film, and loves storytelling and the power of story. She has served in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society presidencies. Highlights 5:15 KaRyn’s background and path to podcasts with LDS Living 7:30 Careful with the wording in the introduction to This is the Gospel: Every one of us is practicing discipleship. 11:00 Bringing storytelling into your organization: We discount our own experiences, but everyone has a story of transformation. 14:15 Vulnerability: we are missing an opportunity for connection when we fail to share our failings and struggles because it helps us see one another the way Christ sees us. 17:30 Our first reaction might be to step back, but if we keep listening we can lean in and connect. Our brains are wired for this. 19:15 Sharing past sins: no need to give the details, but don’t leave out your mistakes. Example of the Brother of Jared. 21:00 Formulating a story
Tell your own story, not someone else’s story. Create an outline of the main points of decision in your story. Set up the context, tell what happened, the results, and your takeaway. Determining what details to include: choose carefully, keep it short, and be real. Be curious about your own story and consider previous experiences where it was different. Don’t gloss over moments of doubt or other hard experiences. Find the moment of transformation and build around that. Touch lightly on the takeaway. Know your audience. Tell the right story to the right people. How will it be useful, interesting, and meaningful to them? Consider telling the story from the perspective of where you were at the time.
28:25 Speaking to youth: how to get them to pay attention and respond 31:30 Vulnerability with youth will increase the power of hope and connection in your message, and show youth that you can be trusted with their struggles 33:05 Doctrine & Covenants 50:21-23 Edifying and rejoicing together is a gift of storytelling, creating true communion 34:00 Developing questions to encourage youth to talk, offering them an opportunity to tell a story of their own 35:20 KaRyn’s own learning experience with believing in “inappropriate pulpit disclosure” and coming to recognize that the listener needs to offer grace and mercy to the speaker telling their story.
Sharing difficult experiences so that the ward can share your burden. Vulnerability hangovers
39:45 It’s the leader’s place to gently pull the conversation back from situations where there was uncomfortable oversharing. Teach and train that this is a safe space. 41:30 Part of a leader’s stewardship is to practice sharing stories and to set the tone. We get better at telling stories by listening to stories by great storytellers such as Elder Holland. 44:30 Brene Brown: You cannot tell your story until you’re far enough removed from it that you don’t care what other people think of it. Know yourself well enough to know when you’re at that point. 46:00 Journaling about your stories to process what it means and why it’s important. 46:25 Sister Aburto’s response to the difficulty of telling her difficult stories 48:20 Boundaries for storytelling: Will it do harm for the person telling it or to the faith of someone listening? Ask for guidance with knowing what stories to tell. 51:05 The weight of ministry and understanding the love the Lord has for her through hearing the stories of others Links LDSliving.com/podcasts Instagram: @thisisthegospel_podcast Facebook: @thisisthegospelpodcast A Deseret Book Live Conversation with Sister Reyna Aburto hosted by Yahosh Bonner This is the Gospel Podcast, Episode 51: Weak Things Made Strong Contact Kurt with your thoughts on storytelling in the church: https://leadingsaints.
Brother Jared Halverson has been an institute teacher at the University of Utah for the past six years. He hails originally from Los Angeles. His YouTube channel and podcast, “Unshaken,” helps people study the scriptures. He and Sister Halverson are former residents of Tennessee where Brother Halverson studied in the Divinity School at Vanderbilt University, where he is now a PhD candidate in Historical Studies with a focus on American religious history. While attending Vanderbilt, he sometimes was called upon to speak to college classes or to non-LDS congregations in the Nashville community to explain his religious beliefs, especially during the Mitt Romney presidential run. Bro. Halverson was an avid athlete in high school (football and track) and interacted with a broad spectrum of religions among his boyhood friends. He served a Spanish speaking mission.
Highlights 05:20: Feeling at home as a religious minority. 07:15: Guidance to leaders confronted by tough gospel questions. Conviction brings courage. 10:30: Open your mouth and it shall be filled (D&C 84), if you are prepared. The Holy Ghost can help us remember things we have studied. Respect people’s questions. Study; learn from experience/mistakes. 14:50: Being defensive can offend the Spirit and invite contention. Unity, not just orthodoxy, is vital. Seek to understand. Sometimes being loving will earn us a second conversation with someone whereas being overly bold will not. Open your ears and the heat will evaporate (elephants). Don’t stomp around with big head and sharp tusk like elephants, which also have a thick skin. Create safe space for questions. 27:00: Be grateful for faith of others. Brother Halverson has worshiped with Quakers, Bahai, Evangelicals, Catholics, etc. Beauty is everywhere. The Church has a monopoly on a few things but not all good things. Holy envy. Some Evangelicals are concerned about “cheap grace” too. 32:00: Responding to questions about grace. Just as Martin Luther may have overcorrected in breaking away from Catholicism, have we overcorrected in not trying to understand grace? Toxic perfectionism. Serving God does not mean we are trying to earn His love. The Book of Mormon addresses grace often. Joseph Smith spoke of proving contraries. Jesus was justice and mercy combined. Broad brush answers may be just what half the class needs and not at all what another half needs at a given time. People are all over the map. It’s often difficult to have a pat answer that speaks to all of them. Ministering visits are an opportunity for one-on-one, tailor-made dialogue. 41:25: General authority discourses, of necessity, often speak to the masses who are at different places of spiritual development. Alma 42 is dissected as to Alma’s balance in teaching his son Corianton about justice and mercy. 45:32: Don’t make interfaith activities a covert missionary operation. God has made ample provision to bring us all home. Do not lessen your zeal but show an increase in patience. Cheer on people in other faiths who are doing good things. 47:30: Interfaith work. The meaning of“ward.” Be a good neighbor. Brother Halverson was clearly a religious minority in his Tennessee neighborhood. Find common goals with which to team up. Non-members sometimes don’t trust our intentions. Based on doctrine and practice, our church can be patient because of what we know about temple work and spirit world. 53:30: Come Follow Me YouTube channel “Unshaken.” Many people’s scripture study habits are changing for the better during Covid-19. Striking a balance between external resources available vs pure scripture study. The purpose of scripture study is not merely an academic exercise but to draw us closer to God. We have eternal life in Christ, not the scriptures per se. Scriptures as a signpost or burning bush to get our attention. How does the phrase “Expectation without education is frustration” apply to scripture study?
Jody Moore is a master certified life coach, well known as the host of the Better Than Happy podcast and for her live events and online coaching program, Be Bold. She also has a BA in Communications and an MA in Adult Education along with 15 years of experience as a corporate trainer and leadership coach. Jody and her husband live in Spokane, Washington, and are the parents of four children. Highlights 9:00 We hear counsel or advice and immediately see where others could use it. 11:10 We have an idea of what the "right way to be" looks like for certain roles that people fill in our lives. 12:00 Expectations are premeditated disappointment. We create manuals for others and are disappointed when they don't follow those rules. 14:00 We lose our own authority for ourselves when we blame others for our thoughts and emotions; instead we can get to compassion by recognizing they are imperfect people doing their best. 15:30 The Atonement has two parts: the saving part, and the strengthening and enabling part; we can access that strengthening and enabling power. 17:00 We are punishing ourselves and it doesn't change the other person; we also then unconsciously mirror them and we end up "doing it wrong", and that's what feels terrible. 19:30 How to recognize when you default to these negative thoughts: Examine yourself instead of others. What am I doing that might be similar to what they're doing? In what way am I doing the very thing that I'm judging this person for? 21:45 Next we start to judge ourselves. Recognize that sometimes we are also imperfect. When we can do that for ourselves, we get better at doing it for other people. 23:20 The adversary helps us take the gospel and turn it into part of our manual, and then we judge others by it, driving a wedge between us. We should look at the gospel and counsel for ourselves, not others. 27:00 David O. McKay quote: "The purpose of the gospel is to make bad men good and good men better." Susan Easton Black quote: When I go to church, I go to take the sacrament. That part's for me. But everything else, I go there thinking, What am I bringing? What can I give to other people? 29:15 Sometimes we take the principle of obedience too far; obedience should not come at the expense of our own integrity and relationship with Jesus Christ. 30:10 Be clear about the difference between the gospel and the people. If you want to believe and sustain your leaders, that is enough. The Lord will work with you where you are. 31:40 Giving people permission to be themselves. Sometimes we can manipulate people to be what we want, but then they aren't really who they are. 33:10 What if our only expectation is that they be themselves? 34:25 We can make requests of people, but it becomes a problem when we hang our emotions on whether or not they do it. 36:40 We don't need more people who are like us. We need people who think differently than we do. 38:00 We can define our own success, keeping our expectations to ourselves and holding ourselves to them because others are outside our control. 40:40 When you are the leader, you can start to wonder what others expect of you and become a people pleaser. 42:10 We step into our best version of ourselves as leaders when we try to be ourselves instead of trying to live up to the expectations of others. 44:00 Managing up: you can make a request of the person above you to try or change things. 45:00 Have boundaries and don't allow mistreatment, but don't take it too far and have expectations that diminish the quality of your life and relationships. 48:00 If you want to do something differently, do it now, wherever you are. Example story of people asking a farmer about the people in the town. You will find whatever you are looking for. Links JodyMoore.com Better Than Happy: Expectation Pain Leading Others to be Better Than Happy | An Interview with Jody Moore
At the age of 23, Michael Brody-Waite was a full-blown drug addict. Today, Michael is an acclaimed speaker, Inc. 500 entrepreneur, award-winning, three-time CEO, a leadership coach, and an author. He is on a mission to teach individuals, organizations, and communities how to how to be vulnerable, surrender the mask, and do uncomfortable work. In this podcast, he shares the leadership principles he learned through addiction recovery, which he speaks and details in his book, Great Leaders Live like Drug Addicts: How to Lead like your Life Depends on It.
Highlights 8:00 Michael has a whole part of his family tree who are Latter-day Saints, and one of his Latter-day Saint cousins turned down the opportunity to date one of his NFL idols on the San Francisco 49ers. 9:00 Michael is originally from California, had a normal growing up experience there, but in college, he remembers “losing his marbles” over his good friend asking a small thing of him. That night he was confronted with the reality that he didn’t feel equipped to deal with life on life’s terms. He said something like “I don’t think I got the instructions on how to deal with life.” It was that night that he first drank alone.
10:28 Michael gives a tip for all parents: If you think your kid might have the genetic proclivity to be an addict, DO NOT sit them down and tell them, “You will probably be an addict, so never do drugs or drink.” That’s going to be the first thing that child wants to do.
11:28 “I can’t be an academic, I can’t be an athlete, but I think I could be a drunk.” It was one thing Michael could control over his life, he was able to make himself numb. Michael believes that addicts have an obsessive-compulsive variant that makes the person want to be able to predict how they are going to feel. He would rather choose a drug I knew would make him feel bad than one that he didn’t know how it would make him feel. It was about having control and knowing how he would feel. Since he couldn’t get that from life, he turned to addiction.
13:15 In the summer of 2002, Michael’s life took a severe downturn. He was a junior in college with only one year’s worth of college credit. He was kicked out of college, kicked out of his house, fired from his job, and his car was repossessed. He was throwing up blood on this twenty-third birthday, and he knew he wouldn’t be alive for his thirtieth birthday, and maybe not even his twenty-fifth, and that didn’t sound too bad to him. His friend let him stay on his couch, but he completely overstayed his welcome, but at that point, if he didn’t stay there, he would have been homeless and Michael didn’t want that. His father would reach out and come take him to breakfast every once in a while, and his father said he just wanted to buy him a meal, but Michael knew it was because he just wanted to see if his son was still alive. He always offered to pay to send Michael to rehab, but Michael denied having a problem.
15:00 Michael’s friend eventually talks him into considering rehab. “I chose to go to rehab to have 28 days of bedding and food.” But Michael hasn’t used drugs or a drop of alcohol since. It was in rehab that he was introduced to the 12-Step program, which he still participates in.
16:00 Michael gives his 3 principles he has learned from living the 12-Step program:
Practice rigorous authenticity
We talk about being authentic, but we don’t really practice it in leadership. How to take off the “masks” we wear to be strong?
Surrender the outcome
Leaders are not taught to surrender the outcome In faith, we are taught to surrender the outcome, but not in our career
Do Uncomfortable Work
“Hard work” is physical or mental, “Uncomfortable work” is emotional.
We will do more physical work to avoid uncomfortable emotional work.
20:00 Principle 1 allows you to see how you are hiding your true self. Principle 2 is how do I let go of “What’s going to happen when I...
Dave Ulrich is a professor at the University of Michigan and a partner at The RBL Group, a consulting firm. He studies and writes about how organizations build and use human resources, and has published over 30 books on leadership, organization, and human resources. He researches and consults with organizations around the world and has been called the “father of modern HR”. Dave is married to Wendy Ulrich. They co-authored the Wall Street Journal #1 business bestseller, The Why of Work: How Great Leaders Build Abundant Organizations that Win, and presided over the Canada Montreal Mission. Dave has also served as a bishop. Highlights 5:00 Dave's background and work 10:30 As a mission president, worked creatively to build the mission to support the missionaries and give them what they needed 12:00 Focused less on the goal and more on the people: the goal of the Church is to help you find the blessings of the gospel and they worked to help investigators find those blessings 14:10 Created themes for the month and for zone conferences; experience of getting the message wrong and making it right 18:30 Experience going out with every companionship, modeling for them and serving with them 21:30 Listen and take risks that are within the boundaries; experience of rededicating the city for a small branch instead of closing it and how that led to doing that throughout the district 24:10 The outside-in perspective: Leadership is what we help other people know and do, how we use our strengths to help other people see their strengths, the ability to create value in other people; What do those you lead need to know and do more of? What would the Lord want for them? 27:45 "So that…" We want to do ____ so that our people have ____. 30:30 Good leaders are also good anthropologists: observe those you lead, collecting data and soliciting input; experience of a prayer for a blessing at a funeral 33:50 Sharing gospel beliefs with others without being preachy 35:30 Leadership starts with who you are trying to bless and serve, not with you; what can you do to help those people fulfill those needs? 37:00 Working within the tension of policy and local leadership choices; we are a global church and we need to understand what the Lord wants for those we have leadership over 39:20 Inspiration is navigating paradox instead of solving it; experience leaving sacrament meeting to visit with a young man who had been part of a conflict 41:20 There is a pattern we follow, but there are also different ways the Lord can use us as leaders 43:30 We become vehicles through which our Heavenly Parents express love for their children 45:00 Modeling ministering, sometimes in unexpected, inspired ways 47:50 Being a doughnut-hole bishop: encouraging members to turn to those who have stewardship 49:30 Even introverts can serve; be willing to make mistakes; experience with saying the wrong thing to Elder Scott 54:00 Reflections during the pandemic: Pro athletes get better during the off season; he chose to step up instead of stepping back 56:40 Finding creative ways to bless people: Experience polishing the shoes of the missionaries 1:00:15 The Savior wants to give us power to empower others to reach their potential Links Dave Ulrich on LinkedIn The RBL Group Women in Council Meetings | An Interview with Wendy Ulrich The Why of Your Calling | An Interview with Wendy Ulrich Jessica Johnson's Leading Saints articles and podcast interviews: Finding Leaders in Your Ward Outside the Same Ten People | An Interview with Jessica Johnson Discovering Five Leadership Lessons from Jethro How To Give The Gift Of Feeling Understood: 3 Stages Of Effective Listening
Mark Johnson grew up in South Florida, studied aerospace engineering, and attended the Naval Academy. He served in the first Gulf War and then attended Harvard Business School, where he studied with Clayton Christensen. Together they started a strategy and innovation consulting firm, Innosight, and Clayton was instrumental in Mark's conversion. Mark is married to journalist and author Jane Clayson Johnson, a former guest on the podcast. He is the author of several books, including Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking Into Breakthrough Growth.
Highlights 6:00 Starting Innosight with Clayton Christensen 6:50 Mark's conversion experience 10:30 Experience dating Jane Clayson 14:30 About Innosight 16:10 Innovation in church leadership: Defining the areas where innovation is applicable 20:20 Start with the individual: What need are they trying to fulfill? What are their barriers and how can they be overcome? 23:00 Meeting the individual where they are, seeking first to understand and having empathy 25:30 Ladder up: Where are the opportunities for me to feel included and help others? 27:00 An outside-in approach: Approach outside the Church offerings first and find out what the individual needs in their life 30:00 Younger generations have many questions and we need to offer a safe space for those questions 32:00 Dealing with constraints: don't innovate for innovation's sake, and recognize what is not open to innovation 35:45 Strategy with vision
Start with offering hope and purpose, and a vision of where the organization is going—the destination Strategy is about how to get there
39:50 The tyranny of the urgent vs. planning for the future: carve out time regularly for considering the future 43:35 The vision may be the same for different communities, but the strategy will change depending on the variety of situations 45:45 Recognize that the future is not as unpredictable or daunting as we might think 47:25 There is no certainty about the future, but you can get clarity about how things can unfold 49:30 Looking forward in the midst of so much disruption: create a vision for your people to offer hope and create a path 53:10 Being a leader gives perspective beyond present difficulties Links Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking Into Breakthrough Growth futurebackleadership.com How to Support Latter-day Saints Struggling With Depression & Anxiety | An Interview with Jane Clayson Johnson
Public Affairs is now the Global Communication Network, but while the callings have changed titles, their charge to bring the Church "out of obscurity" continues. Stake communication directors, assistants, councils, and specialists around the world serve in their communities and help people better understand who we are and what we believe, building relationships with government, faith leaders, and other community organizations. Linda and Joe Musso Linda Musso serves in Pueblo, Colorado as stake communication director and as the stake Just Serve specialist and her husband Joe Musso serves as communication specialist on the high council. Highlights 6:15 Getting started in the calling 7:25 The goal is to build relationships and they found that by finding a common interest and common problem they could avoid agendas 8:30 They had intended to serve a mission but chose to immerse themselves in this full time instead 9:20 Homelessness was reaching a crisis point in Pueblo and they reached out to the Church for assistance, working with the community to get involved 11:35 After winter, the shelter closed and they began looking for other needs to serve the homeless. They approached the county commissioner, who helped them move forward with a project for a shower/laundry trailer and they were able to make connections and create positive publicity. 17:30 They joined with an ongoing food drive ("Feed the Five Thousand") and approached other churches that had not previously been involved in the community project 20:40 Messiah presentation every year along with a new Nativity project 21:30 Arranging for the shower trailer 25:00 Working with the Father of the local Catholic Church, helping with their community garden, and joining with others in that congregation to serve in the community 28:10 Highlight of being asked to pray in an interdenominational meeting 29:50 You have to lean on Him completely for direction, and serving so many different kinds of God's children makes you want to do even more Rick McGee Rick McGee currently serves as the communication media specialist of the Southwest Missouri six stakes coordinating council, North American Southeast Area, and as his ward elders quorum president in Springfield, Missouri. He is a realtor and has made great connections in his community, which includes many evangelical churches. Highlights 32:30 Known as "the Mormon realtor" in the area; very few Church members in the community, which is at the center of the evangelical movement 35:00 Not serving as missionaries or trying to convert anyone, but creating relationships 36:15 Experience of introduction to the governor, connecting him with Kansas City Chiefs Coach Andy Reid and Elder Gifford Nielsen of the Quorum of Seventy 40:20 Networking doesn't require being an extrovert, just a desire to connect 42:10 Creating relationships with the media; experience when missionaries were all coming home due to Covid-19; linked official style guide and request to share the correct name of the Church; does tours of the building when media comes for an interview; emphasizes key points whenever doing interviews 47:00 Sharing your connections to benefit other churches as well 48:00 Family vacation destination, Branson, Missouri, is also in their stake and they are able to draw from the talent there for a Nativity event every year at the stake center. It's a little more flashy than what we usually see, but intended primarily for nonmembers; print postcards and share with other churches; includes a large luncheon event involving other churches and charity organizations 57:00 Putting together an annual award for someone in the community and set up a smaller "dinner of ten" for them 1:01:35 Experience connecting with the local Assemblies of God church, where the pastor offered a beautiful prayer for them 1:03:50 If you have connections, help the communications council by making those connections for them
Jennifer Roach earned a Masters of Divinity from the Seattle School of Theology and Psychology and a Masters of Counseling from Argosy University. She was an ordained Anglican Pastor prior to her baptism 18 months ago in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Highlights 4:20 Introduction to Jennifer. Spoke about bishops interviews at FairMormon conference. Recent interview on Latter-Day Lives. 5:43 How she was introduced to the Book of Mormon through a reporter who was covering a lawsuit she was involved in. She was happy in her church, and not "looking" for anything. Introduced to the Pearl of Great Price, particularly the Book of Moses. She thought it was fan-fiction. 8:24 Speaks of giving up ordination and position in her church. Family supported, leaders supported, community questioned. 10:24 She was a survivor of abuse in her church growing up, starting about age 14. 12:50 Discussion regarding bishop interviews and her interest and research into it. Teenagers need a safe place to talk about issues; it is vital in an "incredibly confusing world". What do teenagers need, what do abuse victims need? 14:53 Kids with best outcomes are those with three adults in their lives, besides their parents, that they can relate to. Mom and dad should still be safety net, but others are needed (James Furrows research). The importance of the "person who is at the top of the organization" knows and cares about the youth. 20:45 4 reasons why bishops should be meeting with youth
It is developmentally important to them to have these discussions. This is a high expectation religion. If they are going to stay, they need to know that they are accountable to bishop. The peers of LDS teens are getting this support and these interviews in other churches (Catholic/Protestant) Even though bishops are not specifically asking about abuse, discussions about chastity can sometimes bring out hints of abuse. 75% of abuse disclosure is accidental. Average age people disclose past abuse is 54 years old. Bishop interviews are NOT grooming. Grooming requires intent. Teenagers need a place for self-determination, to know they are accountable, so they can grow into their own faith and not relying on parents.
45:15 Further discussion about the importance of 3 adults, besides parents, in each youth life. Help them to understand and discuss "here is what you are going through, and how does that apply". James Furrows research shows that for best outcome, one of the adults should be the "top person" in the organization. 47:20 Advice for a leader that wants to develop better relationships with youth: be aware in group, small group setting and listen to them, help them contextualize what is going on with their world around them. 50:17 Any caution for leaders? We have to do the gymnastics of the rules (not alone with youth, etc.), but that is not the same thing as being the kind of adult in a kid's life they can open up too. You are protecting them, but also need to be available to them. The interest is, "what does the youth need?", not curiosity of the adults needs. Follow the youth. Create a culture that abuse can be talked about, and be safe to discuss 56:20 Final encouragement: Be brave enough to ask youth the hard questions. Do not abandon those kids who are struggling in a world that is far more sexualized than in the past. Be willing to talk to them. Links Latter-day Lives Podcast with Jennifer Roach From Anglican Minister to Relief Society Sister – Interview with Jennifer Roach
The Refuge is an advocacy group for sexual assault victims located in Orem, Utah. In this episode, Kurt discusses with Lori Jenkins, Stephanie Heaps and Bethany Crisp about how we as leaders can recognize and help sexual assault victims. Highlights 3:30 What is the Refuge? 6:15 In Utah sexual assault is the one crime that we're above the national average. 9:15 When you first hear about sexual abuse start by believing the victim. 11:15 Remember what your role is: to connect them to Christ. 12:15 0% of victims chose to be victimized. They need love and support and are never to blame. 13:30 When someone first comes to you and they have done something wrong, it's not the time to talk about that. 14:45 The first person a victim tells about the assault sets the tone for their recovery. 16:45 Rapists cause rape. It can happen to anyone. 17:30 Don't question why they didn't fight back. 18:15 Submission is not consent. 19:30 90% of the time the victim knows the perpetrator. 20:00 When defining consent, coercion can play a part. 20:45 What is trauma brain? 23:45 Things leaders can say to a victim. 24:15 Reflective listening 26:30 Many victims are wondering if they are to blame or need to repent. 27:30 Become acquainted with services that can help victims. 31:00 Code R exam 33:00 Plan B pill that can be given after a rape and what it does. 34:00 We need victims to know there are resources and that they are free. 35:00 Reporting the assault and what is required. 35:40 Turn to the handbook and the church's counseling and legal line: overuse it! 37:00 What to do when a victim doesn't want to report the assault. 39:45 Going to the hospital doesn't mean they have to report the assault. 40:15 Ask what is concerning to them and what you can do to help. 40:30 Rape trauma syndrome 40:50 Phase 1- The crisis 41:30 Phase 2- Initial adjustment 42:15 Phase 3- Resolution phase 43:20 The phases aren't always linear. 43:40 What not to say to victims. 44:00 Don't question their choices. 46:00 Do not share details or information with others even if you think the victim should tell them. 48:00 Allow the victim to make decisions. 49:00 Sexual assault can happen to men too. 50:30 Loved ones of the victim are affected and also may need to be referred to resources to help them. 53:30 What to do when a membership council is involved for the perpetrator. Don't retraumatize the victim. 58:00 Kurt's experience with a sexual assault victim. Links The Center for Women and Children in Crisis
Chris Yadon is the executive Director of the Younique Foundation in Lehi, Utah, and a former stake president. Their mission is to "inspire hope in women who were sexually abused as children or adolescents by providing healing services through educational retreats, support groups, and online resources. [They] educate and empower parents and caregivers to protect children from sexual abuse through community and online resources. [They also] advocate for open discussions about sexual abuse through community dialogue and social awareness." The Younique Foundation was founded by the same founders of the Younique Beauty Company due to their desire to fight against sexual abuse and it’s devastating consequences. Highlights 2:20 Background of the Younique Foundation. 4:27 How did you get involved in working with Non-profit organizations?
“We need to become experts in combating pornography.” Finding a connection between pornography and sexual abuse or exploitation.
7:05 Statistics – realizing the magnitude of sexual abuse
1:4 girls and 1:6 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
9:00 What constitutes abuse? “any unwanted coercion or force into sexual activity” 10:50 Where does sexual abuse come from? Who is doing it?
80-90% of sexual abuse is coming from trusted family relationships in other words someone in the family or someone the family knows. 10-20% is perpetrated by unknown individuals aka “stranger danger” What is often uncomfortable and hard for families to realize is that it is usually people in your circle ( ie.coach, teacher, uncle, older sibling, older sibling’s friend, a person at church, etc…)
12:00 Other foundational knowledge for leaders in the church.
It happens in the church. It happens to church members. It happens to families that are engaged with their children. As a parent, you can do everything “right” and it can still happen. It happens in every race, religion, culture, every socio-economic group. The statistics do not change from one group to another.
13:15 Is there a correlation of sexual abuse to the church’s culture, structure, or habits of the church?
The church as an organization has been putting a tremendous effort into addressing and preventing abuse in positive ways. How individual congregations can apply the church’s policies and guidelines can be more problematic. Sexual abuse is typically a crime of opportunity. 16:00 When a leader stands up against abuse it gives members permission to speak openly about their experiences. Distinguishing between a secondary issue (behavior) versus the primary issue (trauma).
20:00 Combating pornography
In almost every case of pornography addiction or compulsion, there were some early trauma issues (death, divorce, sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect) A church leader’s role is not to combat the root trauma but to refer members to professionals who can
23:10 As a leader how approachable am I? How do I start talking about it?
Have conversations of healthy sexuality that include sexual abuse as part of that conversation. Be direct. Educate parents on how to educate their children. The use of professionals in committees to aid leaders.
28:05 How do leaders get to root issues so members can receive the proper help they need?
Listen first. Don’t dig into details initially. Ask good secondary open-ended questions. ( “tell me about when this started”, “What was going on in your life the first time this happened”, “tell me more”, “help me to understand”, etc.)
30:00 3 things a survivor of sexual abuse needs to hear.
You are not crazy. I believe you. There is hope and healing. Resources that can help.
32:50 Repentance at its core is change.
You can’t stay at the behavior level and expect true and lasting change
34:10 What can youth leaders, Elders Quorum, or Relief Society Presidents do to help?
Brad Agle, the author of The Business Ethics Field Guide, is a professor of Ethics and Leadership in the Marriott School of Business Management at BYU and has also taught at the University of Pittsburgh. In this podcast, he discusses how ethical dilemmas can come up in the church setting and how to better approach them.
Highlights 05:31 GRAY AREAS Ethical gray areas come when values conflict. He teaches practical tools for prioritizing. 06:46 His well-received book, The Business Ethics Field Guide, started with collecting thousands of written accounts of ethical dilemmas faced by executive MBA students in North America, São Paulo, and Prague. 07:23 Thirteen types of fundamental ethical dilemmas
09:12 REPAIR As a church member, knowing how to repent provides a really good formula to help you repair when you or someone in your organization has done wrong: recognize what you did wrong, ask for forgiveness, provide restitution if you can, and resolve never to do it again. People don’t often do all these steps in repairing harm done to others.
10:54 SHOWING MERCY Church members who have served in bishoprics or stake presidencies have particularly been trained well in the appropriateness of showing mercy from experiences serving in a Church Membership Council (formerly known as a Disciplinary Council). In these councils, showing mercy is balanced with ensuring the good name of the Church and innocent victims are protected.
13:00 CONFLICT OF INTEREST In the church, we’re not well trained for situations when we are in two different roles, such as business positions and church leadership.
14:25 MAKE A PROMISE AND THE WORLD CHANGES We church members teach each other that we keep our promises: we keep covenants and keep our word (e.g. a bishop gets an emergency call which conflicts with a commitment to a family member). Church leaders must teach boundaries for marriages and family and how to make tough decisions: sometimes you need to say no.
17:29 Imperfect leaders make mistakes
18:11 INTERVENTION DILEMMA (or Counseling Together) How do we balance sustaining leaders with the command to council together in decision making? When do we sustain revelation and when do we push back by speaking up for something we think is wrong?
19:24 SCENARIOS An Intervention Dilemma (or Standing up to Power): As a bishop who lived close to the site of a new stake center, Brad was delegated by a beloved stake presidency to coordinate with Church Facilities, the general contractor, and the local architect. The first plan from Church Facilities had the kitchen close to the bishop’s office and chapel instead of the cultural center. He proposed the change to the stake presidency but was denied. A bishop serving in the one other building built according to this new plan agreed that a change was needed from personal experience, so Brad asked again and was denied again. The switch would cost about $1,500 for a multi-million dollar building that you want to get right. On the third time requesting a change to the stake presidency, he came with the change request from the whole ward council, and they finally granted the change: he wore them down like the petitioner to the unjust judge. Meanwhile, the granted change actually ended up saving $500.
24:47 QUESTIONS for the 13 DILEMMAS in The Business Ethics Field Guide The book provides examples of and pitfalls for each of the thirteen dilemmas. It also includes actions for prevention as well as questions. Some questions for an intervention dilemma include these: (1) Are you the right person to intervene? Intervention is necessary because of a violation of ethics, or harm may be done to people: i. e. we want to spend sacred funds wisely, we don’t want to create situations where someone is going to feel bad because they spilled juice all the way down the hall and cost the church lots of money due to the strange placement of the kitchen.
In this How I Lead episode, Kurt talks with two stake Relief Society presidents about their experiences and the principles of leadership they have learned while serving. Angela Griffiths Angela Griffiths lives in Sale, UK, near Manchester, England, where she has served as a stake Relief Society president for four years. She is an IT teacher and also has a degree in educational leadership and management, and has also served as a stake Primary president and stake Young Women president. Highlights 4:25 About her stake in the Manchester area 5:20 Had not been a ward Relief Society president first 6:40 Principle 1: The importance of being organized
Regular monthly meetings with minutes, planning ahead, seeing what training is needed for the wards and being proactive
9:40 Principle 2: The importance of relying on prayer
Recognizing inspiration and being flexible to follow it 11:45 Brainstorming ideas and creating mind maps 12:45 Praying to help the sisters become more unified: inspired to have a Relief Society camp for three days with a variety of activities
17:10 Manchester pageant: change management and getting people on board 23:15 Working with the stake presidency to plan the ward conferences for the year 24:30 Meeting with the bishops, preparing to reopen church meetings 26:15 Learned to rely more on her counselors Jennifer Coleman Jennifer Coleman lives in Rutland, Vermont, where she serves as a stake Relief Society president. Originally from Seattle, Washington, she and her husband also serve in mission leadership in the New Hampshire Manchester Mission. Highlights 30:50 Receiving the call to serve 32:10 Church experience and also serving in the mission 34:00 Coordinating council of stake Relief Society presidents 37:10 About her stake and visiting each unit 39:30 Principle 1: Speak up in meetings 42:00 Principle 2: When discussing a topic or challenge with your presidency, before telling them what you think, ask them first what they think 43:25 Principle 3: Decide what is of most value to you and your leadership and don’t try to duplicate what others have done
Choice to visit the units more frequently instead of putting their energy into a project the previous presidency had established
46:45 Not being afraid to fail Simplifying projects 50:00 Principle 4: When problem-solving, you may need to take some non-traditional approaches Suggestion to use a talking stick to keep sisters who talk over others in meetings Having difficult conversations 55:15 Principle 5: Often the little things you do as a leader are much more important than the big things
Decision to put more energy into one-on-one interactions than into big events
To register for the LGBT Saints Virtual Summit for FREE CLICK HERE
This episode highlights four principles of seeking out and listening to LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and features clips of interviews from the LGBT Saints Virtual Summit. Highlights 3:40 Seeking out the LGBTQ Latter-day Saint
Kurt’s experience being sought out as a bishop Bishop’s responsibility "to seek out the poor and provide assistance to those in need" Being proactive rather than reactive
10:10 Principle 1: Find and Listen
11:00 Carl Hull interview clip: seeking out an old colleague to listen to their story 18:15 Making it real by sitting down with and listening to LGBTQ individuals 19:00 Listening to transgender people
19:45 Principle 2: Start a Dialogue
20:20 Experience of a Young Women leader who was asked by one young woman in her ward to leave her alone because the young woman is bisexual and “by your standards I’m already going to hell” 23:20 We have to stay ahead of these conversations, especially with the youth 24:10 President Fersch interview clip: What starting a dialogue looks like 31:50 One heart and one mind: making a welcoming place for those individuals
33:55 Principle 3: Stand in the Tension
Kurt’s regret for not reaching out to a gay ward member 34:45 The tension is between love and law: show love while respecting doctrines 36:30 Ty Mansfield clip: the difficulty of holding the tension 38:35 Elder Oaks quote 41:00 It’s in the tension that safety is created 42:30 Scott and Becky Mackintosh clip: attending a gay wedding 45:50 A bishop’s wrestle with attending his transgender brother’s wedding
48:00 Principle 4: Being an Advocate for Christ
48:40 Offering hope-filled messages 50:25 Mixed-orientation marriage: not the unicorn some people believe it is 52:00 We can be alive in Christ and thrive in Christ, even in this context 52:25 Resources are available
Links LGBT Saints Virtual Summit North Star Church resources: same-sex attraction and transgender Loving Our LGBT Brethren & Sisters | An Interview with Bishop Carl Hull
This is one of the 20+ interviews that are part of the LGBT Saints Virtual Library. To watch three presentations this online conference for FREE CLICK HERE
Blake Fisher works in the Brigham Young University Office of Success and Inclusion, offering confidential support to people who, for various reasons, feel marginalized. The goal is to help student body members feel unity. Previously he worked in the BYU University Relations office. One of his main areas of focus is helping LGBT students. He is a returned missionary.
Highlights 3:24: Blake’s personal experience helps him relate. How he has navigated that journey before, during and since his mission. Positive things Church leaders, family and friends have done to support him and help him feel valued and loved. Dealing with feelings of denial/shame/perfectionism. 10:50: Learning to value certain life challenges and feeling unconditional love from God and others. 12:00: The Success and Inclusion office provides support for individuals on campus facing challenges re: race, religion, gender, sexuality. Their support group may be otherwise small. How students are referred to this office. Why go there and not to a therapist? Guiding those who perceive discrimination. 17:00: The vast majority of stories he hears about interactions with Church leaders are positive, but occasionally the perception is that the interaction did not go well. 18:20: How Church leaders can manage expectations when inviting someone to the office and during the meeting in the office. Reducing anticipatory tension. Responsibilities of both parties, i.e. Church leader and the ward member. Increasing the comfort level. Active listening is vital. Don’t offer canned responses. People want to feel understood. Drawing on the principles of listening espoused in Preach My Gospel. Good listening techniques. 33:13: Leaders and counselors can show vulnerability and develop skill as to how to “prime the pump” to help someone who feels exhausted emotionally by just showing up. Don’t make them feel rushed. 39:49: Post-meeting anxieties. The individual may need reassurance in the days following a crucial conversation meeting. Helping those counseled to feel valued for who they are and not just based on certain decisions/behaviors they may have thus far exhibited. 44:00: Vulnerability hangover—the person feeling exhausted after they have shared deep things. Ensuring they see that what they told you hasn’t changed for the worse your feelings about them as a person. Body language can make them feel awkward. They may feel uncertainty regarding the next step after sharing. Manage expectations. Don’t exhibit passive-aggressive avoidance. Good intentions usually show. If they withdraw seek them out. 48:40: Having faith in God, not in a specific outcome is helpful when the future feels otherwise uncertain or hopeless. Avoiding comparisons with others. Journeys are individual. Focus on Christ now. 53:38: Sitting in the tension between faith and sexuality. Don’t feel your only way out is to get rid of one of your sources of tension. If we overly focus on not having any tension, we may give up something important. Feel the joy of Christ. A leader can sit with someone in the tension even if he/she can’t fix it. 58:40: Leaders can discern and focus on the light in someone’s life. Light leads to more light. They need to know that if their choices lead to hard things, you are still there. Don’t give the feeling you are ending the relationship just because they didn’t go the way you had hoped. Maintain a sustained interest. 1:03:50: Spend time with LGBT people to get comfortable with them and other things will fall into place. Information and Links The BYU Office of Success and Inclusion is located in the Abraham O. Smoot Building (ASB) C-374. Hope Works: Mourn With Those That Mourn Read the TRANSCRIPT of this interview
This is one of the 20+ interviews that will be a part of the LGBT Saints Virtual Summit. It all begins on September 8th. To register for this online conference for FREE CLICK HERE
Richard Ostler is an active member of the Church, a former YSA Bishop, and host of the Listen, Learn, and Love Podcast. Richard teaches Christ-based principles to respect, understand, and support God's LGBTQ+ children. Highlights 5:00 How the Listen, Learn and Love Podcast came about and why 7:00 50-slide presentation created to have a framework for faithful discussions: 8:45 President M. Russell Ballard: “I want anyone who is a member of the church who is gay or lesbian to know I believe you have a place in the kingdom and recognize that sometimes it may be difficult for you to see where you fit in the Lord’s Church, but you do. We need to listen to and understand what our LGBT brothers and sisters are feeling and experiencing. Certainly, we must do better than we have done in the past so that all members feel they have a spiritual home where their brothers and sisters love them and where they have a place to worship and serve the Lord.” 10:00 Singles ward bishop experience: felt he needed to restart 10:48 S. Michael Wilcox: “In some matters, it is better to be intellectually uncertain rather than superficially sure. This will still leave us with a great deal to be certain about, while maintaining a humility to learn.” 11:00 Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Brothers and sisters, as good as our previous experience may be, if we stop asking questions, stop thinking, stop pondering, we can thwart the revelations of the Spirit. Remember, it was the questions young Joseph asked that opened the door for the restoration of all things. We can block the growth and knowledge our Heavenly Father intends for us. How often has the Holy Spirit tried to tell us something we needed to know but couldn't get past the massive iron gate of what we thought we already knew?” 11:55 Alma extending a baptism invitation at the Waters of Mormon 12:35 Basic vocabulary definitions 13:50 His mission experience changing the culture of their message around the Church of England 15:20 Uchtdorf “Fear rarely is the power to change our hearts and will never transform us into people who love what is right and want to obey. Never look down on any other religion or group of people.” 15:40 Brene Brown: “Common enemy intimacy is the opposite of true belonging. If the bond we share is simply we hate the same people, the intimacy we experience is intense, gratifying, and an easy way to discharge outrage and pain. It’s not fuel, however, for real long-term connection.” 16:40 Instagram post that changed the direction of his ministry, posted by a mother whose son died by suicide 17:45 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them (1 Nephi 10:19) 18:10 Quick statements he shares in firesides: the Church does not teach being gay is a choice, or that same-sex attraction can be changed or that should be demanded, and does do not recommend heterosexual marriage as a universal solution 20:10 Can a person be openly lesbian, gay, or bisexual and be an active member of the Church? Yes (Church statements) 20:35 Ben Schilaty: “I wish I could label myself as I please. The times when I didn’t identify as gay were the hardest, darkest times in my life. Choosing to identify as gay has been wonderful and freeing. My belief and commitment to the restored gospel have not changed since I started labeling myself as gay. I live Church standards as much as always. But what has changed is I don’t hate myself anymore.” 21:35 Quote from the mother of a transgender child: Satan resides in their shame and in our fears. He is succeeding because he is keeping us from coming together as the body of Christ. 22:40 Seminary teacher and mother of a gay son, speaking to seminary teachers: Please be aware you likely have an LGBTQ student or two in every class.
Leading Saints started in 2010 when Kurt Francom had an idea. He had served as an elders quorum president, in a bishopric, and then as a high priest group leader, but he felt like he had not met his own expectations as a leader. In this podcast, Kurt shares his journey founding the platform that has grown into a 501c(3) nonprofit organization sharing leadership principles to support lay leaders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He also shares seven misconceptions that members have about church leadership, learned over the course of those ten years. Highlights 5:00 Kurt’s experiences that led up to starting what has become Leading Saints, and how it went from there to what it is now
10:20 Blogging at LeadingLDS 14:50 Started podcasting in 2014, founded the nonprofit in 2016
16:50 Frequently asked questions
Memorable moments or bloopers: Mack Wilberg episode that didn’t happen, emails from random leaders who have benefitted from what we are doing 20:00 Favorite episode: interview with his second counselor, Heath 21:40 Has the Church ever approached you about leadership training? It’s not in the mission of the Church to produce more effective leaders, but there is a place for third-party organizations like Leading Saints to support the members and the mission 28:00 Where do you see Leading Saints in ten years? Producing an annual conference
30:30 Seven misconceptions members have about Church leadership
31:40 Misconception 1: Revelation comes through feelings 37:40 Misconception 2: Scriptures and handbooks are all we need to lead 40:45 Misconception 3: Meetings lead to progress 47:25 Misconception 4: Your ward wants solutions, not problems 50:30 Misconception 5: Leaders are spiritual parole officers 53:05 Misconception 6: Leaders receive promptings of their call before they are called 1:00:00 Misconception 7: Your authority, calling, or title allows you to lead
1:05:45 The final question: How has being a leader made you a better disciple of Jesus Christ? Links 7 Self-Sabotaging Habits of Latter-day Saint Lay Leaders (and What to Do About Them) What I Learned About Leadership When My 2nd Counselor Left the Church Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink 7 Unbreakable Rules of Church Meetings Articulating Problems Will Motivate Solutions | “Come Down” And Lead Pride and the Priesthood, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf lifestar.leadingsaints.org Become a Core Leader
In this How I Lead podcast episode, Kurt talks with two women who are members of their stake Young Women presidencies, who share their experiences and the leadership principles guiding them. Carrie Miller Carrie Miller lives in Boise, Idaho, where she is serving as a stake Young Women president. She previously served as an advisor in her stake Young Women presidency and as a ward Young Women president. Highlights 5:15 Transitioning into serving as stake Young Women president and choosing counselors 10:20 Using MarcoPolo app with her presidency to prepare for and keep their meetings succinct Leadership Principles: 13:30 Communication is key
Bullet-point text prior to sending out an email to ward presidencies Calendar and reminders Group texting for short updates Monthly individual check-ins to be available to ward presidencies
Helping ward Young Women presidents
20:35 Offer to write letters to individual young women as needed 22:25 Twice-annual trainings with ward presidencies Look for helpful resources and pass them along 26:40 Presidents lunch twice a year
31:40 Trust in your counselors
Studied talk Rise to your Call, by Henry B. Eyring, and the book Counseling with Your Councils, by M. Russell Ballard 32:55 Experience of tabling an idea and later asking youth council what they need
Rachelle Sorensen Rachelle Sorensen lives in Provo, Utah, where she serves as the first counselor in her stake Young Women presidency, and has previously served as a ward Young Women president and in the Primary. Highlights 40:20 Passionate about youth and teens Leadership principles 41:45 Create a vision
Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty: the difference it made to remember their vision It takes leaders to turn a theme into a vision 44:35 Identifying the strengths of the youth and tying a vision to those: take the time to get to know them and teach them about leadership
53:50 Remembering Purpose
Identifying the why: what are the purposes of these activities? 56:30 Sometimes the purpose is just to have fun
57:20 Communicate
Identifying who is in charge of what Recognizing that we may be mistaking an ability problem for a motivation problem
1:02:25 Experiencing emotions, processing emotions, and feeling the Spirit Links MarcoPolo app Pres Eyring’s observations about meetings: News Conference | Summary Article A story about unity in councils and meetings: “We Have Not Left This Room…” |Leader to Leader Episode 11 The Inspired Teen Raising Inspired Teens Facebook group Now, Discover Your Strengths, by Marcus Buckingham viacharacter.org character strengths quiz
Greg McKeown has dedicated his career to discovering why some people and teams break through to the next level—and others don’t. The definitive treatment of this issue is addressed in his New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. Greg hosts The Essentialism Podcast and is the CEO of McKeown Inc., with clients including Adobe, Apple, Google, Facebook, Pixar, Salesforce.com, Symantec, Twitter, VMware and Yahoo!. Originally from London, England, he now lives in Calabasas, California with his wife, Anna, and their four children, where he serves as an elders quorum president. Summary 4:50 - Greg’s leadership journey since being a bishop in Menlo Park four years ago 5:35 - What is Greg’s ward doing to adapt to the COVID restrictions? 6:32 - Go small, lessons learned from being bishop Greg applies to working as elder’s quorum president 8:10 - Celebrate every success helped increase home teaching statistics; no need to repeat failed scolding – it doesn’t work 9:59 - Change is not the same as progress; abrupt change is false economy; better to avoid predictable problems of big changes 10:31 - Family history small change was to ask people to pray for ancestors every day and sign in to family search for thirty days 13:13 - A tiny beginning helped people rise to whatever level or time commitment they were able to; efforts to inspire members to greater heights just overwhelms them and does not produce more family history 13:55 - In leadership taking small steps is underutilized; people feel overwhelmed and don’t start; as a leader, look for the tiniest thing we can do in one minute to improve in this area and celebrate that action 15:12 - It’s better to take one minute’s step of progress to talk about it an hour and then do nothing 16:10 - We become more professional in talking about the subject, but not in doing it 17:31 - Have a grand vision, but match it with the tiniest steps; the grandest the vision, the smaller the first step 18:08 - We ought not let courageous moments cloud from our vision what was going on the majority of the time 18:50 - Greg reflects on his time as bishop 19:23 - Human suffering is universal 19:55 - If you think someone is fine, it’s probably because you don’t actually know them very well 20:19 - We should build relationships that let us become aware of other people’s suffering; show consistent kindness 21:47 - You learn people who didn’t appear to struggle are struggling 22:54 - Small things, being a friend, asking questions, consistency 24:15 - What can bishops do when a member brings suffering to his office? 26:45 - It’s very easy when creating things to not be honest about what can realistically be accomplished by a ward council 27:39 - Can you put the plan on a week’s calendar? 28:35 - Ward councils can become “siloed” and focused on their own groups 29:52 - Greg turns the tables and questions Kurt 31:08 - What is something that is essential to Kurt that he is underinvesting in? 33:07 - Kurt describes his concerns about connecting with his children 34:24 - Why does it matter? 35:35 - Predictable problems could be insured against 36:52 - What does measurable success in fathering look like to you, Kurt? 38:32 - What’s the additional work you need to do to close the gap between what you’re doing now and what success would feel like? 40:52 - What specifically does that look like? 42:43 - When is enough, enough? 44:59 - What is you were to ask your oldest children how am I doing? 47:24 - Tiny mechanisms help us change 48:54 - It’s easier to get trapped into grandiose commitments 49:36 - People are dealing with all kinds of unexpected challenges 50:26 - Brain chemistry and response to challenge/fear -- a narrowing of options to fight, flight, or freeze 51:46 - Must trick the brain into not responding with fear by making very small changes 52:21 - There is no upside in making people have more fear or guilt
Andrew Marshall served a mission in Portugal as well as a welfare service mission in Salt Lake City with his wife, Ariel. He is the Director of Leadership Development at the Partnership for Public Service, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that strives for a more effective government for the American people. Andrew is also currently serving in the stake presidency of the Washington, D.C. stake. Highlights 10:20 Effective leaders make a difference wherever they are 15:15 You have to get close to an organization to really understand what it is doing on the individual level: bureaucracies are filled with individuals doing remarkable things 20:15 Zooming out and remembering the principle of stewardship when working inside a bureaucracy 22:50 Liz Wiseman's concept of Multipliers and Jim Collins' research into level five leaders: people working tirelessly but it's not about them; empowering others and getting out of their way 24:40 Lao Tsu: When all is said and done, the people look around and think they did it all themselves; how much of your service is about you? 26:20 Experience with the leadership transition after the sudden passing of a stake president 28:20 Ward and branch councils need to see themselves as enterprise leaders across the system, working collectively; much of this comes from the facilitation habits of the leaders 29:15 Becoming a facilitator: Ask questions instead of giving directions, listen instead of talking, think about the talents of the people in the room and how you can allow them to use them 31:40 How much are you thinking about yourself or getting credit? You are the Lord's steward and the credit comes in that relationship 34:10 Ego leads to a failure to listen; happiness is the extension of self, joy is the merger of self; holiness of heart protects from the ego 37:30 If we serve as President Nelson has asked us to, there would be joy in every congregation 39:30 Thinking about the why, the motivations of the individual members 44:35 Stewardship is taking care of the things with which we are blessed from God 45:40 "The passing through" 47:50 The key characteristics of steward leaders include deep humility and fierce will: study the Savior's leadership 49:50 Spend some time studying the handbook section on leadership (4.2) 52:40 Getting out of the programs and activities to create generational impact 54:10 Key behaviors of leaders who practice good stewardship: watch President Nelson's leadership practices; "the cause" as a constant north star Links The Partnership for Public Service Public service leadership model Liz Wiseman podcasts at Leading Saints Kahlil Gibran poem: On Children
Whitney Johnson is one of the leading business thinkers in the world and an expert on disruptive innovation. An award-winning author of Disrupt Yourself, and Build an "A" Team, Whitney is also a world-class keynote speaker, frequent lecturer for Harvard Business School’s Executive Education, and an executive coach and advisor to CEOs. In her third podcast with Leading Saints, she talks about learning from Clayton Christensen, how we are all feeling disruption now, and how we can turn that to innovation. Whitney is currently serving in a stake Relief Society. Highlights Whitney discusses how she has been re-inventing her business model as she cannot travel to do keynote presentations but has to find out how to focus on individuals rather than businesses. She provides background into the relationship with Clayton Christensen, who recently passed. He was an expert in disruption theory – about how little things can take over the world (i.e. telephone, Netflix, etc.) Her work with him started in the church public affairs, and developed into business collaboration. She loved how he was the same at work and at church.
12:56 – What would Clayton Christensen want to talk about if he were being interviewed? He would discuss disruptive innovation in a gospel setting. He felt that the only metrics that matter are how we influence other people.
15:17 – At his funeral, it was reported that Brother Christensen's initial teaching reviews as a professor were not great; in order to improve, he prayed before EVERY class and he was better able to serve his students. His goal was to do good, no matter the assignment.
16:50 – Whitney speaks of disruption in regards to current leadership/callings. In her stake Relief Society position, since they can’t do local trainings with leaders, they would focus on Zoom meetings with specific questions that would help direct the discussion and promote sharing.
23:52 – What is the S-curve in a calling? We start at the bottom, and as we get going we climb the first curve, improve our abilities as we reach the second curve to reach the top where we are doing so well, and then we get released. The pandemic is causing a brand new S-curve in every position.
26:00 – Examples of how our constraint will become a tool of innovation (missionary work, teaching, videos etc).
Taking the right risks, creating vs. competing, play where “no one else is playing”; What can I re-create, rather than “what was it supposed to be?” A favorite quote: “Amateurs compete, professionals create.”
31:33 How can this disruption help me find my way forward? Disruptive innovation is about stepping back so we can slingshot forward. As we are forced “back”, we need to reflect, “How will I define my Covid time?”
-Write in a journal
-Keep the Sabbath day holy. Use Sunday as a “step back” so that Monday you can “slingshot forward”
35:45 How do I “step back”? Whitney describes her process of putting all work email on pause Saturday night at 9pm until Monday at noon. She wants to make Sunday a “delight” by writing in her journal, reading, praying, and doing family history
38:20 Journal writing tips: at the end of the day write down the best of the day and the worst of the day – and then explain to what extent you were “creating or competing” and how to do better tomorrow. Every 50 days you should look back and reflect on all the lessons.
40:54 – Whitney likes to record all priesthood blessings and transcribe them so that they can become part of her “canon of scripture”
43:12 – Discussion about current race issues, and the question of “how will I be changed” We can contribute if we are humble. She expresses gratitude for the Atonement – we can’t repair the hurt of the past but all can be wiped away because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Links Clayton Christensen's books Dare Dream Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare To Dream Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work
David Butler is a religious educator at Utah Valley University. He also cohosts the popular YouTube scripture study channel Don't Miss This with Emily Belle Freeman and is the author of many religious books, including Almighty: How the Most Powerful Being in the Universe Is Also Your Loving Father, Redeemer: Who He Is and Who He Will Always Be, and soon-to-be-published Spirit: The Gift that Connects You to Heaven. David has previously served as a bishop. He and his wife Jenny are the parents of six children. Highlights 11:00 The "rules" of the church and do they really need to be that way 12:45 What if we put people first in the church? 15:30 Begin with people and purposes 17:30 How to focus on people as a leader 20:30 Making sacrament meeting an experience with God and a place that people want to come back to 22:00 Having a vision with sacrament meeting 23:30 Splitting the ward into groups and teaching about the Savior and the importance of sacrament meeting. 30:30 High council speakers 31:30 Stake presidency respecting the role of the Bishop 35:00 How do I show devotion to God? 37:00 We all worship differently 39:00 Come follow me and Don't Miss This 40:00 Finding grace in Come follow me 42:00 We shouldn't worry about how we're doing Come follow me but worry about meeting our family's needs 44:30 Come follow me takes planning 47:00 Our culture of shame 48:30 "God isn't disappointed in what we haven't done" 49:00 Teaching in a position of grace 50:30 "People who feel loved, loved well" 53:00 Don't confuse salvation with discipleship 56:00 Fear of God compared to fear of sin 58:00 Satan teaches us to fear God just like with Adam and Eve 1:01:00 God's government is a family 1:08:10 BONUS INTERVIEW with Anthony Sweat Links Don't Miss This with Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler Instagram: @mrdavebutler @dontmissthisstudy Books by David Butler Y Religion podcast Seekers Wanted | An Interview with Anthony Sweat Church Doctrine, Policy, & Leadership | An Interview with Prof. Anthony Sweat
Layne Gneiting has cycled 38 countries, led bicycle treks through 18 countries, dream-managed for a multi-million dollar company, and taught (and currently teaches) Leadership and Integrative Thinking at Arizona State University. 11 years ago, Layne did a coast-to-coast bicycle trip with his family and opened up horizons for himself. Today he merges principles of leadership with cycling in various places throughout the world, packing life experiences into 11 days to create the conditions of change.
David Fielding is a stake president in Indiana. His brother encouraged him to join one of Layne's cycling trips and he finally agreed and arranged to go with the group to Spain. What he learned in his preparation and adventure there transformed him and his approach to leadership.
Highlights 5:35 What Layne’s cycling trips do for leaders 8:30 How David got involved in this trip to Spain 12:20 Learning happens in action, in the body Seven Principles 15:15 Principle 1: Vision
How vision was part of Layne’s experience biking across America It begins with determining what you truly desire 20:30 David’s experiences training for the trip and how it created his vision 29:20 The difference between vision and goals 30:50 People can’t walk in a straight line without vision
33:25 Principle 2: Risk
Rest/play and the essence of creation: lessons learned off the planned path 39:20 David’s elders quorum experience following Hurricane Katrina 42:00 Rejection therapy
45:20 Principle 3: Simplification leading to flow
Getting ego, plans, and control out of the way 48:20 David’s trek experience with pondering and journaling alone
53:20 Principle 4: Flow
Creating flow through journaling; writing by the Spirit
56:20 Principle 5: Endurance
Partnering with the mountain and harmonizing instead of slogging it out to the end 1:00:40 David’s trek experience with resistance and choosing the hills
1:05:20 Principle 6: Fusion
“Every horizon bears a thread of gold”: all perspectives have value and inform ours; being willing to not be quiet 1:08:20 President Eyring’s observations about how the apostles counsel and debate in meetings 1:12:45 “If we are united, we all things can do”
1:14:40 Principle 7: Compassion
Compassion is inclusion: reach out and include people in genuine, validating ways 1:16:55 David’s experience learning compassion and openness from a family who took them in
1:22:30 Changes in David’s leadership after his experience on the trek through Spain
“We are only going to pass this way once”
1:26:20 Creating your own experience: GUIDE (Generative - Unpredictable - Immersive - Daring - Enticing) 1:28:00 How these experiences have made both Layne and David better disciples of Jesus Christ Links wayofthehero.com Zen in the Art of Archery, by Eugen Herrigel Pres Eyring's observations about meetings: News Conference | Summary Article
Michael Newton Michael lives in Kaysville, Utah, with his wife SaraJean. He grew up in the Bountiful/Centerville area of Davis County, Utah, attended Brigham Young University, and studied law in Illinois. They lived in New York City where he practiced law before returning to Utah. He now does legal counsel and strategy for a company in the Salt Lake valley. He has served as a counselor in four bishoprics and in Young Men and elders quorum presidencies. He served in the bishopric in his former ward, which recently split. Highlights 6:50 About Michael's current ward in Kaysville and how the ward split when it was formed Principles 10:20 1. Candid counsel: saying what needs to be said; speaking up without worrying about what others think 12:20 The leader can help by being willing to listen to everyone's perspectives and to make decisions afterward 14:20 Having the conversation with the leader so they know that you will be candid and push back a little, testing and asking questions 18:40 2. The Savior's title of Counselor: reminder to think of what the Savior did, teaching and ministering without forcing 20:00 Return and report: go and put in your best effort when asked to do something 21:20 3. Lift the burden: support the bishop as he administers so that he can delegate to you 24:55 Frame the conversation as, "I've noticed this... I was thinking we could do this. What do you think about it?" 26:45 Counselors can help lift the heavy burdens that the Bishop alone must carry by listening and ministering to him 31:00 Being a counselor facilitates ministering and teaching as Christ did Michael Hjorth Michael lives in Boise, Idaho, but is in the process of moving to Sacramento, California. He has been a counselor in two bishoprics. Highlights 33:45 His first calling to serve in a bishopric was a surprise and a big learning curve 34:50 Start by praying for your own testimony of the validity of the calling of that new bishop 35:42 Come to training with the stake president with an open mind 36:50 Using technology can make everything better, tracking notes and communicating Principles: 38:25 1. Leveraging humility 39:30 2. Obedience 40:50 3. Communication: you have to be able to follow-through and go back to handle the tasks you are given
43:45 He would leave his binder open to remind himself that he still had tasks to do, then added them into his daily calendar throughout the week 45:20 You are the voice to the ward for the bishop. He cannot do it all and needs you to fulfill your tasks and carry his messages to others; prepare people for upcoming meetings so they can be more productive
48:00 4. Duty: Have your own sense of duty and pass it on to others 50:00 Training new leaders in organizations 52:50 Being willing to do the Lord's will in how you approach the work 55:00 Be approachable and willing to befriend more people in the ward 58:50 He learned to be more prayerful and to want the Spirit more in his life
Skye Fagrell lives in Queen Creek, Arizona, but grew up in Los Gatos, in the San Francisco Bay Area. He and his wife, Jacque, met at Brigham Young University, where he studied visual arts and coaching & teaching physical education. They moved to Arizona when he was offered a position teaching seminary in Tempe. Skye is the author of More Fit 4 The Kingdom. He is currently serving as a bishop.
Highlights 6:40 Skye’s journey to becoming a seminary teacher 9:20 Where the book started: measuring and quantifying fitness 13:55 Story of Milo of Crotan and the bull: the overload principle and how he translates it to spiritual concepts
Elder Bednar’s story of the tires spinning in the snow until the heavy load was in the truck
16:55 Striving
How the concept of striving has been incorporated in the temple recommend questions Taking a productive pause so that we can progress We need to have confidence in the grace of Christ, but we gain that confidence as we are striving
23:00 Analogy of the course of life and running a race
Elder Renlund quote: “Once back on the path, it’s as if we were never off.” Comparing ourselves to others leads to low spiritual self esteem 26:55 Story of snowboard cross athlete Lindsey Jacobellis’ first showing at the Olympics
31:30 Fusing the motivation of striving with grace
Luke 2:52—The four areas of the Savior’s growth D&C 93:12-13—Grace for grace and grace to grace: an exchange and progress D&C 45:3-5—Christ is the advocate and when He represents us it becomes about Him, not about us
43:10 We need to focus on balancing all four areas: wisdom (intellectual), stature (physical), in favor with God (spirituality), in favor with man (social)—work/life balance 53:50 Goal-setting strategies
MOREFIT: a goal-setting funnel
1:09:10 Overcoming plateaus: story of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and changing the frequency of his stroke
Change either the duration, frequency, or intensity to break out
1:15:00 BONUS INTERVIEW with Geoff Thatcher, author of The CEO's Time Machine 1:15:45 How his book came to life in the middle of a pandemic 1:17:35 The book is a layered fable with principles that apply to business and church leaders alike; one key message is to defeat paralysis by making decisions and moving forward now 1:22:40 Listen to the ideas of young single adults and youth because the people who are the future are here with us today Links Books in this episode: More Fit 4 The Kingdom: Gain the Spiritual Strength the Savior Emphasized by Following the Training Program He Utilized, by Skye Fagrell The CEO's Time Machine, by Geoff Thatcher Related articles and interviews: Becoming More Fit – Strategies for Growth in the 4 Youth Areas of Focus, by Skye Fagrell Inspired Counsel Includes Strategizing for Success, by Skye Fagrell Using Social Media in Stake Public Affairs | An Interview with Geoff Thatcher
Rodger Dean Duncan has been advisor to United States presidential cabinet officers in two administrations and to top business leaders in multiple industries. He’s author of several books including the award-winning, bestselling CHANGE-friendly LEADERSHIP, and co-author of Leadership for Saints. He also writes a regular leadership column for Forbes.com, a platform that reaches about 75 million readers each month. A descendant of 19th-century Baptist evangelists and a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he has served as bishop (three times), stake president, high councilor, and stake mission president. Today he is patriarch of the Liberty Missouri Stake and a sealer in the Kansas City Missouri Temple. In the early 1980s he served on the advisory council that first recommended that “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” be added as subtitle to The Book of Mormon. He is a father of four and grandfather to twelve. Highlights 04:05 How Duncan came to coauthor the book, Leadership for Saints, with Ed J. Pinegar 07:14 Much book content came from training meetings produced as a stake president and articles he wrote. 09:25 His conversion story: At the lockers after a lesson on the “Mormon trekkers”, a cute high-school classmate asked, “Would you like to know more?” 11:30 Techniques and models of leadership from impactful leader-mentors: A Waco, Texas bishop told him, “This morning, you failed the Lord…”, blessing his entire life. 14:55 Reproving with sharpness means with clarity, not harshness. 15:52 Train leaders and future leaders whenever you can. 17:49 Sources of Duncan’s passion for studying leadership include serving in student government and working as a political, business, and investigative journalist. 18:35 Young editor, Jim Lehrer, taught him to look at the gap between what a leader aspires to and what is accomplished. 19:41 Jim Lehrer also taught effective listening as an investigative reporter: “Count to five silently.” This leads to elaboration, new directions, and psychological space for self discovery. 23:52 He worked as a consultant to cabinet officers in two White House administrations, a laboratory for both effective and dysfunctional leadership behavior. 24:35 Paths at Purdue: After earning a PhD in Organizational Behavior at Purdue, a young man who heard him talk at BYU decided to follow his path at Purdue: his name? David A. Bednar. 25:49 Premortal memories: Experts may unknowingly teach gospel principles: premortal memories can translate into mortal teachings. 27:56 Councils: Therefore, now what? In the early 80s, he served on an advisory council that reported to the First Presidency. Their roll-up-your sleeves work sessions included George and Lenore Romney, Gordon Jump, Gordon B. Hinckley, Neal L. Maxwell, Bruce R. McConkie, Boyd K. Packer, and others. For example, one thing that came out of these included the recommendation to add a subtitle to the Book of Mormon (Another Testament of Jesus Christ). At the end of these varied discussions, Boyd K. Packer would simply say, “Therefore, now what?” to invite the council to seek what course of action they should take. 31:20 Councils are for counseling together. Make it safe for everybody in the room to offer an opinion. It’s foolhardy for a leader to try to take charge of everything and make all decisions. 32:11 One primary responsibility of a leader is not to create more followers but rather more leaders. The renewed emphasis to teach the gospel in the home requires a higher level of leadership in the home. 33:07 Three Time Zones: When you make a decision as a council or an individual, you should think in terms of time travel through three different time zones: (1) How will a particular decision square with the past? Decisions made and covenants made in the past? Expectations expressed by others? (2) How will a potential decision square with needs in the present? (3) How will that decision bless people in the future...
Over the past 15 years, Russell Brunson has built a following of over a million entrepreneurs, sold hundreds of thousands of copies of his books, popularized the concept of sales funnels, and co-founded a software company called ClickFunnels that helps tens of thousands of entrepreneurs—including Leading Saints. Russell is also a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and hosts the Book of Mormon Challenge podcast. Highlights For the record, this is officially episode #389. 04:17 - Russell’s background in entrepreneurship 05:39 - Interest in the sales pitches from childhood 07:01 - What is the question I should ask to help people want to buy or find what products and services we offer? 08:03 - The funnel process in missionary work 09:40 - Using marketing and sales principles to accomplish righteous goals 11:30 - Ineffective door approaches for missionaries 12:01 - Effective door approaches for missionaries - the epiphany bridge. What would Russell do differently? How to tap emotion instead of logic to help people connect to the gospel? 14:43 - Tell your story; help people feel the spirit as you felt it 16:00 - When you share your emotional journey others will connect 16:47 - Principles by themselves are not valuable; the story helps people understand how you earned or learned your testimony, so that others can also have the epiphany you did; help people develop their own story 18:26 - Story structure remains the same; use the hero story pattern to tell your story 22:03 - How can members and/or youth develop or discover their own story? 23:16 - Richard believes you can’t share the gospel without having a story to tell. If you don’t have one, start your journey and chase it. 24:13 - Fear of starting the journey 24:47 - Developing the Book of Mormon Challenge; making something ordinary special 27:11 - Inviting others into your story or journey; leadership applications 28:03 - The pattern interrupt helps makes something special again 30:00 - Pattern interrupting the sacrament, helping the sacrament become special 31:08 - Using the pattern interrupt to help your ward connect 32:08 - Repetition causes people to forget even important events 32:28 - What do you remember about your church experiences? How do you create events that people will remember? 35:00 - How can leaders help increase attendance at activities or re-engage? 36:07 - Idea: creating a lifeline to help people understand each other, connect more deeply 39:30 - Help people connect through vulnerability 40:46 - Book of Mormon challenge podcast 46:50 - How has your hero’s journey helped you become a better follower of Jesus Christ? Links RussellBrunson.com The Book of Mormon Challenge podcast Clickfunnels
Tony Overbay is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, a Certified Mindful Habit Coach, author, motivational speaker and the host of the award-winning podcast, The Virtual Couch. Tony is a convert to the church and has served as a Young Men president twice, taught early morning seminary for seven years, and started a Pornography Addiction Support Group in his stake. Beckie Hennessy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, has been a therapist since 2007, and currently owns BRICKS Family Counseling, Inc. She has a podcast called The Path of Imperfection (changing soon to The Path of Connection) and has written a book, Ministering Through Connection. She currently serves as a Stake Young Women president.
Highlights 9:45 Anxiety in the times of Covid-19, and how anxiety can be confused with personal revelation 12:55 The unknown leads our minds to cognitive bias and confirmation bias, which then results in polarization 15:35 Anxiety that comes from what our minds think we are missing 16:25 Everyone is experiencing anxiety and worry because that’s what our brains do 18:30 Defaulting to agency and letting people choose how they will act 21:00 Framing the discussion by asking open-ended questions instead of shutting down people with assumptions 22:05 Empathy, being heard, and agreeing/being on the same team 26:45 The sacrament experience with church at home and how this can change how we approach the sacrament when returning to church at church: resetting our experience 34:20 Resetting the church culture 36:25 What about cleaning in the nursery? 37:35 Values pizza and how it could be applied to holding sacrament meetings 42:25 Defaulting to the socially compliant pizzas, and corrupting the culture with rules 43:50 Psychological reactants: instant negative reaction to being told what to do 46:20 TFTs: Terrible First Times and restructuring according to our values 49:25 Everyone is doing the best they can 51:30 Paying attention to the Spirit more than paying attention to what is happening around you, and identifying a focal point for the meeting 55:00 Handling feedback with empathy then counseling with others before making a decision 59:40 Story of using empathy with the ward member who wanted the air conditioning off 1:02:20 Spiritual trump cards from a leader’s standpoint 1:06:45 The Holy Ghost card/personal revelation and anxiety coming from an individual’s standpoint 1:12:00 Beckie’s experience with anxiety and returning to church: the need to be heard 1:17:30 Truth, Beauty, and Goodness: finding these values in the ward experience amidst change 1:29:30 The Measuring Stick and creating shame glitter: dangers of using behavior to determine truth of doctrine, to measure how well we are doing as leaders, or to measure someone’s righteousness 1:34:45 Shame has no part in unconditional love and the Atonement Links Beckie on Instagram: beckie.hennessy.lcsw The Path of Imperfection/The Path of Connection podcast BeckieHennessy.com The Virtual Couch Podcast TonyOverbay.com Tony on Instagram: virtualcouch He's a Porn Addict...Now What?: An Expert and a Former Addict Answer Your Questions, by Joshua Shea and Tony Overbay
Dave LeFevre and Jeff Ehlers are both serving as members of their stake high councils and share the leadership principles they have learned in this calling. Dave LeFevre Dave LeFevre lives northeast of Seattle in Maltby, Washington, and works in e-learning for SAP Concur. Originally from San Diego, he lived in Utah for a time and attended Brigham Young University. Dave has been a presenter at BYU Education Week and is currently serving for the fourth time on the high council in his stake. Highlights 06:00 His first calling to the high council was a learning experience 07:15 How his stake presidency uses their high council, counseling together as well as sending them out to the wards 09:20 Format and discussions as a high council and how they communicate and share information 11:25 How speaking assignments are handled, rotating through the wards 12:50 Leadership Principle: Speaking assignments are opportunities to engage with the ward leadership
13:30 Arrive early and greet the ward members 16:40 Connect with the bishopric by email in advance, checking in with what is happening in the ward 17:50 Look to the bishoprics for topics to talk about, getting specific for the ward
20:10 Leadership Principle: One of the most important responsibilities we have is to thank people
22:20 Being specific and detailed with gratitude creates connection
24:45 Leadership Principle: High councilors are more coaches than players, especially working with an assigned ward or organization
Advising from knowledge of principles 26:25 Being a neutral, listening ear for the bishop 28:00 Being an expert on the handbook
29:50 Leadership Principle: Building a relationship of trust with others is especially important to be effective, which is mostly done by respecting their stewardship and keys
You are the advisor and supporter, not there to tell others what to do
33:25 Training other high councilors: be flexible and finish your talk on time, watch for opportunities to serve and be a part of your assigned ward 36:30 Being a disciple is being a learner Jeff Ehlers Jeff Ehlers lives in Meridian, Idaho, but grew up in rural Shelley, Idaho, and served a mission to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in accounting from Brigham Young University, and a masters degree in business from the University of Utah. Jeff has started four companies and currently works full-time as CFO for a medical device company. He has served on his stake high council for a year. Highlights 38:00 21 days of digital missionary work and using recently-returned missionaries 41:30 Transitioning into serving on the high council, his first stake calling, and being a step away from engaging with the general membership to working with the leaders 44:10 Being the rookie on the high council is an opportunity to learn
Serving as an advisor for the young women, responsibility for stake social media, and opportunities to serve with the area Spanish-speaking branch
48:45 The Self-Reliance Initiative fits the concept of living your life in beta: recognizing yourself as an unfinished product but improving yourself by putting yourself out there 51:40 Advising the young women
Respecting their position and right to revelation for their calling 52:50 Having their back/being the fifth presidency member 53:15 Lesson learned to do what the youth are doing and getting to know the people you are serving
55:35 Leadership Principle: Being a delegate or being a representative
Sometimes a high councilor is representing the stake presidency as if they were there, other times he is taking responsibility and making choices in an assignment
59:10 Leadership Principle: Innovation
There is a lot of room for innovation in the handbook Asked the stake presidency and returned missionaries to record interviews for social media so they could connect with people during the pandemic
Ganel-Lyn Condie and Scott Sorensen are the co-hosts of Real Talk: Come Follow Me, a weekly YouTube show and podcast. Ganel-Lyn is a motivational speaker and author who loves teaching others and sharing messages of faith and hope. A regular television and radio guest in Utah, she is also a suicide prevention advocate after losing her sister to suicide. She and her husband Rob have two children. Scott Sorensen is currently a full-time seminary teacher, and previously worked ten years in the business world. He is passionate about talking about mental health issues and helping the youth find their mission and building relationships with God and others. He and his wife Paige have three children. Highlights 09:10 Scott's experience with anxiety and depression 15:30 About Real Talk: Come Follow Me and how it came together 22:30 Reaching those who are outside the cultural mold with Come Follow Me 25:10 Being curious as we listen to women and other perspectives 28:20 Learning truth and exploring it outside of what we "know" to find bigger definitions 32:10 There is healing in sitting in questions with someone else 35:45 Looking for the real-life application instead of "getting through" the topic of study; coming to know Christ instead of checking off the boxes 39:40 Wrestling together with faith questions with family and friends in the same way that Jesus connected with the marginalized 42:45 Stimulating connection and relationships in action with testimony 45:30 Ministering and teaching to create access to hearts; looking for how the principle connects us instead of overteaching it 52:10 Closing off access with judgment makes influence nearly impossible 54:40 Creating a heart-directed approach and talking about the why and the how in the gospel 57:15 Efficiency is not the same as productivity and effectiveness: God creates leaders with a different method and we are being prepared to become something 1:03:40 There is a purpose in the pain, creating what God needs us to be Links Real Talk: Come Follow Me Real Talk podcast Real Talk: Come Follow Me Facebook group Ganel-Lyn Condie books Come Follow Me through the Book of Mormon, by Scott Sorensen
Dan Duckworth is the founder of Crux Central, a leadership development company that helps changemakers level-up their leadership performance. He writes and podcasts at danduckworth.net and hosts high-intensity leadership workshops at cruxworkshops.com. He’s also a member of the Leading Saints Board of Directors. Highlights 5:39: Dan discusses the life cycle of a crisis and creating a “new normal” for Home Church 11:51: Statistics of geographic areas and types of leaders that responded to survey 15:20: Bishops in a transactional mindset 18:13: All about hypothetical worries 21:14: Feeling like you need to be doing something 23:32: The Youth Program and God’s plans for 2020 27:33: Taking a break from worrying to ponder 30:40: Comparing yourself and your ward to others’ 35:18: D&C 1, Hyrum Smith, and disciplined reflection 42:28: Creating connections in ministering and knowing what God wants us to do as leaders 51:02: Knowing the why behind actions you take and transactional mindset vs transformation mindset 55:45: Reintegrating into regular church life 58:32: The number one leadership tool Links Subscribe to the Newsletter The Power Equation The One Thing Bishops Worry Most About During Church-at-Home, and Why They Should Stop Come Follow Me FHE
Todd Olson, LCSW, CSAT, is a counselor and co-founder of LifeStar, who has been treating unwanted sexual behavior for over 30 years. Steven Shields, CHMC (2020), runs the website and podcast Unashamed Unafraid, with the goal of bringing hope and community to those in recovery through sharing authentic and vulnerable addiction recovery stories.
The LifeStar Salt Lake Clinic is partnering with Leading Saints to host live events to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead those who struggle with pornography and sexual addiction. This will be an ongoing opportunity, available a few times a month, that you can attend in person or view online. Professional counselors will help guide individuals through the complexities of pornography and sexual addiction so that we are all better prepared to lead those in our lives who need the support.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE NEXT LEADING SAINTS LIVE WITH LIFESTAR Highlights 07:00 Todd’s journey treating sexual addictions and how it has changed over 30 years 11:50 Steve’s journey and how he got involved with LifeStar 14:50 LifeStar’s programs 16:20 The purpose LifeStar and Leading Saints have in creating this educational discussion series for lay church leaders 19:30 What’s going on behind the scenes when someone comes to their church leader with a sexual addiction problem: minimal discussion and disclosure leads to temporary relief but a continuing problem 24:30 The disclosure process takes time and professional help 27:45 The bishop’s role is a part of the recovery, not the healer, and education about their role is needed 30:30 Helping young men who are preparing to serve missions 33:30 The bishop doesn’t need to do the hard part but can be the hope and spiritual resource 35:30 Creating a dialogue with therapists and recovering addicts so that leaders can know what they should do and how they should approach the problem 38:55 Handling betrayal trauma with the spouse 41:00 ARP is a 12-step support group, not an an addiction recovery program 44:40 Discussions will be recorded and streamed online, and topics will be repeated to keep the learning going 47:30 We are all volunteers and not expected to know everything, and this will be the Cliff Notes to becoming a resource for those without hope 49:00 Working with counselors 50:30 Men will resist going to support groups and counselors 51:40 Dealing with trauma in the bishop’s office Links LifeStar Unashamed Unafraid Go to LeadingSaints.org/subscribe and register to receive information about the Leading Saints live discussions with LifeStar “The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction 6 Things I Wish Bishops Knew About Addiction Steve Shields was also interviewed as part of the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit, which is available in the Core Leader library. For access, become a Core Leader.
Rich Bangerter Rich Bangerter is a branch president in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and served a mission to Romania, where he fell in love with international living. He works for the US foreign service and lived primarily in the Middle East before transferring to Malaysia. This interview was recorded in 2019, shortly after Rich was called as branch president. Highlights 06:30 Religious life in Malaysia compared to the Middle East
09:15 Proselyting in Kuala Lumpur powered by the young single adults Served as Young Men president and as a counselor in the branch presidency Reports to a mission president and district president in the Singapore Mission
15:10 Priesthood keys of a branch president and differences for counselors 16:30 Studied the handbook as soon as he was called; importance of distinguishing between policy and culture in church leadership 19:30 How financial assistance is handled in Malaysia, and the struggles of working with refugee populations 25:10 The definition of leadership is identifying the needs of others and fulfilling them
Requires staying close to the Spirit Talk by Elder Ballard, Counseling on Councils: Monthly interviews with their sons has had a dramatic impact on their relationships
35:00 “Living in the Doctrine & Covenants”: two experiences serving in the restored gospel from a perspective of the newly-restored religion David and Claudia Beal David and Claudia Beal are currently living in Texas, but David is the branch president of the Xi’an English Branch in China, and Claudia is a district Relief Society president over five branches in China. They are in their second year as part of Brigham Young University’s China Teachers program, but came back to the US for a holiday and have not been able to return because of Covid-19. Highlights 41:40 Introduction 44:00 About the branch and how they meet and communicate due to restrictions on religious practice and proselytizing in China 46:30 Call as district Relief Society president; districts in China 49:10 “The miracle of ministering” would be the theme of service as district RS president, checking-in with the branch Relief Society presidents and supporting them 51:00 Coronavirus interruption and drastic change, serving from the United States as branch president for members who have now spread out across the world 56:00 Receiving the call as branch president 58:45 A typical Sunday experience at “The Villa”
The building Very small Primary and no youth program, but they do have young single adults
1:04:10 Have a loving heart: followed advice to let China change them instead of trying to change China 1:06:20 Notice the daily miracles, write about them, and pray for more: whatever challenges they face, there is always a miracle 1:09:25 Recording experiences in stream-of-consciousness morning pages and also tracks where God blesses him, from a talk by President Eyring 1:10:25 Acknowledge the Gathering and do what you can: reaching out in love to others 1:13:00 The privilege of teaching where you can express love even when you are not able to discuss the gospel 1:14:00 The opportunity to serve the expatriate members in China is a privilege 1:15:40 Life in China is not always easy, but the experience is made wonderful by keeping Jesus Christ as an anchor Links Family Councils, by M. Russell Ballard O Remember, Remember, by Henry B. Eyring
Garrett Kroon holds a Psychology degree from Boise State and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Northwest Nazarene University, where he studied marriage, family, and couple therapy, and also trauma, grief, and crisis. He is a certified clinical anxiety treatment professional and a licensed professional counselor operating a practice in Meridian, Idaho.
Highlights 6:00 Survey of Leading Saints followers: most people concerned about connection, relationships, and belonging 7:35 How this is manifesting in his practice: anxiety has changed to depression, and is linked to feeling alone and disconnected 11:00 People are trying hard to do their best and figure out what to do as a leader 13:00 Understanding connection 13:30 The power of a sense of belonging and how it is different from social support: his experience reflecting on returning to school after losing his mother as a youth 18:40 Research found that a strong sense of belonging was a mitigating factor for depression, and social support does almost nothing 17:30 We are defaulting to social support over creating belonging because our meetings—which we normally use to do that—have been taken away 24:45 Single and older people have especially lost their sense of belonging; his experience connecting through letters 27:15 Phone calls with not purpose other than checking-in with people: making opportunities for creating a sense of belonging can require some creativity; don't reject invitations when people reach out 31:20 Recognizing why connecting with individuals is so crucial and that even small interactions are powerful 33:20 Community-building is difficult but there are still people out there who are dying for a sense of belonging 38:15 Invitation to ask: How can I show up for you? 40:00 We may be able to do more good now than before because the lack of sense of belonging is so powerful 40:30 Trauma expert Dr. Russell Van Der Kolk identified seven pre-traumatic conditions people are experiencing as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic: lack of predictability, immobility, loss of connection, numbing-out/spacing-out, loss of sense of time/sequencing, loss of safety, loss of sense of purpose 44:20 There will be people asking, "Why would I even go back?" and we can do a lot for them by doing a little 46:10 Belonging is a key to surviving this pandemic; be more aware of grace; we need to be mindful for ourselves and others that this is affecting all of us, even those who do not otherwise experience depression 53:00 No need to create unnecessary burnout or fix others, there is no cookie-cutter pattern for everyone; meaning and connection can be created in simple ways Links Garrett Kroon Counseling Summary of pre-traumatic conditions identified by Dr. Russell Van Der Kolk Mental Health an Emerging Crisis of COVID Pandemic
Andrea Davis and her husband Tyler run a website, BetterScreenTime.com, born from a need to find a better way to lead their five children around the topic of using technology. She has a B.A. in secondary education, and her experience ranges from teaching preschool swimming lessons to college-level Spanish. She has served in the Church as a Young Women president. Andrea now works from home as an admin for a motherhood website, a health coach, and a podcast copywriter. In this interview, she and Kurt discuss how to approach parenting as leading in the home.
Highlights 4:10 What it means to be a parent and what it means to be a leader: establishing a culture 6:30 Leading instead of parenting 8:40 1. A good leader works in a partnership with God, seeking and looking for personal revelation
Hearing Him in the scriptures Finding your own quiet time Filling your home with what is important to you: part of creating a culture 19:30 Partnership with your spouse (and their strengths) in your vision and goals
22:15 2. Modeling the culture you want to have 30:00 3. Good leaders gather the people they love: family councils and personal interviews
"Rumbling" with your family members: have difficult conversations, listen, and take that into account when making decisions
37:30 4. A good leader serves but also sets boundaries
The balance of supporting and fostering independence
44:02 5. A good leader crafts a vision by listening to the Spirit
What is important to you?
Roadblocks happen and strategies may need to change: modeling resilience Why are we here? What defines us as a family? Look to family history/ancestors for vision and what has been important in your family culture
Links Better Screen Time Instagram: @betterscreentime Facebook: Better Screen Time The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting, by Brene Brown Your Best Year Ever, by Michael Hyatt Dare to Lead, by Brene Brown Start with Why, by Simon Sinek The Vision Driven Leader, by Michael Hyatt
Consultant, author, mental health coach, trainer, and researcher Ryan Gottfredson is the author of Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work and Leadership. He holds a PhD from Indiana University and is a BYU alum. Presently he is a leadership and management professor in the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton. He has prior professional experience with Gallup. Dr. Gottfredson has published numerous professional articles and his research is frequently cited by others. He has often contributed his expertise to Leading Saints. A short and free mindset survey is available to readers/listeners at RyanGottfredson.com. Highlights 06:00: Value of mindset in assuming leadership responsibilities; NFL example of good intentions gone awry. Leader impact on “subordinate” self-esteem. 11:15: Becoming awakened to our personal mindsets, e.g. homeless individuals. 15:00: Do we perceive our leaders as doing their best? Bias towards our personal perceptions vs openness to other possibilities. Unintentional damage to team/group/congregation members. 18:39: Mindset in conducting successful meetings. Chrysler/Lee Iacocca case study. Desire to look good, be right, avoid problems and get ahead are self-focused, negative self-protection modes. We should want to learn and grow, find truth, reach goals, and lift others. 24:05: We limit ourselves by believing our opinions count more than others. 26:00: Decision making becomes stunted if we are closed. Do we desire to be the person with all the answers who minimizes the perspectives of others? Do people feel psychological safety in the group? 31:20: Do we allow formal handbooks to stifle our creativity. 32:50: Prevention mindset vs risk taking. Fleeing to safe comfort zone may not lead to original destination. 36:40: Sacrament meeting mindset. 40:30: Comfort-focused vs intention focused. Are the people in the group growing? Do we deem our bucket so full we cannot pour anything else into it by way of considering avenues for growth? 44:00: How do we know if people in the organization are engaged and growing? What drives engagement? Do stakeholders feel their opinions matter? Gallup study reveals 30% of workforce feels truly engaged. 50:15: Only 5% of mindset survey respondents find themselves in the top quartile. There is no correlation among the four mindsets. Failure avoidance leads to wanting to look good as opposed to learning/growing. 50% of population has fixed mindset. Spiritually, are sanctification and tapping into the Spirit more difficult with a closed mindset about self? Having faith to “lean into” difficult situations. 1:00:37: Consider crucial conversations with leaders whose closed mindset is negatively impacting the organization. “I Hear You” by Michael Sorensen will improve your emotional intelligence. 1:03:53: Are we closed-minded in thinking our leader has a closed mindset? Being proactive. 1:05:05: Once we know our mindset tendencies, how will we take charge of our future? Neuro connection link. Shift towards more positive mindset is easier than many realize. “The Power of Stillness.” Focusing on behaviors without modifying our mindset leads to frustrations. Learning from mistakes. 1:13:55: Becoming a better disciple of Christ by learning, growing, finding truth, and lifting others. Live in opportunity mindset, not fear. The Atonement is liberating. Links RyanGottfredson.com Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Life , Work, and Leadership
John Hilton III was born in San Francisco and grew up in Seattle. He served a mission in Denver, and got a Bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. While there he met his wife Lani and they have six children. They have lived in Boise, Boston, Miami, Mexico, Jerusalem and China. Currently, they live in Utah. John has a Masters degree from Harvard and a Ph.D from BYU, both in Education. John is a Professor of Religious Education at BYU.
John has published several books with Deseret Book, most recently, The Founder of our Peace, and enjoys speaking at Education Week, and other places. His education research has influenced policy both in the United States and internationally. John loves being with his family, doing humanitarian work, learning Chinese, and performing magic.
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Highlights 7:04: John quotes President Uchtdorf in which the former addresses the many “shoulds” and “should nots” that become a challenge in our lives. We can lose peace in our lives when we focus on admittedly good ideas, but aren’t grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 8:50: What are “Fence Laws”? Imagine an unfillable hole in your backyard, which poses a threat to children who may fall in. You therefore put a fence around this hole, which represents sin. The fence represents the protective effort against anybody falling into the sin. 9:45: We are already protected from sins by commandments, which John refers to as “core laws”. Yet some still feel the need to add additional “fence laws”. E.g.:
Core Law: The law of chastity, i.e., no sexual relations outside of marriage. Fence Law: No kissing until the fourth date, and kiss will last no longer than five seconds. Fence Law: No going into the bedroom of a member of the opposite sex.
10:47: Some fence laws have prophetic sources, like those found in the For the Strength of Youth, etc. There is a goodness to fence laws as guided by the spirit or other divine sources, like prophets. 13:57: Examples of positive fence laws. 15:22: Dangers of focusing on the fence laws while forgetting the commandments: “I didn’t go into the bedroom of a member of the opposite sex, but I still broke the law of chastity.” Children need fences, but the choices should shift away from extrinsic fences to self-imposed fences. 16:50: Too many good fences can become a burden. 22:58: “Take my yoke upon you” meaning. 25:49: Ward traditions that become fences. 28:56: Allowing the spirit to fill in the details around prophetic direction. 30:14: Anecdotes where a personal fences law caused harm:
Unrighteous judgment Offending others Teaching others incorrectly
43:20: Fences should help us feel the Holy Ghost 45:50: Leading Saints’ contribution to fence laws: learning by seeking to understand the purpose behind a fence. 48:14: How to step back from the rush to judgment. 51:48: When to correct and when to ignore as leaders. 53:10: Did we become members of Christ’s church in order to argue with others what true discipleship looks like? Paul, when using dietary habits as an example of arguing over something inconsequential, said “For meat, destroy not the work of God.” Romans 14:20. 55:14: “The work of God” and your role, the bishop’s role, and our common goal. 58:01: Trusting prophets as “seers”, even if we can’t “see” the point of their counsel. 100:08: Review of four key points:
It’s good to have spirit-driven fence laws Some fence laws can be burdensome Know the mark: loving God and loving our neighbors Judging others over fence laws, and teaching doctrine
100:35: “Lord, is it I?” mode: who needs to hear this podcast? Look inward. 1:02:58: Upward empathy toward leaders. 204:18: Conclusion Links The Founder of Our Peace: Christ-Centered Patterns for Easing Worry, Stress, and Fear John's article discussing this topic: A Fence Around the Law – Safety Net or Beam in Our Eye
Dr. Susan R. Madsen is the Orin R. Woodbury Professor of Leadership & Ethics in the Woodbury School of Business at Utah Valley University. A global scholar and speaker, she is also the Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project and the Utah Women and Education Initiative, and has led efforts in Utah to get more women to graduate from college and to help more girls and women find their voices and become leaders. Dr. Madsen received a bachelor’s degree from BYU, masters from Portland State, and a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. She and her husband Greg live in Highland, Utah, and are the parents of four adult children. Highlights 5:40 Women feeling a calling or purpose in both religious and secular settings gives them more confidence 8:40 Either/or socialization for women has become powerful in Church culture over the past 60 years 11:30 Research into sister missionaries started with the purpose of learning what influences women's goals and aspirations to become leaders in their homes and communities 13:50 What leadership skills have women developed through mission service? How do they use them now? What other opportunities do they wish they would have had? 17:50 Men are more likely than women to see themselves as leaders 19:00 Competencies and leadership skills women gain from serving a mission: public speaking, conflict management, courage, interpersonal skills, problem solving, planning organization and accountability, confidence, spiritual growth, empathy, giving and receiving feedback, grit and resilience, mentoring, teaching, critical thinking, listening, personal growth and awareness, accepting others, time management, training others, teamwork, foreign language skills, intercultural competencies, goal-setting, managing people, work ethic, serving others, taking direction, independence, patience, decision-making and judgment, standing their ground, leading by example, self-discipline, adaptability, lifelong learning 27:10 Connecting these skills to leadership for women: "We have to be leaders"
Serving a mission helps women see themselves as leaders
33:45 How can we encourage women to act with confidence in leadership roles when men are present? Increasing internal confidence and changing societal systems
Look deeply at opportunities that are available and asking, can women do this? Creating male allies: men who are aware and desire to be more inclusive
37:00 Women are socialized to keep quiet in a group with men 38:50 Leaders who understanding the differences between men and women create more powerful action and teams 42:50 A Mission President's wife is a leader: to develop leadership identity, women need to see other women leading 45:15 Yearning for sisters to be included in leadership and missionary training 48:15 Talking more about Mother in Heaven and recognizing a connection to her 52:30 What are returned sister missionaries currently doing to use their knowledge and skills? All of those skills apply to leadership in the family and Church roles, and they have also translated them into leadership in their careers
55:50 Women with leadership skills are not using them in the community as Church leaders have asked, serving in non-leadership roles instead
59:05 Receiving personal revelation about what God wants women to do in the world
Sheri Dew quote: "If we could unleash the full influence of covenant-keeping women, the kingdom of God would change overnight." President Russell M. Nelson: "The women of this dispensation are distinct from the women of any other because this dispensation is distinct from any other." 1:02:00 Women judge each other harshly in the Church, but we need to recognize the power in our distinct differences and what God has called each woman to do
1:06:30 Serving a mission is one of the best leadership development opportunities for both men and women 1:09:30 Young women who do not serve missions should thoughtf...
Chris Bauco was serving as a Young Men president when the program was changed during the 2019 General Conference. This interview was recorded the week before and includes many principles that can guide advisors in the Young Men program, no matter their title. Chris lives in Kaysville, Utah, and works for Zions Bank. He is originally from Bridgeport, Connecticut, and came to Utah for college. He joined the Church eight years later, influenced by the examples of friends who were returned missionaries. Highlights 6:30 Serving as a Young Men president when this podcast was recorded—something he had no previous experience in 8:00 Presidency meeting and private moments are where the Spirit has come to give them guidance about leading the young men 8:50 Passionate about preparing young men for missions 11:15 Experience learning that only 50% of the young men in his strong LDS area were going on missions 12:50 Four barriers to mission preparation: fear, lack of testimony, worthiness, physical preparation 14:00 Addressing fear and testimony: 5/5/5 program for the young men, 100 days starting January 1 each year; priest quorum members mentor by sharing their experiences 18:25 Creating companionships on a group retreat, then sending the young men out to member houses to teach 20:30 Addressing worthiness: Powerful activity using “commitment stones” and “sin stones” 23:20 Approaching repentance as an opportunity to get closer to the Savior and infusing spiritual strength into the culture with the young men 28:50 Addressing physical preparation: creating challenging high adventure activities so they can have increased physical abilities as well as experience handling a difficult challenge 32:15 Priest Quorum leadership preparation setting up service projects where the young men do all the work 34:50 Visiting each young man on his birthday and giving birthday socks Links Resilience—Spiritual Armor for Today’s Youth, by Elder Lynn G. Robbins
John Bytheway has a master's degree in Religious Education and is the author of more than two dozen books and CDs. He has taught the Book of Mormon at Brigham Young University and now at the BYU Salt Lake Center since 1996. John served as bishop of the Salt Lake Winder 10th Ward, and currently serves on the high council in his stake. Highlights 4:00 John’s background as a teacher and speaker 5:45 Writing books and how that happens for him 8:00 How his calling as a bishop came about 9:20 Serving as a bishop is different for every person and area; he had people asking for welfare support before he ever sat in the bishop’s chair 10:40 For bishops with significant welfare challenges in their ward
First ask what they need and listen Make a three-column chart of what the ward can do, what the Lord can do, and what the individual can do to help them—handing back the problem to the individual so you can work on it together instead of taking it from them Helps eliminate the transactional mentality and replace it with mentoring Help them get their spiritual act together first
16:20 Emphasis to push more things (such as welfare needs) to the ward council; called a “welfare coordinator” couple to help handle welfare requests before bringing it to the bishop 18:10 Moving people closer to financial self-sufficiency and self-reliance
Learning experiences as a missionary in the Philippines and seeing similar development in the welfare program
21:15 Ended meetings with his counselors at a specific time, no matter what 22:30 “It takes a really good meeting to be better than no meeting at all”: Virtual ward council held via text messages throughout the week to eliminate much of the administrative points so they could really focus on individuals in the ward council meeting 24:20 Losing the joy in the calling, and how talking with others who have struggled helped
Experience speaking with Robert L. Millet and having “same boat therapy” Recognizing that there are difficulties in the calling but moments that made it worth it Fisher missions vs hunter missions: some fantastic stories from great moments, but difficult days, weeks, and months between
31:30 Calling ward members each evening on their birthday was a simple, routine thing that became important for connecting 34:30 Working with youth: firesides are different than teaching a class
Taught Sunday School with his wife after serving as bishop, and went back to the simple idea that you have to care for them first Put people in place with the youth who are great examples; youth learn by example, not principles
37:10 Kids will listen differently to a speaker at a fireside because they don’t think that the speaker was influenced by what their parents or leaders are saying (“An expert is anybody from out of town”) 39:30 Stephen Covey: the order of the events in the restoration is a formula for solving life’s problems. Start with identity and relationships. “If we want to help our children or other people change their behavior, we begin by improving the quality of our relationships with them, and we introduce new ideas before we introduce new expectations and controls. In other words, we help them see the world differently. When a person’s paradigm changes, everything else changes with it.” 44:25 His book about Moroni: Moroni didn’t get to how to run the Church until Moroni chapter 6 46:00 Working with Meg Johnson and Hank Smith Links John Bytheway at Deseret Book John Bytheway, Meg Johnson, and Hank Smith's OurTurtleHouse.com Falling Up Six Events: The Restoration Model for Solving Life's Problems, by Stephen R. Covey The Divine Center, by Stephen R. Covey Image: magazine.byu.edu
John Eldredge is an author, counselor, and teacher. He earned his undergraduate degree at Cal Poly and his master’s degree in Counseling from Colorado Christian University. John worked as a counselor in private practice before launching Ransomed Heart—a ministry devoted to helping people discover the heart of God, recover their own hearts in God's love, and learn to live in God's Kingdom. John and his wife Stasi live in Colorado Springs.
Highlights 05:50 Where the ministry began 9:30 It isn't enough for a man to be kind or nice 11:30 Every boy is asking, "Do I have what it takes?" and when they don't get an answer, they are still searching as an adult 13:20 The mood of the room is set by the leader, and you lead by vulnerability and by inviting them to an adventure: boredom is what is killing men in church 16:00 Group retreats take men into their own hearts and back into their own stories to where they lost heart 19:00 Unplugging and getting away from the distraction is important to getting more out of the program 21:35 Writing his most recent book, Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad—the pace of life was becoming too much for him so he began to look for ways to get away from the chaos in the midst of living 24:05 Are you giving more of your attention to what's happening in the world than you are to God? The war in the world is for our attention; this increases stress, which even wears us down physically 26:00 Your attention gets taken away from other things, the things that help you relax and connect with others; put your phone down 27:15 Surrender: Knowledge gives us a sense of control, of safety and security, but God wants to be our security 29:00 Disconnect and become human again: putting away the phone releases us to perform better and to be a human being unplugged from technology and doing real things 30:15 The big lie: technology was going to give us more margin to do the things we love, but instead it has connected us to the chaos of information, fear, and anxiety 32:20 We have a divided attention and a divided affection, but we can learn to create soulful space for a little bit of time each day 35:00 John found he couldn't even play with his grandchildren for even a few minutes without turning to his phone and checking it 35:55 Our souls are on empathy overload: benevolent detachment is required to disconnect from everything and give it back to God (1 Peter 5) because we are not the Savior 39:00 App: The One Minute Pause 41:00 Transitional spaces: Jesus spent three days—walking—to get from one place to another, and we need to find the downtime and the transitions 44:10 Restating belief: Do you have a confident sense that God is in control of the universe? Write your fundamental beliefs so you can go back to them as an anchor 47:00 Take specific, deliberate steps to get yourself back to being human again—normal things that let your soul calm down and be able to recenter and hear God Links Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul, by John Eldredge Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad, by John Eldredge Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul, by John and Stasi Eldredge Ransomed Heart Podcast The One Minute Pause app Ransomed Heart events A Warrior Heart Retreat Heart of a Woman Retreat
Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, and Ty Mansfield are the authors of The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints. In this interview they discuss where mindfulness and meditation fit into the gospel and how we can better approach our service and our practices with the balance of mindfulness.
Jacob Hess, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) instructor trained through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
Carrie Skarda, PsyD, is a psychologist in private practice. She has provided individual and couples therapy with particular interest in attachment trauma and mindfulness, and has studied and practiced mindfulness and formal meditation for over ten years.
Kyle Anderson, PhD, is a professor of Chinese and Asian Studies, currently an administrator in Global Learning, International Partnerships and Initiatives at Clemson University, and came to mindfulness meditation through his studies in Asian literature.
Ty Mansfield, PhD, is a practicing marriage and family therapist, an adjunct instructor in Religious Education at Brigham Young University, and is in the process of certification with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach in their Mindfulness Meditation Teacher training program. Highlights 5:40 Jacob was exposed to meditation in graduate school and began to see where it fit into the gospel tradition 7:00 Backgrounds of the authors 9:00 Definitions of mindfulness and what it means to Christians and to Latter-day Saints: compassionate presence in the moment 11:10 Christ was meditative and present in the moment 12:25 Being busy vs. mindfulness 14:00 Looking for words in our own tradition: reverence, peace, stillness, pondering 15:45 Advice for a busy leader: Christ had a practice of punctuating his doing with non-doing; the rhythm of action and pausing is already built in to our practices 19:40 It's not the gospel that people struggle with, but an impoverished experience of it 20:55 David O. McKay quote: "I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion. In our worship there are two elements: One is spiritual communion arising from our own meditation; the other, instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us. Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is meditation. Meditation is the language of the soul." 22:10 Example in a ward council: not praying as a to-do, but sitting with the Savior 23:30 Clarity and priority come through pausing between action 24:25 Centering the attention on the inspiration in the moment and not on the calendar: Am I interruptable? 26:20 The Savior was interruptable in his task at hand and could pivot to what was most needful in the moment 28:35 The Savior was willing to build in his time with His Father, the foundation of His work 29:35 We can meditate on the person in front of us by giving them our full attention in that moment 31:30 The order in which the Savior did what he did: communion with the Father, surrounding himself in community, then going out to minister 33:45 C.S. Lewis (in Mere Christianity): “It comes the very moment you wake up each morning. All your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists simply in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. And so on, all day. Standing back from all your natural fussings and frettings; coming in out of the wind.” 35:25 Tech hack for when you're tied to your computer: the first tabs on the left are dedicated to devotion 36:40 How we organize our lives reflects our core values: look for the bigger purpose instead of organizing in a task-oriented way 37:30 Doing more can be disobedient, and following God's will can involve taking out good things in favor of better ...
In this short episode, Kurt Francom (Executive Director of Leading Saints) explains how easily chaos can manifest itself in a church organization and how we can avoid it.
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In this short episode, Kurt Francom (Executive Director of Leading Saints) explains what it means to preside in a meeting and why it is such an important role.
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DeAnna is a former Stake Relief Society president in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the CEO of People Acuity. She works with leaders and employees helping them to “Shift Up!” blame, engagement, leadership, and individual and team performance. She is also an internationally-known keynote speaker, Top 100 Global Coaching Leader, and the author of Shift Up! Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living. She has shared her expertise and inspiration in several Leading Saints articles and podcasts. Her personal time is joyfully spent loving and lifting her family and friends – and helping each person she meets to recognize how valuable and important they are. Highlights 0:00:03 Introduction of DeAnna Murphy 0:00:48 Her deepest desire has just been to be a great mom; her best leadership training has come in that arena. Professionally, she's an executive leadership coach. 0:03:44 Great leaders don't just ask "what we are trying to accomplish?", but also, "what is important about it?" 0:04:07 When we start a meeting establishing the purpose of the meeting, it creates power. 0:04:20 Beginning a 13-14 Sunday School class by establishing the purpose 0:05:43 "Of all the things you're trying to accomplish with this summit, what's the most important thing you'd hope they'd learn and they're longing to hear?" 0:06:00 (Kurt) Hope people walk away with a deeper ability and motivation to run a meeting 0:06:50 We meet to unify. We meet to connect. We meet to multiply our resources together. D&C 43:8-9 - When we meet, we should instruct and edify one another 0:08:08 To "instruct and edify together" implies that each participant holds a piece - no one person holds all the pieces 0:11:06 Each person in a council has a unique strength and a unique perspective. 0:13:23 DeAnna's experience with a leader having a diametrically opposed viewpoint - she might have a difficult time understanding his perspective. She sometimes had a difficult time communicating with him. It helped them to understand how the other viewed situations. 0:15:29 Feelings of self-consciousness, uncertainty, and fear led to defensiveness. Granting herself grace allowed her to grant others grace, and remove the defensiveness. 0:16:05 Citing Ether 12:27 (weaknesses that they may be humble); DeAnna focuses on Ether 12:37 (because you see your weakness, you'll be made strong) 0:16:35 DeAnna's weaknesses were not made strong by becoming like her Stake President. Instead, they learned from each other, they became stronger in each other, and were unified in the Savior. 0:19:00 Identify what is important about the meeting 0:19:18 Identify "how" we will be together: (1) There's always room for the Savior (2) Recognize we see things differently 0:20:30 Three or four questions always help to create clarity: (1) "What are you noticing..." or "I'm noticing..." (2) "What's important about that?" (3) "What does it mean?" (4) "Now what do we do about it" ("Why?When?How?") 0:22:58 What do you do when you're in a meeting and you realize that you're not tracking what is being said? Many remain silent. 0:24:00 Feeling confusion in a meeting may be a spiritual prompting that others are confused. Consider that speaking up will likely help others in the room, not just yourself. 0:24:35 Going into meetings, agree about how we are going to "be" together. Set up ground rules for how we will conduct the meetings and participate. 0:26:17 Google experiment: The number one thing contributing to high-performing teams - cohesive and agile - was psychological safety. 0:27:17 There's nothing more intimidating that being one of three women in a room with 15 men in their suits. 0:27:55 Fear interferes with our ability to experience oneness. 0:30:13 Confident vulnerability - the confidence that God has empowered each of us with something unique, and he's also given us weaknesses. 0:33:30 Each person is a puzzle piece with unique strengths. If I hold my puzzle piece back,
Sister Lynzi Clyde Lynzi Clyde was born and raised in Mesa, Arizona as a member of the church. She attended Arizona State University for one year and then transferred to Brigham Young University in Utah. She and her husband have been married eight years and have three children. They currently live in Boston, Massachusetts and previously lived in a Utah ward where Kurt was their bishop. Highlights 7:00 Lynzi was called as a Primary president at age 23, with a brand new baby, in a highly transient ward of primarily Harvard Business School students 9:45 The ward youth and primary are combined with a Spanish branch and a Mandarin branch 11:25 Biggest blessing was amazing alignment of counselors: two from the English ward, one from the Spanish branch, one from the Mandarin branch, and a secretary from the English ward 12:35 Creating unity in this primary started by building unity in the presidency. She started with “highs and lows”: what is going well and what do you need prayers for? This allowed them to feel more comfortable and also willing to share ideas with each other. We need to be vulnerable if we are going to touch people 14:35 How to lead with non-English speaking parents: two experiences, one good and one not as good.
A child with learning disabilities – spent lots of time trying to engage him, but in the two years saw little progress. She told the mom to just keep bringing him back and let him be with them. Three years later, saw him in the hallway preparing for baptism. It could have gone a different way if they hadn’t included him in the primary. We need to work with the parents and communicate the love that we have for their children so they can leave them with us. A child from a non-English-speaking family – as it was time to move to Sunbeam class, her mother didn’t want her to move out of nursery. The “rules” say to move the child, and the nursery leaders wanted her to be moved but the mother didn’t want it to happen. Kept pushing the mom and she did take her to Sunbeams, but the girl ran away and got lost in the building. It ended badly and she knew she didn’t follow the spirit like she could have. They later left the branch and she felt she didn’t do what she needed to do to express love. How do we support the family and the parents in these decisions?
25:00 We need to stand up for our own revelation. She knows she can be straightforward and demanding when asking for what she needs. She tried to understand the difficulty of the bishopric in this ward as well, but just kept pushing and providing the reasoning. Every chance she got, I would send emails, talk to them in the hall, just a reminder constantly. There's a balance between advocating for what you need but also stepping back and just take care of the Sunday meeting time. 29:15 Don’t be afraid to have the discussion or push the discussion. What is the worst that can happen? Reference to Barbara Morgan Gardner’s book “Women and the Priesthood”. 30:10 The bishops and counselors always asked “what is your biggest need” – both in the callings, but also spiritually. Get yourself past that barrier of needing to sugar-coat everything. Be willing to speak up. You will feel a closer bond with those that you struggle with in the end. 32:20 Lynzi's “Learn, Live, Love Yourself” podcast for Latter-day Saint women who are passionate about progress, who like to challenge themselves and learn things. She provides “POP” (power of practice) challenges with every episode. 34:50 How has leading made you a better follower of Jesus Christ? “It has put me on a faster track to spiritual maturity.” Sister Marcie Bayles Marcie Bayles lives in Bentonville, Arkansas. Originally from Colleyville, Texas, she has also lived in Southern California and Shenzhen, China. She previously taught high school Computer Science and Math and is currently a Life Coach with five children. She has served as Young Women president and advisor, choir director, primary chorister,
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Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg is a Professor of Organizational Science, Management, and Psychology at UNC Charlotte. The author of The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance, he is a distinguished scholar addressing issues such as team effectiveness, leadership, engagement, health and employee well-being, meetings at work, and organizational research methods. The book is a culmination of 15 years of research and thousands of surveys and interviews. It’s a collection of evidence-based insights and represents a strategic approach that leaders and organizations can take that’s highly practical and accessible, but also strongly based in science. In this interview, Steve talks with Kurt about applying the insights from his book to improving meetings in the Church environment—a sneak-peek into the upcoming Meetings With Saints Virtual Summit which begins March 17th, 2020.
Highlights 5:00 We know one thing but tend to do a different thing, but there is no formula for meeting success. Instead the key is making good choices, which is more empowering. 7:00 Steve’s experience with members of the Church 8:15 The cost of meetings is underestimated 11:00 Being self-aware as a meeting leader: stewardship and making changes 13:40 Things to reflect on that are signs that there needs to be improvement 14:30 Start with a quick survey, then work on the little things and assess later 17:00 Talking as the leader vs. leading the discussion 20:00 Transparency and honesty allows you to lead from the back or the front in a genuine way 21:10 Three phases of the meeting: planning/designing, facilitating, and post-meeting activity 21:50 Planning a meeting is not time consuming and has a high return on investment 23:45 Taking a “pre-mortem” moment before the meeting 25:00 Agendas are a hollow crutch: what matters most is what is on that agenda and how it is facilitated
Frame the agenda as a set of questions to be answered Allow other people to different agenda items Put the most important/compelling issues first
30:10 Parkinson’s Law: Work expands to fill whatever time is allotted
How much time should it take? Dial it back a bit and create time pressure Volunteer time is a precious gift: build trust by respecting it
35:00 Combating minutiae in meetings by making meeting time incredibly purposeful 38:00 Councils and update meetings
What is a good update? Decide and then put people on the clock Silent updates via a shared document
41:20 Silence in a meeting is a way of engaging people 44:25 Technology in a meeting: multitasking is a symptom of a bad meeting
Keep meeting minutes in real time on the screen instead of a powerpoint People focused on their phones is actually feedback
47:00 Avoiding the meeting that should have been an email
Recording your voice with the message you want to give and sending it out Start the meeting with questions about the message(s) you sent out
49:30 Presentations in meetings: have the person write their ideas in a document, then discuss it in the meeting 51:30 Where to find his book and research on the science of meetings Links Register for the Meetings with Saints Virtual Summit stevenrogelberg.com The Surprising Science of Meetings: How You Can Lead Your Team to Peak Performance, by Steven Rogelberg
For LGBT Latter-day Saints, no two experiences are alike. However, in this interview, we hope to explore what the gay or same-sex attraction experience is like for women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kurt Francom sits down with Quinn Kelly, Bailey Savage, and Deb Hutchins who each experience same-sex attraction. They discuss their personal experience being raised in the Church, serving missions, being active in their wards, and striving to develop a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and maintain their covenants and beliefs in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Highlights 06:00 Quinn’s background growing up in the Church and finally admitting her SSA to herself 08:40 Deb’s background, burying her SSA until her mission experience, and coming home early 10:30 Connected to a group at BYU working with students and administrators to make the campus a better place for LGBT individuals 16:30 Bailey's background of figuring out she is attracted to women 19:30 Bailey meeting her husband Jared 22:00 Clarifying that being same-sex attracted is not a choice 25:00 What the same-sex attraction experience is like for women 28:00 The power of connecting with other women 31:00 Seeing same-sex attraction as a gift 32:00 Being open about your story with others in the church and why leaders need to have their back 34:30 Other ways leaders could support sisters who are same-sex attracted 35:30 The process of "coming out" 37:00 Being forced to "come out" again and again 40:30 The importance of allowing people to be vulnerable about their story 43:00 Being single vs. being same-sex attracted and single 46:00 When leaders create false hope 46:46 How important it is for a leader be proactive in learning more about the same-sex attracted experience 47:30 Why leaders should attend the North Star conference for free 48:30 Considering the concept of eternity and hope 52:00 What a bishop should consider when someone "comes out" to them 58:00 How North Star has helped each one of these women 1:02:00 How has the same-sex attraction experience helped you become a better disciple of Jesus Christ Links northstarlds.org (register for the free leadership sessions)
Becket Cook grew up in Dallas, Texas, in a large Catholic family, and recognized at a young age that he experienced same-sex attraction. After living a gay lifestyle in Hollywood culture, he began to feel a sense of overwhelming emptiness in his life. A powerful spiritual experience in an evangelical church led to a dramatic lifestyle change, embracing Jesus Christ as his Savior, and finding fulfillment identifying as a Christian. Becket is now an author, speaker, and preacher, and will be speaking at the North Star Conference, March 5-7, 2020. Highlights 10:50 Growing up in Dallas, recognizing his same-sex attraction, and exploring gay culture
13:15 Identifying as a gay man and disconnecting from Christianity
16:00 Moved to Los Angeles and fit in with friends having a Hollywood experience
18:30 Wondering about the meaning of life and discovering a sense of emptiness
21:00 Met a group of Evangelical Christians in Los Angeles and started questioning the foundations of his life
23:30 Attended Church, felt the Spirit during the sermon, and had a powerful born-again experience during worship time and again at home after
27:30 Immediately dismissed a gay lifestyle and welcomed Christ into his life
29:10 Wrote a book, A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption, and was blacklisted in Hollywood
30:40 Basked in the grace of God for the first year, and recognizes now that struggles are part of sanctification and he can turn to Jesus for support through difficulty
34:25 His life is no longer dominated by his sexual appetite; comparison with Esau selling his birthright
36:35 The gay culture is so powerful and needs to be countered with the armor of God that comes from daily immersion in scripture and prayer, and in a community where others can help you and pray for you in the body of Christ
39:00 What difference would it make if we turned to scripture like we turn to Instagram?
40:40 Paul prayed for the thorn to be taken from his flesh and it wasn’t, but all he cared about was the gospel of Jesus Christ; the struggle and tension in life is worth it
42:40 The fulfillment of powerful prayer and abiding in Christ brings joy that enriches and renews; a daily practice bring results and not spending time in spiritual discipline means missing out on those results; sees his own mission to teach
49:00 Unconditionally loving people is a long process and leaders need to balance grace and truth, being as loving as possible as individuals go through their own process, showing compassion instead of preaching to them
52:20 He chooses to not put himself into situations that are dangerous and has embraced new Christian friends, but keeps the door open for his old friends so they know he is still there for them and still loves them
55:30 Identifying as gay vs. identifying as a Christian; shaping of identity by how we label ourselves
58:45 His book isn’t just for people who experience same-sex attraction
1:00:15 After being in the dark for so long, he can now see the emptiness and the contrast with the miraculous change in himself Links A Change of Affection: A Gay Man's Incredible Story of Redemption, by Becket Cook Register for the free leadership sessions or discounted tickets to the entire North Star Conference, March 5-7, 2020
Be sure to register for this excellent broadcast by Rob Ferrell.
To see all the details and to register CLICK HERE
Tony Overbay is a marriage and family therapist, author, speaker and podcast host. He began his career in the high tech world but felt the call to become a therapist and help men. For the past 14 years, he has been a licensed marriage and family therapist with a practice in Roseville, California. While Tony grew up in Utah, he is an adult convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been married 28 years, is a father of four, an ultra-marathoner, host of the Virtual Couch Podcast, author of He's a Porn Addict…Now What?, creator of The Path Back pornography recovery program, and currently serves on the Leading Saints Professional Therapists Advisory Board. In this episode, Kurt and Tony discuss how leaders can deal with co-dependency, overcoming the nice guy syndrome, and how we can be more successful focusing on values instead of goals. Highlights 4:00 Co-dependency: what is it?
14:30 Nice guy syndrome in leaders = co-dependency
17:20 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
20:00 God isn't disappointed in me
24:25 Bad things happening aren't correlated to our behavior
30:35 Relief Society President example
31:40 Values and the Bishop Monson dynamic
36:40 System vs. goals
37:45 As you make goals, focus on values that you've established
41:30 As an organization (or ward) we should be focused on values, not goals
47:00 How do we see signs that we're trapped in the nice guy syndrome?
55:00 Values: find what's important to you
1:00:00 Truth, beauty, and goodness
1:04:00 Values vs. identity
1:06:00 The importance of vulnerability as a leader Links TonyOverbay.com He's a Porn Addict...Now What?: An Expert and a Former Addict Answer Your Questions Clarifying Values PDF, from The Confidence Gap by Russ Harris
Diljeet Taylor is the Brigham Young University Women's Cross Country Coach and Associate Director of Cross Country and Track and Field, and came to BYU in 2016 after the previous coach retired. She ran for Cal State Stanislaus and for the Nike Farm Olympic development team, then coached at Menlo College and later replaced her own coach at Cal State Stanislaus. A three time All-American herself, she has coached 23 All-Americans and led the BYU Women's Cross Country team from 19th to second place nationally in only four years. Diljeet and her husband Ira have two children, Taj and Avi.
Highlights 04:35 Running and coaching history and how she ended up at BYU 06:30 Embraced the standards because it is similar to how she was raised, even though she is not a member of the Church 07:40 Coaching cross country involves both the physical and especially the mental components 08:45 Her first goal was to bring the team back to national relevance 10:10 The team gets the recognition they need from the school and feel valued and supported; it consists of 35 women who are part of “the sisterhood” 13:10 Leading young women is about empowering them, advocating for them, and teaching them to build each other up instead of comparing and competing 15:15 Get reminders daily so they can compare themselves to where they have been, and work toward their own goals; each has their own challenges 17:30 Talking about their dreams; the five most important words are “How can I help you?”
The way you can teach them to achieve their dreams and goals is to help them achieve the goals they are working toward right now, which for the team members right now is personal growth in running
20:30 Bringing their individual goals together as a team happens through focusing on the journey and not the outcome 22:15 Establishing a culture of support by writing note cards to team members before every race, and an empowering culture of relationships
Emphasizing how important it is to genuinely care about the person next to you The locker room: the teammates who are left home from meets aren’t left out because they are the supporters in the culture of sisterhood and recognize this is something bigger than one person
30:45 “Athletes don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” 32:40 Transparency is the key to making the tough calls and dealing with the disappointment of staying home in the locker room
35:45 Being honest even when you have to be tough: the athletes also know that when she says positive things, she means it 36:45 Knowing which athletes can handle or even need tough love Giving feedback through two things they’re doing well and one thing to improve on If an athlete seems unable to handle the tough love, it means the relationship isn’t strong enough
39:20 Drama and conflict with young adult women: They learn to handle it because they learn to be confident women and to step away from the comparison mindset; acknowledging that drama and conflict is part of being human, and validating and normalizing their feelings 42:00 How to diminish the comparison component: Comparison is the thief of joy
You can’t go through life without experiencing the success of others, but someone else’s success doesn’t take away from yours Being happy for others while still being very competitive
45:20 Time and vulnerability are most important in creating connection so you have to be vulnerable as a leader, get out of your comfort zone, and put in the time to build a relationship
47:20 Admitting when you’ve made a mistake
48:30 No overall approach: each athlete has individual goals and training plans 50:30 Athletics activities for young women: sign up for a 5k together so they can train together and work toward a goal together
Links Twitter: @BYUTFXC BYU Track & Field and Cross Country BYU Summer Cross Country camps
Richie T. Steadman is a radio host, producer, actor, and founder of the Latter-day Saint podcast, “The Cultural Hall”, where he has been entertaining and informing since 2011. Richie worked for 16 years as the producer of the popular Utah radio show, “Radio from Hell”, and now works for Brigham Young University Broadcasting. Richie served a mission in Cleveland, Ohio, and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. Highlights 8:25 The Cultural Hall history 10:25 Richie’s experiences in radio 13:00 Growing up in the Church 18:50 Serving in the elders quorum presidency 20:30 Handling moving in the elders quorum 24:15 Making meetings run on time 28:45 Just download this Tools app already and update your photo and information 32:35 On marriage and divorce 38:20 Reaching out to Church leaders for counsel and why it didn’t help 39:15 On anger with God 39:50 Dating and marrying a nonmember 46:10 Thinking differently and asking why 48:20 Church discipline experiences and what we can learn from it 57:20 Attending church as an excommunicated member 59:00 How might it have been handled differently? Links theculturalhall.com Twitter: @TheCulturalHall and @RichieTSteadman BYU Radio: The Lisa Show
Kim Partridge is originally from West Valley City, Utah, and has lived in Phoenix, Arizona for 20 years. She is a nurse and a life coach for teenage girls, has served as a Young Women’s President, and currently serves in her stake Young Women’s presidency. Kim and her husband are the parents of four children. Highlights 7:40 Young Women are all about relationships 9:50 Conflicts within relationships can play out in the church setting
12:00 Micromanaging relationships seldom works out well; story of two Laurels 17:30 Story of young woman whose grandmother asked that they invite her into Young Women’s: grandma was angry that she hadn’t been welcomed like she wanted 23:40 Everyone cannot always have a fantastic time
24:30 She learned that she needed to know what the young women wanted
25:00 They wanted to do activities similar to what the young men were doing 26:45 Target shooting at her first girl’s camp 29:00 Goal to connect with the young women at camp 33:20 Expectation that they will tell her what they want: get interested/pay attention to the clues
36:00 She encourages fun with everything but also balances that with the spiritual aspects 38:15 Admit when you make a mistake: left someone behind 42:00 Making sure the youth are handling their goals without the adults always pushing
45:00 Go back to the basics, help them recognize what they want, and know that they are developing a relationship with Jesus Christ
49:00 Request for a change from physical challenges to an embroidery challenge 51:45 Grand Canyon activity: what the girls learned while doing a hard thing 59:35 Leading young women has developed her relationship with the Savior Links Kim Partridge, Teen Girls Coach
Melody Warnick is an author and freelance journalist living in Blacksburg, Virginia. Her book, This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are, investigates and experiments with the sense of connection that binds some of us to our cities and increases our physical and emotional well-being. Melody lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, where her husband serves as a stake president. Highlights 5:30 Serving in Melody’s stake in Virginia 8:20 How the book came about 10:50 Experiments in loving where you live: micro-action steps you can intentionally take to create positive experiences for yourself 18:45 Applying these principles to wards and stakes
19:20 Creating a community based on geography creates a situation where we can practice being more Christlike 21:50 Benefits of “instant community” in the ward, as compared to moving for people not in the Church tribe: familiarity and similarity
25:45 When you struggle fitting into the community
26:25 Leaders need to pay attention to these people 27:30 The more engaged you are, the more you will feel at home 28:30 Everyone can feel left out or like they don’t fit in 30:10 Being proactive can have a big impact
34:00 Serving in callings and outside of callings: have a personal ministry from a desire to be of service
37:35 Taking your talent to the community
41:30 Do we have to participate in the Church community?
43:30 It can be easier to socialize with Church members
46:10 Serving in a Church community within the larger community
50:55 Being the mayor of your street: building social cohesion in your neighborhood
54:40 Cliques and community: creating horseshoes, not circles 59:00 Detaching from your ward and going forward: moving or changing callings 1:07:00 Choosing to live near family… or not 1:13:00 Finding joy wherever you live 1:15:00 Two-hour church and missing connections: You don’t have to ask permission to create community 1:17:45 Asking, “Where are we needed?” 1:20:00 Building relationships with people and finding ways to serve them is key to living a Christlike life Links melodywarnick.com This is Where You Belong, by Melody Warnick
Clint Pulver is a motivational keynote speaker, author, musician, and workforce expert. An authority on employee retention, Clint helps organizations retain, engage, and inspire their team members. One focus of his work has been helping organizations connect with younger generations through his work and research as “The Undercover Millennial”. Clint was a professional drummer for over 20 years and has appeared on America’s Got Talent and in feature films. Highlights 06:50 How Clint got involved in leadership training; “Be a Mr. Jensen” story 12:45 Every person you’re leading is asking, “Let me know when you get to the part about me”; advocating vs. developing 15:45 How advocacy and development looks: Status interviews—checking vital signs to find healthy stability long-term 20:18 The leader must be the person who sees worth and potential in individuals 22:45 Mentorship is different than leadership: it is always earned 24:00 Five characteristics that create a mentor: Confidence, competence, candor, caring ability, credibility 26:00 Connecting to youth: Creating an opportunity for them to feel the Spirit 28:30 Speaking with vulnerability and asking good questions creates relatability and connection, developing an environment where the Spirit can enter 35:00 Connect, communicate potential and worth, become the advocate and take a real interest in what they love 37:30 Start with their technology; utilize their world: have text conversations and then move to the harder questions and it will lead to more connection away from the technology 41:50 Making real connections is serving as Christ did Links Video: Be a Mr. Jensen ClintPulver.com
Joe Staples is the Chief Marketing Officer at Motivosity. His entire professional career has been in the technology sector with the last 20 years being in marketing executive positions. Joe grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints right after his high school graduation. He attended Brigham Young University and says that if you ever want to have a lot of friends, register as a non-member at BYU. Joe and his wife are the parents of five children and 16 grandchildren. He has served as a bishop in Seattle and is currently serving as the Stake President of the Sandy Utah Willow Creek Stake. Highlights 05:30 – Friends got him interested in Church. 17-18 years old is a common age for people to join the Church. Friends asked him a couple of times before he listened to the missionaries. 08:00 – Used to sneak into MTC prior to his mission just to listen to the devotionals 08:50 – Served a full-time mission to Brazil after spending 4 ½ months in MTC and then 4 months in the Boston mission before finally getting his visa for Brazil 09:45 – Experience of being called as Stake President 18 months ago 10:55 – Advice for incoming leaders 17:00 – APPRECIATION FOR OTHERS AND GIVING THANKS –As leaders we have the ability to help members feel appreciated for all they do. 18:45 – Getting past the appreciative clichés so that members feel leaders’ sincerity in appreciation 20:10 – Most people want feedback; we’re all somewhat blind to our blindspots 21:45 – Is there a point where we have to be concerned with too much appreciation? 23:10 – A BELIEVING HEART 24:55 – Knowing one truth is a connection to other truths – encourage people to ask questions, but also to have and cultivate a believing heart. 26:30 – As a leader you have to be empathetic. Everyone’s faith journeys are different. 27:20 – JUST GO HELP PEOPLE – No need to wait for the assignment, just be about doing good 30:15 – START WITH THE END IN MIND – What do I want to accomplish in this calling? 29:46 – THE VALUE OF COUNSELORS – invaluable when used properly 31:15 – Conversation with his counselor – What do you think your role entails? 32:00 – The Amulek Concept: Being the Second Witness 33:10 – Presidency survival trip – develop a greater love for one another and to faithfully rely upon each other 36:00 – HUMANIZE LEADERS – Allow members to see your imperfections – be vulnerable and relatable to allow you to be approachable 38:00 – What does this look like? It’s how you talk with and get to know people. Be deliberate. 40:00 – Biggest lesson learned as SP: Never get between the member and Holy Ghost and their growth with personal revelation. 42:00 – Blessing of being a Church leader: Becoming a better disciple of Jesus Christ and helping others do the same.
Heather Choate Heather is the mother of seven children, with another on the way. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29 while pregnant with her sixth child and had both chemotherapy and surgery during the pregnancy, followed by multiple rounds of chemo and radiation treatments. The baby survived and Heather later wrote a book about the experience. The Choate family lives in Pueblo, Colorado, where Heather is currently a Relief Society teacher.
Highlights 6:00 Heather found an aggressive form of hormone-sensitive breast cancer at age 29 while pregnant with their sixth child, and they were told to abort the baby to stop the hormones that were feeding the cancer. Went through four rounds of chemotherapy and surgery while pregnant. 10:55 No doubts about the decision despite doubts that she could handle it herself 12:30 Most difficult moment was going alone into surgery at 28-weeks in the pregnancy; surrendered the life of her child into God’s hands 16:30 Treatment began again six days after she gave birth, and the intense chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery began again—this time with a newborn and young family of eight 18:30 The feeling of “I don’t know what to do” was mutual and she was challenged and humbled with accepting help; be aware of that feeling and be willing to ask what can be done 21:30 The ward made it possible for her husband to be home with the family for four months 23:00 Seemingly-small things can be profound for everyone involved 26:00 Listen for guidance from the Spirit and be open to the answers, and God will provide them Shanda Miller Shanda grew up in Brigham City, Utah, and served a mission to Chicago, Illinois. She and her husband have three children—including twins—and went through six years of infertility. Shanda went into labor 23 weeks into the pregnancy with the twins (Memphis and Savannah), who were born four months early. They are now 2.5 years old. Memphis spent eight months in the hospital, has had eleven surgeries, and is deaf and nearly blind. Savannah spent seven months in the hospital, has hydrocephalus, and has had twelve surgeries. They both also have cerebral palsy as well as mental and physical delays.
Highlights 28:35 Three kids through invitro fertilization and thrilled they were having twins 30:45 At 23 weeks in the pregnancy, prior to the time of viability, she went into labor and they were told they had to choose between letting the children be born, holding them, and letting them go, or fighting through intense medical treatment with only a 10% chance that they would even survive 33:00 They made it to 24 weeks and she had an emergency c-section; two difficult days to work through the difficulty of making that choice 38:00 Still moving forward with faith through challenges 40:15 Unexpected so there was no plan and they did not even know what they needed; the ward took care of their daughter Lila so Shanda could spend her time at the NICU, and then someone came every morning and every evening after the babies were home just to help with whatever was needed 44:10 She was also exhausted from asking for help; the ward paid for postpartum doulas to continue coming and supporting Shanda 47:00 Needs changed and the ward was open to working through that, being aware, checking in, talking sincerely, and observing what was needed—often before they even realized what they needed—from both the Relief Society and elders quorum 50:00 Difficulty of asking for and accepting help; it’s too easy to say, “We’re fine”; if you think of something they might need, it’s probably inspiration and they probably need it 52:00 Passed lists through meetings; practice vulnerability and be open to negotiating what can and should be done as time passes 54:40 They felt the need to give back and looked for their own small ways to serve others; service fatigue and receiving fatigue 57:00 Unity with the ward has come through their service together; letting others in and being vul...
Kurt Francom, Brent Daines, Jason Coombs
Jason Coombs is professional speaker, author, entrepreneur, and former addict. A Utah native, he lives in the Boise, Idaho area with his wife and 3-year-old twins. They own Brick House Recovery, a treatment program in Boise and Idaho Falls. Kurt previously interviewed Jason as part of the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit.
Brent Daines was Jason's bishop from 2006 to 2011. Brent now serves in a stake presidency, lives in Bountiful, Utah, and is the father of seven. Highlights 6:30 Jason’s story started with an auto accident 7:45 Jason is the grandson of President James E. Faust, and at the time attended church weekly but wasn’t living close to the Spirit. Went to lunch with a friend from work who connected him to a doctor prescribing opioids 12:30 Ignored the warnings in his head but justified his actions and saw the doctor 16:00 The physician was indicted for fraud five months later, sending 139 addicted patients to the street for drugs 22:00 Didn’t believe he had a problem, but had merely been “found out”; marriage failed and was homeless and living in a very dark place 24:30 Incarcerated and in a drug court program but couldn’t stop using 25:25 Brent received a phone call from Jason’s ex-wife and went to see him in jail 28:15 Brent had been prepared by his experience with his brother and was able to see Jason as Christ sees him 32:10 There will be a few people who are greatly affected by you during your time serving as a church leader 36:00 Called President Faust at Jason’s request and learned more about coming to this from a place of love 38:30 Weekly visits from Brent led to hope for Jason, but he was still not ready to commit to change for four years after being released from jail. Brent would still appear at critical points in Jason’s life. 42:00 Brent could still feel Heavenly Father’s love for Jason, even though it seemed his actions were not helping 44:10 Jason made the decision to change after his son was born and in intensive care, but still went through rehab five times before he was able to complete the 12 steps and fully change 47:45 Made a final confession to Bishop Daines, in spite of his fears about judgment and excommunication 50:30 Immersed himself in friendship with others who were actively recovering, made good decisions, and changed his perspective on church discipline; Brent was his advocate through all of this 55:50 The challenge of self-forgiveness and recognizing Jesus Christ as your personal savior Links Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover, by Jason Coombs Brick House Recovery Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Jason Hunt has a PhD in endocrine physiology and teaches pre-med classes at Brigham Young University-Idaho. He is currently serving as a young single adult bishop and has previously served in a stake presidency and a bishopric.
Highlights 7:15 Culture and rules are not doctrinal 9:20 Keyholder applications are different from personal applications 11:00 Elder Bednar’s concept of applications: Doctrines are statements. Principles are embedded in the doctrines and tell us what we should do. They never change. Applications change. 14:50 Keyholder applications hold true when the keyholder is saying them and would apply to those who are within their responsibility, and they do not extend beyond 18:10 Cultural norms are applications that have extended beyond their boundaries 19:00 How you view these cultural norms depends on your personal moral theory. The most common are:
Consequential theorist: consequences Obligation theorist: rules Divine theorist: what God has said Egoist: personal priorities
25:00 The best leadership should be able to move between these theories 27:30 When you understand these moral frameworks, how different people respond to the culture makes more sense. Cognitive development also applies. 30:30 Jason’s experience considering the story of Noah 34:30 It’s important to be open and talk about things, even if you don’t have the answers 36:30 Stephen R. Covey: Listen with the intent to understand, not to answer 39:30 Pornography, brain addiction science, and the bladder comparison. Identify the justifications. Ensure they trust and are comfortable and willing to share. 44:00 The response depends again on the personal moral theories of everyone involved 47:00 The Holy Ghost knows what needs to happen and we can be open to that and understand that there can be different consequences for different people 47:40 Have empathy for people with different moral theories and respect them for their approach 49:00 The divine command theorist must be doctrinally grounded or there can be misapplication within the culture. Examples that happen in a YSA ward. 53:20 Egoism: put the mask on first 55:30 When you are working with a leader who is coming from a different moral framework there will be friction and it requires greater empathy. We have to learn to step into different quadrants and embrace the differences of opinion 58:45 A mission is not a saving ordinance. The temple is the culminating event with the saving ordinances and that is where the focus needs to be. 1:00:10 Jason’s motorcycle example compared to technology use: youth do not have the ability to utilize their agency, so they need stages of responsibility Links Leading Saints LIVE with Jason Hunt: Series of books by David A. Bednar: Increase in Learning - Spiritual Patterns for Obtaining Your Own Answers Act in Doctrine - Spiritual Patterns for Turning from Self to the Savior Power to Become - Spiritual Patterns for Pressing Forward with a Steadfastness in Christ
Mark Mathews was born in Houston, TX. He served a mission in Guatemala, and met his wife at Brigham Young University. He later earned a Ph.D. in education from Utah State University. He has been involved with Seminaries and Institutes for 15 years. He is a favorite attraction teaching at BYU Education Week for many interested in learning about the temple experience.
Mark Mathews Highlights
2:50: Mark’s recent BYU Education Week presentation was on the temple, motivating Leading Saints to have a podcast on how best leaders can prepare members to attend the temple for the first time. How does Mark as a bishop help members have a positive first-time experience? 5:00: Members have a natural desire to better understand the temple. Early chapters in the Book of Moses are an excellent template and place to start when studying the endowment ceremony. 6:45: Experiencing the endowment by viewing the video combined with the attendance of the Holy Ghost is akin to having a vision. Joseph Smith did the same for the early saints when the endowment ceremony was acted out. 7:45: The “practical” approach of reviewing the worthiness standard, explaining what can be shared about temple clothing, is still very vague. 8:33: Elder Bednar’s talk Seek Learning by Faith: “The most important learnings of life are caught—not taught.” Speaking at or telling people what to do or how to prepare may not be fully absorbed. Providing members with materials that they can read over time and with the attendance of the Holy Ghost is far more effective in helping them “catch” and discover truth for themselves. See “Links” section below. 10:30: How we can better understand what leaders can say about the temple. 13:08: Quoting Elder Bednar:
“Two basic guidelines can help us achieve the proper understanding emphasized by President Benson. “Guideline #1. Because we love the Lord, we always should speak about His holy house with reverence. We should not disclose or describe the special symbols associated with the covenants we receive in sacred temple ceremonies. Neither should we discuss the holy information that we specifically promise in the temple not to reveal. “Guideline #2. The temple is the house of the Lord. Everything in the temple points us to our Savior, Jesus Christ. We may discuss the basic purposes of and the doctrine and principles associated with temple ordinances and covenants.”
14:40: Preventing members from feeling uncomfortable about temple worship after their initial experience. Help members understand that “the ultimate purpose of the temple endowment is to bring us into the presence of God.” 19:37: How to come into the presence of God: one must be prepared through ancient ritual, instruction, and covenant--all of which are part of the endowment ceremony.
Washing and anointing Symbolism of “pouring” Temple garments and other sacerdotal vestments Covenants
Law of Obedience Law of Sacrifice Law of Gospel Law of Chastity Law of Consecration
24:39: Covenants provide us with “clean hands and a pure heart”; members are now ready for instruction.
Creation Fall Atonement
25:40: Study the Book of Moses. 27:15: A focus on the law of consecration: one big misunderstandings that many Latter-day Saints have: the law of consecration is much broader than the United Order: tithing, time, means, generous fast offerings, responding to church callings and assignments. 30:35: More on the covenants we make. 32:23: How members experience the Plan of Salvation through the endowment ceremony, supported again by the pillars of Creation, Fall, and Atonement. 36:05: Creation and Fall are relatively obvious; where is the Atonement in the temple? 38:18: Additional leadership actions that can help prepare initiates. Again: study the Book of Moses. 39:40: The creation of Adam and Eve wasn’t simply the creation of man and woman: it was the creation of mar...
Elder Dennis B. Neuenschwander, an emeritus general authority seventy since 2008, is presently a traveling patriarch in the Baltic region. Of Swiss heritage, he was born and raised in Utah, living in both Salt Lake City and Ogden. As a youth he was active in the church’s sports, music and speech activities and served a 30-month mission in Finland from 1959-1962. As a full-time missionary he was assigned to teach Finnish to fellow missionaries during much of his mission.
Following missionary service, and without any defined career plans, Elder Neuenschwander earned degrees at Weber State and Brigham Young University. Subsequently he obtained masters and PhD degrees in Russian and Russian literature from Syracuse University in New York. He became a visiting professor at the University of Utah and BYU (one year each) before accepting full-time employment with what is now called the Family History Department of the Church.
The latter employment required living abroad and involved the acquisition of genealogical documents in Eastern European countries by working with Catholic and Protestant archivists and religious officials. He was then called to serve as a mission president of the newly formed Austria Vienna East Mission before serving as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy and then the First Quorum of Seventy. As a seventy, Elder Neuenschwander served as president of the Europe East Area and as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy. As a traveling patriarch he makes quarterly trips to the Baltic region, giving sometimes as many as four or five patriarchal blessings per day. He and the late LeAnn (Clement) raised four children. Highlights 11:00 Leadership patterns. Having never served in a bishopric, stake presidency or elder’s quorum presidency, where was he to turn? 12:45 Professional work in Eastern Europe; presentation to Russian Embassy in D.C. Five years abroad. 16:00 Called as mission president in Eastern Europe, 1987. Lived in Vienna but his responsibilities were in Poland, Greece, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Cyprus and Czechoslovakia. What the Church was like at that time of communist rule. Traveling “light.” 20:35 Family life living in Europe with children prior to mission president calling. 22:25 Called to serve as mission president by Elder Russell M. Nelson. Five weeks to prepare. By then he had been living or traveling in the region for 13 years on professional assignments. 27:00 His missionary force initially included 12 elders and a dozen couples. The challenge to form relationships of trust with local governments to permit a growing church presence. Elders Russell M. Nelson and Hans B. Ringer had laid the groundwork. These were years (1987-1991) of tremendous change in Eastern Europe including the falling of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. 29:45 Establishing a pattern of church development that would stand the test of time—the pattern of the priesthood. Many people who were not members began attending church. Insisting on speaking the language of the country. Organizing missionary zones and church branches in geographically large area. Structure vs. autonomy. 36:45 Being empowered to solve problems. A significant priesthood principle is taught by Elder Ringer re: the overwhelming challenge of having few laws to facilitate rental of properties, visas, missionary travel, getting money and materials to missionaries, etc. “President, we sent you there to solve those problems, not to complain about them.” 44:00 “Brethren, we are builders of the Kingdom, not its caretakers.” (Elder Carlos Asay) By the end of 1990 various independent missions had been created out of his mission and President Neuenschwander was left with Yugoslavia and 12 missionaries. In Oct. 1990 missionaries were placed in the Ukraine, then Bulgaria and Romania. Served four years as mission president until his mission could be dissolved. 50:30 Without priesthood keys you have a social organizati...
Robert Millet, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and professor of ancient scripture and emeritus Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Author of 76 published works, he has been involved in BYU Education Week for many years and is well-known as a commentator on the BYUTV Scripture Discussions program. He is also Manager of Outreach and Interfaith Relations for the LDS Church’s Public Affairs Department.
Brother Millet's most recent book is The Holy Spirit: His Identity, Mission and Ministry. His decision to write about this topic is related to his fascination with the work of The Holy Spirit. It is so frequently referred to and discussed, but we might not appreciate all that it is. Highlights 3:00 Strategy for covering topics: he makes a list and works on it daily, narrowing it down over a period of weeks/months to develop the book. Work on prophetic statements that relate and continue narrowing the information. Also asking “what experiences have I had with this”. He wanted to cover the topics of sons of perdition, the light of Christ, and God's power.
13:00 How, as leaders, can we have a better understanding of the Holy Spirit: having it, losing it, etc.
13:47 What does it mean to “lose the Holy Ghost”? We lose feeling, we withdraw ourselves. You can’t take a vacation from the Spirit – you can’t sit still; you either fall back or move forward
19:45 The Holy Ghost “strives with us”. It “battles with us”. There will always be an element of the Spirit to help you; you can’t “lose it”. All people can have the Spirit. They may not have the gift of the Holy Ghost that comes from baptism, but they certainly can have the Spirit and inspiration.
25:40 How do you know when a sin is forgiven? Study Mosiah 4:1-3 (joy, peace of conscience, larger measure of the Spirit). “Just don’t do things that are offending to the Spirit.”
28:40 Where is “grace” in the doctrine? The Holy Ghost is an act of God's grace to us. We can put ourselves in a position to receive that gift by our actions. “The sun doesn’t stop shining just because I put a bag over my head, it continues to shine”. It is the same with God; He loves us through everything.
32:30 Justification and Sanctification
44:10 Be cautious about “I feel impressed that…” It is good to teach what you feel, but if you announce that it came from the Spirit, it comes across as boastful.
45:35 How about church callings and the Spirit? If you pray to start a meeting and pray for the Spirit to guide decisions, you don’t need to kneel individually about all decisions. As we strive to live our lives to keep the Spirit with us, we will see that the Holy Ghost has been guiding us in all decisions and shaped our lives. Those decisions were inspired, and hopefully good judgement. We don’t need to pray over every decision. “The spirit prepares us today for decisions we have to make in the future.”
53:00 Joseph McConkie story about calling Stake Presidents: The Lord fits us to our assignments. “God honors the servant”. Difference of being called “by God” or “of God”.
55:00 Final story related again to his friend Joseph McConkie, prior to him leaving to Scotland as a Mission President. Asked him if he had read everything and felt prepared. “What do you think?” He said, “What could cause us not to worry about 63 rules? I will teach my missionaries this: never do anything that would cost you the influence of the Holy Spirit.” That is a great standard to live by. Callings in the Church are not to be superheroes but to live in the way to be directed by the Holy Spirit. It is a solemn responsibility. Mosiah 26: Alma “feared that he would not do right”. As leaders we need to strive to do that. Links The Holy Spirit: His Identity, Mission, and Ministry Grace in the Bishop’s Office | An Interview with Robert Millet
Photo of Robert Millet by Richard Crookston
Davis Smith is the founder-CEO of Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear brand based in Salt Lake City, Utah with a social mission at its core. Cotopaxi focuses on using the power of business as a force for social, environmental, and economic good. Davis is a serial e-commerce entrepreneur, having started and sold several businesses. His father worked for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Latin America and Davis grew up there. He served a church mission to Bolivia, is married with 4 children, and currently serves in a Stake Presidency. Highlights
5:40 What is Cotopaxi 6:35 Davis Smith's childhood in Latin America 10:55 His faith development and church mission to Bolivia 15:20 After his mission 16:25 Being inspired by entrepreneur Steve Gibson 18:55 His first business in Brazil 20:00 Where Cotopaxi began 22:40 The social mission of Cotopaxi 27:15 How can we in church leadership find our missions and carry them out? 31:10 How to help others that don't see the vision of our mission 32:20 Leadership practices of a good leader 35:00 When you care about people, they are open to feedback 37:05 Culture in leadership: defining core values and traditions 41:15 "When we look outside ourselves we're able to connect with God" 42:40 Experience in a Stake Presidency 44:45 How to help those that have faith that has been challenged and changed 46:20 Compassionate leadership
Links Radical Candor, by Kim Scott Cotopaxi.com Instagram: @davismsmith
Barbara Morgan Gardner is an associate professor of Church history and doctrine at Brigham Young University, and the author of The Priesthood Power of Women. Her research interests focus primarily on women in religious leadership, international education, and religious pedagogy. She holds a master's degree in educational leadership and foundations and a PhD in instructional psychology, and did post-doctoral work at Harvard University. Barbara was institute director in Boston, Massachusetts, serving more than 100 universities and colleges in the area and acting as chaplain at Harvard and MIT. She continues to serve as the chaplain-at-large in higher education for The Church, and on the BYU Interfaith Outreach Council. She and her husband, Dustin Gardner, live in Highland, Utah.
Highlights 05:40 - Why was the book written: to help women and understand what priesthood is 09:25 - Barbara realized that many members and leaders didn’t separate the hierarchical structure of the priesthood and the patriarchal structure of the priesthood. She wanted to help women to understand the prophet has been asking us to learn more about the priesthood. 10:00 - Barbara became more frustrated with women who are not interested in learning about the priesthood than those who are and who may even be unhappy. 11:45 - Is this information on the priesthood power of women new, or would someone historical like David O.McKay be aware of it? 13:00 - Are we shoehorning this doctrine into today’s culture because more women are asking questions? 14:45 - Russell M. Nelson has been asking women to study and know this doctrine. 16:50 - What is the difference between the hierarchical and patriarchal structure of the priesthood? 19:10 - Why don’t we talk about the patriarchal structure of the priesthood? 21:05 - Elder and Sister Renlund’s notions of Big Earth and Little Earth priesthood ties in 23:40 - What are priesthood keys and who holds priesthood keys? 28:50 - How are keys different relating to the hierarchical and patriarchal priesthoods? Who is “in charge” in a family? What does presiding mean in a family vs the church structure? Who has keys in a temple? In a mission? 38:55 - What does it mean that keys will be revealed? 39:20 - General priesthood keys vs keys of presiding 41:15 - What priesthood keys do women have? 43:10 - What can a key holder do in a ward to highlight and enable the priesthood power and authority of women? 48:20 - List of questions that are found in the book 49:30 - Who outranks whom when men and women have disagreements at church? 50:35 - Someone has to preside, right? 53:00 - One way priesthood holders diminish authority of women in their homes 55:00 - How can we better understand and improve the revelatory process of submitting names for callings? 1:02:10 - Women of this time have been prophesied about 1:03:00 - It’s never a competition. Men can do more in partnership with women to save souls than they could alone. Links The Priesthood Power of Women: In the Temple, Church, and Family, by Barbara Morgan Gardner
In this podcast, Kurt interviews Mary Alice Hatch, who is serving as the Relief Society President in her California ward, and Søs Gram, who is serving as a Stake Relief Society President in Germany. Sister Mary Alice Hatch Mary Alice Hatch lives in San Clemente, California. She is originally from Potomac, Maryland, a mother of two, has previously served as a Young Women's president, twice in Relief Society presidencies and in a stake Relief Society presidency, and also serves as a temple worker. She co-hosts the What Now Podcast, addressing cultural stigmas surrounding topics in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in an effort to create more understanding, hope and healing. 9:00 Her son’s mission story and how that experience led to starting a podcast 16:25 Where the podcast has gone from there 22:00 Leaning on the Lord as a Relief Society President: confirmation and motivation that this was the right thing and the Lord would sustain her, and felt she needed to be even more thoughtful when choosing her counselors Principles:
26:40 Delegation and empowerment: Allows her counselors to do what they want and need to do for meetings and other tasks without her direction or input; ask questions instead of commanding change when something seems questionable 30:30 Maintaining composure: Others will mirror how you are behaving, so if there’s a crisis it’s important not to panic (and to have a sense of humor) 33:30 Staying humble and going to the Lord: makes you more receptive and in tune with the Spirit
36:20 Mix of different people in her ward, including military wives. Created walking groups of women on the military base and weekly at the beach, a monthly birthday social, a cooking class, and a writing group. 42:15 Ministering interviews: split up between her and her counselors, meet with the same people every quarter, and make sure they connect Sister Søs Gram Søs Gram was born and raised in Denmark, and moved to Frankfurt, Germany, for her husband's job with the translation department of the Church about 20 years ago. She is a language teacher, teaching English and Danish, and has previously served as a ward Relief Society President. 48:10 Attended an international ward for many years, and are now in a German branch in Frankfurt. There are 14 stakes and 3 missions in Germany. Her farthest unit is about 90 minutes away by car. 50:15 Frankfurt temple reopening soon and Elder Uchtdorf will be there for the rededication 51:25 Her call as a stake Relief Society President came as a surprise following many years in music callings Principles:
54:20 Counseling with stake president as well as counselors: maintains an open conversation with the stake president, participation in community activity, sitting on the stand at stake conference, working as a team with her counselors and the high council 1:00:10 Delegation: ask others to return and report, and to do things their own way 1:01:40 Enabling: Give others opportunities to do things that may be difficult, but will stretch them
1:02:15 Ministering is a real challenge with the travel involved. One ward had an all-day ministering interview plan, another uses WhatsApp. 1:07:00 Ministering interviews involved some ministering to the sisters in the interview, taking notes to refer to next time 1:08:45 Presidency meetings work better for them to meet in person, and they use WhatsApp for daily communication 1:11:30 Arranging temple trips for the sisters in the stake while the Frankfurt temple has been closed Links What Now Podcast on iTunes and Spotify What Now Podcast on Instagram @podcastwhatnow, Twitter @podcastwhatnow, and Facebook What Now Podcast website
Tanya Bennion is a mother and graphic designer/web developer, and enjoys photography and travel. She grew up in Wyoming, served a mission in Fukuoka, Japan, and attended school at the University of Wyoming, BYU, and American University. Tanya and her first husband, Bailey, were married just over two years before he passed away. She and her second husband, Jeff, have one son and live in the Salt Lake City area. Highlights 06:45 Whirlwind romance; met and married Bailey in six months 07:45 He was a convert and they married in the Timpanogos temple 09:30 Six weeks into the marriage, they found a lump on his neck and he had Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She knew she would be a widow soon. 11:00 Rollercoaster of medical problems during their short marriage, and he died shortly after being declared clear of cancer, two years three months into their marriage; she was 25 13:25 Experience finding him at home 16:40 He was her knight in shining armor, and she had to pick up the pieces 17:30 Grief group was run by nuns, for women 65 and younger, and no one in the group understood her experience, but she found that it was still very helpful for her because she was talking about it. Stayed for a year to reduce potential for additional trauma. 20:00 Social relationships changed because of the uncomfortable circumstances, but her visiting teachers were her rock and one young girl at church sat with her every week; any conversation is good and better than ignoring 23:00 Men can be sealed to multiple wives while they are living, but women can only be sealed to one man while living. This is difficult for young widows because young men don’t want to date and marry someone who is already sealed to someone else. 24:45 Her advice: Talk about it every chance you can because that is how you will heal 25:30 Created a support group for young Latter-day Saint widows without children, and began serving at the Washington, D.C. temple 29:30 Dating: almost everyone lost interest as soon as they learned she was sealed to someone else. How our religious culture plays into this and what it really means. 35:05 Difficulty because there are no resources for young widows in the Church, and some policies are roadblocks despite no problems with worthiness; she has always had to teach her leaders how to deal with it because they don’t know how it all works 39:30 You are not denied any blessings or temple blessings; if you’re not sealed in this lifetime you can be sealed after, and God is just; the gospel is all faith-based and we need to believe that everything works into God’s plan 42:00 Worries as she is considering breaking the first sealing because of concerns for Bailey’s place in the sealing; understanding that sealing is both horizontal and vertical 44:15 Thoughts and feelings of disloyalty when facing breaking the sealing, but understanding that everything can be fixed 49:00 What sealing and being born in the covenant really means; avoiding the spiritual calculus when you understand how it works 55:00 The process of breaking sealings has wrinkles for widows because it is designed around sealing cancellations with divorce; be aware of the process and sensitive to its likely effects on the widow 1:06:45 Being patient and sensitive to the issue within a marriage 1:09:20 You can find support groups online and network to find support 1:11:00 How this experience has strengthened her testimony of Jesus Christ
Reverend France A. Davis has been the pastor at the Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, since 1974. He was born and raised in Georgia and attended school at Tuskegee University in Alabama, during which time he participated in marches with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He then served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War era and later came to Salt Lake City as a teaching fellow in the Communications Department at the University of Utah. Highlights 08:00 His mentors all held the conviction that it is not enough to believe, but that you have to take action to make it a reality. They took the Bible as their guide and sought to change laws so that people were treated fairly and not mistreated due to skin color or place of origin. He has continued to do that in our community, working to make it better for everyone who might be treated unfairly. 11:15 Felt the call from God to become a leader at a young age, and was prepared when the time came and the actual call came to serve 15:30 Explanation of the process taking place now, looking for a new pastor to replace him 18:30 The process of becoming a part of the Calvary Baptist congregation 20:20 His early experience and some of the service programs the Calvary Baptist Church has worked on with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 24:15 All people need to realize that there are other people who are different, and to appreciate those differences in the religious setting. The leaders of whatever the dominant group is need to make efforts to include those people who are not part of that dominant group. 28:10 Some benefits and the more obvious negatives to having the Church so dominant in Utah 31:20 Reaching out means getting to know people and interacting with them, appreciating differences and working together, and does not mean having a hidden agenda of proselyting 35:35 The legislative process should also involve input from leaders from a diverse community and not from simply the dominant culture 37:45 Principles of leadership: Start with formal training and learning leadership
Everyone has something to say and the leader needs to listen to them To be an effective leader, you must first be a good follower Be willing to sacrifice your selfish wishes for the benefit of the total community Have a vision for how to accomplish what you want to see in the community
39:30 Listen first before pronouncing your opinion 40:35 Every pastor needs a pastor, and in different settings you are a leader or a follower 42:00 Experience interviewing elderly church members who wanted a wheelchair ramp, but the congregation shot it down. He learned to talk to more people first so that everyone’s opinion is heard and they have a buy-in. 44:25 Vision is constantly changing, pointing the people forward to what they want to see happen in the future 46:40 How confession is handled between individuals and God 48:00 Spiritual counseling and financial or secular counseling handled separately 50:45 Being a full-time pastor means dealing with the people full-time 51:40 Worship services at the Calvary Baptist Church for those who wish to visit and worship 52:35 Leading a congregation for 45 years has helped him understand that he cannot do it alone Links Calvary Baptist Church
In this episode, Leading Saints Executive Director, Kurt Francom, shares his closing session from the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. He approaches the subject of supporting and mentoring someone through a difficult struggle with pornography, from a doctrinal standpoint. Highlights 3:00 Approaching the topic from a doctrinal standpoint 4:20 Behaviors vs doctrine/heart 5:15 “The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.“—Boyd K. Packer 6:40 Change the heart, leading to a change in behavior 8:00 How Satan tempts us, catching us in our own traps by creating contention in our hearts (Doctrine & Covenants 10:12, 26, 63)
11:10 Satan’s attack on our identity causes contention (Moses 4:11, Matthew 4:3) 14:00 Setting our own trap (example from The Lion King) 17:15 Steve’s story of overcoming addiction
19:40 Satan uses shame to alter identity
“As a shame researcher, I've learned that wherever perfectionism is driving us, shame is riding shotgun.”—Brene Brown 22:20 “What does that say about you as a person?”—Sam Tielemans
23:15 The adversary’s work and glory is to destroy the agency of man. Shame leads to altered identity which leads to a lack of agency. 24:55 “I am an addict”
“No one wants to be defined by their hardest struggle, and so we have to find this really interesting space between owning it and identifying it but reject being labeled by it and reduced by it.”—Brene Brown 27:00 Does this reduce or expand the individual’s identity?
29:50 Examples of Tom and Tim in the bishop’s office 33:10 A change of heart leads to good behavior
Offer hope Explore doctrines (especially mercy and grace) Admit you can’t “fix” them Define the purpose of the behaviors (CPR: church, prayer, read scriptures) Turn them towards their Father Overwhelm them with connection
44:20 Story of James 47:45 Disappointment: another tactic of the adversary
The principal’s office, the dentist’s office, and the bishop’s office 51:10 Contention created when we believe God is disappointed in us
52:30 Can God be disappointed? Can God be surprised?
Doctrine & Covenants 3:1-3 Doctrine & Covenants 10:67 “Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is His plan, knowing that we will.”—Lynn G. Robbins
57:10 Example of learning to walk and falling down
“This shepherd, our Good Shepherd, finds joy in seeing His diseased sheep progress toward healing.”—Dale G. Renlund “A car is made to run on gasoline, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on himself. He himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.”—C.S. Lewis
1:01:15 Kurt’s scripture study shame cycle example: “You could _______ and I’d still love you.” 1:05:45 “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”—C.S. Lewis 1:06:20 John 14:16 1:07:50 The Heart of Man movie clip: Think of the violin as commandments and covenants 1:10:10 If ye love me, hold on to my commandments
Abraham 3:26, Doctrine & Covenants 78:18 Alma 33:16 Romans 8:38-39
1:13:50 Luke 15:20 When he was yet a great way off Links “The Atonement Works for Me”: One Couple’s Recovery from Sexual Addiction Brene Brown TED talk: Listening to Shame James' story on the Unashamed, Unafraid podcast The Heart of Man movie clip The Heart of Man movie Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Daniel Duckworth is a leadership professional. He works primarily as a transformational teacher to transform the leadership performance of executives and managers, and also as a transformational consultant to facilitate strategic execution of major change initiatives. He is affiliated with the University of Michigan Center for Positive Organizations. After a decade in Michigan, he returned to Utah, where he founded Crux Central, LLC in 2019 to facilitate his new mission to learn to make deep change accessible to the masses—not just to the executives.
Highlights 07:00 Deep change for all: work experience is sucking the life out of people, and they can’t bring their best selves to their families and everything outside of work, such as church. His purpose is to help people get to the point where their work builds and motivates them instead of draining them. 09:30 Found these problems in Utah just as he had found everywhere else
We need to change Utah doesn’t prioritize leadership development, despite a high-tech startup environment that claims to subscribe to a positive organizational culture Nice guy syndrome: the ego shifts people’s true priorities and leads to poor leadership, micromanagement, and a negative cultural dynamic
18:40 Caring what other people think about you interferes with your ability to be a transformational leader 20:40 Church leadership creates subtle culture with hierarchy, but this is holding us back 22:35 Robert Quinn’s four strategies to change:
Telling 24:30 Coercion 27:45 Participation 29:20 Transformation: transformational leadership lets go of control and focuses on building relationships while setting a vision and high standards
30:10 Example of the ward cleaning specialist: how can I get this person to do what I want them to do? Defeating assumptions that come with that question:
The task becomes more important than the relationship There is one right way to complete that task, and it’s my way (church culture is the same everywhere: not a good thing) If you don’t do it my way, there’s something wrong with you: people are problems
34:35 These assumptions limit your leadership and tools: let go of control and focus first on building a perfect relationship with the custodian
Get to that euphoric experience with the cleaning specialist first, and not from a hierarchical perspective: minister to the one and transform the relationship Example of the ward and stake leaders cleaning the building before an apostle visits This transformation is palpable and draws people in
42:15 Example from newsletter article of a phone call from the bishop/executive secretary
46:30 Defies the culture and lets go of control Jesus Christ defined transformational leadership Trust in the personal line of revelation and the relationship 50:35 Negative example of Relief Society President who was sent back seven times, and positive example of bishop and priest giving sacrament prayer with a speech impediment
54:00 Start with positive deviance: there are normal leadership behaviors that the culture enforces which reinforce mediocrity 57:00 The performance standard is the covenant path: we can both set that high expectation and also draw people in through transformational leadership 59:20 Break the cultural rules, not the commandments or the policies: peel back the cultural layers and look for opportunities to create a more powerful culture with better outcomes
Experiment, reflect, and learn: study how you can become better
1:04:00 Examples of individuals who created programs through positive deviance: pornography self reliance group, Primary, scouting 1:07:45 Why don’t people make changes through positive deviance? Other people’s reactions paint them as laughable, unusual, or simply wrong. 1:11:50 Dan’s moment of self awareness: list of things he wants to be (not do) Links Deep Change for All
Rob Eaton is originally from Auburn, Washington and now lives in Rexburg, Idaho, where he is an Associate Academic Vice President for Learning and Teaching and a member of the religious education faculty at BYU Idaho. Rob has served as an institute director and seminary teacher, a bishop, in a stake presidency, and as a mission president in the Washington, Federal Way mission, and previously oversaw Pathway and online learning at BYU Idaho. He also worked with President Hales and President Eyring on books they have written, and currently serves as a stake president for a YSA stake. Highlights 03:00 Work and service prior to his 2013 call as a mission president, and serving in his home mission where he lived for over 30 years 06:15 Change in the transition from mission president couple, modeled after what they taught their missionaries before they returned home from their missions 08:00 Asked missionaries to create their own “Work of Salvation plan” which they reviewed at an interview prior to their release: “Freelancing for God” 10:00 Keep your purpose in sight—God’s purpose should still be your purpose—and lean in to ministering to a smaller number of people 12:30 Actively look for and pray for those informal opportunities to be an instrument in the hands of God 14:30 Being quick to observe and to serve 18:25 Asking inspired questions and doing the Lord’s work at activities will open up opportunities for relationships and service 23:45 Two questions at dinner: What did you do for someone else today? and How often did you see the hand of the Lord in your life today? 24:50 “Holy boldness”: people will not likely change unless they are invited to do so, but questions can be catalysts to change and spiritual growth
Naturally-extended invitations stretch a little bit, but aren’t too uncomfortable and help instead of alienating Doing those things outside of a calling is what we have covenanted to do
34:00 Introverts—those who are more naturally reserved—notice the subtle things. It is a strength, and while you may be stretched you will not be stretched too far. 38:15 Applying these principles while serving in a time-consuming calling such a bishop 43:45 Being mindful and intentional about looking for continued growth after being released from a demanding calling
Elder Hales quote: The quiet unnoticed corners of the kingdom Family relationships Following-up with people you served in previous callings Look for ways to build ward unity
Links David A. Bednar 2005 BYU Devotional, "Quick to Observe" Linda K. Burton 2012 conference talk, "First Observe , Then Serve" Richard G. Scott 2014 conference talk, "I Have Given You an Example"
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit Here
This is a clip from the upcoming Liberating Saints Virtual Summit which begins on September 10, 2019. In this clip, you will hear Jonathan Daugherty who runs an organization called Be Broken Ministries. He is going to talk about how to stimulate healthy discussion about struggles with pornography in a church setting in order to stimulate healthy culture.
To hear the full interview register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit Here
This is a clip from the upcoming Liberating Saints Virtual Summit which begins on September 10, 2019. In this clip, you will hear Geoff Streurer discuss the concept of patiently helping someone disclose their struggle with pornography and infidelity in order to help them effectively heal (and to help those around them heal as well).
To hear the full interview register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit Here
This is a clip from the upcoming Liberating Saints Virtual Summit which begins on September 10, 2019. In this clip, you will hear Jody Moore talk about the 3 J's that can help someone maintain a healthy mentality when someone they love is struggling with pornography.
To hear the full interview register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit Here
This is a clip from the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit. In this clip, you will hear Anne Blythe who is the director of Betrayal Trauma Recovery, which is an organization that helps women overcome the trauma they experience in abusive relationships.
To hear the full interview register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Frank Layden is a retired basketball coach and executive of the National Basketball Association's Utah Jazz. Layden during his coaching days was known for his lighthearted approach to the game as well as to himself, often mocking his weight and looks, and known for giving one-liners to the media before and after games. In 1984, Layden was awarded the NBA's Coach of the Year. That same season, he was head coach for the NBA All-Star Game and won both the NBA's Executive of the Year and the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Awards. Frank Layden will be speaking at the 2019 BYU Management Society's Moral and Ethical Leadership Conference this month. Highlights 03:15 Experiences around involvement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and what President Thomas S. Monson said about him 05:15 How he ended up in Utah with the Jazz 07:50 First knowledge and interactions with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 10:00 Approaching sports and culture in Utah with the attitude of, “What can we do to help here?” and always building relationships instead of focusing on differences 13:15 How he got into coaching 14:25 Believes his family was meant to be in Utah 14:50 How they built the Jazz up from a losing team 16:20 You’re not always going to succeed, and don’t measure your success by money; do something you like doing and involve service 17:30 Things the Jazz did to help the players and their families grow and become better than they were before
Wives club putting on fashion shows, making Christmas trees, and going to school Chapel service with the Rev. France Davis and Pastor Jerry Lewis Bonus to players who finished their college degrees
20:00 If the players feel you (the coaches) are for them, they will give everything for you 21:15 Wanted the players to know they were loved. Always asked, “What can I do for you today?” 22:25 Start with the small things: be there, on time, and read to play; you have to have both authority and discipline 25:20 The players need to believe in you, and you have to believe in yourself
You have to know who needs a kick and who needs a hug The team needs to know who the leader is Winning is not a sometimes thing: it starts the first day of practice
33:15 Connecting one-to-one with the players
Creating a relationship where they are comfortable coming to you as the leader Listen to them (book club and reading) Dressing like professionals Showing the players respect and treating them like adults builds loyalty The players will know whether or not you enjoy your job Leave them laughing
49:00 Being part of the religious community in Utah made him a better Catholic Links 2019 BYU Management Society Moral and Ethical Leadership Conference
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit Here
This is a clip from the upcoming Liberating Saints Virtual Summit which begins on September 10, 2019. In this clip, you will hear Dina Alexander who is the founder and CEO of Educate and Empower Kids. She shares some best practices of how to easily talk to kids about the dangers of pornography.
To hear the full interview register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit Here
This is a clip from the upcoming Liberating Saints Virtual Summit which begins on September 10, 2019. In this clip you hear how Steve Shields has found community from his local leaders that has helped him maintain recovery from his sexual addiction.
To hear the full interivew register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Whitney Woodruff was shocked when President Rob Ferrell extended the call for her to serve as the stake Relief Society president in her young single adult stake. This was a calling typically reserved for older, married women with much more experience. As a young single adult herself, she solicited the help of three other incredible women; Kaylyn Crawford, Stacie Leavitt, and Kimberly Webb. In this episode, Kurt Francom discusses with them their unique approach of visiting each Relief Society in the stake to discuss the complex topic of female pornography use and how individuals can fight through the shame and get the help to overcome this temptation. Highlights
4:45 Introduction of each participant and the story of how they were called to the stake Relief Society presidency 8:30 How they began to consider addressing the issue of pornography use of those in Relief Society 15:00 How they organized and formatted their lesson about avoiding pornography to the Relief Society 18:00 What feedback was received after their lesson 21:00 How this lesson impacted their presidency 24:00 Why it is important to be direct and clear in lessons about avoiding pornography 28:00 How they prepared for the lesson 30:30 The role of priesthood leaders during this lesson 32:00 How pornography is different for women compared to men 42:30 How girls/women typically learn about pornography (especially in their developmental years) 45:20 The most important topic of the lesson, the Atonement of Jesus Christ 48:00 A powerful question to begin a discussion about pornography use with men and women 50:00 How to create safety so that individuals want to talk to someone about their pornography use and get help 58:00 Advice for male priesthood leaders to effectively approach this topic 1:03:00 How to create local resources to help women struggling with pornography 1:05:00 General encouragement for other Relief Society presidencies
Links "I am a Young Single Adult Advocate" | An Interview with Rob Ferrell Protection From Pornography—a Christ-Focused Home, by Linda S. Reeves Read the TRANSCRIPT
Register for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit
Spencer Cox is currently serving as Utah's Lieutenant Governor and running for Governor of Utah. He served as a bishop while also serving as the mayor of the town of Fairview, Utah, and currently has a calling as Primary music leader. In this interview, Kurt and Spencer discuss serving in those positions and why serving in the community matters. Highlights 04:30 Deciding to run for office; creating the RV they are using to visit cities across Utah 08:20 Where his spark of interest in politics came from 11:20 Served as a bishop while also serving as mayor of Fairview 13:45 The most challenging part of doing both 16:15 Delegating to his auxiliary leaders and choosing to focus on the youth 20:10 Putting away the list of tasks as bishop; listening for what you need to hear and not just what others are saying 27:45 Serving as Primary music leader while serving as Lt. Governor 33:30 Ben Sasse’s books, Them: Why We Hate Each Other--and How to Heal, and The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance 40:00 How the concepts in these books changed his outlook on service 44:30 Obedience out of duty is exhausting and obedience from love is energizing 47:30 The Fairview dance hall, the community, and the Payson salmon supper 51:00 Why should a leader choose to serve in politics? 55:15 How serving in the Church trains leaders Links Cox & Friends podcast Twitter: @SpencerJCox LDS Primary Choristers Facebook group Books mentioned: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin Them: Why We Hate Each Other--and How to Heal, by Senator Ben Sasse The Vanishing American Adult: Our Coming-of-Age Crisis--and How to Rebuild a Culture of Self-Reliance, by Senator Ben Sasse Bowling Alone, by Robert B. Putnam
David Ostler is a former bishop, stake president and mission president (Freetown, Sierra Leone). Now retired, he has a professional business background focused on executive management of bioinformatics and evidence-based medicine. A lifelong member of the Church, Brother Ostler was raised in Utah, served a mission in Japan, and received undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Utah and Dartmouth College respectively. He and Sister Ostler, who reside in the Washington, D.C. area, are the parents of six children. Brother Ostler has been a previous guest on Leading Saints and has participated in the Leading Saints virtual summit on the subject of “Questioning Saints.” He is the author of the 2019 book Bridges: Ministering to Those Who Question. The book is the result of research, interviews, and surveys involving former Church members or those not presently attending.
Highlights 06:50 A one-size-fits-all approach to gospel learning is ineffective. Reasons people stop attending vary.
09:50 Approach to surveying and writing on this subject discussed. It was vital to keep himself open to thinking about the issue in a different way.
11:50 His intent was to listen and better understand the issue. Existing books did seem to help current, believing members (e.g. parents, leaders) understand the issue.
13:40 Reworking the pronouns: It’s about “us”—we are all in this together, regardless of present activity status. It should not be “us versus them.” Nearly everyone has been confronted with difficult questions.
15:40 How can leaders sound more inviting? Using the right language. Labels reduce people to a “them.” The term “apostate” generally means an enemy, and that does not fit most people who have left the Church. They’re not necessarily “fallen, “anti-Mormon” or “tares.”
19:00 We all struggle in some fashion and are all sinners. Recognizing commonalities. Although we dress shiny at church many may be paddling upstream. Leaders should not fear exhibiting vulnerability.
21:30 We seem to be good about ministering when there’s a health or economic issue, but these other areas are more challenging and require some different skills.
23:50 Many who were surveyed or interviewed expressed gratitude that someone was trying to understand them. Leaders/parents may not have the perfect answers but can listen with empathy.
25:25 People reflect to some degree the era in which they are raised. They may have experienced things differently as to how they view authority, education, minority issues, mental illness, gender, nationality, and sexual orientation. Genuinely listen to avoid succumbing to blind spots.
27:55 Societal changes, including the internet, have had an effect. Try to understand. Not all they read on the internet is inaccurate. Many younger people are concerned about financial institutions, school debt, etc. Many don’t see issues as black and white. They’ve been exposed to non-traditional families and non-traditional gender roles. Avoid being overly simplistic in our approach to helping someone.
34:40 Focus on a “pastoral” role as a leader, not simply getting the person back to church. Pray for insight, treating people as individuals and not simply seeking “just the right scripture” to share.
37:40 Crucial conversations. Genuine empathy builds trust. Fear keeps us from listening or leads to the “Us” vs. “them” approach. As a leader, you may say the wrong thing, but is your heart in the right place?
40:35 Dealing with these issues as parents. Don’t let fear pervade our thinking. Doing the right things vs. doing things right. Strive to make gospel study home-centered and church-supported.
45:00 “Gospel Topic” essays. Missionaries need to have read those and not be caught off-guard. “Come Follow Me” should allow us to delve into important topics on the home front.
49:20 Story of “Amanda,” who no longer comes to church and feels her mother is no longer proud of her.
Blake Dalton is a full-time teacher from West Valley City, Utah. He served a full-time mission in Eugene, Oregon. He has served as an elder’s quorum president, a high councilman, executive secretary, and currently serves as the bishop of his ward.
Also be sure to listen to Blake's How I Lead interview.
Enter Brigham…
In this podcast, Kurt and his wife, Alanna, talk with Melanie Meszaros, Celeste Jensen, and Michelle Miner from the team hosting the upcoming The Heart of a Woman retreat.
Melanie was raised in Ogden Utah, the youngest of six children. She attended Brigham Young University, earned a Master’s Degree in Education, and served in the Vienna, Austria mission. She and her husband have four children and eight grandchildren. Melanie has served in Primary, Young Women’s, and Relief Society presidencies, as Stake Relief Society President, and as a Bishop’s wife.
Celeste is Melanie’s daughter and lives in Hooper, Utah. She has served many years in the Young Women’s program and now serves in Primary.
Michelle was born and raised in Southern California, the youngest of four. She has served in Young Women's, Relief Society, as a Gospel Doctrine teacher, and a Bishop’s wife. She has eight children and five grandchildren.
The next The Heart of a Woman Retreat will be February 20-22, at Big Canyon Ranch, a Christian youth camp in Wanship, Utah (between Coalville and Park City). Everything is comfortable, prepared, and cared for, and participants will have the area to themselves for activities, learning, and reflection. Retreat Details & Registration Highlights 5:35 About The Heart of a Woman Retreat: an opportunity to have your heart fed, connect with Heavenly Father, restore your vision of who you were created to be, and refresh your soul in the beauty of God’s creations. It is an introspective focus and learning opportunity. As women, we spend so much time focusing on loving God and loving our neighbor, and we forget to love ourselves.
9:45 The state of the heart of a woman in our culture is exhaustion and shame. We are checklist-oriented and are hustling to earn love from God. When we see the flaws and imperfections in each other, we can help each other on this journey. The retreat can serve as a model for Relief Society leaders to follow.
16:45 Michelle’s story: broken after a divorce, felt abandoned, unworthy, unloved. She knew that God could forgive her husband’s betrayal, but didn’t believe He could heal her heart as well. She did not want to feel and was navigating through her life with her intellect because she did not want to feel rejection again. She was able to lean on others and borrow from them and was able to open her heart to believing again that God loved her.
23:45 Melanie was “religid”: A perfectionist following the letter of the law with precision and not seeing the spaces in-between that Heavenly Father sees. She has been able to transition and become about the relationships.
25:20 Perfectionism’s message was that if you obey with exactness, then things work out, but Celeste discovered that things don’t happen that way. She felt that God was disappointed in her and blessings were being withheld because she wasn’t being good enough. Through the retreat, she learned that she doesn’t have to hustle for God’s love, that she was blinded to the messages God was trying to give her, and that she can turn to him. She is now motivated by his love and accepting of herself instead of coming at life with a checklist mentality.
33:10 Melanie’s introduction to the retreat: she asked God what he felt about her, what he saw in her, and how to hear that. She was able to feel his love, joy, delight, and trust in her, and learn how the Spirit communicates with her. Over time, she has been able to see the gift of this understanding unfolding over time.
40:10 God wants whole women, and when women can give him some space to work in their lives, to believe him, it starts to heal the broken places. She can show up in her callings differently and become what he intends for her.
42:30 Step back from the front lines, renew yourself, throw out the checklist, and focus on your relationship with Heavenly Father. Women—especially leaders—seek validation.
46:15 Alanna’s realization that she avoided connection w...
Anthony Sweat is a “regular Latter-day Saint” who is trying to do his best. He is a Church Education System educator for his career, has a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction, and is a professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He is also a writer and speaker. His Bachelors degree is in fine arts and he is a painter as well.
Anthony's latest book is “Seekers Wanted”. This is not a book to tell people what to think or to provide answers, but rather “how” to think, how to approach history, concepts and doctrine. The purpose of the book is to help people learn skills to answer questions. “We should seek learning by study, but we need to not overlook seeking learning by faith”. The focus of this podcast is related specifically to ambiguity. Highlights 10:30 Embracing Ambiguity: the Lord can make things very clear. “Joseph Smith was given a one-point plan and received little by little”. God didn’t lay everything out for him; we are continuing to develop. He was required to “move forward with faith” and receive little by little as the restoration happened.
15:20 How can we be the “one true church” but still have ambiguity? The Church is “true” is more likely the Church is “authorized” for things that it does; it doesn’t mean perfection. Section 1 of the D&C states it is a “true church” but at that time still no temple endowments, no Relief Society, etc. We need to recognize that the Church has authority to receive guidance from God, but we don’t have anything figured out. True does not mean complete. True means it has the authorized keys to operate. We do have some answers that other churches may not, and vice versa. We have truths of salvation and exaltation. We have revealed answers about the purpose of life, eternal families, etc. We don’t have ALL the answers. There is a difference between fullness of the gospel, vs the fullness of truth. We do have the fullness of the gospel, but not all the truth.
21:35 Do we need to have a string of declarations of truth to have a testimony or is there room for ambiguity? “I am uncertain about certain things, but I trust Jesus”. It can be just as powerful and meaningful to hear “I trust this” versus “I know this without a doubt”. It is less about being certain but more about the trust that comes in a relationship with God. We may not be certain about everything but can be certain about some things: that God loves us, that Jesus is his son. This can allow us to be certain about this trust relationship.
24:00 Definition of dogma. We should beware of it. Implies we are overly declarative of things that might have other possibilities. Means we are unwilling to consider alternatives. It is not a friend of faith or growth.
28:35 How do we begin to become comfortable with ambiguity? Recognize it is there. "Be firm on the knowns and what God has revealed but be flexible on the unknowns."
Avoid "overclaiming"; we shouldn't be overly declarative on what we know.
34:35 Be comfortable saying “I don’t know”. If there are things we don't know, it doesn't mean we should avoid those things. We need to seek.
36:55 As I leader, I feel the need to be seen as knowing all the answers. We shouldn't say things or claim things we shouldn't. We need to be humble and that it's okay to say "I don't know".
39:40 What is the grounding of my faith? Identifying non-negotiables. There are things we know and we need to identify them. Examples: Jesus ministered to people in the Book of Mormon. Joseph translated the Book of Mormon.
Is there a failproof way to guard against false non-negotiables? "If this doesn't hold true does that mean the faith collapses?" One false non-negotiable: a prophet can't be wrong; history and scripture show that prophets can make mistakes
46:15 We need to determine what our own non-negotiables are and assure that they are true and not false. That will help us know what our faith is anchored in.
In this podcast, Kurt interviews two women with the unofficial leadership calling of Bishop’s Wife. Sister Jordan Brown First he speaks with Jordan Brown, who lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, where her husband has been the bishop of their ward for two years.
Highlights 4:25 The circumstances surrounding her husband Brian’s calling as Bishop 9:45 The makeup of their ward 11:35 Leadership Principles: Communication as a couple: it first stopped being as intimate until they decided to focus on talking about his feelings so that he could process them better and she could support him without knowing the causes of those feelings 20:20 Look for the kind eyes: so many people are watching and it’s easy to personalize comments because you are now the bishop’s family, and this can become very negative inside your head. But when you look for the kind, positive eyes instead of the critical, judgemental eyes, you will find them. 25:35 Let yourself serve as the Bishop’s Wife: ask in your prayers to find the opportunities to serve others 27:55 Being the bishop’s wife has given her many opportunities to be intentional about keeping her covenants 31:45 Kid hack: “Sunday Centers” set up four rotationg, 15- to 30-minute stations for quiet activities such as reading, talk with Mom, work on Faith in God, making something with legos, and making a treat 34:55 Living her covenants has become more intentional and less like going through the motions, bringing her closer to Christ Sister Amanda Fristrom Amanda Fristrom and her family live in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where her husband has been bishop for one year.
Highlights 37:00 Her background and how her family ended up in Dubai, UAE 39:00 Life in Dubai 39:55 Being a member of the Church in Dubai: every ward is diverse, dynamic, and inclusive 41:55 The circumstances surrounding her husband’s calling as bishop 43:00 Give yourself time to transition into the position of bishop’s wife: identifying as “the wife of” 44:40 UVU professor Susan Madsen’s article about how women need to be kind to themselves and do what they want to do where they are 47:50 The Sabbath is the day she most has to deal with the position of “the wife of”, and looking to feel love for others gets her out of a negative mindset and into a service mindset 49:25 If the bishop is the shepherd, the bishop’s wife is the first follower 51:00 Bring the Spirit back into a conversation by bearing testimony of the Savior 53:20 Debriefing the former bishop’s wife (and others): listen to their advice 54:15 You can help develop a vision with your husband and others, and help support him and the ward 56:05 Singling out the one: pray about individuals and get creative at finding opportunities to serve them, even when you don’t know why 58:00 Setting an example for the ward 59:35 Working through depression and anxiety and the accompanying loss of the Spirit: stay the course 1:01:50 Use everyone in the ward: Asking others to serve you is a powerful way for them to be able to serve you, as well as for you to be served, and the blessings are reciprocal 1:05:30 The Lord has entrusted you with a lot, but He never intended for you to do it yourself 1:07:00 Getting to know the Savior has led to a greater understanding that all pain and difficulties are encompassed in the Atonement, and this has been a growth opportunity for their entire family Links How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | An Interview with Alanna Francom How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | Interviews with Jill Walker and Kasandra Merrill
Matthew Dicks is an author, columnist, teacher, storyteller, podcaster, blogger, playwright, and more. He is the co-founder and creative director of Speak Up, a storytelling organization that produces shows throughout New England as well as a weekly podcast, and the author of Storyworthy. Matthew is a 40-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 6-time GrandSLAM champion and has told stories for a wide range of events, radio shows, and performance venues. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Elysha, and their two children.
Highlights 7:26: With his wife runs an organization called “Speak Up” which puts on storytelling events 8:13: The science of telling a good story, i.e., public speaking in an engaging way 10:15: Basic storytelling principles:
Know what a story is: a moment in your life that is transformational and reflects change over time, as opposed to a simple retelling of chronological events. Ask yourself: Am I speaking about a moment in my life that changed me in some way? You can’t really change your audience with a story unless that story changed you. Share something of yourself, that makes you authentic and vulnerable. Being vulnerable to others also makes you safe to others, and they will be more willing to be vulnerable with you. Set out to have your listeners feel like they connected with you in the end. Showing emotion is acceptable so long as you can speak your truth in a clear way.
21:10: Teaching from scripture versus sharing of yourself
It is hard for people to care about the scriptural content or lesson unless they can see a relatable example of application from a person they trust.
24:26: Using our own stories versus using “borrowed” stories, e.g., using a story given in General Conference in a sacrament meeting talk.
Telling your own story is the best way to be authentic.
26:50: Improving our storytelling:
“Homework for life”: Before going to bed, ask yourself “what’s the most story-worthy moment of today?” Write it down. Explore why and how the experience changed you. Matt has noticed that he has changed every day of his life, as documented in his “Homework for life” spreadsheet. Frame of the story is most important: what is the end, and what is the beginning? Must have some entertainment value. Jump right into the story. Stay within the story. Remember the story without memorizing--rehearse! Tell the story in “scenes”. How to tell a story “on the spot”: what does something mean to me? Listeners should know how you are different at the end of the story from the beginning. Asking “why?” five times about your storyworthy moments. I.e.: Today I was changed by X experience. Why did X experience change me? Why A? Because B. But, why B? Because C. Why C? Because D. Etc.
55:21: Storytime! 65:49: Reviewing and deconstructing the story 72:25: How storytelling has helped him become a better person
Links matthewdicks.com Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling TED Talk: Homework for Life Speak Up Storytelling YouTube stories Art of Manliness podcast episode
Wendy Ulrich is a psychologist, educator, and writer. She holds a PhD in education and psychology from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles. A former guest on the podcast, Wendy is the founder of Sixteen Stones Center for Growth, has been a practicing psychologist for over 25 years, a former president of the Association of Mormon Counselors and Psychotherapists, and a visiting professor at Brigham Young University. She and her husband Dave Ulrich presided over the Canada Montreal Mission and also co-authored the Wall Street Journal #1 business bestseller, The Why of Work: How Great Leaders Build Abundant Organizations that Win. Her most recent book is Live up to Our Privileges: Women, Power, and Priesthood. Wendy and Dave have three children and eight grandchildren. Highlights 00:48 - Wendy’s background - psychologist 01:21 - Her new book discusses “What does it really mean for women to have priesthood power”? How do we get it in our lives and use it effectively? 03:49 - How can leaders better understand the experience of women in the Church? What can Wendy share about the female experience of feeling dismissed at church? 04:47 - The work of women is often invisible and misunderstood. 05:05 - Women and men have different styles of communication. Women may find being talked over (a male communication pattern) to be dismissive. 06:21 - Women can feel dismissed by the structure of the Church or even the text of the scriptures 07:02 - The book is structured after the organization of priesthood offices. Why? 07:44 - The work of women is also captured in the work of priesthood offices. 08:39 - In many cases women do more of the work of priesthood offices during the natural course of their lives than men. 09:12 - Christ was not a priest. He did not hold the priesthood of his day. 09:50 - Women who may not see themselves as holding priesthood may find something to learn from the Savior’s example and authority. 10:39 - Women can say I am doing what I’m doing because of the authority I’ve been given in my calling, my temple endowment, my home, my assignments … I have been given authority. 11:17 - We sometimes project secular perspectives on women and the priesthood and fairness. What can we understand about this topic? 12:49 - We are not going to be the same or have the same opportunities. 13:33 - Wendy believes Church doctrine emphasizes the reason we are here on this earth is to become empowered with the power that God has. We believe the most important thing God is trying to do is to create eternal relationships. 14:45 - What women do and goes unseen may be just as important as what men do in the eternal scheme of things. Even in secular society family is essential, and women are the key “resource” for keeping society functioning 17:17 - The Lord’s priority is raising the next generation of gods. 17:20 - We think God is someone who gives power away. We believe he wants to empower us to be joint heirs—to give us all He has. 18:59 - At times it does seem like some roles are inflated. Kurt shares his experience while all three of his brothers were serving as bishops and the difference in attention his sister received, who was serving as a Primary President at the time. As we consider this, women will have less of that experience of being dismissed. 20:40 - Chapter 8: Governing with Power and Compassion. How to rise to power in organizations. 22:00 - Kachner’s research shows how people get into power, but once they get into power people actually lose the skills that got them there. They become more self-serving, less empathic. They are less likely to listen to others, less able to read other’s emotional states. 23:40 - Research shows teams with women are more effective because women naturally have skills that leaders need, but they lose those skills once in power just as men do. 24:15 - This relates to D&C 121, when we get a little power or authority,
We are instructed in the General Handbook (8.1.1) that "Members of the elders quorum work together to help accomplish the work of salvation and exaltation. They serve others, fulfill priesthood duties, build unity, and learn and live doctrine." How effective is your quorum at succeeding in this purpose? Is the more that can be done to leverage the inspired quorum structure that has been restored in these latter days?
The reality is, men live lives of quiet desperation even while attending elders quorum once a week. They attend elders quorum with the hope of brotherhood, unity, and a restoration of their heart. Every man is striving to answer one question, "do I have what it takes?" They wonder if they have what it takes to support a family, keep their job, overcome addiction, maintain their worthiness. They know the restored gospel can help them answer that question but they don't know where to find the answer.
In this episode, Kurt Francom discusses some points to consider related to the heart of men and how the adversary is winning the heart of many men in ways we may not expect. There is great opportunity to build brotherhood in our quorum in order to give more purpose in the lives of those who attend.
Kurt also discusses the powerful experience he and others have had by attending a Wild at Heart Boot Camp and how it can help establish an effective model for increasing elders quorum brotherhood and unity. Next Boot Camp Details & Registration Summary
The typical elders quorum (1:40) What would you change about elders quorum? What is the purpose of a quorum? Handbook 2 - 7.1.2 (6:15)
"The primary purposes of quorums are to serve others, build unity and brotherhood, and instruct members in doctrines, principles, and duties."
President Kimball said, "We often do vigorous enlistment work to get members to come to church but then do not adequately watch over what they receive when they do come." A Quorum of Strangers: On the isolation of Mormon Men, by Sheldon Lawrence (11:30)
"A recent article in the Atlantic points out that men, especially middle-aged white men, are increasingly dying from lives lived in isolation and addiction. I would like to believe that Mormon men somehow buck this trend. After all, aren’t we part of a tight-knit community capable of self-organizing in a moment’s notice? Just hand us a natural disaster and we’ll show up with rakes and shovels. But despite the Church’s obvious strength in organizing labor, it’s my observation that Mormon men lead surprisingly isolated and lonely lives. "
"The substance of a diligent man is precious." Prov. 12:27 What is the biggest threat to men in our current day? (14:15) The hearts of men are under attack (16:25)
"The devil has sought to lay a cunning plan, that he may destroy this work" Doctrine & Covenants 10:12 How the adversary works "Yea, he stirreth up [our] hearts" Doctrine & Covenants10:24 "And thus he flattereth them, and leadeth them along until he draggeth their souls down to hell; and thus he causeth them to catch themselves in [our] own snare." Doctrine & Covenants 10:26
Wild at Heart Boot Camp (21:05) Principles based on the Wild at Heart book
A battle to fight An adventure to live A beauty to rescue
Wild at Heart Boot Camp Story Continued (27:45) Real life experiences
Chris (33:10) Steve (47:40) James (from California) (53:45) James (from Utah) (59:05) Orin (1:06:25)
Conclusion (1:11:25)
Links
See Boot Camp Schedule & Register (Promo Code: LeadingSaints) Unashamed Unafraid Podcast Doug Nielsen Episode Steve Shields Episode Wild at Heart Book Heart of Man Movie A Quorum of Strangers: On the isolation of Mormon men Find a Wild at Heart Book Camp in your area
Kami Smith grew up in Arizona, Kansas, Utah, and Idaho in an active Latter-day Saint home. She suffered abuse as a young child and had a troubled youth with anxiety and addiction, but found her way back with the help of loving leaders, earthly parents, and heavenly parents. Her story can help us as we lead and help troubled youth.
Highlights 5:00 Abuse at a young age 12:00 Experience with therapy 16:00 Struggles as a teenager 18:40 Recognizing her abuse 21:00 Advice to leaders of rebellious teens 24:00 How to create safe places for youth to have real conversations 35:00 Shame and guilt Kami felt 37:30 More advice to leaders 42:15 Dad's prayer to know what to do- love is the answer 48:00 Love even though you don't agree with their choices 49:45 Kami's addiction 53:00 Kami's experience with Anasazi wilderness therapy 55:00 Kami's turning point Links Being the Child of a Gay Parent in Latter-day Saint Culture | An Interview with Mike Ramsey Anasazi Foundation Instagram: hey_kamismith
Kristen Coltrin has a bachelor's degree in psychology and is working on a master's degree in clinical social work. She has been working as an intern with the Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline, and felt called to help support Church leaders after an August 19, 2018 letter asking us to be more educated about suicide. The people she worked with at the hotline were excited to do outreach with organizations, and she stepped into the role of providing knowledge about suicide to Church leaders in her area.
Highlights 5:45 Letter sent requesting ward councils to review information and become more educated about suicide 6:45 There is an entire section of churchofjesuschrist.org that is about suicide 8:35 Some statistics: suicide is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24; some reasons people in areas with higher rates are more likely to die from suicide 10:25 Use the term suicide or dying by suicide and avoid the term “commit suicide” 11:25 The crushed bone perspective on mental health 14:00 The Church’s resources and statements about suicide, debunking some of the cultural misconceptions 16:00 Why do people choose to die by suicide?
A lack of feeling connected A lack of belonging Feeling like a burden
17:00 Why is the Church a good place for suicide prevention? Community, belonging, finding a purpose in life, resources, commitments to bear one another’s burdens 18:00 Why would the Church be a place that makes people feel any of those three things? People might feel disconnected or feel they don’t belong within the culture, feeling of being a burden to the ward members, feeling shamed for who they are, leaders aren’t trained counselors 20:40 Risk factors for suicide: prior suicide attempt, substance abuse or diagnosable mental health disorders, access to lethal means, family history of suicide or violence, lack of social support, loss of a family member or friend (especially by suicide), desensitization to pain (military, first responders) 22:30 Some warning signs of suicide: inability to sleep or sleeping all the time, changes in weight or eating habits, neglecting school or personal appearance, chronic headaches or fatigue, suddenly more or less religious, and many more
23:45 Triggering events can be anything but it’s usually a buildup of difficulties over time 25:45 Is suicide preventable? Yes! 27:15 Often when people start a new mental-health medication or otherwise begin to come out of depressing circumstances, that is when they follow-through on the suicide they have been thinking about 28:45 How do we know if someone is suicidal? Listen for the indirect verbal cues/invitations and be as direct as possible in asking them if they are considering suicide 30:55 Use the word “suicide” or “killing yourself” because it’s not just harming themselves, it’s killing themselves; contrast with cutting 32:15 Warning sign of looking for ways to prepare to take care of their family 33:30 What do you do in that moment when they answer “Yes”? Most important is to listen. 35:40 Resources to prepare in advance:
Suicide prevention hotlines and crisis lines: Know your national number and any local numbers Church legal hotline: Wear out that number asking questions you might think are stupid Local counselors: develop some resource relationships in your area Utah mobile crisis line (University Neuropsychiatric Institute) 801-587-3000 Hospital emergency departments
44:30 Last resort when they won’t go along with you, call for a welfare check: call the local non-emergency police number and ask for a “crisis intervention-trained officer” 47:40 Veterans hotline, The Trevor Project, Church resources for areas around the world 49:20 Prepare with a field trip to a crisis center 52:30 This is something that Heavenly Father especially wants his leaders to know Links suicide.churchofjesuschrist.org Understanding Suicide videos
Autumn Stringam is from Alberta, Canada, and now lives in Nampa, Idaho. She and her husband are the parents of five children and have two grandchildren. She grew up with a community-minded mindset, and works in mental health nutrition and at a special-needs high school. Autumn was called as a JustServe specialist when the program was beginning in her community, and took that opportunity to help grow a thriving program in the Treasure Valley area.
Highlights 7:15 Autumn's call as a JustServe specialist for the area’s coordinating council 9:45 What is JustServe? A website intended as a tool to minister with others within the community, managed through the stakes and coordinating councils 11:30 Agreement to serve together and just to serve together 13:45 Anyone can post and manage sites—members and nonmembers 14:30 Stake public affairs specialist, JustServe specialist, and a committee work with the stake high council and sometimes a stake youth council to develop the program in their area 16:25 Groups and individuals can go to the app, sign up, and go serve 17:20 JustServe manuals are in the gospel library 18:00 The JustServe specialist’s responsibilities 19:05 Relief Society has taken over leading Church members within the program so the specialists can reach into the community 20:00 Every area needs to get entrepreneurial and figure out how to best use the program in their area 21:20 How Autumn applied the program through the youth program 24:25 How to keep it focused on service only: finding common ground and getting acquainted 28:35 Advertising goodness: experience with LGBT youth 33:25 How to combat the fear among others, such as schools, that this is a church-related organization 36:00 The overwhelm of “another thing”: take a step back and see how this helps fulfill every part 37:30 Take the challenge and the Lord will not fail us: Her experience with the “pick a date” program and how this is the model for our time 42:25 Overcoming obstacles with other organizations in the community: the program is funded by the Church but it isn’t owned by the Church 45:00 Have a full inventory of opportunities before you recruit volunteers 46:05 Look at zip code 83606 at JustServe.org for examples 47:10 The momentum will come 49:10 Using social media to advertise and promote service opportunities 53:20 Using the app and website 54:20 Campaigns for volunteers: “JustServe January” “JustServe Summer” 57:30 Start with one campaign, without the expectation of immediate results 59:35 Familiarize yourself with what is already happening out there; we are advertising what others are already doing, so plug in and then let them shine 1:01:15 How JustServe led to finding and adopting their daughter Links JustServe.org Instagram: justservetreasurevalley
Dr. Robert Ferrell has served as an elders quorum president, high councilor, YSA bishop, and YSA stake president, and has presented at firesides and conferences—including BYU Education Week—about connecting with young single adults. He grew up in the Bay Area of California but lives in Mountain Green, Utah, and is a periodontist working in the Ogden area. He has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a doctoral degree in dental surgery, and he and his wife are the parents of eight children. Highlights 7:30 His call as a YSA stake president came while serving as a bishop, forming a new YSA stake 11:00 He saw a need for a greater understanding of young adults today, and decided to present at BYU Education Week as an advocate for young adults 13:10 Stigmas of the Millennial generation in and outside of the Church 14:20 The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not lose people; the culture, tradition, false doctrine, and application loses people 15:20 Creating a young adult program needs to start with a strong organizational structure 16:00 Most wards are not aware of the problem with the activity rate among YSAs 17:10 Priesthood keys and leadership have to be behind the leaders in a YSA program 21:10 It can be easy to lose track of YSAs, and family wards need to work with YSA programs to focus on rescuing—most effective when the stake presidents work together with YSA leaders 25:00 Worked with his area seventy and coordinating councils and were able to see great success with the program
Multiple ward mission leaders were assigned to the stakes that funneled YSAs to their YSA ward, and senior adult couples assigned to be the bridge between the YSA ward and the home stake Returned missionaries are prepared to help rescue other YSAs
27:25 Wanted as many of the less-active records as they could, so they could organize and reach out to rescue them
Focused on organizational structure with leaders working together Ministering happened among the active members, YSA ward mission leaders handled the rest
31:10 The organizational process has to be there to help young adults come unto Christ 31:50 #1 cultural concept that must change: YSA wards are not about marriage, they don’t need to be reminded, and that message turns them away 34:00 The purpose of the young single adult program is helping them connect with Jesus Christ 36:40 YSA programs are not glorified YMYW programs, and activities need to be planned by the YSAs and be focused on things that help connect them to Christ 40:15 Leadership by collaboration instead of control: turn it over to them
The Lord used young adults to restore the Church; they can be trusted with the YSA program
45:10 Example of giving autonomy: Stake YSA Relief Society presidency recognized a pornography problem with the sisters and taught about it at ward conferences 47:10 Encouraged the sisters to turn to their Relief Society president when they have a problem, and take it to the bishop when they are ready to repent 49:30 Counsel given to him as the stake president was that you cannot rescue YSAs and then throw the book at them
Is that approach too soft? Story of missionary who returned after less than a week in the MTC, due to sexual transgression
1:00:30 The sins are a symptom of a more serious doctrinal problem and the purpose of discipline is to save the soul of the transgressor, not to punish 1:04:00 Bishops and counselors need to be working on the same level so they can develop relationships with the YSA ward members 1:05:00 Behavior vs. doctrine: sin is the consequence of Satan’s real purpose 1:08:00 Leaders need to help them resolve contention in their lives 1:10:45 Not knowing the meaning of worthiness is the greatest cause of contention 1:16:00 Example of young woman who asked, “Where do I find joy?” 1:18:35 Doctrine & Covenants 10: contention, worthiness, and false doctrine 1:20:30 Doctrine is not black and white but progressional in nature: begin repentance by coming unto Christ and feeling H...
Trena Anderson and the DFCU Foundation 3:10 Deseret First Credit Union started in 1955 by a Church employee to serve his fellow employees 4:30 Formation of the credit union’s charitable organization, the DFCU Foundation 6:00 The foundation takes referrals for missionaries to help 7:10 Story of refugee twins in Buffalo, New York, who joined the Church and eventually decided to serve missions (video clips of stories available on the website) 9:10 The foundation helps outfit missionaries as they prepare to serve, whereas the Church's general mission fund helps with the monthly stipend 10:50 Donors can also help specific missionaries 11:40 Upcoming annual golf tournament at Stonebridge Golf Course in Salt Lake City, July 30th 13:20 Go to dfcu.com/foundation/ for more information, to make a donation, or to register for the golf tournament Barry Rellaford Barry Rellaford is a globally sought-after leadership development expert with over 30 years of experience as a coach, facilitator and leader in multiple organizations. He teaches in the Business department at Brigham Young University, and previously worked with Stephen M. R. Covey in developing FranklinCovey's “Leading at the SPEED of TRUST” program. He has a Master’s degree in Labor and Human Resources from Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from BYU’s Marriott School of Management. Barry is the bishop of a young single adults ward in Provo, Utah. He and his wife, Lorilee, are the parents of six children. Highlights 00:30 Grew up in Paradise, California, which burned in the 2018 Camp Fire, California’s deadliest, most destructive wildfire 17:10 Joined the Church while in high school 18:20 Kept a journal of his thoughts and experiences from that time 19:30 Served a mission to France 20:25 Developed a career in the leadership development field, seeking to help individuals grow, and desired to be a teacher 23:00 Transitioned his desire to teach into being a leadership coach, and ended up with FranklinCovey 24:35 Currently serving at a Young Single Adult ward in Provo, Utah 25:15 His experience with the Camp Fire 26:15 Sought to help the residents of Paradise with a service project focused on travel trailers and RVs for temporary housing, along with other donations 28:30 Told his story on Facebook and the project took off 30:45 We are hard-wired for story 32:30 Housing quickly became a serious problem with the displaced residents from the fire 35:00 Our church leaders are telling a positive story of faith, despite the negative stories we see all around us in the world 41:40 The Church in northern California has been involved with many organizations in the disaster recovery efforts 42:30 If we are faithful and strive to be obedient, the promise is there 46:10 Taking the first trailers to California 48:30 Returning to Paradise this spring was more positive 51:20 Our purpose as people has been revealed, both in general and specifically for each of us 51:50 GPS: We have gifts, passions, and situations
The Strength of Ten: Talents, time, and treasure, energy and experience, a network and know-how
42:15 Overwhelmed when first called as a YSA bishop 57:00 In our leadership callings, we need to discern why the Lord has called us 57:30 Being purposefully engaged in the work
Figure out what your talents are Go meet your neighbors and minister to them Helping others see themselves as God sees them, and to see their future differently
59:25 Faith and vision: “Live out of imagination, not memory.”—Steven R. Covey 1:00:15 Faith is a principle of action: Elder Bednar’s teaching to "go, and then you’ll know" 1:01:20 His experience choosing to go to BYU and the eventual confirmation that he made the right choice 1:04:00 Sometimes we optimize too much, getting hung up on seeking the absolute best in everything instead of simply doing something good first (“Good enough, press on”)
Kari Roppe lives in the Twin Cities area, in a lake cabin destination area in Wisconsin. She grew up in Provo, Utah, moved to Minneapolis as a young adult, and became inactive in the Church for many years. She is an elementary school teacher, the single parent of three children, and was called unexpectedly as a stake Young Women president. Highlights 6:40 Kari's experience coming back to the Church after years of inactivity 10:30 Served in Primary, Relief Society, and as gospel doctrine teacher before being called to the ward Young Women presidency 11:30 YW camp testimony meeting with stake presidency attending 13:00 Stake Young Women president calling 14:00 Called even though she was a single, working parent of teenagers 15:15 Choosing her counselors—including her own sister Leadership principles
17:45 Surround yourself with people who know more than you
19:30 The Lord calls presidencies, not individuals 20:30 Formal meetings didn’t work for her, but they communicated well
22:25 Be willing to go offroading a bit
23:00 Using Dr. Seuss as a theme for young women
26:00 Make sure that you don’t check your sense of humor at the door
26:30 Twilight-themed skit at YW camp helped them be more approachable
28:35 Always have the needs of those you serve first and foremost
30:00 Her stake president gave them freedom but one directive to always provide three things for the youth:
Service 32:35 Fun 33:50 A spiritual experience
36:30 Mourning “my girls” after serving 38:40 We love those we serve and begin to feel the love the Lord has for his children
James Quigley is a retired CEO of Deloitte, the world’s largest professional services company. He currently serves as chairman of the board of directors at Hess Corporation, and on the board of directors for Wells Fargo, Merrimack Pharmaceutical, and Chatbooks. He also has a passion for leadership in education and is working to support the leadership development of school principals through Deloitte University. Jim served as a bishop while working as CEO of Deloitte. He and his wife Bonnie have three children and many grandchildren. Highlights 4:15 His father’s experience singing with the Tabernacle Choir 5:40 Growing up in a small town and learning leadership as a football quarterback 7:10 Schooling and how it led to leading an international company 9:35 Learned a great deal about leadership through his church callings and mentorship with church leaders 12:00 The principle of “the one”: Success is connecting to the individual 12:45 Make moments matter in both one-on-one interaction and group interactions that result in the listener having a one-on-one experience 14:00 Connecting with the person in front of him is always his priority 15:15 Everyone cannot come to you for direction every day. Establish the organization’s culture and both allow and expect others to direct themselves. 16:40 Tell those you lead what you expect of them in the culture of the organization, explaining the values using simple stories to explain the how and why 21:50 Helping people look at their commitment as more than a job, and teaching them the organizational culture 25:20 His experience being called to serve as a bishop while working as a CEO 26:25 Assemble a capable team, then do the things you cannot delegate and delegate the rest 27:40 He focused on what the ward wanted to accomplish, then set goals as a leadership team 28:50 The importance of knowing how to run an effective meeting as a bishop: “The Spirit leaves when the allotted time has expired” 29:45 Rely on the executive secretary to prepare the meeting agenda 31:40 His spouse is a relationship partner who was an important part of his team, and the bishop’s wife influences the tone of what happens in the ward 34:00 Advice for newly-called bishops: encourage self-reliance in individuals 34:50 A bishop’s job is to help make the Atonement real in the lives of the individual members of the ward. Everything else can be delegated. 36:45 Transitioning away from a major role: don’t get overly-invested in the title, but come to it with a sense of urgency and know that at some point you will be leaving it behind 37:50 Make sure people want to do the job they are being asked to do so that they can come in with enthusiasm and be a team player 39:20 What he is doing post-retirement: Deloitte’s Courageous Principals Program for leadership development of school principals 43:00 Look to Christ as the ultimate leader and personalize what he would do in individual interactions Links The Mormon Way of Doing Business, by Jeff Benedict
Tad R. Callister was recently released as Sunday School general president. He previously served in the Presidency of the Seventy, as a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy, an Area Seventy, president of the Canada Toronto East mission, regional representative, stake president, bishop, and as a full-time missionary in the Eastern Atlantic States Mission. Brother Callister holds an accounting degree from BYU, a Juris Doctorate degree from UCLA, and a master’s degree in tax law from NYU Law School. He is the grandson of apostle LeGrand Richards, the author of four books including The Infinite Atonement and most recently A Case for the Book of Mormon. He and his wife Kathryn Louise Saporiti are the parents of six children. Highlights 2:30 Moving on from being released as General Sunday School president 4:20 Which came first, the book or the talk? 5:15 How his law practice helped him crystallize thoughts when writing 5:50 His approach to personal study 6:10 Lesson to seek and ponder his own insight first before turning to doctrinal commentary 8:00 Studying first thing in the morning, and writing along with reading has helped him summarize his thoughts while studying the scriptures 8:50 Questioning and discussing with others is part of pondering 10:00 Reason can strengthen faith, and logic and the Spirit can go hand-in-hand 11:40 The audience for the book is first people who have testimonies that can be strengthened and who can help strengthen the testimonies of others, as well as those who may have questions, and finally critics 12:40 A partial truth, when presented as a whole truth, is an untruth 13:00 Less than 2% of the archeological finds in ancient America have been unearthed 16:00 An intellectual witness of scripture does not come from archeological findings, whether regarding the Bible or the Book of Mormon 16:40 His grandfather LeGrand Richards was a common-man leader, related to everyone, and simply loved people 19:15 Ward Sunday School presidents are not merely bell-ringers because they are in charge of the teacher councils, and they have the responsibility to help improve the teaching of every teacher in every organization, and to see that the individual and family curriculum is being implemented in every home 21:50 One purpose of the Come Follow Me curriculum is to take us from reading the scriptures to pondering the scriptures and discussing them. In the homes, it is the catalyst for discussion and learning the gospel together. 23:30 There has been a substantial increase in individual and family study, and class members from children to adults are better prepared for Sunday meetings 24:10 He and his counselors traveled internationally and were able to get a good idea of what was happening with teacher council meetings 25:10 Practising through role play at the end of teacher council meetings was one thing they observed and recognized as an effective implementation in those meetings 25:45 Another effective implementation is the change to Christ-centered Easter Sunday and Christmas services so that members can invite others to come worship with them 27:30 Surprised at his call as the General Sunday School president 28:20 They were given a lot of latitude but there was a clear expectation to improve teaching in the home and at church 30:20 Traveling and visiting as a Sunday School general auxiliary president was to teach in general how to teach more like the Savior, to help teachers make teacher counsels more effective, and to discuss in focus groups what was working or not working in areas around the world 31:40 In the presidency of a Quorum of Seventy, they were given responsibility for a specific area, and were to train area seventies, and serve on committees for a variety of topics 33:30 Hoping that his book can help strengthen the testimonies of readers 34:00 His leadership callings have helped him be more humble and recognize the value of other people’s ideas and the input of his co...
We are excited to team up with Cumorah Tours to organize an epic church history tour that will happen in September of 2019.
Listen to the attached interview to hear further details.
There are only 48 seats available on this tour bus and they are going fast so check out all the full itinerary and reserve your seat on the bus today!
SEE FULL TOUR DETAILS
Bruce and Marie Hafen are most recently the authors of the book "Faith is Not Blind", in which they "acknowledge complicated gospel issues, yet clearly and gently guide readers through the steps necessary to work through complexity, develop informed testimonies, and become filled with the faith that comes from knowing God." Bruce has served as president of Rick's College, dean of the J. Reuben Clark Law School and provost at Brigham Young University, president of the St. George Temple, and in the First Quorum of the Seventy. He is also the author of several books. Marie has served alongside and co-authored books with Bruce. She also taught religion, literature and writing at both BYU-Idaho and BYU in Provo, and served on the Young Women General Board and the Board of Directors for the Deseret News.
In this interview, the Hafens share experiences helping young people deal with uncertainty, doubt, and trial as they struggle to reconcile the simple faith of youth with the complex realities of adulthood. Learn how you can apply their experience to your own ministry and learn to develop the kind of relationship with young adults that allows you aid their progress between simplicity, through complexity, and on to simplicity coupled with understanding. The journey need not surprise or lead anyone away from the gospel. It can bring us all, like Adam and Eve, back to an understanding of and into a closer relationship and reconciliation with God. Highlights 0:26 - Bruce’s background: President of Rick’s College, Dean of BYU Law School, called as a general authority in 1996, President of the St George Temple 1:08 - Marie’s background: native of Bountiful, Utah; was a BYU student when she met Bruce; lots of experience with college-age students; interested in helping others reach out to that age group 2:15 - Our Religious Questions course - talking about gospel questions with friends and peers normalized these discussions 3:55 - Elder Hafen gave a devotional, “Dealing with Uncertainty”, at BYU in 1978 that is an early work on questions that may disconcert this demographic 5:24 - Did individuals ask the same questions then as they do now? 5:57 - Dealing with complexity and ambiguity - college students were very idealistic, and they found generalized discussion helped students deal with practical reality; how do adults deal with the gap between our idealized expectations and the reality of our daily lives? 8:49 - We should expect all adults to experience this; how can we help people not be shocked by the bigger, broader world and learn it is nothing to fear 9:25 - Some people are so idealistic that they remain shocked by these discoveries; another group switch over to embracing reality so single-mindedly they have no interest in idealistic visions and reject religion quickly 10:42 - Ideas contained in their book, "Faith is Not Blind" - How should we view complexity and simplicity? 12:12 - Untested simplicity is not to be desired 13:34 - It may not be just doubts or questions that create complexity, but could be health or many other life experiences 13:51 - Anecdote about a female inmate who came to understand her simple testimony in a different way because of her life’s experiences; complexity informed the simplicity - she came to understand that earlier testimony 15:52 - Anecdote about Holly who struggled with the topic of women and the priesthood, and left the Church 19:10 - It wasn’t a regression, but turning to simplicity offered peace 19:21 - Adam and Eve gained maturity through their fall and subsequent experiences 22:10 - How might leaders respond when members encounter complexity? 23:16 - A typical problem is when a struggling member goes to a leader who is wedded to a black and white perspective that they get the message the leader does not understand them 24:28 - Anecdote about Australian young women dealing with abuse - listen first 25:22 - Recurring theme is when a leader is dismissive or offers an overl...
Josh Packard, his wife Heidi, and his parents Cindy and Blair Packard join Kurt to discuss Josh’s faith transition away from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the lessons learned from the entire family about maintaining love in the family while respecting decisions.
Josh was raised in a traditional Latter-day Saint home, serving a mission, marrying Heidi in the temple, and attending medical school. While in medical school, Josh encountered areas that caused him to question his faith, ultimately leading years later with him deciding to resign his membership. Cindy and Blair, then serving as mission presidents when they learned about Josh’s decision to leave the faith, struggled (along with the rest of their family) with how to engage with Josh and Heidi regarding not just Josh’s faith status, but the impact to their family. Through learning from their mistakes, the Packard family came out even stronger by learning how to love unconditionally, engage in thoughtful and respectful discussions, and understand the other’s perspective in this difficult faith transition.
Transcript Kurt Francom (LS): Today, I have the opportunity through the powers of the internet to connect with two couples who know each other well. Blair and Cindy Packard in - I'll get this right this time - Gilbert Arizona. Is that right guys?
Blair: Actually it's wrong. Now we're in Mesa right now.
LS: Now you're in Mesa, okay.
Blair: From Gilbert. We're in my Mesa office.
LS: Very good. Nice. Then your son Josh and his wife Heidi, who are in Georgia. Am I right, Josh?
Josh: Right. Columbus, Georgia.
LS: Nice. Cool. Obviously, Josh was raised by this great couple, the Packards. We're going to talk about an important subject as far as the dynamic of families, especially when an individual member or members of family take a different faith journey, that many times may lead people outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I guess this started...It was interesting. I went to Mesa area and then had opportunity to visit with the Packards in Gilbert. But the night before I visited them, I had somebody that's in the audience of Leading Saints, and they said to me, "You know what we need is an interview that talks about the dynamics of when a son or daughter leaves the church and how that impacts the family." And I said, "Wow, that sounds like a great story, but I don't even know who I would talk to about that but I'll try and find somebody." Then the next day, I met Cindy and Blair, and they said, "That that's our situation. Let's talk about it."
So let's maybe put the story into context here. Cindy, you want to start maybe where this all began? The day you held little Josh in your arms...No, I'm just kidding. I mean, wherever you want to start.
Cindy: Well, I think speaking for all of us, we'd like to say we're very grateful for the opportunity to do this. After we kind of made our way through this journey, we thought it'd really be helpful if we could find a way to share this with people. So we're happy for the opportunity.
It's also a bear journey, where we want to share this personal journey - and it hasn't been easy. We hope that we can help other people who are going through this in some way. We did some things wrong; we did some things right. And as we share our journey, hopefully, other people will be able to learn something and maybe have a little less pain or a little more hope, where they're at. We don't want to preach to anybody, and we recognize that everybody's situation is unique and different. So this may not work for some people, but it may be something that's helpful.
When we talked about the best way to approach this because we have a lot of ideas to share, we thought maybe just going kind of incremental logical order would be a good way to do that. So you can take it however you want with that.
For me, a kind of a pivotal point was realizing that I was experiencing ...
We are excited to announce the Questioning Saints Virtual Summit. An online conference dedicated to helping Latter-day Saints validate and love those who begin to question their faith. We have some remarkable presenters including:
Anthony Sweat, BYU Professor Adam Miller, Professor at Collin College in McKinney, Texas, Author of Letters to a Young Mormon David Ostler, Former Mission president and author David Snell, Co-host of Saints Unscripted Elder & Sister Hafen, Authors of Faith is Not Blind Jana Riess, Author of The Next Mormons John Hilton, BYU Professor Kurt Francom, Executive Director of Leading Saints Michael Goodman, BYU Professor Packard Family (Blair, Cindy, Josh, Heidi) Ryan Gottfredson, Professor at California State University - Fullerton Spencer Fluhman, Executive Director of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship Yohan Delton, BYU-I Professor
REGISTER TODAY - Conference starts April 16
Born and raised in Utah, Becky Hennessy has been in the mental health field since 2003 and a therapist since 2007, licensed in Utah. Prior to launching her private practice, she worked for the Division of Child and Family Services in Child Protection and Family Preservation. She also worked in private practices and in foster care. For LDS Family Services she was a therapist member of a Child Trauma Team and ran a therapeutic group for adult women who were molested as children. She serves on the board of therapist advisers for Leading Saints. Married since 2004, Beckie and her husband have three children. Highlights 5:08 Life coaching compared to therapy. The former does not require licensing, is unregulated and does not make diagnoses. Coaches often have valuable certifications. Therapists are licensed, regulated, make diagnoses and help connect dots from past to present to future. Therapists often work with past experiences while coaches work with current struggles. 9:00 Some may find therapy too intense or stigmatized and prefer life coaching. Life coaching is a growing field involving various models. Some individuals find one model more useful than another. Lay leaders need to exercise caution in recommending one over the other. Some individuals sign up for ongoing coaching as they would for a gym membership. 15:00 Beckie’s practice involves some degree of live coaching, combined with a measure of seminar-style instruction. Therapy and life coaching are not competing approaches. A good life coach is willing to refer a client to counseling, where appropriate. 17:10 CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Training/Therapy) approach discussed. The thought precedes the feeling which precedes actions. Controlling thoughts helps manage feelings and behavior. 20:25 ACT (Acceptance Commitment Therapy/Training) model discussed. The feeling may happen—you didn’t choose it. Acknowledge feelings and their sometimes-overwhelming effect. Commit to how to respond based on your value system. Grab the wheel and steer, rather than allowing feelings to manage you. Be aware of what’s going on with the body (chest, stomach, head). 33:30 How might church leaders profit from these approaches? Exercise caution in advising, “Do such and such and you’ll feel differently,” or “Just wake up and tell yourself to feel differently.” People may visit you with a bucket of feelings and leave feeling unheard if feelings aren’t acknowledged. Don’t encourage “Fake it till you make it” or “poser” behaviors. Advising counselees to pray/read scriptures more may help them feel the Spirit without altering the deep feelings they experience. Christ is the Healer. 48:15 As leaders, learn to acknowledge your feelings about certain triggers. Don’t stifle your feelings. Remember, Christ experienced difficult emotions. Feelings don’t define us. Invest in self-awareness and self-care. Empathy (feelings) and compassion (actions) can include self-compassion. 55:40 As you become more adept using these principles in your life and home life you can help others more. A leader doesn’t have to be the expert—Christ is the expert. 57:25 Firehoses vs lawnmowers discussion. Follow Christ’s lead on empathy/compassion. Lazarus story. 1:02:20 Questions to ask: Where is it hurting the most? What is one thing I can do to help? What do you need? They may not assess their need accurately, but they need to feel heard. The “fix” may take time. Links
The Path of Imperfection Podcast with Beckie Hennessy B.R.I.C.K.S. Family Counseling beckiehennessy.com Facebook: Beckie Hennessy, LCSW Instagram: beckie.hennessy.lcsw Interview with Jody Moore Virtual Couch Podcast
"It is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best." —Dallin H. Oaks Brad Barber co-hosts The Next Step Podcast, which is based around the Church's Addiction Recovery Program and addiction in general. He grew up in the Church in southern California, served a mission, and attended Brigham Young University. Brad has seen many friends caught in addiction and became involved with ARP after hearing podcast co-host Jay's testimony of the program and wondering why there weren't ARP addiction meetings in his area. Highlights 6:45 How Brad got involved with ARP and started The Next Step Podcast 12:00 Setting up the ARP program is supposed to start with the stake 12:20 A facilitator who is an addict in recovery should be leading the meetings 12:50 Leaders who have not been through the process do not know what addicts have gone through and addicts can tell 13:30 A sponsor is a person who is in sobriety from addiction 14:55 At first, addicts categorize themselves against each other until they realize everyone's struggles are the same, but anyone who has experienced addiction can facilitate for others experiencing different types of addiction 15:45 Quote from the intro of the ARP manual (in LDS Tools) about what addiction is 17:00 Some statistics about addictions that go beyond alcohol, drugs, and pornography 18:10 "Atonement Realization Program" because the 12 Steps walk you through the Atonement to improve yourself 18:40 Elder Oaks' talk, "Good, Better, Best": Have people been lifted, encouraged, and changed? 20:15 A 12-Step meeting is different than counseling, but ARP is organized under LDS Family Services 20:35 Meetings usually start from the bottom up, where a family member starts a group after discovering the program exists 21:05 The 12 Steps were invented by the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1930's 21:40 Good: There are ARP meetings in the stake, and ward leaders are aware of them 22:15 Group leaders are generally not addicts in recovery, and need to be a person who has no judgment toward others 23:50 Brad's advice to group leaders: Don't show up dressed like a missionary or pretend to be something you are not 24:45 Better: Passionate group leaders who coordinate with other group leaders 25:25 Invite leaders to go to a meeting and challenge them to not be afraid of what other people might think 27:00 Some do's and don'ts about attending a meeting:
Introduce yourself by first name only Resist the urge to share your testimony
29:50 Better: Have meetings with a varying mix of people at stages of sobriety to help support the participants 30:25 It's the responsibility of group leaders to find those addicts in recovery and get them to come 30:55 Bishops have a responsibility to help identify those people and connect them to ARP 32:35 It's the purpose of sponsors to follow-up and that's how to maintain sobriety 33:30 Spouses also need to understand that sobriety isn't the end 34:20 Better: Have your bishops attend ARP meetings 35:25 Treat the ARP meetings the same as self-reliance meetings and attend a full 12-week course to really understand the power of these steps 36:30 In ARP, everyone shares their experience instead of listening to an "expert" 37:00 Story: everyone can benefit from learning the 12 Steps 37:50 Better: Persons who have done the 12 Steps are now supporting others 38:05 "What gets you sober won't keep you sober" 39:50 Best: You have facilitators who have broken anonymity 41:20 Leaders should talk to addicts in recovery and find those who are willing to break anonymity and share 42:00 Fear of breaking anonymity: what happens is the opposite of the fears of judgment 42:40 Best: Have group leaders who share and encourage others to attend 44:30 Best: Spouses and others attending the general ARP meetings 44:45 If you can only have one meeting, have a general ARP meeting 46:00 Spouses attending the meetings is powerful
Jessica Johnson works in leadership development with the RBL Group. She holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and previously worked in management and marketing consulting, and in television sports. Jessica spoke about councils as part of the Leading Saints Leadership Conference in November 2018. The video of this podcast is also part of the Motivating Saints Virtual Summit.
Highlights 8:30 We try to find the best people for the job, but our own biases can cause us to overlook latent leaders 10:10 Metrics for success are different in the Church 12:10 Think about the role and needs: Who are the stakeholders? Who are they serving? What are their needs? 15:15 Don't start with the people who can fill any calling, but start with the people who are less visible 16:15 Will trumps skill: look for the Amuleks along with the Almas 17:10 First seek the Spirit, but pray for discernment 18:15 Always be training new leaders 20:15 As we seek inspiration and get to know the members of the ward better, inspiration comes 20:25 Example of a bishop who had a weekly new-member meeting in his office that was a Sunday School class, including representatives of the bishopric and relevant auxiliary leadership 23:45 We often have unrecognized internal assumptions about people that we don't question: question those assumptions 25:40 There may be leaders in the ward that are not in formal leadership positions 27:10 Storytelling is how we build culture: Tell stories to spark genuine ministering 29:20 Facts and figures can be dismissed but we remember stories because we insert ourselves into them 30:45 How do we support new leaders? What does that look like? How do we train them? 31:35 Support them by doing assignments and tasks with them first 31:45 Follow-up by giving very specific positive feedback 32:35 Kurt: Sometimes we don't choose that less-than-ideal candidate for a calling because we don't know how to support them 33:45 Kurt: Hold those stewardship meetings 34:20 Not everyone knows exactly what they're supposed to do: example of newly-returned member with a Primary calling 36:00 Give them a few expectations up front so they can create habits and grow into more expectations 36:45 Knowledge about how to do things is often assumed in our culture and we all need a little help knowing how to do things 38:00 Consider assigning a mentor 39:00 "One of the most important things you can leave after you're released is people who have increased in capacity and confidence."—Elder Bednar 40:30 In a business, 20% of the time should be spent on developing people and not "administratia": flip this in a ward setting to 80% 42:20 "Feed forward" (not feedback): Look to the future and ask, "How do we make this better for the future?" then have a collaborative conversation. 44:35 SCARF model of dealing with feedback (David Rock) 45:45 You can learn a lot from those conversations that help with understanding and compassion 47:00 There will be "failure" and struggle but they will learn from it 47:40 Kurt: example of parade float and what was learned 49:00 Look outside your network to find these latent leaders: get to know people you don't know 49:30 If no one disagrees with you in a presidency meeting, that is actually a problem: conflict is healthy (not contention) 51:40 We want everyone involved: D&C 82 That every person may gain other talents Links SCARF Model
Jana Riess is a historian and editor in the publishing industry, primarily working in the areas of religion, history, popular culture, ethics, and biblical studies. From 1999 to 2008, she was the Religion Book Review Editor for Publishers Weekly, and continues to freelance reviews for Publishers Weekly as well as other publications. She holds degrees in religion from Wellesley College and Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in American religious history from Columbia University. She grew up with no religious affiliation and became a Protestant in high school. While going to college to become a pastor, she converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her book, "The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church", came about after starting a Kickstarter campaign to fund a survey to learn about Millennials in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Highlights
6:45 Millennials are leaving religion 7:30 Retention rate of 46%-62% and is trending downward 8:30 What is a Millennial? 10:00 What to say to those who say the Millennials will grow out of this phase? 12:30 What can the church do to retain these Millennials and solve the problem? 15:40 What part does conformity & obedience have in Millennials leaving the church? 16:40 The two main reasons Millennials leave the church 18:35 How do Millennials view the temple? 23:20 Millennials have a higher rate of ministering 25:00 Why church? 26:00 How church meetings could be better & different for Millennials 27:00 How do Millennials see church callings differently 28:30 Millennials & religious authority 32:55 Millennials & the word of wisdom 33:55 Millennials & temple recommends 37:15 Millennials & pornography 40:10 Millennials & the traditional family 44:00 Millennials and the Prophet and General Authorities 48:30 Millennials and American exceptionalism 50:10 What can Millennials bring to our church? 53:00 What's the biggest sticking point for Millennials going forward? 56:00 What can leaders do? 58:00 How has writing this book impacted Jana's discipleship of Jesus Christ?
Links The Next Mormons: How Millennials are Changing the LDS Church An LDS Leader’s Guide to Millennial Mormons Transcript Kurt Francom (LS): Today I have the opportunity to sit down with Jana Riess. Jana, you are the author of "The Next Mormons: How Millennials Are Changing the LDS Church". So tell us as far as your personal background and how this project and book came to be?
Jana: Sure. This project basically started in 2016. I was very interested in getting solid data on what's going on generationally with Latter-Day Saints and former Latter-Day Saints. And not just anecdotally "here's what I'm seeing in my social media feed." Anecdotally, it felt like more younger people were leaving the LDS faith and for possibly different reasons than older people had left, and I wanted to know if that was really valid, and if so, more about it - everything we could.
So along with the help of Benjamin Knoll, who's a political scientist, we crafted this survey, raised money on Kickstarter in order to fund the survey because it's very expensive to try to get valid information that's nationally representative about such a small minority population. Mormons are only about one and a half percent of the United States population. That's how it began.
LS: Nice. What's your professional background that led you here?
Jana: I'm a historian, actually. I'm not a social scientist. My PhD is in the history of religion in America. And I am able because of that to put some of these trends into historical context I think, but the social science aspect of this project has been really fascinating for me to try to learn the methodology. It's very important to have questions that are designed in a particular way - questions can influence how we answer the following question. I mean,
Rosie Card is the founder of Q.NOOR, a clothing company that creates temple, baptism, and blessing dresses, and the host of the Q.MORE podcast, discussing questions about culture and doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. A former model, BYU grad, and returned missionary, Rosie is also the author of Model Mormon, the story of her experience in the modeling industry and discovering that true happiness isn't found in looking beautiful, but in seeking to become more like the Savior. She recently returned to attending her local ward after years of experience in singles wards. Highlights
5:00 Experience as a model 5:50 The story behind her book, “Model Mormon” 6:30 How and why she started Q.NOOR, creating temple dresses that help women feel comfortable in the temple 9:35 What started the Q.MORE podcast: discussing questions openly in conversations 13:55 People usually just need to know that they aren’t the only one with questions 14:20 Leaders should encourage people to turn to God for answers 17:40 Getting away from making singles wards all about dating 18:15 The sense that single adults need to get married so that they can “join the rest”, when we all actually have the same purpose to become like Christ 20:25 The unintentional message that singles wards exist to push marriage 21:25 Being comfortable with singleness 22:40 The focus on relationship discussions in singles wards needs to be balanced out 23:40 If you want to have lessons on chastity or healthy sexuality, be straightforward about it all instead of tiptoeing around the subjects 26:10 YSA activities are great, but YSA are no longer “youth” 27:10 Sometimes we treat singles like children instead of the adults they are 28:35 Single members are growing and progressing in the same ways as married members, but through different experiences 29:45 Stop it with the date boxes 30:25 Dating committees: We should be encouraging men and women to have the maturity and confidence to date, not facilitate dating for them 33:20 Ward Council that built activities around their network and skills for YSA 34:55 Unintentional disrespect for YSAs: they don’t need adult supervision, they aren’t kids, and they are no less of contributing members in the Church 38:55 Consider: a 28-year-old single adult is as capable as a 28-year-old married adult 40:20 YSAs have more time than same-age married adults-with-children and could potentially contribute even more in a calling, not less 42:10 The myth that a YSA can’t have the same opportunities to contribute or serve in leadership callings in a family ward as they would in a singles ward 45:10 Discussion of what dissolving singles wards could do for everyone 47:25 Sacrament meeting coordinator calling 49:55 Decided the topics, speakers, and order of speakers as a member of the Ward Council 51:40 Local ward bishops could use this to take those tasks off their busy plate 52:25 How she worked with the bishop in the coordinator calling 53:50 Encouragement for YSA bishops: have open and honest discussions with the people in your ward about their experiences there 56:55 Observations of the Church and the gospel from the outside have helped her have more compassion for others who might feel disenfranchised Links Q.MORE podcast Q.MORE podcast with Kurt: Thus Saith the Lord Rosie's book, Model Mormon Q.NOOR.com LDS temple, baptism, and blessing dresses @RosemaryCard on Twitter Watch the Single Saints Conference, a deep dive into single adults in the Church
Kurt Francom, Executive Director of Leading Saints, flies solo for this episode as he talks about some invisible habits some leaders have that self-sabotage their leadership and diminish those around them.
Highlights
4:40 Invitation to become more reflective and ask yourself if you are possibly doing some of these things without realizing it
- Creating a culture of unquestioned obedience to what the leader directs (6:00)
This happens with the best intentions6:30 Common example: Primary President doesn't hear about changes in the Primary until it is announced in Sacrament Meeting because the Bishop is not giving them autonomy over their auxiliary9:00 From Dan Pink's book, "Drive", three things every individual looks for: autonomy, mastery (becoming proficient at what they do), purpose (my opinions matter; I'm making a difference)
What to do about it:
10:50 Bishops should turn callings over to the auxiliaries, and then the bishopric can facilitate and encourage auxiliary leaders13:20 Ask the Ward Council/counselors: How are decisions being made? Is this a problem?13:40 One-to-one monthly interviews with your auxiliary leaders and counselors
- A leader's lack of motivation to acquire accurate self-awareness by seeking-out alternative perspectives and general leadership training (16:15)
17:00 Self-awareness about your approachability as a leaderSubconsciously sabotaging difficult conversations18:15 Story of Seminary/Institute teacher who always had the answer to questions19:10 It's not about having the right answer, but about having the conversation
What to do about it:
20:00 Ask, "How approachable am I?" and create a safe circumstance for others to come to you20:40 Seek leadership training from every source possible 21:50 Elder Bednar's leadership skills came from decades of experience as a professor and author, not simply because he is an apostle 23:30 Pick up a book23:40 Seek out other resources such as conferences, websites, therapists, Leading Saints, etc.
- Providing no venue to experience real connection (27:30)
28:00 Kurt's experience at Wild at Heart Boot Camp: Men talking and connecting in ways that they don't normally experience in elders quorum30:35 "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" (Thoreau)31:55 Never let a quorum meeting become another Sunday School class; create more connection
What to do about it:
32:45 Create vulnerabilitySit in a circle33:35 Stimulate the group with questions34:40 Brene Brown's books about vulnerability and shame35:55 The leader needs to lead out with vulnerability37:20 Vulnerability leads to trust
- Church/family imbalance: An excessive emphasis on the importance of family responsibility that causes individuals/families to disengage with the Church (and vice versa) (38:10)
39:45 Quote from "The Divine Center," by Steven R. Covey41:25 Culture shifting to putting the family first and losing the balance with church service
What to do about it:
42:40 Talk about this dynamic as a bishopric and as a ward43:10 Infuse your ward, Relief Society, or quorum with more purpose/vision
- Creating unintentional shame (44:00)
44:40 Shame is the greatest counterfeit that the adversary uses instead of guilt45:45 Shame comes with the best intentions but creates a dynamic of unattainable perfectionism 46:30 Quote from Brené Brown, from her book "Dare to Lead"
What to do about it:
47:20 Shame comes when the focus is on the behavior48:00 Jane Clayson: Turn up the doctrine of grace
- Too many targets and no vision (48:40)
Every leader has a different inspired focus, so we end up trying to do it all52:50 Doing it all leads to overwhelm53:05 You have to give your people one target
What to do about it:
54:00 Have a clear objective and goal and unify around itCreate a vision statement and give people a purposeAsk the difficult questions: How can we make these into one target
- Excessive gestures of niceness,
Blair Packard is a physical therapist and Cindy is a midwife. They are from Utah but have lived in Arizona since 1976, first in Mesa and now in Gilbert. They have seven children and 25 grandchildren. Cindy learned some Portuguese after starting a nonprofit, Care for Life, based in Mozambique. This came in useful later when they served a short-term humanitarian mission to Mozambique, and then as mission president from 2006-2009. In this interview, Kurt and the Packards talk about how to address primary problems instead of secondary problems in welfare service programs, mentoring and guiding people toward comprehensive self-reliance instead of simply giving them short-term support. Summary 1:40 Church service in Mozambique
4:50 Their experience in a robbery/hostage situation involving President and Sister Nelson near the end of their mission
8:10 How Care for Life came to be
11:00 They couldn’t just do one thing. There were so many needs, and they boiled it down to a need for knowledge and teaching.
12:20 Welfare and self-reliance principles came from their service
Documentary: Poverty, Inc. When we think we are helping, we are more often creating dependence
14:45 Preventing the primary problem instead of trying to solve secondary problems, going into the “orphan prevention business”
16:50 At first they started an agriculture class, but eventually learned to mentor instead of simply teaching and walking away
17:45 Specialists work with the communities in different areas, setting goals, evaluating, and mentoring over time, much like a ward welfare council
20:50 Make it clear that they are only helping short-term and the community will need to support themselves after that
21:25 Took time to develop the Care for Life “family preservation program” based on the needs of the people, as determined by the community
Eight areas in the program: education, health, and hygiene, food security and nutrition, sanitation, income generation, home improvement, psychosocial well-being, community participation Over 15 years, they were able to reduce maternal mortality rates in the villages by 78% and infant mortality rates by 57%
22:50 How they did it wrong at first, training birth attendants but not teaching entire villages of families
24:25 The comprehensive problems need to be addressed, and it starts with families
26:20 Kurt: It’s easy to project our perspective on someone else, but the solution needs to come from the people
27:35 Sending toys to Africa: not understanding what the villagers really needed
29:20 How to not project your experience on others: talk with them and observe what they don’t know how to do
32:00 It’s not a matter of intelligence, but a lack of experience and opportunity
34:22 Empowering individuals to believe that they can do this themselves and change their own lives
37:55 They monitor villages for five years after the initial program and see how the people then take ownership and teach others
39:30 It’s not about money but about giving people rewards for doing the work themselves
40:20 Mentoring is ministering
41:15 The self-reliance program isn’t just giving someone a manual, but working with the people to learn the principles
42:30 You have to celebrate success when a goal is reached, giving positive feedback
43:35 Many of the people they have taught skills to have gained the capacity to serve and gone on to be Church leaders
44:40 Maslow hierarchy of needs: begin with the basic needs before they can engage in Church service
45:25 Goal: be temporal centers of strength preceding spiritual centers of strength
46:25 The Lord knows the needs of the people and will open doors for you to serve them
47:15 Cindy’s first experience in Mozambique
48:35 Just do it and the Lord will open the way, even if it seems scary or impossible
49:15 Elder Packer: Walk to the edge of the dark and then take a couple more steps
50:25 The Lord has a plan and it works out in spite of mistakes,
Jodi Taylor lives in Anchorage, Alaska with her husband and children, where they both work in real estate development. She is currently Coordinating Council Director of Public Affairs in the area. The coordinating council is responsible for building bridges in our communities, taking the ideas of ministering outside and into our neighborhoods to expand how the church works with community groups.
Highlights 7:20 Jodi explains what the church is like in Anchorage. 8:35 Role of stake public affairs to help the stake leaders—but not just within their own boundaries. The coordinating council is there to help the stake public affairs to meet their goals. The public affairs department are the opinion leaders for the area. 10:10 She presents some general principles on how we can be involved in our communities 11:10 Jodi presents a story of stake and community involvement as a family and their coordinating council. She encourages all to find ways to be involved—find a need and fill it. 13:50 How we can find common ground and how the coordinating council helped with the evolution of discussions and changes within the LGBT community and legislation. Importance of knowing key people who can get to know you and trust you. She describes relationships built and a summit that was held to bring experts together. 24:15 It is important to have a dialogue. There are ways to bring our beliefs in the Savior into the activities we are involved in. We all have the ability to make change by doing what matters to us and what matters to others. 25:50 Find an issue that matters to someone else 28:20 We must talk openly about our faith 30:20 Jodi shares story of her teenage daughter who got involved to cause change. We can help make change no matter our age. Utilize social media. 38:55 How you bring something up to others will determine if they will listen. We should acknowledge pain/hurt and concerns—they will listen. The time to be involved is NOW. 42:30 Jody addresses public affairs and politics 45:30 Everyone should get involved. God has designed a role for each of us to add light to our communities. We shouldn’t just pray for the Lord to provide opportunities but we should actively seek them out. 46:45 "It has expanded my understanding of my brothers and sisters and I appreciate the good that each person brings."
In this podcast, Kurt interviews two women with the unofficial leadership calling of Bishop’s Wife. Sister Jill Walker First he speaks with Jill Walker, the wife of Bishop Jason Walker of Phoenix, Arizona. Bishop Walker has been serving for about seven months. They have been married for 27 years, have three children, and have lived in Phoenix for seven years.
The Walker family Highlights 4:00 Introduction with Bishop Jason Walker 8:50 Called as bishop and then called again when ward boundaries were changed 9:45 Called shortly after a calling to the high council 10:45 Expectations she had, surprised and confused by new emotions such as feeling jealous of his time away 13:00 Journaled about her emotions but didn’t talk to anyone 13:50 The loneliness of not being able to talk about what he has been doing 14:20 Thoughts that she couldn’t burden him further with trivial family things when he had so many obvious burdens from his calling added to the sense of loneliness Principles of Leadership as the Bishop’s Wife
16:25 Journal 18:25 Find ways to help–helps with loneliness 20:00 Pray–for your husband and for comfort for yourself 21:20 Spend time together–go with him to anything that is appropriate, but also on intentional dates, to the store, any moment possible 23:25 Focus on the positive–look for the blessings and personal growth
24:55 Started sharing whatever spiritual moments they can, which has helped their partnership 26:30 She has learned to pay more attention to everyone and be more compassionate Sister Kasandra Merrill Next, Kurt speaks with Kasandra Merrill, wife of Bishop Scott Merrill of Mesa, Arizona. They both grew up in Mesa and have lived in the same ward since they were married. He has been serving as bishop for over four years. Kasandra comes from a large mixed family of 12 children, including step-siblings, and she and Scott have been married 24 years and have seven children.
The Merrill family Highlights 30:30 She saw his calling coming but he did not 31:10 The circumstances in their family when he was called: five teenagers who then married or went on missions since his call, plus his busy job and she was in school full time 33:00 The first year was the most difficult for them to understand each other and each other’s roles because they approach life differently 34:00 She could sense the pain of ward members through him, but felt totally alone and unable to share her burdens with anyone 35:10 She was handling and carrying some heavy difficulties with their children all alone 37:00 She felt that he had the mantle of the calling to support him, while she had nothing 37:45 Figured out together how to handle their loneliness together and to share their burdens 38:40 Realized she has angels watching over and strengthening her, too 39:00 They were both called in for his calling as bishop 40:00 They may not have it all together but they are together 41:15 Allowed herself to not parent alone, or to own her children’s mistakes as hers 42:10 Their children all seemed to have had a positive experience with their dad as the bishop, but he let them know that if they wanted to talk to someone else they could go to the stake president 44:00 Don’t dwell on the negative 44:50 Living in a “glass house” 46:00 Her husband has been very private as bishop; she could sense anger and heartbreak but he didn’t/couldn’t share 48:05 Keeping their struggles open instead of private 48:45 Son came home early from his mission and they were open about everything with the ward, eliminating possible shame 50:15 Daughter attempted suicide and they were open about that too, further dissolving shame and bringing the ward together to support each other through difficult struggles 52:10 The Savior taught love and compassion Links How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | Interviews with Jordan Brown and Amanda Fristrom How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | An Interview with Alanna Francom
Tony Overbay began his career in the high tech world but felt the call to become a therapist and help men. For the past 13-14 years, he has been a licensed marriage and family therapist with a practice in Roseville, California. While Tony grew up in Utah, he is an adult convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He has been married 28 years, is a father of four, an ultra-marathoner, host of the Virtual Couch Podcast, creator of The Path Back, and currently serves on the Leading Saints Professional Therapists Advisory Board.
Tony Overbay Highlights 12:45 Men in therapy - the stigma, stereotypes 14:40 Treatment of pornography addiction - behavior modification, identifying triggers “crimes of opportunity,” then thought, which leads to action/behavior. Tools to put distance between thoughts and action, initially, then work on thought, but have to deal with core issues to heal. 16:30 Core issues—feelings of inadequacy, not feeling connected to partner, job, or faith, poor health—have to be dealt with to heal from addiction. Go-to patterns of behavior learned in youth 17:45 Men have a harder time connecting, less likely to go to therapy, need to find ways to connect with a therapist first before talking about emotions before talking about the elephant in the room 20:45 "The bishop is not the therapist" mentality brings shame to the table because it doesn’t bring the connection. How can bishops help build connections? Bishops need authenticity and vulnerability to build connection, to avoid shame spiral by pushing to get to transgression immediately. Don’t rush it, show gratitude, build relationships, meet with love. A relationship is more important - can’t go and find another bishop, like a person can go find another therapist 26:20 Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear - Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf April 2017 - many bishops over-emphasize shame - sprinkling shame glitter - to make them know they did something "really bad." Have to give people hope and remove shame. 27:30 - Brother Tad Callister- guilt is the stop sign. Shame hangs around guilt and isn’t productive, is negative, and makes people feel horrible. Have to change the conversation because will lie when there are relapses 29:20 - Shame - leaders mix up shame and guilt. Shame is "you’re bad" and not "what you did is bad". Pornography addiction - first exposure - 8 to 11 yo - early exposure to pornography is early sexualization, which changes the wiring of the brain because the brain doesn’t know how to process information. Changes their perception of the world, have to understand with it to work with, and will remove the shame. 32:30 - Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf - minor things take a person further off course over time. What not to say to someone when talking to them because it makes the other person view it as shame and more broken and not empathetic because coming from a different point of view. 33:45 Dr. Patrick Carnes - sexual addiction counselor, sex addiction and pornography can be harder to overcome than drug or alcohol addiction because addictive obsession can cause mood alteration. Sex addicts carry their own source of supply in their brain. Prolonged use alters the brain. Why can’t I get it under control? Bishop asks why and doesn’t understand the why of a person wanting it. Unintended shame happens. 37:20 Double down on the empathy when people share. Jesus saw sin as wrong, but as needs not met. Look into lives of others to see their shortcomings, unmet needs, etc, that aren’t filled that we’re trying to fill. Need to focus on the deeper reason of why we sin and the need we’re trying to meet to become better. Have to help people find something to replace the void. Easier to add things to life than subtract from life. 40:00 - EFT - Emotionally Focused Therapy to connect with a spouse, which fills the void and turns toward a spouse. A person is greater than their sin or addiction. 41:00 How to create a situation where a person never faces sh...
Jane Clayson Johnson grew up playing the violin and attended BYU on a music scholarship, then changed her studies to journalism. After graduating, she worked for KSL News in Salt Lake City, then moved to Los Angeles where she was a correspondent for programs such as ABC World News Tonight and Good Morning America. She was later an anchor on The Early Show and a correspondent for CBS. Jane left her full-time job when she married her husband, Mark Johnson, to be a wife and mother. They have two children together and reside in Boston, where she also works as a fill-in host for NPR's On Point. She has written two books, I am a Mother and Silent Souls Weeping.
Jane Clayson Johnson Highlights 5:45 About her book, I am a Mother 6:20 Hosts On Point for NPR 6:50 Considers self a storyteller 7:25 Authoring new book, Silent Souls Weeping, on the subject of depression, especially as it relates to her own experience with clinical depression 9:25 Wondered “How can I be so depressed when I am so blessed?” 11:35 After receiving treatment and beginning to feel better, Jane began to speak with others and realize how many people suffer with depression. She began interviewing others, and the book was born. 12:30 All interviews are with faithful Latter-day Saints who have struggled with depression 13:00 Kurt recommends the book for church leaders who are battling with depression, especially since as a leader he did not have any framework to help people who are suffering—no advice to offer beyond “go see a professional”; the book helps him understand different perspectives. 14:25 Jane has learned that we need to reach out and help each other, because so many of us don’t speak about the suffering; feels the worst part of depression is the “profound isolation” 16:30 So often we suffer in silence—it’s where the title of the book comes from, Silent Souls Weeping 17:35 Depression is easy to hide at church 18:00 One bishop made a list of the mental illnesses he saw in his ward and concluded about about one quarter of his ward were affected, and that was just the issues that he knew about 19:35 Depression can block us from feeling the spirit, God’s love 20:10 "It was like the most important part of my soul had been carved out of me" 20:20 When you are depressed and active in a church that often equates happiness with righteousness, depression can be tormenting 22:15 One sister described a sense of desperation, seeking help anywhere, felt depression was a sign that she was somehow unworthy, hypocritical 23:30 Depression happens to us regardless of our circumstances, the loss of the spirit may be the most distressing part of depression and why we need to seek treatment 23:50 Kurt reminds us depression does not only affect those who “don’t understand” the gospel but can affect anyone 24:20 One theme of the book is how depression affects our ability to feel the spirit. Another theme is the stigma attached to depression. 25:25 Kurt tells the story of one sister suffering with depression wished to be in the place of a sister with cancer’s shoes because of the extreme stigma and embarrassment she felt related to suffering with depression 26:30 Jane explains the woman with cancer and woman with severe depression were both admitted to the hospital at the same time—they were sisters. The depressed sister felt like people would treat her and her family differently if she had cancer instead of something stigmatized like depression. 27:25 Depression is not the result of personal inadequacy 27:40 It is not a black mark on your character; when you are in the depths of a clinical depression you cannot pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you are not going to fix it with hard work and discipline 28:05 One woman shared her experience, and her father said why don’t you put that all in a box, and just ignore it -- that’s not particularly helpful 28:20 One BYU student had terrible symptoms of depression, prescribed medication,
Autumn was born and raised in Utah. She met Chris while they were in high school. They have three children, and she is very creative and crafty. Chris also grew up in Utah. When he was of mission age, he told his bishop that he wasn’t going to serve. At a baseball game that same day he very nonchalantly proposed marriage to Autumn. They had been best friends but hadn’t even gone on a single date. Highlights Chris’ Story 6:00 Introduction to pornography and masturbation
6:20 Differences in accessibility between then and now. 6:50 Shame caused him to keep it secret. He wanted to approach his bishop but didn’t know how. 7:30 Sexuality was not openly discussed in his family. 8:20 He began seeking out pornography 9:30 Decision made not to serve a mission
10:15 Avoidance tips and how to help your children: have an open relationship with your children, sons and daughters
10:45 Framing the question: “When was the last time…” as opposed to “If”. 11:15 Don’t let this be a taboo subject. Statistics show that 90% of children are exposed to pornography by age 9. 12:00 Talking about these subjects all along mitigates the shame of approaching parents when something happens. 12:20 When something happens, first express love. 12:45 Talking to the bishop is not a bad or shameful thing, but is a normal part of the healing process.
17:20 Thought getting married would make addictions go away. Most of his friends in recovery had the same belief. 19:00 Called as ward Young Men president. Addictions triggered, multiple affairs began. 21:20 First meeting with bishop after getting caught, getting released, and the disciplinary council. Wanted to keep from his wife. Confessed only to the one affair, kept all else secret. 23:30 Example of the “addict brain”: he prayed to be excommunicated so that upon rebaptism he could be forgiven of all the other things which he had not disclosed. 29:00 Disfellowshipped. Starts marriage counseling. 29:30 Autumn confronts him about additional affairs, is hospitalized for a suicide attempt. Bargains with God to stop all bad behavior if Autumn lives. She survives. Chris begins disclosing most of his secrets to Autumn. 35:00 Breaking those promises to God. 36:00 The wisdom of allowing time to pass between a traumatic event and holding a disciplinary council. A buffer of time allows for stability and opportunity for spiritual healing. 36:40 Chris’ disciplinary councils were some the most spiritual experiences he’s ever had, and allowed him to feel God’s love, with the love of those in the council. 37:35 Excommunicated. 48:30 Church-sponsored Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) meetings: bishops are encouraged to attend shortly after being called so that they can refer individuals with knowledge of the resource. 1:02:10 Autumn empowers him to finally disclose every detail during a therapy session. True healing begins. Autumn and Chris start their therapy from square one, the real starting point for their recovery. 1:08:00 After full disclosure, commits 100% to church and Autumn. Focuses on falling back in love with her, by
Checking in with her daily. Praying daily, asking for help to love her again. Studying his scriptures every night and finding personal application, which he then communicated with Autumn. 10 years sober, still maintains these habits.
1:12:00 Finally gives self to Christ. 1:13:15 Leaders are there to empathize, connect, and to love--not to fix. Leaders assist members in coming to a point where they are ready to give themselves to Christ. Until members embrace “the formula” for themselves (read, pray, go to church), that surrender to Christ will not fully take place. 1:14:25 Reconvening council: re-baptism, patriarchal blessing, and priesthood blessing restoration. 1:16:00 Finding normalcy again and “maintenance” therapy. 1:19:35 “Recovery”: still tempted all the time and has to choose between “acting out” and “reaching out”,
Kurt Francom, the host of the Leading Saints podcast, is an adjunct professor at LDS Business College in Salt Lake City, Utah. During the fall semester, he taught a class called Leadership for Life and this episode is the main part of a final project of the course. You will hear from President Bruce C. Kusch, president of LDS Business College, and several students who were in the class.
As this semester had gone by his class has gone thru many experiences in which they have been able to grow and change due to the way this style of learning. This new style of learning has been developed with the help of the college president, President Bruce Kusch, to create a new way of learning that they hope to bring to the whole curriculum of LDS Business College. Along with President Kusch and the students, they have been willing to share just how this changed them and made them into young leaders that can go forward in this world and be a light to follow. They have been willing to share some of the principles include:
Becoming Converted to and hard work How to become unified by leading with friends Finding the courage to lead by creating a personal vision
This Leadership for Life class has grown into a group of leaders that have demonstrated the necessary skills to become the young leaders that are so instrumental to create change in their own lives and the lives of others.
We invite you to listen to his student’s experiences as they have grown in his class and how their stories can help you to become a leader through the darkness.
You should also consider how you can stimulate an immersive learning environment in your ward and specifically in the lives of the leaders you work with. After listening to this episode we invite you to TAKE A SHORT SURVEY that will help the students get feedback about the quality of the podcast episode (their final project).
Links: Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practices (this is a book that teaches more about immersive learning styles)
LDS Business College Website
President Henry B. Eyring's Devotional Address
Take the feedback survey
Alanna Francom grew up outside of Blackfoot, Idaho, the oldest of seven children. She attended Brigham Young University–Idaho and then decided to become a massage therapist and went to school in Salt Lake City, Utah. She met her husband, Kurt, in a Young Single Adult ward in Salt Lake, and has served alongside him while he was a bishop and in a stake presidency. They have two children.
If you are a former/current bishop's wife, consider TAKING OUR SURVEY. Highlights 3:00 How Kurt and Alanna met 9:00 The need for content around being a bishop's wife 11:15 The bishop's wife is an unofficial calling 11:45 When Kurt was called as bishop 13:50 Alanna's perspective on their marriage during Kurt's time in leadership positions 16:40 Changes when Kurt was called to the stake presidency 17:10 Dealing with situational depression 20:40 Leadership principles: Advice for the bishop's wife
Share experiences: Grow in the experience together
It is helpful to know what he is doing and see the purpose of his service How to share and still maintain confidentiality (25:00)
Make it a family calling (26:15)
Rewarding to participate in visits together Ask yourself: What sort of bishop's wife do I want to be? Stake presidents: Invite the family to stand when the bishop is called (29:00) Look for simple family traditions to incorporate into your service
Finding connection (31:40)
Attended the wards Kurt visited as counselor in stake presidency Connected with ward members, stake presidency families, bishopric/stake presidency wives lunches Bishopric/presidency meetings as "guys night out" (35:40)
Possibility of feeling left out Go out of the way to seek that sort of connection for yourself
Bishops: Allow your wife to have spiritual opportunities at church (38:00)
Sometimes it's hard and that's okay (38:40)
"My wife has never complained" testimony (40:00) It's okay to give yourself permission to be sad, to want your husband there when he isn't Let yourself feel the feelings and be aware, and that will help dissipate it (42:45) Talk about what you're feeling and have real conversations with your husband
45:20 Sharing Leading Saints feedback with Kurt and meeting listeners 45:50 Sharing growth experiences through callings has strengthened her testimony Links Leading Others to be Better Than Happy | An Interview with Jody Moore Be Bold with Jody Moore How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | Interviews with Jill Walker and Kasandra Merrill How I Lead as the Bishop’s Wife | Interviews with Jordan Brown and Amanda Fristrom
What a beautiful time of year it is to focus on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The #LightTheWorld campaign online is one of my favorite parts of this season and we hope that everyone will feel the effects of this effort.
I am grateful for the opportunity we have had to team up with other Latter-day Saint podcasters and share of the sweet spirit of Christmas. In this episode you will hear from the following podcast hosts:
Shawn Rapier, Latter-day Lives Podcast Nick Galieti, Latter-day Saint MissionCast Zack Cordell, Latter-day Saint Nutritionist Richie Steadman, The Cultural Hall Brandt Malone & Jenny Dye, Mormon News Report Jay & Brad, The Next Step Podcast
Other Links:
Lighttheworld.org Share your December 23 plans
Dustin Peterson is a leadership trainer with Proof Leadership Group and works with organizations to help develop their culture. He is also the author of Reset: How to Get Paid and Love What You Do, and coaches individuals to help them get unstuck in their careers. He currently serves in a stake presidency in Houston, Texas, and has previously served on a high council and as an early morning seminary teacher. In this podcast, Dustin talks about why we often believe we don't have talents, and how to identify and put our talents to work to bless those we lead and serve. Highlights 8:00 Calling to the Stake Presidency 10:10 Talents: People believe they don’t have them and don’t know how to identify them; helping people identify their talents is a tremendous gift 11:35 Identifying talents first allows us to magnify them 12:20 Talents are superpowers. They are powerful skills that make you unique. 14:30 Men are that they might have joy (2 Nephi 2:25) 15:10 Parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30)
Every person has talents (verse 15) You can gain more talents (verse 15) Talents lead to joy (verse 21) When we are afraid, we tend to hide our talents (verse 25) Everyone that uses their talents gets more (verse 29) Those who bury them have them taken away (verse 29)
16:30 Elders Quorum discussion of talents vs. 6th-grade class discussion of talents 19:45 The Broken Paradigm: What’s the problem with identifying our talents? Our mindsets
Deficit perspective: we identify our weaknesses (22:30) Scarcity belief: a few people have talents and the rest are left behind (25:30) Humility complex: we overvalue humility when it comes to talent and talk ourselves out of our own talents
28:00 The secret is to be grateful. 29:00 How do we identify our talents?
Definition: Things you do naturally, consistently well. Think energy. Skills are transferable and can be taught; talents are innate, energizing, and can be developed; a sign of talent is that it is instinctual 33:50 Talents energize and makes us feel good; we can become highly skilled at a weakness 34:20 What moments in my calling do I feel energized in? 36:00 God knows our talents and if we use our talents to serve, we will get where we need to be 36:30 Diversify your perspective on talents; talents come in three varieties, but we only give respect to “doing” talents
Doing: arranging, organizing, developing, communicating, writing Thinking: connecting, influencing, positivity, relating, empathy Feeling: ideating, inputting information, learning, analyzing
41:30 What do you do when you don’t have a talent in a certain area? God expects us to develop all of these talents 42:15 Examples of talents that are easy to identify, and talents that are more difficult to notice
Easy: being a good athlete, gardening, singing, dancing, playing a musical instrument, drawing, painting, sculpting, cooking, baking, writing, public speaking, teaching, acting, composing songs, sewing, storytelling, repairing things, photography, bow hunting Less easy to notice: having empathy, being a peacemaker, being positive and energetic, communicating effectively, being a good listener, having self-control/discipline, being able to make decisions, setting goals, getting tasks accomplished, giving service, inputting or retaining information, mentally organizing information, analyzing and sorting data, being friendly and kind to others, putting others at ease, seeing the good in others, thrift, punctuality
45:00 Talent is the “How” (Simon Sinek’s concentric circles) and it remains the same through any “What” 46:40 Identify your best day in the past 6 months in your calling and take notes on it. What were you doing? Who was it with/to/for? Why was it so meaningful?
Talents release motivation and energy: your talents are buried in all of this information
48:50 Artistic abilities as talents can extend beyond a singl...
Mike Ramsey lives in Burley, Idaho, with his wife and four children (ages two to nine years). He is president of Nifty Marketing, an internet marketing company, an author and speaker, and currently serves in his stake young men presidency. He was raised in a single-parent home with a lesbian mother, and his experience coming to terms with his his mother’s sexuality has taught him tools that other leaders can use to better connect with and support the youth they lead.
Highlights 8:00 Mike's mother’s struggles with the Church, dating his father, and acknowledging her same-gender attraction
11:30 How Mike finally connected with his father
14:30 His experience as a youth, learning about and dealing with his mother’s same-sex attraction
18:00 His mother’s struggles with religion and living in a spiritual but inactive home
21:00 Why he moved to his grandparents’ home, struggling with shame, and not knowing how to handle his mother’s sexuality
23:10 How he started going to church with his grandparents and friends
25:25 Wanting to belong: it’s hard to be different and no one was willing to talk about Mike’s experience growing up with a gay parent. Leaders need to be willing to talk with youth about what they are experiencing, and just listening. It’s not about the answer, but about the conversation.
29:15 Most youth want to learn how to live their lives and need leaders to open the door for conversation by sharing their own genuine life experiences. Youth need to hear the vulnerable experiences about how adults struggled as they were growing up. Shame is eliminated when we talk openly about our own lives.
34:45 The cultural experience in the Church where no one is willing to talk about mistakes or transgressions they have experienced, and how that creates shame. This is changing as the Church is embracing transparency, but the transparency of sharing difficult life experiences hasn’t yet been embraced by everyone.
38:05 Example of Alma the Younger and how approaching the Atonement that way facilitates trust between leaders and youth
39:10 Trusting the bishop: Kurt’s experience as a bishop with a young man who only went to see him because his mom told him to
40:30 Building trust as a bishop
42:00 How youth leaders can help youth who are afraid to open up to their bishop
43:40 Mike’s mission experience and creating connections of trust with his mission president, who was open and willing to love his missionaries. Experiencing sanctification through the Holy Ghost when he was finally able to connect to a leader who was willing to be vulnerable and accepting.
50:50 Finally coming to terms with his shame and struggles about his mom’s sexuality, her difficult choices, and finally accepting who she is
55:45 We are all broken in big and little ways, and fall short of the perfection of God. Asking questions, listening, and seeing people through the Savior’s eyes can help us be accepting of each other.
Interview transcript available below.
Julie Bangerter Beck served as Relief Society General President from 2007-2012. She was born in Salt Lake City, Utah with nine siblings in Granger and Alpine, Utah, and in Sao Paulo, Brazil where her father served as mission president. She is a graduate of Dixie College (now Dixie State University) and Brigham Young University. Before her service as Relief Society General President, she served on the Young Women general board, as First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, and with her husband, Ramon, at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. Sister Beck is currently vice-chair of the Board of Trustees of Dixie State University. She also serves on the executive committee of the BYU Alumni Association. Her new book Joy in the Covenant shares deep-seated feelings and beliefs and draws heavily from her own experiences, the lives of her parents, and the lessons she learned from them. Highlights 5:40 Sister Beck's father and his service in the church 7:00 Sister Beck's parents' leadership examples 7:30 Advice from her parents as she served in leadership callings 8:30 Lessons from her father 9:10 The Lord builds his church through building people 9:40 Experience working with a general Young Women board member 13:20 Delegating in callings 15:00 Delegating as General Relief Society President 16:50 Her role as General Relief Society President- Agent of the Prophet 20:15 Relief Society President is an agent to the bishop and serves under his keys 22:35 Relief Society President's keys when set apart/Daughter's experience as Relief Society President 25:30 How to navigate the relationship between a Relief Society President and the Bishop 29:10 How to measure success in leadership/ Preach My Gospel pages 10-11 32:00 Sister Beck's experience being called as General Relief Society President with President Hinckley 34:00 President Hinckley's counsel and emphasis that presidents choose their own counselors 37:30 Counselors help the president be the best they can be 40:45 Best practices for a sister that sits on a ward council 44:00 What was her first day like as General Relief Society President 51:00 How being a General Relief Society President has made her a better follower of Jesus Christ Links Joy in the Covenant Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Anthony Sweat is an assistant professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU, teaching approximately 1000 students each semester. Previously he taught seminary and institute for 13 years. With an early interest in art he obtained a BFA from the University of Utah before pursuing religious education, earning an M.Ed and Ph.D in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. His sustained interest and skill in art provides him an avenue of expression that he often blends into his teaching of religion, especially by painting church history scenes previously undepicted. He has authored books including a recent one regarding the temple endowment. His outside interests include basketball and triathlon. Dr. Sweat and his wife Cindy are the parents of seven children.
Highlights 07:20 Discussion of what constitutes official Church doctrine? Doctrine of Christ; other doctrines. 10:23 Culture or doctrine? 13:00 Where do we find doctrine? Church handbooks, standard works, official correlated Church publications; Family Proclamation. Multiple witness concept versus “outliers.” Unanimous (by the Brethren) declarations. Cohesive, cumulative statements from Church leaders acting as the Lord’s agents. Reference to D&C 107:27. 19:00 Types of doctrines. 2011 official Church statement during the campaign season involving presidential candidate Mitt Romney. What about a single statement by a single leader on a single occasion—binding? Avoid pitting one general authority against another. Are some doctrines more important than others? Are core doctrines unchangeable? What are “supportive doctrines” according to the model (four rings) developed by Dr. Sweat and his colleagues? Can faithful members have differing views on supportive doctrines? Progressing in the next life? Discussion of policies or doctrines that are authoritative, timely and unique to a given time period. Are they “mere policies?” Can they be clarified/amplified? 30:13 Don’t try to get ahead of or undercut prophets/revelators. Scriptures authenticate that God honors His prophets. Example of tribes of Israel that were required to wait to receive the priesthood. Orthodox today but heterodox tomorrow. Brigham Young said Section 76 was a “great trial” to him, but he did not reject it and later understood. 33:42 Fourth ring: “Esoteric doctrine” is obscured or ambiguous. Role of Mother in Heaven? Is Jesus married? Is there kingdom progression in the next life? What’s on sealed portion of Book of Mormon? 34:33 Section 128:9 relates to receiving revelation and is “bold doctrine.” Prophets who hold sealing keys, acting truly and faithfully as the Lord’s agents, have the authority to record on earth and bind in heaven. The role of “agents.” 39:51 Dealing with ambiguity in a church classroom setting. Clarity can come through the “wrestle.” Inviting discussion without straying from doctrine. Teaching what is declared and known without shutting off sincere comments about things that are not. “Managing opinions.” Listening without agreeing. 49:30 Leaders need to be dialed into core doctrines and official policies. 50:25 There are clearly things that have not yet been revealed. Embrace ambiguity. Just as artists don’t always reveal precisely what they had in mind in their work of art, God seems to want us to grow by wrestling with some things where only hints are provided. He wants “seekers” who ask and knock. 53:35 Gratitude for Joseph’s role as a called, inspired, and revelatory prophet who nonetheless had mortal weaknesses. Each of us, though weak, can be instruments in the Lord’s hands.
Links anthonysweat.com Instagram: brotheranthonysweat The Holy Invitation: Understanding Your Sacred Temple Endowment Doctrine: Models to Evaluate Types and Sources of Latter-day Saint Teachings Approaching Mormon Doctrine
What is Leading Saints? You can read more about Leading Saints on our ABOUT PAGE, but in short, Leading Saints is a non-profit (501c3) organization that is striving to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. We aim to accomplish this mission by creating content (podcasts, written articles, virtual/live conferences, etc.) Leading Saints is not a training organization. We hope the resources at Leading Saints will supplement your leadership development and help you bless the lives of other Latter-day Saint who you lead. What Topics Are Discussed on Leading Saints? You will find a variety of topics discussed through our podcast, online articles, and webinars. The best place to start is to use the website search function or to explore content related to the following callings:
Bishopric Stake Leadership Relief Society Elders Quorum Primary Youth Leadership Ward Mission Teaching
Leading Saints Podcast We post new podcast episodes 1-2 times a week in which Kurt Francom interviews an author, trainer, or leader (typically with a Latter-day Saint background). Our episodes are easy to listen to on the go — about 30-60 minutes — and are available on most major podcast providers: Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, or any other player of your choice. Be sure to subscribe through your favorite podcasting app so that you don't miss any future episodes. We have over 250 episodes so we recommend starting with the most listened to episodes and going from there. Webinars Each week Leading Saints conducts additional interviews via Facebook Live where we dig into a specific training or topic that will further benefit the lay leadership audience. You can watch the latest interview on our homepage. To access the full library of past webinars you can become a Core Leader. See details below. Leadership Summits We are striving to create in-depth online conferences that focus on specific leadership topics. Explore the summits below...
Products Visit the Leading Saints Store to see the awesome products available for purchase. All proceeds go towards the support of Leading Saints. Never Miss Leading Saints Content To make sure you never miss the valuable content created on Leading Saints be sure to do the following:
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Join the Leading Saints Community Become a Core Leader We want to reward our monthly/yearly donors with additional content because without their contributions we would not be able to continue creating valuable content. Everyone that contributes through an automatic donation will be apart of the Core Leader community which has access to our webinar library and additional podcast content. To become a Core Leader DONATE NOW. Join the Slack Community If you would like to be a part of the Leading Saints Slack Community CLICK HERE. Join the Helpers Group We have a Facebook group for individuals that want to help Leading Saints succeed through minor efforts (reviewing future content and products, or proofreading content). We also discuss questions related to leadership callings (How do you improve ward council? How do you manage your records? etc.) JOIN THE FACEBOOK GROUP NOW.
Jason Mount is a medical doctor practicing emergency medicine in Georgia, originally from California. He is near the end of his third year serving as a bishop, after previously serving as a counselor in the bishopric. Highlights 5:20 Calling as bishop 8:20 Making calls as the bishop: sometimes the Lord leaves the decision to him 10:50 Demographics of his ward 12:35 Principles of servant leadership he has applied as a bishop
13:50 Learned the principle of servant leadership that "whatever works for them, works for me" 15:50 Habits of being a servant leader as a bishop: makes a greater effort to be more accommodating with his schedule 16:50 Refers to his office as "The Bishop's Office" 18:00 Personal prayer before leaving home to serve as bishop: "What would you say? And I will say it"
19:30 General advice is not always the best advice: taking it case-by-case 21:30 Drawing boundaries and delegating: doesn't give out his cell number, food orders through Relief Society President, interviews 24:30 The Lord can use different types of leaders to do the same calling 27:25 Experience as a ward mission leader, learning to report back on his calling 32:30 The insight as a leader to see others as the Lord sees us is humbling and gives hope
You need to seriously look at your calendar on November 27, 2018.
We are having an event calling Ministering Saints Global Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
If you can be there in person we strongly encourage you to do so. (Seats are very limited)
If you will not be in the Salt Lake City area on November 27, that's okay. We are going to live stream the event online for the world to see (but you still need to register).
The conference is completely free and will change your leadership forever!
To find out all the details and to register visit THE EVENT PAGE.
Rebecca Petho currently serves as a Relief Society President in her Philadelphia, PA ward. She has spent her career working with non-profit organizations as a fundraising expert and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Leading Saints.
Sister Petho grew up in the Gettysburg, PA area in a home where hard work and the expectations to contribute and play a role in the home were emphasized. Those lessons have helped shape the type of leader she has been in her church service in Young Single Adult wards and traditional family wards from West Virginia to Salt Lake City to Philadelphia, where she now lives with her husband. In this episode, she talks about the lessons she learned while immersed in the Young Single Adult culture, the importance of being authentic when serving in leadership roles, and helping others to be authentic themselves. Highlights (11:45) How can individuals avoid getting trapped in culture and traditions?
Try to avoid focusing on perceived external perceptions of ourselves
(16:30) How has her identity as a Latter-Day Saint woman been shaped by her YSA experiences?
Truly embrace the opportunities that are right in front of you Controlling what you can control and embracing it Faith that our lives will come together in a way we can’t even imagine Recommended reading: “Where There is No Vision” – Elder L. Tom Perry BYU Devotional address Identify the things that bring us true joy and finding ways to be involved in those things
What did you learn from the YSA culture?
So many who are willing to serve and support YSAs, but it becomes an extension of the YM/YW program Provide opportunities for YSAs in the ward to be the true leaders in the ward Help them feel more needed and empower them to be leaders in the ward
(29:15) What lessons were learned serving as Relief Society President in YSA wards that have helped her serve in the same calling in a family ward?
Examine our self-talk, fears, and past experiences in order to fully embrace the current opportunity to serve Every individual and every ward is different and we must keep an open mind in how we approach our current calling
(38:10) What does it look like to be patient with others and allow them to be who they are in our leadership callings?
Being authentic with people and knowing who we are ourselves Being willing to allow others to be authentic themselves
(41:30) How does she approach leadership while adapting to the needs of the ward
A groundwork of order and consistency After those principles are established, allowing for individuality and authenticity Approaching authenticity with humility
(51:30) Where do we put our energy? (54:45) Sister Petho gives Kurt an assignment: How can the stewardship of the Relief Society President, Elders Quorum President, and Bishop work together more effectively? Links "Where There is No Vision", by Elder L. Tom Perry: text | video
Ryan Gottfredson is an assistant professor of Organizational Behavior at Cal State Fullerton where he researches and teaches leadership, and is a leadership consultant. He first became interested in organizational behavior during high school in a sports psychology class, and now holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Human Resources from Indiana University and a BA from Brigham Young University. He has worked for Gallup and written multiple articles for Leading Saints, including a series of articles on community. Highlights 8:10 Where the community articles started 9:50 Many people attend church but they don’t feel they fit, or don't attend
“What community is and why is it important?” How do we create a community in the church so everyone feels welcome?
14:00 There are three community types: basic, involved and united. It is a continuum.
14:45 Basic community: little attachment, little involvement, much like an alumni group, few demands and little connection 15:45 Involved community: share more, some emotional connection but still disconnected but not fully accepted, much like a large workplace 17:30 United community: Share interests, goals and beliefs. Strong identification with group much like a family: when they hurt, we hurt. Provides acceptance, love and protection. This is what it should be within the church.
20:20 A united community is ingrained deep in the LDS culture and doctrinally founded, but with some negative side effects
Low cognitive diversity. Can't think outside a box, inability to allow different perspectives. This is not doctrinal thought, but community thought. 25:30 Lack of inclusivity. Difficult to allow others in, many feel judged, hard to accept others. Often is unintentional judging over what is/is not socially acceptable (tattoos, piercing). 29:00 Lower psychological safety: When something is different, or comments in class get questioned, others are less likely to share. People feel uncomfortable expressing their opinions. 33:40 "Sometimes we have a stronger desire to be right, than we do to love others."
36:20 How do we improve the united community in the Church? We must be "intentional". 37:20 Six elements of an intentional community
Charity Safety Openness Inclusiveness Being present Having a clear purpose and common cause
38:30 Charity: we must see everyone as people, and value them as such.
41:00 Safety: do our members feel safe and able to to comment in class?
43:25 Openness: we have a social pressure to certainty. If value is on knowing, we are limiting learning. We don't know all and we can learn from others
45:50 Inclusiveness: everyone should feel welcome. Don't let little things get in the way of loving them. Care less about how they look and more about how they feel.
47:40 Be Present: we are as involved as we can be, regardless, while we are there in attendance we should be present. Make our meetings matter, provide a value. Intentionally create meetings worth coming to.
50:45 Having Purpose: is everyone heading in the same direction?
53:00 Cliques are not necessarily bad. Smaller groups may allow more connections with others. Perhaps smaller groups can strengthen the whole community.
56:40 Most important to understand what community is and why it is important. Be mindful. Links https://www.ryangottfredson.com/ Articles about community in the Church:
The Foundation of Belonging Flaws We Need to Recognize and Overcome Becoming an Intentional Community Moving Forward in a Changing Social Landscape
The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict, by The Arbinger Institute Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box, by The Arbinger Institute
Scott Braithwaite has a PhD in Clinical Psychology and specializes in marriage counseling. He is an associate professor at Brigham Young University and a popular presenter at BYU Education Week, where he most recently taught about supporting loved ones through a faith crisis. He is currently serving as bishop of his ward.
Highlights 10:10 The difference between sadness and depression 13:40 Leaders should ask for recommendations for good qualified counselors 14:15 You choose who to marry. God gives you agency. 17:40 Scott shares his experience going through a faith crisis 22:40 James Fowler’s Stages of Faith can be helpful in understanding what someone may be going through. Stage three faith identifies as a group, has rules, and is concrete. Most fall under this level of faith. Things also appear black and white. 29:00 During a faith crisis the bottom falls out, they can leave the faith and find community elsewhere. 30:35 Going through the stages of faith are not linear 33:00 Perfectionism shows up in our minds as rules, as all or nothing. 33:40 Doctrinal Latter-day Saints vs. Cultural Latter-day Saints 34:50 Sometimes struggling with faith comes from cultural issues 36:50 The idea of organic evolution showcases the different thought processes of doctrinal vs. cultural Latter-day Saints 38:10 You can’t go back to stage 3 40:30 Stage 5 is accepting the complexity of faith 40:50 Faith allows room for doubt 42:00 All faith allows room for wrestling 43:00 Stage 6 examples, such as Mother Teresa. Most people fall between stages 3, 4, and 5. 46:40 We can act as a midwife and help while people are in a faith crisis 48:30 Help others going through a faith crisis by listening to them. Listen more than talk. 50:50 Elder Ballard: Leaders ought to know and be able to address the difficult questions 56:00 There is a progression from stage 3 to stage 4 57:00 We should be able to talk about doubt at church 59:45 Help create a culture of faith 1:02:00 Elder Hafen's stages of faith Links
"Like a Broken Vessel", by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Mormon Enigma: Emma Hale Smith, by Linda King Newell Stages of Faith, by James Fowler Planted, by Patrick Mason On Dealing with Uncertainty, by Bruce C. Hafen Scott Braithwaite BYU Bio
Doug Nielsen is a psychotherapist, executive coach, and motivational speaker who decided from an early age to become a psychotherapist and speak to and teach others. In his practice, he works mostly with individuals battling depression, anxiety, addictions, and marital problems. In his coaching and speaking work, he works with small business owners all the way up to very high-earning professionals. He works with individuals as well as speaking to groups of 1000 or more individuals. He is also a published author of a book called “Take Life By the Helm” and has another one in the process of being written. He has served in multiple bishoprics and is currently on a high council.
In this podcast episode, we discuss the book Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. The target audience of this book is mostly men, although women will benefit greatly by understanding better where a Christian man is coming from.
Doug will be hosting a retreat in Liberty, Utah, November 8th-10th, 2018. For details on this retreat, please visit https://www.awarriorheart.com/
Highlights 17:30 – Introduction of some principles from the book “Wild at Heart”. A typical male heart naturally seeks:
A battle to fight An adventure to live A beauty to rescue
18:30 – Discussing the principle of the male heart’s desire for a battle to fight and some discussion on helping self and an elders quorum to recalibrate after an encounter with a numb heart. 37:45 – Three questions to ask God and ways to incorporate these principles and promote vulnerability and realness into your elders quorum.
How do you see me, Father? Do you like me? What are you up to in my life? What are you trying to teach me, Father? How can I glorify you? How can I bring praise to you?
39:50 – Discussing the principle of the male heart’s desire for an adventure to live. 41:20 – Discussing the principle of the male heart’s desire for a beauty to rescue. Some ways to approach talking to the women in our lives and helping them and engaging with them in meaningful ways. Discussion of slaying the natural man dragon within ourselves. How to define our mission in our relationships. 48:00 – Discussion on applying these principles in a ward or quorum. 50:00 – Discussion of the retreat and information on how to participate in this or a future retreat. Links
DougSpeaks.com Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret to a Man's Soul Take Life by the Helm! Proven Strategies for Gaining Control A Warrior Heart Retreat - Sign Up
Tithing settlement is, no doubt, a busy time of year for not only the bishop but for the bishopric. Thousands of wards and branches around the world will all make it happen starting October 15 and so it would be helpful to share notes and find the best approach to tithing settlement.
In this episode, bishops or bishopric members share how their ward approaches tithing settlement. They each share some great ideas that can improve you efficiency to tithing settlement this year.
We will build on this episode and add additional tithing settlement ideas. If you would like to share your approach in order to help other wards better execute tithing settlement, please contact us and we will give you further details.
One new option was shared by listener and application/web developer Jason Graves, who made some updates to the tear-off sheet and published it for use via Google Sheets. It's easy to adjust. You just have to save your own copy in your own Google account, then enter the start date/time and the end date/time and select how long you want each appointment to last. Then it will build out the form for you. See the link below. Links:
How I Lead: Brandon Leavitt How I Lead: Mark Sieverkropp How I Lead: Nathan Waldron How I Lead: Marco Ferrini How I Lead: Aaron Chesley Tithing Settlement Tear-Off Schedule Adjustable Version of Tithing Settlement Tear-Off Schedule Tithing Settlement in 2 Days
Quotes about Tithing A Prerequisite to Higher Ordinances Tithing is one of the many standards that allows us to rreceive saving ordinances.
Brigham Young wrote in an epistle of the Quorum of the Twelve: “Enter steadily and regularly upon a strict observance of the law of tithing … then come up to the House of the Lord, and be taught in his ways, and walk in his paths.” (History of the Church, 7:282.)
Elder Taylor then taught: “It is our duty to pay our tithing, one-tenth of all we possess, and then one-tenth of our increase, and a man who has not paid his tithing is unfit to be baptized for his dead. … It is our duty to pay our tithing. If a man has not faith enough to attend to these little things, he has not faith enough to save himself and his friends.” (History of the Church, 7:292–93; italics added.) The Lord's Revenue System Tithing is the Lord’s revenue system, and He requires it of the people, not because He is lacking in gold or silver, but because [we] need to pay it. …
"The prime … purpose behind the establishment of the law of the tithe is the development of the soul of the tithe-payer, rather than the providing of revenue. The latter is an all-important purpose, for so far as money is needed for the carrying on of the work of the Church the Lord requires money that is sanctified by the faith of the giver; but blessings beyond estimate … are assured unto him who strictly conforms to the law of the tithe because the Lord hath so commanded.” (James E. Talmage, The Articles of Faith, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1924, pp. 528–29) A Test of Faith “I think when people say they haven’t money enough to pay tithing, they should say they haven’t faith enough to pay tithing. It is my conviction that we pay tithing with faith and not with money, because when a man has so much money that he has a large tithing, he can’t pay tithing. He has too much money and too little faith to pay tithing, and just feels he can’t afford it.” (Improvement Era, June 1953, pp. 435–36.) George Q Cannon How Much Tithing to Pay? The law of tithing was given to the whole Church. The First Presidency has written what the law of tithing is for us today: “The simplest statement we know of is the statement of the Lord himself, namely, that the members of the Church should pay ‘one tenth of all their interest annually,’ which is understood to mean income. No one is justified in making any other statement than this.” (First Presidency letter, 19 March 1970.)
Aaron Chesley lives in Boise, Idaho, and says he wouldn’t be the same person without Leading Saints. He currently serves as a bishop, but has racked up most of his church leadership experience while serving as a young men president, serving twice for a total of four years. He’s also been a scoutmaster three times and has served in his stake young men presidency. He has military experience in the Army reserves, served as a missionary, and has been married for 21 years. Highlights How Can Bishops Help Young Men and Young Women Prepare for Military Service?
Aaron served in the military and suggests that bishops teach young men and women to go in to the military with “eyes wide open”. Bishops should help youth be aware that they can make a choice to fold in to military culture and give up your standards, or they can choose to stand out. The military is a difficult environment for keeping gospel standards, but it’s fantastic for learning and leadership. Ensure that youth understand that temptations will abound. Expect to, like Aaron, be the designated walker or driver, and be ready to accept the challenge of keeping standards.
Including Bishop’s Wife Appropriately in Service Based on his experience as a bishop, Aaron recommends that a bishop use their wife as a third counselor. He says his wife’s insights are valuable and different than his. Kurt and Aaron agree that bishops can appropriately include wives in the blessings the bishop is seeing through his service by communicating with her about non-confidential experiences. Advice for Young Men Leaders
The first time he was called to serve as young men president, Aaron was a young leader. He felt out of place and that he didn’t know what he was doing. He asked many questions, but felt overwhelmed because he had so little training. After a ward split, Aaron was called again to serve as young men president. By the time he served again, he had much more experience serving in the young men and scouting organizations. He felt he was more ready and had ideas about organizing the young men president.
Five Leadership Principles for Young Men Presidents (16:00) 1. One half of one percent Aaron believes the spirit is the most important factor in Priesthood third hour. After a particularly discouraging lesson where he ended class early and sent young men to their parents, he had to decide whether he’d quit or try to stick it out as a young men’s leader. After some calculating, he learned that he’d spent just one half of one percent of a young man’s time in the third hour of church. What could he share with these young men that would be meaningful to them? He determined the spirit was the most important thing to invite into every classroom and implemented that the following week. During this segment Aaron explains how he sought to make third hour a spiritual experience. (22:00) 2. Train leaders Aaron mentions how he didn’t know what other people’s responsibilities were, so he took on everyone’s responsibility themselves. During later service he received a specialized training with each member of the presidency using the handbook, and explained what was expected of them in their position. During this segment, he describes how he implemented what he learned about training effectively during his later tenure as young men president, including ensuring spouses understand what the time commitment will be. (28:00) 3. Never use a planning night as an activity Aaron believes that planning night discourages young men from coming, and planning is meant for presidency meeting. He also describes how to teach young men to use the military-style After Action Report (AAR) to learn from mistakes and avoid them in the future. (34:00) 4. Communication Aaron believes communication between leaders and youth, leaders and other leaders, and between leaders and parents is essential. Technology has made it easy for us to communicate with each other.
Mark Mathews was born in Houston, TX. He served a mission in Guatemala and met his wife at Brigham Young University. He later earned a Ph.D. in education from Utah State University. He has been involved with Seminary and Institute for 14 years and has spent his last 1.5 years at Brigham Young University. Highlights Temples
5:27: Will include the word “temple” in his class titles moving forward. 6:14: There are many things that happen in the temple that can and should be discussed. 7:24: To understand the temple, the best source is the Doctrine and Covenants as the Lord reveals and restores knowledge regarding the purpose and power of temples.
Priesthood Keys (8:42)
9:21: Understanding priesthood keys 9:36: What is the priesthood, and what are priesthood keys? 10:37: Keys give the right to be the president, to direct, control, and preside over the priesthood and the work of the priesthood in the church within a jurisdiction 11:20: Different keys were gradually restored over time and as needed.
Aaronic Priesthood keys, John the Baptist: authority to baptize Melchizedek Priesthood keys; “The Keys of the Kingdom”; Peter, James, and John: authority to preside over, organize, and lead the church Keys of the Gathering of Israel, Moses: “gathering” begins with missionary work, and culminates in gathering disciples to the temple Keys of Abraham’s Dispensation, Elias (27:25): celestial marriage Sealing Power, Elijah 14:47: Quorum presidents
17:24: Before being taught anything regarding priesthood keys, Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are taught in Doctrine and Covenants 18, “remember, the worth of souls is great in the sight of God” and the importance of bringing those souls unto Christ. Each quorum president, adult, and youth, must understand the worth of the soul, and the charge to help bring those souls unto Christ.
22:36: Keys helps members know whom to follow. When members hear contradictory messages, follow the keys. 24:00: While we have many general authorities, we have only fifteen individuals who hold all of the keys, and we sustain them as “prophets, seers, and revelators”. 25:11: Delegation. Seventies do not hold keys but are acting using keys delegated to them by key holders. The same principle applies to counselors to keyholders.
Sealing Power
26:22: Seals all ordinances performed for both the living and the dead. 32:43: The importance of proper record keeping: Joseph Smith taught that as ordinances are recorded on earth, they are recorded in Heaven. “All things are spiritual.” 34:28: On sealing cancellations. “When you are sealed in celestial marriage, you aren’t just sealed to your partner. . . you are being sealed up to Eternal Life. . . When a marriage is dissolved, you don’t want to cancel that sealing until they are ready to renew it again with someone else. Even if they don’t want to be with their partner, they still have been sealed up to certain blessings that they don’t want to loose/unseal.” (not ‘lose’--important distinction). God is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He will not force somebody to spend eternity with somebody against their will. 39:22: What happens to the sealing of the children of divorced parents? All your losses will be restored to you; see Doctrine and Covenants 130:2. 45:54: We should seek to better understand the doctrines behind sealing and God’s love
The New and Everlasting Covenant
46:28: The sum of all ordinances and covenants, not simply eternal marriage. 49:17: This is the same covenant that was given to Abraham. It is the fulness of the gospel. It helps us understand what the Restoration is. It is the Plan of Salvation. 54:15: These ordinances are connecting to become exalted and become like our Heavenly Parents.
How has being a leader made you a better follower of Jesus Christ?
55:31: Appreciate those who are willing to follow,
Steve Hitz has founded and led companies, and served with his wife, Ginger, as a young single adults bishop. He is a founding member of Launching Leaders Worldwide Inc. Michael Leonard is the Executive Director of Launching Leaders and has worked in higher education and Church public affairs. Launching Leaders is a faith-based nonprofit leadership program for young adults. It started as a course at BYU Hawaii and later became a book and online course. Highlights 9:00 Come alongside: learning together instead of learning in a hierarchical manner
12:00 Their mission is to empower young adult leaders, offering the course worldwide to groups of many faiths
13:30 Discussion in a group setting without hierarchy empowers young adults in applied learning, bringing enlightenment 17:00 How the course operates with interfaith groups
Speaking the language of young adults reaches them where they might otherwise be losing their faith Religious Freedom and Business Foundation Using the course in YSA wards and church schools
26:00 YSA bishoprics
Allow space for faith with young adults Cycle of spiritual guidance
30:00 Compartmentalization and congruency: bringing the parts together and embracing your whole self
34:30 Example of reaching congruency 38:00 The formula: Get up early, work hard, get your education, make your mark, give back
42:00 Developing daily mindfulness 44:00 Giving back every day instead of waiting to do it as older adults
47:00 Mentorships
Finding and adopting their own mentors Be bold to create a relationship New models of mentoring The Mosiah principle: Every gift comes from God
56:00 Advice for YSA bishops
58:10 How to get started using Launching Leaders or contributing to the organization Links Website: www.llworldwide.org Book: Launching Leaders: An Empowering Journey for a New Generation
Steven A. Hitz
Michael Leonard
Mark Matheson is a visiting professor of business at "the BYU of the East Coast", Southern Virginia University. Matheson received a doctorate in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix, a master’s degree in business administration from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Utah. In 2010, Matheson was an Entrepreneur in Residence at The Willes Center for International Entrepreneurship at BYU-Hawaii. He worked for 25 years as a stock market analyst. He grew up in Utah, lived in seven different states during his childhood, and served his mission in Switzerland and France. He has an instagram page, @scriptureanalyst, that makes you see scriptures in a different way. Highlights 8:30 Southern Virginia University mission statement- create leader servants
11:00 Being a proactive leader, not just serving the squeaky wheel
13:00 Using ideas of others not just the bishop
14:25 Return and report- how to hold people accountable
16:30 Being an effective servant leader- removing obstacles and providing resources
17:45 3 T's- Time, Tools, Training
18:40 "People don't know how much you know until they know how much you care"
21:00 Leadership by walking around
21:45 Two to-do lists
23:30 Less time being reactive and more time being proactive
24:45 Good interactive prayers
25:45 Book: It's Your Ship, by D. Michael Abrashoff "Being the best darn ward in the stake"
29:00 Am I doing good for someone else today?
31:00 Example of Sunday school teacher going the extra mile
34:00 Balance between humble and meek
35:40 Accountability in church callings
37:00 Stephen R. Covey- emotional bank accounts- put deposits in followers' bank accounts
40:00 A good leader takes more blame than credit
43:00 Giving permission for those you lead to be creative in their callings
46:00 Making church procedures better by doing them differently Links Instagram: Scripture Analyst
Book: It's Your Ship, by D. Michael Abrashoff
Dr. Hank Smith has taught seminary, institute, and now teaches at Brigham Young University. He is a regular speaker at religious programs, corporate training events, school assemblies, and educational conferences. He is a master teacher and in this episode, he shares with us some of his secrets and tactics that we can all apply to improve our teaching. This interview was originally part of the Leading Saints Teaching Saints Virtual Summit.
Transcription Available Below Highlights 4:45 Start with remembering why you are teaching: Genesis 44:34 How can we go back to Heavenly Father without these students? 7:00 Teaching is like art: There are fundamentals but otherwise everyone's art is different. Get the fundamentals and then play to your strengths. 10:45 What to do when a discussion is not happening
Write out your questions beforehand Add "Why do you think...?" when asking a question Build-in the silence so it isn't awkward Let people know you're going to ask them Avoid the easy questions Be authentic about wanting a discussion
18:30 Look at examples of the Savior teaching: John 4
Set them up to get their attention Know your students and make it relevant to them Bring up testimony at the right moment
25:30 More effective when teaching by a one-by-one ministry 29:20 Watch for moments to get to, rather than getting through material 30:30 Using gratitude and praise 33:45 Collect and use stories 38:25 Prepare until you're excited 39:50 Mark 2: four people working together to carry a man to Jesus 42:45 How to share scriptures
Power in translating it into modern language, in word-for-word reading, and in summarizing Ask: did you understand? Read with enthusiasm and personality
47:45 There's an ideal, but be okay with the real
Interview Transcript Leading Saints (LS): Welcome back to another session of the Teaching Saints Virtual Summit. This is one of the later recordings that we're doing, and it's been fun to see everything unfold, and people from around the world, thousands of individuals tuning in and hopefully gaining some insight on how to be better teachers in the church. Today I'm back on the campus of BYU, talking with Dr. Hank Smith. How are you?
Hank Smith: Hello. Good to be with you, Kurt.
LS: Now, tell the 10 people out there listening that have never heard of you, give them some background.
Hank: Yes, the 10 out of the 11 who are listening. I've taught in [seminaries institutes? 00:00:52] for...it's been since 2000, so 18 years. I moved over to BYU in 2010, and I've taught here since then. [00:01:03] I work for Deseret Book a little bit, BYU Education Week, EFY, try to spread some goodness.
LS: Nice, awesome. As I usually start out with, I want to imagine that we're in front of a room full of new gospel doctrine teachers, maybe seminary teachers, youth teachers, let's go through some points on improving teaching. But where do we start? What's a good jumping off point?
Hank: I think for me, personally, I have to remember why we do what we do because it can get tiresome. And sometimes things don't go as well as planned, and you think, "Why do I even try," because it's not working. So you have to remember why. You come back to why.
I have to go through my reasons why I do what I do, and in Genesis 44, Joseph is testing his brothers to see if they've changed. This is when he's in Egypt and they've come to Egypt for food, and he wants to see if they've changed, [00:02:03] and so he frames Benjamin. Most people have seen the play, haven't read the book, but most people know the play.
LS: Which is a historically [acting].
Hank: Right, right. Yeah, totally. They sing the songs right here in the chapters. But in Genesis 44, he said he's going to take Benjamin and put him in prison, and he's going to let the brothers go. And he says, "You can go." He wants to see; will they leave their little brother behind? If they do,
Dave Runyon served as a pastor for nine years in the Denver area. In 2010 he launched a neighboring movement that mobilized over 70 churches and 40,000 people in the area, and then turned his experience into a book, The Art of Neighboring. Today he helps government, business, and faith leaders unite around common causes and helps businesses that have a desire to make a difference in their communities. Dave and his wife, Lauren, have four kids. Highlights 6:45 Introduction:
Dave's background His experiences with members of the Church His own church experiences
10:50 Service as a pastor and creating the neighboring movement 19:00 The block map quiz
An activity to test yourself and work on The key to the neighboring movement
22:20 Having mildly awkward conversations
29:15 What neighboring is not; we do this not to convert, but because we are converted
32:40 Tactics to minister instead of treating relationships as a program
36:30 Reducing the anxiety in the relationship by bringing up the difficult questions
38:00 Embracing getting out of your bubble with people who are different
46:20 Where to start: putting neighboring into action
48:00 Learning to move through anxiety in relationships as a leader Links Building Bridges Before Baptisms | How I Lead as Stake Public Affairs Specialist The Art of Ministering Through Neighboring | Facebook Live with Andrew Stewart The Art of Neighboring ArtofNeighboring.com Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community
Finding yourself in charge of planning, teaching, and organizing the Primary to put on a sacrament meeting program can be overwhelming! Thankfully, Leading Saints is here to help. In this episode we have gathered experiences from current and former Primary leaders from around the world sharing what they wish they knew before they were called to prepare and present the yearly program. You will find their advice inspiring and practical. Contribute Your Own WIWIK Experience In an effort to help others learn how to get from A to Z in preparing their Primary programs, we are organizing future podcast episodes that will feature current and past leaders sharing what they wish they knew before they were called.
You will only have 5 minutes to record so write some thoughts on a paper and then record! How to record:
Click the green button below Answer the following question in less than 5 minutes:
What do you wish you knew before you were called to lead the Primary program? Start your answer with “Before I was called as _________, I wish I knew…”
Stop recording Listen to recording and record again if you would like Enter name and email Submit recording by clicking “send”
Dave Ostler, who lives in Northern Virginia (Washington, D.C. metro area), was raised in Salt Lake City, served a mission in Japan, married in the temple, and was educated in the Eastern U.S. He and Sister Ostler have lived in New York, Minnesota, England, India, and Sierra Leone, Africa, where they presided over the Church’s mission until it was temporarily closed due to an Ebola outbreak. They subsequently served a mission (one of five for Brother Ostler) with a responsibility for historical sites in Palmyra. More recently they were asked by their stake presidency to explore the reasons some LDS members cease attending church or lose their faith. Brother Ostler has also served as a bishop and stake president. Now retired, he professionally developed research data to help people make better healthcare decisions. Highlights 3:00 Letter with survey link sent to 700 people asking why they don’t attend church. Conducted focus group and met in non-church setting before forming conclusions. Spoke with ward/stake leaders to ascertain their views. Recommended a training plan for the stake to address the survey findings.
5:00 Solicited ward/stake leader views with 120 statements/questions. Analyzed 600 responses to compare leader assumptions to responses given by members who had left.
6:27 Anecdotal examples of non-church goer reactions to the invitation to be surveyed.
9:00 What survey recipients want church leaders to know. (Responses to an open-end question)
12:00 Listen as Christ would listen. Don’t respond to fewer actives with an overly prescriptive approach. Avoid the tendency to “talk them into” returning to the fold.
14:00 Faith “transition” (not “crisis”) perhaps has a less negative connotation for some who will transition to a more meaningful faith. Crisis often happens in a compressed time where something causes a person to lose all footing as to what they believe and can rely on. Leaders should avoid overly broad assumptions.
21:45 Summary of common assumptions by leaders as to why people have fallen away, compared to what survey respondents said were their actual reasons. Do the assumptions about members being offended, having conflict with a fellow member or not wanting to live the commandments hold up under scrutiny?
25:00 Discussion of “triggers” that prompt some to lose their faith foundation. What about church history, gender roles, transparency and LGBT issues? Respondents’ views vary by their age and gender.
27:20 Making effective use of the “Gospel Topics” essays on the Church website to provide context and build trust. Some leaders have not read them. Does faith mean having the answers to everything?
32:05 “Social” issues may fuel the fire of someone already in a faith crisis. Building a community of acceptance versus being dismissive. Does the content of church meetings reflect relevancy to help people develop a pathway forward? They want to be able to trust the institution, feel supported and find relevance. Are teachers/leaders tempted to respond to inquiries by testimony alone? Leader example.
41:00 Protecting the doctrine while also showing empathy as a leader. Teach people, not lessons. Christ dined with the publicans. Are we more accepting of investigators than we are of members? A “culture of certainty” in congregations may, in some cases, diminish the reality of those who struggle.
49:30 Dual nature of a bishop’s role—(a) pastoral and (b) organizational. In sacrament meetings is there a tendency to overuse certain themes at the expense of other relevant topics? Address the issue of faith struggles from the pulpit. Are teachers examples of inclusion or are people induced to form a “foyer ward?” Dealing with these issues in ward council and first-Sunday priesthood/relief society councils. Seeking to understand, not twist arms. Are female views (as opposed to mere affirmation/echo chambers) actively sought in stake/ward council meetings?
Jim Hastings is a bishop in Dallas, Texas. He and his wife have been married 23 years and have five children. About three years ago during the time he was serving as bishop, his 19-year-old daughter, Zoe, was kidnapped and murdered. In this interview, he talks about that experience and other experiences dealing with grief and tragedy as a bishop. Highlights 5:40 Personal background
7:30 Calling as a bishop
10:30 About his daughter, Zoe
14:10 Narrative of his experience with Zoe's abduction and murder
20:20 Personal reactions through the experience
26:00 The days after
28:35 Previous experience with losing his dad and coming to terms with death
30:30 How he handled the emotional trauma; support and therapy experience
34:30 Support needs from neighbors and ward members
39:00 Forgiveness in a situation like this
44:40 Serving as bishop during this experience
49:35 Gratitude for the tools he was given to handle the experience
52:15 Approaching individuals experiencing trials
54:20 Using a bishop's checklist for funerals to support and help the family left behind
1:00:00 The Savior can help us make connections between past experience and preparation for future experiences Links Troy and John Interview Bishop's checklist for helping with funerals
Last year I (Kurt) attended the Moral & Ethical Leadership Conference in Salt Lake City and left the conference inspired and feeling like a better-prepared leader. I am excited to attend again this year on September 14 in Salt Lake City, Utah and I'd love to meet you there.
Be sure to listen to the attached podcast episode where David Austin, Vice President of the BYU Management Society Salt Lake Chapter, discusses the conference and what will be experienced there.
To register for the conference visit: https://saltlake.byums.org/ (then click on the blue text on the right side of the page)
EARLY BIRD PRICING ENDS AUGUST 15 - ACT NOW!
Please let us know if you plan to attend the conference so that we can notify you of a special Leading Saints gathering that will happen in conjunction with the event. Conference Speakers
Event Details
To register for the conference visit: https://saltlake.byums.org/ (then click on the blue text on the right side of the page)
Jody Moore is a life coach and is well-known for her podcast, Better Than Happy. Her background is in corporate training and leadership coaching, and she has a master's degree in Adult Education and Training. She is a Certified Coach through The Life Coach School and works primarily with women who want to move from good to great in their lives. She enjoys helping people navigate topics such as relationships, confidence, and money, and works to guide them with tools based in cognitive functioning, understanding their own brains, and how emotions drive us to action. Born & raised LDS, Jody followed her own journey to find her testimony. Her husband is her business partner and they live in Spokane, Washington, with their four children. Highlights 14:30 Advice for Bishops specifically related to LDS Women: the root of problems stems from not understanding their own value. Women tend to be harder on themselves.
Love them All must be on their own journey to learn and understand worth Divide the doctrine from the culture of the church It's ok to feel negative emotions. “Opposition in all things”. Reading, studying scriptures are important but you will still feel sad, mad, etc. at times.
18:45 What do we need to know about feelings to help us appreciate the journey.
Unhealthy ways to deal with emotions:
Resisting feelings – we do it, but it is not healthy Escaping feelings – we do it, but again not healthy (sugar, alcohol, shopping, pornography)
Healthy response to feelings/emotions - just FEEL the emotion. Relax into the emotion, breathe into it. It’s ok to be sad, we need to learn to work through the emotions.
23:00 Difference between Clean pain (loss) and Dirty pain (gossip, resentment, natural man) 25:00 Typical trends for women, her 5 pillars in coaching:
Relationships – women get sense of joy and fulfillment from relationships Health – physical, mental & emotional health Money – healthy relationship with money Confidence – recognizing own value, requires practice Contribution – basic human need to contribute to society, sometimes with raising kids, others with working
Advice for RS president to affect contribution: Ministering requires more spiritual maturity. Keep all “involved in the discussion”. Church seems a good model for contribution and fulfilment, but many are not fulfilled with this activity. Not “what am I doing” but “why am I doing it” will create feeling of fulfillment. Don’t resent what you are doing, life is too short. “People pleasers are liars.” How do we operate in full integrity. We need to work to get to a place where we “want” to do things that are asked. AND – it is ok to say no. Appreciate being asked, but it’s ok to say No. Find a loving reason to do things. Culture of the church is prescriptive, the Doctrine of the church is NOT. We need to be careful when we make decisions, that we are following the doctrine and less concerned about the culture.
39:45 Advice for leaders to stimulate healthy Relationships:
We are aware of people outside of us but we cannot control them. We can control ourselves. “Who do I want to be in this situation?” How do I feel about me when I think poorly of this other person? How do I want to feel? Realizing that we can’t be for everyone, but we can still show love
46:20 Health – we are healthy in relation to the rest of the world. Culture of the church hangs on to the “no’s”, but we need to see individually what in our own lives is disconnecting me. 48:50 Money – helping people get to a more abundant mindset, realize all you have. It’s not about having more, but doing with what we have 52:20 Confidence – difference between pride and confidence. We are all equally valuable and we are always told “you are a child of God”. We need to believe that and have that relationship with ourselves. We need to speak to ourselves as we would speak to our sister. Don’t deflect.
Robert Millet, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and professor of ancient scripture and emeritus Dean of Religious Education at Brigham Young University. Author of 76 published works, Millet has been involved in BYU Education Week for many years and is well-known as a commentator on the BYUTV Scripture Discussions program. He is also Manager of Outreach and Interfaith Relations for the LDS Church's Public Affairs Department. Highlights 6:45 Experiences with the scripture discussion series on KBYU
10:00 Teaching and administrative experience at BYU
11:45 His experience writing 77 books
13:30 What led him to write The Atoning One and the growth of a Christ-conscious movement in the LDS Church
24:30 Teaching doctrine in Sunday School
29:00 Importance of knowledgeable teachers
31:45 Creating an environment where class members feel safe to be vulnerable
37:30 The leader’s role in correcting doctrine and creating safety at church
43:00 The Atonement and grace in the Bishop’s office
44:00 The Bishop should always be teaching kindly
45:00 The Bishop as a channel for God’s grace
53:00 Teach what the steps of repentance mean and give study assignments
55:30 Bring closure to the individual
58:15 Don’t take the fast track to repentance
1:01:30 Leadership offers the opportunity to see others as the Lord sees them Links BYUTV Scripture Discussions The Atoning One
Image: LDS Living/Deseret Book
Erin Tanner lives in Cortez, Colorado, and is the mother of three children. She served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Along with being a youth leader she has been a presenter at Especially For Youth for three summers. Highlights 4:49 Youth come hungry to learn the gospel. 5:17 Data shows testimony growth is attributed most to four years of seminary and second to that was attendance at EFY. 7:19 EFY happens through the Church Education System. It is held throughout the country at various locations. 7:46 They have different varieties of EFY such as, outdoor, humanitarian, and adventure for youth. 8:43 Leaders could become familiar with EFY options and help encourage youth to attend the one that is best for them. 8:51 EFY has a scholarship program to help cover some of the cost. 11:07 Young Women Ideas: Harry Potter Young Women in Excellence theme, and a Harry Potter New Beginnings. 12:31 Be a window. Have the youth leave knowing their Heavenly Father loves them instead of thinking their leader is cool. 16:20 Pull back and be intentional. 17:50 Teaching with object lessons. 19:04 Have fun with the youth and allow fun to happen. 26:46 Be a useful instrument. You don’t have to do it all and be all. Look to those around you for help. 29:29 Fill your mind with truth. Turn to the scriptures, podcasts, and conference talks. 33:02 Let the scriptures wash over you. 33:46 Teach true doctrine. 40:46 Help the youth learn where to go to find answers. Teach clear doctrine. 41:46 Use Pinterest to log ideas and customize them for your young women. 48:43 Be authentic and genuine. Be a follower of Christ. Links Especially For Youth The Divine Center, by Stephen Covey YW in Excellence Value Pageant YW in Excellence and New Beginnings w/ a Harry Potter theme
Destiny Yarbro is the author of Home Early Now What?: How to Navigate Coming Home Early from a Mission and maintains a related website with resources for early returned missionaries. She served in the Hungary, Budapest mission but had to return home early and recognized the universal struggle of missionaries whose missions were cut short for whatever reason. Destiny grew up in Prescott, Arizona, and lives there now. Highlights 02:15 Background and mission experience 16:30 The ward and stake follows the example of the Bishop: Treat them like any other missionary coming home — 18:30 When transgression is involved, coming home is the first step forward — 21:45 Importance of the first Sunday home — 24:15 Finding some way to keep them involved — 25:45 Discussing the return announcement with the missionary — 26:15 Examples 27:45 Meeting with parents/family prior to the missionary's return to offer suggestions and support 34:15 Meeting with the early returned missionary immediately and often — 36:30 Healing suggestions for the missionary — 38:30 "Normal" experiences and universal need for professional counseling — 40:30 Worries about people they didn't teach 41:15 Addressing the question of returning to the mission... or not — 42:15 Different mission options: online and young church service missionaries — 44:15 Approaching the subject with the missionary — 45:30 Dealing with change from serving to being the subject of attention 47:15 Points for the ward council and ward members 50:15 Mission Fortify recommendation 51:00 Advice for early returned missionaries 51:45 The Atonement takes difficulties and turns them into opportunities to serve others Links Home Early Now What?: How to Navigate Coming Home Early from a Mission Earlyrm.com LDS.org: Young Church Service Missionaries Mission Fortify: firesides and online support Written Transcript Kurt Francom (LS): Today we're talking with Destiny Yarbro. How are you, Destiny?
Destiny Yarbro: Doing well, thanks Kurt.
LS: Awesome. Now, what does the Leading Saints audience need to know about you and what led you to be a guest on this podcast?
Destiny Yarbro: Well, I grew up in a small town. I wanted to go on a mission for a long time and when I finally got the opportunity (06:00) to go things went very differently than I planned, I had to come home early for health reasons and thankfully I was able to go back out, but I was only able to go back out for another three or four months. And then I had to come home again. So, I got that experience twice.
LS: So, take us back to when you opened up your call. Where did you expect to go or want to go? Any inclination one way or the other and then where did you end up going?
Destiny Yarbro: I wanted to go anywhere, but, I hope this doesn't offend (06:30) anyone, but except for Albuquerque. Good people in Albuquerque, but for some reason that's the place I didn't want to go. So, when I opened my call, and I opened it by myself because I was convinced I was going to Albuquerque and I needed some time to process. So, I opened up my call by myself and it was to the Budapest, Hungary Mission and it blew me away. I did not expect that at all.
LS: So where were you living at this time when you opened the call?
Destiny Yarbro: I was living in Arizona (07:00), but I was on the steps of the St. George Temple at about 11:00 at night. Anyway. It was great!
LS: And so, there's no reason or there was not a specific prompting you had that you thought Albuquerque, but nonetheless you convinced yourself that-
Destiny Yarbro: I mean, you always hear those stories of those people who go to places they didn't want to go, I guess that became the reason why I thought I was going to Albuquerque. Yup.
LS: Then you went to the Provo MTC, I assume.
Destiny Yarbro: Yup, Provo MTC. We were in the impossible language hallway. That's what we called it. (07:30) The Hallway that you're just there forever learning your la...
Do you remember the first month you were called as a bishop? Trying to get organized. Trying to learn names. Trying to figure out how to lead. Here is the first episode of many that will feature short clips of past and current bishops sharing their go-to advice for new bishops. Contribute Your Own WIWIK Experience In an effort to help other bishops gain some quick leadership experience on day 1, we are organizing future podcast episodes that will feature many current and past bishops sharing what they wish they knew before they were called as bishop.
You will only have 5 minutes to record so write some thoughts on a paper and then record! How to record:
Click the green button below Answer the following question in less than 5 minutes:
What do you wish you knew before you were elders quorum president? Start your answer with “Before I was elders quorum president I wish I knew…”
Stop recording Listen to recording and record again if you would like Enter name and email Submit recording by clicking “send”
The transcript for this episode will be available in a few days.
Nate Checketts is the Co-Founder & CEO of Rhone, a premium men’s activewear company founded in 2014. Prior to Rhone, Nate worked for and consulted with some of the biggest technology and entertainment properties in the world including Cisco, The National Football League, Legends, FanVision and Sport Radar, and serves on the board of Veritone. Nate is also an avid entrepreneur who founded and launched 4 companies before the age of 30, including Rhone and Mangia Technologies, whose patents were later acquired by the San Francisco 49ers. Nate graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in Finance. He and his wife Dayna reside in Connecticut with their three young boys, Gabriel, William, and Nicholas. He has served in a bishopric and as an Elders Quorum president and is currently serving as an early-morning seminary teacher. Highlights In this wide-ranging interview, Brother Checketts discusses principles of leadership that he uses daily in his church service as well as in the business world including:
(16:00) How can we have an impact in our callings/positions? How can we create positive change? —Getting past the administration and focusing on helping those we serve feel like we love and care about them and helping them feel and recognize the spirit —Looking to other great leaders as examples
(23:30) The importance of genuine empathy for those within our stewardship
(28:30) Conducting one-on-one interviews —Asking what’s on their minds – starting with their concerns —Being clear about expectations prior to the meeting
(30:15) Importance of building relationships of trust
(31:00) Leading with love Links Rhone.com The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey Alexander Hamilton, by Ron Chernow John Adams, by David McCullough
Brooke Romney is a freelance writer, speaker, and blogger about motherhood and life in general, and writes monthly for the Deseret News. She served as a Relief Society president when she was a young mother in Arizona. After living in several locations around the United States, she currently resides near Salt Lake City, Utah, with her husband and four boys. Highlights 2:45 Writing for the Deseret News —3:20 Being a friend instead of just being friendly —3:50 Being a stonecatcher —6:50 Mistakes and difficulties don't equal failure 10:40 Calling as a young Relief Society president 12:00 Involving everyone in activities Leadership Principles: —18:00 Utilizing the talents of others —20:00 Learning from the experience of others —21:30 Harnessing your own abilities 24:40 Advice for handling welfare situations 28:00 Reaching out to nonmembers 34:00 Relationships are key 37:40 Jesus calls leaders because he needs someone to take care of people Links BrookeRomney.com Brooke's Deseret News articles Facebook: Brooke Romney Writes Twitter: @BrookeoRomney Pinterest: Brookerom Instagram: @brookeromneywrites
Joseph Benson served as mission president in the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar mission from 2013-2016. He and his wife Heidi are the parents of five (almost six) children and both served as young missionaries in the Mongolia Ulaanbaatar mission; Joseph in 1996-1998 and Heidi in 1999-2001. They met when they both taught Mongolian at the missionary training center in Provo. Just after they were married, they spent a year in China, where Joseph completed a Fulbright fellowship, studying Chinese and Chinese history. Later, Joseph practiced patent law in Southern California for many years before taking a job with a San Diego based Real Estate Company, which transferred their family to Singapore. Joseph was called as a mission president at the young age of 35. As a mission president, he was a leader of the people in Mongolia as well as the missionaries. His experience presented unique challenges in a growing area of the church.
Highlights 3:00 President Benson's experience as a young missionary in 1996 7:00 How the church and country was different in Mongolia in 2013 9:20 Restrictions on missionary proselytizing in Mongolia 12:35 Called to serve as a mission president at the age of 35/meeting with President Russell M. Nelson 17:00 Previous experience/inexperience in callings in the church previous to being a mission president 18:00 Experience in Mongolia as mission president 21:00 Use of church handbook in leadership 23:30 Using church handbook to train leaders 30:00 Welfare assistance in Mongolia 32:00 Advice to implementing church self-reliance program 35:15 Secret to missionary work 40:00 Importance of scripture study 45:00 Preparation for zone conference 51:00 Advice for leaders in growing areas of the church 53:30 Elder Rasband's visit to Mongolia 55:00 Focusing on individuals/ minister first and the administration and procedure aid in your endeavors 58:30 Advice to those preparing to serve missions- D&C 11 & chapter 2 and 3 of Preach my Gospel
Steven M. R. Covey is the son of Steven R. Covey of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and co-founder of Covey Link and the Franklin Covey Global Speed of Trust practice. He is a highly sought-after and compelling keynote speaker and advisor on trust, ethics, sales, and high performance, and speaks to audiences around the world. He is also the New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal best-selling author of “The Speed of Trust", which teaches 13 Behaviors of High Trust Leaders. This is a groundbreaking, paradigm-shifting book that challenges the assumption that trust is merely a soft social virtue, demonstrating that it is instead a hard-edge economic driver. Trust is a learnable skill that makes organizations more profitable, people more promotable and relationships more energizing. Highlights 3:19 What it was like growing up in the Covey home and how the principles his father was teaching in the marketplace were first taught in the home. Things like “green & clean”, “listen first”. The principles in the book were for the marketplace but were started at home with his family. They were the guinea pigs of “7 habits”.
4:40 How he started on the business side but shifted career path to current leadership roles
5:20 Not one thing that lead to “trust” as his focus, but many different things that lead to that.
There is a high cost to low trust Trust is learnable Trust is not just a good thing, and social thing but it is a multiplier and key to leadership. All things are better with trust. Trust and love are critical, you can love and not trust but it is best to have both. It is better to be trusted than loved. (David O McKay) Love is critical. It applies to everything, business, church, marriage, every level of human interaction.
10:40 “Fish are the last ones to discover water.” How to determine amount of trust when we are called to a position. We need to be intentional, not just use position power, but rely on credibility, influence, trust. Seek best interest of others.
12:50 Positions may not come with trust. Description of low trust tax, that may confer to us from prior leaders, as well as low trust dividend.
14:00 Trust is built through our credibility and behavior:
Credibility: character trust (integrity, intent, care, more about others well-being, showing we care) and competence trust (current, learning, performance, do what we say) Behavior – how we do whatever we do, we want to model behavior that builds trust We want leaders that care, and are very competent as well. We don’t have to be perfect, we have to be willing
23:00 We need to look in the mirror and see how we are doing with trust.
24:10 How do we help those who have a deficit of trust – first look inward. How do I focus on my credibility, my confidence?
Declare intent – what you are doing and why. Extend trust to others, people will return the trust. There is a risk. We are good at understanding trustworthiness, but not always good at understanding the importance of extending trust – trust others. The quickest way to make someone trustworthy, is to extend trust to them.
28:50 Don’t treat people according to their behavior, treat them according to their potential. They will rise to that trust.
29:30 Behaviors that build trust:
Extend Trust – make sure they know you “trust” them to fulfill their calling Clarify Expectations Practice Accountability
33:45 “To be trusted in the most inspiring form of human motivation”. It brings out the best in people. Less micro-management and better trust returned to you.
34:45 Our positions/hierarchy type leadership need to be changed to a leadership of trust & inspire. If we trust people, they will perform better
37:30 Two more behaviors identified:
Council – should be collaborative -- listen first, try to understand, and reflect that you are trying to understand. Not judging, not agreeing, not disagreeing, just listening.
Raised in Seattle and presently living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Dr. Glover is a psychotherapist, author, former minister and recovering “Mr. Nice Guy.” He is a frequent talk-show guest who has been featured in various publications and is the author of No More Mr. Nice Guy. In this podcast, he describes the pitfalls sometimes associated with men trying to be Mr. Nice Guy. Highlights 4:45 Dr. Glover’s experience working with LDS men 6:20 How co-dependence relates to Mr. Nice Guy syndrome 8:50 Three characteristics/covert contracts of Mr. Nice Guy: (1) If I’m a good guy I’ll be liked and loved—my value comes from external sources; (2) If I meet other people’s needs without them asking they’ll meet my needs without my having to ask; (3) If I do everything right I will have a problem-free life. 15:00 How to determine if you are a Mr. Nice Guy. Nice-guy behaviors in marriage and at work. 17:08 Root causes of Nice Guy syndrome in boys and men, and the development of survival mechanisms. 22:30 Organizational and family culture impacts leading to Mr. Nice Guy. “Emotional fusion.” Truly accepting a belief system versus merely following rules. 27:55 How can youth leaders teach correct principles and value systems without seemingly asking for compliance with rules for the mere sake of compliance? Authoritarianism versus making allowance for pushback or inquiry. 32:20 What can a bishop do if he perceives someone is suffering from Nice-Guy syndrome? Connecting with other imperfect people. Teaching the value of growth people achieve by coping with challenges. 38:15 Nice guys becoming chameleons can be detrimental to being true to one’s self. Can the syndrome lead to interest in porn or other addictions? 44:06 The title of the book No More Mr. Nice Guy is not intended to suggest men should not be nice. They should be nice but need to know when to say “no,” while saying “yes” to the most important things, including family. Looking to the example of Christ. 53:25 Conclusion Links Dr. Glover's Website Buy Dr. Glover's Book No More Mr. Nice Guy Self-Assessment
Ross Trewhella has served as bishop of the Redruth ward in the Plymouth, England stake for nine years. He is from Cornwall, England, and joined the LDS Church while living in Utah. Ross is best known online as @ldsbishop on Twitter, where he offers up humorous insights into the role as part of the #twitterstake. Highlights 03:05 @ldsbishop and being a bishop for 9 years 10:35 The church in his area of the UK; going to the temple 14:05 His conversion story 21:55 Called as ward executive secretary: serving in a Christ-like manner firms up your testimony 23:40 Called as a counselor in the bishopric and then as bishop 27:20 Being bishop to the previous bishop, and characteristics of his ward 29:45 Ministering: Being good at looking after each other 31:05 Minimizing meetings and using technology to communicate as a bishopric 33:55 Ward service efforts for shelters, homeless charity, and food bank 35:25 Leadership principle #1: Keep a sense of humor 38:10 Leadership principle #2: Have skin as thick as a rhino 41:25 Leadership principle #3: Don’t procrastinate 43:45 Leadership principle #4: Listen more than you speak 47:30 Leadership principle #5: Let people serve and forgive them when they mess up 51:05 Managing callings and giving autonomy 53:45 Being open to different opinions and transcending culture and categories 1:03:45 Seeing people as Christ sees them Links @ldsbishop on Twitter
twitterstake on Twitter
Signal app
Mamie Kanfer Stewart founded her first business at the age of 12 and her entrepreneurial spirit combined with the desire to optimize how people work led Mamie to build Meeteor, whose mission is to enable individuals and teams to thrive at work, with a special emphasis on effective meetings. Mamie is a dynamic speaker and has presented at numerous events and been interviewed on a variety of podcasts. She has been featured in Forbes, Inc, Business Collective, and PCMag, and writes about productivity, healthy team culture, and meeting best practices. She is also a nationally syndicated columnist and national media personality and the author of “Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings”. Highlights (8:30) Common meeting challenges #1: Meetings that don’t have a clear purpose
“I don’t know why we’re having this meeting” and “I don’t know why I’m at this meeting” (11:35) How to create a clear purpose
Create a desired outcome – “I want the outcome of this meeting to be….” Detailed agenda helps to see if meeting is leading to desired outcome (agenda is created from desired outcome) (19:20) At beginning of the meeting or subsection of meeting, state the desired outcome
(22:30) Six kinds of meeting types:
Make a decision Create a plan Generate ideas Align people’s understanding (different than sharing information) Connect (building relationships) Produce
(24:25) Common Meeting Challenges #2: How meetings end and what happens after
Record of the decisions made and next steps (stated and written) Make record easy for everyone to access (34:00) Meetings are a cycle
Decisions and next steps coming out of one meeting may become part of the desired outcome of the next meeting Helps people get out of the mindset that meetings are discrete isolated events (37:15) Importance of reviewing and revisiting meeting notes
(42:00) Engaging meeting participants as a meeting leader (45:00) Best practices for avoiding meetings that should be emails
Could this outcome be achieved by another form of collaboration?
(50:00) Creating space in a meeting for private reflection time (51:00) “Norms” – ground rules or expectations for how the conversation/meeting is going to be run
Links Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging, and Enjoyable Meetings, by Mamie Kanfer Stewart Successful Meetings Start with Why Advance Your Meeting Conversation with Norms 5 Practices to Make Every Meeting Matter www.mamieks.com On Twitter at: @mamieks www.meeteor.com 7 Unbreakable Rules of Church Meetings, by Leading Saints
Whitney Johnson is an expert on disruptive innovation and personal disruption, recognized as one of the 50 leading business thinkers in the world. She is a writer, speaker, consultant and coach on innovation initiatives for leaders. Her book, “Build an ‘A’ Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve” is the leadership handbook to accompany her previous book, “Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work”. Whitney served a mission in Uruguay and currently serves as a Laurel adviser. She and her husband live in Massachusetts and have two children. Highlights 06:20 Background of the book, “Build an ‘A’ Team” 07:30 It’s people who disrupt, not organizations, and when people are learning something new they are innovative and drive disruption innovation within their organization 08:20 Protesters who demand change vs. people who drive change 11:00 Being a leader means having humility and allowing others to have their own revelation 12:50 Applying the S curve to learning in church callings 18:00 The importance of engagement 22:50 Personal engagement fatigue and church callings 24:30 Comparing where we are today to our past 26:00 Is the life of someone we serve better because of what we have done? 28:15 Repetition and change 29:00 Changing the job description to what is needed now 31:30 Choosing leaders by who they are on the inside, choosing people for potential and what really needs to be done 35:30 The learning curves of people in a calling Links Previous Leading Saints interview with Whitney: Disrupting Your Calling WhitneyJohnson.com Whitney's books: Build an “A” Team: Play to Their Strengths and Lead Them Up the Learning Curve Disrupt Yourself: Putting the Power of Disruptive Innovation to Work Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen when you Dare to Dream
Murat Chakir is a pioneer for the LDS Church in his native country, Turkey. He joined the church while studying in Norway, served a mission to Arizona, completed his education at Brigham Young University, and then returned to Turkey where he served as branch president. He currently serves in the mission presidency of the Central Eurasian Mission, which includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. Episode Highlights 4:55 Personal faith development before joining the church 10:00 School in Norway and discovery of Jesus Christ as more than a prophet 14:30 Meeting the LDS missionaries 16:00 Gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ as a truth-seeker from a Muslim background 18:20 Experiencing the Spirit through the missionaries 19:20 Joining the LDS Church 21:40 Gaining a testimony of a living prophet 23:20 Choosing to go on a mission 24:45 Mission to Arizona and resolution of passport issues 31:30 Working on Book of Mormon translation while at BYU 33:30 Joseph Smith translating the Book of Mormon compared to translating it into Turkish 35:00 Discovery of 1903 translation by Armenian missionaries; no animosity between nations within the gospel 39:50 Creating the Turkish name for the church 43:40 Return to Turkey and building the church there, from Babylon Street to Dove Street 47:30 Dedication of building by Elder Christofferson 48:25 Experiences as a branch president in a developing area with great challenges, and creation of website that brought in referrals 53:50 Muslim perspective of Christians in Turkey 54:35 Elder Holland quote about his experience dedicating Turkey 56:15 Growth of the church in Turkey 57:15 Attending the temple from Turkey 58:05 Continuing goals and efforts to reach truth-seekers and grow the church 59:50 Being part of a mission presidency over a large area with few members 1:02:00 Suggestions for struggling branch presidents: minister like Christ did 1:04:10 Using technology to create missionary experiences and conversions 1:07:50 We need to be out and listening to the people 1:08:25 Pray for the saints in Turkey, where ancient saints lived Links http://www.mormonum.org/
DeAnna Murphy is a leadership consultant, coach, facilitator, and speaker, and the founder/CEO of Strengths Strategy Inc. and its affiliate, People Acuity, where she consults businesses, coaches, and individuals. She was born in Provo, Utah, but grew up in Canada, and met her husband at Ricks College. They had three children and live in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she has served as Stake Relief Society President. Highlights 5:25 How do we help ourselves and others stay fully engaged? 7:35 How can you understand your auxiliaries strength? 8:10 How can we apply engagement at home? 8:35 To be meaningfully engaged there must be a sense of connection, and an ability to understand your contribution and purpose alignment. 12:00 Understand your role/purpose 12:45 What is the bigger “why”? 14:00 Doctrine and Covenants 43:8,9 The Lord teaches Joseph Smith by council 15:20 Ask good questions/teach by council 19:30 Get correct counsel on core principles. 22:20 To feel alignment while teaching ask: What did you notice about that? What's important about that? What does that mean? What will you do? (How would you apply that?) Has anyone had an experience like that? 24:15 John 17- Why does He want us to be one so badly? That my joy might be fulfilled in you. 28:35 Which of these points in the lesson are important to Heavenly Father? 30:45 The council creates interdependence. 32:20 There is no engagement from a talking head. 33:20 Co-dependence is the primary voice of us vs. them. 34:15 There should not a be a “you people” in our church culture. 36:20 Our value does not go up and down like the stock market. 38:15 When people begin to see their value through the lens of strength they see God's DNA in them. 39:00 We need to understand our identity, but have lost it 41:50 If I'm not judging myself, I feel connected to other people and to God 42:10 Four categories of strengths Strategic Thinking Executing Relationship driven —Influencers —Relationship-builders 50:30 We are drawn to those like us because they validate us, and afraid of those who are unlike us because we do not understand them. 53:45 We disengage when our needs are not being met. 54:30 What does my patriarchal blessing show me about my strengths? 57:40 What can you count on me for? What do I need to feel confident? 59:00 The power of one-on-one ministering 1:00:00 During one-on-one interviews, pull up an extra chair for the Savior to sit with you as you minister 1:00:50 Be okay with no knowing, and always pray with them. 1:01:25 During the interviews ask them: How are you doing? What are you learning from the Spirit in your personal study? What are you learning in your assignment? These questions create connection. 1:05:00 Finally, ask tell me about the people that you are serving and what do they need? 1:06:15 Everyone is a "one" and there is great power in ministering and one-on-one interviews. 1"06:55 Ask your children—even grown children—what the Spirit is teaching them. 1:09:00 Experience with a group in Abu Dhabi learning six strengths strategies. 1:16:45 Read Moses 1:6 with your name instead of Moses: He will magnify your gifts through Him Links Print version of Shift Up!: Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living Ebook version of Shift Up!: Strengths Strategies for Optimal Living PeopleAcuity.com DeAnna's How I Lead interview: Mentoring Relief Society Presidents Through Love Claiming Your Contribution (for missionaries) Gallup StrengthsFinder (CliftonStrengths Assessment)
Born in Brazil and raised in Utah, David Neeleman is an entrepreneur who has founded or co-founded five commercial airlines: Morris Air, WestJet, JetBlue, Azul Brazilian Airlines and TAP Air Portugal. Morris Air was acquired by Southwest Air in 1993. David served a mission in Brazil as a young adult and speaks Portuguese. He and his wife have ten children, including one they adopted in recent years. The Neelemans have 18 grandchildren. David was featured in The Mormon Way of Doing Business and in Flying High. Episode Highlights 1:00: Undistinguished academic background in high school and University of Utah. Has ADD. Served LDS mission during period of explosive church growth in Brazil in the late 1970’s. Sold Morris Air to Southwest when he was 33 years of age. Wanted to remain passionately involved in something of value and not simply be an investor. Highlights of his involvement with the airlines referenced above. 5:40: Impact of serving a mission and the necessity of faith combined with works. Witnessed the area of Brazil where he served grow from five branches to five stakes in a very short time. 7:18: Father of a large family. Advice he gives his kids as they go to serve missions: lose yourself, don’t think about home excessively and love the people. 9:20: Missionary success began to shape his life. Invented e-ticket travel and in-home reservations by people who are working from home. Is wired to see things differently and attempt what no one else has done before without being discouraged by naysayers. Being entrepreneurial requires making sacrifices. 12:48: ADD discussed, including the fact that children in same family can be very different from one another. Proper encouragement is needed. Some great business leaders have suffered from ADD. Street wisdom about A, B, C and D students. 15:58: How the egalitarian structure of the Church has affected his business approach to dealing with employees and providing customer service. His thoughts about executive lunch rooms and parking spaces. Impact of satisfied employees on customer base. Discussion about pleasing employees vs shareholders. 21:00: Establishing a healthy culture by leadership style in Church organizations. Helping people feel fulfilled and loved, not guilty. Prayerful thought is required. 22:40: Establishing and leading by values. JetBlue’s values. Breaking the china when necessary. 25:45: Serving as ward mission leader for about eight years in New Cambridge, CT. 26:25: More on vision and values—what would Jesus do in setting the tone in Church organizations. Church service a respite from the “belly of the beast” all week long. Keeping values at the forefront. 29:00: Making time for family, not golf. LDS leavening influenced is needed in the world. People respond to leadership that is inspired by gospel principles even if it’s not presented as such. 33:00: David’s preferences for books, especially books about world progress and development more than books about leadership. Some favorites, other than religious, are: Outliers, David and Goliath, Tipping Point, Accidental Superpower and books about founding fathers of the U.S.A. 35:20: Founding the More Good Foundation. Helping maintain a positive image for the Church. Buying URL’s so that people on search engines have positive encounters online regarding the Church. 41:22: Being a better follower of Christ by learning to know Him and gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Don’t get caught up in the “noise.” The Lord needs LDS people to lead in society and business. Links
The Mormon Way of Doing Business Outliers David and Goliath Tipping Point Accidental Superpower The More Good Foundation
Nola & Mike Patterson have been married for more than 26 years. Originally from the Alberta, Canada area, they now make their home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Brother Patterson has served in various callings, including Young Men presidencies, as an Elders Quorum President, in bishoprics, and as a bishop. He currently serves as an early-morning seminary teacher. Sister Patterson has served as a Young Women’s President and Relief Society President, among other responsibilities.
Brother and Sister Patterson have found success in their leadership responsibilities as they have focused on ministering to individuals and families not well known to the ward and creating opportunities for those individuals to participate and serve. They have also focused on finding others to assist them in these efforts, realizing that there was only so much they could do on their own.
In this episode of How I Lead, Brother and Sister Patterson discuss with Kurt their approach to reaching out and helping those who need ministering to.
Leadership Principle #1: Focus on Ministering (19:00) Leadership Principle #2: Be respectful of people’s time (37:45) Leadership Principle #3: Do what you can and then let go (46:40) Leadership Principle #4: Seeking out those who are under utilized (52:30)
Interview Transcript Available Below
Adam McHugh is a spiritual director, chaplain, speaker, and retreat leader. The author of Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture, he is an ordained Presbyterian minister, having earned a Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology in Greek New Testament from Princeton Theological Seminary. He is also the author of The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction, and lives in Santa Barbara, California. Episode Highlights 4:30 Becoming an ordained minister 7:30 What led to writing Introverts in the Church 10:50 Explanation of introversion and extroversion 16:00 Problems that introverts experience at church 19:00 Understanding the discomfort of personal vulnerability and sharing beliefs as an expression of faith 22:00 Introverts generally prefer depth over breadth 24:00 The power of listening: experience at a hospital 30:00 Introverts and small talk 34:00 How introverts approach dealing with conflict and decisions 40:00 Silence, reverence, and the internal experience compared to active social environments 45:20 Cultural clash of introvert and extrovert leaders: overcoming stereotypes and encouraging introverts to be leaders 48:50 Reaching out to invite introverts to participate Links
Adam's Website Introverts in the Church: Finding Our Place in an Extroverted Culture The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction
Interview Transcript LS: Today we are communicating with Adam McHugh in California. How are you, Adam?
ADAM: Doing very well. How about yourself?
LS: Very good. Did I say your last name correctly?
ADAM: You got it.
LS: All right. Very nice, very nice. Now, you are, tell us (00:04:00) a little bit about what we need about know about you. The big thing I guess on this podcast we generally have LDS or Mormons on as guests, but you are not a Mormon. So what are you?
ADAM: It is true. I am an ordained Presbyterian minister. Though in truth I go to an Episcopal church.
LS: Nice.
ADAM: But I was ordained in the Presbyterian church about 12 years ago.
LS: Nice. And so what is the, when you say you're ordained, (00:04:30) what does that mean? Does that mean you went to seminary for awhile or what does that even mean?
ADAM: It means they made me jump through about a thousand hoops, is basically what that means. I went to Princeton theological seminary and that is required for ordination, not Princeton. But going to seminary, getting a master's of divinity. I also stuck around for another year and got a masters of theology and Greek New Testament as well and had to do 2 church internships and one internship at a hospital as a chaplain, was actually (00:05:00) very instrumental in my future calling. And yeah. And then I had to go to about a thousand meetings in order to get approved.
LS: Wow. Wow. Intense.
ADAM: It was a, I would never do it again. I'm glad I was young when I went through all that because now it sounds exhausting.
LS: So does that mean, I mean, your day to day or are you some type of pastor to a church or what's your day to day job now?
ADAM: I have the title now, you know, writer and speaker and retreat leader (00:05:30) is really how I identify myself and certainly connected to churches and all that. So certified spiritual director as well, but I don't have a formal preaching ministry or not working full time.
LS: And is that the typical path for someone who's gone through the different education you've gone to, that they end up with, some, running some type of a church or
ADAM: Usually or else, you know, working as a chaplain of some kind, which I did for a few years. But generally, you know, a Presbyterian minister is going (00:06:00) to be a minister at a particular church and you're, it's not like other denominations where you move around from church to church, you sort of stay in one place and you're hired more like a ...
Gail Miller is the owner and chair of the board of directors of the Larry H. Miller group of companies, which includes 65 car dealerships, the Utah Jazz basketball team, Utah Bees baseball team, a chain of movie theatres, and related businesses. She is also a mother, a former Relief Society president, and the author of “Courage to Be You: Inspiring Lessons from an Unexpected Journey”. Episode Highlights
1:45 How the book came to be 6:15 Gail’s service experience as a Relief Society president 10:55 Coming back from inactivity in the church 16:40 Saying the right thing to those who are grieving 18:10 Developing yourself as the spouse of a leader 20:55 Patience as the wife of a busy entrepreneur and as a woman in the church 25:00 Making decisions as a leader 27:30 Stewardship and service
Links Courage to Be You: Inspiring Lessons from an Unexpected Journey
Tom Christofferson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who experiences same sex attraction. He is also the brother of Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Tom grew up in the Church as a member, served a mission and married in the temple. His short marriage ended and he came out as gay and lived that lifestyle for many years. He started coming back to church with Bruce Larson as a bishop and David Checketts as his stake president. Tom's story is told in his book, That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family. As leaders we can learn a lot from his experience of coming back to church and being rebaptized.
President David Checketts (far left) and the Christofferson brothers Episode Highlights
6:30 Tom's story from the beginning 9:30 His story of excommunication 10:50 How his family wanted their love to be perfect as they accepted him 13:20 Bishop Bruce Larson's side of the story 16:00 Stake President David Checkett's side of the story 18:00 Bishop Larson and President Checketts did not know at first that he was related to Elder Christofferson 20:30 Sharing with the ward council how to make feel Tom welcome 22:30 Response of the ward council 24:00 Tom was welcomed and loved unconditionally 29:00 Tom attended the ward for 5 years before wanting to come back to live the commandments 31:45 During the 5 years how Tom felt welcome in the ward 33:20 Everyone focused on the the relationship with Tom and not his progress 34:30 Study sessions with Tom and President Checketts 38:00 Meeting with Tom's partner 42:00 President Checketts meets with Elder Christofferson about Tom 45:00 Tom Christofferson's rebaptism 48:00 How this experience has helped Bishop Larson to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ 50:00 How this experience has helped President Checketts to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ
Links That We May Be One: A Gay Mormon’s Perspective on Faith and Family Read the TRANSCRIPT for this episode
Interview Transcript Available Below
Scott Mackintosh and his wife Becky live in Lehi, Utah and are the parents of seven children, including their son Xian, who came out as gay at age 24. Scott is currently a bishop in a YSA ward at BYU, and Becky is on the board at North Star International. Chris and his wife of 18 years live in Overland Park, Kansas with their four sons, ages 7 through 17. He experiences same-gender attraction and began to talk about it after serving as a bishop. Travis Steward and his wife Margaret have been married 32 years and have six children and grandchildren. Travis is a former bishop, mission president (Houston, Texas), and has served in stake presidencies. He has experienced same-gender attraction throughout his life and finally began to talk about it a few years ago. In this podcast, we talk about how we can be better leaders week-to-week for the LGBT members in our wards and communities. Episode Highlights
7:30 Chris' introduction and how he became involved with North Star through coming to terms with his same-gender attraction 12:00 Scott Mackintosh’s story of his son coming out, and how that led to a change of heart for him and a conversion to love and empathy for everyone 18:00 Travis Steward’s introduction and his experience as a man who experiences same-gender attraction but buried it for most of his life and struggled through shame and his own inner stories 26:45 How Travis came out to his wife and openly acknowledged his same-sex attraction and began to deal with what he had held inside for so many years 30:55 Chris’s experience coming out to his wife and church leaders after he had served as a bishop 35:35 Scott’s realization that he needed to look at the experience of others instead of focusing on himself, how his son’s experience helped him realize how much shame is involved, and how it changed how he leads 42:40 Proactively creating an open, safe, compassionate space to have these conversations and diminish shame 48:00 What am I doing as a bishop to make sure that people would trust me and be willing to share the most personal, painful issues in their life? 51:00 Bishops don’t have to know everything 53:00 We need to be prepared so that when someone comes to us we can get it right the first time 1:04:00 What to say or not say as a leader 1:17:25 These are principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ that are applicable to everyone
Links North Star Conference leadership session registration Scott's story mormonandgay.lds.org Interview Transcript
LS: Today I'm sitting down [00:05:30] with, both in person and through the magic of the Internet with a Travis Steward, Scott Mackintosh and Chris. How are you, Travis?
Travis: Good, Scott, how are you doing?
LS: Excellent. I have all sorts of names going through my head and Chris, you're joining us from, uh, from Kansas City. Is that, right?
Chris: Right.
LS: The reason for this gathering here is to hopefully promote a message of love and
also make leaders out there [00:06:00] more aware of resources that are available to them as they strive to enhance their leadership ability, especially in the context of our LGBT brothers and sisters that, hopefully are finding a place in, in our congregations and our wards and in a place that they feel comfortable and they can worship with us there. It's, uh, those that have listened to, to Leading Saints for quite some time. Know that we have a, a beautiful relationship, a connection with the North Star, which is another non-profit. And I'll have Chris speak to that in a minute, [00:06:30] but they have a conference coming up in March that I can't stress enough the importance if you are in within a day's drive or can afford a plane ticket to Salt Lake or Provo. Where it's held in Provo. That, that you absolutely get there with as many members of your ward council and spouses, whatever it is and participate if not in the complete conference...
North Star is a faith-affirming resource for Latter-day Saints addressing sexual orientation and gender identity, and who desire to live in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the doctrines and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. North Star has been a remarkable partner with Leading Saints to help leaders better understand the experience of LGBT members of the Church.
North Star has their annual conference coming up March 15-17 with Saturday (17th) including a free leadership session for lay leaders of the Church. THIS IS A MUST ATTEND OPPORTUNITY! We can't stress enough how much this free leadership event would enhance your ability to lead. If you are in a realistic travel distance you will not regret making it a priority on March 17th. To attend the free leadership session you must REGISTER HERE.
To give you a sense of how helpful these leadership sessions are, North Star was kind enough to allow us to publish a leadership session from the 2017 North Star conference for this weeks Leading Saints podcast episode. Be sure to listen above! Episode Highlights Joseph Stith knew from an early age that he experienced same gender attraction. He married the one workman he had been attracted to in his lifetime, that he met right before putting his missionary papers in. As a young man getting married he thought that would take care of his SSA (5:00).
Nearly everyone at the conference had been experienced someone coming out to them (2:20) Shared a story of a member going into a disciplinary council and was blown away that all of the leaders learned as much as they could from the Mormonandgay.lds.org website (2:54) Joseph joined the Marine Corps and became a drill instructor, to help him “overcome” his SSA (5:30) When he was almost at a crisis of faith, he turned to his family, the temple and church callings (6:00) After being released from his calling he found his SSA spiraling out of control. He was recommended to go to a blog, where he then found that he wasn’t alone. 7:30 Dealing with the age of the individual 10:36
The most painful thing that he has heard is after a youth tells their bishop and then says they ignored them for two years. 11:38
Truth and fiction (12:09)
Fiction: If someone has same gender attraction, they should not associate with others of the same gender who also has same gender attraction. Menfindingpeace.blogspot.com, offers men supporting other men with SSA. Fiction: SSA is an addiction or Sin. Truth: Coming out to themselves is the first step (15:30) Truth: Coming out to others at their pace and at their choice is part of the healing process (15:39)
Personal Crisis of Faith: Individuals bargain with the Lord (16:06) How do people identify if the are SSA. The church has accepted that it’s ok to be SSA (16:34) Remember the spouse is on their own journey. (18:06) Just listen first, don’t try and fix it! (19:07)
If you recommend therapy, know what it is you are recommending the therapy for. (19:49)
All of us are children of our Heavenly Father have two innate needs (21:51)
To be accepted by others (particularly God) Fear rejection
What to Say and What not to say 22:35
Don’t:
I suspected it all along. We all have our challenges. If you have enough faith. I read this story and someone overcame this and got married.
Do:
I respect you more for sharing this with me.
Kyle Merkely (26:15) first met a transgender person while serving his mission. He then found that there were the people that thought like him. He searched online looking for other church members who felt the way that he did. He wants other people to know that you can be transgendered and to be a member of the church.
Jeremy (29:32): Was born and raised Catholic in Southern California. From a young age, he always felt different and had strong desires to be female,
Alex Wittingham is a Utah resident, lifetime member of the LDS church, student, returned missionary (New Zealand), football player and son of University of Utah head football coach, Kyle Wittingham and his wife Jamie. Following his missionary service Alex began playing football as a long snapper on the U of U football team. Alex loved his mission, had wonderful companions and a supportive mission president. However, he returned home early following 15 months of dedicated service. The reason for his early release was a combination of anxiety, depression and OCD tendencies.
5:02 Recognized some OCD tendencies by age 12 but assumed it was normal and didn’t have a name for it. There was no dramatic increase in the intensity level until his missionary service when feelings of anxiety were exacerbated without the relief valves he enjoyed before his mission (movies, being with friends). 9:04 Alex discusses his decision to serve a mission and feeling a lack of confidence as he tried to envision himself as a missionary. Was nevertheless overjoyed in being called to serve in New Zealand. 11:40: MTC experience brought on added anxiety, notwithstanding wonderful and supportive fellow missionaries who helped him cope. 14:00 Arriving in New Zealand and facing new realities: contacting strangers. Obsessing over scrupulosity, even though he had done everything necessary to render himself worthy to serve prior to entering the mission field. Being OCD and living in a world of spartan obedience to rules. 18:45 His anxiety and other issues came and went in phases during his missionary service. Opening up to his family in P-day letters was therapeutic. 21:00 Confiding in empathetic companions and his very supportive mission president. Referred to LDS Family Services in New Zealand. 23:15 Turning point—beginning to feel at peace regarding the value of his missionary service and the likelihood of an early departure. 26:10 Returning home; weekly counseling continued; coping and managing; useful medications and learning new coping skills. 27:50 Being supported by family and close friends through any feelings of “stigma.” “Your mission is between you and God.” 29:40 The role of his loving stake president and his reassuring bishop in helping him get re-integrated into the ward family. 31:00 Concluding thoughts: Alex is glad he served and loved his mission. It was life-changing and not a mistake. It had not occurred to him, prior to his mission, that he suffered from anything out of the ordinary. He’s glad there now seem to be more pre-mission questions regarding mental wellness. He wonders if leaders recommending candidates for missions should obtain the view of the youth’s parents about any possible emotional or mental conditions that would impact on the ability to serve. 36:12 Why Alex suddenly chose to tweet about his experience following the suicide of a popular singer—desire to help someone else. Describes response to his tweet and a related article in a local newspaper. 38:50 Words of encouragement to fellow sufferers—You are not alone. There is support in the form of angels on earth. Don’t be afraid to reach out and accept help.
Links:
The OCD Mormon Chad Lewis Interview Salt Lake Tribune Article Anxiety Disorders and Mormonism Conference Discount Code: Leading Saints
Whitney Johnson started as a secretary on Wall Street while taking business classes at night. She worked her way up as a successful investment banker. She later co-founded an investment firm with Harvard Business School’s Clayton Christensen. She is an accomplished author of several books, Dare, Dream Do, and Disrupt Yourself. Her newest book coming out this May is called, Build An “A” Team: Play To Their Strengths and Lead Them Up The Learning Curve.
Whitney grew up in San Jose California. She also served a mission in Uruguay for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She attended Brigham Young University and received a B.A. in music. While at BYU she met her husband and they were married in the Temple. They currently live in Lexington Virginia and have two children, a son and a daughter. Whitney and her husband have been married for 31 years. Podcast Highlights:
10:35 In her twenties Whitney asked herself, “Do I believe” While she took a step back her husband fasted for her on and off for two years. 13:13 While serving in her current calling she realized, I don’t need to save them just love them. 18:20 Early in her career she started a blog to help her discover what her dreams were. 19:30 Every man and women needs to learn how to be a ship and a harbor. 21:00 Her first book came out in 2012 Dare Dream Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare To Dream. 22:30 She later wrote the book Disrupt Yourself: Putting The Power Of Disruptive Innovation To Work. 23:00 A disruptor is a silly thing that takes over the world. When you disrupt yourself you take over your world. 24:13 Disrupting is managing change. 26:08 How do you disrupt yourself or your ward?
Seven Levels of Change #1 Take the right kinds of risk 28:05
28:05 Serve the Lord the way you need to using your talents. 31:25 Ask yourself what I want to accomplish in this calling.
#2 Play to your distinctive strengths in your calling. 32:42
34:40 What am I bringing to the table in regards to my calling. 36:26 Think about the things that make you feel strong. 36:46 Think about what exacerbates you. That is one of your strengths. 37:08 What compliments do you get all the time? That is your super power. 37:21 Read your patriarchal blessing. Look for your spiritual gifts while reading it. 38:30 Are you using your strengths and your super powers deliberately in your calling?
3 Embrace Constraints 38:51
39:08 How do we turn those constraint into a tool of creation? 40:20 Elders Bednar's 2017 General Conference address Bear Up Their Burdens With Ease is a great example of how our load is what gets them out. 42:04 Elder Carmack's address about the Powers of the Priesthood is a great example to use your Priesthood Power at its fullest. 42:19 Be prayerful and listen to the Lord. 43:59 Communicate and be open about your constraints with your Bishop. 45:19 Extend callings and invite them to pray about it first.
#4 Battle Entitlement 45:56
46:57 The Church helps battle entitlement by the way it is organized, and callings change.
#5 Give Failure its Due 48:45
48:52 Reframe your failures. 49:29 We believe we can change, but we don’t always act like we believe it. 50:11 Be open about the things that are hard for us. 51:45 Ask yourself, “how can I make meaning of this?” 51:39 Shame limits disruption, not failure.
6 Step Back in Order to Grow 53:51
54:20 In church we step back to grow as we get new callings.
#7 Be Driven By Discovery 55:03
55:47 With each new discovery, alter your plan. 56:27 We are driven by discovery in our church when new information is shared in callings. 57:01 Deal with ambiguity. Work with the unknown. Alter your plan. 57:52 The sin of Certainty. We battle entitlement when we feel like we have it all figured out. When we feel like we have no questions, but the questions are what we need to guide us to discove...
Dan Conway is a bishop in Newcastle, in northeast England, and has also served as an elders quorum president. He served a mission to Scotland, and works as a digital marketing executive. In this episode Dan walks us through his crisis of faith prior to being called as bishop, and how that affected how he leads now.
Episode Summary
5:45 Mission to Scotland 8:45 Faith crisis 14:40 Reading and praying didn’t work as a solution 19:20 Call as Elders Quorum president in the midst of a faith crisis 21:50 Finding the answers to his questions 28:30 Experience bearing his testimony of Joseph Smith 31:15 Becoming the bishop after a faith crisis 43:45 Understanding that people can change and become better 46:15 First year as a bishop 51:20 How he does ward council: short meetings every other week, then visits 56:35 Using an agenda and PPIs 1:01:00 Visiting people after ward council 1:04:00 PPIs
Links: Interview with Arthur Boutin
FAIR Mormon
Being a newly called elders quorum president can be nerve-racking! So many things to organize and consider. Thankfully, Leading Saints is here to help. In this episode we have gathered experiences from current and former elders quorum presidents from around the world sharing what they wish they knew before they were called as elders quorum president. You will find their advice inspiring and practical. Contribute Your Own WIWIK Experience In an effort to help other elders quorum presidents to learn some quick leadership experience on day 1, we are organizing future podcast episodes that will feature many current and past elders quorum presidents sharing what they wish they knew before they were called as elders quorum president.
You will only have 5 minutes to record so write some thoughts on a paper and then record! How to record:
Click the green button below Answer the following question in less than 5 minutes:
What do you wish you knew before you were elders quorum president? Start your answer with “Before I was elders quorum president I wish I knew…”
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Episode Transcript KURT: Hello and welcome to [00:00:30] the Leading Saints podcast. My name is Kurt Frankham. I'm the executive director of Leading Saints and also the host of the Leading Saints podcast. If you're new to Leading Saints I welcome you. We produce a regular podcast where we discuss topics that will help lay leaders in the LDS Church enhance their leadership ability and capacity. And we do that through various methods. One of those being we interview really smart and intelligent people who have experience in leadership whether in or outside the church, and we talk about strong leadership principles in the context of the LDS church. We [00:01:00] also have a segment called “How I Lead” where we interview everyday leaders and ask them how they go about their day to day, week to week responsibilities as a lay leader in the church. And what you're bound to hear is that we weak segment where we crowdsource the community of Leading Saints and ask them to finish the sentence, what I wish I knew when I was Elder's quorum President, when I was Bishop, Relief Society President, Young Men's President, Young Women's President whatever it is and in this episode, we focus on what I wish I knew before I was Elders Quorum President. Each voice you'll hear we've given them [00:01:30] five minutes or less to talk about what they wish they knew before they're called as Elder's quorum President. Thank you for all the support you show to Leading Saints. And now what I wish I knew before I was Elder's quorum President.
CALLER: My name is Adam Elsworth I'm currently an Elder's quorum President. I have been for about two years now. What I wish I knew before I was called or when I was called as an elders quorum president. It's a little bit of a challenging [00:02:00] question, so I feel like I had all the spiritual tools I needed to go to Heavenly Father and find out what my quorum needed and I already somehow, because I didn't have them had a strong sense that I shouldn't be having one on one interviews with my quorum members regularly. So we have done that and those have been very effective and very helpful for ministering in my quorum and to those we home teach. So I had those tools in place. But one thing that is maybe a little surprising or didn’t[00:02:30] suspect although it obvious is that the more things that I can put on auto pilot, or better said the more things I can have pre scheduled that I don't have to go through the process of scheduling each month, the more effective I've been. So for example with my first elder’s quorum presidency my two counselors moved away, but with those two we didn't necessarily have a set time each month that we would have our presidency meeting.
A transcript of the interview is available below.
Terryl Givens, PhD, is a professor of literature and religion at the University of Richmond, a private liberal arts college. Baptized initially in the Presbyterian faith by his minister grandfather, Terryl and his family became LDS when Terryl was eight or nine; however, the family of nine became less active. Born in upstate New York and raised largely in the Southwestern U.S.A., when Terryl was sixteen the family relocated to Virginia from another state, having no immediate prospects for employment, friends or a home. Initially they lived in a tent. In Virginia the family was reactivated and Terryl experienced a personal spiritual reawakening. Although he set his sights on a wrestling scholarship at Yale, Terryl was always “bookish,” as he describes it. Following a successful church mission in Brazil he graduated from BYU, where he courted and married Fiona. After graduate work at Cornell he completed his graduate studies at UNC, Chapel Hill, by which time the Givens had five children. Dr. Givens’ scholastic work included a semester abroad in Vienna. Fiona has a graduate degree in history. Terryl has served as a bishop. Although he did not initially fancy himself an author, Dr. Givens has authored a dozen books, including some that have been co-authored with Fiona. He has a special interest in Mormon studies, history and culture. His podcasts are accessible through terrylgivens.com. Episode Highlights
11:37 Unlikely journey to becoming an author…His father’s collection of 19th century anti-LDS literature…Impact of learning the Book of Mormon was the most widely produced book, other than Bible. 15:15 Books are no longer the primary vehicle for disseminating information…Desire to celebrate intellectual and theological richness of Mormonism…People struggling with their faith. 18:00 There is not one, “typical” Mormon testimony…Finding one’s own path in “coming to Christ.” 19:25 Called as bishop in Richmond the week of 9/11…Occupying a position with enormous ability to make a difference in people’s lives…Using the power of the mantle as an influence for good…Ministering to members and promoting member interaction. 23:00 Dealing with faith crises…The gift of empathy…Feeling the weight of their burdens and the texture of their cross…Bishops need to “feel,” not simply fix…Avoiding tendency to view others’ experiences through one’s personal lens regarding matters of faith and other personal struggles. 29:25 President M. Russell Ballard’s powerful statement to leaders: ‘bearing testimony is not the answer to every question’ from people experiencing doubt…Dealing with legitimate perplexities and apparent incongruities…Asking, “What’s at stake in that question?”…Some faith questions are based on false assumptions…Helping people navigate distractions by refocusing on what matters most. 35:10 As a leader, having courage to refer someone to a person with more expertise…Demonstrate validation…Be careful about trying to shut off sources of intellectual inquiry…Transparency. 38:15 “Criminalizing” doubt…Elder Hugh B. Brown’s comment about “apprenticeship in doubt” on path of discipleship…Can faith and uncertainty can co-exist?... “Help thou my unbelief.” Knowing vs believing…On being authentic as to what we know or feel…The culture of “certainty.” 44:52 Scriptural examples of individuals having faith without absolute knowledge…Scriptures appeal to both mind and heart…Saying “I don’t know” and learning together. 47:56 Asking “real” questions in adult Sunday school classes…Does everyone truly agree…Importance of truly spiritual gospel doctrine class teachers…Dealing with boredom in SS class. 52:00 Is there resistance to addressing questions head-on? In the long run, how will church members be fortified? Being “shut down” in the U.K. 55:00 Holy envy…The role of art and literature as sacred vehicles. President Kimball: “When God didn’t have prophets he sp...
Rachel Davis is a two-time Primary president and lives in Santa Clarita, California, with her husband and children. She was raised in the LDS Church as her family traveled internationally and around the United States for her father's work. She blogs at TheMormonHome.com where she posts resources for LDS families and Primary leaders. Episode Highlights
3:00 Rachel's background and blogging experiences 9:15 How living internationally shaped her experience in the church 13:00 The bulletin board metaphor 14:30 Rachel's family story and development of her testimony 19:20 "Digging deep" in developing a testimony 22:50 Gay marriage issue in California and her family 24:40 Diversity of thought in a room 29:00 Primary presidency experience 32:30 How Rachel's Primary operates 39:40 Five Leadership Principles
Stop trying to find someone to tell you No 42:10 Every time you start a program, think about how you're going to finish it (traditions are perilous) 44:10 Church is a volunteer organization, not a corporation 46:15 Be ready to apologize all the time 49:45 Practice spiritual self-care
54:10 Seeing the big picture with Primary children
Links Microphone Rachel's ward uses in Primary
TheMormonHome.com
Photo Credit: BYU Photo
Chad Lewis is from Orem, Utah and walked on to played football for Brigham Young University from 1993 to 1996. After not being drafted into the NFL he walked on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles where he had a successful career as a 3-time pro-bowler. Now retired from football he works for the BYU Athletic department and continues to have a passion for BYU sports.
In this episode we talk about his personal development as a leader and how he found the grit and determination to succeed in a difficult sport when he was required to "walk-on" at every level. Chad describes what made his two famous coaches, LaVell Edwards and Andy Reid, incredible leaders and motivators. Episode Highlights:
Chad's background 4:00 Chad's childhood and mission 6:00 What advice will you give your children about serving a mission? 11:50 How Chad decided to walk-on to BYU 13:30 How to stay humble and confident on the football field 19:30 How to attack each day and succeed as a competitor 22:00 What Coach LaVell Edwards taught Chad about leadership 24:20 How Coach Edwards showed love through leadership 27:00 How to be a leader and not just a player 32:00 How to motivate as a leader 35:00 What Coach Andy Reid taught Chad about leadership 39:00
Links: The Greatest Salesman in the World, by Og Mandino
Tom Brady's Book, The TB12 Method
Kurt Francom & Chad Lewis the day of the interview
Sahar Qumsiyeh is the author of Peace for a Palestinian: One Woman's Story of Faith amidst War in the Holy Land where she tells of her life as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Palestine. In this interview we hear her story of converting to the LDS Church at Brigham Young University and then serving in church leadership positions when she returned to the Jerusalem Branch and also in Turkey during her graduate school. Sahar currently lives in Rexburg Idaho where she teaches Mathematics. Episode Highlights
2:20 the development of her faith before joining the Church 4:20 What lead her to BYU 5:45 What she knew about Mormons before going to BYU 7:30 Her conversion story 9:30 The transition from Provo, Utah to Palestine as a member of the Church 12:15 Why going to Church was difficult for Sahar as a Palestinian 21:25 Sahar’s experience serving in the LDS Church in Turkey while she attended graduate school 23:15 Being in the Relief Society presidency in Turkey 28:00 Being called as Relief Society president in the Jerusalem Branch 29:30 What the Jerusalem Branch is like 34:00 The creation of the Bethlehem Branch 42:00 Serving as Primary President in the Bethlehem Branch 47:00 Leadership principles learned as a leader in the LDS Church
Links: Buy Sahar's book
Kurt Francom from Leading Saints with Sahar Qumsiyeh during the interview Interview Transcript Kurt Francom (LS): Today I'm sitting down in downtown Salt Lake at the [00:03:30] Deseret Book headquarters with Sahar Qumsiyeh. How are you Sahar?
Sahar: I'm doing good thank you.
LS: Awesome. Now you are not from Salt Lake. You were from the other side of the globe.
Sahar: Yeah.
LS: When people ask you where you're from what do you tell them?
Sahar: Palestine.
LS: Nice, And is there specific city?
Sahar: I tell them I'm from Biet Sahour but a lot of people don't know Biet Sahour but it's right next to Bethlehem is about a five minute walk from the Church of Nativity where the Savior was born so its just down the hill.
LS: I've heard of Bethlehem [00:04:00] this is good. You're born in Jerusalem right? The reason we were together is you recently wrote a book about being a Latter-day saint in Palestine. Obviously there's a story behind this but what led to this book actually coming to reality?
Sahar: Well actually it started out by a very simple Relief Society Project where they encouraged us to write our personal history and I decided I'm going to write my life story. And I did. And I kept adding to it.[00:04:30] As time went by and then one of my friends is like well why don't you publish this. This is interesting because I was sending her my weekly e-mails about sneaking in to get to church and all the difficulties I was facing. She's like you have an interesting life. You should publish this. People could be interested in my life? So I changed the format a little bit and made it look like something kind of inspirational and kind of topic base. So it's not a biography format.
LS: [00:05:00] Here it is, nice! There is a few things I want to talk about. Obviously it's interesting you've served as early Relief Society president and District Relief Society president in Palestine and obviously there's some interesting stories from that and some unique leadership principles you learned from that experience but maybe back up you converted the church when you attended BYU but before that how would you describe the development of your faith?
Sahar: So I grew up in a place of conflict and it was kind of difficult [00:05:30] to live there and I was depressed a lot. I participated in demonstrations I saw a lot of people get killed and shot and then imprisoned, and tortured, in jail and all that and it was kind of a difficult life and I became very depressed. Then when I went to BYU, and I grew up as a Christian I knew God existed I just didn't know that God actually...
Kimber Uluave is a three-time Young Women president (different stakes) who resides in Washington, Utah, near St. George. Born and raised in Cedar City, Utah, she met her husband-to-be, Kivalu , while they were students at Southern Utah University. A Provo native, Kivalu played football for SUU. The two coincidentally met again while at the MTC. Kimber served in the California San Jose Mission, while Kivalu served in the Japan Tokyo South Mission. Following their respective missions they reconnected, courted, married and now have three children. Kimber has also served as a gospel doctrine teacher and in a relief society presidency.
8:00 Feelings of inadequacy in leading 42, mostly active young women; different wards—different dynamics; developing deep and profound relationships; listen to spiritual promptings and seek to avoid regrets about your service.
15:00 “I am called of God; my authority is above that of the kings of the earth.” Lord will magnify us if we rise to the occasion. Be courageous; testify; allow your children to see your example of faithful service.
19:30 Helping young women move past tension and competition can restore the spirit of the overall group. Asking an inspired, bold question led to forgiveness and reconciliation. Either allow the Lord to magnify the positives or deal with having the adversary magnify the negatives. Don’t lead by shaming. Getting past the cliché of “just love them.” Inviting people to take action. A relationship based on trust and love makes it easier to extend bold invitation to improve. Contagious love. 5 Key Leadership Principles
29:15 Ministering: We’ve been given the mantle and responsibility and the tools to know what the YW need. Getting to know them on their “turf.” Is the use of social media a help or a hindrance in dealing with young women? 32:02 See and love the youth as the Savior does: We stand in His place and He wants them to be taught leadership and motherhood skills. Being the Lord’s instrument and mouthpiece. Approaching those who are resistant. 33:53 Know the mantle of the calling: Inspiration is available. The Lord fills in the gaps. The “law of compensation.” Witnessing miracles. 36:41 Seek revelation and be in tune to the promptings of the Holy Ghost: Many need us and are on their needs asking for help. Be in tune to know what God wants you to do to respond to their prayers. 39:31 Magnify the Lord’s love in all our efforts: He will magnify you in your calling and that magnifying component can last long after your official efforts/calling have ended.
41:50 Let the girls be leaders and offer ideas that will change their lives: Excellent example of young women, with the relief society’s assistance, deepening relationships and fulfilling a Personal Progress requirement through a group quilting project.
Concluding Thought on Discipleship
43:36 How has being a leader helped you to be a better follower and disciple of Jesus Christ? Kimber’s response: In this life we can represent our Savior and say the things He would say and do if He were here. I have seen my joy magnified in every aspect of my life. The joy in our home luminates because of service. It is a gift to have the privilege and ability to serve.
John Stoker currently lives in Springville, Utah and is the President and CEO of DialogueWORKS. John earned a masters degree in Organizational Behavior at Brigham Young University and has had an exciting career. His career has taken him all over the country and he even went back to Law school and practiced as a criminal defense attorney. DialogueWORKS helps leaders to develop communication and thinking skills that will help them be more effective with the people that they manage in the organizations that they lead. They help businesses to shift their paradigm by teaching courses on communication, leadership development, or emotional intelligence and critical thinking. In short, they help leaders get out of their "stinking thinking” by helping them achieve results, build relationships, and create respect. John is also the author of Overcoming Fake Talk. Episode Summary
Served as a Bishop at BYU 2:50 “What should I do with this person, having a difficult conversation” 5:08
Worry/avoid the conversation and when they do have it they don’t do it well Avoid and compound the problem
Handling poor performance 7:40
Address the the issue one-on-one not with the whole team
4 Steps in having a difficult conversation 12:00
1st Step Initiate: Starting the conversation
Identify the intent for holding the conversation. What do you want to happen? Create an Attention Check “Can we talk?” 12:43 Share data that you have or are experiencing and interoperation of the data. “I noticed…I’m wondering, thinking, or believing…” Start with data and then share your perspective 14:25
2nd Step Discovery: Ask as many questions that you can 17:05
Confirming Question:
Have I or Is it accurate?
Learning question:
What’s going on?
Write down questions:
What do I not know? What do I need to know?
3rd Step Connect: 30:32
Summarize their perspective first, then add yours. “If I understand correctly… Does that make sense?" Share your expectations & natural consequences
4th Step Build: 38:00 Create Accountability
Build Plan: It needs to be their solution
What have you tried? What has worked? What hasn’t worked?
Get commitment to plan
Will you do this? Connects to motivation Can you do this? Connects to ability Is there anything you need from me? Connects to support The answers to these questions become the facts for the next conversation. “Last month when we talked you said…”
Read the persons reaction to check their commitment level
General encouragement for leaders 45:40
Prepare: Sit down, think about the person and the context Don’t judge: Learn to suspend judgement and realize we don’t know as much as we think Ask more questions. Listen
Don Adams is the CEO of Bear River Mutual in Utah. He was born and raised on a farm in southeast Idaho and served in the military before graduating from Brigham Young University and becoming an elementary school teacher. In 1974 he began working in the insurance industry and has continued doing so ever since. He served a mission to the Central States mission and has served in various church leadership callings, including as a Bishop. In this podcast, Kurt talks with Brother Adams about the experiences he has had in church and business leadership positions and how specific principles can apply to both. Episode Highlights
(9:40) How do you create and transfer passion?
If done correctly, it's a noble cause if you treat people well
(17:45) The importance of being an example as a teacher
Think through the process and who your audience is. Establish a relationship with your audience. Help audience to feel comfortable with you establishes a "safe zone" where audience is more likely to listen.
(21:00) Establishing rapport with someone.
Taking the time to get to know them. "go where they go" Good questions to ask to help someone open up. Quit talking and let them talk.
(27:20) Effective youth interviews
Limit quantity of questions and keep them open-ended. If they're not responding, don't make a big deal about it.
(35:15) How can you get "an honest day's work" from individuals in church callings? (39:30) Teaching others to become leaders
"Are you prepared to allow them to fail?"
Leadership Principles
(31:30) Principle #1: Your attitude sets the tone. (43:45) Principle #2: Don't be afraid to fail. (49:00) Principle #3: Continue to learn. (57:15) Principle #4: Live by your values and principle
Kari Ferguson is a wife, mother, BYU graduate, returned missionary, author and experienced local church leader, presently serving as a relief society president. She has also suffered for many years from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety. Kari and Jamund, her husband of nine years, reside in Vancouver, Washington and are the parents of two children. Kari can also be found on LDS Living and The Mighty. Her newest book is The OCD Mormon: Finding Healing and Hope in the Midst of Anxiety. Following is a summary of their podcast interview in which Kari and Jamund discuss symptoms of OCD and its debilitating effects. Suggestions are offered as to how LDS leaders can exhibit sensitivity, and help OCD sufferers in their flock in ways that do not marginalize them or trivialize their condition. Many people with OCD and acute anxiety are very capable of rendering high-quality service in the ward, but it helps to understand what they are up against. The interview concludes with a description of a planned March 3, 2018 conference devoted to OCD/anxiety disorders among church members. It will be held in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
Episode Highlights
4:35—What prompted Kari to write her new book, as a follow-up to an earlier book and her blogsite: https://www.theocdmormon.com. 6:15—Jamund describes meeting Kari and relates his own family background dealing with a parent’s bi-polar disorder, making him more sensitive to the needs of someone with Kari’s condition. 8:08—Kari’s symptoms described; previous issues while serving as primary president; being supported by her husband; being called as relief society president by a bishop who became aware of her condition; learning to delegate; not comparing oneself to the last person who occupied the same position/calling. 12:13—Dealing with the stigma; more symptoms described (hoarding, fear of contamination, hit-and-run fears, tapping, etc.). OCD sufferers tend to hide it with facades, and too many are not getting needed help. 15:04—Knowing when professional intervention is required; living a balanced and healthy life; constant need for reassurance; obsessing over repentance; leaders can recommend professional help without giving offense; missing work and losing sleep; getting “sick” at last minute to avoid social situations; avoiding shopping for fear of contamination. 20:26—The big decision for Kari to seek professional counseling; feeling like a failure; the challenge of finding the “right” therapist. 22:25—Medicine, therapy or both? Changing behavior vs masking it; developing coping skills; perfectionism. 25:04—Is the root cause of a person’s OCD irrelevant? OCD can steal your life; cognitive-behavior therapy; international OCD website; retraining the brain; church leader empathy alone is likely not sufficient to help a person overcome acute OCD. 29:00—Religious scrupulosity/perfectionism; LDS Family Services or another path for intervention? Spousal support. 33:00—Healing and coping will often require more than reading scriptures, praying more often and attending the temple. Connection between mental and spiritual; leaders should avoid tendency towards on-the-spot diagnosis. Leader listening skills paramount. 40:00— Decreasing the stigma and creating a culture/climate where it can be discussed in a healthy way at the ward level. Reference to an apostle who dealt with some mental health issues. 45:23—Just how capable are people with OCD—can they serve in leadership capacity? Allowing for flexibility in how things are done. 52:45—If you are a sufferer, set realistic expectations for yourself; essential vs. non-essential decisions. Kari’s envelope-licking issue. 55:40—Does a person ever get totally cured? More on symptoms and coping mechanisms. 58:20—Why leaders should make room for people to serve, even if they have issues. 1:00:00—More on scrupulosity, perfectionism and constant guilt; feelings of being beyond the rea...
Robert and Shauri Quinn are a father, daughter duo who has put together a remarkable book titled Letter from Home: How to Lift Your Missionary & Unify Your Family. This book is a perfect read for families and leaders that are striving to connect with a missionary in their life.
In this intervew we talk with Robert and Shauri and discuss what principles leaders need to understand in order to better prepare the future missionary and their family in order to grow closer together when they are serving far apart from each other. Interview Highlights:
Bob & Shauri's background (7:00) When they realized they had a book (14:00) How Bob set expectations with his children to be extraordinary missionaries (17:20) The discover of this powerful letter writing process (23:00) Putting a letter writing plan together with the entire family (28:00) Who is the missionaries' most interested investigator? (32:30) How to influence missionaries to improve their letter writing to their family (38:30) How leaders can use this resource to help future missionaries be better letter writers (48:00) How leaders can apply these same principles to their quorums and wards (53:00) Some simple tactics to help you start writing better letters today (57:00)
Links:
Buy the book Letters From Home Website & Blog
Interview Transcript Available Below
Jenny Oaks Baker is the daughter of Elder Dallin H. Oaks (4:15) Jenny started playing violin at age 4 and she says that her faith evolved as her talent evolved. She saw her prayers answered as she performed and was able to be comforted and to do her best. She was also strengthened by priesthood blessings. She received her Bachelor’s degree from The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and her Master’s degree at Julliard. She met her husband while attending Juilliard and they were married in the temple. She was invited to join the National Symphony and continued with them until her 4th child was born. Heavenly Father has blessed her with lots of opportunities to perform since that time. She was nominated for a Grammy for her “When you Wish upon a Star” album. She talks about receiving her Grammy nomination and how grateful she was for that honor and how it opened doors for her. She realizes the gift that it was, and is grateful for her affiliation with Shadow Mountain Records. Her husband and family help to keep her centered. She is busy raising them, keeping things done at home, and doing her music on the side. 2:55 - spoke of re-evaluating her music career.
6:26 - She practiced violin hours and hours a day. Her patriarchal blessing indicated that Heavenly Father had a plan for her. She says her parents encouraged her to reach her potential. She is very grateful that the Lord has lit her path.
8:06 - How do we encourage children in their musical talents? She always hated practicing, but knew she needed to practice to play well. She loved to perform and so she would practice to perform. Her mother would set up home performances, community performances and many opportunities for her to perform, which helped her to improve. Those performances kept her going. The performances keep her practicing. She LOVES to perform. Now, she only practices when she has a performance. She doesn’t practice now just to practice, due to busy home, children. As she grew, it became more about sharing her gift with others and reaching her potential.
11:44 – Finding her gift for music: The moment she found her “gift” was when she was asked to play for Pres. Hinckley’s 90th birthday celebration in the conference center. Since she knew she loved to perform, and she wanted to showcase her talent. She was 22 and just completed her Masters. She offered some violin virtuoso pieces as options. President Hinckley requested something slower and more well known. This was a disappointment, and wondered how that would “show her skills”. But she offered “Believe me if all those endearing young charms”, and “Hoedown from Rodeo”. Pres. Hinckley requested only the slow piece and she was really worried. Before the performance, the producer spoke to those performing and reminded them that the program wasn’t about them, but it was about President Hinckley and bringing people together and feeling the unity of the church. The chosen song fit so beautifully into the program. It was a great lesson in following the prophet, and that he knew more about music than she did, even though she had just graduated from Juilliard. This helped me become a different artist. How can my music impact people and touch them and bring them together and help them feel Gods love. It’s not about “showing people how I play”, it is a bigger purpose. When she needs to be reminded what she is doing it for - she says, “The Lord will have a humble Jenny”.
16:40 – Being an instrument in the Lords hands: It’s not about us, but about how we share our gifts. This is a good message for lay leaders, about how they can learn and grow and serve and become an instrument in Gods hand. She relayed a memory of a talk by her father to missionaries, using a pen as an object lesson. The pen does what the master requires. He encouraged them to be an instrument in the Lord’s hand. We can be more effective as a tool for Him.
Brandt Malone is a current Young Men's president who was recently released from serving as ward clerk. He lives in Michigan with his family and is the host of the Mormon News Report podcast. In this episode Brandt discusses how to lighten the load of the bishop as a ward clerk.
12:45 Who is Brandt Malone? 20:00 Ward clerk calling 22:30 Demographic of ward in Michigan 31:00 Ward clerk and Executive secretary working as the 3rd and 4th counselor to the bishop. 34:00 Disagreeing with the bishop 37:00 Bishopric meeting being a safe environment 40:00 Confident leaders are confident with other leaders that see things differently. 40:50 5 leadership principles- #1 There's always work to do. 43:00 Keeping balance 44:00 Technology makes callings easier. 45:45 Starting out as ward clerk 47:30 #2- Don't expect hand holding. 50:00 Unknown records tips- find your own system. 51:15 #3- Always offer to help. 56:00 #4- Respect the bishop's time- don't expect him to micromanage you. 1:00:39 Relationships matter. 106:00 Be an active not a passive ward clerk
On November 28, 2017 we will be taking a virtual trip around the globe to visit lay leaders in the Church in every timezone! It will be an event you do not want to miss.
For full details visit the #GivingTuesday page.
Matt Stevens is a recently released elder’s quorum president in Parker, Colorado. Originally from the Salt Lake Valley, Matt served a mission in northern Argentina and has spent many years as a member of the ward council and priesthood executive committee as a ward mission leader, young men’s president, activities co-chair, and elder’s quorum president. He has also served as an early-morning seminary teacher. Professionally, Brother Stevens is a dentist, having practiced for eight years. He and his wife have lived in Chapel Hill, N.C. and in Oregon before settling in Colorado, and they have four children. As quorum president he was dedicated to the principle of empowering and giving ownership to his counselors, secretary and home teaching district leaders, as well as quorum members. Episode Summary The call to serve as quorum president: 7:55
Scope of responsibility 11:10: Ward size, growth rate and other dynamics. Continuity amid change.
Using District Leaders Effectively by Empowerment, Clear Delegation and Trust: 15:20: Organizing to help people move. Getting beyond reliance on “Same Ten People” doing the bulk of the work. Making assignments versus asking for volunteers. Dealing with new move-ins. Support for home teaching companionships. Inclusiveness. Setting apart district leaders. Meet to discuss home teaching “best practices.” District break-out sections during quorum meetings. Share things learned from “failures.”
Presidency Meetings: 28:00 Flexibility in selecting meeting times and respecting family priorities. Handling of some administrative matters offline, electronically. Counselor ownership for districts.
Home Teaching Designed to Meet Family Needs: 31:29: Determine with the family what constitutes “effective home teaching” in their eyes. Understand Church Handbook meaning of “regular” home teaching. Using district leaders for more than simply gathering numbers. Insight from classic general conference discourse by Elder Holland on home teaching. Five Leadership Principles:
Validation through genuine appreciation: 36:00 Lead by Listening, Modeling Supportive Behaviors and Being Authentic: 42:00 Trust and Empower Counselors and Secretaries with Meaningful Assignments: 48:30 Administrative “Minimalism” and Focus on Ministering: 54:30 “Don’t Be a Squeaky Wheel on the Ward Wagon” (helping the bishop vs unloading problems on him) 58:40
How Leading Helps Me to Be a Better Follower: Hard work, grace and self-discovery (Fully invested or just a consumer?) 101:50
Interview Transcript Available Below
In this episode we interview Dr. Jill Manning, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and Anne Blythe, Director of Betrayal Trauma Recovery.
Jill Manning is a PhD level marriage and family councilor and has been practicing for 17 years. She is on two national boards, Enough is Enough and App Status. She lives in Colorado.
Anne Blythe spent seven years trying to save her marriage as her husband battled a pornography addiction. She currently coaches women online who are going through a similar situation. She has a website and hosts a podcast, Betrayal Trauma Recovery. Her website and podcast are dedicated to helping support women through this trauma. Episode Highlights
2:26 Betrayal trauma is when someone who loves you violates your trust in a critical way. This betrayal can happen to these victims multiple times. 9:36 Anne struggled to put the pieces together in the midst of her trauma and recognize this was in an abusive relationship. 11:13 Sometimes Bishops can have a hard time helping couples through these pornography addictions as two different perspectives are shared, ”he said, she said” 12:11 For Anne going to church during this time was extremely difficult. She kept going because she knew it was right. 13:51 As a Mormon culture we are a trusting people. That can make it hard dealing with addicts who are not always honest due to shame and minimizing the situation. They can also gas light the situation and manipulate reality. 14:36 When helping in the “he said, she said” situations step back and evaluate who is motivated by what. 15:41 It can take women some time to realize they are in an abusive relationship 18:50 It can take months or years to get the full story from the addict. Help teach them that it is ok and normal to spotlight the situation. 21:52 The addict is not mentally capable of divulging everything at once. 22:13 The spouse can be the barometer for what is really happening. 24:21 Secondary Trauma is trauma that comes from asking for help and feeling dismissed. 26:19 For the victims it can help to see action being taken and the addict held accountable. 30:44 Consuming pornography is unrighteous dominion. 31:29 Emotional, spiritual, and financial, abuse is real and often linked to pornography addiction. 34:11 Studies have shown that 2/3 of people struggling with pornography addiction have been found to have a mood disorder. Those studies also show that 44 percent have a personality disorder and narcissistic traits. 34:14 Three studies have shown that 71 percent of women meet the criteria for PTSD as victims of their spouses pornography addiction. 35:29 Zoom into helping the victims with safety first. That includes being physically and spiritual safe. 37:35 Lean on Heavenly Father to help you through this and always establish emotional safety.
Resources and Links:
Enough is Enough Betrayal Trauma Recovery Steve and Kayla's Story of Sexual Addiction and Recovery Jill Manning's Website
Interview Transcript: Kurt Francom: Today we are welcoming into the podcast Jill Manning and Anne Blythe.
Dr Jill Manning: Doing well.
Anne Blythe: Great.
Kurt Francom: Jill, maybe let's start with you. Tell us about your background. What does the Leading Saints world need to know [00:05:00] about you and what you offer to this discussion?
Dr Jill Manning: Sure. I'm a PhD level marriage and family therapist. I've been practicing for approximately 17 years now. I'm from Canada originally, but based in Colorado. I sit on two national boards, Enough is Enough, which focuses on internet safety, and also APSATS, which focuses on certifying and training those that are specializing in partners of sex addiction work, and I'm a clinician in private practice.
Kurt Francom: Awesome. I love to have a good, solid [00:05:30] expert to throw questions at, for sure. Anne,
David Farnsworth was a retired leadership and executive coach that spent years helping organization improve their interviewing skills through the 3D Interviewing method. He passed away in July 2020. In this episode David explains methods LDS leaders can use in order to improve the effectiveness of 1-to-1 interviews and class room teaching through effective questions. Episode Highlights:
(7:15) Why do I want to develop my interviewing skills?
The question is how do you see your role? Understanding the leader's role in an interaction
(11:35) The Fundamentals
Be sincerely interested in others. Reading others accurately. Having the vocabulary to articulate. Be willing to be authentic and consistent. Having a good sense of ourselves (self-awareness). Trust others in their ability to respond. Not seeing yourself as the expert, but to uncouple yourself from having all the answers.
(17:45) Drawing the Cube exercise (22:00) The Art of Formulating Focused Questions Preparing questions in advance.
Draft good questions. Try to put them in a logical order. Examine questions carefully and fine-tune them.
(29:45) Active Listening
Paraphrase in your own words what the other person has just said:
Leaving the other person in control allows you find out how they think, what they're feeling, etc.
Three levels of paraphrasing:
What was said? (make sure you're clear about what they've said). How was it said? (for example, "I can see this is difficult for you..."). What was not said?
Three reactions to paraphrasing - agreement, correction/clarification, or amplification. (44:20) Summarizing - different than paraphrasing.
Pulling together the major points of the discussion or topic (your understanding of the discussion). Same three reactions to summarizing as paraphrasing (agreement, correction/clarification, or amplification).
(52:45) Sequencing questions - Getting acquainted example. (55:00) Sequencing questions - Problem-solving example. (58:50) Sequencing questions - Classroom example. (67:00) How can I start interviewing using the 3D-I model?
"After Action Review
Prior to his calling as a general authority seventy, Elder and Sister Groberg (Jean Sabin) lived in Idaho Falls, where Elder Groberg worked in a family-owned residential and commercial construction and land development business with his brothers. He was an eagle scout and holds a BS degree from BYU and an MBA from Indiana University. He served as bishop, mission president in Tonga, and regional representative, before being called to the First Quorum of the Seventy in 1976. In the latter service he served for a time as area president over the Asia, Utah South and North America West areas at various times. On church assignments the Grobergs have lived in Utah, Hong Kong, Idaho Falls, Argentina, Tonga and Hawaii. They have owned a home in Bountiful, Utah since 1978 and served as temple president and matron of the Idaho Falls Temple following service as an active general authority. Elder Groberg has authored five books, typically at the urging of others. His first book, dealing with his experiences as a young missionary in Tonga, was made into a 2001 movie, The Other Side of Heaven, starring Anne Hathaway and Chris Gorham. It was filmed in New Zealand and the Cook Islands and was directed by Mitch Davis. Elder Groberg wrote the book at the urging of President Thomas S. Monson, a member of the First Presidency. Episode Highlights:
5:30 Why The Other Side of Heaven (Eye of the Storm) Was Written 15:00 Serving as Bishop 20:30 Called to Serve as Mission President 35:15 Serving as a Regional Representative—tantamount to present-day Area Authority Seventy 37:30 Serving as a General Authority 56:20 Serving as President of the Idaho Falls Temple, 2005-2008
Links: The Other Side of Heaven John Groberg's Books The Stray Movie TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Jake Carlson, MBA/JD, is a leadership development expert and host of the Modern Leadership Podcast. He created the Elite Achiever Academy to encourage leadership through the CIA of Influence (Conviction, Irresistibility & Accountability). He holds a JD in taxation from California Western School of Law, an MBA in Finance from San Diego State University and a BA from Brigham Young University. Additionally, he is the former Chief Operating Officer of the Silicon Valley Monterey Bay Area Council, BSA and Associate Regional Director of the National BSA Foundation. Jake has been a Young Men leader, a Sunday School teacher, and Sunday School president. His passion is leadership, influence, and helping others discover their zone of genius. After a year abroad, Jake, Kari, and their three children settled (for the time being) in Gilbert, Arizona.
Recently, Jake and his family returned from spending nearly a year traveling to twelve countries around the world experiencing the cultures and how the church functions. The Carlson family began their journey in the Philippines, where Brother Carlson served his mission, before traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, Czech republic, Italy, Scotland, England, France, and Wells before returning home to the United States. In the podcast episode, Brother Carlson shares his experiences about the uniqueness of the church in different parts of the world and lessons that he learned as he had opportunities to serve far from home. Enter Jake... In the last year, as a family, we traveled through 12 countries in Asia and Europe, attending 11 different wards, eight branches, one group, and even worshipping in Mandalay, Myanmar, where the Church doesn’t have a presence (yet). Every Sunday provided unique experiences, new friends, and even a few universals (who is teaching Elder’s Quorum this week… anyone?) The Church is awesome wherever you travel; regardless of culture, language, or the poverty within the local geography.
We learned a lot, grew closer as a family and saw things our journals will memorialize for generations. We love the Church and found a warm, welcoming church family in every house of worship we attended. The Lord knows the experiences we need and continues to provide opportunities for us to learn.
One opportunity in particular changed my understanding of leadership as we passed through Prague, Czech Republic. What started as a two-week stop to see the world-famous Christmas markets turned into 75 days of fun, fellowship, and service. It was there that I learned, really learned, about Sunday School lesson preparation.
It happened when a Sunday School teacher asked if I could fill in for her by preparing a Gospel Principles lesson on the Creation for the following week. I agreed.
The Czech Republic ocated in Central Europe, east of Germany and north of Austria and has a population over 10 million, 2,500 of which are church members. Formed following the dissolution of Czechoslovakia in 1993, the people have endured many difficult years, including German occupation during World War II and subsequently becoming a one-party communist state.
The Church likewise struggled, but the Saints grew strong. For over 40 years, public activity of the Church was prohibited, but members quietly kept their faith, at times sneaking copies of The Book of Mormon into the country with false covers to avoid confiscation. Finally, in 1990, through the efforts of President Monson, the church was granted recognition; there were 345 members. In 2016, President Uchtdorf organized the first stake in the Czech Republic, headquartered in the capital city, Prague. Leadership in the Prague Ward is incredible and missionary work is gathering momentum.
Each Sunday, about one quarter of the Prague ward attendance consists of visitors. Sacrament meeting is in Czech, but guests can borrow headphones to listen while the full-time missionaries translate.
Heidi Tucker is a current Stake Young Women president who has also served as ward Young Women president and an early morning seminary teacher. Check out her other interviewed called When a Missionary Returns Home Early | A Mother's Perspective. Episode Summary 4:00 First experience serving in Young Women's 6:00 What was surprising serving in Young Women's on a stake level? 7:40 5 principles of leadership 7:45 Keep lines of communication open with ward Young Women presidents 12:25 Support the stewardship of the ward Young Women's president. Don't replace them. 15:20 Love the youth and teach them with respect 17:00 We're all at different levels of the gospel. Don't judge...teach. 18:50 Pray to know the path for your stake. Put your ego aside. 23:45 How has serving in the Young Women's made you a better disciple of Jesus Christ?
Raised in Bakersfield, California, Clive Winn obtained a B.S. degree in law enforcement and a Master of Public Administration degree from B.Y.U. He was employed for many years as an F.B.I. special agent in various locations. As a church leader, he has served in numerous capacities including elders quorum president, bishop, stake president and mission president (Argentina). More recently he was called as a stake patriarch. During the podcast interview, Brother Winn briefly describes his interviews with a member of the Council of the Twelve and a member of the First Presidency prior to being officially called as a mission president. He further describes his joy in seeing how teachable missionaries typically are in receiving counsel from their mission president. As a patriarch (15:34), he has reaffirmed his conviction of the worth of every individual soul in the eyes of a loving Heavenly Father. He asserts that when you get a glimpse into peoples’ eternal possibilities you view them differently. We should all strive harder to treat each other in a way that recognizes the great potential that God sees in each of us.
While employed by the F.B.I. Clive was often called on to train other staff members. He loved seeing the “light come on,” prompting people to change workplace or personal-life behaviors while becoming more enthusiastic and genuinely happy.
The late Dale Carnegie authored world-renowned How to Win Friends and Influence People, plus How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, and other books related to interpersonal success skills. Brother Winn has been officially involved with the Dale Carnegie training program for four years. As a church leader, he periodically witnessed members rejecting callings and local church officers falling short of their potential success and responsibilities to serve. He observed ward councils having to repeat the same discussions about member needs without moving the ball forward. He learned that many of the principles he practiced and taught in his professional life and, more recently, in the Dale Carnegie courses can lead to more productive leadership and happier saints. He discussed five of those 30+ principles in a recent interview, summarized as follows: 1. Don't Criticize, Condemn or Complain (19:57): If we personally refrain from such tendencies in leading church units, quorums and auxiliaries we’ll treat people with greater dignity and positively affect the overall organizational dynamics. Exhibit confidence and belief in the people you lead so as to help them understand their enormous potential and have greater clarity as to why they should perform at a higher level. The leader must set the tone for a positive culture, recognizing that sometimes other ward leaders under his/her direction are unaware they are expressing negative thoughts. All ward or stake members and leaders will benefit greatly from knowing that their leaders are positive. 2. Give Honest, Sincere Appreciation (20:32): Leaders often do not take time to consistently do this. Praise needs to be authentic and not for purposes of manipulation. Many people are “down” on themselves and a little reassurance goes a long way in rebuilding their faith and self-confidence. Don’t hesitate to send notes of commendation and gratitude. Look for opportunities to express appreciation from the pulpit to individuals, groups or congregations, including the recognition of small acts of service. Ward youth will greatly benefit from appreciation and positive reinforcement of specific things they have done well. 3. Smile (31:16): Some people are smile-challenged, especially when nervous or tense. Smiling helps you feel more comfortable and does the same for those you lead. It eases tension. Young people feel more accepted by a leader who smiles, and are then more likely to consult the leader to discuss serious personal concerns or aspirations. 4. Strive to Learn and Use Each Member's Name (34:35): This is a very powerful tool.
John Hester is a leadership consultant, trainer, researcher, and writer with The Ken Blanchard Companies. He currently serves on the High Council in his Vancouver, Washington stake and has previously served as an elders quorum president, Young Men president, and early-morning seminary teacher. Episode Highlights (9:30) Biggest mistakes leaders make someone is called to a new position and feels lost
Micromanaging Allowing the individual to go and flounder on their own, occasionally swooping in and then flying away again (seagull management)
(10:20) How can this be handled more effectively? How can a leader find balance somewhere between the two big mistakes?
Key is to take the time to diagnose recognize the goals and tasks that someone might have in a particular role what is your "development level" in each of these tasks? Then providing the necessary leadership to help in areas where someone may not be as strong or experienced
(11:45) Development Levels example
(15:30) Collaboration between the leader and the individual to diagnose development levels
Importance of recognizing that development levels are task-based rather than calling or position-based
(21:00) Reassessing the diagnosis beyond the initial calling (regular stewardship interviews)
(22:15) Characteristics of effective stewardship interviews
Consistency Assessing task-based progress
(25:15) Matching leadership style to the current development level
(29:00) How can leaders make these regular stewardship interviews a priority so that progress can keep happening?
Recognize that this is when the personal interaction can happen Making the time for them can free up time down the road
(32:00) The importance of leaders always listening Links: The Ken Blanchard Companies
In this episode we share with you a recorded fireside that was held in Salt Lake City in August of 2017 with a Young Single Adult ward. We interview Steve and Kayla Shields who are dedicated to helping others understand sex/pornography addiction and how they found hope and recovery. Steve runs the website UnashamedUnafraid.com which helps those struggling with sexual addiction find community. Steve and Kayla share their personal story of sexual addiction in hopes of removing the stigma of shame associated with addiction. Episode Highlights
6.20 Steve’s first interaction with pornography was at age 12. 7:14 Steve continued to struggle with pornography though his teen years. 8:28 His addiction was beginning to escalate. He did not feel he could talk to anyone about this. 9:02 Before Steve left for his mission he did go to talk to his Bishop. 10:42 Steve felt that his addiction was manageable during his mission. 11:35 Once Steve returned home from his mission he fell into old behavior and his addiction began to escalate. 13:10 Steve sought help from his Bishop however, the problems continued to escalate. 15:02 Steve and Kayla got married. Steve was an ordinance worker in the Temple and still struggling with his addiction. 15:22 Kayla shares how she asked Steve before they got married if he had ever struggled with a pornography addiction. Kayla did not want to marry anyone with a pornography addiction. 16:55 Steve felt emptiness from his addiction so he worked harder and served more to compensate for that emptiness. 17:43 Steve was currently serving as a counselor in the Bishopric. Kayla went out of town on a trip with their baby. During that time Steve spent that time acting out on his addiction. 19:07 Steve made a choice to get help. The Lord helped him to see his addiction for what it was. 20:19 Steve choose to speak with his Dad first about his addiction, and then he spoke to a therapist. 21:07 Steve also spoke with Kayla’s Dad about his addiction prior to talking to his wife. He wanted Kayla to have support when he shared this with her. 21:37 Steve spoke with his Bishop about his addiction. 22:07 Steve picked his wife up from the airport as she returned home from her trip. He drove her right to the therapist office first instead of going home. He wanted to share his addiction with her at the office. 22:14 She suspected he was going to tell her he struggles with pornography. There were clues while they were dating. 24:25 Steve shares how numb he felt from his addiction. 25:19 Kayla learned about Steve’s addiction and felt shock. She stormed out of the therapist office. She wanted a divorce. 27:50 Kayla prayed and felt comfort to move forward to heal ther marriage. 28:23 The months that followed were rough, especially as they moved into a new ward and questions followed from ward members. 29:50 What Kayla was feeling was betrayal trauma. She had things she had to heal from as well. 32:31 When you are dating ask questions. Invite them to be honest with you. 34:58 Addiction is very shameful. Talk to those you date in a way that doesn’t put their self worth on the line. 37:36 Be sensitive when addressing the topic of sexual addiction. Addiction brings shame. 38:26 Talk about sexual addiction while you are dating. Build a strong level of trust. 40:31 Start discussing your addiction with the safest person to you and work your way out. 41:48 When discussing your addiction you do not have to share everything at the first time you discuss this. Start where you can. 44:22 Steve felt hope as he saw other people overcome their sexual addiction. 47:57 As leaders in the church it can be helpful to attend a 12 step program for the experience. This will allow you to help those you lead who struggling with addictions. 49:37 Steve and Kayla built trust back in their marriage as she watched him stay committed to...
Interview Transcript Available Below
To say that Heidi Tucker, found her self in at a difficult junction in her life, would be an understatment. She had just turned 50, her 4th child was about to leave home, she was nearing the end to her calling that required her to teach early morning seminary at 4:30 am every morning. She was physically, emotionally and spiritually beat up. She was on a flight between Phoenix and Salt Lake City, where she had a dream and saw her hands holding her book that she was to write (1:50). Episode Highlights
Heidi tells what she had originally thought when she woke up from the dream (2:45) She tells about seeking personal revelation after she had allowed herself to forget about the dream. (3:40) “I showed you that book" There was no getting away from the promptings she received. (4:40) The book includes personal true stories of how Heidi found hope in trials in addition to gospel principles that helped her and her family through the difficult times. (7:31)
Improving Scripture Study (8:12) Turning personal prayer into 2 way communication (9:22)
Protect yourself from outside influences (11:30)
Learning and relating to sacrifices other family members have made (Family History) (8:48)
The audience for this book is for anyone, but has gotten a positive response from Relief Society Sisters and other women (12:45) Know that “Everyone is doing their best, at the level that they are at.” Gaining a testimony is a process, not an event. (14:35) Connecting with others by being real and honest. (16:38)
Combining personal experiences combined with gospel principles help make leaders seem real. (17:55)
“Struggle is as much a part of the plan as joy." (18:42) Instead of saying ‘Why me,” say, “What now” Experiences with Missionaries coming home early (20:55)
Don’t ask why they returned home. Don’t ask what they are going to be doing or ask if they are going to be going back out. Understand there are a lot of unanswered questions. Understanding as a parent that your child is on their own path to their Heavenly Father (26:00) Love them, support them and quit trying to fix them. (27:27) Keeping RM’s involved (32:54)
Be Direct and let people know that you care. (35:36)
Links: Finding Hope in the Journey: Recognize His Message Heidi's Blog
Interview Transcript Kurt Francom: 03:39 Today we're actually in my childhood home talking with Heidi Tucker. How are you Heidi?
Heidi Tucker: 03:44 Very good to be here. Thank you.
Kurt Francom: 03:47 You're from Cave Creek Arizona. Remind me where that is again?
Heidi Tucker: 03:52 That is on the north east corner of Phoenix and Scottsdale area.
Kurt Francom: 03:55 Nice and you're visiting some grand kids and children here?
Heidi Tucker: 04:00 They all went to college in Utah and never came back.
Kurt Francom: 04:04 Wow. So you have to come visit?
Heidi Tucker: 04:05 I have to be here every opportunity I get. And so we organized. My parents home was available and here we are in a nice air conditioned home. Are you to record and learn about you so you are the author of "Finding Hope in the Journey." Yes. Now I know from personal experience you don't accidentally write a book. So tell us how did this book come to be.
Kurt Francom: 04:24 Well we have to go back a few years. I was actually in a really difficult time. I had just turned 50. My fourth child was ready to leave the nest and I knew from three these three before her right that she's not coming back. So I know I'm going to be an empty nester. I was in my fourth year of teaching .early morning seminary. So four years of getting up at 4:30 every morning to be at the church by 5:30 to teach at 6:00 that had taken its toll.
People in your ward doubt the validity of gospel and you don't know it. You don't know it because they are afraid to tell you, their leader, that they doubt. They are afraid how you will respond, what you will say, and what you will do. Some are even afraid their newfound doubts will cause you to begin to doubt because they were once fully convinced of the gospel's validity too. No, they haven't sinned or need an excuse to sin—they just doubt.
If the bishop, or any other leader, is lucky enough, members with deep questions about the restored gospel will actually set an appointment to meet with you before they fade away into inactivity, or worse. This type of appointment is one of your greatest leadership tests. A moment when you will feel like you need to say the right thing or you might unintentionally push them away.
To help leaders prepare now rather than in the 15 seconds you will have when they say, "I'm not sure I believe anymore" here are seven things leaders can consider to help those in your ward who doubt. Validate, Validate, VALIDATE Most people who have developed doubt in the claims of the LDS Church feel like they have gone crazy. They live in a church culture where they see people every month stand and deliver a testimony with "every fiber of their being." These strong testimonies can be inspiring for many, but for those suddenly doubting, they feel like an outlier for even having thoughts of doubt.
Validation is the first step to a productive conversation. No matter how radical or outlandish the leader perceives the member's new perspective, it is critical to validate the fact that any normal, believing church member could develop such questions. Validating their doubts, concerns, or different beliefs doesn't mean you agree with them or that you should give them the impression you agree with them. Validation is simply recognizing the feelings a member might feel as he or she wrestles with a newfound perspective. For example, if an individual shares with a leader that she has read new information that causes her to question Joseph Smith's validity as a prophet of God, the leader could say, "I can imagine you have been feeling confused, unsure, and possibly even betrayed by this new information. It is important to realize that questions and doubts are part of a normal process we all go through as we strive to discover a deeper faith, even when we thought we had a stable testimony of these principles." When a doubter hears validation, she suddenly realizes she isn’t going crazy. If she feels like her perspective is scoffed at or dismissed, she will realize the mistake she made by trying to communicate her concerns with her church leader. Remember, she won't feel loved if she feels like you are trying to win a disagreement or straighten out her beliefs. Offer a New Framework When an individual experiences a faith crisis he feels he is in a spiritual free fall. He begins to question concepts in life he had never questioned before—especially those concepts based on faith. He moves from a life of certainty to a life of questions. This destroys hope and stimulates anxiety.
One of the best ways a leader can help others to establish a foundation of hope is to give the individual a new framework in which to start reconstructing his faith. Up until now, most with an LDS background have had a black-and-white framework to define their faith. They thought they had most of the answers that helped them understand the world and the eternities. It's not so much that the doubter’s faith has been damaged; it's their framework of defining faith that is needing repair.
In my experience, James Fowler's Stages of Faith is effective when needing a dynamic framework for understanding the human experience related to faith. We hope to produce more resources on Leading Saints that better explain this model, but for now, I encourage you to review it online. It is relieving for both the leader and the member when the memb...
Bryan Hughes currently serves as the Ward Mission Leader in his Topeka, KS ward. Raised in the Seattle, WA area and baptized shortly before his 18th birthday, he shares of his conversion experience after becoming inactive shortly after his baptism. These experiences have helped shape his approach to missionary work and serving in his current calling.
Bryan's approach to serving in the ward mission is guided by President's Hinckley's counsel that every new convert needs a friend, a responsibility, and to be nourished by the good word of God. He applies these teachings by regularly using the new member list in ward council to identify if these three things are happening for newly baptized members. Five Leadership Principles Principle #1 Recognize that you lead through influence (13:25)
D&C 121:41-44 Principles that help us lead and influence others righteously. To pull someone rather than push them you need to earn that right.
This can be done by making and keeping commitments yourself - effective communication with those whom we serve.
Principle #2 Don't assume that everyone knows how to be effective in every calling (16:00)
We need to have grace for individuals and be willing to serve (and serve with) those who are learning in their callings. Seeking first to understand and then to be understood. Revelation comes to all of the parties associated in the work as we counsel together.
Principle #3 Recognize that this is the Lord's work (25:20)
If not aware, we can unintentionally close ourselves to revelation or get stuck in routines and become unable to adjust or change as needed.
Principle #4 Be pleasantly persistent (28:35)
Avoiding making things a fire when it doesn't need to be a fire. Be pleasantly (and proactively) persistent. Everybody can find their own way to be pleasantly persistent. Remember that we work with volunteers (as we are ourselves). Being more persistent in accountability, getting face time, getting the message of our auxiliary across, but doing so in an effective (pleasant) way.
Principle #5 Make sure you have a strong team (35:30)
First and foremost we must defer to the Lord - we must not bypass the process of revelation. Should not hesitate to recommend individuals to serve in our auxiliaries if prompted to make those recommendations. Be willing to work with anyone the Lord sees fit to call to our team. Our responsibility as a leader is to make sure our team is strong, whomever has been called to be on that team
Jacob Barlow is a Southern California native, and former Utah resident, who now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. A BYU-Idaho graduate, Jacob is married and was previously employed at Google as a member of the company’s former Google Glass team.
Inspired by his church-leader father’s assembled database of pearls of wisdom, Jacob has developed a free app of quotable quotes. It is called The Closing Speaker and is useful for people serving in the Church and home as leaders, speakers, teachers and parents, as well as those responsible for inserting a meaningful quote on the front page of a Sunday ward bulletin. It has a practical application for both youth and adults. For example, Church youth may find the app very valuable in talk preparation, including last-minute assignments they may be called upon to fulfill in a quorum or classroom setting. The app is evolutionary and currently contains 3088 quotes from 241 authors on 287 separate topics (1). At present, it is only available for Android devices and may be available for IOS users in the future, the advantage to Android being its more global reach.
The app’s name (The Closing Speaker) borrows from the concept of a leader who finds himself or herself occupying valuable time at the pulpit at the end of a church service, and doing so in a way that helps ensure a successful meeting outcome. Users of the app may quickly search the database by topic or by author. The Closing Speaker functions somewhat as a topical guide; however, there is an important difference that many users will prefer over a topical guide or the use of a search bar on lds.org. The Closing Speaker provides actual quotes that are highly relevant, rather than overburdening users with a long list of citations that may have a one-word connection but offer limited value in the required context. While some of the quotes are lengthy and others are pithy, all are selected on the basis of bringing added value and understanding to a given topic. The Closing Speaker allows users to “favor” certain quotes for future reference and to also see what other users have highly favored.
Jacob’s plans for The Closing Speaker’s future include the possibility of user-input, and doing so in a way that continues to safeguard the app’s integrity as to verifiable, published quotes from trustworthy sources. The app’s current user rating is 4.8 on a five-point scale. Brother Barlow reported that the process of app development, and the necessity of reading every single quotation used, has been both inspiring and educational.
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Bennett and Becky Borden are a married couple who both experience same-sex attraction and who were both in same-sex marriages and relationships for many years prior to returning to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and prior to their marriage to each other. Bennett and Becky both grew up in the South in active LDS families. They met about 28 years ago when Bennett was a young man and served his mission in Becky's ward. Bennett became close with Becky's family and over they years they have remained friends. In their early 20s, both Bennett and Becky came out as gay, left the Church and went on to live a gay lifestyle for many years. After many years away they each decided separately they wanted to come back to the Church. They met up at Becky's family reunion and knew they should get married. They returned to church attendance, were married, and after a time had their blessings restored and were sealed in the temple. A lot can be learned and gained from their amazing story, their relationships, their faith transitions, their interactions with family and church leaders, and their spiritual experiences.
3:15 Bennett's upbringing 5:00 Becky's upbringing 7:30 Bennett's close relationship with Becky's family 8:00 After his mission, Bennett's first marriage to a woman 9:30 Bennett lives a gay lifestyle and stops going to church 10:30 Becky's journey coming out as gay 13:30 Their relationships with God as they left the church and lived the gay lifestyle 14:30 Bennett's experience studying other religions 16:00 Becky's experience joining several other churches 18:00 What can we learn from our crises of faith? 19:00 Every relationship has goodness to them 20:30 "The light and love of God shines everywhere"/Growth can happen even as we are lost 22:00 Becky's excommunication and the blessing of it 24:30 The thing that brought them back to the gospel 26:00 Bennett's same sex relationship and what brought him back 28:20 Becky and where she was as Bennett's relationship ended 31:00 Leaders and family members and how they reached out to Bennett and Becky while they were living a gay lifestyle 34:00 Love within church disciplinary councils 35:30 Bennett and Becky's friendship as they came back to the church 44:00 How to reconcile thoughts of going back to the church with being gay 45:00 Reading the scriptures assuming it's all true 48:00 Bennett and Becky decision to get married 50:00 Becky's experience meeting with her bishop to discuss coming back to church 53:20 Bennett's experience meeting with his bishop to discuss coming back to church 56:15 How Satan worked to keep them from coming back 57:00 Their marriage by a bishop in Washington D.C. 58:45 Bennett's ex-husband Richard joined the church 1:02:30 How to pray for a child with same sex attraction 1:08:00 How can leaders use Northstar to help them 1:09:00 Message to individuals wanting to come back to the church
Links: North Star
Bennett & Becky's North Star Conference Keynote
Bennett & Becky would love to connect with anyone who has questions or needs further support. You can reach them at their joint email: Bennettandbecky@gmail.com
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Interview Transcript Available Below
Jon Birger is a magazine writer and contributor to Fortune Magazine. Jon is also the author of Date-onomics: How Dating Became a Lopsided Numbers Game. In this book he explains the reason behind the lop-sided dating demographics and the decline in marriage rates with a focus in one chapter on the Jewish and Latter-day Saint religions. A big shout out to Geoff Openshaw from This Week in Mormons that helped conduct the interview. Go listen and subscribe to his podcast! Episode Summary:
5:56 Date-onomics looks at the demographics of why dating may be more challenging for women vs. men. 7:12 For the last fifteen years there have been four women graduating college for every three men. 7:48 There is a college gender gap that is responsible for the decline in marriages for educated women. 8:22 What is the scarcity rule and how is that effecting dating influences? 9:32 In Date-onomics Jon studied the secular world and how they can be less susceptible to outside cultural influences. 12:55 The gender ratio in the Latter-day Saint faith. 14:00 Is there a marriage crisis within the Latter-day Saint and Orthodox Jewish faith? 15:36 For the Latter-day Saints living in Utah, there is a gender gap. There is a 60/40 ratio women to men. 16:00 The gender ratio affects our behavior. 18:04 The ratio can cultivate very picky men. 19:49 Data suggest that in all religions women tend to be more devout then men. 20:31 Approximately 30 to 40 percent of LDS young men go on missions. 21:50 Most men who fall away from organized religion are between their late teen years to their twenties. 23:03 The age change for LDS missions reflected a surge of those choosing to go. 25:00 Why Millennials don’t date? 26:01 Millennial men are not happy couch potatoes. Case in point is Silicon Valley. 27:07 The Bay area in California has more men graduating from college than women. The marriage rates are much higher and divorce rates are very low. 28:52 Millennials are marrying late because of a faith crisis, not a dating crisis. This has become a demographics issue. 30:05 The science in Date-onomics shows how some of these patterns are hard wired within us. This is based on the demographics problem. 31:02 To shift the demographics slant, help encourage young men to stay active in the church. 33:11 The gender gap is not as great outside of Utah. Young men who do not serve missions may feel less ostracized outside Utah. 36:09 Elder Scott, “If you are a young man of appropriate age and are not married, don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life." 38:21 Freshman classes at BYU are 60/40 women to men due to LDS missions. 39:25 If college graduates were willing to date non-college graduates, the gender ratio may not be as bad. 41:46 As men age, they become locked into their ways and more rigid. 42:36 The plastic surgery surge in Utah can be contributed to the lop-sided demographics. Suggested Solutions: 45:47 Do not assume millennials are not marrying because of laziness. 46:45 Make gender ratios a consideration when choosing a college. 49:16 College educated women can expand their dating pool to include non-college educated men. 50:26 Avoid the musical chairs syndrome.
Links:
Date-onomics Book Jon Birger Website The End of Men: And the Rise of Women, by Hannah Rosin
Interview Transcript Kurt Francom: This is a simulcast along with my friend Geoff from the podcast This Week in Mormons. How are you, Geoff?
Geoff Openshaw: Hey, what’s up, Kurt? Good to see you, buddy.
Kurt Francom: Nice. We decide to tag team this episode because it’s such a fascinating topic and that we’re both going to be interviewing and having a discussion with Jon Birger, who is the author of Date-onomics - How dating became a lopsided numbers game.
Interview transcript available below
In this episode, we welcome back Jerry Smith who has been on the Leading Saints podcast before. I will remember, yeah, he is the author of Schooling the Prophet, How the Book of Mormon Influenced Joseph Smith and the Early Restoration. Jerry is originally from Salt Lake City and served his mission in Boston, Massachusetts area and later returned there to continue his college education. He now teaches in the School of Business at Boston College and also teaches institute classes at the Boston LDS Institute. He has served as bishop three times and in a stake presidency and in many other church callings.
Specifically in this episode we talk about a very interesting subject regarding the changes or corrections ancient prophets made in the Book of Mormon text— not grammatical changes that Joseph Smith made or others in the translation of the Book of Mormon, but changes ancient prophets themselves made, anciently as they were actually writing this and why they made it.
Through this discussion we discuss the concept of every leader being human and making errors from time to time as they are given a daunting task of leading. We sometimes hold up these Book of Mormon prophets as impeccable leaders. In reality, they were human and we can see a lot of their mortality through their writings in the Book of Mormon but that makes it very rich. It makes it real and we can learn more about the Book of Mormon, about these prophets, about the personalities and so I think you will enjoy this conversation as I geek out with Jerry about the extemporaneous changes that we see in the Book of Mormon. Links:
Improvisation and Extemporaneous Change in the Book of Mormon (Part 1: Evidence of an Imperfect, Authentic, Ancient Work of Scripture)
Improvisation and Extemporaneous Change in the Book of Mormon (Part 2: Structural Evidences of Earlier Ancient versus Later Modern Constructions)
Jerry Smith's first interview on the Leading Saints podcast Schooling the Prophet, How the Book of Mormon Influenced Joseph Smith and the Early Restoration
Understanding the Book of Mormon: A Reader's Guide, by Grant Hardy
Interview Transcript Jerry Smith: Well, Kurt, nice to just talk to you again.
Kurt Francom: Now you are originally from Boston and you just happened to be in Salt Lake so we thought let's get together and talk about something.
Jerry Smith: I'm actually originally from Salt Lake City.
Kurt Francom: [00:03:30] Oh right, yes, but you've lived there.
Jerry Smith: I've lived in Boston for 40 years, so does that count as a Bostonian?
Kurt Francom: Well, you're the better judge of that than I am. We talked prior in a previous interview, which I encourage all to check out about your book called Schooling the Prophet: How the Book of Mormon Influenced the Early Restoration. Did I get that subtitle right?
Jerry Smith: Almost, How the Book of Mormon Influenced Joseph Smith's Restoration.
Kurt Francom: Oh yes, of course. That was a fascinating interview and also, I read the book and I encourage people to check that out and learn more about [00:04:00] that, but now, we wanted to connect and talk about some articles that you've been researching and putting together about, I don't know how you would frame it exactly but some of the adjustments that are found in the Book of Mormon, in that scripture and the way they are manifested, right?
Jerry Smith: Yes. This is a discovery. These are discoveries I guess that I came across as I was researching the book Schooling the Prophet, and I was especially interested in Joseph Smith's interaction with the Book of Mormon and therefore, [00:04:30] what did he read, what did he see, what did he assimilate into his thinking, how did it influence his revelations, and in the process of that, I discovered these absolutely fascinating spontaneous changes and I'll describe those as we go along, but yes, so that's exactly it.
Author's Edit 8/18: The purpose of this article is to help Latter-day Saint leaders and members understand why a large number of Millennial members are leaving the church (I personally see Millennials leaving the church as a negative thing, and something I would like to prevent). This article does not suggest that the LDS church should change its doctrines or lower its standards to cater to Millennials. But, I do suggest that the Church can change some practices (not doctrines and/or standards) to better engage Millennials and improve the retention of Millennials. An example of how the church recently changed a practice to cater to and improve the engagement of a certain demographic group is they began allowing women to say prayers in General Conference. This was a change in practice and not a change in doctrine or standards. The suggestions in this article are similar in nature. My hope is that all members of the church will work together to help all who need the atonement of Christ to feel comfortable coming unto Christ by worshiping him within the walls of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
About six months ago, as part of ward conference, my ward held a special ward council, with stake leaders also participating. The primary topic we discussed was what the ward could do to better support young adults and youth. As the discussion progressed, I made two observations. First, I observed a large age gap between those in the meeting and the demographic group being discussed. Most of the individuals in the meeting were from the Baby Boomer generation (born between 1946 and 1964), a few were from the Generation X generation (born between 1965 and 1979), and I was the only individual that was from the Millennial generation (born between 1980 and 1996). Second, it became clear that most in the meeting did not understand the needs and perspectives of young adults and youth, and were thus not in a great position to support, serve, and reach them in a meaningful way.
The purpose of this post is to help leaders in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints understand why Millennials are unique, what their needs are, how their needs and philosophies may clash against Latter-day Saint tradition, and what Latter-day Saint leaders can do to better support, serve, and reach a generation that Baby Boomers and Gen Xers have a hard time relating to and understanding. What makes Millennials Before answering this question, it is important to point out two things related to research on Millennials. First, not all Millennials fit the “Millennial” mold or stereotype. While generational research focuses on the averages/generalities associated with different generations, there is great variation across Millennials. Second, while Millennials are unique from older generations, some of the differences are due to the difference in age common to different generations. Stated differently, while the needs, interests, and thought processes of Millennials are currently different than older generations, in many ways, the older generations had similar needs, interests, and thought processes while in their twenties and early thirties. For example, Millennials are currently more likely to change jobs than older generations, but that is a phenomenon that has always been the case for those in their twenties and early thirties, regardless of their generation. This is primarily the case because Millennials generally have fewer ties to others than older age groups.
The following summarizes some of the primary ways Millennials are truly unique from other generations. Millennials:
Have worse health than prior generations at the same age (e.g., more obesity). Have a lower level of general knowledge coming out of high school (National Center for Educational Statistics, U.S. Department of Education). Need and want greater supervision and support (in general, but particularly in the workplace).