Leading Saints: 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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post A Latter-day Saint Identity Crisis, Now What? | An Interview with Alan & Marianne Downing appeared first on Leading Saints.
Each elders’ quorum Sunday, our presidency finds one facilitator for every 5-7 men who attend the quorum meeting. Facilitator responsibilities are rotated through the quorum each time. They are invited via text during the week to come prepared to facilitate the discussion, including time focused on a general conference talk. We let them choose which general conference talk they would like to discuss; however, this can also be assigned.
As facilitators enter the quorum meeting, they are handed a printout of the script below and put into a group of 5-7 (give or take) with those who have already arrived. They then read through the script while leading the discussion. This includes portions of warm-up, prayer, connection, and general conference discussion, and ends with a prayer in a circle of trust.
Feel free to use this script and modify it to fit the needs of your quorum or group.
Kurt Francom’s EQ Script
Here is a livestream I did with the Salty Saints channel, where we discussed much of this process and how it will be impacted by the 25-minute schedule.
https://app.leadingsaints.org/c/d-elders-quorum/my-elders-quorum-script
WARM-UP
We will take a few minutes to get to know those in our circle for 3-4 minutes by asking some fun questions. Who can set a timer on their phone for 4 minutes
*Discuss any of these questions until the timer runs out.*
- <
>
OPENING
Welcome to the Elders Quorum—as instructed in the handbook, we work together to help accomplish God’s work of salvation and exaltation. We serve others, fulfill priesthood duties, build unity, and learn and live doctrine. We also seek emotional, spiritual, and physical strength. We start with a prayer from the heart. Who would like to offer it?
[PRAY]
This support group aims to foster connection and authenticity, enabling us to better fulfill our duties and learn doctrine. Share as much or as little as you feel comfortable; however, we invite you to lean into sharing what is most authentic and real.
We follow the rules of Alcoholics Anonymous: “Whom you see here, what you hear here, when you leave here, let it stay here.”
WINS
We celebrate the victories—big or small—that help us grow as men in life, work, and faith. This is a space to recognize and encourage one another’s progress. What wins or moments of growth have you recently experienced?
[If nobody shares immediately, pause for 30 seconds.]
CHECK IN & CONNECTION
We encourage brotherhood through connection. We can serve each other better if we know where you’re at personally. Feel free to be as detailed as you’re comfortable with when you share. The question is, in at least one word or phrase, how are you showing up here today?
If you’d like others to reach out or need further support, join our private GroupMe—is there anyone who is not in that group already? See the QR code at the bottom.
It’s also a great way to get to know others and serve others in the quorum. We also encourage attending weekly elders quorum activities, which are always posted in the GroupMe.
[Start the General Conference discussion.]
- Have someone set an alarm for [5 minutes before the end of class] when you will begin the wrap-up
- If you end before [the end of class], consider returning to any of the questions above
WRAP UP/CIRCLE OF TRUST
We hope you found this format helpful. If you have any concerns about your experience today or about the elders’ quorum in general, please reach out to the elders’ quorum presidency, as they are always open to feedback. We would like to end our circle of trust with a prayer. Are there any prayer requests for you individually or for someone you know? Again, the more authentic and real you can be, the more effectively we can pray for you. What is spoken in this circle will not leave the room.
Who can offer a heartfelt prayer to conclude?
Please have the facilitator return this outline to a member of the elders’ quorum presidency and report back on any information
The post My Elders Quorum Script appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post How the Youth Can Save Sacrament Meeting appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Brain Science: How to Build Belonging and Inspire Your Ward | An Interview with Scott Taylor appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Supporting a Spouse in Church Service | An Interview with JeaNette Smith appeared first on Leading Saints.
Register for the Meetings with Saints Virtual Summit: https://app.leadingsaints.org/mws-reg
The post Ward Councils Need This 360° Perspective Shift appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Covenant Discipleship Without a Calling | An Interview with Tesiah Frame appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post The Arc of Intentional and Self-driven Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Can Local Leadership Transform Ward Culture? [July Zion Lab Live] appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Zion Building at Southern Virginia University | An Interview with Aaron Hale appeared first on Leading Saints.
Join us for Dan Oakes’ full presentation during the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit.
Grab your free seat here: https://leadingsaints.org/liberating
The post Why is Porn so Addictive? appeared first on Leading Saints.
To hear the full presentation, grab your free spot for the Liberating Saints Virtual Summit: LeadingSaints.org/liberating
The post Why do Some Struggle with Porn and Others Don’t? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Why Do Kids & Teens Use Porn? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Should People Feel Unworthy When They Seek Out Porn? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post The Church Leaders Role When Someone Struggles with Pornography appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Leading Saints Got Hacked!?!? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Part 2: What Leaders Can Learn From the People Who Are Leaving the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
💬 Join Zion Lab and become a Zion Builder at https://app.leadingsaints.org
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.
The post Creating Community for Young Married Couples | June Leading Saints Live appeared first on Leading Saints.
Joshua S. McClure is a husband, father of seven, and lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ. Raised in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he loves faith, family, and meaningful conversations. His children are his greatest joy and his greatest source of humble reminders that he’s not nearly as in control as he thinks he is. Joshua is passionate about helping people come unto Christ and loves hearing the unique ways others are finding Him in their lives. Whether teaching, serving, or simply sharing stories, he believes that every person has something valuable to teach and every journey can bring us closer to the Savior.
Enter Joshua…Have you ever experienced something like this?
Kneeling together as a bishopric, seeking the Spirit, desiring to be led to call the right person, someone God wants, someone who needs an opportunity to serve, grow, and become.
Humbly kneeling.
Mournfully praying.
Hearts burning.
Tears dropping.
Then comes that unmistakable moment.
The Spirit whispers.
The room changes.
There is unity.
There is clarity.
There is peace.
Suddenly, everyone knows exactly who the Lord wants called.
The invitation is extended. Testimonies are shared. Joy is felt. The sustaining vote takes place. A blessing is given. And then… Immediate tension.
It is almost shocking how quickly it can happen. What began with spiritual confirmation suddenly becomes difficult. Concerns emerge. Questions surface. Feelings are hurt. Opinions are shared. Conversations happen in hallways, parking lots, and living rooms. The bishop’s office sees a steady stream of visitors. Leaders feel stretched. Relationships strain.
It can feel like poison spreading through an otherwise healthy body.
Why does this happen?
Perhaps a better question is: Why are we surprised when it happens?
The Pattern of OppositionThe scriptures repeatedly teach that whenever God moves His work forward, opposition follows.
Lehi taught his son Jacob that
“it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11).
Opposition is not evidence that the Lord is absent. Often it is evidence that He is present. Satan rarely fights against things that do not matter. He opposes what God is trying to accomplish.
Consider the experience of Moses. After receiving divine direction and authority from God, Moses immediately encountered resistance. Pharaoh’s heart hardened. The people murmured. Progress seemed impossible. Yet God’s purposes were being fulfilled.
The same pattern appears throughout the Book of Mormon. Alma and Amulek preached with power and authority, yet their ministry was followed by persecution and rejection. Captain Moroni raised the Title of Liberty and rallied faithful Saints, yet opposition increased. Nephi faithfully followed revelation to obtain the brass plates, only to encounter repeated obstacles and setbacks.
The Lord’s work has never advanced without resistance.
Perhaps one of the greatest examples comes from the Savior Himself. At His baptism, heaven opened. The Father’s voice declared,
“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
What happened next? Immediately after that divine confirmation, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
The pattern is remarkable.
- Confirmation.
- Calling.
- Commission.
- Opposition.
Again and again, the pattern repeats.
The Lord Is Shaping DisciplesIt is easy to assume that if a decision is inspired, everyone will immediately recognize it and rejoice in it. Yet scripture teaches something different. Sometimes inspired decisions reveal the hearts of those involved. Sometimes they create opportunities for growth. Sometimes they uncover weaknesses that need healing. The Lord is not merely interested in filling callings. He is shaping disciples.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell once taught:
“Faith also includes trust in God’s timing.”
That principle becomes especially important when dealing with Church service.
Often, we see only the immediate challenges. God sees decades.
We see a new Relief Society president struggling to find her footing. God sees the woman she will become.
We see an inexperienced elders quorum president making mistakes. God sees a future stake leader.
We see awkwardness, discomfort, and growing pains. God sees refinement.
The Lord’s timing is rarely our timing.
The Lord Looks on the HeartSamuel was sent to Jesse’s house to anoint a king. One by one, Jesse’s sons passed before him. Surely Eliab looked like the obvious choice. Yet the Lord reminded Samuel,
“for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
How often do we do the opposite? We evaluate callings based on experience, personality, popularity, age, social connections, or personal preferences.
The Lord often evaluates based on who needs growth, who is willing to serve, and who can become something greater through the assignment.
President Thomas S. Monson frequently reminded members that
“whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.”
Notice that he did not say the Lord calls only those who are already qualified. He qualifies them after they are called. That process often requires discomfort.
Many years ago, President Henry B. Eyring taught that one of the purposes of Church service is to help us become more like Jesus Christ. The Lord is not merely assigning tasks. He is transforming people.
Sometimes the person being transformed is the one receiving the calling.
Sometimes it is the people sustaining them.
Sometimes it is both.
A Test of DiscipleshipOne of the greatest tests of discipleship occurs when an inspired decision conflicts with our personal expectations.
Can we trust God when we would have chosen differently?
Can we sustain someone we did not anticipate?
Can we rejoice in another person’s opportunity to grow?
Can we support imperfect leaders while recognizing our own imperfections?
King Benjamin taught:
“For behold, are we not all beggars?” (Mosiah 4:19).
That truth applies to leadership as much as anything else.
Every bishop is dependent upon grace. Every Relief Society president is dependent upon grace. Every Young Women president is dependent upon grace. Every elders quorum president is dependent upon grace. Every member is dependent upon grace.
No calling holder stands before God because of personal greatness. We all stand because of Jesus Christ.
The Lord’s Pattern: Imperfect People, Sacred WorkOne of Satan’s most effective strategies is to convince us that people must be perfect before they can serve.
The Lord’s pattern is the opposite. He calls imperfect people and then perfects them through service.
Peter denied Christ. Paul persecuted Christians. Alma the Younger fought against the Church. Yet each became a powerful instrument in God’s hands.
If the Lord waited for perfection before extending opportunities to serve, no one would ever receive a calling.
President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught that the Lord loves effort.
Growth is often messy. Repentance is messy. Learning is messy. Leadership development is messy. Family life is messy. Discipleship is messy.
Yet the Lord patiently works through imperfect circumstances to accomplish perfect purposes.
What Is the Lord Teaching Us?This perspective can change how we view moments of tension after inspired decisions. Rather than asking, “Why is this happening?” perhaps we should ask, “What is the Lord teaching us through this?”
Sometimes He is teaching patience. Sometimes humility. Sometimes charity. Sometimes trust.
Moroni taught that charity is
“the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47).
Charity becomes especially important when we disagree.
It is easy to love people who think exactly as we do. It is harder to love when expectations are unmet. It is harder to love when personalities clash. It is harder to love when concerns arise. Yet those moments often reveal the depth of our discipleship.
The Apostle Paul taught that charity
“suffereth long, and is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Notice that long-suffering comes before many other attributes. Why? Because growth takes time. People take time. Callings take time. Trust takes time.
The Lord takes a long view of His work.
The Long ViewWe often measure success in weeks or months. God measures success in eternities.
A new leader may struggle for six months and become extraordinary in six years.
A difficult situation today may become a sacred testimony tomorrow.
Many members can look back on their lives and identify leaders whom they initially questioned but later came to deeply love and respect.
Time revealed what immediate impressions could not. The Lord knew what He was doing all along.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland once said:
“Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.”
The same principle applies to understanding inspired decisions.
Sometimes understanding comes quickly. Sometimes it comes years later. Sometimes we may never fully understand in mortality. But faith means trusting the Lord even before understanding arrives.
That trust is not blind. It is rooted in experience. It is rooted in remembering previous moments when God proved faithful. It is rooted in witnessing His hand over and over again.
Sacred WorkWhen a bishopric kneels together seeking revelation, they are not engaging in a management exercise.
They are participating in sacred work. They are seeking heavenly direction for earthly stewardship.
That does not mean every outcome will be easy. It does mean God is involved.
President Russell M. Nelson has taught that
“In coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”
That influence applies to leaders and members alike. Leaders need revelation to know whom to call.
Members need revelation to know how to sustain.
Both require humility. Both require faith. Both require patience.
It Means the Lord Is at WorkUltimately, the story is not about callings. It is about becoming like Christ. The Savior never promised a life free from tension, disappointment, or opposition. Instead, He promised peace in the midst of those experiences.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you” (John 14:27).
That peace is available to bishoprics seeking revelation. It is available to leaders learning new responsibilities. It is available to members wrestling with questions. It is available to congregations experiencing growing pains.
The Lord’s work moves forward despite opposition. In fact, many times it moves forward because of opposition.
Difficult experiences refine faith. Challenges deepen testimony. Disappointments create opportunities to trust God more fully. And through it all, the Lord continues shaping His people.
So the next time inspiration is followed by tension, remember that this pattern is not new. It happened to prophets. It happened to apostles. It happened to ancient Saints. It happened to the Savior Himself.
The presence of opposition does not invalidate revelation. The presence of difficulty does not negate inspiration. The presence of growth pains does not mean something has gone wrong. Sometimes it means exactly the opposite. It means the Lord is at work.
And while we may not always understand His timing, His choices, or His methods, we can trust His purposes. For He sees what we cannot see. He knows what we do not know.
And He is patiently preparing all of us, leaders and members alike, for something greater than we can presently imagine.
And after all is said and done, if we endure to the end, we will have become as He is.
The post The Presence of Opposition Does Not Invalidate Revelation appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Preparing for a Patriarchal Blessing | An Interview with Orlando Kelm appeared first on Leading Saints.
Grant Stucki has been serving as bishop in the Denver area for the past two years. His Church service has been a patchwork of familiar roles—seminary teacher, elders quorum president, priest quorum advisor, and once, a young missionary in the thin air of La Paz, Bolivia. He and his wife are raising six children, and they find their peace in the outdoors—whether they are navigating a mountain bike trail or waiting for a bite on a deep-sea fishing line.
Enter Grant…My role as an oral maxillofacial surgeon requires precision and a certain level of clinical distance. But leadership in the kingdom is different; it is messy, deeply personal, and often leaves you feeling exposed in ways a surgical mask never could.
I’ll be honest: leadership at this level can be surprisingly lonely. You are the keeper of secrets, the shoulder for a hundred different burdens, and the person who must often stand alone in difficult decisions. This loneliness isn’t a result of a lack of support—I have wonderful counselors and a devoted ward—but rather a byproduct of sacred confidentiality and the unique pressure of the calling. It’s a vulnerability that is hard to describe to those who haven’t felt it, and it’s this very feeling that led me to look so desperately toward bishops’ council as a potential lifeline, only to find myself initially disappointed.
The Struggle with the Status QuoI deeply believe in councils. I have sat in ward council meetings where the Spirit was so thick it felt like a physical presence—where we stopped looking at programs and started looking at souls. But for a long time, my experience with bishops’ council was the opposite. I would drive to the stake center once a quarter, tired from a long day in the operating room, hoping for a spiritual recharge, only to find myself sitting through two and a half hours of administrative logistics. We talked about stake initiatives, upcoming calendar dates, and policy updates passed down from the area. By the time we reached “meaningful discussion,” the clock was ticking toward 9:30 PM, and our collective energy was spent.
When we did talk, the conversation often gravitated toward the “extreme cases.” We would spend forty-five minutes debating how to handle a theoretical concealed weapon in a chapel or a tragic, highly specific instance of mental illness. While these are critical issues, they are rare. I found myself sitting there, thinking about the three marriages in my ward that were currently collapsing, the youth who were quietly slipping away into doubt, and the dozens of members who were struggling just to feel a spark of faith. I felt a growing frustration that we were ignoring the common, heavy burdens we all carried in favor of solving “safe,” technical problems.
The Performance TrapAs I reflected on this, I realized there was a human element at play: the performance trap.
We are bishops. We are supposed to have answers. When we sit in a room with our peers and our stake presidency, there is an unspoken, often unconscious pressure to appear capable and “in control.” We don’t want to be the one to admit that our ward council is a mess or that we don’t know how to mentor our youth. So, we stay in the safe zone of administrative updates and hypothetical policy debates.
We perform leadership rather than collaborating in our weakness. This guardedness creates a barrier to the very wisdom we all need. We are like soldiers in the same trench who are too afraid to admit our rifles are jammed.
A Moment of VulnerabilityAfter months of internal wrestling, I reached a breaking point. I realized I could either continue to complain internally—which was poisoning my own spirit—or I could offer a vulnerable suggestion.
I asked for a few minutes with my stake president. I was genuinely worried about how my recommendation would be received. I didn’t want to seem like I was criticizing the way things were done and I felt very awkward coming from a place of trying to counsel my stake president. It definitely felt like I was overstepping my bounds to a degree.
I sat in his office and told him the truth: I was struggling with the meeting. I told him I felt lonely in the work and that I needed the wisdom of the other men in that room, but the current structure didn’t allow for it.
His reaction was a masterclass in Christlike leadership. He didn’t get defensive. He didn’t cite policy. He took a long breath, looked at me, and said,
“Grant, I hate those meetings too. I’m not sure how to improve them, and I would love to get any ideas you have.”
That moment of shared vulnerability changed everything. It transformed our relationship from a hierarchy into a brotherhood.
The Path Forward: A New Vision for the CouncilTogether, we discussed a solution centered on intentionality and peer-led learning. The idea is simple but transformative: for every meeting, one bishop is assigned to lead a thirty-to-forty-minute discussion session. This isn’t training; it’s a facilitated conversation around a single, common leadership challenge.
A week before the meeting, that bishop sends out one or two deep, reflective questions. He might include a short scripture, a quote from a recent conference, or—most importantly—a brief personal story of a time he failed or struggled with that specific topic.
By moving the focus to the common challenges—improving ministering, helping marriages, mentoring youth, or revitalizing ward council—we give bishops permission to bring their real, raw selves to the table.
When the assigned bishop starts by saying, “I’ve really struggled to help my youth leaders feel empowered,” it shatters the performance trap. It creates a “safe harbor” where others can say, “Me too. Here is what I’m trying.” This isn’t just about sharing “best practices”; it’s about building a culture of trust and shared growth.
Imagine a council where we arrive not to report, but to be sharpened. Where the collective wisdom of ten or twelve bishops—men with hundreds of combined years of life and leadership experience—is actually harnessed.
We would leave those meetings not just informed about the stake calendar, but spiritually renewed and equipped with practical, battle-tested ideas for the people we love and serve.
The Strength of UnityIt moves the needle from administrative oversight to true pastoral care. I believe that if we can unlock the wisdom in these rooms, we can change the culture of our stakes. We can turn these meetings into the most valuable leadership experiences in the Church.
Leadership is heavy, yes, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. When we let our guard down and truly counsel together, we find that the Lord is not just in the details of the programs, but in the strength of our unity.
The post Beyond the Agenda: Finding Connection and Wisdom in Bishops’ Council appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Changing the Narrative on YSA Divorce | An Interview with Cole Zesiger appeared first on Leading Saints.
Chris Epson grew up in California, served a mission in Chile. He and his wife, Marilyn, moved to Utah in 1980, and currently live in South Jordan. Hey have two grown children, both active in the Church, and six grandchildren. He and his wife currently serve as missionaries in the Addiction Recovery program, and help lead a 12 Step meeting for couples on Thursdays in Sandy. He also serves in the stake Sunday School presidency. He was first exposed to pornography at eleven and finally at the age of sixty-two hit rock bottom where God gave him the opportunity to heal and begin recovery at Desert Solace in St. George. He and his wife have experienced grace and miracles in all areas of their life in the past nine and a half years, and are passionate about addiction and recovery.
Enter Chris…In the wise words of Richard Rohr,
“Nothing just goes away in the spiritual world; all must be reconciled and accounted for.”
Elder Packer encourages us that:
“The atonement can wash clean every stain no matter how difficult or how long or how many times repeated…”
He also advised that:
“The atonement leaves no tracks, no traces. What it fixes is fixed…. It just heals, and what it heals stays healed.”
There are also a couple of scriptures that I have come to love in recovery, which didn’t mean much to me before. One is in the first chapter of Isaiah, verses 18 and 19:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
And verse 19 is the follow up to this incredible promise:
“If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat of the good of the land.”
A Radical ChangeNeedless to say, we could talk about the details of this for hours, but let’s not. Instead, I think it’s so cool that God starts out by saying, “Let’s talk about this,” as if this concept of complete and utter forgiveness of sin is perfectly logical. And then He uses not one, but two very visual examples of what this looks like—scarlet and crimson, which are really dark, deep reds, and He’s going to turn that into white—white like snow or wool. He’s pretty clear here. This is radical change.
And then another promise. If (and it’s a BIG IF) I am willing and obedient; I get the good stuff:
- Abundance.
- Life.
- Joy.
- And that list goes on.
Now I know that I’m not perfectly willing all the time, and certainly not perfectly obedient, but as I make the daily attempt at it, I get to live with that clean snow and white wool.
The second is in modern scripture, section 58 of the Doctrine and Covenants, verses 42 and 43:
“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins – behold, he will confess them and forsake them.”
Wow!
What sins?
I may remember them, but God won’t. Complete forgiveness. 100% gone.
We talk a lot about repentance in our churches, but these promises only become real when we experience them.
And I have.
It Became RealMaybe a month or so after arriving at Desert Solace, an addiction recovery facility, we were in a yoga session with our instructor Miriam. At the beginning of every session, she would have some cards with messages on them—positive aspirations—and we would randomly pick one. Then we were asked to focus on that message during yoga.
This time I picked a card that talked about forgiveness, but specifically about forgiving yourself. I had been giving this a lot of thought early in rehab and recovery, and the message really resonated with me that day. I kept that message in mind as I struggled with yoga poses (I wasn’t good at yoga, but I came to love it). Then, towards the end of the hour, as we were lying still in Savasana, very relaxed and quiet, with soft music playing and Miriam talking softly, I became very focused on my forgiveness.
As I did this, it was as if warm water was flowing over me. I had never felt anything like that before in my life. It was like pure love, and it was real. There were tears running down my cheeks, and I knew I was going to be ok—this was forgiveness! And it felt so good.
Then it was time to sit back up in the lotus pose, and I was disappointed that the feeling had gone. But as I once again closed my eyes and focused, it came back. It was so warm and comforting, and I cried again. It was in that moment those scriptures, and those promises, became real to me.
Negative Rabbit HolesA couple of weeks later, while we were all sitting around the dining room table studying one afternoon, one of the guys was frustrated because the workbook asked him to recount, and list, the porn websites he had visited in his addiction.
A conversation started about these websites, and I of course added to it, in fact, I kind of led the way, almost bragging about the crappy places I had spent time in on the internet.
Not long after, it was time for us to go to the gym, which we did almost every day. We loved to play racquetball at the gym, and when we started to play, I was horrible. No energy. No focus. It was like I had never played before.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that the conversation I had led earlier had stolen my energy. I could feel it. I had revisited my rabbit hole, and just talking about it had shifted my energy back to pre-recovery days.
It was such a weird but vivid experience.
Godly SorrowWhen we got back to the house and were getting ready to go out to the stables, I apologized to the guys for leading that discussion and asked for their forgiveness. Of course, they said it was no big deal, but it was for me.
For some reason it nagged at me, and that night as I was reading in chapter 39 of Alma, I read his words to his son, Corianton: verse 7:
“And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your own good.”
Even though I had experienced forgiveness, and had forgiven myself, I had now been reminded of my “crimes,” my screwed-up darkness I had lived in for so long.
Thus, my soul was “harrowed up”, and it came flooding back.
When I got down on my knees that night to pray, all I could do was cry, sobbing, and I couldn’t say much of anything. I just knelt there crying for fifteen or twenty minutes but not feeling guilt for anything—that really was gone—but just feeling very, very sad. And I was especially sad for how I had hurt my wife, my children, and others.
I literally cried myself to sleep that night, and the next morning in check-in I again apologized to the guys. Later that morning we had a session with Lynne, and I asked to speak to her in private. I told her what I had experienced, and she just smiled at me. I thought, “Why is she so happy about this?” Then she said two words:
“Godly sorrow.”
That’s what I was feeling, and it was a good thing. A necessary thing.
In chapter seven of 2 Corinthians, Paul talks about godly sorrow leading to repentance, and then says in verse 10:
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
This experience with “godly sorrow” was another turning point in my recovery journey.
The Truth Will Set You FreeAfter getting home from Desert Solace, I met with my bishop at church. My intention? To confess, to spill my guts about all the horrible details of my addictive life for so many years.
As an addict, I was the guy that would never, ever tell another soul about what I had done, and was doing, especially my church leaders. No way! It was all going to the grave with me, and I just assumed I was on my way to hell anyway.
However, very soon in recovery, through working Step One, I knew not only that I would confess to him, but I was looking forward to it!
I had discovered that the truth really would set me free. Of course, the bishop already knew most of this, because he had been meeting with my wife at least weekly while I was at Desert Solace.
He listened intently as I shared my past, and then, when I was done, he smiled and told me simply how much he loved me, and we needed to play golf together.
Pure love and understanding.
A True ReliefThe next week my wife and I met separately with our stake president, and I recounted all of the same stuff to him. He was pretty serious, but also listened very intently, and asked me for more details. We both met with him a few more times and knew that there would be a disciplinary council to discuss my standing as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
I knew early in recovery that I would probably lose my church membership, be excommunicated as a result of the things I had done. But although I knew that, when my stake president gave us a date for that council, and told each of us that I would probably be excommunicated, we both went home and cried together.
It’s amazing how I treated that church membership so lightly for so many years of my life, but now, as I was about to lose it, it meant so much to me.
Early on a Sunday morning, we met with the high council, and the stake presidency. My wife and bishop were invited to be with me. As we walked into that room, the brethren were singing a hymn, and I felt this incredibly strong spirit of pure love, unlike anything I’d ever felt at church before.
The True Power of Shepherding LoveThe stake president told them why we were there and then allowed me to tell my story. I did, for about forty-five minutes. When I was finished, I was asked to answer a couple of questions, and then we were asked to wait outside while they deliberate.
Here’s what’s amazing: I felt great! I didn’t expect that. We thought maybe this would be so depressing and difficult, we’d just want to go home and go back to bed for the rest of the day. But that’s not what happened. I felt light and happy. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, and I shared that feeling with the bishop and with my wife.
We were invited back in a few minutes later, and I was told that I was no longer a member of the Church. Each of those brethren, most of whom I did not know at all, told me how much they loved me. I was able to go around the room and hug each one of them.
Once again, just pure love. I know this sounds crazy, and it is certainly not the experience of others, but for me this was one of the great spiritual experiences of my entire life. I knew that the Lord had boundaries, as did the Church, and I had violated those boundaries in a big way, repeatedly.
Starting OverI knew that I was not being punished, I was being given the opportunity to “confess and forsake” my sins, to start over and really complete the process of repentance.
As an excommunicated member, I was invited and encouraged to attend church each Sunday. I could not give a talk or prayer in church or partake of the sacramental bread and water.
I was not really supposed to comment in classes unless called upon, but that part didn’t work out so well, I had a hard time keeping my mouth shut. And still do.
I have discovered a depth to the gospel of Jesus Christ that I never knew was there before, and I’m still discovering more because it never ends. And it’s fun!
The good…no, great news, about fourteen months later: I was baptized a member of the Church.
I invited about fifty people to be there, including folks from Desert Solace, along with many other people who had both forgiven me and supported us, and it was totally awesome.
Great NewsTalking about repentance, Dale G. Renlund said:
“Without the Redeemer, the inherent hope and joy evaporate, and repentance becomes simply miserable behavior modification.”
And from Richard Rohr:
“We do not pull ourselves up; we are pulled…God uses our own sins in our favor! God brings us—through failure—from unconsciousness to ever-deeper consciousness and conscience. How could that not be good news for just about everybody?”
Not just good news, but great news!
I know.
The post From Addiction to Atonement: One Latter-day Saint’s Journey Through Repentance and Grace appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Power of the Mentor Mindset | An Interview with James Logan and Bart Warner appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
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The post From the NFL to General Conference | An Interview with Gifford Nielsen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
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.
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Rachel Leavitt is a nurse, health coach, educator, wife, and mother. She is a mother to seven amazing children of God and married to a husband who is able to provide a wonderful push to her pull, while navigating spaces of faith and doubt together. She currently serves as a counselor in the Relief Society and has served in Primary in numerous roles. Her favorite calling is Sunday School teacher.
Enter Rachel…I stood in my kitchen unsure what my next step should be.
When I first began my family, I did so in hopes that we would grow and learn together. We all would follow the same path, have the same end goals, and move forward in alignment as a family. But now, with young adults in front of me, good people, all of them, I could see that we haven’t fully aligned in the way I once imagined. We’ve grown together and love each other deeply, but we hold such vastly different views of the world, of God, of spirituality, and of life goals. My dream of a unified family moving forward with one shared understanding and meaning about life felt far out of reach. Our future for a unified family seemed to be slipping.
The Work of BecomingI began to wonder what that even meant.
I found myself questioning God. What was the point of all that work as a mother? What purpose could there be for a family if we don’t all hold onto the same meanings and goals in life. And very clearly I felt God say to me that day: This is your work now. I have given you children who are their own selves and have their own experiences with me. Now prepare for the work of becoming one.
The real work is bringing unity when you are dealing with completely different ideas of spiritual reality. Loving those you thought you couldn’t. Spiritually connecting with people who are so different it initially feels impossible.
Normal MaturationI’m not entirely sure why it was such a shock to me that different people view the world and God differently. Developmental research, including spiritual development, suggests this is actually a normal part of maturation. As we grow into adulthood, we can either remain at earlier developmental levels where our perspective feels like the only valid one, where our language, experiences, and understanding become the measure of reality and we unconsciously dismiss others who differ from us. Or we can lean into growth in which developing the capacity to hold other people’s beliefs as sacred alongside our own is foundational. Along with that comes an understanding and ability to love, both others emerging experiences with God and their different roles in this world. (See D&C 38:27; Moses 7:18; Navigating Mormon Faith Crisis: A Simple Developmental Map, by Thomas McConkie.)
More Fully UnderstoodElder Dieter F. Uchtdorf has taught something similar using a Hindu proverb about several people encountering an elephant in different ways, each describing a different part of the whole and believing they are seeing reality in its entirety. The point of the teaching is not that their experiences were invalid, but that each one is limited when taken alone. It is only through humility and the willingness to listen to one another that a more complete understanding emerges. He states,
“My young friends, as you accept the responsibility to seek after truth with an open mind and a humble heart you will become more tolerant of others, more open to listen, more prepared to understand, more inclined to build up instead of tearing down.”
In this way, truth is not diminished by difference, but can be more fully understood through it.
Our own doctrine teaches us that the Light of Christ is in everyone. My lived experience shows we all participate in it differently and equally valid ways. Even our understanding of what that light is and how it works can vary widely across cultures, experiences, and personal revelation. So when it comes to learning, understanding, and connecting to a larger spiritual community, we can lean into the idea that others experience the Light of Christ differently than we do, and that we can actually learn more about God by listening across those differences.
Reframing Engagement does not mean we give up doctrine, theology, or the spiritual experiences we have had ourselves. Rather, it reframes how we engage with one another. We can allow it to expand our perspective, see God more clearly, and understand Christ more deeply.
Once we recognize the importance of listening to and maintaining relationships with those who hold different spiritual traditions or viewpoints, the next challenge is knowing how to do so. It’s often difficult to stay connected without fear or withdrawal when we first encounter differences. When I initially received the impression that this is the work I need to focus on now, it felt like a shift. I realized that my task wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t about creating uniformity or forcing everyone to share the same spiritual worldview. Instead, it was about finding unity despite our differences and understanding that there are blessings in that process.
Discovering Goodness TogetherSo what does this look like in practice? For me, this starts with grounding myself in the knowledge of God’s love, for both me and the other person. We are both children of Heavenly Parents, deserving of dignity and respect. When this understanding is brought to the table, it makes everything else much easier. One key tool is cultivating curiosity about who the other person is, what brings them hope and meaning in life. It’s also essential to listen with the intention to learn, not to defend or criticize. Building a relationship is crucial. This may involve finding common ground, looking for shared values or beauty in life, and discovering goodness together.
Find Common GroundOne of the most memorable experiences I had was discussing the temple with a family member who isn’t a member of my faith. She embraces multiple faith traditions as part of her own spiritual journey. As I spoke about the temple and the meaning it holds for me, she shared how she had seen the temple lights and felt their beauty. She imagined that light touching everyone around it. In that moment, we were able to find common ground and shared meaning, despite how different our spiritual views were.
It felt like a small glimpse of a much greater gathering, one where God is not erasing difference, but drawing it together.
The GatheringFrom the far east I’ve learned to center my soul. From the west, forward momentum, growth, development. From my dark-skinned brothers and sisters, brought against their will I am learning to walk the tightrope of justice and mercy, deep sorrow and walking with Jesus. My indigenous family point me to my sacred Circle and Mother. The Hebrew Bible grounds me in a history of Godliness and covenant. I know there is so much more to learn as I watch my God gather.
The post Becoming One Without Thinking Alike – Embracing Agency in a Faith-Diverse Family appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
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Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…Satan is a real, unembodied being from the unseen realm. He would have us believe otherwise, that—like Tinker Bell and the tooth fairy—he does not exist. He would likely be pleased to have us think that he is just some fictional scary creature used by parents and preachers to try to frighten people into being good.
“And he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance.” 2 Nephi 28:22
The scriptures are replete with references to the reality of Satan, and his followers. For example,
“The devil was before Adam, for he rebelled against me, saying, Give me thine honor, which is my power; and also a third part of the hosts of heaven turned he away from me because of their agency; And they were thrust down, and thus came the devil and his angels.” Doctrine and Covenants 29:36-37
And,
“An angel of God who was in authority in the presence of God, who rebelled against the Only Begotten Son . . . And was called Perdition, for the heavens wept over him—he was Lucifer, a son of the morning.” Doctrine and Covenants 76:25-26
President Marion G. Romney taught,
We must not be “deceived by the sophistries of men concerning the reality of Satan. There is a personal devil, and we had better believe it. He and a countless host of followers, seen and unseen, are exercising a controlling influence upon men and their affairs in our world today.”
Satan’s motive, in his state of rebellion, is to deprive as many of Heavenly Parents’ children as possible of their opportunity for eternal life. He seeks to destroy the plan of happiness for us.
“Wherefore because that Satan rebelled against me, and sought to destroy the agency of man, which I, the Lord God, had given him . . . I caused that he should be cast down. And he became, Satan, yea, even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice. . . wherefore he sought to destroy the world.” Moses 4:3-4, 6
How does Satan operate in his attempt to destroy us? What are his tactics? First, what are not his tactics. I have heard some say that he “forces” us to evil, but that power is not granted to him.
Joseph Smith taught,
“The devil could not compel mankind to do evil; all was voluntary. Those who resisted the Spirit of God, would be liable to be led into temptation, and then the association of heaven would be withdrawn from those who refused to be made partakers of such great joy. God would not exert any compulsory means, and the devil could not; and such ideas as were entertained by many were absurd.”
How, then, does he tempt? He lies, persuades, lures, entices, flatters, lulls, pacifies, and rages, using whatever means and methods he can muster to blind us and lead us away from truth and from saving covenants and ordinances.
“At that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security . . . and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away.” 2 Nephi 28:20-22
We may be deceived by the devil’s politeness. Shakespeare declared,
“The prince of darkness is a gentleman.”
Paul taught of Satan’s wonderous powers of deception,
“And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14
C. S. Lewis wrote of the subtle, gradual patience Satan may employ with us:
“It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. . . . Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one—the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.”
Of our physical appetites, President Russell M. Nelson taught,
“These appetites are absolutely essential for the perpetuation of life. So, what does the adversary do? . . . He attacks us through our appetites. He tempts us to eat things we should not eat, to drink things we should not drink, and to love as we should not love!”
“We may be tempted to throw up our hands in despair and surrender to the awful power and extensive force of Satan in our lives. He would hope that we would. But we must not! Countless people have entered the battle with Satan and emerged victorious—and so can we. We must! There is no alternative. “Failure is not an option.”
So, what are we to do? How do we conquer Satan? I suggest that we Remember, Judge, and Live—Remember who we are, Judge righteous judgment, and Live according to our nobility.
Remember Who We AreWe are of divine nature—sons and daughters of Deity. President Brigham Young taught that sons and daughters of God
“Naturally love and admire righteousness, justice and truth more than they do evil . . . . We are the natural sons and daughters of our natural parents, and spiritually we are the natural children of the Father of light and natural heirs to his kingdom. . . . Man, the noblest work of God, was in his creation designed for an endless duration, for which the love of all good was incorporated in his nature. It was never designed that he should naturally do and love evil. When our first parents fell from their paradisiacal state, they were brought in contact with influences and powers of evil that are unnatural and stand in opposition to an endless life. So far as mankind yield to these influences, they are so far removed from a natural to an unnatural state—from life to death.”
In scripture we learn,
“For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man.” Mosiah 3:19.
From the prophet Moses we learn how our divine nature teaches us how to deal with Satan. Moses was told by the Lord,
“Thou art my son . . .Thou art in the similitude of mine only Begotten.” (Wow—to know that we are created in the image of Christ should certainly motivate us to remember who we are when temptation comes.) Moses was then shown a great vision of all of creation. Then “Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me,” to which Moses responded, “Who are thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory that I should worship thee?” Moses then, with renewed knowledge, power, and authority, declared, “Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of glory.” Moses 1, 4, 6, 12-13, 20.
A divine son or daughter of Heavenly Parents need not have a moment’s audience with the devil. We may dismiss him without further thought or discussion.
Judge Righteous JudgmentIn the Sermon on the Mount, the Savior commanded,
“Judge not unrighteously, that ye be not judged: but judge righteous judgment.” Matthew 7:1-2, Joseph Smith Translation.
To avoid temptation and to conquer Satan, we must judge how the persuasions, influences, and actions of others impact our lives. We are to judge how sin may cause us harm, while leaving ultimate judgment of sinners to God.
As our moral environment has continued its tailspin into darkness, many have tried to sound the alarm and offer guidance. For example, the movie rating system is an attempt to warn of spiritual danger. However, as things have worsened, the assigned ratings have become less relevant and helpful. We need to assume righteous judgment for ourselves.
In my teaching, I have developed a mini-lesson to hopefully help teach principles and give guidance—not only for movies but with all distractions from our spirituality. I ask my students to imagine they are driving a car and are stopped at an intersection with a red traffic signal, and then I ask the question, “When the light changes to green, what do you do?” Their quick response is “Go!” We all seem to know that green means go. After a pause, I declare, “Wrong answer!” As they consider, they soon begin to suggest that before we would go, we should check right and left for danger—perhaps for distracted drivers who may not be paying attention to the traffic signal. I then point out the obvious—a traffic signal is not capable of stopping a vehicle, and we would do well not to trust our physical lives to such a mechanical or electronic device. My transitional principle is that we should not trust our spiritual lives to a faulty system such as the movie ratings; we would do better to apply the Lord’s rating system—“PC” and “PE” (PC = Persuade to Christ; PE = Persuade to Evil).
A wise and inspired prophet taught,
“The Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ [PC], is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil [PE], and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil.” Moroni 7:16-17
To conquer Satan, we must learn to detect evil in all its forms and subtleties. In all our seeking for knowledge and wisdom, our most noble search is for the continual guidance of the Holy Ghost—for,
“By the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” Moroni 10:5
Live According to our NobilityOnce we know the right thing to do, we need to do the right thing. To conquer Satan and continue our forward trek toward eternal life, we need to exercise the faith and courage to act on our knowledge and faith.
“The words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” 2 Nephi 32:3 “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
If we are diligent in seeking after and following the guidance and promptings of the Holy Ghost in our lives, we will know when to turn off the television, hit the delete button, walk out of the movie theater (or not enter to begin with), disengage from a conversation, and run from evil as fast as we can. Joseph of Egypt is a most worthy role model of how we are to deal with temptation.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught,
“Do not company with fornicators—not because you are too good for them but, as C. S. Lewis wrote, because you are not good enough. Remember that bad situations can wear down even good people. Joseph had both good sense and good legs in fleeing from Potiphar’s wife.”
Like Joseph, we need to remember our nobility and act accordingly.
Many people continue to debate whether the United States did the right thing in going to war against Iraq to depose the evil dictator Saddam Hussein, yet I have never heard anyone doubt his evil during the several decades of oppressing and torturing his people. I remember well the many images of him in the height of his terrible reign—an arrogant and pompous man surrounded by the pseudo-praise and adoration of his like-minded cronies. Those images were in total contrast to the same disheveled and disoriented dictator as his captors finally dragged him out of the hole in the ground where he had been hiding in the final moments before his capture. As the photos of his capture flashed around the world, my initial reaction was, “This guy?!? We allowed this weak and dark man to do so much evil for so long!?”
The images of Saddam’s capture drew my mind directly to the writings of the prophet Isaiah as he foretells the reactions of the righteous to Lucifer as he is finally stripped of his power and cast out of his reign of terror.
Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming. . . . Art thou become weak as we? . . . Thy pomp is brought down to the grave. . . . How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of morning! How art thou cut down to the ground which didst weaken the nations! . . . Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms? Isaiah 14:9-16
Yes, Satan is scary and is powerful, but as you follow our Savior, you gain greater strength and power—plus you have potential for eternal peace and joy. The good news about the ongoing battle with Satan is that we already know who wins—Christ does! And so will we if we follow Him and keep our covenants with Him. As we continue to strive to follow our Savior, we will be battered and bruised at times, but we can heal and can triumph over evil and gain eternal life.
“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.” Doctrine and Covenants 10:5
The post Conquering Satan appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Church is Community | An Interview with Steve Shields appeared first on Leading Saints.
Allyson Weipert is a Brigham Young University graduate who enjoys serving in the Church, especially through opportunities to teach and learn alongside fellow Saints. She currently serves as a Relief Society teacher and a girls Valiant activity leader. She contributes to the Teaching Restored podcast team as a community moderator. She and her husband, David, enjoy life in Indiana with their four children.
Enter Allyson…Twenty-five minutes.
Whether you feel excited or skeptical about the shift to weekly 25-minute Relief Society and elders quorum meetings, it raises a question: How do we do more with less time?
We don’t. We learn to do better with the time we have.
More ConnectionOne benefit of these adjustments is weekly connection. In a world increasingly marked by loneliness and disconnection, that opportunity matters more than ever. It invites us to rethink what fills our meetings, focusing less on content and more on connection— with the Spirit and with each other. These shifts are about structuring our meetings to help us love God and our neighbor more intentionally and we can begin now.
“To survive spiritually in the latter days, the people you teach will need a spiritual witness of the truth. You can’t give it to them, but… you can provide opportunities for them to feel the Spirit testify of Jesus Christ and His gospel.” —Teaching in the Savior’s Way
What if, in our effort to stay on time and be engaging, we sometimes talk over these opportunities? This is a habit that can limit the impact of our Sunday meetings. What a teacher chooses not to say can be just as important as what they do say. As our meeting time shortens, it becomes even more important that we are intentional about creating space for the Spirit to teach, rather than filling every moment ourselves.
Spaces for the Spirit to CommunicateLet’s not rush past silence. A question needs space to breathe before it can bear fruit. Allowing a pause is where class members listen, process, and feel the Spirit.
This does not mean silent lessons or constant pauses. As teachers, it means thoughtful planning of spaces for the Spirit to communicate with class members. Refining what we teach matters as much as how we pace it. A quiet pause after a scripture. Time to reflect or write. Thoughtful use of music or art. Even 20 or 30 seconds of silence. After a powerful comment, a teacher might say, “Let’s sit with that for a moment.” When we allow a scripture or question to breathe, we create room for the Spirit to do the true teaching.
As 2 Nephi 33:1 reminds us, the Spirit carries the message “unto the hearts” of those we teach. By intentionally slowing down the pace, we make room for the Spirit to communicate—and for that witness to be recognized and received. As they receive that witness, we trust it will begin shaping their hearts and desires.
Connecting to Each OtherRevelation in our meetings is not only personal—it is shared. Our Sunday meetings are not intended to be lessons with a counseling question. They are meant to be councils. In the Lord’s pattern, counseling together means seeking revelation as a group and acting on it in unity.
“An elders quorum or a Relief Society is not a class or a lesson. We have a work to do, and we do more than just talk about that work. Rather, we sit in council and promote righteous action.”
This reframes our purpose. The goal is not just covering material, but to connect with one another and work in unity. Counseling together is more than sharing ideas or teaching a topic. Unity is where spiritual power enters the process. As unity grows, that power increases, and solutions begin to emerge—solutions that lead to action. That unity grows when people feel they belong, and belonging grows as people are heard. This kind of belonging makes true counseling possible.
“Let one speak at a time and let all listen unto their sayings… that every man may have an equal privilege.” Doctrine and Covenants 88:122
Nurturing Mindful ParticipationSome may wonder, “How can this happen in twenty-five minutes? That won’t work in my ward.”
That is a fair concern. It requires commitment to connecting with people over delivering a lesson. Larger groups, limited time, off-topic comments, or unsolicited contributions are real constraints. These challenges don’t change the purpose. They clarify the need for intentional guidance from teachers and leaders.
In a large ward, twenty-five minutes may not allow for every voice in a single setting. Smaller discussion groups can help, but even then, time can slip away if participation isn’t nurtured mindfully. Teachers need to guide the discussion thoughtfully. What they emphasize and how they respond to each person shape whether connection grows.
This part of counseling is tempting to overlook, especially when time feels tight. However, I have seen this principle bear fruit in a woman’s service across many settings, including Primary, Gospel Doctrine, and Relief Society.
Everyone if KnownWhen my daughter was new and shy in the ward, she was in this woman’s Primary class for a short time. After she was released, my daughter still sought out “her teacher” for a hug each Sunday for more than a year. Feeling valued went beyond that one classroom.
This woman begins with a simple question of the day and invites each person to share their name as they respond. Sometimes the question is light—“what did you have for breakfast today?” Other times it invites reflection on a gospel principle—“how has being a disciple of Christ changed you?” But the pattern is consistent: everyone is invited to speak, and everyone is known.
She listens attentively and does not rush responses. The hesitant are invested in, not pressured. Over time, people participate more freely, not because they are required to speak, but because they feel safe enough to try. Even visitors and newcomers feel that they belong in the conversation.
Shared ParticipationHere, a meaningful shift occurs. People speak more honestly, and the room becomes receptive to both the Spirit and one another. Class members build on one another’s answers. We often hear “Sister, I feel the same way” or “I struggle with that too. We can struggle together.” Another common one is “We’re all a little weird and that’s okay.”
Her teaching is centered on Christ and unfolds through shared participation rather than constant explanation. It shows that teaching is shaped not just by content, but by how a teacher honors and responds to each voice. Elder Oaks has said,
“Examples improve society more than sermons.”
Christ’s character feels tangible through her interactions with them. Doctrine isn’t absent— it’s being lived.
Feeling Known and ValuedSome may wonder whether this specific approach would work in every setting, including elders quorum, or for every teacher. Not every class or personality will lend itself to the same method. However, the underlying principle remains: people are more likely to receive revelation together when they feel known and valued.
Creating that class culture requires intentional preparation. It can influence simple choices, like how the room is arranged. Seating can allow people to see and respond to one another, rather than directing all attention forward. It changes the kinds of questions a teacher prioritizes, favoring those that invite experience, reflection, and honest response over quick or purely doctrinal answers. Planning shifts from material to people: considering individuals, their needs, and how they might be drawn into the discussion in ways that feel natural.
Counseling within our lessons shapes how we receive revelation together in a single meeting. Can we encourage it to take root week after week?
Building DepthOne way is to plan our meetings with a longer view. Each week’s lesson topic doesn’t have to stand alone. That allows for a breadth of topics, but it can also make spiritual growth feel more individual than communal.
If you want to add depth, build it in.
Focus on fewer topics over several weeks. The handbook is clear that presidencies determine which topics from general conference best meet the needs of their members. Topics don’t have to change every week. The new For Strength of Youth program offers a helpful pattern of monthly focus. A quorum or Relief Society could return to the same theme and allow it to deepen over time.
This creates space for reflection between meetings. Members go home to ponder and live what the group has wrestled with together. When they return, they bring real experiences, questions, and insights.
Shared GrowthImagine spending a month exploring general conference teachings on how to follow Christ in navigating mixed faith relationships. Each week could examine a different talk or question, while returning to the same theme: being disciples of Christ in mixed faith interactions. Discussions become more meaningful as members counsel together about real mixed faith situations in their families and other relationships.
Growth becomes less isolated and more shared, as members learn from each other’s lived discipleship. Teachers feel less pressure to “get through” a lesson. Instead, they revisit and build over time. Class members move beyond the moment and participate in an ongoing process of discipleship.
Protecting the SpaceTo create space for the Spirit, connection, and for long-term discipleship, we need to be intentional about what fills these meetings.
One common challenge is time spent on opening exercises, especially announcements. Communication matters, but many items can move outside Sunday meeting time. Often we spend 10-15 minutes on feeding the missionaries, storehouse needs, or upcoming activities. All needful. But is it the best use of our sacred time? What we prioritize in our meetings shapes what people experience there. Opening exercises should focus on what connects people—welcoming visitors, members rejoining the class from service in an auxiliary, or discussions that actually need group input. If something can be stated without interaction, that’s an email or flyer. Deliver it that way.
Here are simple alternatives:
- Display announcements on a screen before or during class.
- Provide printed copies in class or at a central location.
- Use QR codes to link to a weekly email or calendar. Digital sign ups may help those who miss the clipboard sign ups in auxiliaries.
- Share through ministering assignments. Encourage more personal ministering by using personal invites and reminders, especially for sisters reluctant to adopt digital communication.
The specific method matters less than the principle. Protect the time meant for connection with the Savior and with each other. When that time is protected, something better grows in its place.
Presidencies and Teacher CounselThese changes also require coordination. Teachers largely shape the meeting experience, and they will be more effective when aligned and supported by the presidency’s direction. We find unity and clarity through ongoing feedback.
Planning and reflection go hand in hand.
Presidencies and teachers can counsel together at regular intervals to consider both what is needed and what is happening in Sunday meetings. This doesn’t have to be formal, or extensive. The timing and format will vary by ward, but consistency matters most. As a suggestion, presidencies might regularly ask:
- What is the purpose of the next meeting?
- What do we do to invite the Spirit into the meeting?
- How do we try to include everyone?
- What is working and what can we adjust?
These questions can guide both preparation and reflection. Simple, regular, and thoughtful feedback nurtures growth. Genuine appreciation and a strengths-forward approach build trust and encourage improvement. With humility—valuing others’ perspectives and priorities—people feel heard and appreciated, and a stronger culture grows.
What Grows in the SpaceThese changes are not about doing less for the sake of efficiency. They are about making room for what matters most. We create space for the Holy Ghost to teach, for councils that build unity, and for discipleship that continues beyond a classroom. As we do, love and connection grow. When we refine what fills our meetings, we increase what can be felt within them. In that space, the Savior’s mark becomes evident in how we love Him and each other:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35
The post 25-Minute Church Meetings – How to Foster Spirit-Led Discussion and Real Connection appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post The Bishop’s Couch: Where Ministry Ends and Therapy Begins | An Interview with Christy Kane appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Part 1: What Leaders Can Learn From the People Who Are Leaving the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong appeared first on Leading Saints.
Robyn has lived in multiple states across the country and has served in a variety of callings within the Church, including Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary. She especially loves teaching foundational gospel truths and helping others feel the love of God in personal and practical ways. Professionally, Robyn works in health and healing as a mindfulness, conscious eating, and metabolic health coach. At the heart of her work is a desire to help people become deeply acquainted with who they truly are. She believes life is a sacred journey of remembering our divine nature and learning to live from greater love and wholeness. Robyn now lives in Utah with her four children and a codependent Goldendoodle. She loves being active, playing volleyball, hiking, reading, traveling, and being around fun people.
Enter Robyn…Pain has a way of getting our attention.
Sometimes it begins as a whisper: a small ache, a quiet discomfort, a subtle signal that something needs care. Other times, when we ignore the whisper long enough, it becomes loud enough that we can no longer look away.
Recently, I injured my quad tendon.
At first, it seemed manageable. I’ve been strength training for years. I’m a personal trainer by background. I know how to modify exercises, work around limitations, and keep moving. So that’s what I did.
I adjusted. I compensated. I avoided certain movements when the pain was sharp. But every leg workout, I still tried to return to my normal routine, the same exercises that had helped me build strength for years.
I wanted what had always worked before to keep working now.
But it didn’t.
The pain grew worse. Eventually I could no longer squat. Stairs became difficult. Standing up from a chair required assistance. I walked with a limp. Most nights I woke up in severe pain.
What had started as a whisper had become undeniable.
And I realized something humbling: I needed help.
Fortunately, I knew someone highly skilled in tendon rehabilitation. His name is Byron. Though I had years of fitness experience, I knew he had knowledge I did not have. He was better trained for this specific healing than I was.
So I reached out.
By then, I didn’t care about the cost. I cared about healing.
That desperation taught me something important: sometimes we only become willing to change when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the fear of the unknown.
Byron gave me a new program. Honestly, I didn’t like it at first.
It looked too simple. Too light. Too different from what I believed built strength. I was certain I would lose muscle.
Some of the exercises for healing required me to place controlled stress on the very area that was causing pain and that I had been trying to protect. I feared I might make things worse. But he asked me to trust him.
So I did.
And that trust required more than doing new exercises. It required letting go of my certainty.
I had to release the belief that because something worked in one season, it must be the answer for every season.
I had to release the belief that healing should look familiar.
I had to release the belief that change would mean loss.
That last one may be the hardest for many of us.
We often resist change because we assume it will take something from us:
- Security,
- Identity,
- Comfort,
- Control,
- Relationships,
- Progress,
- or joy.
Even when we are in pain, we cling to the known because it feels predictable.
We tell ourselves, “At least I know this pain.”
So we modify. We cope. We adjust around the wound.
And sometimes that is appropriate for a season.
But sometimes pain is not asking for better coping strategies. Sometimes pain is asking for healing.
That can be true physically. It can also be true emotionally and spiritually.
Turning our Heart and Will to GodSometimes the pain in our lives is inviting us to change a pattern, tell the truth, seek support, shift a family dynamic, change habits that are no longer healthy, soften our heart, or finally bring something into the light.
Sometimes the pain is asking us to stop trying to save ourselves with methods that are no longer working.
In the gospel, repentance is often misunderstood as punishment or shame. But the Bible Dictionary teaches that repentance is a turning of the heart and will to God. It also signifies a change of mind—a fresh view about God, ourselves, and the world.
Allowing HealingWhat if repentance is less about proving our sorrow and more about allowing healing?
What if it is less about condemnation and more about trusting the Healer? Christ sees what we cannot always see. He knows where we compensate. He knows where fear has disguised itself as wisdom. He knows where we have mistaken familiarity for safety. He knows where our current strategies once served us but no longer can carry us forward.
And sometimes His invitations can feel as surprising as Byron’s rehab plan felt to me.
- Forgive them.
- Rest.
- Speak honestly.
- Let go.
- Ask for help.
- Be still.
- Try again.
- Love your enemy.
- Receive grace.
- Begin differently.
The Master Healer KnowsTo the fearful mind, these invitations can seem too simple, too risky, too weak, or too costly.
But the Master Healer understands the soul the way a true expert understands the body. He is restoring.
What I feared most in my recovery was loss. I was certain I would lose strength and muscle by stepping away from the methods I trusted.
Instead, something surprising happened.
My tendon healed. And beyond that, I gained strength. My legs became more toned. I developed muscle in places I never had definition before. I became more capable of running, playing, and fully living the life I love.
The very path I feared would diminish me, strengthened me.
The Doorway to a Greater LifeI wonder how often we assume the same thing spiritually.
We fear that if we surrender resentment, we will lose protection.
If we tell the truth or live more authentically, we will lose love.
If we slow down, we will lose progress.
If we trust God, we will lose control.
If we change course, we will lose everything we worked for. But with Christ, what appears to be loss is often the doorway to greater life.
We see only a small part of the picture. Heaven sees the whole design.
Where we see subtraction, God is creating capacity.
Where we see endings, God is planting beginnings.
Where we see weakness, God is building strength we could gain no other way.
A Sacred SignalPain is not punishment. It is information. And often, it is a sacred signal asking for healing.
And healing frequently asks for trust:
- Trust beyond your current understanding.
- Trust beyond old methods.
- Trust beyond appearances.
- Trust beyond fear.
And if He asks you to change course, you may discover that what you feared would diminish you was the very path meant to restore and strengthen you.
Not only did my tendon heal—I gained strength I did not have before. I saw new growth in places that had never developed under my old approach.
TransformationI believe Christ works this way with the soul.
He does not merely repair what hurts. He increases our capacity. He builds strength where weakness once lived. He brings definition, clarity, and wholeness in places we did not know could change.
What we call loss may become transformation.
What we fear may become freedom.
And what feels like the end of one way may be the beginning of something stronger than we could ever have imagined.
The post Trusting the Healer: How Pain Can Lead to Spiritual and Emotional Healing appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Women Zion Builders | An Interview with Robin Ritch appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Analyzing 52 Church Cultures | An Interview with David Boice appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Zion Lab Live: Engaging Conversations on Leadership, Community, and Spiritual Growth appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer whose work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. Originally from North Carolina, he served a mission in Nevada and California before earning an English degree at Southern Virginia University. He is a member of Heterodox Academy, an organization that promotes viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement in higher education, and he contributes to Discourse Magazine on topics of political polarization. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife and their three children. He works as a college communications director and serves as a counselor in his elders quorum presidency.
Enter Bryan…Early in January this year, I learned that a group of Buddhist monks would come through my city — Columbia, South Carolina — as part of their walking pilgrimage across the southern United States.
Their “Walk for Peace,” as they called it, was a 108-day, 2,300-mile trek through rural counties and large cities. Along the way, they stopped at churches, recreation centers and parks to give talks about mindfulness, meditation and peace. Between these in-person gatherings and their following on social media, the monks shared their message with millions of people.
Mutual UnderstandingWhen they changed their route to walk through Columbia, I knew I wanted to see them and even walk with them for a time.
But walking through what we call “the Bible Belt,” the monks met a few people who were not so excited to meet them. In Georgia, some protestors held signs and shouted that the monks were leading Christians astray.
This made me reflect on how Latter-day Saints strive to interact with people of other faiths, especially minority religions. In some respects, you’d expect the church that teaches there is one true church (D&C 1:30, 1 Nephi 14:10) and that sends thousands of missionaries around the world to be somewhat exclusive. But in actuality, the Church has long taught its members to exercise toleration, acceptance, and mutual understanding for people of other faiths.
Respect and AdmirationFor example, I started my mission just a few months after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. One of my first tracting conversations was with a Muslim man who wanted to know what I thought of him; did I lump him in with the extremists who had attacked America? I told him that I had been taught to reverence, respect and admire his faith. For example, a Church magazine article from 2000, “A Latter-day Saint Perspective on Muhammad,” had profoundly affected my world view.
Other examples abound. Just search the Church’s website and you’ll see countless examples of Latter-day Saints gathering with Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs and other minority religions, as well as other Christian denominations. We join forces for service projects. We offer our meetinghouses to neighbors who lose one to a fire. Sometimes they return the favor.
A Hand of FellowshipThis goes a bit beyond the 11th Article of Faith’s order to, “let them worship how, where or what they may.” We’re not content to just tolerate other people, but to extend a hand of fellowship. This seems more rooted in the Prophet Joseph’s teachings about baptism for the dead:
“While one portion of the human race are judging and condemning the other without mercy, the great parent of the universe looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care, and paternal regard; he views them as his offspring; and without any of those contracted feelings that influence the children of men.”
He went on to say that all people would be judged for their deeds, not
“whether these deeds were done in England, America, Spain, Turkey, or India.”
God would not condemn people to eternal torment for simply living in a place where they never heard the name of Christ.
Truth in Other FaithsDecades later, several Church leaders attended the 1893 Parliament of World Religions in Chicago. They specifically wrote about being impressed with the Buddhist speakers, who demonstrated that their religion had long taught some ethical principles that many Christians assumed were unique to Christianity.
Elder B.H. Roberts, one of the Church leaders at the 1893 conference, later explained these similarities by outlining how the gospel had been preached throughout human history, and therefore it should not be surprising to find truth in other faiths. He taught that the restored gospel would be “the uniting force of all truth and of all fact in the world.” Those words seem to have foreshadowed what President Gordon B. Hinckley would say a century later:
“To anybody who is not of this Church, I say we recognize all of the virtues and the good that you have. Bring it with you and see if we might add to it.”
I love these teachings of the gospel: God loves people of all faiths, and the gospel can be a “uniting force” rather than a dividing one. Being a true church doesn’t require putting others down. In fact, it may require learning from the truths that others bring with them.
Take No Thought for the MorrowThe Buddhist monks arrived in my city on a Saturday when I was tied up with a project. I decided to try connecting with them the next day after church. After my wife got home from a ward conference she’d helped with, I looked at the live map that tracked the monks’ location and chose a place to try intersecting with them. About 20 minutes later, I joined a crowd on a rural highway and watched the monks march toward us.
After the monks walked past me, I fell into line behind them with a few other local people who had joined this segment of their walk. We marched without a word. Spectators took photos. Some prayed. Some gave the monks flowers, some of which the monks gave to other spectators farther down the road.
I didn’t walk with them very far — only about a mile — before the monks paused for a break and I decided to go home and help with dinner. But that short walk had an impact on me.
I felt I had a better understanding of what Jesus meant when he told his disciples to “take no thought for the morrow” because the monks exemplify being mindful in the moment. I felt a better sense of what Mormon meant by a “peaceable walk with the children of men” (Moroni 7:4) because the monks encouraged peace and harmony in every talk, in every step. (You can also read more about my walk with the monks in The Dispatch.)
Walking A Mile with Someone ElseI went home and told my family about the experience, hoping my children will remember when they’re older that it’s worth walking with someone else to learn about their path, just as it’s worth inviting them to walk with us.
I know some people are a bit uncomfortable with embracing other faiths, for fear that it reduces the restored gospel into just another option on the table.
But I’ve noticed that it is possible to take these teachings about God’s love for people of all faiths so far that it discourages missionary work.
Instead, I think the right balance is this: the doctrines of God’s love for all and the plan of salvation for the dead are among the best reasons to share the gospel. Read my essay on this topic in Wayfare.
The post Building Bridges, Not Barriers: “A Peaceable Walk with the Children of Men” appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post New Church Schedule: How to Turn 25 Minutes into 60+ Minutes appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post What to Say When Loved Ones Leave the Church | An Interview with Jeff Strong and Joseph Grenny appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…Perhaps one of the most contemplated questions of all time is the one posed by Job in his sufferings:
“If a man die, shall he live again?” Job 14:14
The answer, of course, is a resounding “Yes.” But since few of us get out of this world alive (I am thinking of the relatively few translated beings), we would like more detail. One of the most experienced and qualified people to answer questions about death is President Joseph F. (Fielding) Smith, the sixth president of the Church. (We refer to him as Joseph F. Smith to distinguish him from his son, also named Joseph Fielding Smith, who became the tenth president of the Church.)
The First Great LossIn June of 1844, when Joseph F. was a young boy of five years of age living in Nauvoo, Illinois, his father Hyrum, along with his namesake and uncle, the Prophet Joseph Smith, rode on horseback up to their home to respond to a summons to go to Carthage to answer more false charges—this time with an eerie portent that their lives were in serious danger.
Hyrum, without dismounting, reached down and lifted his young son to him to hug and kiss him goodbye. The two brothers then rode off to Carthage. Just days later, Joseph F.’s mother would lift him up to look into the bed of a wagon to see where the bodies of Joseph and Hyrum lay after they had been brutally murdered by an angry and diabolical mob at the Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844. It is difficult to imagine a greater sorrow for a tender-hearted little boy.
Death and SorrowJoseph F. would see more death and sorrow all his life. At the age of eight, he drove one of the family’s ox teams across the plains in their emigration to Utah and was witness to the death and suffering of the saints along the way.
During his lifetime, President Smith lost his father, his mother, one brother, two sisters, two wives, and thirteen children. He was well acquainted with sorrow and losing loved ones. When his son Albert Jesse died, Joseph F. wrote to his sister Martha Ann that he had pled with the Lord to save him and asked, “Why is it so? O. God why had it to be?” Despite his prayers at that time, Joseph F. received no answer on this matter. He told Martha Ann that “the heavens [seemed like] brass over our heads” on the subject of death and the spirit world.
The Heavens OpenIn his final years of life, President Smith was witness to a world pained by millions of deaths with the simultaneous occurrence of World War I and the worldwide Spanish Flu pandemic. On October 3, 1918, just six weeks before his own death, he sat in his room considering his lifelong questions as he pondered the writings of Peter, wherein he spoke of how Christ “preached also to them that are dead.” (1 Peter 4:6)
In the midst of his ponderings, the heavens were opened to President Smith in a marvelous vision, which he presented to Church members the next day in General Conference. Today, we refer to it as the Vision of the Redemption of the Dead, and it is found in the 138th section of the Doctrine and Covenants.
I encourage you to study and ponder this vision in its entirety. For now, I will just share a few brief highlights.
The World of SpiritsPresident Smith, in vision, was taken to the world of spirits at the time just before the death of Christ. He saw that the spirits of the dead “were filled with joy and gladness and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand.” (Doctrine and Covenants 138:15)
We recall that Jesus was put to death on Friday and was resurrected on Sunday. The time between His death and resurrection is when He made His redeeming visit to the spirit world. President Smith was witness to this glorious occasion.
“While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful.” Doctrine and Covenants138:18
President Smith learned that Christ did not go personally among the ungodly and unrepentant at this time.
“But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead.” Doctrine and Covenants 138: 30. . . “These were taught faith in God, repentance from sin, vicarious baptism for the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.” Doctrine and Covenants 138: 33
President Smith was also shown the destiny of our righteous loved ones when they die.
“I beheld that the faithful elders of this dispensation, when they depart from mortal life, continue their labors in the preaching of the gospel of repentance and redemption, through the sacrifice of the Only Begotten Son of God, among those who are in darkness and under the bondage of sin in the great world of the spirits of the dead.” Doctrine and Covenants 138: 57
Light and TruthI am grateful for the vision of President Smith and the wonderful light and truth about our next life that he shared with us. We also have the scriptures and many more official teachings that we can be assured are true. Many people have had what we call “near-death” experiences wherein they seem to die but are then granted re-entry into mortality. We can learn from them, but we should be cautious because there are also opportunists who embellish or even make up such experiences.
Because of the vast pool of information on the topic and the limited space and scope of my article, I am going to shift to “bullet-point mode” and share a sampling of some things that I believe to be true about life after death.
I will also limit my comments mostly to the context of those who are unswerving in their faithfulness. There is provision in God’s plan for the not-so-faithful also, but that is another discussion and perspective. Hopefully, some of these ideas will serve as a springboard for further study and pondering of this topic of a lifetime.
- Death is a natural, welcome part of life. We need not regret or fear it as much as we sometimes do. It is an essential step in the great plan of happiness of our Heavenly Parents. The Psalmist said, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” (Psalms 116:15) An inspired prophet has taught, “Death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator.” (2 Nephi 9:6)
- We each retain our personal, eternal identity when we die. We do not transition into something or someone else other than who we are now—we are eternal souls. The scriptures teach, “That same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.” (Alma 34:34)
- Such things as sorrow, discouragement, pollution, pains, illnesses, disabilities, poverty, abuse, and all sad and dark things that are part of our lives on this mortal earth are left behind when we die. (Granted, those who have not repented or overcome their addictions in this life will yet have some sorrow to conquer and work to do.) President Brigham Young taught that in death we pass “from a state of sorrow, grief, mourning, woe, misery, pain, anguish, and disappointment. . . . My spirit is set free . . . I am full of vigor, and I enjoy the presence of my Heavenly Father . . . in a state of bliss and happiness.” The scriptures teach, “The spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.” Alma 40:12.
- Death can be a pleasant, joyful experience that we may look forward to with happy anticipation. “Those that die in me shall not taste of death, for it shall be sweet unto them.” Doctrine and Covenants 42:46 I am not necessarily talking about the event or process of dying but the transition from mortality to the spirit world. And I am not suggesting that it is always sweet for those left behind, who may struggle for years with the sorrow of the passing of their loved one. I am suggesting that for the righteous who die, transition to the spirit world is a pleasant time. Granted, many righteous people suffer horrible physical deaths, as with Joseph and Hyrum in Carthage Jail, and often unrighteous people seem to pass so peacefully. But even in horrible death, we do not now know all the details. Could the spirit perhaps be released from the body before the painful suffering? Or could a person be exempted from the pain and suffering? I believe that death is a personally customized process for every person. We may someday learn that our perceptions of a person’s death have been different than the complete story of what happened. I believe that our Heavenly Parents love Their children and bless and protect them even as they die. Whatever the case, I believe that the principle that death is “sweet” refers to the complete, eternal process of transitioning rather than the brief circumstances of our physical death.
- When we die, we take forward with us all the knowledge and experience we have gained in this life. We progress—we do not regress. In modern revelation, we learn, “Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” Doctrine and Covenants 130:18 Although it says “in the resurrection,” I can’t imagine and do not believe that our experience will be negated, or our learning and progress be erased or put on pause, in the spirit world. This realm is part of our eternal progression where we continue to learn without the physical ailments and burdens that seem to inhibit our learning and progress here on earth.
- The world of spirits is nearby, not on some distant star or planet. We as mortals live amongst our departed loved ones but are just in a different plane of existence. They are near us in proximity and in love and spirit.
- As we place our feet on the revealed covenant path toward eternal life while in mortality, we will remain on that path throughout our waiting time in the spirit world. With our death, our time of mortal probation comes to an end. “For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors.” Alma 34:32 Of course we continue to learn, grow, and progress toward eternal life in the spirit world, but our probationary test of mortality ends with death.
- In the spirit world, all our righteous feelings—love, empathy, compassion, charity—are accentuated more than we can now imagine.
- Our spirit body is in the likeness of our physical body. We will recognize our loved ones and they us. Entering the spirit world will be just as natural to us as walking through a door into another room here on earth.
- We will enjoy eternal sociality—we will joy in the renewal of our love and companionship with our friends and family.
- We will enjoy spirit-to spirit communication. We will have the ability to convey our deepest feelings one to another that we may now struggle to express through our mere words and limited language.
- Our individual agency is eternal and will continue in the spirit world. We will continue to be blessed with individual intellect and powers of reason and analysis and be able to choose from a variety of activities.
- Provision of eternal life is made for those who do not have opportunity to hear the gospel during their mortality. God knows their hearts and will judge accordingly. “All that shall die henceforth without a knowledge of it, who would have received it with all their hearts, shall be heirs of that [celestial] kingdom.” Doctrine and Covenants 137:8
- Children who die before they reach the age of accountability will be given eternal life. “And I also beheld that all children who die before they arrive at the years of accountability are saved in the celestial kingdom of heaven.” Doctrine and Covenants 137:10
- We will joy in the grand and essential work to be done of teaching, persuading, and helping all children of our Heavenly Parents use their agency to increase their degree of light and truth. We will delight in having ample meaningful work to do.
- In the spirit world, our mortal perplexities and mysteries will begin to be solved. We will discover that our leaders and teachers who have taught us to trust in the Lord were right—He is in control, and we can trust Him.
- We will come to know with certainty that all souls really are alike unto our Heavenly Parents. They love all without bias or prejudice.
Let Us Live WellAs glorious as the next world is for those striving to be righteous, this mortal existence is essential and can be in large measure what we make of it. Sure, there may be disabilities and circumstances that become our “thorns in our flesh” that we must deal with all our lives, but our perseverance in mortal trials and our diligence in service are essential to our eternal progress. We do well to prepare for and live long lives of growth, progress, and dedication and to not obsess about our own time or circumstance of death. Let us live well in the realm we are in and leave our transition to the spirit world to our Heavenly Parents and Their timing. In other words, let us live until we die.
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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
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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.
The post When the Seminary Teacher Has a Faith Crisis | An Interview with Tucker Boyle appeared first on Leading Saints.
There are phrases we reach for when someone is hurting, phrases meant to comfort, to steady, to reassure. But sometimes those phrases, though well-intended, fall short.
“Everything happens for a reason” is one of them.
In a recent episode of the Leading Saints Podcast featuring Brandon Bennett, that familiar phrase is gently but powerfully challenged. Not because it’s entirely wrong, but because it’s often incomplete, and sometimes even harmful when applied without understanding.
What emerges instead is a deeper, more Christ-centered framework, one that doesn’t try to explain away pain, but invites us to walk through it with purpose.
Let’s explore what that looks like for leaders, parents, and anyone seeking to minister more like the Savior.
The Problem with Easy AnswersIf you’ve ever sat across from someone in real pain, a grieving parent, a struggling spouse, a discouraged youth, you know how tempting it is to offer a quick explanation.
- We want to fix it.
- We want to make sense of it.
- We want their pain to feel purposeful.
As Brandon Bennett points out, not all suffering comes packaged with a clear explanation. And when we rush to assign meaning too quickly, we risk doing more harm than good. The phrase “everything happens for a reason” can unintentionally:
- Minimize someone’s pain
- Imply God caused their suffering
- Shut down deeper conversation
- Replace empathy with explanation
And perhaps most concerning, it can lead us into what Bennett describes as speculative doctrine, filling in gaps where God has not spoken. As leaders, that’s a dangerous place to stand.
A Better Reframe: Purpose Through ChristInstead of saying everything happens for a reason, Bennett offers a more doctrinally grounded perspective: “Through Jesus Christ, everything can have a reason and a purpose.”
That shift matters. It moves us from:
- Explaining to trusting
- Assigning cause to discovering meaning
- Speaking for God to pointing to Christ
This is where real ministry begins. Because the gospel doesn’t promise that every trial is orchestrated, it promises that every trial can be redeemed.
Understanding Where Adversity Comes FromOne of the most helpful contributions from this discussion is a clearer framework for understanding adversity. Not all trials come from the same source and recognizing that can transform how we respond. Bennett guided us to the Gospel Topics section on adversity. This topic hits on four thoughts:
- Trials may come as a consequence of a person’s own pride and disobedience. These trials can be avoided through righteous living.
- Other trials are simply a natural part of life and may come at times when people are living righteously.
- Adversity may sometimes come because of others’ poor choices and hurtful words and actions.
- Suffering may also come through a loving Heavenly Father as a tutoring experience.”
- Let’s consider each one more deeply.
Consequences of Our Own ChoicesSome trials are the natural result of pride, disobedience, or poor decisions. These are often the easiest to misunderstand. We may be tempted to soften accountability or, conversely, to shame ourselves or others.
But truth, taught in plainness, invites responsibility without condemnation. When someone is facing consequences of their own actions, the role of a leader isn’t to speculate. It’s to help them reconnect with the Savior’s redeeming power.
The Reality of a Fallen WorldOther trials are simply part of mortality. Illness. Loss. Disappointment. Accidents. These experiences often come even when someone is living righteously. And trying to assign a specific divine reason to them can create confusion or even spiritual damage.
This is where the story of the man born blind becomes so powerful. When asked who sinned to cause the condition, the Savior rejected the premise of the question entirely. Not everything painful has a tidy explanation. But everything painful can become a place where God shows up.
The Agency of OthersSome suffering comes because of the choices of others. Hurtful words. Abuse. Neglect. Betrayal. In these situations, telling someone “This happened for a reason.” can feel especially hollow, or even offensive.
God honors agency. And that means some pain is the result of others misusing it. Our role as leaders is not to justify that pain, but to sit in it with them, offering empathy, safety, and Christ-centered hope.
Divine TutoringAnd yes, some experiences may come from a loving Heavenly Father as part of our growth.
But here’s the key: We should be very cautious about declaring which experiences fall into this category, especially for someone else. There is a sacred difference between:
- God teaching me through this and
- God is doing this to you
One invites humility. The other risks spiritual harm.
The Ministry of Presence Over ExplanationOne of the most striking themes from the podcast is the emphasis on empathy. Not surface-level empathy. Not rehearsed empathy. But real, Christlike presence. Because often, what people need most is not an answer, but a companion.
Consider how often the Savior responded to suffering:
- He wept before He raised Lazarus.
- He listened before He taught.
- He touched before He corrected. As leaders, we sometimes reverse that order.
- We teach before we understand.
- We explain before we listen
- We fix before we feel.
But true ministering requires us to slow down. To resist the urge to fill the silence. To sit with someone long enough that they feel seen, not solved.
The Danger of Speculative DoctrineThere’s a subtle temptation in leadership to have an answer for everything. But as Bennett cautions, when we go beyond what has been revealed, we risk creating confusion instead of clarity.
Speculative doctrine often sounds spiritual but lacks foundation. It might include statements like:
- “God needed them more than you do.”
- “This happened to teach you something specific.”
- “If you had more faith, this wouldn’t have happened.”
These statements may come from a desire to help, but they can distort the nature of God and the reality of agency.
Teaching truth “in plainness” means staying anchored in what we do know:
- God is good
- Christ is present
- Grace is sufficient
- Healing is possible
And sometimes, that’s enough.
Accessing the Savior’s Power in TrialsIf we move away from explaining suffering, what do we move toward? The answer is simple, and profound: We move toward Jesus Christ.
Bennett emphasizes that meaning in our trials is not something we manufacture, it’s something we receive as we engage the doctrine of Christ. That includes:
- Faith in Him
- Repentance
- Covenant connection
- Receiving the Holy Ghost
This is where transformation happens. Not because the trial is suddenly explained…but because the person is no longer alone.
A Leadership InvitationAs you reflect on your current calling, whether in a bishopric, Relief Society presidency, elders quorum, or simply as a ministering brother or sister, consider this question:
How do I respond when someone brings me their pain?
Do I:
- Try to explain it?
- Try to fix it?
- Try to spiritualize it?
Or do I:
- Listen deeply
- Validate honestly
- Point gently to Christ
One approach seeks to resolve discomfort. The other invites healing.
What This Looks Like in Real LifeImagine a young adult who feels like their life is unraveling.
Instead of saying: “Everything happens for a reason…”
You might say: “I don’t know why this is happening—but I do know you don’t have to go through it alone.”
Or a parent grieving a child’s choices.
Instead of: “This is part of God’s plan…”
You might say: “This is incredibly hard. I’m here with you. And so is the Savior.”
These small shifts create space. Space for the Spirit. Space for trust. Space for real healing.
From Explanation to InvitationPerhaps the greatest takeaway from this conversation is this: We are not called to explain all things. We are called to invite people to Christ in all things.
That is the doctrine. That is the work. And that is where hope is found.
Listen and Go DeeperIf this perspective resonates with you, I highly recommend taking time to listen to the full conversation: False: Everything Happens for a Reason | An Interview with Brandon Bennett.
Brandon Bennett expands on:
- How to teach truth without overreaching
- The role of grace in suffering
- Practical ways to access the Savior’s power
- How leaders can minister with greater empathy and clarity
That’s the kind of conversation that doesn’t just inform your mind; it reshapes your ministry.
Final ThoughtMaybe the goal was never to understand every reason behind our pain. Maybe the goal is something higher. To trust more deeply. To love more fully. To walk more closely with the Savior.
Because while not everything happens for a reason… Through Jesus Christ, everything can become something sacred.
Beth Young is a convert of 49 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 39 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah eight years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post How to Minister: When “Everything Happens for a Reason” Isn’t Enough appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How to Keep Your Ward Accountable | An Interview with Michael Timms appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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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.
The post Home Ministering | An Interview with Steve Webber appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer whose work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. Originally from North Carolina, he served a mission in Nevada and California before earning an English degree at Southern Virginia University. He is a member of Heterodox Academy, an organization that promotes viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement in higher education, and he contributes to Discourse Magazine on topics of political polarization. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife and their three children. He works as a college communications director and serves as a counselor in his elders quorum presidency.
Enter Bryan…Most of us have a story about one of “those” talks.
For example, there’s the high councilman who spent most of his time talking about his wife’s pregnancies overlapping inconveniently with his race training. Or an Easter talk that went on for 30 minutes without quoting a scripture. Or one speaker who painstakingly recounted the entire plot of the movie “Groundhog Day,” went overtime, awkwardly side-stepped the movie’s inferred unchastity, and offered just a brief word about repentance meaning every day is new.
I hold nothing against the people who gave these talks, in fact, two of them I count among beloved friends who ministered to me with love. These talks are far from the first thing that comes to my mind when I think of them.
But because so many of us have these stories about talks we’ve heard or talks we’ve given, it’s worth exploring how to not give a talk that people remember for the wrong reasons a decade later. Here are a few ideas gleaned from my own mistakes, talks that made me cringe, and talks that I loved.
Center the Talk on ChristThe easiest way to make sure you give the right kind of talk is to center the talk on Jesus Christ. I’ve never heard anyone gossip about how a talk had mentioned Jesus so much. This advice is consistent with the Church handbook, which teaches,
“Speakers bear testimony of Jesus Christ and teach His gospel using the scriptures. Messages should build faith and be consistent with the sacred nature of the sacrament.”
Nephi provided a good outline for a sacrament meeting talk when he wrote,
“We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ.” (3 Nephi 25)
As you plan a talk, ask if someone who listens to it would see Nephi’s charge in action. If not, make sure you “talk of Christ” more.
For me, a good rule of thumb is to mention Jesus or one of his teachings every two to three minutes in a talk. This should not become a Pharisaical rule, but a reminder that He is the reason we are speaking.
Quote Scripture Early, Quote Scripture OftenBecause the scriptures testify of Christ and contain his words, they can help us keep a talk Christ-centered.
Consider this advice from President Ezra Taft Benson:
“There is no satisfactory substitute for the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. These should be your original sources. Read and ponder more what the Lord has said, and less about what others have written concerning what the Lord has said.”
Sometimes we are tempted to lay the scriptures aside and use modern scientific discoveries, popular fiction stories, or the news of the day to teach gospel principles. Those have their place, but they should not replace the scriptures.
If you’re looking for a good example, read a few general conference talks and look at their footnotes, you’ll find that these speakers quote scripture frequently, even when they are using stories from other domains to make their point. If you include scriptures early in your talk and make sure to return to them throughout, your talk will more likely be remembered for its doctrine than distractions.
Keep Stories ShortOne way Jesus sometimes goes missing from sacrament meeting talks is that he gets displaced by long, drawn-out stories.
There is nothing wrong with telling a story. Humans crave them. Jesus taught in parables, and some of the most memorable general conference talks use stories to help us visualize doctrine in action. But when a story stretches on with minute details, it might divert the message from Christ-centered to story-centered.
Stories do not have to be long and detailed to make an impact. Consider this: Jesus’s longest parable, the Prodigal Son, is 528 words, taking about three minutes or less for a person to repeat aloud. Other parables were as short as two paragraphs. Many of the memorable stories from general conference talks take about two minutes.
When deciding on a story to put in your talk, see if you can summarize it that quickly. What details can you leave out and still catch interest and teach the principle?
For example, if I wanted to reference my favorite Lord of the Rings quote (when Gandalf tells Frodo, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us”), I would not need to explain what hobbits are, how the ring was made, how it came to Frodo, or the geography of Middle Earth. As Gandalf also tells Frodo, “If I were to tell you all that tale, we should still be sitting here when Spring had passed into Winter.”
Ground Stories in the GospelAnother tip for making sure your story doesn’t steal the spotlight from Jesus is to ground the story in the gospel topic. You may be tempted to start your talk with an out-of-left-field story that leaves people scratching their heads, wondering, “How will this connect back to the gospel?” And it’s not necessarily wrong.
But it might be easier to keep the story short enough and on-topic if we start out sharing the gospel truth it will illustrate. It’s true that many general conference talks open by going immediately into a story, but many of them start with a testimony or summary of doctrine that tells us what to watch for in the story.
Elder Bruce R. McConkie suggested this makes teaching effective.
“Perhaps the perfect pattern in presenting faith-promoting stories is to teach what is found in the scriptures and then to put a seal of living reality upon it by telling a similar and equivalent thing that has happened in our dispensation and to our people and—most ideally—to us as individuals.”
End on TimeEnding a talk on time is an important yet oddly challenging part of public speaking. I often have found myself with two minutes left in my allotted time and at least 10 minutes of material left. I’ve seen a lot of concluding speakers have to shorten their talks by more than half, but I’ve also seen concluding speakers blow through the end of sacrament meeting like it’s a stop sign in the middle of nowhere.
My current ward encourages speakers to practice their talks beforehand and track how much time it takes, adjusting accordingly. That is a valuable practice. If you’re practicing your talk and finding it too long, there are several handy guides for shortening talks.
But often we have to change the talk in real time because a previous speaker took longer, or it takes longer to get one of our stories across. In this case, it almost never works well to speak frantically and try to summarize every remaining point.
Instead, as you prepare a talk, imagine which parts you could cut entirely if needed. Consider a few different places where you could end abruptly if needed. This will help you close with confidence rather than stumble along and go overtime.
What to Do About Infamous TalksIf you find that your ward features numerous longwinded, non-Christ-centered talks, it’s worth having the ward council brainstorm how to make sacrament meetings more uplifting. We want each person who attends to have their faith in Christ strengthened. If you are not on the ward council, share any concerns with someone who is, because it can help them if they know what members of the ward need.
But there’s also something you can do even in the middle of such a talk, and no, I’m not talking about texting a link to this article to the speaker when it’s time to wrap up.
President Henry B. Eyring once told a story about attending a sacrament meeting with a “terrible talk,” but he noticed his father seemed to enjoy the talk. “His face was beaming as the speaker droned on … through the whole thing he had this beatific smile.”
On the way home, his father said the meeting was wonderful, and then he taught this lesson:
“Since I was a very young man, I have taught myself to do something in a church meeting. When the speaker begins, I listen carefully and ask myself what it is he is trying to say. Then once I think I know what he is trying to accomplish, I give myself a sermon on that subject. … Since then, I have never been to a bad meeting.”
President Eyring’s father showed that an “infamous talk” isn’t the end of the world. If we find ourselves hearing such a talk, we can personally commune with the Lord. But when we give a talk, we can prepare in such a way that those who listen don’t have to tune us out but can have their faith in Christ strengthened by our message.
The post Ever Heard an Infamous Sacrament Talk? Simple Christ-Centered Principles for Speakers appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jerrod Guddat was raised in Seattle, Washington and is a 30-year convert to the Church. He has served in a variety of capacities in the Church including ward and stake leadership positions. Jerrod is currently serving as second counselor in the elders quorum of his ward. Professionally, Jerrod runs an international humanitarian nonprofit to love and care for disadvantaged children in Latin America. Jerrod, his remarkable wife, Megan, and their five children live in southeast Idaho.
Enter Jerrod…One of the recurring themes of the October 2025 general conference was belonging in the Church despite difficult personal circumstances or “non-traditional” life situations. Several leaders lovingly acknowledged members who feel they don’t fit the traditional mold.
As I listened carefully to multiple talks, however, I noticed something that made me pause: while many non-traditional family realities were named—divorce, singleness, loss, faith struggles, and social differences—situations involving LGBTQ+ family dynamics were never explicitly mentioned.
This raised a sincere question for me: Why weren’t LGBTQ+ family dynamics specifically mentioned, and what are the implications for members who experience these realities?
In congregations across the Church, there are quiet questions resting in faithful hearts—questions about identity, discipleship, and belonging. For Latter-day Saints who identify as LGBT, those questions can feel especially tender. As shepherds and fellow Saints, perhaps our first work is not to resolve every tension, but to ask ourselves: How are we making room for every sincere seeker to hear and feel the message—You belong here?
I offer this reflection not as criticism, but as an invitation to consider how naming—or not naming—shapes belonging.
Shaping BelongingSeveral Church leaders acknowledged members whose lives differ from traditional expectations. President Oaks noted:
“Many of us must do this [teach our children] when not all of our families are traditional. Divorce, death, and separation are realities.”
Elder Gong described various reasons members may feel they don’t belong:
“There are many reasons we may feel we do not fit in at church—that, speaking figuratively, we sit alone. We may worry about our accent, clothes, family situation. Perhaps we feel inadequate, smell of smoke, yearn for moral cleanliness, have broken up with someone and feel hurt and embarrassed, are concerned about this or that Church policy. We may be single, divorced, widowed. Our children are noisy; we don’t have children. We didn’t serve a mission or came home early. The list goes on.”
Sister J. Annette Dennis similarly spoke of those who feel they don’t fit the mold due to faith struggles, mental health challenges, cultural differences, or life circumstances. She said:
“Unfortunately, for some of us, attending church can be hard at times for many different reasons. It could be someone struggling with questions of faith or someone with social anxiety or depression. It could be someone from a different country or race or someone with different life experiences or ways of seeing things who may feel they don’t fit the mold. It could even be sleep-deprived and emotionally stretched parents of babies and young children or someone who is single in a congregation full of couples and families. It could also be someone mustering the courage to return after years of being away or someone with a nagging feeling that they just don’t measure up and will never belong.”
Elder Rasband taught:
“Some of you may reflect on the proclamation and say, ‘This isn’t working for me.’ ‘It seems insensitive.’ ‘My family doesn’t look like that.’ ‘I don’t fit.’”
The consistent message across these talks was clear: everyone should feel they belong in the Church.
Emotional ComplexityDespite repeated references to non-traditional families and those who feel they “don’t fit,” none of the speakers explicitly referenced:
- Members experiencing same-sex attraction
- LGBTQ+ individuals
- Families with LGBTQ+ children
- Mixed-orientation marriages
- Parents navigating a child’s change in identity
- Tension between Church teachings and sexual identity
For many Church members, these situations represent some of the most emotionally complex family realities in modern Latter-day Saint life.
This absence becomes notable precisely because the talks emphasized inclusion and belonging.
A Pressing ChallengeNaming experiences can communicate recognition. Silence—even unintentional—can sometimes be experienced as invisibility. Many faithful members of the Church are actively navigating LGBTQ-related questions within their families. For some, this is among the most pressing challenge they face. When leaders speak broadly about not fitting in, listeners often ask:
- Does this include my situation?
- Am I seen here?
- Is my struggle understood?
The question is not whether leaders care—conference messages consistently teach love, compassion, and belonging. The question is whether more explicit acknowledgment might help some members feel more directly included.
Looking at Elder Rasband’s quote again, he said:
“Some of you may reflect on the proclamation and say, ‘This isn’t working for me.’ ‘It seems insensitive.’ ‘My family doesn’t look like that.’ ‘I don’t fit.’”
Some listeners/readers may reasonably assume that Elder Rasband’s quote brings to mind those who feel like the proclamation doesn’t include them due to their personal LGBTQ+ experience, listing them with divorcees and other groups named explicitly in other talks. However, this assumption further illustrates my point. The reality is we simply don’t know beyond speculation what each individual speaker intended by their choice of inclusive descriptors and which they chose to leave out.
Some readers may infer from my line of thinking that I am suggesting an intentional obfuscation of the term LGBTQ+ in General Conference talks. However, my observation isn’t that there was some kind of intentional orchestration or blacklist of words. Rather, it is that while three of the four speakers explicitly named certain groups or situations (divorce, widowhood, singleness, cultural differences, even feeling embarrassed for smelling like smoke) none explicitly mentioned same-sex attraction or LGBTQ+ family dynamics.
Given that, in my perception, questions surrounding LGBTQ+ identity and family relationships are among the defining cultural concerns for many North American members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 2025, that absence felt noticeable to me.
Complex RealitiesOthers may not experience it that way, and that’s okay. My intent wasn’t to assign motives, but to explore how naming (or not naming) shapes the way different members and observers of the Church experience belonging.
There may be several possible explanations for exclusion of the LGBTQ+ experience:
- Leaders may intentionally speak in broad terms to include many situations without categorizing them.
- They may seek to avoid politicization or cultural framing.
- They may emphasize doctrine over social categories.
- They may assume existing teachings already address these concerns.
- They may aim to keep conference messages universally applicable across global contexts.
Understanding the intent behind messaging can help members interpret what they hear. Rather than drawing conclusions, perhaps the more helpful approach is to ask:
- What role does naming play in helping members feel they belong?
- How do Church leaders decide which realities to explicitly address?
- How do members interpret general invitations to belong when their specific situations are not named?
- How might local leaders apply conference teachings to members navigating LGBTQ+ family dynamics?
These questions may help us better understand how to minister in complex modern realities.
You Belong HereGeneral conference repeatedly teaches that all are welcome and that discipleship involves bearing one another’s burdens. As the Church continues to address the needs of a diverse global membership, questions about belonging and recognition will likely continue.
Perhaps one of the ongoing invitations for all of us—leaders and members alike—is to consider how we ensure that every sincere seeker can recognize themselves in the message: You belong here.
The post Do LGBT Latter-day Saints Feel They Belong? Shepherding with Sensitivity appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post False: Everything Happens for a Reason | An Interview with Brandon Bennett appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post From Cliques to Community: Ministering in a Lonely Ward | An Interview with Ganel-Lyn Condie appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rich Watson resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg. He served for 20 years in the United States Air Force and holds an educational background in psychology, education, and the social sciences. He has been happily married for over 25 years and is the father of four children, along with a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and one awesome granddaughter. Since retiring from the military, Rich has worked in the mental health department of a veteran service organization, where he and his team facilitate resiliency based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. A convert to the Church in 1996, Rich has served in a variety of leadership callings across multiple wards and branches, thanks in part to frequent military moves. These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, Young Men presidency, branch president, bishopric, and high council. He has also shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
That verse sounds peaceful, comforting even. It’s one we quote, cross-stitch, and turn into wall art. But taken seriously, it’s also deeply confronting. Because if we’re honest, stillness is not something most of us are good at.
We live in a world that rewards urgency, noise, productivity, and constant responsiveness, and as a church, we are not immune. Phones buzz, calendars fill, and expectations multiply. Our spiritual lives become crowded with callings, meetings, assignments, lessons to prepare, people to check on, and boxes to mark complete.
All good things, but rarely quiet ones.
Somewhere along the way, we forget how to simply sit with the Lord Himself.
The invitation to “be still” was never meant for calm, quiet lives. Psalm 46 was written in the midst of chaos. Being still does not mean disengaging from life or pretending problems don’t exist. It means choosing trust over urgency. In an anxious world, that choice can feel harder than ever.
Anxiety and Stillness: Naming What We FeelAnxiety is a word we use often but rarely define. For some, it means panic or constant worry. For others, it’s quieter and more familiar, a racing mind at night, the inability to rest without guilt, the sense of always being behind even while doing the right things.
In church settings, anxiety often wears a respectable disguise. It looks like over functioning, hyper-responsibility, and saying yes more than we should. It shows up in leaders who are always available, parents who feel they are never doing enough, and members who serve faithfully but feel perpetually stretched thin. Because it often looks like dedication, it frequently goes unnamed.
Anxiety is not simply fear, and it is not a lack of faith. At its core, it is a state of constant vigilance, the belief that if we don’t stay on high alert, something will fall apart. In that space, trust quietly gives way to control.
This is where stillness enters the conversation.
Stillness is not silence or inactivity. It is an intentional pause that reorients us toward God. It is choosing to stop long enough to remember who holds and guides us. Stillness does not abandon responsibility, it releases the illusion that everything depends on us.
For disciples of Christ, stillness becomes a spiritual practice that directly confronts anxiety. It interrupts urgency and creates space to remember that God is present, aware, and at work, even when we are not.
When Anxiety Shows Up in Church LeadershipAnxiety in church leadership rarely looks like panic or emotional collapse. More often, it looks like competence. It shows up as preparedness, availability, and a deep sense of responsibility in leaders who care deeply about their callings. That’s what makes it so difficult to recognize.
In leadership roles, anxiety often disguises itself as over-functioning. Leaders feel responsible not only for decisions, but for outcomes. There is a quiet pressure to make sure everyone is okay, everything runs smoothly, and nothing falls through the cracks. Over time, this can create a belief that if we don’t stay constantly engaged, something important will fail.
Many leaders carry an unspoken fear of letting people down, missing promptings, or not doing enough. That fear keeps them mentally “on” at all times, even when they are physically resting. The result is leadership that is faithful but fatigued.
Anxiety in leadership also shows up as difficulty resting without guilt. Stillness can feel irresponsible, even selfish, because there is always another need, another message, another person who could use help. Gradually, constant motion becomes confused with faithfulness.
Ironically, this anxiety often grows in leaders who are trying their best to trust God. Stewardship quietly shifts into control. We pray for guidance, but feel compelled to manage every detail. This is not a failure of devotion. It is a sign that many leaders are carrying more than they were meant to carry alone.
The gospel does not require leaders to be anxious in order to be effective. In fact, chronic anxiety can make it harder to lead with clarity, compassion, and spiritual discernment. Stillness, then, is not a retreat from leadership, but a necessary part of it.
Practicing Stillness as a Leader (Without Neglecting People)One of the greatest fears leaders carry is that stillness will be mistaken for disengagement. Slowing down can feel like neglect. But practicing stillness does not mean caring less about people. It means leading from a grounded, Spirit-centered place rather than from constant urgency.
Stillness begins internally before it ever shows up externally. It is not withdrawing from responsibility, but changing the posture from which we approach it. A still leader is not absent, they are anchored.
One simple practice is creating intentional pauses before action. Taking a brief moment before responding to a message, entering a meeting, or making a decision creates space for discernment. Over time, these pauses retrain us to respond thoughtfully rather than react anxiously.
Stillness also shows up through healthy boundaries. Saying no, delegating, and allowing others to carry responsibility are not leadership failures, they are acts of trust. This work was never meant to be carried alone.
Another practice of stillness is presence. Leaders are often pulled in multiple directions, mentally preparing the next conversation while still in the current one. Stillness invites us to listen without rushing to fix. Presence itself becomes a form of ministering.
Finally, stillness reframes rest. Rest is not something leaders earn after everything is finished, because leadership work is never finished. Rest is stewardship. Without it, clarity fades and spiritual sensitivity dulls. Stillness does not pull leaders away from people. It allows them to show up more fully.
Christ as the Model of Calm LeadershipIf we want to understand calm, grounded leadership, we can look to Christ. He led in the middle of constant demand. Crowds pressed in, disciples misunderstood, critics accused, and suffering surrounded Him. Yet urgency never defined His leadership. The scriptures repeatedly show Christ withdrawing to pray, even when there was more work to be done. He slept during a storm while others panicked. He paused to ask questions when people wanted immediate answers. His calm was not detachment, it was trust.
Christ never confused responsibility with control. He trusted the Father completely. Calm leadership was not a personality trait of the Savior, it was the fruit of perfect trust in God.
For those called to lead in His church, Christ’s example offers both permission and invitation: permission to slow down, and invitation to lead from stillness rather than strain.
Conclusion: Choosing Stillness in a Loud WorldWe live in a loud, anxious world that rarely rewards stillness. Even in the Church, faithfulness can feel measured by activity and output. But the invitation to “be still” calls us to something deeper.
Stillness is not disengagement or neglect. It is a spiritual discipline that trains us to trust God more than our own effort. It will not remove all anxiety or responsibility, but it will reorient our hearts.
The command to “be still, and know” is not an invitation to do less, it is an invitation to remember more. To remember who God is and who He has been in our lives: steady when we were anxious, faithful when we were uncertain, patient when we were restless. To remember whose work this truly is. And to remember that calm, Christlike leadership is found not in striving harder, but in trusting deeper. Stillness restores perspective, and perspective restores peace.
In an anxious world, choosing stillness may be one of the most faithful decisions we make.
The post Be Still and Know – Practicing Spiritual Calm in an Anxious World appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jed Moody resides in South Jordan, Utah. Jed is a husband, father to three active boys, and works as a corporate attorney in the legal department of a healthcare company. He looks forward to serving in his new calling as a priests quorum advisor.
Enter Jed…In a recent Elders Quorum meeting, our instructor asked a compelling question:
“Should you always follow the prophet, even if you disagree?”
What followed was a robust discussion with some quorum members taking a hard-lined stance (“Yes, you should always follow the prophet”) and others leaving more room for personal disagreement with the prophet. Some even shared instances where they chose not to follow the prophet, as they personally felt that in that particular instance in which they chose not to comply, the prophet was speaking in his personal capacity and not his prophetic capacity.
The Wrestle is RealMost every member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at some point in time likely wrestles to one degree or another with some Church policy or prophetic teaching. (I know I have!) In those moments, it can be tempting to justify resisting prophetic counsel by making oft-repeated arguments such as:
- Prophets are fallible and subject to error.
- Ultimately, we follow Jesus, not men.
- Members of the Church should follow their conscience and not just blindly obey.
- Church policy changes and some prior teachings are later seen as outdated, and this policy or teaching may change, too.
To a certain degree, each of these arguments is true. Despite that fact, I believe there are important reasons to follow the prophet, even when our personal views conflict with the prophet’s teachings.
In the end, each member of the Church must decide for themselves how they will respond when their personal views conflict with Church policy or prophetic teachings. But for me personally, for the reasons outlined below, I do my best (albeit imperfectly) to follow the prophet.
SafetyThe scriptures are replete with examples and teachings that underscore the spiritual and sometimes physical safety that comes from following the prophet. The Lord revealed in Doctrine and Covenants 21:4-6 that:
“Wherefore, meaning the church, thou shalt give heed unto all [the prophet’s] words and commandments which he shall give unto you as he receiveth them, walking in all holiness before me; For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith. For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his name’s glory.”
President Henry B. Eyring taught,
“The best time to have decided to help Noah build the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the Spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late.”
Perhaps most importantly, Jesus Christ made clear that we gather to Him by following His prophets, when He lamented the House of Israel’s rejection of the prophets He had sent:
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37)
This seems, to me, to weaken attempts to disassociate Jesus Christ from His prophets. There is safety in following Jesus Christ and His prophets, and I choose to do my best to gather to His safety as we witness the unfolding of the commotion and perplexities of the latter days preceding His Second Coming.
BecomingAs I understand the Plan of Salvation, one of the key purposes of that Plan is for us to develop the qualities and characteristics our Heavenly Father possesses. When our personal views diverge from the teachings of the prophet, it can be very, very difficult—even heart-wrenching for some. And in sharing my perspective, I do not wish to trivialize the pain and difficulty individuals may face when confronting difficult teachings. Nonetheless, when we have those moments where our personal views are at odds with the teachings of prophets, it gives us an opportunity to turn to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, to wrestle with those teachings and to stretch and expand our souls. Even as we seek answers from the scriptures, podcasts, social media, scholars, friends, family, or local leaders, we must not forget that the most critical seeking we will do will be in sincere prayer. And it’s worth asking ourselves, to whom are we giving most of our attention as we seek for answers? This wrestle is an opportunity for us to strengthen our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
As we faithfully work through this process—and it is often real work—we will have an opportunity to further develop Christlike attributes. For example, I turn again to Doctrine and Covenants 21:5, as it makes clear that patience and faith will be required to follow the prophet.
“For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.”
What is Divine and What is HumanAs we develop a relationship with Jesus Christ, He asks us to come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. This requires us to develop and demonstrate humility in our devotion. Like Naaman in the Old Testament, who resisted prophetic guidance to wash in the Jordan River seven times but ultimately relented and received a miraculous healing of his leprosy, we sometimes have to let go of personal pride when the prophet’s guidance doesn’t make sense to us.
Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord taught us,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways…. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
The scriptures also teach us,
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding….Be not wise in thine own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5, 7)
When confronting prophetic direction that is difficult to accept, I’m personally not confident enough with my own weaknesses and biases and cultural influences to trust that my own judgment is always correct to be able to discern what is divine and what is human.
OrderVery early in this dispensation, when Hiram Page claimed to be receiving revelations for the Church through a seer stone, the Lord established that
“all things must be done in order.” (D&C 28:13)
As such, the Lord established then and in other revelations that there is one authorized prophetic mouthpiece on the earth at a time. And, similarly, it has been well established that to the extent that there are conflicts between the teachings of more modern prophets and earlier prophets, the teachings of the more current prophets should be followed.
If we begin making exceptions to the order God has established, and we each follow our “conscience” when we feel to reject a teaching of the prophet, then that established order breaks down. The logical outcome of that position at the extreme is a world in which we all come to different conclusions, and it is essentially the same as having no prophet at all.
Yes, I believe we should follow our conscience, but in following our conscience, the teachings of prophets serve as a check and an anchor to ensure that we are not “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14) and interpreting scripture incorrectly.
So, what do we make of the reality, readily admitted by Church leaders, that prophets and leaders of the Church are fallible and subject to error? It certainly creates a paradox. I believe, however, that the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ resolves all paradoxes. Looking once again at Doctrine and Covenants 21:5, where the Lord commanded:
”For his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth, in all patience and faith.”
“Patience,” here suggests that there may be times when we will have to exercise patience in receiving God’s word through a mortal mouthpiece, but it also says we must exercise “faith.” Faith in prophets? I do not think so. I believe that “faith” in the scriptures should be read as faith in Jesus Christ! His atoning sacrifice will make up for any mistakes made by me or by prophets.
Indeed, Elder M. Russell Ballard taught,
“Too many people think Church leaders and members should be perfect or nearly perfect. They forget that the Lord’s grace is sufficient to accomplish His work through mortals. Our leaders have the best intentions, but sometimes we make mistakes…. Looking for human weakness in others is rather easy. However, we make a serious mistake by noticing only the human nature of one another and then failing to see God’s hand working through those He has called.”
And Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught,
“Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work.”
In This There is SafetyIn saying all of this, I do think it’s ok to ask questions. It’s ok to appropriately state that we don’t fully understand a policy or prophetic teaching. And we may even leave room in our hearts to believe or even hope that positions and policies change in the future. But in my opinion, we must also leave room in our hearts for the possibility that positions and policies will not change. And in the meantime, whatever the outcome, we should do our best to support, sustain, and pray for our prophet and other Church leaders.
In this there is safety, peace, order, and an opportunity to develop attributes God intends for us to develop.
The post When My Personal Beliefs Differ from the Prophet’s Counsel appeared first on Leading Saints.
Chris Rich is a wife, mom, certified life coach, corporate mental health presenter, and the host of the Mixed Faith Relationship Podcast. She loves to help people show up as their best selves when life doesn’t go as planned. Chris has served in many Church leadership callings and is currently serving in the stake Relief Society presidency in Springfield, Massachusetts. For more information, visit her here.
Enter Chris…Elder Patrick Kearon recently reminded us that we belong to the “Church of Joy.” I love that phrase. I believe it. The gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. It is hopeful. It is redemptive.
And…
Many of us come to Church with tender hearts, carrying very heavy burdens.
From my own experience, my returned-missionary husband—whom I married in the temple 27 years ago—and our three amazing children have no interest in religion. Going to church by myself can be really hard. I can’t tell you how many times I have ugly cried on the second row of the chapel, feeling lonely, jealous, worried, and overwhelmed.
Even if your experience looks different than mine, I imagine many of you can relate. Sometimes church doesn’t feel joyful. Sometimes it feels like one more place where our grief, disappointment, or questions don’t quite belong. Sometimes church doesn’t feel safe.
So what can we do—individually and collectively—to become better disciples of Jesus Christ and create more unity when so many of us are living in what I like to call the messy middle of our lives?
I want to focus on one sacred practice that has the power to change not only our hearts, but also our families, wards, and communities: learning how to truly mourn with those who mourn.
The Covenant We Sometimes ForgetWhen we were baptized, we entered into a covenant to
“mourn with those that mourn” and to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” (Mosiah 18:9)
I love this covenant. It is beautiful. It is relational. It is deeply Christlike.
And—it can be tricky.
When people are hurting, it’s uncomfortable. It’s uncomfortable for them, and it’s uncomfortable for us. As humans, we like comfort. So, when someone is struggling, we often feel an urge to fix it. We want to say the right thing. Offer advice. Share doctrine. Point to eternal truths.
Or sometimes, we do nothing at all—because we don’t know what to say and we’re afraid of saying the wrong thing.
If you’ve ever been there, you’re in good company. We all have. Please don’t beat yourself up. You are doing the best you can with the tools you have. And when we know better, we can do better.
When Comfort Misses the MarkWhen I was 14 years old, my 21-year-old brother—who had just returned honorably from a mission to Paraguay—died by suicide. It was devastating.
People were uncomfortable. No one knew what to do with grief that big, especially grief layered with shock and stigma. Many kind, well-meaning ward members offered words of comfort in sincere attempts to help:
- “Aren’t you glad to know families are forever?”
- “You’ll see him again.”
- “God has a plan.”
- “At least you still have 3 other brothers.”
Decades later, those doctrines are deeply comforting to me. I believe them wholeheartedly. But at the time? They didn’t feel comforting.
They felt dismissive—like my pain was being rushed past, like my grief was something to solve instead of something to sit with.
We often say things like:
- “It’s all going to work out.”
- “Cheer up.”
- “Think positive.”
- “Have more faith.”
- “Count your blessings.”
Think about how it feels when someone tells you to cheer up when you’re hurting.
We don’t need to take away people’s emotions from them. Having emotions is part of the human experience. It is okay to not be okay.
When Optimism Gets in the Way of EmpathyThe gospel of Jesus Christ gives us hope and optimism—an incredible blessing. But sometimes, without realizing it, we use optimism to avoid pain. We try to put a silver lining on someone else’s suffering.
A friend miscarries, and we say, “Don’t worry—you’ll get pregnant again,” or “At least you already have children.”
A ward member loses a parent, and we say, “At least you had 50 good years together.”
Here’s something important to remember:
- Real empathy never involves the words “at least.”
- “At least” may be true.
- “At least” may be well-intended.
- But “at least” dismisses and minimizes the pain that exists right now.
We may also say, “I know exactly how you feel.” But the truth is—we don’t. Even when we’ve experienced something similar, no two people experience pain the same way. Our DNA, coping skills, histories, nervous systems, traumas, and support systems are different. We never know exactly how someone else is feeling.
A better response is: “I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.”
What the Lord Actually Asked Us to DoI love the following quotes attributed to Hank Smith:
“God doesn’t ask us to cheer up those who mourn, fix those who mourn, or teach those who mourn. He asks us to mourn with those who mourn.”
He also cautioned:
“Don’t be so quick to tell people the Lord’s Atonement can heal them that you forget to mourn with them.”
And this powerful reminder:
“We can’t use the Lord’s Atonement as an excuse to not empathize with and serve those in pain.”
The Atonement of Jesus Christ does heal. It does redeem. But it never bypasses mourning. Even the Savior Himself did not bypass grief.
“Jesus Wept” (John 11:35)
One of the most tender verses in all of scripture is simply this: “Jesus wept.” Jesus knew Lazarus would live again—and yet, He wept. Why? Because He was present. He set aside His knowledge, power, and divine agenda to sit with His friends in their sorrow.
We can do the same.
What Mourning with Someone Can Look LikeMourning with those who mourn does not require eloquence or perfect words. Often, it looks very simple:
- “I can’t imagine how hard this must be.”
- “That really stinks.”
- “I’m so sorry.”
- “I’m here.”
It can look like sitting quietly. Offering a hug. Crying with someone. Saying, “I’m here if you want to talk.”
We can also get gently curious:
- “How can I support you right now?”
- “Help me understand what this has been like for you.”
- “What’s been the hardest part?”
None of these responses rush grief away. They don’t require agreement. They don’t offer fixes. They offer presence.
We do not have to agree with someone to mourn with them.
We covenanted to mourn with those who mourn—full stop. There is no fine print about worthiness, belief, church attendance, or whether someone’s pain makes us uncomfortable.
When we create space for honest pain, we create safer, more Christlike communities. And often, that safety is what allows healing to unfold—in the Lord’s timing.
Becoming a Church That Feels SaferIf we truly want to be the Church of Joy, we must also be a Church that knows how to sit with sorrow.
Joy and grief are not opposites—they are companions.
The Resurrection only matters because death is real.
Hope only matters because pain is real.
When we learn to mourn with those who mourn—without fixing, minimizing, or rushing—we become more like the Savior. We become a place where people don’t have to pretend, perform, or hide the messy middle of their lives. And that, I believe, is one of the holiest forms of discipleship there is.
The post Mourning With Those Who Mourn: Mourning, Empathy, and the Covenant We Forget appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Leading Elders Quorum is Simple | An Interview with Frank Schwartz appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post 10 Lesser-Known Ideas to Help Ward Members Connect with Jesus Christ | An Interview with Eric Richards appeared first on Leading Saints.
There is a quiet assumption many of us carry when we hear the phrase “gathering Israel.” We imagine bold declarations, convincing explanations, or perfectly-timed testimonies. We imagine movements that are visible, measurable, and immediate.
But lived discipleship teaches something different.
The Lord’s work rarely advances through pressure. More often, it unfolds through proximity. Through trust built slowly. Through relationships nurtured patiently. Through love that feels safe enough to stay.
The Gathering Happens in the Space Between UsPresident Russell M. Nelson taught:
“The gathering is the most important thing taking place on earth today.”
Yet the how of that gathering is frequently misunderstood. The Savior Himself modeled a ministry rooted not in urgency, but in presence. He walked with people. He ate with them. He wept with them. He healed them where they were, not where others thought they should be.
The gathering of Israel is not a sales pitch. It is an invitation—extended gently, repeatedly, and without coercion.
What Public Affairs Taught Me About the Kingdom of GodDuring my time serving in public affairs for the Church in Texas, I witnessed this principle in action. I worked alongside leaders from many faith traditions: Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, Muslim—each deeply devoted to their communities.
We did not begin with theology. We began with shared concern.
When hurricanes devastated neighborhoods, those relationships became lifelines. Because trust already existed, collaboration followed naturally. Faith communities showed up together—clearing debris, distributing food, organizing shelter—not because we agreed on doctrine, but because we agreed on compassion.
The gathering was happening, not into pews but into purpose.
Service Creates Sacred PathwaysI saw the same truth in underprivileged neighborhoods, where consistent service spoke louder than any explanation of belief. And I saw it again through a nonprofit called Ground Angels, which provides free transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment.
Our stake Relief Society sisters sewed quilts for those patients—simple, tangible reminders that someone cared enough to prepare warmth in advance. Those quilts accompanied riders on long, exhausting journeys toward healing.
No one asked for religious affiliation. No one required belief. Love led first.
And love gathered.
“What Do You Call Your Higher Power?”One of the most tender reminders of this truth came through a conversation with a woman of the Baptist faith. I mentioned attending a Christmas Eve candlelight service in Salt Lake City. She warmly invited me to attend her local Baptist church’s candlelight service as well.
When she learned I was a Latter-day Saint, she paused and asked, “What do you call your higher power?”
I replied simply, “God, but I call Him Father.”
She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug and said, “Good for you.”
In that moment, there was no debate, only recognition. No correction, only connection. We met each other on holy ground we already shared.
Breaking Bread Across FaithsOne of the most sacred invitations I ever received did not come in the form of a theological discussion, but an open seat at a table.
Through a business organization, I became close friends with a Muslim couple. They knew I was a Latter-day Saint and our faith identities were never hidden, but neither were they barriers. During the holy month of Ramadan, they invited me to join them for iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daily fast at sunset.
It was an honor to be invited into that space.
As we broke bread together, I observed the depth of their devotion, their reverence, their gratitude, their intentionality in worship. The meal was not rushed. It was sacred. I felt the quiet holiness of a people who had oriented their entire day around God.
That shared meal deepened our friendship in ways words never could.
Later, that same trust extended into another holy space when they invited me to their daughter’s wedding. Once again, I was welcomed, not as an outsider, but as a friend. I witnessed profound love for family, deep faith, and a community bound together by covenant and commitment.
No one was gathering anyone away from their faith. We were gathering toward understanding.
Love Is the Common Language of the FaithfulExperiences like these have taught me that the gathering of Israel often happens through shared humanity long before shared belief. When we honor one another’s sacred practices, we create space where hearts soften and relationships grow.
Breaking bread together—whether at an iftar meal, a hurricane relief site, or a Relief Society quilting table—has always been one of God’s most effective tools. Because love in every faithful tradition is still the holiest invitation.
The Savior Gathers Without ForceElder Dieter F. Uchtdorf reminded us:
“Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Jesus Christ.”
Love does not rush. Love listens. Love stays when outcomes are uncertain.
The Lord gathers Israel the same way He healed the woman at the well, through conversation. The same way He called fishermen, through relationship. The same way He restored Peter, through patience.
Scriptures That Teach a Gentle Gathering* Doctrine & Covenants 18:10 – “The worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” * Matthew 11:28–29 – “Come unto me…for I am meek and lowly in heart.” * John 13:34–35 – “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” * Mosiah 18:8–9 – “Mourn with those that mourn…comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” * Alma 7:11–12 – Christ descends below all things so He can succor His people according to their infirmities.
These are not scriptures of persuasion. They are scriptures of presence.
The Work Moves at the Speed of LoveIf gathering Israel feels slow, it may be because we are measuring it incorrectly.
The Lord is not counting conversions the way we count metrics. He is counting moments of trust. Moments of safety. Moments when someone feels seen rather than managed.
The kingdom of God expands every time love creates room for someone to stay.
And that work—holy, relational, redemptive work—will always move at the speed of love.
Beth Young is a convert of 48 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 38 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah eight years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post Gathering Israel at the Speed of Love appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Why Every Leader Needs to Understand Justification & Sanctification | An Interview with Stephan Taeger appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch the video and share your thoughts in the Zion Lab community
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.
The post Are We Doing Home Centered & Church Supported Right? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…A scriptural passage that has given me much joyful anticipation about life in heaven states,
“That same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy.” (Doctrine and Covenants 130:2)
Sister Chieko Okazaki, in discussing our preparation and quest for eternal life, said,
“At the end of this process, our Heavenly Parents will have sons and daughters who are their peers, their friends and their colleagues.”
I have delighted in my sociality here on earth—treasuring old friends and making new ones—and look forward to making new friends throughout eternity. For example, I hope to someday meet Christian scholar, C.S. Lewis—and even more so, to become his friend. I would love to sit by the fire with him, pose him questions, and learn from his wisdom.
As illustration of my appreciation of my lifetime blessings of sociality, I will share three brief examples of my friendship circles. (And I emphasize that these are samples of many that could be shared; I value all my friends from all walks and time periods of my life.) I will begin each by sharing a relevant quotation from C. S. Lewis.
Snow FriendsIn a quote taken from “The Four Loves” by C. S. Lewis:
“Friendship is something that raised us almost above humanity. This love, free from instinct, free from all duties but those which love has freely assumed, almost wholly free from jealousy, and free without qualification from the need to be needed, is eminently spiritual. It is the sort of love one can imagine between angels.”
After completing sixth grade in my little town, I experienced some culture shock as I boarded a bus each day and rode about twenty-five miles round trip to junior high school. I met and became acquainted with many people and naturally drew closer to some. After junior high school, my bus ride to high school was shortened to only a dozen miles round trip. My friendship circle grew slightly, but mostly I gravitated to the circle of friends from junior high school. After high school, most of us parted ways to serve missions, not knowing if we would ever cross paths again. I also served a stint in the military.
After our missions, several of us settled into Snow College—a cozy and friendly junior college near our homes. There we joyfully added some new friends to our circle, which was not a closed group but just a natural blending of personalities, values, circumstances, and interests. After Snow College, we again parted company—this time for marriage and further education that I was sure would dissolve our circle. But someone among us suggested that the ten or so of us get back together in a year for a reunion. We did—and have been doing so every single year, with our spouses, for what is now fast approaching a half century. Incredible! I was personally never absent from our annual get-togethers until moving to the Midwest; now I attend when I can and regret when I cannot. Two of our original group have died during recent months.
My words cannot describe the history, love, empathy, and camaraderie among this group—the reason I called on the words of C. S. Lewis for help. Yes, any hints of jealousy that may have existed have long since given way to sincere empathy and goodwill. Yes, our common temporal struggles have evolved into spiritual unity. Our earthly friendship has grown into eternal sociality and love.
Ward Campout FriendsA famous sentiment of C. S. Lewis:
“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire?”
As a young man in my early twenties, shortly after my wife and I moved into a community to begin my first job after college, I was called to serve as a counselor in a bishopric. Our bishop seemed intent on having a ward campout to build fellowship and unity among our members. The challenge was that the timing of our calling was such that there were no open reservations available in any campground area within what we thought was a reasonable distance. One day during further discussion of our dilemma, I just happened to mention that I could arrange with my father to let us camp on his hobby farm, which was a reasonable driving distance from our homes. I cautioned that there was no running water, no restroom facilities, and not much of anything that I had considered as the “fun” we were seeking for our group. It turned out I was wrong about the fun.
From a position of desperation, our bishop gave me the green light for the activity that consumed much of my life during the coming months. I procured a second outhouse to be neighbor to the one on the property and hand dug new holes for them. Dad and I spruced up the old outdoor cook shack (a roof suspended on cedar posts) and large coal cook stove within. We timed the harvesting of the alfalfa hay and the sprinkler irrigation to accommodate the event. We arranged reservations at the local motel for a group of widows who wanted in on the adventure but did not want to camp. A local sheep rancher loaned us his water 355 tank for a few days so we could provide fresh water to the group. The event began to take on a life of its own as one idea led to another.
We planned the event, and the people came. Dad seemed to be in the height of his glory as the campers—some with tents and some with RVs and motorhomes— began to arrive. “Tell OPEC to go to hell!” was his grinning greeting from his horse drawn buggy—particularly to those driving the big gas-guzzlers. (Of note: In 1973, OPEC imposed an embargo on the United States in retaliation for its support of Israel in the Arab-Israeli War. This embargo caused drastic price increases for gasoline. Dad was beating them at their own game by driving his horse-drawn buggy and thus partially boycotting the gas pumps.)
Our ward activities committee went above and beyond their call of duty with fun activities for everyone. Young and old scoured the hayfields and woods for red-painted rocks which they redeemed for small treats or prizes. After dark, the little children were escorted into the woods where they discovered a tiny “brownie village” with little people who spoke to them in funny voices and amazed them with questions and details about their personal lives and families. We procured an old piano from the local school to accompany the Fairview Harmonica Band for the campfire program. Dad delighted as the master of ceremonies and accordion player for this performance. After the band, as I shared the lore and history of the local Indian wars of days gone by, our group was attacked by a ferocious band of warriors who “still lived in these hills”—thanks to some from the local Elder’s quorum who accepted my invitation to add this touch of fun to the festivities.
Mom made enough of her famous sourdough pancake batter to feed a small army. When some announced that they did not think they liked sourdough, Dad sneaked the batter bucket behind the kitchen to divide it into two pans which he then labeled with “Sourdough” and “Regular.” Those who had not liked the “Sourdough” said they really liked the “Regular.” After we revealed our prank, we no longer needed to divide and label. All was well.
The outing was such a success that everyone wanted a repeat each year for most of the next decade. The empty nesters of the ward liked to go a few days early and stay a few days longer than the event, as did I whenever I could get away. We had such great times sitting around the campfire and learning life from such lovely people. The outings at the farm combined with daily life the rest of the year back at home cemented our love and fellowship. They became my eternal friends.
Coordinator FriendsC. S. Lewis shared:
“The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
When I moved to the Midwest to marry my wife, I experienced a stretch of exasperation and discouragement trying to figure out how to support my family. Finally, in frustration, I reverted to something that I knew I could succeed at— carpet installation. I dusted off my tools, purchased an old cargo van, and went to work. After about a year of this brutal stress on my aging body, I was installing the carpet in a new home when my phone rang. It was the administrator of the Church Educational System who had responsibility for the Midwest. After some pleasantries and congratulations on my rehiring into the system, he asked, “How would you feel about serving as the director of the Institute of Religion and coordinator of seminaries and institutes there in Wisconsin?” I replied, “Gratefully yes!” and began a new adventure with a steep learning curve.
We soon had a convention for the 20 or so coordinators scattered across 10 Midwestern states. What wonderful souls!—so experienced and so wise and helpful and caring. I was pleased to learn that we would be having several such sessions during each year, some with our wives in attendance. Over the coming years of my term of service, I much enjoyed their company and learned so much from them. As I climbed my learning curve, they were right there to guide me along and offer me wise responses to my many questions. After a long one-on one evening session with a former cowboy who heard my concerns, calmed my anxieties, and offered good and wise counsel, he asked, “Well, is the saddle fitting a little better now?” I replied, “It sure is—thank you so much!” I went forward with renewed confidence.
As part of our conventions, we hiked, drove, explored, camped, and studied the local historical sites and points of interest of the areas of our meetings. We enjoyed one another’s happy times and wept at the sorrows. They challenged me, sometimes giving me assignments that I felt were well beyond my ability, but they mentored and supported me so I could not fail.
Eternal LoveI love these friends with eternal love.
Do you see why the doctrine of eternal sociality, coupled with eternal glory, is so sweet to me? My prayer is that it is and will be for you also. I want to share a few principles that will make it so.
First, in seeking eternal friendships, learn to be your own best friend. Be the kind of person people will trust and want to be with. Be true to what you know to be true. Shakespeare wrote wise counsel:
“This above all: to thine own self be true. And it must follow, as the night the day. Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Seek friends who are worthy of your, and their own, eternal potential. If your seeking takes you to a place you really do not want to go, do not go. Change directions. Seek new friendships. Befriend those who will help you be better.
Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught, Someone has said,
“A friend is a person who is willing to take me the way I am.”
Accepting this as one definition of the word, may I quickly suggest that we are something less than a real friend if we leave a person the same way we find him.
There seems to be a misunderstanding on the part of some men today as to what it means to be a friend. Acts of a friend should result in self-improvement, better attitudes, self-reliance, comfort, consolation, self-respect, and better welfare. Certainly, the word friend is misused if it is identified with a person who contributes to our delinquency, misery, and heartaches. When we make a man feel he is wanted, his whole attitude changes. Our friendship will be recognizable if our actions and attitudes result in improvement and independence.
Be soothing yet strong with all. Nurture your friends. Help them speak truth, and when they do, believe them. Be tender with their feelings. An Arabic proverb says,
“A friend is one to whom one can pour out all the contents of one’s heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keeping what is worth keeping, and, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”
Our Savior declares the ultimate test of friendship:
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
He, of course, achieved this with perfection. The rest of us will probably not be placed in such a position of required sacrifice. But we reverence the relatively few who do—soldiers in battle, first responders, and the like. I am incredibly grateful for these folks.
We likely will not be called on to die for others as some have done, but the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, gives a universal goal achievable by each of us:
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
If we ever have need to die for our friends, I pray that we may be noble enough to do what is right. I know that those who do will be eternally compensated for their sacrifice. But we each have opportunity to live for our friends. That is what my friends have done for me with their kindness, encouragement, prayers, correction, and enduring love and fellowship. To them I am forever grateful. I hope you and I and everyone can do likewise.
The post Eternal Sociality appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Leading Latino Saints | An Interview with Ernesto Quintanilla appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Ward Music | A Zion Lab Livestream appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rich Watson resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg. He served for 20 years in the United States Air Force and holds an educational background in psychology, education, and the social sciences. He has been happily married for over 25 years and is the father of four children, along with a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, and one awesome granddaughter. Since retiring from the military, Rich has worked in the mental health department of a veteran service organization, where he and his team facilitate resiliency based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. A convert to the Church in 1996, Rich has served in a variety of leadership callings across multiple wards and branches, thanks in part to frequent military moves. These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, Young Men presidency, branch president, bishopric, and high council. He has also shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…As I wrestled with the concept for this article, a simple phrase kept repeating in my mind: “What to do when faith doesn’t fix things fast.” Although I ultimately chose not to use it, that phrase captured the heart of this topic: our very human desire for relief now. In a world built on instant answers, immediate gratification, and quick solutions, waiting on God’s timing can feel exhausting, even unsettling.
The truth is this: faith has never been defined by how quickly God answers prayers, removes pain, or calms our fears. Rather, our faith in Him is revealed by how deeply we learn to stay with Him when relief is delayed and the answer is simply to wait. This article is not about cheerful endurance, which can feel like too much to ask in long seasons of suffering. Instead, it is about honest endurance and the quiet patience required to trust God in the middle of the story.
The hardest kind of faith isn’t believing God can act, it’s trusting Him when He chooses not to act yet.
Most of us don’t struggle with faith at the beginning of a trial, and we don’t struggle as much when relief finally comes. The real tension lives in between. It’s the long middle where prayers are still offered, effort is still being made, and yet nothing seems to change. That middle space, the place without clarity, without resolution, and without a timeline, is where patience is most severely tested. And it’s also where faith is often misunderstood.
The Middle Is the Hardest PartThe middle of the story, or a trial, is rarely dramatic in outward ways, but it is deeply tiring. It’s the time and place where nothing is obviously falling apart, yet nothing is being resolved. Life continues, faith continues, and effort continues, but relief or finality seem to remain just out of reach.
The middle often looks like this:
- Prayers that are sincere and consistent, yet unanswered
- Healing that doesn’t come, or comes only partially
- Anxiety that lingers long after we’ve prayed for peace
- Family struggles that stretch not into months, but into years
- Callings that don’t get easier with time, even when we are trying to serve faithfully
None of these mean that faith is absent. In fact, these experiences often exist precisely because faith is present, not because something has gone wrong. We keep praying because we believe. We keep showing up because we trust God’s character, even when we don’t understand His timing.
Scriptures are filled with examples of faithful people living in the middle of the story, long before relief arrived. Joseph was not immediately delivered from prison. Israel wandered for decades before entering the promised land. Nephi received direction to build a ship, but not a blueprint or a timeline.
These were not moments of heavenly absence; rather they were seasons of personal and heavenly formation. He was still present, still guiding, still shaping, even when outcomes were delayed. The scriptures don’t rush past these middles, and neither should we.
Gethsemane and the Sacred MiddleNowhere is this more evident than in Gethsemane. Before the resurrection, before the empty tomb, before the victory, there was a long night where relief did not come quickly. Christ prayed earnestly for another way. He asked for the cup to pass. And yet, He remained.
Gethsemane teaches us that faithful waiting does not mean the absence of anguish. The Savior did not rush His suffering, suppress His pain, or bypass the process. He stayed present with the Father in the middle of it. His patience was not passive resignation, it was active trust, offered one prayer, one step, one moment at a time.
Gethsemane reminds us that waiting is not wasted time when God is still at work
What Faith Looks Like in the MiddleWhen the story isn’t moving and answers aren’t coming, faith is rarely loud or impressive. More often, it shows up quietly in the way we choose to live, even when we don’t understand what God is doing. These practices are not meant to hurry relief or force outcomes. They are simply ways to stay grounded, connected, and faithful while we wait.
- Choosing Active Waiting, Not Passive Withdrawal – Faith in the middle often means resisting the urge to completely disengage from life. Active waiting is not about staying busy to avoid pain; it’s about continuing to participate in meaningful, life-giving things even while uncertainty remains. This might look like serving where you can, maintaining healthy routines, or simply caring for yourself and your family the best you’re able. These small acts don’t erase the waiting, but they keep it from consuming everything.
- Moving Forward Without Full Clarity – There are instances when God gives us enough light and guidance for the next step, but not the full picture. Faith in the middle is often found in taking that next step anyway. It’s choosing to move forward in goodness, obedience, and trust even when answers feel incomplete. Progress in these seasons is rarely remarkable, however, this timeframe is measured in faithfulness, not outcomes.
- Seeking Understanding Without Obsession – Another expression of faith is learning what we can about our situation, whether that means gaining insight into a medical condition, a mental health concern, a family dynamic, or a spiritual struggle. Knowledge can reduce fear and anxiety and bring insight and perspective. At the same time, faith invites us to learn without becoming consumed, while trusting that understanding has limits and that His care extends beyond what we can explain or control.
- Allowing Safe Voices to Walk with You – Faith in the middle was never meant to be worked through in isolation. Seeking guidance from trusted church members, whether leaders or fellow Saints, can provide clarity, comfort, and perspective. The key to this is discernment: choose people who are grounded, compassionate, and capable of listening without rushing you toward answers. It doesn’t need to be someone with a title, but it should be someone who points you toward Christ rather than fueling fear, gossip, or cynicism.
While none of these practices guarantee quick relief, together they can help us remain faithful and whole while the story is still unfolding. Sometimes the most meaningful progress we make in the middle comes through small steps, not leaps and bounds.
Still in the StoryIf you find yourself still waiting, still praying, still hoping for relief that hasn’t come yet, it doesn’t mean you are behind or doing something wrong. It means you are human, and it means you are still in the story. He has never abandoned people in the middle, even when it feels quiet, repetitive, or unresolved.
One of the quiet lies we sometimes believe is that faithful people move quickly from struggle to resolution. Scripture, however, tells a different story. God often works slowly, and over time. He forms more than He fixes, and He shapes more than He rushes. And while that can be difficult to accept, it reminds us that delay is not the same as denial, and silence is not the same as absence.
Patience in the middle of the story does not require perfection. It does not demand constant optimism or emotional certainty. It asks only that we stay, that we continue to turn toward Him even when answers are incomplete and outcomes remain unclear. Staying is not weakness, staying is faith.
If today looks like another ordinary day of waiting, another prayer offered without resolution, another step taken without clarity, you are not behind. You are still in the story. You are still walking with a Savior who understands waiting from the inside, from Gethsemane.
Even if the story does not yet read the way you hoped, it is still being written by a faithful Author who has never stopped working, even now.
The post Patience in the Middle of the Story – Trusting God When Relief Doesn’t Come Quickly appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Supporting Ward Members Without Losing Yourself | An Interview with Robert Smith appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Leading Saints in 2026 appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Start Now to Celebrate Easter Season | An Interview with Lani Hilton appeared first on Leading Saints.
Somebody recently asked me how prepared church leaders are with the historical and doctrinal issues that lead to a Latter-day Saint questioning their faith.
I thought this was a great question, which led to an interesting conversation on how leaders could be better prepared to help someone who is questioning their faith.
However, the more I processed this question, the more I ended up at a dead end.
Mainly because we often try to resolve faith crises with data or information.
However, every faith crisis is a façade to a culture crisis.
In other words, no complex faith question can be effectively resolved outside the context of a religious culture where they want to engage.
For example, if someone stumbles upon the complexities of the Book of Mormon translation process, with all its seer-stones-in-a-hat, anachronisms, and 1820 definitions, it doesn’t matter how tight the scholarly explanation is; it won’t have a lasting impact without a ward community where they feel psychologically safe, connected in friendship, listened to by leaders, and an overwhelming desire to attend church the following week.
In short, our human nature will give us a lot of grace and patience for whatever complicated beliefs we want to preach, as long as individuals feel cherished, nurtured, intellectually engaged, and part of something sanctifying.
Of course, I’m a big fan of apologetics and scholarly research to help us reach a better understanding.
However, no work is more critical than fostering a positive culture within our wards and communities.
Culture sets the tone for resolving painful doubt.
Culture drives people to the saving and redeeming doctrine.
Culture is charity.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of [doubt]. 1 Peter 4:8
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Faith Crises Are a Culture Façade appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Teaching with Different Bible Translations | An Interview with John Hilton III appeared first on Leading Saints.
Mary Margaret Thompson was raised in Salt Lake City by two California natives and converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary served a mission in upper New England. Upon her return, she met and married Spencer Thompson. She earned her masters degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Utah and taught kindergarten for three years. She is now raising four precious children. Mary has served in various callings including in ward and stake Young Women presidencies, a Primary presidency, and as a Primary chorister. She is currently a Relief Society teacher. She has also been the supporting role for her husband who served as the president of NorthStar International for several years. Mary has a great passion to write inspirational thoughts, and has written a personal blog for the past seven years, since President Nelson encouraged us to receive personal revelation.
Enter Mary…As leaders and ministers in our homes and church community, my below insights from a deep dive into concerns I had can provide insights on the power and impact of truly seeking to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.
Needing “Rest”As I was pondering on polygamy and its history in the Church, I wasn’t feeling the peace I desired to feel. I took my concerns, once again, to God in prayer. I had a real, and raw conversation. It was an honest look at myself, my sins, my desires and my struggles, and I really just needed some “rest” as President Nelson suggested.
Resting at the AltarHow do we find rest?
Well, for me it has not been just putting my worries on a “shelf,” but rather, for now, laying them on the altar.
The Savior said,
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
This, for me, looks like sacrificing my need to know or my need to be right, and in return finding some rest and some peace in my desire to lay my wrestles to rest. This doesn’t mean I won’t continue to strive for answers to deep soul filled questions, but that I will be open to what the Lord is striving to teach me.
Deep CompassionPrior to this surrendering, I felt guided to study further on this topic. I came to a line in the gospel topics essay on plural marriage (which was painful to read through) but there was something I read that was interesting to me. It says that in the time of polygamy, some women prayed and got answers of peace that they were to live in this type of marriage. Some individuals left the Church, and others denied the invitation, but remained faithful.
I wanted to count myself in the latter category. What God was showing me, was an honest look at what I have chosen in my personal life, which is actually not all that different (spiritually speaking) than what the women in the first category chose. (I’m not saying it was right, and I can’t speak for them…but I can speak for me and why I have deep compassion for these women.)
The “Rest” In the WrestleI, too, have chosen to be in a marriage that, by the world’s standards, isn’t “normal.” (I am in a mixed orientation marriage.) Many people would and have said they couldn’t live in this situation. But I have chosen it over and over and over again, because I feel God has blessed me to learn excruciatingly beautiful lessons about putting my worldly desires on the altar and choosing to stay with the good man I love.
While there is pain there, I have also come to know a deeper relationship with the one who actually did put Himself on THE altar. The sacrificial Lamb laid Himself down willingly on the cruel cross, so He could bear the cruel burdens we’d be asked to bear while in mortality. The beauty that came from those ashes was this: He knows how to sit with us in our wrestles. He IS the rest in the wrestle!
I experienced this compassion from Christ through my husband who sat with me as I sobbed about my pains and heartaches which lead me to speak up about this effort to understand polygamy.
Pure LoveThese are pains that have come over a lifetime of learning how to overcome opposition within myself. So many layers and so many difficulties which just needed to be sobbed out of me. And through this “impossible” marriage, came the miracle of a man who sat in place of Christ for me and let me just be broken. No judgement, no shame, just love. Because he knows the familiar pain of wrestling with deep issues of the soul, and what it looks like to take them to Jesus.
Pure love. Love which reached my aching heart and somehow comforted my soul just by knowing I wasn’t alone and wasn’t wrong for feeling how I felt.
What a gift! Jesus is the beginning of knowing that “with God nothing shall be impossible.”(Luke 1:37)
Spaces and Places of DoubtAfter Jacob and his words of declaration, which I am grateful he declared so clearly to the people at the temple in his time…we have his son Enos. Enos wrestled! What a gift! We have this beautiful pattern of knowing that it is ok to be in that space.
How I want to be someone who can honor others in their spaces and places of doubt, confusion, questioning and striving.
May we find a way to truly mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. Not because we pity them, or want to be their rescuer, but because we love who they are and who they are becoming through their mortal sojourn. May we be filled with this pure love, is my humble desire.
The post The “Rest” in the Wrestle appeared first on Leading Saints.
News Flash: There has been a significant shift in garment practices within our faith community over the last 30 years.
I remember, as a kid, sleeping over at my friend’s house, whose family had been inactive in the church for well over a decade.
I recall seeing his father in a casual moment in front of the television, wearing pajama pants with his garment top exposed.
It caught me off guard as my young brain was trying to understand why my friend’s father wore garments but didn’t go to church.
Now, 30 years later, it is clear that some of the most valiant members are attending church, attending the temple, fulfilling callings, bearing testimony, and doing all the other things, yet often don’t seem to wear the garment regularly.
Now, to be clear, this is an observation post, not a judgment post.
Of course, I have my own opinions on garments, but I’ll try to keep them to myself.
Along that note, it seems that the Boomer generation is more rigid when it comes to wearing garments.
Gen X is more consistent because the Boomers taught them, and many are wondering if Millennials and Generation Z are wearing garments at all. (Remember… no judgement)
Currently, the vast majority of church leaders are in the Gen X demographic and feel concerned about the up-and-coming generation “not getting it!”
This leaves the leaders wondering how to motivate a behavior of garment wearing, while the more recently endowed are saying, “mind your own business!”
This is the point of the article where I typically offer a conclusive point; however, I don’t have one.
I only have a few observations.
Observation 1: A shift is occurring away from consistent garment wearing, and the older generation will need to adapt to it. Garment practices have consistently shifted over our short religious history, and we should expect them to continue changing.
Observation 2: Our teaching on the garment is not as clear as more orthodox leaders may assume. There is no clear covenant stated in the temple to wear the garment; however, the Handbook says we covenant in the temple to wear the garment. The system is confusing and is producing an uncertain habit.
Observation 3: Temple practices in general are so symbolic that the daily application of these covenants is unclear to the majority. There is much talk about strength through covenants; however, the typical covenant journey doesn’t connect the eternal with the temporal very well.
What observations are you seeing?
Is this something to be concerned about as leaders?
Is there a more effective way to motivate a garment-wearing behavior other than using “should”?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Are They Wearing Garments? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Tips for Teaching the Old Testament in 2026 | An Interview with Joshua Sears appeared first on Leading Saints.
Terry Lloyd currently serves as the Sunday School president in the Snyderville Ward in Park City Utah stake. In addition to other callings, he has taught in Primary, Sunday School, priesthood quorums, and early morning seminary. In his professional life he is a financial analyst and occasionally provides training on finance and accounting topics.
Enter Terry…We’ll be studying the Old Testament next year and that’s a hard book for many, and not just Isaiah. There is a lot of violence and other troubling material there. Maybe the Sunday School teachers can help the entire congregation in next year’s study with sacrament meeting talks.
Common to all talks (and lessons) is Nephi’s approach: how does this apply to me today? Here are some thoughts about possible sacrament meeting timing and topics.
He Patiently Leads Us HomeThe Old Testament was not written for modern readers, but it was preserved for them. While some passages will remain challenging, they need not be faith-eroding if they are taught with context, charity, and an eye toward application. By coordinating lessons and sacrament meeting talks that emphasize covenant, redemption, and the Savior’s hand throughout history, we can help our wards engage the Old Testament without fear. In doing so, we invite members to see their own mortal journey reflected in Israel’s—and to recognize, again and again, the God who patiently leads His people home.
The post Making Sense of the Old Testament in Sunday School and Sacrament Meeting appeared first on Leading Saints.
Since the passing of President Nelson, many are taking the time to honor his service in various ways.
I want to take a moment to honor him by highlighting some of his unique leadership qualities.
I hope we can attempt to apply some of these principles in our personal leadership.
- He SustainedI must admit, like many in the secular media, I didn’t expect a dynamic prophetic administration when President Nelson was first sustained as the prophet.
With hindsight, I realize this is an exceptional leadership trait.
While a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, he never attempted to stand above his peers.
He was still bold in his ministry, but wasn’t looking to make a name for himself.
One of my favorite examples of this is when he first emphasized the correct name of the Church way back in the April 1990 General Conference.
President Hinckley had a different opinion and kindly adjusted Elder Nelson’s strong message six months later in the October 1990 General Conference.
It’s worth noting that President Nelson’s talk, six months after President Hinckley’s adjustment, in April 1991, was appropriately titled Listen to Learn.
As we learned in 2018, President Nelson’s opinion on the name of the Church never changed, but he was willing to sustain rather than stand out.
Then, when it came time for him to lead as the head of God’s restored church, he no doubt stepped up to the challenge boldly.
- He was AudaciousHe didn’t try to improve the Church by 10% a year.
He often pointed to an impossible horizon and invited us to lean in and take our vitamins.
👉Announcing 200 new temples
👉Announcing temples in China, Russia, and other locations that look unlikely in the near future, but no doubt will happen.
👉2-hour church
👉Consolidating priesthood quorums
👉Numerous policy changes
👉Come Follow Me Curriculum
And many more…
Many could argue that some of these new directions were too bold or unprepared, or hastily implemented; however, that didn’t stop him.
He set a new vision and invited us to participate.
- His Leadership was MemorableI love a good leadership message, but I am always impressed by those easiest to retain.
President Nelson was a master at connecting a strong spiritual message to a word or phrase that cemented it in our minds.
👉The Covenant Path
👉Think Celestial
👉3 Enduring Identities
👉Ask the Missionaries. They can help you!
👉Spiritual Momentum
👉Israel = Let God Prevail
👉Hear Him
👉Peacemakers Needed
Those are just a few off the top of my head, and I will probably think of several more.
He was a prophet of themes.
We can all learn from this as we strive to lead others by aligning our direction with specific themes or phrases that convey dynamic meaning in a few simple words.
What did you most admire about President Nelson’s leadership style?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post 3 Things Pres. Nelson Taught Me About Leadership appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post What Leaders Should Know About Black Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Brothaz in the Foyer appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rebecca Burnham has served in various roles in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Young Women organizations and currently serves as a temple ordinance worker, family history consultant, and pianist. After her mission to Sao Paulo Brazil, she worked as a journalist until her first marriage, when she became a full-time homemaker. She is now a disability support worker by night and a community builder/entrepreneur/playwright and composer by day, who is launching Summit Stages, an initiative to build beloved community through the creation and promotion of musicals that lift and unite. She is passionate about building peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes and podcasts about gospel topics.
Enter Rebecca…Last week I spent a couple of hours with a sister who has recently left an abusive marriage, is navigating a familial crisis, and is struggling in her relationship with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She asked to meet with me because of my personal experience with abuse and my love for the Church. She wants to find her way back onto the covenant path, but without reopening the vulnerabilities that were placing her in harm’s way.
It became apparent as we talked that there is a disconnect in her communication with male family members and priesthood leaders. Like many women in similar circumstances, her situation is complicated by vulnerabilities that may not be easily apparent.
With deep appreciation for your consecrated offering of countless precious hours, often with little training and less thanks, I’m hoping I might be able to share some helpful perspective. Thank you for caring enough to read this.
Here are some thoughts about the complexity of leaving abuse, and approaches that can be very helpful to a woman’s recovery.
Of note: Both men and women may experience abuse in marriage, but I’m focusing my comments on women’s experience because it tends to activate some gender dynamics that can complicate priesthood support.
Abuse Can be Traced Better by Impact Than By Observation
“Abuse is the mistreatment or neglect of others… in a way that causes physical, emotional, or sexual harm.” (See “Abuse: Help for the Victim” at the Church website).
Notice, that’s not defined by a specific list of behaviors, but by the impact on the victim. Culturally, our understanding has evolved over generations, and behaviors that were once tolerated, even justified, are now recognized as profoundly harmful.
It is possible for sincere people who are trying, but hampered by personal trauma or cultural misunderstandings, to engage in abuse. It is also common for people who deliberately engage in abuse to carefully put on a good front for outsiders.
Either way, a woman’s experience of being controlled, demeaned, and systematically broken down, whether or not it involves physical violence, creates deep wounds and vulnerabilities that require sensitive support.
Allowing her to describe her experience and her needs, rather than defining for her whether or not she’s experienced abuse, is more likely to open the door to healing.
Abusive Marriages Are Spiritually Dangerous—Even Without Physical ViolenceFor many believing women, abuse includes a spiritual component:
- A husband may use priesthood language to manipulate or control.
- He may claim she is unworthy to receive revelation.
- He may pressure or manipulate her sexually, framed as “covenant keeping.”
- Family members may urge her to stay at her own peril, suggesting that’s what her covenants require.
- Constant criticism and verbal distortions may lead her to doubt her sanity, disconnect from her own feelings and needs, or believe her only value is meeting his needs.
This environment may undermine her relationship with God, distort her understanding of covenants, and disrupt her ability to protect herself and/or her children.
It can also make her vulnerable to emotional connections outside the marriage—not out of rebellion, but out of profound loneliness and spiritual starvation.
Spiritual Healing Is Not LinearEven when endured patiently, abuse creates spiritual brokenness. Leaving can be an inspired act of courage, not covenant betrayal. Then the process of spiritual healing—turning from a broken way of being toward Christ—begins.
Healing from abuse is rarely tidy or sequential. Jacob 5 teaches that the Lord clears away “wild branches” slowly, only according to the strength of the good. Leaders unfamiliar with the journey may want women to fix visible sins quickly while encouraging them to rely on the judgment of priesthood leaders. However, healing depends on the development of their own judgment.
Reclaiming Agency Is CrucialAbuse disconnects women from their own needs, desires, and sense of identity. Once they finally exit, they may temporarily behave like a young adult leaving a controlling home—trying things, stumbling, discovering themselves.
This is normal.
They don’t need to be “pulled back in line.” They need to be treated as agents learning to choose again.
Women Leaving Abuse Need the Lord’s VoiceSometimes leaders tell women that their mistakes while exiting abuse disqualify them from revelation. The implication is: You must obey us before the Lord will speak to you.
Yet the Savior’s first recorded declaration of His Messiahship was to a woman who’d had five husbands and was now living with a man who was not her husband. Elder Peter M. Johnson reminds us she “felt of the Savior’s love and received a witness through the Spirit” despite all that. Her sins did not block revelation.
A woman climbing out of abuse likewise needs to feel the Savior’s love and guidance, as witnessed by the Spirit. She may need her leaders’ reassurance that the Lord is there for her and can guide her, despite her sins or missteps.
To Support Her, She Must Receive the Benefit of the DoubtIt isn’t possible to simultaneously give the benefit of the doubt to both an alleged abuser and the person seeking protection. Granting trust to one necessarily places doubt on the other.
Both need support—but from different people.
Giving a woman who is exiting abuse the benefit of the doubt does not have to mean trusting that you’re getting the entire story at this moment. Trauma can distort her narrative; it may very well sound tangled or incomplete.
It does mean believing her enough to take her need for support and protection seriously, and to work with her where she’s at.
She Needs Priesthood Support That Helps Her Find Strength in the LordIf leaders tell her:
- “Your husband wasn’t abusive,”
- “God didn’t tell you to leave,”
- “You can’t hear the Spirit right now,”
- “You must follow your leaders because you are unworthy of revelation,”
…she will hear echoes of the same spiritual control she just escaped.
But if leaders instead:
- Listen deeply to understand,
- Affirm God’s ability to speak to her,
- Pray with her and plead for the Lord’s blessings upon her,
- Invite her to consider what questions she’d like the Lord to answer,
- Ask her about her needs and her children’s, physical, emotional and spiritual,
- Offer blessings of comfort rather than direction,
- Connect her to resources,
…then she will experience the Church as a healing refuge, not a threat. (Please see additional guidance from the Church for helping victims of abuse here.)
She Needs the Lord’s Guidance to Covenant SafetyIn order to bless and protect her children in these circumstances, she needs miracles—the kind of miracles that covenant-keeping allows the Lord to pour out upon us. She needs covenant confidence. And when she hears the Spirit bear witness to her that her covenants offer the safety she seeks, she will learn to hold to them like her life, and her children’s lives, depend upon it.
The post When Marriage Becomes Unsafe – How to Minister with Wisdom and Compassion appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Primary: From Administration to Connection | A How I Lead Interview with Michelle Colledge appeared first on Leading Saints.
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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.
The post Why Ward Goals Matter | An Interview with Blake Erickson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Stacy has over 15 years of experience in health and wellness, specializing in women’s health and postpartum care. As a certified health educator and personal trainer, she empowers women to feel stronger and more confident both physically and emotionally. In addition to coaching, Stacy also teaches at Brigham Young University. Stacy has served in Young Women, Relief Society, and Primary presidencies. She resides in Utah with her husband and three sons. You can find Stacy here.
Enter Stacy…Years ago, a close friend shared with her extended family that her husband had been called as the bishop of their ward. Instead of solidarity and support, she was met with worried comments about how demanding a calling like that could be on the home. “I can’t believe you’re willing to do that to your family.” Their response surprised her, but the conversation has stayed with me. Over the years, as my husband and I have served in various callings, I’ve come to better understand what her family was reacting to.
There is so much goodness in church service. I truly believe that “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.” Many of us have experienced increased spiritual capacity, sacred moments with the Spirit, opportunities to serve as instruments in God’s hands, and the deep satisfaction that comes from building our communities and strengthening youth. The blessings of service reach further than we often recognize.
And yet, we also understand the realities. Leadership callings bring a heavy load—meetings, calendars, events, ministering needs, messages, follow-up, planning, and expectations. At times, it can feel like adding a part-time job to already full lives. Overwhelm can creep in quickly. This leads to an important question: Do our leadership callings unintentionally place a disproportionate burden on mothers?
Although this article speaks directly to the experience many women face when their husbands hold time-intensive leadership callings, these principles apply in reverse. In homes where a wife serves in a demanding calling—such as Relief Society president, Young Women president, Primary president, or stake-level leadership—husbands often shoulder additional responsibilities to keep the home running smoothly. The emotional, mental, and physical load can shift in either direction. While tradition and statistics show that more heavy callings are currently held by men, the impact on family systems is the same: when one spouse is stretched, the other absorbs more. Recognizing this helps us build empathy, create better support structures, and honor the sacrifices made by all who serve.
An Additional WeightResearch tells us that mothers carry about 72% of the “thinking work” in the home—often called the mental load. This includes planning ahead, tracking appointments, ordering diapers, organizing birthday parties, remembering school forms, and continually anticipating the family’s needs. In addition, mothers perform about 63% of the physical household labor as well as most of the childcare labor. This is true even in homes where the mother works full-time or is the primary earner.
These statistics do not mean men are uninvolved. In fact, father engagement is higher than in past decades. Men in the U.S., for example, now spend an average of 100 minutes per day on household tasks—up significantly from previous years. That progress matters. The concern, however, is structural: the majority of time-intensive leadership callings in the Church are held by men.
So what happens at home when a husband’s calling takes him away for multiple hours each week? Many women do their best to sustain their husband’s calling. They shoulder more at home while he is gone—managing bedtime alone, coordinating schedules, or handling household responsibilities that might otherwise be shared. Over time, this can widen existing inequities and leave mothers feeling tired, overwhelmed, or even resentful. These emotions are not a reflection of unwillingness to serve but of the very real load they carry. So what can we do—leaders, spouses, and members—to protect families and support mothers when demanding callings are extended?
Supporting Families in Demanding CallingsBelow are considerations that can make a meaningful difference depending on the ward, stake, and family circumstances.
- Discuss Life Circumstances Before Extending a Calling – The General Handbook encourages leaders to consider the impact a calling may have on a member’s marriage and family. We cannot know a family’s situation without asking. Thoughtful, Spirit-led questions can help ensure that service strengthens rather than strains the home.
- Shorten the Length of Callings When Appropriate – Members should not be stretched to exhaustion. Bishops and stake presidents can rotate leaders more frequently to protect families from burnout. The Handbook suggests two to five years as a typical range—there is room for inspired flexibility.
- Check In Regularly – A simple, honest, yearly conversation with leaders can reveal stress points early and prevent burnout. Asking, “How is this calling affecting your home?” can open the door to needed adjustments.
- Call Additional Secretaries – The Handbook allows for extra secretaries in many organizations. These callings can meaningfully reduce administrative burdens.
- Assign Highly-Engaged Ministers -Train ministers to ask good questions and proactively support families—especially those with leaders who are often away. This might include offering childcare during meetings or bringing meals during busy seasons.
- Establish Regular “Family Weeks” – Some stakes hold several “family weeks” each year when meetings outside the Sunday block are paused. More frequent breaks may bless families in high-demand areas.
- Create “Do Not Disturb” Hours – The expectation to be constantly reachable can erode family time. Leaders can set healthy boundaries by designating hours when they do not respond to messages.
- Coordinate with the Compassionate Service Committee – During extra-demanding seasons—tithing declaration, youth camps, or back-to-back meetings—wards can organize temporary supports such as meals or childcare.
- Encourage a “Family Comes First” Culture – Leaders model priorities. When leadership consistently emphasizes strengthening the home first, members feel more permission to set boundaries and serve sustainably.
- Help Spouses Build Support Systems – If a calling requires significant time, include the spouse in the conversation. Ask what their concerns are and what support they might need. Brainstorm together—babysitters, carpools, extended family help, meal services, or cleaning assistance. Revisit the conversation a few months into the calling once routines settle.
- Offer Help Personally – If someone you know is supporting a spouse in a demanding calling, offer tangible help—childcare, meals, or simply companionship.
Preserve the Blessing of ServiceCallings are meant to build the kingdom, not break down families. With intention, compassion, and a willingness to adjust, we can preserve the blessings of service while protecting mothers and strengthening homes. When leaders and members work together with Christlike awareness, callings become what the Savior intends—refining, uplifting, and supportive of the entire family.
The post The Hidden Load of Leadership Callings – Striving to Maintain Balance in the Home appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Will Leading Saints Last? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…Often, I have the experience of considering a concept and struggling to be able to rightly verbalize it and then hearing a speaker or writer so eloquently express the very concept I was trying to articulate. Such is the case with this thesis statement from Sister Beverly Campbell in her book about the fall of Adam and Eve. The story of Eden, the garden, and Adam and Eve, is of unusual and equal importance to both women and men, for it significantly affects how we perceive one another and how we behave towards one another. It shapes and colors our expectations along with our actions.
If such actions and expectations are based on faulty premises, limitations are imposed, strengths are denied, and relationships are misarticulated daily. We all know that even the smallest error in the foundation of a building can eventually bring it down. Errors in understanding the Eden story are not small, and until they are corrected, ignorance of their presence will continue to be manifest in grossly enlarged consequences to our social fabric.
Understanding the FallFrequently, I have considered how much our understanding of the fall affects our individual and societal attitudes toward life and the sacred roles of men and women in God’s plan. For example, I believe that the pervasive denigration of women in our society has its roots in misunderstanding the truth about the role of Eve in the fall.
Those who correctly understand her righteous role will reject the notion that she sinned and will honor and revere her as the sacred matriarch of humanity. Those who misunderstand perpetuate their confusion throughout generations.
God has declared through living prophets that:
“The family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”
The War with SatanSatan, in his rebellion, anger, and loss of personal potential for eternal life, has waged war on our Heavenly Parents’ sacred work of preserving and exalting families. This dark being, who will never have a physical body, a wife, or a family, has focused his efforts upon the destruction of families. He began this diabolical assault on the truths associated with our first parents, Father Adam and Mother Eve.
Our current culture of degrading and perverting the sacred roles of both men and women has root in Satan’s efforts to distort and corrupt the true gospel doctrines associated with the lives and mission of Adam and Eve. Satan has promulgated the false and damning notions that Adam and Eve were unintelligent beings who descended from lower life forms and that they were rebellious against our Heavenly Parents and Their plan.
Eve has been portrayed as some sort of vile seductress in leading Adam to commit sin with her, thus conveying a sinful status unto all their descendants—“original sin,” if you will.
A falsehood has endured that God, in His fury at their “sin” in Eden, cursed Adam and Eve and angrily cast them out from His presence.
Satan has misguided various groups and movements through the years to demean Eve and women generally to a subordinate status and elevate Adam and men as ones who hold absolute power and authority over women, who are left to be mere helpmates to the men and their causes.
Satan also plays the reverse, raising Eve and women as ones superior while demeaning and belittling men
The Greatest CreationWhat is true about our first parents, Adam and Eve? They were our Heavenly Parents’ greatest creation. They were created separate and apart from all other creatures. From the Bible, we learn that after the earth and all plants and animals were created, God then declared,
Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. . . . So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:26-27)
Eve was created in the very form and image of her Heavenly Mother, and Adam was created in the form and image of his Heavenly Father. Adam and Eve were eternally married by the hand and power of God. In the biblical account of their creation, they were referred to as “the man and his wife.” (Genesis 2:25)
Honored ResponsibilityTo Adam and Eve were given the charge and honored responsibility of presiding over all their descendants for all generations of the earth’s existence.
Adam, in recognition of the glorious and righteous status of his eternal companion, called her “the mother of all living.” (Genesis 3:20)
President J. Reuben Clark said of Eve,
“So came Eve…the last created being in the creation of the world, without whom the whole creation of the world and all that was in the world would have been in vain and the purposes of God have come to naught.”
A Help MeetAdam received the “keys” or the official responsibility to preside over all dispensations (or time periods) of the duration of the earth.
As husband and wife, Adam and Eve served together in righteousness in all things. She was “an help meet” (Genesis 2:18) with Adam, not a “helpmate” as is often wrongly spoken.
“Help meet” correctly portrays them as equal in intelligence, talent, compassion, wisdom, and strength. They were help meets one unto another. They were equal partners with different roles and responsibilities. They were humble and prayerful. They communicated with each other and with their children in “a language which was pure and undefiled.” (Moses 6:6)
They kept the commandments of God, including the law of sacrifice. They sought and obtained the saving ordinances of the gospel—including baptism and the receiving of the Holy Ghost. “And thus he was baptized, and the Spirit of God descended upon him, and thus he was born of the Spirit.” (Moses 6:65) Their lives were living models of correct choices and righteous adherence to the will of Heavenly Parents.
Elder John A. Widstoe helps us understand the choice made by Adam and Eve in Eden: In life all must choose at times. Sometimes two possibilities are good; neither is evil. Usually, however, one is of greater import than the other. When in doubt, each must choose that which concerns the good of others— the greater law—rather than that which chiefly benefits ourselves—the lesser law.
The greater must be chosen whether it be law or thing. That was the choice made in Eden.
A Righteous ChoiceI want to emphatically state that Father Adam and Mother Eve did not sin in their choices in Eden. The concept of original sin held by so much of the world is a false concept. Their choice to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil was a righteous choice in perfect harmony with the plan and desire of their Heavenly Mother and Father.
Although we sometimes use the words “sin” and “transgression” as synonyms, in the case of the fall of Adam and Eve, their “transgression” has an entirely different meaning than “sin.”
I prefer a definition pieced together from my trusted old college dictionary: “trans” = “on the other side of…above and beyond,” “transgress” = “to step over, pass over.”
Adam and Eve, through their choices and actions in Eden, went above and beyond their limited status and condition. They stepped over the limitations and barriers of Eden to bring about the great plan of happiness. Their courageous choice made eternal life possible for us all.
A respected teacher of mine liked to paraphrase the moon-landing statement of Astronaut Neil Armstrong to describe the fall of Adam and Eve. He often said of the fall, “That was one small step for Adam and Eve, but one giant leap for mankind.” The exodus of Adam and Eve from Eden and the presence of Heavenly Parents took them into the condition of a harsh and trying mortal world where we all live and struggle. In sending them from Eden, God was not casting them out as we sometimes say—He was sending them forward to a new stage of essential growth and development.
Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. (Genesis 3:23)
This transcendence into a mortal, fallen world was not a cursing but a blessing. It was the ground that was cursed—not Adam and Eve.
“Cursed is the ground for thy sake. … Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth. … In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground.” (Genesis 3:17-19)
Righteous and Noble LivesFather Adam and Mother Eve were and are the opposite of all the lies Satan declared about them. They lived righteous and noble lives worthy of our emulation. They lived in love of each other and of our Heavenly Parents. They were given challenging choices to make and were valiant and courageous in their decisions, bringing opportunity for true and eternal joy to their posterity. They chose the very thing Heavenly Parents desired them to choose to move forward—Their great plan of happiness for all Their children. They were industrious, faithful, prayerful, and obedient to the commands of God. Of their decision to partake of the fruit, bring about the fall, and further the plan of Heavenly Parents, Eve declared,
Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient. (Moses 5:11)
Praise and HonorPraise and honor be to Father Adam and Mother Eve. My prayer is that we can strive to be like them in all our words and deeds. I am grateful for their example in all things and for their courage and foresight to provide us the opportunity for mortality and prepare us for the Atonement and rescue from sin and death.
The post Father Adam and Mother Eve – Honored Responsibility appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Ward Conference Best Practices | A Zion Lab Livestream appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer whose work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. Originally from North Carolina, he served a mission in Nevada and California before earning an English degree at Southern Virginia University. He is a member of Heterodox Academy, an organization that promotes viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement in higher education, and he contributes to Discourse Magazine on topics of political polarization. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife and their three children. He works as a college communications director and serves as a counselor in his Elder’s Quorum presidency.
Enter Bryan…I faked being sick one day in sixth grade because I was scared to ask my parents to sign my report card, which was due back that day. For the first time in my life, I had Ds and Cs where I normally made perfect grades. Lying in bed that morning, I might have pondered dropping out of school and running away.
But when my dad stayed home that morning to work on a project, I remembered that he had always talked about making low grades throughout school. He even joked about being clueless when he first learned algebra, the same subject causing some of my sixth-grade woes. I realized I could go to him to confess my low grades and my lie about being sick.
He listened carefully and without judgment. He told me that he loved me no matter my grades, encouraged me to keep trying, signed my report card, and drove me to school with a note saying I was feeling better — which was true.
Vulnerability – The Ability to Be WoundedThat was my first lesson about the power of vulnerability. My dad’s honesty about his school struggles had made me feel less alone. Rather than run away or fake sick forever, I spoke up about my problem and got the help that I needed. In our church service, we can encourage vulnerability to help people connect with each other and with Christ.
The word “vulnerability” comes from Latin words that literally mean “the ability to be wounded.” It means dropping pretensions of invincibility and living as one who can be hurt. Think about Limhi’s people (Mosiah 20:24-26) who marched toward the Lamanites without weapons, trusting the Lamanite king to call off the battle.
Like them, sometimes we need to lay down our weapons in order to truly connect with others. The researcher Brene Brown has said,
“In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen, really seen.”
But vulnerability can be difficult in the church when some of our teachings and so much of our culture revolve around strength and invincibility. The shield of faith is supposed to make us “able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). The iron rod is supposed to prevent “the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary” from overpowering us. We are supposed to “fear no evil.” I’ve heard church members imply, or directly say, that if someone feels depressed, afraid, confused or doubtful that it is all due to sin — they’ve taken off the armor of God. Meanwhile, if you search for General Conference talks that mention “vulnerable” or “vulnerability,” essentially every single one carries a negative connotation about becoming vulnerable to Satan and sin.
No One is InvincibleThere is truth to that assessment. Many of our problems are caused by, or related to, a lack of faith or failing to look consistently toward God. But sometimes even righteous people are sad, discouraged, or afraid. Too much focus on strength and invincibility tempts us to hide our weaknesses and trials, limiting how much true connection we have. It can even cause people to stay away from church because they think it is only for the invincible.
Over the past decade or so, church leaders have demonstrated a new embrace of vulnerability, although their teachings continue to warn against making ourselves vulnerable to temptation or false teaching. They have modeled how we can be vulnerable to each other — how to drop the pretense of invincibility and strength so that we can strengthen each other as we come unto Christ.
Examples of Vulnerability: Mental IllnessPresident Jeffrey R. Holland spoke about mental illness in his 2013 General Conference talk “Like a Broken Vessel.” He taught that anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses
“are some of the realities of mortal life, and there should be no … shame in acknowledging them.”
He acknowledged that
“no one can responsibly suggest [depression] would surely go away if those victims would just square their shoulders and think more positively.”
And he referred to a time in his own life when he took “a psychic blow” as a young father. His talk demonstrated vulnerability and encouraged us to be more open about emotional challenges rather than hide them behind a facade.
In 2019, Sister Reyna Aburto continued that theme in her talk “Through Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide With Me.” She spoke about mental illness faced by her daughter and a friend, both of whom had felt they needed to hide any sadness. She spoke about how it had taken her years to work through grief after her father’s suicide.
“When we open up about our emotional challenges, admitting we are not perfect, we give others permission to share their struggles,”
Sister Aburto said.
“Together we realize there is hope and we do not have to suffer alone.”
Examples of Vulnerability: Testimony and Church ActivityIn 2015, Elder Brent H. Nielsen of the Seventy shared his family’s personal experience with having a family member leave the church only to return later. I remember tears in my eyes as I listened to that talk because most stories of this kind shared from the pulpit had been about strangers, not the siblings of general authorities. Elder Nielsen’s sharing of such an experience within his family made anyone with a similar situation feel a little less alone.
Sister Susan H. Porter shared a similar story in 2021,describing how a family member “stepped away from the church” due to unresolved questions. After nearly 20 years, the relative returned to church thanks to the love shown by friends who had listened to his questions about the gospel. This was not a case of everything working perfectly — he still had unanswered questions, but he also felt the Holy Ghost teach him that
“not having clear answers should not stop him from moving forward.”
Sister Porter’s story teaches us that it’s okay to participate fully in church even when we have unanswered questions. More recent talks took this to a completely new level.
The October 2025 General Conference included at least two talks by speakers who shared personal faith crises. Sister J. Annette Dennis described a time when depression overtook her and she “no longer knew if there was a God,” and she mainly went to church because she was afraid of other people’s judgment.
Then Elder Peter M. Johnson described how he was shaken when he learned (while serving a mission) that his race would have disqualified him from priesthood ordination. The loving, patient response of his mission companion helped him finally turn to the scriptures for a witness that renewed his testimony.
I was stunned to hear these stories of testimony challenges, but I also was grateful. I felt less alone. Like Sister Dennis, I had been through a time when my testimony seemed to have evaporated. Like Elder Johnson, I’ve wrestled with some aspects of church history. Our culture prizes “Trophy Testimonies” that you can hoist up during testimony meeting saying, “I know,” leaving doubts and challenges buried in the basement archives. Hearing general leaders of the church express their personal testimony challenges reminds us that a testimony doesn’t have to be polished and perfect in order to be worth our while.
Vulnerability and ChristOther examples abound: Elder Peter F. Meurs shared how he had caused a car accident and carried a burden of guilt for years.
Elder Eduardo Gavarret admitted to having skipped church to play a soccer game.
President Russell M. Nelson even confessed that as a new surgical intern he had not paid tithing on his $15 per month income until his wife had corrected him. He explained that this was where he gained his testimony of tithing.
I am certain that there were similar examples earlier in church history, but stories displaying vulnerability seem to have become much more common in the Church in recent years.
We can follow the examples of these general officers of the Church in our service in Church callings. I don’t mean to say we don’t need a filter at all. Not all experiences are to be shared with all audiences. Some challenges may need to stay private until they are resolved. We should avoid sharing stories that implicate other people’s reputations. Testimony challenges should not be shared in a way that invites “rehearsing [our doubts] with other doubters,” to borrow a phrase from President Nelson. But at the very least we can become more honest about the fact that we are not invincible. We can acknowledge that any strength we can demonstrate is ultimately rooted in Christ.
Like Ammon, we can say,
“I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God” (Alma 26:12).
The Throne of GraceWe also can remember that the greatest example of vulnerability — the ability to be wounded — is Jesus Christ, who condescended to our level and was “wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5). He suffered all the pains and sicknesses we experience so that he could be “in all points tempted like as we are” and “be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.”
His vulnerability motivates us to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). When we bare our vulnerability in order to connect with each other, we are following the Savior’s example, too.
The post How Church Leaders Model Vulnerability—and Why It Makes Us Stronger in Christ appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Community with Covenant-Keeping LGBT Saints | An Interview with Jenn Curtis appeared first on Leading Saints.
A few weeks ago, I discussed the concept of revelation being a two-way street.
This week, I’d like to explore a road hazard our mortal nature puts on that two-way street of revelation.
This road hazard is called confirmation bias, and it is related to our fallen nature as mortals and how our brain is wired with a pesky thing called cognitive bias.
Confirmation bias is a blessing in mortality by keeping us safe.
Remember that “fun idea” your wild high school friend had that would have probably killed you?
Thank goodness for confirmation bias.
Or confirmation bias shows up while you are making a decision in life, and helps you remember all the other decisions you made and which ones kept you safe, and which ones ended terribly.
As church leaders, we are constantly striving to listen to that still, small voice and take action that will yield the best results for you, your ward, and perhaps even Zion in general.
However, when we compare the direction of God with the direction of confirmation bias, we observe specific trends.
Confirmation bias prioritizes safety.
This means that familiar choices, those with the lowest risk, and the most comfortable options will be the most appealing.
As we learn from the scriptures, God’s direction can often be risky, feel beyond our ability, and uncertain.
That’s because God is developing our nature and trust in Him as He invites us into a larger story.
The pesky thing about confirmation bias is that it can often mimic the fruits of the Spirit, further confirming to us that it isn’t just confirmation bias, but rather revelation from God.
Yes, the safe choice can feel peaceful, full of love, good, gentle, etc., but that doesn’t mean it is revelation-led by the spirit.
So, when sitting in a ward council meeting where tough decisions must be made, we need to be aware of confirmation bias potentially tainting our revelation.
Are we calling individuals into specific callings because they are the safe choice?
Are we continuing with tradition in the ward because we’ve done it before, and it most likely won’t make us look bad?
Are we talking over the changemaker in the room simply because change feels uncertain?
There’s nothing comfortable about feeling risky or uncertain; however, that’s where God does His best work.
Just because it feels comfortable doesn’t mean you are feeling the fruits of the Spirit.
God didn’t tell Moses to speak only as much as he is comfortable with.
He didn’t tell Noah to wait until ankle-deep water before he started building.
He didn’t tell Nephi to pick up a copy of the Brass Plates from the local bookstore.
God invites us to lean in, have faith, and behold the Glory of God as He intervenes.
Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date messages by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Revelation is Often Risky appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rebecca Burnham has served in various roles in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Young Women organizations and currently serves as a temple ordinance worker, family history consultant, and pianist. After her mission to Sao Paulo Brazil, she worked as a journalist until her first marriage, when she became a full-time homemaker. She is now a disability support worker by night and a community builder/entrepreneur/playwright and composer by day, who is recently launching Summit Stages an initiative to build beloved community through the creation and promotion of musicals that lift and unite. She is passionate about building peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes and podcasts about gospel topics.
Enter Rebecca…For the last couple of months, my mind has been full of thoughts about our Heavenly Parents. It started on Mother’s Day, when I found myself pondering about why the Church avoids the practice of praying to our Heavenly Mother.
In 1991, then President Gordon B. Hinckley explained that the Church’s position on directing our prayers to the Father is consistent with the practice and teachings of Jesus Christ. This is how He taught His disciples to pray, and we have no record of His ever praying to another. But the question remains: why did Jesus, as far as we know, never pray to His Mother?
I don’t know. What I am sure about is that it’s not because Heavenly Father made that choice on our Heavenly Mother’s behalf, not even to protect her from blasphemy and abuse. Since our Mother and Father are full and equal partners, I feel certain that whatever the reason, it is at least as much Hers as it is His.
Divine MotherIt does seem possible that She did not want Jesus to teach about Her or model praying to Her because the people of His time weren’t ready for such knowledge. Women’s status was so low that they weren’t allowed even to serve as witnesses in a trial and if their voices were heard outside of their homes, that was considered cause for a divorce. Jesus raised eyebrows by even including women among His disciples. In a culture that was so oppressive to women, it may not have been possible for His followers to even understand the doctrine of our divine Mother and so He never prayed to Her publicly. If that is the only reason, then I would expect that God will reveal guidance to the prophet for Her worship when we are ready for that guidance.
A Wise PartnershipBut it is also possible, and to my mind, more probable, that our Heavenly Mother has a good reason for not inviting us to worship Her, a reason that has nothing to do with notions about male supremacy and everything to do with wise partnership.
For example, could it be that our Heavenly Mother and our Heavenly Father have chosen distinct parenting roles in their quest to guide us toward Their fullness? What if our Heavenly Mother has chosen to dedicate Herself to our premortal nurture, while our Heavenly Father has chosen the role of shepherding us through the perils and privations of mortality? What if that choosing of distinct roles is not at all about anybody staying “in their place”, but instead about two partners playing to their strengths?
Is it possible that our Heavenly Parents could have differing strengths? In the past, I have assumed that because our Heavenly Father was perfect, that meant that He had all the strengths to be had, in the maximum degree. And the same would be true about our Heavenly Mother. But what if I’ve misunderstood perfection? What if our Heavenly Parents are perfect in charity and in partnership? Could They possibly need each other’s strengths in order to achieve balance?
A Reassuring HeartThe idea becomes more compelling to me as I think about my earthly parents and their complementary strengths. Before I elaborate, I want to clarify that I’m not trying to hold my parents up as a universal, one-size-fits-all pattern for how gender roles should play out in a faithful home. I don’t think that a universal, one-size-fits-all pattern for that even exists. I see ample evidence in creation that our Heavenly Parents love variety and The Family Proclamation clearly identifies the need for individual adaptation and mutual support in family responsibilities. I’m becoming increasingly aware that we have more assumptions than we have revealed information about the role gender plays in our eternal progress. So when I write about my parents’ differing strengths, and follow up with speculations about our Heavenly Parents, I am not trying to claim that all faithful parents should follow the same patterns. I’m just trying to apply my own experiences to my understanding of the divine.
My mother was brilliant about nurturing us and had a tremendous capacity to surround us with safety. Most of the moral lessons I learned growing up were taught to me by one of Mom’s stories. She corrected gently. She was so good at creating safety that I remember creeping to my parent’s room after a nightmare and feeling reassured just by the sound of her snores. They were loud enough to be legendary and they were antithetical to my fear. I was certain that my mother’s snores would scare away the monsters.
Mom was always clued in to my struggles, even the ones I was trying to keep to myself. And she was always willing to make up the difference so I could succeed. I used to suffer from shortness of breath when I was overwhelmed. She would notice before I did that I was gulping for air, and she would help me identify what I was worried about. Then, she would figure out how to help. I don’t know how many times she stayed up through the night, deciphering my cursive draft of some paper, complete with crossings out and writing in the margins. She would then type out a presentable version while I slept, so I could turn it in on time when I went to school in the morning.
She also saw all the ways that I was doing well, without seeming to be troubled by the ways I could have done better. When I sought her feedback on an essay, she’d tell me how wonderful it was. When I asked Dad’s opinion, he’d tell me how I could improve it. At that time, I was more interested in being reassured than I was in being coached, so it was Mom’s feedback that I sought the most.
An Investment in GrowthBy contrast, Dad loved to challenge me. He used to take me running with him in the mornings, even though I was so slow that he had to run circles around me in order to break a sweat. I remember labouring my way up a hill when a car drove past us and Dad said, “Smile! You want them to see you’re having fun.” I wasn’t having fun; I felt more like I was being tortured. But these runs weren’t mandatory. I was there because Dad invited me. I just didn’t realize until much later how much I needed and appreciated his investment in my growth.
A True PartnershipWhen I left home, I carried with me the safety that Mom had nurtured in me and the conviction I got from Dad that I could do hard things. The more I ran into situations that tested me, the more I found myself leaning on Dad’s confidence in me. There was the time when I received a proposal of marriage from a man I loved, but wasn’t sure I could entrust with my future. I called Dad and counselled with him. He didn’t tell me what to choose, but he did describe the kind of future I might be choosing. Then he let me know he would support my choice. Breaking my boyfriend’s heart also broke my own, but Dad’s confidence in me helped me find the strength to tell him no.
Later, Mom told me about the day that boyfriend had called Dad, at work, for his blessing. When Dad came home with that information, Mom said, “Well, you didn’t give him your blessing, did you?”
Dad replied, “I told him that I trust my daughter’s judgement.”
Almost a decade later, I married a different man whom I both loved and trusted, even though my Dad had reservations. I remember him telling me, “This is not what I would have chosen for you, but I honour your choice.”
Another decade after that, I called to counsel with Dad about my marriage that had become unsafe. He told me Mom was ready to catch the next international flight so she could get me and the children out of there. But Dad believed I would be guided by the Lord and felt to wait for me to make my decision. It was the right call. I was guided and we got out safely. But I think it must have been torture for Mom to watch me feeling my way through the kinds of trials I used to think would break me. I was way out of the safe environment she’d striven so hard to provide for me. But I was leaning on the faith she’d nurtured in me, with confidence to move forward that came both from remembered safety and from Dad’s support to make my own decisions now.
Eternal Strengths – Complete TogetherThis brings me back to my Heavenly Parents. I wonder if my Heavenly Mother is similarly attuned to nurturing Her children in safety, while my Heavenly Father thrives on the kind of shepherding that gives me space to choose and room to grow, even through wrenching challenges. I wonder if They have chosen to specialize where They have the most to give and where They get the greatest joy, and if that’s why we are not taught to pray to our Heavenly Mother.
It’s only a guess and, if there’s truth to it, I’m sure there is depth and beauty and nuance to the reality that I can’t even begin to approach. But here are the things that matter to me about this line of thought.
- The idea that perfection is achieved in partnership — that none of us is supposed to become whole and complete alone, but that our goal is to achieve a glorious unity with someone who has differing strengths from our own so that we can become complete together. To me, this seems consistent with the scripture “neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:11).
- The idea that in an exalted partnership, we will get to choose our areas of emphasis and how we will support each other in our mutual work. That we will get to optimize our working together according to our individualized strengths — rather than being required to fit ourselves into a role that has been designated for us.
Both of these ideas feel liberating and hopeful to me. How about you?
The post Divine Roles and Sacred Unity -Exploring Heavenly Mother’s Divine Partnership appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Should Your Ward Try to Innovate? | An Interview with Roy Zwahlen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Often-Overlooked Role of the Elders Quorum Service Coordinator | A How I Lead Interview with Ajax Trueblood appeared first on Leading Saints.
We are all moving through life, and life is moving through us. The question is not if we will face storms, but how we will move when they come.
In a recent Leading Saints podcast episode titled “The Local Ward When Tragedy Strikes,” Dan Duckworth shared powerful insights about what happens when adversity unexpectedly enters our lives or communities. It might arrive through illness, loss, betrayal, or disappointment—but come it will.
As I listened, I was reminded that while hardship is inevitable, the way we move through it is not. We have a sacred choice: to lean into our challenges and allow God to refine us, or to resist and be dragged behind the weight of what we cannot control.
Whether we’re leading in our home, our ward, or our community, we’re also walking our own private roads of adversity. And somewhere along those roads, every one of us faces a moment of decision: Will we be dragged through our challenges, or will we be directed through them?
Movement is guaranteed. Growth is optional.
Either way, we’re going to move. Pain and loss have a way of pulling us forward, ready or not. But when we invite God into our story, the movement changes. What once felt like being dragged behind life’s speeding car can become a guided, grace-filled journey of growth, refinement, and eventually peace.
When Life Feels Out of ControlSeveral years ago, my husband and I were in a serious car accident that left me with several broken bones and a traumatic brain injury. Overnight, my world turned upside down.
At first, I was emotionally being dragged behind that shattered vehicle, bruised, fearful, and angry about the road I hadn’t chosen. My mind was raging and foggy, my body weak, and my spirit exhausted.
But as the months passed, I began to realize I had a choice. The “vehicle” of my life may have been totaled, but I could climb into a new one. It wasn’t the make or model I wanted, I didn’t like its dents or how slowly it moved, but it had wheels and a steering wheel. I could drive again, with God as my navigator.
Once I accepted that, the healing shifted. I made plenty of mistakes along the way, but I was no longer being dragged. I was learning, with divine help, how to be directed through it.
That choice changed everything.
Scriptural Examples of Directed AdversityScripture is filled with people who faced the same choice. Their circumstances vary, but the lesson is always the same: pain can become purpose when we allow God to direct our movement.
Job: Enduring With FaithJob’s story is one of the most well-known examples of undeserved suffering. He lost everything, his health, wealth, and children, yet his response was not to curse God, but to worship Him:
“The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Job didn’t minimize his pain, but he didn’t surrender to despair either. Through the ashes of grief, he found a deeper trust. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught,
“Every experience can become a redemptive experience if we remain bonded to our Savior through it.”
Job didn’t just survive his trials — he emerged with greater understanding of God’s nature and his own.
Jonah: Running, Then ReturningThen there’s Jonah. When God called him to preach repentance to Nineveh, Jonah ran in the opposite direction. His journey—complete with a storm, a shipwreck, and a large fish—shows what happens when we resist divine direction.
Jonah was literally dragged through his trial, tossed by waves, trapped in darkness, stewing in self-pity. But once he turned back to God and prayed from the belly of the large fish, he was released—physically and spiritually.
Jonah’s story reminds us that God’s mercy doesn’t end when we run. The moment we’re willing to be directed, He opens a way forward.
Esther: Courage in the UnknownEsther’s challenge came not from running, but from fear. As a young queen asked to risk her life to save her people, she initially hesitated. But then came Mordecai’s gentle nudge:
“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14).
With fasting, faith, and courage, Esther chose to lean into her challenge rather than hide from it. Her obedience saved a nation.
These scriptural heroes show us the spectrum of human response, from resistance to surrender, from being dragged to being directed, and how God can transform every hardship into holy ground.
In that Leading Saints episode, Brother Duckworth reminded listeners that when tragedy strikes, everything changes, but we still have stewardship over our response.
That line resonated deeply with me.
After my accident, I couldn’t control the road I was on, but I could decide whether to be dragged by the pain or be directed by the purpose. I came to understand that being “dragged” looks like fighting what’s happening, holding on to resentment, or waiting for life to feel fair again. Being “directed” means turning toward God in trust, even when the way forward feels uncertain. We cannot always choose the timing or type of our trials, but we can choose our posture within them.
Choosing How We MoveElder Jeffrey R. Holland once said:
“Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead… It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”
The storms won’t always calm immediately. The healing might not look the way we hoped. But when we keep walking with faith, however slow or halting our steps, we invite the Savior to walk with us.
The miracle isn’t just surviving the trial. It’s discovering who we become in the process.
After our accident, when I was finally moved out of the ER into a “regular” room, I remember the first time I staggered unaided across the room. It wasn’t pretty — my gait was awkward and my head pounded. But I was grateful I could move and I deeply recognized Father’s hand. It wasn’t about speed or grace. It was about forward motion, guided by God.
Supporting Others in Their JourneyAs disciples, and especially as leaders in our homes, wards, and communities, we have a sacred opportunity to help others find this same strength.
Sometimes that means sitting quietly beside someone who’s still in the “being dragged” phase. Other times, it’s reminding them gently that they still have a steering wheel—even if it’s dented and wobbly.
True ministering doesn’t fix or rush someone’s process; it helps them feel seen, safe, and supported while God does the healing.
When we lead with compassion rather than correction, we help others discover their own partnership with heaven.
Turning the Drag Into DirectionSo how do we shift from being dragged to being directed when life unravels? Here are a few spiritual guideposts:
- Acknowledge the Pain. Pretending everything’s fine doesn’t make it so. Christ never minimized human suffering, He entered it. This involves naming our pain and inviting Him into it.
- Ask, “What Can I Learn Here?” Growth doesn’t come from asking “Why me?” but from asking “What now, Lord?” Like Job, we can use our questions to draw nearer to God.
- Stay Connected. Healing happens in relationship—with God and others. Isolation feeds despair; connection invites light. Let trusted friends, family, and ward members walk beside you.
- Trust God’s Timing. Our culture loves quick fixes, but soul refinement is rarely fast. I have to go back to Elder Holland’s inspired quote on this guidepost: “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven. But for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”
- Choose Movement. Even if it’s one small step—prayer, service, gratitude, repentance—movement with purpose opens us to direction.
When We Lead with EmpathyLeaders who have suffered well, lead differently. They listen longer, judge slower, and love deeper.
Your scars, physical or emotional, become sacred credentials that allow you to connect with others in their pain.
When we remember that everyone’s challenge looks different, we begin to see adversity not as a punishment but as a curriculum. Each person’s classroom looks unique, but the Teacher is the same. As we lead in our homes and wards, we can ask:
- How can I help this person find purpose in their pain?
- How can I remind them they still have a steering wheel?
- How can I model what it looks like to trust God while I’m still waiting for the miracle?
Let’s also be mindful that when we are striving to encourage and support others through their heavy load, we need to ask be guided by the Spirit and strive to be sure we answer these three questions in the affirmative before we give advice: “Is it kind, is it true and is it necessary?”
Becoming Directed PeopleThe Lord doesn’t just want us to endure life; He wants us to learn from it. He invites us to walk with Him, not be dragged behind our circumstances. Hardship isn’t evidence of God’s absence but of His active, shaping hand.
We can resist, or we can receive.
We can be dragged, or we can be directed.
The choice is ours, every time.
The Peace That Comes From DirectionIt’s been four years since my accident. I can say with gratitude that God didn’t just heal my body, He reshaped my soul.
The brain that once struggled to process words now cherishes stillness.
The bones that once ached now remind me that I can move.
The experience that once felt like punishment has become a pulpit for compassion.
When I look back, I see the Lord’s fingerprints all over that journey.
He didn’t just help me survive; He helped me see.
And now, when I meet others in their own storms, whether in a Relief Society lesson, a counseling session, or a quiet conversation, I can testify that being directed by the Lord, even through the hardest roads, brings a peace that cannot be dragged away.
“Dragged or Directed” Is a Daily DecisionEach morning, we decide whether to grip the steering wheel of faith or let life pull us behind. The car may be battered, the route uncertain, but with God as our driver, every mile becomes meaningful.
As leaders and disciples, we can invite others to make that same decision, not through lectures but through love. Through our example, we can show that peace is possible, not after the storm but within it.
Because ultimately it’s not about avoiding the crash. It’s about trusting the Driver who knows every turn.
Beth Young is a convert of 48 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 38 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah seven years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post Dragged or Directed – Finding Purpose and Peace in the Journey Through Hardship appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Leadership Styles of Past Church Leaders | An Interview with Daniel Johnston appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Lonely Bishop’s Wife | A Zion Lab Livestream appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jason T. Rogers has been a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for over 30 years. He served a full-time mission in Minnesota and has served in various callings from greeter, primary teacher, and clerk. In 2014-2015 Jason backpacked around the world with the desire to better understand the human experience. He is a visionary dedicated to connecting people and building creative communities. He is the founder of Gateway Gears Marketing and has over a decade of experience in the film industry as a Producer at COMV Productions. Jason’s global adventures and diverse experiences have enriched his understanding of human connections, as detailed in his book, “Social: The Power of Relationships.” He currently lives in Salt Lake County with his wife and two kids.
Enter Jason…When I was in college, I struggled to grasp some concepts in an accounting class. I found myself asking a simple but important question: How do I learn? Like, really—what is the learning process? Is my learning process different from others?
People often say there are different learning styles. Some people learn by doing, some by listening, and others by reading or writing. This idea comes from a theory called VARK—which stands for Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic.
The Science of LearningWhile the science behind learning styles is still debated, many educators agree that recognizing a student’s preferences can support better engagement. As Dr. John Hattie, a leading education researcher, puts it:
“When learning is visible, students know what to do, how to do it, and where to go next.”
That clarity can come from matching learning methods to student needs.
Still, I realized that learning styles weren’t the full answer I was looking for. So, I started reading books on neuroscience, game theory, and anything I could get my hands on that explored the learning process.
True LearningOne day, I was reading in the Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi chapter 11. What I found was a perfect example of how teaching and learning actually work. That’s when I realized I was asking the wrong question. Instead of “How do I learn?” I started asking:
- What kind of teaching leads to true learning?
- What kind of teaching aligns with how the brain and spirit grow?
Desire to LearnIn 1 Nephi 11, the vision begins with a simple question. The Spirit asks Nephi,
“Behold, what desirest thou?” Nephi responds, “I desire to behold the things which my father saw.”
That moment stuck with me. The Spirit, though He already knew the answer, still asked Nephi what he desired. As teachers, we need to do the same.
We need to ask our students what they care about, what they want to understand, and what they’re ready for. When a student’s desire is in the right place, real learning can take root. Students need to know we see them, we hear them, and we care about what’s in their hearts. That’s not always easy when you have a full classroom—but even small moments of connection can open big doors.
Empowered to Keep LearningNext, the Spirit asks a clarifying question:
“Believest thou that thy father saw the tree of which he hath spoken?”
He’s checking in—trying to understand where Nephi is on his own journey. What does he already believe? What is his foundation? Because if Nephi didn’t trust what he had already learned, anything new would rest on shaky ground.
Students need that same kind of grounding. They need to feel confident in what they already know—and in their ability to grow from there.
Nephi responds with conviction:
“Yea, thou knowest that I believe all the words of my father.”
And the Spirit affirms him:
“Blessed art thou, Nephi, because thou believest… thou shalt behold the things which thou hast desired.”
That validation matters. The Spirit honors Nephi’s desire and praises him for what he already believes. He helps Nephi feel safe, ready, and empowered to keep learning.
You’re Safe to Learn HereWhen a student feels heard and validated, their brain is filled with connection, safety, and a natural openness to learning. In that moment, key chemicals like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin start to flow—shaping how the student feels, thinks, and engages.
Oxytocin builds trust and connection. Dopamine boosts motivation and attention. Serotonin supports calm, balanced emotions. These aren’t just background processes—they’re the brain’s way of saying, “You’re safe here. You belong. You can grow.”
As Dr. Bruce Perry explains,
“The most powerful buffer in times of stress and distress is the presence of a safe, caring adult.”
That presence doesn’t just comfort the heart—it literally calms the nervous system. It lowers cortisol, the stress hormone that blocks thinking and memory. When students feel emotionally safe, their brains aren’t stuck in survival mode. They’re free to explore, ask questions, and take healthy risks. A caring relationship isn’t extra—it’s the foundation of learning.
Knowing What to ExpectLet’s go back to the story. In verse 7, the Spirit lays out a clear plan:
“After thou hast beheld the tree… thou shalt also behold a man descending out of heaven… and thou shalt bear record that it is the Son of God.”
This moment is like a teacher outlining the lesson for the day. When students know what to expect, they follow along better. It gives them structure, direction, and something to be excited about.
The Learning Power of StoriesThe Spirit then shows Nephi a vision—a powerful teaching tool. It’s not a lecture or a list of facts. It’s a story, filled with imagery, emotion, and meaning.
“I looked and beheld a tree… and the beauty thereof was far beyond… exceeding of all beauty.”
Our brains are wired to remember stories more than anything else. When we wrap knowledge in story, it sticks. If you know the timeline of the Book of Mormon, Nephi wrote this account years later—but it still feels fresh, like it happened just yesterday. That’s what good teaching does. It stays with you.
The story also created more questions and desires in Nephi—and the Spirit could see it. Maybe He even planned it that way.
“And he said unto me: What desirest thou?”
Full circle.
Back to the core of learning: desire.
I now know, as the student, it’s my responsibility to have the desire to learn. I need to cultivate the desire and stay curious, or I will not see the knowledge God is eager to share with me.
AwakeningI invite you to dive in a little deeper in this chapter of 1 Nephi 11 and see what other fascinating insights you discover as you seek to learn more about our Father’s plan.
As teachers, our mission is to inspire that desire—to ask the right questions, to see our students where they are, and to give them space to grow. When we teach with the Spirit, we don’t just transfer information—we awaken something deeper in ourselves and others.
The post From Desire to Discovery: How Nephi’s Vision Unlocks a Divine Pattern of Learning appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Autism in Your Ward | An Interview with Liberty Kepford and Robert Johnson appeared first on Leading Saints.
As an elders quorum president in Utah County, the same county where the assassination of Charlie Kirk took place, I was faced with questioning what my role was to my quorum on Sunday (just four days after the tragedy).
I am sure Latter-day Saints across the United States were reeling from the shock as they arrived at church on Sunday.
Apart from this specific tragedy, wards across the globe have experienced a similar shock when a traumatic event has taken place in their country or community.
Do we show up and conduct church as usual?
Maybe offering a state of normalcy is the best option.
It’s definitely the easiest option; however, is it the best?
Talking through the points of a recent general conference talk during a quorum meeting didn’t seem fitting for the Sunday directly after a shocking event, literally a few miles away from our chapel.
Therefore, I felt inspired to address this hurt directly.
I wanted to create a space where the quorum members could sit in the pain and talk about it — process it.
Why do we go to church if we can’t find peace, healing, connections, and redemption?
How could I do this effectively?
Two thoughts came to mind.
(1) Address it while inviting people to articulate their personal emotions around the tragedy.
(2) Focus on the hope of Jesus Christ by focusing on stories of the Redeemer addressing tragedy.
What transpired in the quorum meeting was beautiful.
Men opened up.
Personal stories of shock were shared.
Tears were shed.
Fear was recognized.
I then shared the story of the daughter of Jairus being raised from the dead when all hoped seemed lost. (Mark 5)
As we focused on this biblical miracle, it invited redemption into our own hearts.
It gave us strength as we focused on the life of Christ, knowing we were surrounded by a sincere community and had just renewed our covenant relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Finally, we ended in a literal circle of trust, where we asked for specific ways we could pray for one another.
I don’t pretend that it was perfect or that it was all that these quorum brothers needed; however, it was an attempt to orient wounded hearts to the Great Healer.
We don’t just go to church to learn; we also need it to heal.
Does your ward offer healing through Christ?
Jump in on the discussion related to this article over at Zion Lab.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date messages by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Why go to church after tragedy? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Creating Essential Change In Your Organization | An Interview with Greg McKeown appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…Our gift of agency—the power to choose our beliefs and actions—is an essential part of God’s plan for us and is one of the greatest gifts of all eternity. But, as with all good things, mortality brings opposition, darkness, and the misuse of God’s gifts.
I recently read a credible and carefully researched biography of a notorious dictator, Mao Tse-tung. Some of the past writings about him were apparently sanitized and sugar-coated, with the dictator himself presenting a skewed account of his life and misuse of his power. What a vile man!
Before reading this, I thought I had heard most of the cruelest means of oppression and torture; yet the malicious tactics of evil people seem limitless. I am grateful that in the eternal plan of Heavenly Parents, Satan will finally lose his power over us.
Why Is Wickedness Allowed?In considering this wicked man of the past and the noise, destruction, and chaos of the current world, one cannot help but wonder why God allows so much wickedness. Why does He permit people to persecute and hurt each other?
If He loves us, why does He allow us to self-destruct as result of our poor choices? Could He not stop all the violence in the world? If so, why doesn’t He?
Why do we as peace-loving people allow so much corruption and debilitating trauma in our society? Isn’t there some way we could limit the power people have to hurt others?
Freedom to ChooseFor illustration, let me offer a belief and a scenario: I believe in and uphold the freedom of a person to choose to arm himself and to enter and rob a bank. The key phrase here is “to choose.”
Of course, I abhor lawlessness and do not condone anyone stealing property or threatening harm to fellow beings. But the freedom to choose is God-given and cannot be revoked.
Any person has the freedom to choose to do whatever he or she desires, realizing that every choice has a consequence, be it good or bad. God has declared,
“Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.” 2 Nephi 2:27
The Power and PrivilegeSo, what are the implications of this principle for you and for everyone? How are we to navigate the chaos of a perverted world where all of God’s children have free choice to do whatever they please—some for the betterment of and some for the destruction of our society? Here are two definitions of inspired wisdom from a respected leader, Elder Dallin H. Oaks:
“Agency [is] an exercise of the will, the power to choose. Freedom [is] the power and privilege to carry out our choices.”
All people have agency—the power to choose what they believe. We may believe in and worship God or we may believe in and worship nothing. We may use our agency to lead us to greater good or we may choose a downward spiral of darkness that leads us to the destruction of ourselves and others.
Freedom—the power to act on our choices—must have limits. For the sake and sanity of our society, we must organize ourselves as individuals, communities, and governments to establish appropriate laws and barriers to the destructive use of the power to act.
Invoking the example of the bank robber once again, we may hopefully use our individual and collective divine love and wisdom to intervene early in his life to influence him away from his inappropriate thoughts and actions and guide him toward goodness. If we are unsuccessful, hopefully he could be controlled in a restricted, monitored environment where his freedom is limited in what harm he could do. And as a last resort, if he is in the act of using his freedom to steal from and threaten others, hopefully he could be disarmed and confined before he causes damage and harm. He may exercise his power to choose, but we try to prevent him from exercising his power to act in a destructive, dangerous manner. Ultimately, however, if he succeeds in robbing the bank, then he must suffer the consequences of his actions according to both the laws of God and of man.
How Will We Use Our Power?This is how I believe you and I and everyone are connected to our mortal world. We are here in a laboratory to see how we will use our power to choose— whether we will choose light, leading to greater light, or choose darkness, leading to disappointment and pain. God has said,
“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” Abraham 3:25
Certain conditions must be present for us to fully exercise our power of choice. There must be opposition—there must be bitter in contrast to sweet. God allows suffering to be present so that we may be tutored in recognizing and choosing good.
“For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so . . . righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.” 2 Nephi 2:11
We must have the power to choose. Gratefully, God has granted us this power and will not rescind it. In speaking of our God-given laws and constitution, the Lord has taught,
“That every man may act in doctrine and principle pertaining to futurity, according to the moral agency which I have given unto him, that every man may be accountable for his own sins in the day of judgment.” Doctrine and Covenants 101:78
There must be law. Through His laws and commandments, God structures and provides our planet to sustain our lives and designates for us what is right and what is wrong. Some laws, such as the law of gravity, are obvious to us and carry definite and immediate consequences. If we step from a roof, we fall and are likely to be injured.
Other laws, such as the law of chastity, are often cleverly disguised to some as being unimportant or outdated. One who breaks this law may not seem to suffer immediate consequences, as such are often more subtle and eternal.
Knowledge Is PowerWe must have a knowledge of good and evil. As we navigate our mortal test, we are to continually learn and review what is right and what is wrong.
Our Heavenly Parents help by communicating with us through Their holy word spoken through scriptures, living prophets, and the power and promptings of the Holy Ghost. As we properly comprehend and apply these elements of agency, we learn by our own experience that right choices lead us upward to freedom and eternal life and that wrong choices take us on a downward spiral into disappointment and sorrow.
Making the Moral ChoiceAs we make our journey through our test of mortality, Satan will cleverly attempt to confuse issues. For example, he may scream out “Pro Choice” when the battle is not about choice—we already have freedom of choice as our irrevocable gift from God. The battle is about making the right choice—the moral choice.
Satan also tries to confuse our divine nature—even intermingling understandings of our origin with that of lower life forms. If he can persuade us that we are mere animals, he more easily leads us to act as such. When our daughter was young, I came home one day to discover that she had her pet cat confined in a box. When I asked why, she told me that the cat was being punished for bad behavior—it had killed a bird. This was an opportunity to teach her that animals do not have moral agency and are thus not morally accountable for such actions. I am not sure how much it registered with her at that young age, but it was fun for me. Now that she is older, she understands, and she has even used this example in teaching her own children and others about agency.
Elder Boyd K. Packer discussed how some use their agency to:
“look down at animals and stones to find the origin of man . . . they train themselves to measure things by time, by thousands and by millions.”
He then taught,
“But agency is ours as well. We look up, and in the universe, we see the handiwork of God and measure things by epochs, by eons, by dispensations, by eternities. The many things we do not know we take on faith.”
May We Act in FaithMay each of us see the issues of life clearly. May we look up to our Heavenly Parents to seek our origin and destiny. May we act in faith on the matters we do not yet know, realizing that we do know all we need to know to make correct choices. May we properly and gratefully exercise our wonderful gift of agency and, by doing so, be guided forward and upward to eternal life—the greatest possible gift that Mother and Father in Heaven could grant us.
The post The Power to Choose appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Are We Building Bridges or Better Arguments? | An Interview with Jeff McCullough appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post A Case for the Book of Mormon | An Interview with Tad R. Callister appeared first on Leading Saints.
The profound mechanics of the gospel never cease to amaze.
Whether pondering the infinite knowledge of God, the unfathomable process by which sins are transferred to Christ, or the mysteries of proxy ordinances matched to individuals on the other side of the veil, it’s clear that much remains engineered beyond our mortal understanding.
And yet, contemplating these sacred processes fills the heart with deep hope and trust in a loving Father who orchestrates redemption and restoration.
Recently, the topic of leadership revelation has led me to consider how this process works.
Leadership isn’t just about receiving authority through priesthood keys; it’s not a magical moment when revelation suddenly flows in abundance the instant someone is set apart.
While there are certainly times when inspiration feels immediate and unmistakable, most of the time, the process is far more complex and relatively uneventful.
When a person is called to lead, they not only receive the authority to act and receive divine guidance, but they bring with them a lifetime of experiences, habits, and personality quirks—all of which help shape their unique mindset.
The Lord, in calling leaders, is well aware of these preexisting mindsets and lovingly accounts for them in His work.
This means inspiration is not only a matter of heavenly transmission, but often emerges as leaders draw upon personal opinions and past experiences.
Doctrine & Covenants 128:9 describes it as a “bold doctrine”.
Revelation isn’t a one-way street from Heaven, but often a two-way street between our mortal brain and God’s wisdom.
Inspiration isn’t always a passive download from heaven—it’s frequently an active process of reasoning and decision-making that, when performed “in authority, in the name of the Lord,” is recognized as truly inspired.
Ideas, actions, policies, and even the interpretation of doctrine may originate within a leader’s own mindset—positive or negative—but when pursued faithfully, God accepts and sanctifies the process.
Consider President Nelson, whose formative experiences as a young convert and later as an apostle wrestling with the authorized name of the Church have continued to influence his perspectives and decisions decades later.
Each leader’s mindset is known by the Lord long before their calling, with their unique journey actively shaping the way inspiration unfolds.
Occasionally, opinions and decisions from leaders are misunderstood or criticized as mere mortal weaknesses, especially if those decisions led to negative outcomes.
However, the Lord works intentionally through diverse mindsets, embracing the “mess” of mortal experience and allowing sanctification to occur amidst ongoing leadership efforts.
Ultimately, the Lord is less concerned with leaders performing the work of inspiration perfectly and more focused on the sanctifying transformation that occurs in the process.
He calls people to lead, but even more meaningfully, He calls people with mindsets to lead—with all their strengths, imperfections, and opportunities for growth.
This complexity is not a flaw; it’s a feature of God’s remarkable plan.
As each leader grapples with the intricacies and challenges of inspired leadership, may they find comfort in knowing that the Lord not only allows but intends for their unique mindset to serve a distinct and beautiful role in His kingdom.
Jump in on the discussion related to this article over at Zion Lab.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date messages by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Revelation is a Two-Way Street Between Mortality and Heaven appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Creating the Experiences Youth Need | An Interview with Skyler Wilcox appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.The post Serving on the High Council | A Zion Lab Livestream appeared first on Leading Saints.
There were so many inspired and inspiring talks at the October 2025 General Conference. As someone who loves to teach and be a part of inspired discussions, I was truly excited and intrigued by Brother Chad H Webb’s talk, “That All May Be Edified.”
I’m deeply grateful for the many lessons—both taught and received—that have been guided by the principles Brother Webb shared. As I’ve prepared to attend classes and as I’ve prepared to teach them, I’ve seen how following his simple, Spirit-led suggestions has strengthened my testimony and deepened my love for the Savior. I’d like to share a few thoughts that may help each of us center both our learning and our teaching more fully on Jesus Christ, the true source of all light and understanding.
There is something sacred about the moment when a student’s heart is opened and the Holy Ghost testifies of truth. Brother Webb emphasized principles that align beautifully with that sacred moment: to invite diligent learning, teach true doctrine, and focus on Jesus Christ.
Cultivating an EnvironmentAs teachers and learners in the Lord’s Kingdom, we can do more than exchange information. With divine help, we can cultivate environments where revelation, faith, and growth emerge. Below is a framework rooted in scripture and inspired by recent counsel—to guide how we invite the Spirit, foster diligence, teach doctrine, and point always to Christ.
Invite and Hear the Holy Ghost in Our Learning and TeachingInviting the Holy Ghost is not passive. It is a deliberate, reverent act of opening our hearts and minds to God’s voice. Here are three suggestions:
- Begin with sincere prayer and humility. Before class, study, or discussion, pause and ask Heavenly Father to send His Spirit. Pray that your mind be softened and your heart open. That quiet moment, an earnest plea, signals to the Spirit your willingness to learn and be taught.
- Ask thought-provoking questions and pause for reflection. Instead of rushing to fill the silence, let the Spirit speak. A brief pause after asking, “What did the Lord teach you here?” may allow revelation to come.
- Use experiences, stories, and symbols to connect doctrine with real life. When truth is tied to lived experience, the Spirit can bridge the gap between mind and heart. Share an anecdote, a metaphor, or a prompt that invites learners to see doctrine in their lives. As we do, the Spirit helps them internalize it.
Brother Webb has taught that gospel instruction is most effective when learners are prepared and teachers invite personal revelation.
Invite Diligence and Preparation — for Both Learners and TeachersRevelation does not replace preparation—rather, it sanctifies it. To foster environments where personal revelation flourishes, both teacher and learner must come prepared. Here are three practices:
- Learners: Pre-study and ponder. Encourage class participants to read ahead, ponder in solitude, and come with a question or insight. A teacher might send ahead a short passage and invite learners to write one question or impression before class.
- Teachers: Prepare clear, doctrine-centered lessons. When teachers come with clarity of doctrine and purposeful structure, the Spirit more easily works through their efforts. Before class, identify one or two core doctrines, craft questions that invite engagement, and script brief transitions to keep the flow clear.
- Invite mutual accountability. At the start of class, you might invite learners: “Let us agree together to learn, listen, and invite the Spirit.” As a teacher, express your own preparation and ask learners to share insights. A simple invitation in class—“Let us learn together, and may the Spirit guide us”—gives both teacher and learner shared responsibility.
Brother Webb’s message noted three classic principles: “Invite diligent learning. Teach the doctrine. Focus on Jesus Christ.” This focus depends on preparation and invitation: learners come ready, teachers create space, and the Spirit does the rest.
Teach the DoctrineOne of the hallmarks of faithful instruction is grounding lessons deeply in revealed scripture and prophetic guidance. To teach the doctrine means to anchor our learning and teaching in that which God has revealed.
This matters because doctrine is foundational: without it, teaching drifts into opinion, speculation, or sensationalism. It also builds faith: when learners see divine patterns, their hearts trust the source. Plus, doctrine leads to Christ: doctrine is a map to the Savior. Here are some ways to make it easier to teach the doctrine.
- Use foundational scriptures and prophetic declarations. When Christ, prophets, or scriptural writers teach, let that be the bedrock of your lesson. If the lesson is on faith, draw from Moroni 7 or Doctrine & Covenants, and relevant modern prophets, rather than launching into speculative theology.
- Resist speculation, tangents, or personal theories. That which God has not revealed is best filed under “I will ponder”—not forced into lessons as if doctrine. If a learner asks, “Why didn’t God do X?” respond, “That is a thoughtful question; I will ponder it and invite you to pray about it too,” rather than offering unanchored conjecture.
Build doctrinal progression in teaching. Begin with the doctrine as stated, then unpack it, illustrate it, apply it, and conclude with testimony. Let learners see how doctrine connects to their lives.
Teaching doctrine fosters trust in God’s plan and discourages human speculation. In his conference address, Brother Webb invited us to teach doctrine rather than wander into speculation, so that learners may rely on revealed truth.
Focus on Christ — The Center of All Teaching and LearningEvery lesson, whether a historical account, commandment, or narrative, should be examined through the lens of Christ. Even when He is not overtly present in a passage, teachers can help learners see how He exemplifies the principle.
- Ask: “How would Christ teach or illustrate this principle?” Suppose you are teaching about service through the story of the Good Samaritan. Ask: How would Christ define neighbor? How would He serve?
- Tie every truth back to Him. Doctrines become transformative when tethered to the Savior—His Atonement, His example, His ongoing presence. For example, after teaching accountability or repentance, remind learners that Christ makes it possible to change and grow
- Bear testimony of Christ as we teach. When a teacher’s voice is anchored in personal conviction of Christ, the Spirit magnifies the message. Thus, it is vital to include experiences, scripture, or insights that testify of the Savior’s love, mercy, or grace.
As Brother Webb invited us to teach His doctrine and learn diligently, invite the Holy Ghost to deepen our faith in Jesus Christ and help us become more like Him.
Trust the SpiritWe live in a time of complexity and competing voices. As disciples of Christ, our calling is not to entertain or sow doubt but to teach, strengthen, and edify. When we invite the Holy Ghost, prepare diligently, teach doctrine (not speculation), and focus on Christ, learning becomes more than mental—it becomes spiritual. Lives can change. Hearts can open. Faith can deepen.
May each of us, as teacher and learner, offer the Lord our best preparation, our openness, and our humility—and trust that the Spirit will teach, refine, and edify. And may our classrooms, homes, and quiet hours become places where heaven meets earth and Christ becomes ever more real.
Beth Young is a convert of 47 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 38 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah seven years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
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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.
The post The Life of Sister Dantzel White Nelson | An Interview with Marjorie Nelson Lowder appeared first on Leading Saints.
At the recent FAIR Conference, I heard a remarkable talk on doctrinal drift by an employee from the Church’s Correlation Department.
Think of doctrine as an eternal, divine truth that God has placed upon a pinnacle.
If we are not careful in defining and protecting that doctrine, it begins to drift—sliding slowly to one side or the other.
Once that drift gains momentum, truth can tumble from its high place into the pit of confusion, where clarity is lost.
A similar dynamic exists with what we might call cultural drift.
Unlike doctrine, culture does not begin at a pinnacle.
It is better pictured as resting in a trough.
At the bottom of that trough lies the status quo.
Positive leadership works to lift culture upward—toward inspiration, revelation, and progress.
But the pull of the status quo is constant, always working to drag culture back down.
We prevent doctrinal drift by holding firm—keeping truth in place at the pinnacle, where it stands as a shining guide for the world.
We prevent cultural drift by actively moving, shaping, and nurturing our culture toward higher ground.
As Dan Duckworth once said, “Culture is the memory of a thousand moments—the imprint the past makes on choices in the present.”
If we want to build a positive culture, we must create not just those thousand moments, but one more—1,001—so that new imprints can replace the old.
Here’s where leadership gets tricky: new culture can influence doctrine, and doctrine can influence culture.
The two must coexist in their proper roles.
Culture must progress, while doctrine remains steadfast.
When culture pushes doctrine off balance, we have a problem.
When doctrine is misused to keep culture stuck in a rut, we have a different problem.
It is essential not to confuse them.
Drifting doctrine will never create positive culture.
Complacent culture will never protect true doctrine.
That’s why leadership in this space is so challenging.
Maintaining doctrine is largely a passive effort—hold it in place, unmoving.
Shaping culture is an active effort—we must show up, make intentional choices, and outpace the gravity of the status quo.
Let’s keep doctrine firm.
And let’s keep culture moving.
Jump in on the discussion about this message over at Zion Lab.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date messages by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Doctrinal & Cultural Drift appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Leading in the Lord’s Way | An Interview with Ernest Davis appeared first on Leading Saints.
Mary Margaret Thompson was raised in Salt Lake City by two California natives and converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary served a mission in upper New England. Upon her return, she met and married Spencer Thompson. She earned her masters degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Utah and taught kindergarten for three years. She is now raising four precious children. Mary has served in various callings including in ward and stake Young Women presidencies, a Primary presidency, and a Primary chorister. She is currently a Relief Society teacher. She has also been the supporting role for her husband who served as the president of NorthStar International for several years. Mary has a great passion to write inspirational thoughts, and has written a personal blog for the past seven years, since President Nelson encouraged us to receive personal revelation.
Enter Mary…With recent events in the news, and all sorts of tumult in the United States right now, it seems as though we are perhaps in more danger today than we were 24 years ago on September 11, 2001.
At a time when catastrophe and tragedy have previously brought us together as a nation, recent tragedies due to gun violence and natural disasters have seemed to bring up some of the worst in us as our nation feels like it is falling into deeper divisions.
Healing to My SoulAs I recently sat in this grief, following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I turned to the innocence of my five-year-old child for comfort. Not with the expectation that his job was to comfort me, but that something about his purity and his innocence would bring healing to my soul.
I picked a favorite book to read to him, which seemed pertinent to the somberness I was feeling in my heart. I thought, “Maybe this will have some answers.” As I began to read, I was pleasantly surprised when something new came to my mind that I had never thought of before. The book is titled, “What Do You Do With A Problem?” by Kobi Yamada.
The simple little book profoundly teaches about how problems can consume us without us even asking for them, but that when we face them, sometimes they aren’t what we think they are. In fact, problems have “something beautiful inside.” An opportunity to “find something good.”
As the book teaches about problems and how to confront them, beautiful illustrations depict how this process might look. On one particular page, it shows the child taking the problem and using it to move forward. To not fear it, but to see that it could lead somewhere good. It shows a compass surrounding the child, as they are journeying forward.
A Compass!!!I hadn’t noticed this before when reading this book. It seemed as though the letters of each part of the North, South, East and West were glowing. And then it happened…a word jumped out at me. A word I had never noticed before. I saw that the letters on a compass, if you read them zig zagged, make the word “NEWS.” I was captivated by this new discovery.
What did the NEWS have to do with the directions or meaning of a compass?
As I contemplated this mystery, God began to teach me. I hope the things I learned can help you as you navigate any news that comes your way.
Look For the HelpersWe as humans are wired for connection. Perhaps this is why we are so intrigued by any sort of news that affects us as a community. Sometimes news can be informative, sometimes compelling, and sometimes damaging to our souls. The question we can ask ourselves when we come away with news, and it feels heavy, is “Where is my compass?”
How I love all things childlike. This may be why we look to our children or our beloved Fred Rogers during these times. Many people find comfort in the famous words he learned from his mother, to “look for the helpers.” He knew his compass well. He also knew how to model his compass.
The Good NewsHow can we better sit with one another? How can we better listen to one another?
How can we be better bearers of “THE GOOD NEWS?” The good news encompasses the truth that He who is the good news, the one who taught us to be as children was the very one who also modeled how to bear it. We bear it by living it. Consider these four points of direction you can take when confronting news, while looking introspectively at your own moral compass.
N – Nailed to the CrossOn a compass “N” means North. It is constant and keeps the compass working. It is often pointing up. When Christ was nailed to the cross, He taught us to look up. To be constant like He was. Elder Holland said,
“It is one of the most powerful paradoxes of the Crucifixion that the arms of the Savior were stretched wide open and then nailed there, unwittingly but accurately portraying that every man, woman, and child in the entire human family is not only welcome but invited into His redeeming, exalting embrace.”
E – Enemies Love ThemHe not only taught us to love God by this ultimate act of love on the cross, He also taught us to “love your enemies.” He modeled it on the cross when He forgave those who crucified him. That prayer flips the script: it shows forgiveness as a deliberate, sacrificial act offered toward those who have harmed us—not because they deserve it, but because love breaks destructive cycles. To follow Him is to choose mercy when our instinct is to harden our hearts—to pray for those who wound us, to refuse the whisper that our hurt justifies hatred, and to allow forgiveness to be a conduit of healing rather than a denial of pain.
Practically, this can look like praying privately for someone who has hurt you, refusing to dehumanize them on social media, or seeking a small act of kindness toward an opponent—all humble steps that imitate the cross. Another way he exemplified this was when He not only taught us to “bless them that curse you,” he healed the ear of a man who came to take him to his death sentence. Jesus’ healing of Malchus’ ear—the ear of the very man sent to arrest Him—is one of the most dramatic demonstrations of blessing in the face of hostility. Instead of meeting force with force, He restored what violence had taken and in doing so revealed a different power: the power to transform enemies into fellow image-bearers.
Just as East points sideways we can also reach our arms outward as Jesus did, and remember how He showed us the way to love, even and especially when we feel the opposite.
W – WillAnother lesson Jesus taught us was to do God’s will. He exemplified this when taught us to “Be as a little Child.” He illustrated it through His actions saying,
“Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42
That childlike posture which was embodied supremely in Gethsemane showed that there is courage in surrender—the courage to move forward without all the answers, to trust in love when fears press in. Being childlike, then, is not naiveté but holy dependence: it frees us from the compulsive need to control outcomes and opens us to divine guidance. Practically, becoming childlike might mean naming our fear, asking God for help instead of trying to power through alone, and allowing others to bear burdens with us rather than performing strength.
S – Seeing One AnotherJesus saw us all as precious sons and daughters of God. He asked us to “be the children of God,” by being Peacemakers. Our calling is not to pass final judgment but to strive for reconciliation in the midst of a fallen world.
Peacemaking is active and often costly; it requires courage to sit with differences, humility to listen, and persistence to repair relationships. In public and private life, being a peacemaker can look like refusing to amplify dehumanizing rhetoric, stepping into difficult conversations with a posture of listening, and working patiently for small, practical repairs—all of which point back to God’s heart.
Our North StarOn our compass, if we draw a line from North to South and East to West, we can find ourselves the symbol of the cross. This simple image can be a constant reminder of how Jesus’s life and teachings are our North Star.
As we look at these four points—Jesus being Nailed to the cross, forgiving His Enemies, doing God’s Will, and Seeing others as children of God—they are not lofty ideals reserved for spiritual elites. They are simple, practiced habits that reorient our compass. When the headlines press in, we can ask: “Which of these four is God asking me to practice today?” Then do that small thing.
Pure LightAs a nation of Christians and non-Christians, we can all implement these teachings. If our leaders do not lead out on that, then we must be the leaders God has asked us to be, simply by being “the children of God.” That is the only qualification. It includes ALL of us. Seeing one another in this way strips down all of the outside layers and shows us we are made of the same material. Pure light.
We cannot be lead astray with the Prince of Peace as the greatest Leader in our hearts. He is, after all, “The Way.” This is what “One Nation under God” means to me:
“If ye are not one, ye are not mine.” Doctrine and Covenants 38:27
Where Is My Compass?So, when you see the N.E.W.S., consider asking yourself, “Where is my compass, and where is it taking me?”
May we always remember to seek our true North by looking up, humble ourselves as we look Southward, and ultimately reach our arms wide to the East and to the West as we follow God’s will to love one another.
The post Navigating Modern Tragedy With the Prince of Peace as Our Compass appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Local Ward When Tragedy Strikes | A Conversation with Dan Duckworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
As church leaders, we’re always searching for ways to inspire real, lasting change in those we serve.
It’s tempting to think that a great Leading Saints podcast, video, or article will do the trick—that if we just share the right information, transformation will follow.
But in reality, true change rarely comes from information alone.
It comes from experience.
That’s why I often feature retreats, academies, and unique programs on the Leading Saints podcast.
Some listeners have asked, “Why give an infomercial for these organizations or experiences?”
The answer is simple: immersive experiences are powerful shortcuts to growth.
When someone steps out of their daily routine and into a purposeful environment—whether at a retreat, a workshop, or a service project—they engage more deeply.
They reflect, act, and connect in ways that passive learning simply can’t replicate.
I’m not saying every leader needs to attend every program we promote.
These experiences aren’t requirements, but they are proven platforms for transformation.
The structure, the setting, and the intentional focus create fertile ground for inspiration and personal revelation.
As a church leader, consider this: What experiences are you creating for those you lead?
Are you providing opportunities for people to do more than just sit in a Sunday class and listen?
Are you inviting them to participate, to do something hard, and to have a different experience?
At Leading Saints, we focus on experiences because they move people from knowing to becoming.
Whether it’s a formal retreat or a simple group activity, the goal is the same: to create space for real transformation.
Let’s lead by creating opportunities that go beyond knowledge—opportunities that truly transform lives.
See what others are saying about this article HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date messages by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Infomercials on Leading Saints? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Personal Burnout While Being Bishop | How I Lead with Golden Lund appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jen Spencer lives in Utah, has served in Primary, and currently serves in her stake Relief Society presidency and the Layton temple. She is the founder of The Turtle Shelter Project, a nonprofit that enlists the help of volunteers to produce high-tech winter vests to help homeless people survive freezing temperatures.. If you’d like to learn more or explore ways to get involved, contact Jen Spencer through The Turtle Shelter Project’s official page.
Enter Jen…When we step into the calling of a lay leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we accept an assignment to represent Christ’s love to those around us. For many, this stewardship feels straightforward until faced with members whose struggles fall far outside our own lived experience. Addiction, homelessness, and cycles of despair can seem overwhelming—and too often, leaders feel unprepared to walk beside those caught in them.
My story provides a lens for understanding how leaders can minister more effectively to members who feel unworthy, broken, and forgotten. Once homeless and trapped in meth addiction for 20 years, I now lead a nonprofit that creates insulated vests for the homeless.
My journey is one of both agony and redemption, illustrating in vivid detail the relentless pursuit of God and the healing power of Christ-centered love. For leaders, me experiences offer profound lessons on how to lift, listen, and lead.
This article explores my journey and extracts key insights that can help leaders better serve homeless and addicted members in their congregations.
Misunderstandings About Repentance Lead to Shame and HopelessnessFrom childhood, I misunderstood repentance. I believed that every relapse after repentance made my sins worse, as though I were spitting in God’s face. This warped view led me to feel irredeemably broken—even before baptism.
Leadership Insight: Many struggling members may not lack faith in Christ but rather carry distorted understandings of repentance. Leaders should:
- Teach that repentance is a process, not a one-time transaction.
- Emphasize God’s endless mercy and patience.
- Reassure members that repeated attempts to change do not erase God’s love.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland taught,
“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed … I testify you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love.”
The Lasting Impact of Leaders’ LoveEven as a rebellious teen who smelled of cigarette smoke at camp, I remember my Young Women leaders’ unconditional love. They didn’t shame me—they expressed joy that I was present. Leadership Insight: Members battling addiction often already carry unbearable shame. The Savior’s method was always to lift before He corrected.
Leaders can:
- Welcome struggling members warmly without focusing first on outward appearances.
- Create spaces where attendance feels like belonging, not a spotlight on failures.
- Trust that seeds planted in love often outlast years of wandering.
Alma 36 and the Power of Scripture ApplicationWhen my bishop invited me to read Alma 36 five times, I connected deeply with Alma’s torment—and his redemption. This became an anchor memory: if Alma could change, perhaps I could too.
Leadership Insight: Struggling members may need more than general encouragement—they need personalized, Spirit-directed invitations:
- Assign specific scriptures that resonate with their lived pain.
- Frame scripture study as discovery, not obligation.
- Follow up with genuine curiosity about their impressions.
Helping Members See Their Divine Worth Through Unlikely MeansDuring that time on my life, dumpster diving was my livelihood during addiction. Only years later did I recognize God’s message in it:”I wasn’t garbage”—He saw value where others saw waste. Leadership Insight: Leaders should help members reinterpret their painful experiences through a gospel lens. Questions like • “What do you think God might be trying to teach you through this?” can reframe despair into discovery. Minister Through Relentless Presence, Not Quick Fixes One of my pivotal friends did not give me the answers but encouraged me to pray differently—authentically, conversationally. This friend showed up, listened, and stayed, even after I confessed my darkest realities.
Leadership Insight: Leaders should:
- Resist the urge to “fix” in a single interview.
- Prioritize consistent contact and nonjudgmental listening.
- Encourage members to build a relationship with God by having personal, honest conversations with Him.
God Speaks Through Leaders, Friends, and Small MomentsAt a desperate point, I received a priesthood blessing declaring I would be instrumental in the healing of my family, even for generations—a statement I rejected at the time. Yet later, Elder Uchtdorf’s “Forget Me Not” talk stopped me from ending my life that very night.
Leadership Insight: The Spirit often uses leaders to plant truths that will bloom later. Don’t underestimate:
- The long-term power of a single inspired blessing.
- The way general conference talks or hymns can rescue a soul in crisis.
- That timing belongs to God—leaders plant seeds, but He brings the harvest.
Christ Wants Our GarbageI humbly compare Christ to a dumpster—waiting for us to throw in our worst and dirtiest parts of ourselves, He takes it away, and then stands ready to receive more. He doesn’t recoil at our mess; He welcomes it He wants us to keep bringing it to Him.
Leadership Insight: Leaders can normalize the truth that Christ wants our brokenness, not just our strengths. In teaching and interviews:
- Encourage members to bring Him their shame, not hide it.
- Testify that His grace is bigger than their mess.
- Reassure them that they don’t have to be “good enough” first.
Community and Connection Are Part of HealingAt my lowest point, I was led to new friendships after the death of a beloved friend. These connections sustained me until I could reconnect with God. Healing did not come in isolation.
Leadership Insight: Addiction and homelessness thrive in loneliness. Leaders should:
- Foster fellowship opportunities that don’t feel conditional on worthiness.
- Connect struggling members to mentors or peers who can walk with them.
- Remember that belonging often precedes believing.
The Long Road of ConsequencesMy mentor taught me that God would not simply erase the natural consequences of 20 years of addiction. Healing required action, responsibility, and time.
Leadership Insight: Leaders should:
- Balance compassion with truth: repentance doesn’t erase consequences but gives strength to face them.
- Set realistic expectations that change is often slow and nonlinear.
- Celebrate small wins—sobriety for a week, one heartfelt prayer, one act of service.
Ministering with Christlike VisionUltimately, my life is a testimony that God is in relentless pursuit of His children. From a 7-year-old who believed she was born broken to a woman now serving God and others who are struggling, through my nonprofit, my story embodies transformation. Leadership Insight: As leaders, our call is to see members not as they are, but as God knows they can be. The addicted teen, the homeless man, the sister who has relapsed for the tenth time—each is still infinitely worthy in His eyes.
Practical Steps for Leaders:
- Train Leaders on Addiction Realities – Educate bishoprics, Relief Society, and elders quorum presidencies about the nature of addiction and relapse.
- Partner with Resources – Connect members with local shelters, counseling, and addiction recovery programs.
- Be Patient with Activity – Some will remain inactive for years. Keep ministering without timelines.
- Focus on Identity – Reinforce that they are children of God first, not defined by addiction. •
- Bear Testimony Frequently – Share personal conviction that Christ’s atonement is sufficient for them.
ConclusionMy story is not just about addiction and homelessness—it is about the character of God. He is relentless in His pursuit, tender in His mercy, and patient with our failures. For lay leaders, the message is clear: you don’t need to solve addiction or homelessness. You are called to be a vessel of Christ’s love, a reminder of divine worth, and a companion on the long road home.
When leaders love like my Young Women leaders, teach like my bishop, and show up like my friend, miracles happen. Souls once convinced they were beyond reach discover they were never out of His sight.
________________________________________
Have a story of inspired service or transformation you’d like to share with Leading Saints? Contact us—we’d love to hear how the Lord is working through you.
The post Ministering to the Margins – Lessons for Leaders Supporting Struggling Members appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post 8 Myths of Pornography Recovery—And the Truth Behind Them | An Interview with Curtis Morley appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rich Watson resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and has an education in psychology, with other degrees in education and social sciences. He has been happily married for 25 years and has four amazing children, a soon-to-be son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and an awesome granddaughter. Since his retirement from the military, he currently works for a veteran service organization in their mental health department. He and his team provide resiliency-based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. He joined the Church in 1996 and has had the pleasure of serving in varying leadership roles, some of them multiple times. (One of the “benefits” of moving so often during his military career.) These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, Young Men presidency, branch president, bishopric, high council, and more. Rich has also shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…If you have ever taught Primary, you’ve probably had a multitude of Sundays where you have left church wondering something like, “Did anything I say actually get through to them?”
Between the laughing, bathroom breaks, and wildly off-topic questions about anything ranging from dinosaurs to outer space, it can feel like your carefully prepared lesson barely made it past the first five minutes.
You’re not alone in that feeling. But here’s the hopeful truth: even when it looks like nothing is sinking in, your influence is far greater than you realize. Seeds of faith are being planted, often in ways you won’t see until years down the road.
While you are waiting for those “years down the road” moments, it’s important to remember that influence doesn’t begin years later—it begins right now. Every smile, every testimony shared, every gospel nugget repeated is shaping a child’s spiritual foundation.
The impact of a Primary teacher isn’t measured in one Sunday, but in the quiet consistency of showing up and pointing children toward Christ week after week.
The Long Game of InfluenceTeaching in Primary is more like training than testing—you don’t see immediate results after one practice, but the repetition builds strength over time. Just like an athlete or a soldier trains in small, simple drills that eventually add up to being ready, Primary children are being prepared through simple, consistent gospel experiences. These gospel truths often work quietly in the hearts of children, long before they’re visible. Your influence may feel small in the moment, but it builds over time.
Alma reiterates this concept when he states,
“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” (Alma 37:6)
Children don’t usually leave Primary with polished doctrinal dissertations ready to go. But they often leave with something far more important: a growing familiarity with the Savior’s voice, an understanding that they are a child of God, and the assurance of being loved. This comes through repetition, through small gospel nuggets, through the consistent love of a teacher who shows up for them.
Here’s the key difference: with adults (andragogy), teaching often relies on life experience and self-direction. With children (pedagogy), it’s about steady guidance, repetition, and structure. That means your role as a Primary teacher is less about delivering one perfect, polished lesson and more about emphasizing and layering simple truths again and again.
Educational theory calls this spiral learning, revisiting simple truths over and over in different ways as a child grows. Today it might be a coloring page about prayer, next year a scripture story, later a testimony of a teacher. Each builds on the last, layer upon layer, until those truths become part of who they are. In this way you are contributing to a long-term foundation of faith. Even if you can’t see it yet, those small, steady efforts will echo years into the future. While influence grows slowly over time, what children feel in the moment matters deeply, it’s often the difference between gospel truths sinking in or sliding past.
The Child’s PerspectiveWhen we think back to our own childhood, regardless if we were members of the Church at the time, chances are we don’t remember every detail of a lesson we were taught, or the exact wording of a scripture. However, we likely do remember how certain people made us feel. For most children, a Primary teacher isn’t just someone who delivers a lesson, they are often one of the first consistent examples of Christlike love and teaching outside of their immediate family.
In what is one of my favorite quotes to share with teachers, Maya Angelou said:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
For a child, being greeted by name each week, being listened to (even when their comment is wildly off topic) and being included in small responsibilities creates something powerful: belonging. Belonging is a basic human need. In Maslow’s hierarchy, after food and safety, one of the most essential drivers of growth is belonging. For Primary children, that belonging isn’t just about friendships or being part of a class. It’s one of the earliest ways they experience the love of God.
In Matthew 18:5, the Savior teaches that
“Whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.”
When we look a child in the eye, call them by name, and bear a simple testimony, we’re teaching them something far greater than any lesson manual could ever provide, we are teaching them that they matter, that God knows and loves them, and that they are loved at church.
A Primary child may not walk away knowing every doctrinal detail, but they can walk away with three simple anchors:
- I am a child of God.
- Jesus loves me.
- I belong here.
And the simple fact is that those truths can and should become the foundation for every future gospel lesson they will ever hear.
Of course, knowing how important your influence is and how much children need to feel loved doesn’t mean you’ll see instant results. That’s where patience in gospel teaching comes in.
Patience in Gospel TeachingAs we have been alluding to, one of the hardest parts of teaching, especially in Primary, is not seeing immediate results. You pour your heart into a lesson, only to be met with blank stares, constant giggles, or a child raising their hand to ask if Jesus had pets. It can be wildly discouraging, but Alma teaches us that spiritual growth doesn’t always happen on our timetable, and it is more like a seed:
“If ye will nurture it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.” (Alma 32:37)
When a seed is planted it does not sprout overnight, and neither do testimonies, in adults or children. What can often feel like a wasted lesson can become one more layer in a child’s foundation of faith. The Savior was consistently patient with how he taught the disciples. They almost always misunderstood Him, they constantly asked the same questions over and over again, and on rare occasions even fell asleep when He needed them most. Does that sound familiar to those of us who have taught Primary? Yet He kept teaching, kept repeating, and kept loving them until they were ready to understand.
Patience in teaching means being faithful in the small things: showing up consistently, bearing testimony, and trusting that what you’re doing matters, even when you don’t see the results. Patience reminds us that growth takes time, but that doesn’t mean our efforts are passive. There are simple, intentional ways to “water the seed” every Sunday.
Practical Ways to Make a Lasting ImpactIf we can begin to think of our lessons like a spiritual bank account for each child, then perhaps we can see how each Sunday offers opportunities to make small deposits into a child’s testimony. Here are a few practices that may seem simple in nature, but over time they add up to something powerful:
- Call Each Child by Name – A child’s name is tied to their identity. When a child hears their teacher use it with warmth and consistency, it reinforces that they are seen and valued.
- Bear a Simple, Personal Testimony – When it comes to children, I love the phrase “Too long, they move on.” A testimony in general doesn’t need to be long. However, when talking with children even one or two sentences of “I know Jesus loves us” gives children something they will remember.
- Give Small Responsibilities – Let them pray, read a scripture, hand out papers, or hold an object for a lesson. Small acts of trust build confidence and belonging.
- Repeat Gospel Nuggets – Be consistent with repeating short, memorable gospel truths that children can carry with them (which we stated earlier): I am a child of God. Jesus loves me. I belong here.
- Connect the Lesson to Real Life – Work hard to show them how the principle of the lesson applies outside the classroom. “When you’re scared at school, you can pray,” or “Helping your brother is a way to follow Jesus.”
Take it a step further by giving a simple challenge they can try during the week, as a way to grow their testimony. For example: “Ask someone in your family to pray with you and see how it makes you feel.”
The following week, take a moment to ask about their experience. These small challenges create opportunities for children to live what they’ve learned and prepare them to build their own testimony through action.
At the heart of all these practices is trust. Children learn best when they feel safe, loved, and respected. If they trust you, they’ll listen to you; if they feel dismissed or talked over, they’ll tune out. Put simply: developing trust with the children you teach is what opens the door to learning.
These five simple actions outlined above don’t require an exorbitant amount of preparation or overly polished presentations. What they require is consistency, presence, and love. Over time, they shape how a child sees themselves, their Heavenly Father, and their place in His gospel.
Encouragement for TeachersTeaching children is sacred work, but it isn’t easy. Some Sundays you’ll feel like you barely hold things together, and others you’ll wonder if anything you said mattered at all. When those doubts creep in, remember this: your calling is not about perfection, it’s about presence.
Children don’t need flawless lessons, they need a teacher who smiles at them, calls them by name, and shows them what discipleship looks like in real life. They need someone steady enough to remind them that church is a safe place where they belong.
So, measure your success differently, success is NOT a quiet classroom or a perfectly followed lesson plan, success IS the child who feels noticed, the one who whispers a prayer during the week because of something you said, or the one who simply knows they are loved at church.
The Savior’s promise is sure:
“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)
You may not always see the results, but the Lord does, and He sees you.
Your Quiet PowerPrimary teachers, please, never underestimate the quiet power of what you’re doing. The children may not always give you the head nods, the answers, or the reverence you hoped for, but you are shaping lives in ways you cannot yet see.
With that in mind teach every lesson as if it’s the one they’ll remember twenty years from now. Keep it simple, keep it centered on Christ, and keep showing up with love. If you do that, the Lord will magnify your efforts. He will take your small and simple acts of faith and turn them into testimonies, confidence, and belonging that last a lifetime.
And one day, whether in this life or the next, you’ll see that none of it was wasted. They will remember, I am a child of God, Jesus loves me, I belong here.
The post Primary Teachers and the Long Game of Faith appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Church Leadership in the Age of AI | An Interview with Jeff Burningham appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post God’s Grace Reaches Those Who Have Left Faith | An Interview with Matt Miles appeared first on Leading Saints.
At a recent BYU Education week, I was touched by a good-hearted and engaging door host. They’re the volunteers that help folks get in line and engage them as they wait for the doors to open for any class. All week, this brother just glowed with love and testimony. On our last day waiting in line for this class, I engaged him in a tender discussion that included his conversion story and his life in Texas. We spent 25 years in Texas, and my heart—plus two sons and a grandson—are still there. Thus, it’s no wonder that his beautiful soul has touched my heart.
As we chatted, I discovered that he’d done a podcast with Kurt Francom several months earlier—podcast that I had previously listened to and want to invite you to do the same. Below is an overview of Brother Griffin’s podcast.
It will be well worth your time to get acquainted with this good soul.
What God Can Do In 30 DaysWhen you hear President Calvin Griffin tell his story, you can’t help but feel the Spirit confirm the truth of his words. A man who once gave God “thirty days” to prove His existence is now serving in his eighth year as stake president in Denton, Texas. His story is not only one of conversion but also of leadership, faith, and learning to align with God’s will in unexpected ways.
In his own words, President Griffin says,
“I gave Him a month. I said, if I don’t get an answer, then I’m just going to assume there’s not a God.”
What followed was a series of spiritual experiences that changed the trajectory of his life. In this conversation with Leading Saints, President Griffin shares lessons about conversion, faith, and leadership that are just as relevant for today’s bishops, Relief Society presidents, Primary leaders, and stake presidents as they were for him decades ago.
True Conversion Begins with Honest SeekingPresident Griffin was raised Baptist but had drifted away from church activity. At 28 years old, as he prepared to marry his fiancée, he realized he wanted a marriage grounded in something lasting. Unsure if God even existed, he decided to put forth real effort.
He prayed three times a day. He changed his music. He looked for God in his daily life. And God answered him—not with thunderclaps, but through simple, repeated tests of honesty.
One day, when a cashier gave him too much change, he thought,
“If you’re trying to find God, at least you need to be honest with this guy.”
That moment of integrity became part of a pattern. President Griffin explains,
“Things started to happen in patterns of threes. I realized these were not coincidences. God was showing me something.”
His story reminds us that when we or those we lead are sincerely searching, God meets us where we are.
God Sends Help at Just the Right TimeOne of the most moving parts of President Griffin’s conversion story is the moment he met the missionaries. He had already been praying and seeking, wrestling with what church to join, and planning to attend a Baptist Bible study. But on Super Bowl Sunday in 1988, he opened the door to find two young men in white shirts who said,
“We have a message to bring you from Jesus Christ.”
President Griffin recalls,
“They set a book on the floor and began sliding it toward the other’s foot. Every inch they moved it, I became more and more excited—so excited I jumped up and grabbed it. I said, ‘Guys, I don’t know who you are or where you’re from, but I’ve been looking for God. Why am I so excited now?’”
That book was the Book of Mormon. Within weeks, Calvin and his fiancée were baptized. Their lives changed forever. Leaders today can learn from this: God places people and experiences in our path at the exact right time. We rarely know how prepared someone might be, but we can trust that He does.
Leadership Requires Expecting the UnexpectedYears later, as President Griffin accepted leadership assignments—bishop, high councilor, counselor in the stake presidency, and eventually stake president—he learned that leadership is less about control and more about trust. He teaches,
“In leadership, you have to expect the unexpected. So many things can happen, but it’s important to align ourselves with the prophetic keys and with the Spirit—making sure that God is running the organizations we’ve been asked to serve in.”
For him, this meant carving out time for individuals, even while balancing an intense workload and a busy calling. His message is clear: leaders must stay close to the Spirit, because no handbook can anticipate every circumstance.
Aligning with God Brings Strength Beyond Our OwnWhen President Griffin talks about performing a baptism, he recalls how nervous he felt, afraid he might stumble over the words. Yet as he entered the water, he felt a power greater than his own. He describes,
“I am trembling exceedingly. My tongue is going to get tied. I am terrified. But I say the words, I baptize her, and when she came up, she said, ‘I feel so clean.’ And I felt it too.”
That same pattern continues in his leadership today. He emphasizes that the key is not his own skill but his willingness to align with God’s Spirit. Leaders don’t need to have all the answers—they need to stay connected to the Source of answers.
Why You’ll Want to Hear the Full ConversationPresident Griffin’s story is one to share widely. It is raw, humble, and deeply moving. His journey from doubt to faith, from pizza store manager to stake president, reminds us that the Lord truly does “make weak things become strong” (Ether 12:27).
Listening to the full interview will not only strengthen your own testimony but also give you practical encouragement for your own leadership. As you hear him describe his conversion and his approach to serving others, you’ll feel inspired to trust God more fully in your own calling.
Beth Young is a convert of 47 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 38 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah seven years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post I Gave God Thirty Days – A Conversion Story That Changed Everything appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer and editor who works in university communications. His work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. He earned his English degree at Southern Virginia University and an MBA at the University of Lynchburg. In the Church, he has served as a missionary (in Nevada and California), a Primary chorister and teacher, a ward clerk, Seminary and Gospel Doctrine teacher, and in elders quorum presidencies. He and his wife and children live in South Carolina.
Enter Bryan…Nearly every day I drive past a house in my neighborhood with the most amazing garden. Trees, shrubs, and flowers with leaves and blossoms in a variety of shapes and colors are placed artistically over a well-manicured mulch bed. The lush grass is always trimmed perfectly. Colorful steppingstones provide the perfect accents.
When I finally met the man who lives in that house, he offered me a tour — there was much more to his garden than I could see from the street. He showed me more flowers, shrubs, and vegetable plants. He said that he used to run a landscaping business, and now that he’s retired, he focuses on his own property. He’s careful to tell everyone that he doesn’t have a “yard.”
“There are prison yards, and there are school yards,” he said. “But this is a garden.”
A Garden OasisHis word choice means a lot. A yard is a place where the grass grows and occasionally you do basic maintenance on it — you cut the grass, and if the grass is lucky, you might pull some weeds or give it some fertilizer. And then the grass grows until you reluctantly take the mower out again.
A garden, on the other hand, is designed, cultivated, and cared for. A gardener is intentional about what plants to include, when to plant them, how they should be pruned and how much water they need. A gardener spends time in the garden frequently and pays attention to how the plants are growing. Over time, the garden grows into an oasis.
As I listened to my neighbor talk about his garden, I couldn’t help but think about church callings.
Intentional Ministering GardenerWith any assignment we’re given in the Church, we can treat it like mowing a yard or tending a garden. The yard approach is about taking care of the bare minimum, if that. But in the garden approach, we set out intentionally and creatively. We are thoughtful about what we want our service to look like.
One of the easiest examples to see is home teaching versus ministering. For many people, home teaching was like mowing a yard — taking care of basic maintenance, doing the bare minimum. The shift to ministering invited us to care for one another in a “higher, holier way.” If you think of ministering like a garden, you might think, “OK, what do I want to plant in my ministering practice?” You decide what you want your ministering service to look like. Maybe it involves delivering cheesecake, inviting all your ministering families to a Christmas party, praying for each member of your ministering families at night, or texting a scripture once a week. The important thing is that you’ve made an intentional decision and acted on it.
Proactive Calling GardenerLately I’ve been trying this approach in my service as secretary in my elders quorum presidency. This is a calling that could easily be replaced by a couple of cheap technologies, so at first it did not feel meaningful. But several months ago, I had the impression that I should add a list of upcoming birthdays in our meeting agendas. More recently, I’ve decided I should make a note to be the one to call or text at least a few quorum members on their birthdays. That’s just one way that a proactive approach is making my calling more interesting and purposeful.
Are you called to teach a class? The “yard” approach is to show up and sort of read the manual aloud. The “garden” approach involves more study and preparation, thinking about questions and additional scriptures that would make the topic come to life for people; maybe you also decide to call class members during the week and ask them to prepare some thoughts to share.
If you want to become more like a gardener in your church calling, start by planning and brainstorming. Gardeners become familiar with what plants would look nice together and would grow well in their climate. In the same way, you can ask members of your ward how you can serve them. Or spend some time in the Leading Saints Community or “How I Lead” podcasts to see what ideas others have for that calling. Imagine that you are being released from this calling in two years. What would you like to see when you look back? Of course, you can ask yourself this repeatedly over time to continually discover how you can magnify your calling.
Service that CultivatesThis applies to anything you do in the Church. Have you been asked to speak? You can recycle an old Ensign article, or you could spend days prayerfully studying the topic while thinking about people in your ward and the challenges they may be facing, trying to find a way to teach that principle in a way that will uplift them.
Next, gardeners need tools and knowledge to keep up with their plants. In your calling, the tools you need might include information (such as the ward birthdays list or a regular report of new move-ins). It might include a regular opportunity to share a bit of information at the beginning of class meetings, or a direct line to the ward bulletin editor. Find out what would help you magnify your calling, and council with your leaders about those needs.
Third, just like gardeners take time to tend their gardens, make sure you schedule time to magnify your calling. Making the time — actually putting it on your calendar — is often the difference between wasted intentions and purposeful action.
My gardening neighbor watches the sun rise and set in his garden every day. While he’s there, he checks in on his plants and watches out for problems. Your calling might not require that much regularity and attention, but it does need time.
The Joy of Church GardeningConsidering how many gospel parables focus on agriculture, I think the Lord wants us to treat our church service more like gardening than the chore of trimming the grass.
Jesus told his apostles,
“I have chosen you and ordained you to go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16).
Back in my neighbor’s garden, he plucked a homegrown tomato for me, and moments later he called out to some neighbors who walked past and offered them some tomatoes too. By treating our church service like tending a garden, we will be able to pluck spiritual fruits that sustain us and that we can share with others. This fruit will include blessings for the people we serve, but it might also include inspiration for someone who sees us in that calling and decides to treat their calling more like a garden, too.
The post From Checklist to Cultivation: A Higher Way to Magnify Your Calling appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Polynesian Cultural Center Leadership | An Interview with Blair Treu appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is the third in a series of newsletters written by Dan Duckworth. Dan currently serves as chair of the Leading Saints Board. He edits The Front Line: A Weekly Dispatch for Underground Changemakers.
In Doctrine and Covenants 38:7, the Lord says something that should haunt us:
“I am in your midst and ye cannot see me.”
This isn’t a comment on His invisibility.
It’s a piercing diagnosis of our blindness.
It raises a question that every changemaker must confront: what kind of world are we living in where Jesus can be among us—and we cannot see Him?
Here’s the uncomfortable answer: a managed world.
A world ruled by roles, scripts, structures.
Where we no longer see reality—we see categories.
Expectations.
Optics.
In that world, the humanity of others fades. The presence of God disappears.
We don’t see the mother grieving quietly in the pew—we see a less-active member.
We don’t see the fire of moral conviction in a teen’s question—we see a disruption to the lesson.
We don’t see the Lord working through dissent, discomfort, or difference—we see risk.
And so we manage.
But what we call management is often just oppression in polite form.
We call it leadership.
Accountability.
Order.
But look closely—look spiritually—and you’ll see what’s really going on.
The system we’re operating in has suppressed our vision of what’s real.
And until that vision is restored, Zion cannot emerge.
Because Zion is not something we build through bricks or bureaucracy.
It’s something we see.
Something we awaken to.
In Zion, Jesus doesn’t finally show up—we finally see Him who has always been in our midst.
And we see one another—not as problems, or functionaries, or members. But as divine human beings.
That is the work of leadership.
Not to architect Zion. Not to command people into a new reality.
But to awaken them to what is real around them.
Share your strong opinion about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Dan Duckworth
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Can We See Jesus? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Chad M. is a devoted husband and the proud father of three wonderful children. His greatest joy is leading his family in faith, service, and love for the Savior. He has a deep interest in the restored gospel and spends much of his free time studying the doctrines, history, and heritage of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Chad writes to strengthen families, inspire faithfulness, and encourage temple-centered living, with a special focus on helping leaders teach covenant doctrine in clear and practical ways. He is a regular contributor to LDSflow.com, a growing online resource for members and leaders in the Church who seek uplifting, faith-building content.
Enter Chad…When I think about the most sacred and cherished blessings that our Heavenly Father offers His children, the sealing ordinance in the temple stands at the very top. For faithful members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, being sealed is not a single day to remember and then set aside. It is an eternal covenant that reaches far beyond the boundaries of mortality and stretches into the eternities. The temple endows marriage and family with a divine pattern, and that pattern gives purpose to every season of life.
The Savior taught that covenants made on earth by proper authority are recognized in heaven. That truth gives real weight to the promises we make at the altar. We do not merely recite words. We invite God to establish a bond that continues in His presence. When I think of that moment in a sealing room, with family gathered and hearts turned to heaven, I feel the reality of an eternal link that binds husband and wife and extends to children, grandchildren, and generations yet to be born.
The Book of Mormon teaches that mortality was given so that we might experience joy through the Redeemer. That joy reaches a higher and more enduring form when we know that our most important relationships do not end at death. As I have stood in a sealing room and looked across the altar into mirrors that seem to stretch forever, I have felt a quiet assurance that God intends families to continue. The room itself becomes a sermon about hope. The ordinance becomes a promise about the future. The Spirit confirms that the Father’s plan is a family plan.
The Doctrine Leaders TeachLeaders carry the responsibility to present the doctrine clearly and to invite members to act. The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that the fullness of celestial blessings is tied to the new and everlasting covenant of eternal marriage. Those who enter into this covenant and remain faithful are promised exaltation with every good gift the Father offers. Leaders can help members understand that temple sealing is not an optional addition to the gospel. It is a central pathway in the covenant pattern that the Lord has revealed in this dispensation.
For bishoprics and stake presidencies, this means teaching the doctrine in interviews, ward and stake councils, and sacrament meetings. Leaders can explain that temple worthiness is not a checklist alone. It is a preparation of heart and a pattern of discipleship that affects how we speak, how we treat our spouse and children, how we forgive, and how we repent. Leaders can point members to primary resources on the official site so they can study directly from the scriptures and modern prophets. A simple next step is inviting members to review the temple section at churchofjesuschrist.org and to prayerfully set a personal temple goal.
Relief Society and elders quorum presidencies can reinforce this doctrine in councils and classes. When presidencies plan meetings, they can ask how each lesson or activity helps families move toward the temple and remain faithful to the covenants they have made. Teaching the doctrine in plainness gives women and men a shared language for marriage, partnership, and spiritual growth. Presidencies can minister with questions that invite the Spirit, such as what the temple means to a family right now and what support would help them attend more regularly.
Preparing Couples and Strengthening FamiliesConsider a young couple preparing for marriage. A member of the bishopric can teach that a temple sealing sets the pattern for a lifetime of united discipleship. The ordinance is not a finish line. It is the beginning of a covenant journey. Couples can be invited to read together from the scriptures and recent general conference messages about covenants, the Holy Ghost, and eternal marriage. Leaders can encourage them to attend the temple as often as possible before the sealing day so that they feel at home in the house of the Lord.
For couples already sealed, presidencies can focus on real help. Some families need child care to make temple attendance possible. Some need rides. Some need help with family history so that temple worship feels connected to real names and real people. Relief Society and elders quorum councils can coordinate support in simple and quiet ways. When members see that the ward family values temple worship, they feel permission to make sacred time a priority.
Parents can be encouraged to make the temple part of normal conversation in the home. Family councils can include talk about family history goals. Children can learn how to find a name to take to the temple when they reach the appropriate age. Parents and youth leaders can work together so that the first experience in the baptistry is spiritual and well prepared. Each small step builds a pattern that leads naturally to adult temple covenants.
Helping Youth See a Temple FutureYouth leaders hold a powerful trust. A young person who gains a vision of temple blessings will make different choices, often quietly and consistently, for years. Leaders can teach the doctrine in a way that is both clear and hopeful. The Savior’s grace is real. Repentance is real. Worthiness interviews are not barriers. They are pastoral moments that help youth walk in a covenant path with peace.
Seminary teachers and youth leaders can invite youth to serve in the temple baptistry as often as possible. They can help youth learn to use the Gospel Library app to study scriptures about covenants and eternal families. They can encourage youth to listen to general conference talks about the temple during commutes or exercise. Small habits add up. When the temple is familiar, the heart is more ready to enter and receive what God offers.
Stake leaders can model a culture of joyful temple worship by attending together, by sharing brief personal reflections in appropriate settings, and by aligning stake goals with the work of salvation and exaltation. A stake youth goal to find family names, perform proxy baptisms, and record impressions in a journal can turn into a spiritual memory that shapes a lifetime.
Teaching in Councils and ClassesWard and stake councils can regularly ask how the work of salvation is moving forward among the people they serve. A simple framework helps. Teach the doctrine with clarity. Invite to act with love. Minister with follow through. Evaluate and celebrate progress.
Leaders can ask how Primary is helping children gain a simple understanding of temples. They can ask how Aaronic Priesthood and Young Women organizations are pointing youth to the temple. They can ask how Sunday School helps members study the scriptures with a covenant lens. When every organization teaches the same core truths, the Spirit reinforces them through repetition and unity.
Lesson planning benefits from direct links to official resources. The scriptures and general conference messages are available at Scriptures and Study and General Conference. Leaders can assign short, focused readings in advance so that class time can be used for discussion and application. Members often respond well when they see how doctrine connects to daily life, such as how temple covenants influence the way we speak to each other, the way we resolve conflict, and the way we make decisions under pressure.
Family History and the Healing of GenerationsThe sealing ordinance does more than unite a couple. It connects generations. The Old Testament prophesies that hearts would turn across time, and modern revelation explains how this work unfolds in the temple. Family history is not a hobby for a few. It is a spiritual work that invites the Spirit of Elijah and brings unity to families. Leaders can encourage every member to create a free account at FamilySearch and to begin with something small, like adding a memory or a story to a relative’s page.
Wards can host simple family history nights where consultants sit side by side with members and help them discover a name to take to the temple. Youth can help older members with technology. Older members can share stories that deepen identity and faith. These efforts create a living chain that runs from the past into the present and forward into eternity. Members feel seen. Ancestors are remembered. The temple becomes personal.
Ministering With a Temple LensMinistering changes when we see people through the lens of temple covenants. A visit becomes an opportunity to ask gentle questions and to listen for the Spirit. How can we help this family move one step closer to the temple. What would make attendance possible this month. What burden could we lift so that worship can happen more often. Ministering companions can coordinate with presidencies and councils to remove obstacles in quiet ways that protect dignity and agency.
Leaders can also help members who carry heavy grief or complex family situations. The doctrine of sealing offers hope even when life has been painful. The Lord sees every faithful effort. He judges with mercy and perfect knowledge. Leaders can reassure members that God keeps His promises and that covenant loyalty is never wasted. When members feel that assurance, they find strength to keep moving and to keep trusting.
The Temple as a Refuge in Turbulent TimesOur world changes quickly. News cycles rotate. Pressures rise. The temple stands as a steady place of learning, peace, and clarity. In the temple we remember who we are. We remember that the Father’s plan is a plan of happiness and of redemption through His Son. We remember that marriage and family are central to that plan. We remember that the Holy Ghost teaches truth to the heart and refines our desires. The house of the Lord offers a refuge for the mind and soul, and that refuge equips us to return to our homes and workplaces with renewed charity and purpose.
Leaders can speak openly about this refuge. They can invite members who feel overwhelmed to make an appointment to worship in the temple. They can encourage couples to set a recurring date for temple attendance. They can help parents teach children what the temple means in simple and hopeful language. In every case the message remains the same. God is willing to bless us as we choose to come to His house and as we keep the promises that we make there.
A Personal Witness and a Call to ActFor me, being sealed in the temple is not just a ceremony to remember. It is the beginning of an eternity together with those I love most. It is a promise from God that our love, our family, and our joy will continue in His presence forever.
That understanding influences the way I approach each day, filling even the simplest moments with greater meaning and purpose. It strengthens my resolve to nurture my relationships, to forgive quickly, to serve selflessly, and to keep my covenants with diligence, knowing that every effort to live the gospel brings us closer to the eternal home the Lord has prepared for us.
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The post Preparing Couples for Temple Marriage and a Lifetime of Covenant Living appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Delegating Bishop appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsSkylar 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 Leadership
05:00 – Advice for New Young Men’s Leaders
06:00 – Meeting Youth Where They Are
08:00 – The Power of Sacrifice in Youth Leadership
11:00 – Creating Spiritual Impact in High Adventure Activities
13:00 – Planning High Adventure Activities
18:00 – Engaging Boys in Planning and Preparation
22:00 – Handling Low Attendance at Activities
25:00 – The Importance of Relationships in Leadership
30:00 – Balancing Leadership with Family and Work
32:00 – Thematic and Dramatic Elements in Activities
35:00 – Service Opportunities and Miracles
40:00 – Managing Challenges During Activities
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.
The post Young Men Can Do Hard Things | A How I Lead Interview with Skylar Haws appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rich Watson resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and has an education in Psychology, with other degrees in Education and social sciences. He has been happily married for almost 25 years and has four amazing children, a soon-to-be son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and an awesome granddaughter. Since his retirement from the military, he currently works for a veteran service organization in their mental health department. He and his team provide resiliency-based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. He joined the Church in 1996 and has had the pleasure of serving in varying leadership roles, some of them multiple times. (One of the “benefits” of moving so often during his military career.) These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, Young Men presidency, branch president, bishopric, high council, and more. Rich has also shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…We’ve all heard the classic one-liners people throw around in hard times:
- “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
- “Feel lcky—you don’t have it as bad as [insert worse-case scenario].”
- “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.”
- “You should be grateful… at least you have ____.”
- “It is what it is.”
- And of course, for my fellow veterans: “Embrace the suck.”
The intent behind these may be sincere, but let’s be honest, they often fall flat. When someone is deep in a hard season, those phrases can feel more like pressure than comfort.
The truth is, we all go through difficult times. It’s inevitable. And the goal isn’t to pretend we’re fine or to just “soldier through.” The real invitation is to move through adversity with faith instead of fear.
When we look at resilience through a gospel lens, the question becomes: How do we move from simply surviving to truly thriving? How do we hold onto hope when thriving feels out of reach and surviving is taking everything we’ve got?
I’ve found myself in each of these stages at different times, sometimes within the same week. As a leader, a veteran, a husband, a parent, and a member of the Church, I’ve had seasons where I was just getting by, and others where I felt spiritually strong and grounded. What I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t usually come in leaps—it comes in slow, steady movement through four stages: Surviving, Coping, Living, and Thriving.
Building gospel-centric resilience through these stages is like developing spiritual muscle memory. It doesn’t just happen. It’s built, deliberately and with intentionality, often through struggle.
So let’s walk through these four stages and explore how gospel principles can help us build strength in every season and consider ways we can share this wisdom to support members as we lead.
Surviving – The Daily Battle – Be StillThere are seasons in life when just getting through the day feels like a miracle. The focus isn’t on growth, goals, or even hope—it’s about surviving. Breathing, doing the bare minimum and praying it’s enough. Survival mode isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign that you’re human and you’re still fighting, even when everything in you wants to give up.
When I’ve been in that space, the typical church answers didn’t seem to suffice. Scripture study didn’t feel inspiring, and prayer felt like silence. But one thought stayed with me: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Not “be strong.” Not “fix it.” Just—be still and know. Even in some of my darkest times, I knew I could do that.
In transparency, that is the type of permission we need to give ourselves and it is the type of permission that survival mode demands. The permission to stop and just be in your own emotions, with God, even if it feels messy. It’s okay if all you can do today is exist; that’s still something. And honestly, in more situations than we realize, that’s enough.
Here are a few things that can help in survival mode:
- Short, honest prayers like “Help me” or “Please don’t leave me”. They count, often more than we may think, and they matter.
- Letting someone else’s faith carry you when yours feels nonexistent. Listening to a trusted voice, a talk, or even a simple hymn can reconnect you to hope.
- Naming what you are feeling (the emotion) without trying to fix it. Sometimes just saying, “I am overwhelmed and this is a lot,” brings a little peace. Being able to sit in that feeling for a time.
If you’re surviving today—hold on. You’re not broken. You’re not failing. You’re still here. And that means there’s still light ahead. Even if you can’t see it yet.
Coping – Treading Water with Tools & SteadinessCoping is a strange middle space, you are finally out of survival mode and are functioning, sort of. You’re showing up to church (sometimes), you’re going to work, you’re interacting with others, you’re getting through your day without falling apart. However, beneath that façade, you’re likely fatigued, riddled with doubt, and clinging to the quiet hope that maybe someday life won’t feel quite so heavy.
Coping is often where people build habits out of necessity. It’s where we find what gets us through, not always what heals us, but what stabilizes us. And that matters; coping is progress.
I entered this space in a deep and unexpected way over the last few years (and still working through today) as my three oldest children, each of whom who I love dearly, made the decision that the Church wasn’t for them. They’re incredible individuals: kind, grounded, value-driven, and thoughtful. But their decisions rocked my spiritual core in a way I never saw coming. As a father, it brought on a wave of questions:
Had I failed them?
Had I missed something?
What did this mean about my own faith?
I was still attending church, still serving, still showing up, but inside I was emotionally and spiritually treading water. I wasn’t thriving. I wasn’t even really living with clarity; I was coping. I was sorting through grief, identity, and hope all at once.
What has helped during this season of life wasn’t a breakthrough moment or some massive spiritual insight. It was small things, a simple verse, a statement in conference, a quiet prayer. Reminding myself daily that His love for me, and my children, was still present. Learning that faith can and often should hold space for sorrow, and furthermore that God wasn’t finished writing any of our stories yet, including mine.
Here are a few things that helped me in that space—and may help you too:
- Keep spiritual habits small and doable. Reading one verse, uttering one prayer, writing one sentence in a journal. Allow those moments to work in you and at this stage, let that be enough.
- Notice wins, not just survival. Write down one thing that helped you feel steady today. It could be as simple as getting out of bed, saying a prayer, or calling a friend. That matters.
- Let go of perfect. This is a “good enough” season. You’re not weak, you’re building capacity one quiet day at a time.
The Savior’s invitation in Matthew 11:28–30 isn’t to prove ourselves. It’s to come to Him:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
If you’re in a coping season, that doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning what steadiness feels like, and that’s part of your spiritual resilience.
Living – Finding Rhythm Beyond RoutineLiving is the stage where things feel good; you’re not drowning anymore. You’re not barely getting through the week, and you typically have a rhythm; work, family, Church, maybe even a sense of peace. For most of us, this is the sweet spot we cried out for and craved during the harder seasons; this is the “normal life” stage.
But here’s the catch: Living isn’t the same as thriving. You can be doing everything right and still feel spiritually flat, not broken, not lost, just quiet inside. We likely have all been in this stage, some of us may be in it right now and not even realize it. This is the stage where we feel good, we just start to wonder, “Is there more?”
I, like many of you, have spent long stretches in this phase. Life was good, not perfect, but stable. I wasn’t in a crisis, I wasn’t lost, I wasn’t stuck, but I also wasn’t growing. I was comfortable. My spiritual habits were more routine than revelatory; I was living but not leaning forward.
Thanks to a talk about the war chapters from John Bytheway I gained a deep love for the examples we find in the moments of war found throughout the Book of Mormon. There is a powerful example found in Alma 60–61. Captain Moroni is in full-blown “do something” mode, and he writes a blistering letter to Pahoran, accusing him of not doing enough while war rages. But when Pahoran responds in Alma 61, it’s surprisingly calm. He’s not coasting along doing nothing. He’s been dealing with his own battles and quietly leading through hardship. His words show a man who’s not loud, but grounded:
“I do not joy in your afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul. … But behold, there are those who do joy in your afflictions… and they are trying to overthrow me also.”
He wasn’t complacent, he was steady. But even he needed that nudge to act and engage again in the bigger mission. That’s often what this living phase calls for: not more pressure, but a spiritual nudge. A reminder that living isn’t the destination; it’s a safe place.
Here are a few things I’ve found helpful in this stage:
- Reconnect to identity. You’re a child of God—not a job title, a Church calling, or a checklist.
- Stretch gently. Choose something to grow—a new scripture study pattern, a quiet service goal, a relationship to nurture.
- Pay attention to what sparks joy or curiosity. Those times are usually where the Spirit is already working.
Living is a blessing. It’s proof of what you’ve come through and how far you’ve come. But I’m convinced that our Heavenly Father didn’t design us just to survive or even just to live. He designed us to become something more, to thrive.
Thriving – Becoming the GiverThriving isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s not about being busy, being impressive, or being immune to struggle. Thriving is about living with purpose. It’s being so anchored in who you are in Christ that you can now love, give, and grow while staying whole.
The funny thing about thriving is that it often sneaks up on us. One day we realize we’re not just coping or living, we’re building, we’re looking outward again. We’re lifting others, including our family, not because we have to, but because we can.
The Doctrine and Covenants teaches that “Zion is the pure in heart” (D&C 97:21). Zion wasn’t just about a location; it was about people who had become something. Thriving saints have never been the ones without hardship. Rather they are those who, through hardship, became pure in heart and devoted to building God’s kingdom from the inside out.
Thriving isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being refined and rooted, grounded in Christ and secure enough to let His light shine through you for the good of those around you. For me, I have come to know when I am in a season of thriving when I stop asking, “How do I get through this?” and started asking, “What can I do today that matters?” or “Who might need what I’ve learned?” Here are a few indicators that you’re entering a thriving season:
- You’re anchored in who you are—and Whose you are.
- You’re spiritually generous. You give time, love, and energy without always needing recognition.
- You’re not afraid of setbacks. You know how to fall without losing faith.
Thriving is the reward for the work. But it’s not the end—it’s the new beginning. It’s the place where your resilience can become someone else’s hope.
Supporting Others Through the StagesWhile this article is written from a personal perspective, these stages—Surviving, Coping, Living, Thriving—can be incredibly helpful tools for leaders, or anyone, who is walking with others through hard seasons.
It is important to first remember that not everyone needs fixing, but everyone needs to feel validated and understood.
Recognizing where someone might be spiritually or emotionally can shift the way we show up as leaders. Someone in survival mode doesn’t need a calling—they need compassion. Someone who’s coping might benefit from small spiritual nudges instead of pressure to “get back to 100%.” Those who are living may be ready for meaningful engagement but still need encouragement to go deeper. And those who are thriving? They’re often your best assets to lean in and help minister to others, they just might not know it yet.
Leaders, if they so desire, can use this framework in one-on-ones, interviews, and lessons.
The caution would be to not use them to label people, rather to listen better. Instead of asking, “Are you reading your scriptures?” they might ask, “What are you doing now that helps you feel grounded?” Instead of saying, “You should pray about this,” they might say, “If it’s okay, can I pray with you?”
Ultimately, this model gives leaders language for empathy and strategy for support. My hope is that it will remind us that everyone, no matter their current stage, has a place.
Resilience doesn’t always look like strength. Sometimes it looks like survival. Sometimes it’s just showing up when your heart isn’t in it. But in every stage, the gospel of Jesus Christ offers more than endurance—it offers transformation.
Wherever you are today—surviving, coping, living, or thriving—you’re not stuck and you’re not broken. You’re becoming the person He already sees in you.
The post Thriving Saints: Turning Life’s Trials into Faith, Purpose, and Service appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Duckworth
Church News: “What to know about teacher council meetings for parents”
Teaching General Conference
Teaching Restored
Maxwell Institute Come Follow Me resources
Stimulating More Personal Revelation in Your Ward With the Gospel Library App | An Interview with Richard Bernard
The Covenant Path podcast
Involving Women in Sunday School Leadership | An Interview with Garret Shields & Monica Fell
Read the transcript of this podcast
Zion Lab Community
HighlightsThis 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 Bishop
Joshua 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 Teacher
Martha shares how a podcast influenced her approach as a Gospel Doctrine teacher.
00:06:40 – Chris’s Missionary Work and Goals
Chris talks about his work in the addiction recovery program and his vision for church-led meetings.
00:08:48 – Teacher Council Meetings Discussion
Participants discuss the effectiveness and challenges of teacher council meetings.
00:10:51 – DJ’s Insights on Teacher Councils
DJ shares strategies for making teacher council meetings more effective and engaging.
00:12:56 – Brent’s Perspective on Sunday School
Brent discusses the importance of Sunday School and the challenges of engagement.
00:16:21 – Jeff’s Experience with Parent Councils
Jeff shares his experience with parent councils and the feedback received from their first meeting.
00:19:25 – Matt’s Thoughts on Transitioning Teaching
Matt discusses the challenges of transitioning from traditional teaching methods to more interactive approaches.
00:23:16 – Brent’s Approach to Teaching Nuggets
Brent emphasizes the importance of providing memorable takeaways for students to discuss at home.
00:26:20 – DJ’s Success with Parent Councils
DJ 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, 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.
The post Teacher Council Meetings, How Are We Doing? appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is the second in a series of newsletters written by Dan Duckworth. Dan currently serves as chair of the Leading Saints Board. He edits The Front Line: A Weekly Dispatch for Underground Changemakers.
Zion doesn’t just happen.
It’s not spontaneous.
It’s not a byproduct of general righteousness or collective goodness.
And it’s certainly not the natural outcome of just getting a bunch of saints in the same room.
Zion, every time, is the result of leadership.
Not necessarily positional leadership.
But someone, somewhere, who saw what could be—and began to move.
Someone who saw through the status quo and chose not to wait.
A changemaker.
A builder.
A leader.
Doctrine and Covenants 38:4 references “the Zion of Enoch.”
It’s almost a passing comment. But for those who’ve longed for Zion, it lands with force.
Enoch built Zion.
It didn’t just emerge.
He forged it—through prophetic leadership, through disruptive community-building, through a vision that refused to conform to the world around it.
He raised Zion as a protest to his real-world context.
Where there was fragmentation, Enoch forged oneness.
Where there was self-preservation, Enoch inspired self-renunciation.
Where there was suspicion, Enoch fostered shared identity.
So when the Lord invokes the Zion of Enoch, He is reminding us: this has been done before.
And not by accident. By a leader.
In every true Zion, you can trace its origin back to someone who moved.
Someone who led. Not because they were appointed, but because they were called—by vision, by need, by the whisper of the Holy Ghost.
And the same is true today.
If you’re hoping your family, your ward, your school, your workplace will someday feel like Zion, the invitation is clear: stop waiting.
Start leading.
Not by declaring yourself in charge, but by stepping into the call to become a changemaker—a builder of exalted community.
The one who initiates love at scale.
The one who embodies loyalty to the community, not the system.
The one who dares to imagine that what’s happening here could be transformed by what’s possible.
There was the Zion of [Enoch]. And there could also be the Zion of [your name here]—in your home, your ward, your school, your company.
Zion doesn’t just happen.
But it can happen—if you build it.
Share your strong opinion about this article HERE.
Sincerely,
Dan Duckworth
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Are you Waiting for Zion? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsAllison 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 Experience
04:29 – Seminary Class Structure and Student Engagement
05:20 – Testing Different Teaching Methods
06:45 – Balancing Fun and Gospel Learning
07:06 – Creating Meaningful Connections in Lessons
08:15 – Using Treats and Activities Purposefully
09:27 – Engaging All Students in Class
11:03 – Recognizing Individual Contributions
12:16 – Encouraging Participation from Reluctant Students
13:28 – Preparing for Youth Events like Trek
14:50 – Coordinating with Stake Leaders
16:05 – Advice for Future Leaders
18:12 – Making Gospel Connections in Daily Life
19:14 – Youth Epiphanies and Insights
20:21 – Mixing Up Learning Approaches
22:19 – Using Creative Resources for Lessons
25:07 – Incorporating Movie Clips for Engagement
26:43 – Setting Youth Up for Success
27:23 – Leadership Skills Development
29:29 – Model Ward Council Activity
31:40 – Final Thoughts on Youth Leadership
32:09 – The Importance of Love 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. Learn more and 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.
The post Making Seminary Not Boring | A How I Lead Interview with Allison Schreiber appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rebecca Burnham has served in various roles in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Young Women organizations and currently serves as a temple ordinance worker, family history consultant, and pianist. After her mission to Sao Paulo Brazil, she worked as a journalist until her first marriage, when she became a full-time homemaker. She is now a disability support worker by night and a community builder/entrepreneur/playwright and composer by day, who is recently launching Summit Stages an initiative to build beloved community through the creation and promotion of musicals that lift and unite. She is passionate about building peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes and podcasts about gospel topics.
Enter Rebecca…The Woodstock music festival of August 1969 was supposed to be a money-maker for the four young promoters who launched it. Instead, it became a movement.
How, exactly, that happened has been a mystery to me. It ought to have been a flop. It had to be moved from the city of Woodstock to a dairy farm, almost at the last minute. Organizers had planned for about 50,000 attendees at the 3-day event. Instead, half a million showed up. There wasn’t enough food. There were torrential downpours.
Yet, the event became legendary. It was unprecedented then and it has been unparalleled since. It was a three-day rock festival, attended by half a million young people longing for peace, and despite pouring rains, inadequate facilities, and a shortage of food, it remained peaceful. It became life-changing for those who attended and later reported that there was a palpable sense of belonging, unity, and collective power in the air.
For a long time, it felt to many like proof that the hippie counter-culture, complete with its celebration of casual sex and hallucinogenic drugs, was the hope of the future.
ImagineJohn Lennon and Yoko Ono did not attend. They were on their honeymoon when Woodstock happened. But they co-wrote a song two years later that I think encapsulates the ethos of Woodstock. It was titled “Imagine,” became Lennon’s biggest hit, has been covered by more than 200 artists, and remains so popular today that it was featured in the opening ceremonies of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Yet, I’m deeply uncomfortable with the song because it suggests we could establish enduring peace if we just did away with religion, nations, possessions, and convictions that we thought were worth dying for—in order to just start living for today. I don’t think that’s actually a recipe for peace. I think it’s a recipe for apathy, which tends to lead toward exploitation and bondage.
And yet, I remain touched by the extraordinary legacy of Woodstock: a few days of palpable belonging and peace that gave people a taste of what could be possible.
Sustainable PeaceI appreciate it because I’m in pursuit of sustainable peace, and even though the Woodstock phenomenon is often credited to the widespread use of drugs at the festival, I think there was another, often over-looked element that opened the way for people to feel the extraordinary spirit of the event.
It is this: when hundreds of thousands showed up at the festival, days ahead of time and before the venue could be fenced, the organizers were faced with a difficult decision. They could take a hardline and clear everybody off of the property, then finish fencing it and only admit those who could pay for tickets. That would allow them to make mountains of money. Or they could let people stay where they were, not charge admission, and maybe lose all the money they’d invested in the event.
The organizers decided to do the latter because they feared that setting up a fence at this point would cause a rush at the fence-line, resulting in people getting injured. They valued the people ahead of their pocketbooks. And that decision, I propose, is what filled the air with a spirit of peace, of everybody being valued and belonging.
Aligning HeartsPutting people first and employing music as a mighty tool to align their hearts; those were, I believe, the magic ingredients that led to Woodstock’s extraordinary impact on the people who attended. That impact drove cultural change.
That’s excellent news, because those two elements are both consistent with gospel values and replicable. And because, like the young idealists who attended the famous festival, I share a longing for peace.
I am sure that hallucinogenic drugs and casual sex are not a sustainable pathway out of conflict. But that’s not what was special about Woodstock. I do agree with the mighty power of music, about the synergy that happens when people gather together to engage in the arts with the hope of making the world a better place. And when you pair that with an approach that prioritizes people over profits, you have the makings of a miracle.
We need such miracles today as we pursue the prophetic call to be peacemakers.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post What Woodstock Got Right: A Gospel Perspective on Peace and Belonging appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Differences
When Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin Pope
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsJeff 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 church
00:02:00 – Tension caused by differences
00:09:00 – Story of the kingfisher and magpies
00:12:00 – Strengths of church culture
00:14:00 – Weaknesses of church culture
00:21:00 – The concept of the “natural man”
00:26:00 – The role of a leader in navigating tension
00:30:00 – Introduction of six mindsets or “segments”
00:36:00 – The “Seekers” segment
00:37:00 – The “Cultivators” segment
00:38:00 – The “Protectors” segment
00:39:00 – The “Avoiders” segment
00:40:00 – The “Connectors” segment
00:42:00 – The “Explorers” segment
00:44:00 – The value of different segments
00:46:00 – Disconnect in leadership
00:48:00 – Historical context of leadership
00:52:00 – Blending leadership styles
01:04:00 – Jesus and Joseph Smith as examples of different mindsets
01:13:00 – Discussion of the Body of Christ from 1 Corinthians 12
01:23:00 – Story of a 100-year-old runner
01:33:00 – Concluding thoughts on a thriving 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. Learn more and 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.
The post Part 2: 6 Types of People in Your Ward | An Interview with Jeff Strong appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is the first of a series of newsletters written by Dan Duckworth. Dan currently serves as chair of the Leading Saints Board. He edits The Front Line: A Weekly Dispatch for Underground Changemakers.
Have you felt the pressure to command—to make the call and expect others to fall in line?
Or, just as often, the pressure to comply—to go along, fit in, and prove your faithfulness through obedience?
This is the tension every Zion-builder lives in.
You long to build something real—something alive with trust, love, and purpose.
But when urgency rises, or outcomes are on the line, the instinct to manage through control can take over. And slowly, agency gets crowded out.
Even the Lord, when He directed the Saints to gather to Ohio, didn’t demand compliance.
He said, “Here is wisdom, and let every man choose for himself” (Doctrine and Covenants 37:4).
The direction was clear. But the space to choose remained sacred.
That’s what distinguishes management from genuine leadership in Zion.
Leadership isn’t afraid of agency. It honors it.
Even when it slows things down.
Even when people choose differently.
Because real gathering—real Zion—only emerges when hearts are freely offered, not forced into formation.
So here’s the hard but holy question: Are you willing to suffer the organizational cost of preserving agency?
Can you make the call, but resist the urge to shame those who hesitate?
Can you lead without turning commandments into compliance tests?
Can you create a community where obedience is never performed, only chosen?
Zion doesn’t need better management. It needs more leaders who make space for transformation by holding space for choice.
So as you lead your team, your family, your ward, or your circle—pause and ask: What kind of community am I building?
Because Zion can’t be commanded into existence.
It must be chosen.
Share your strong opinion about this article HERE.
Sincerely,
Dan Duckworth
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Zion Can’t Be Commanded Into Existence appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.org
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsJames 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 Bishop
James shares his experiences and feelings during the first months of his calling as bishop.
00:05:16 – Unique Ward Dynamics
Discussion about the unique characteristics of James’s ward in Springville, Utah, including its diverse community.
00:06:57 – Approach to Engaging Youth
James explains his focus on youth and how he prioritizes their needs in his leadership role.
00:07:54 – Background in Youth Engagement
James discusses his history of working with youth and the founding of the Young Investor Society.
00:09:37 – Weekly Engagement with Youth
Insights into James’s weekly activities and how he applies principles of mentorship and engagement with youth.
00:11:06 – Measuring Success as a Bishop
James shares advice on how to judge success in his role, emphasizing spiritual guidance.
00:12:00 – Personal Story of Mentorship
James recounts a meaningful experience with a young man named Zach and the impact of mentorship.
00:14:23 – Principles for Working with Youth
James discusses key principles for engaging and inspiring youth, including setting high expectations.
00:18:47 – Interactive Learning Experiences
The importance of interactive and challenging experiences for youth to keep them engaged.
00:21:10 – High Expectations and Support
James elaborates on the balance of high expectations and providing support to youth.
00:23:01 – Recognizing and Nurturing Gifts
The significance of helping youth recognize their gifts and potential.
00:30:54 – Real Love and Genuine Support
James emphasizes the importance of showing genuine love and support to youth in leadership.
00:36:21 – Young Investor Society Overview
Information 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, 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.
The post The Bishopric & the Youth | A How I Lead Interview with James Fletcher appeared first on Leading Saints.
Brett Morris is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach based in Logan, Utah. He’s the founder of Replace and Recover, a wellness and mindset program built to help people reclaim their physical, emotional, and spiritual health through structure, introspection, and purpose. But his real credibility doesn’t come from titles. It comes from a life he rebuilt brick by brick.
Enter Brett….I want to ask you three quick questions. Now, just think about them for a second in your mind as I share each one.
- Have you ever prayed and wondered if God was actually listening?
- Have you ever felt like maybe you weren’t righteous enough to approach Him confidently?
- Have you ever noticed how your level of gratitude, or ingratitude, can totally shift the way you feel about your life, and your relationship with Him?
The Second SonA couple of weeks ago, I had a deeply quiet morning. I was up before the sun, and most of the cars.
I went out to the back porch with a few books and a protein shake. The sky was just starting to change colors. You know that moment right before the sun fully breaks over the mountains where everything’s perfectly calm and serene? That’s where I was. Just breathing, thinking, and trying to find some quiet and stillness before my day started.
I pulled up a short devotional from a long list on my phone, and this little story came on. It was about a father and his two sons, and I am not sure if it was the tone of the story or the fact that I like trains, but it really made me sit back in my chair and think about my own life.
Here’s the story:
A father comes home from a business trip with a gift for each of his sons. They each get a beautiful red toy train. Both boys get the exact same one. But their reactions couldn’t be more different.
The first son lights up. Instantly energized he runs to his dad, gives him a hug, says, “Thank you so much, Daddy!” and immediately takes it outside to play. He shows it to all of his friends and lets them take turns playing and yelling, “Choo choo!” You can tell, it’s not just about the toy. It’s about love.
Now the second son. He opens the box, looks at the train, and his face drops. “I wanted the blue one,” he says. “Why didn’t you get me the blue one?”
He crosses his arms, tosses the train aside, and sulks. He refuses to share with any of his friends. He doesn’t even say thank you. He spends the entire day upset about what he didn’t get instead of enjoying the gift that was in his hands.
As I sat there on the porch, looking at the sun slowly coming over the mountain top, I couldn’t stop thinking, how often have I been that second son?
Sometimes, like the grateful son, we run with joy and share what we’ve been given. But other times, if we’re really being honest, we act more like the second one. We see the job we didn’t get. The relationship that didn’t work out. The prayers that haven’t been answered yet. And instead of saying “Father, thank you so much,” we quietly think, “Why didn’t you get me the blue train?”
Ingratitude and Its ImpactThis ingratitude can do something deeper than just steal our joy. It chips away at our confidence in God.
And this confidence is exactly what President Russell M. Nelson talked about in conference.
Talking about charity and virtue he said that:
”We can have confidence that is born of the Spirit… Our confidence can wax strong in the presence of God.”
That phrase “confidence born of the Spirit” really stuck out to me.
Because we live in a world that’s constantly telling us lies.
Telling us that we’re not enough.
Not smart enough .
Not successful enough.
Not righteous enough.
President Nelson, though, taught that our confidence doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from alignment—with our covenants and with Christlike attributes like charity and virtue.
Let’s look at the 3 characteristics starting with charity and circle back to gratitude.
Charity: The Way We LoveThe first piece that President Nelson gave us from the talk was charity. And I love that he didn’t just say “Be nice.” He said:
“Charity toward all men is essential to our progress. Charity is the foundation of a godly character.”
That’s strong language: essential and the foundation of a godly character.
Now charity isn’t always easy. It’s not just loving people who are easy to love. It’s forgiving when it still stings. It’s showing up for people even when you’re tired. It’s being kind to someone who might not deserve it right now.
One example that’s stuck with me for years is from President Thomas S. Monson. He said:
“Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.”
I think about that when I’m frustrated with someone. Or when I want to be right more than I want to have charity.
For me, charity is often tested in small daily moments, like when I’m cut off in traffic or someone is judgmental and talks down to me. But those moments—those are the moments that shape our spiritual confidence far more than we think. The Spirit enters hearts that are soft, humble, and filled with charity, not those that are sharp, divisive, and filled with ego.
Virtue: The Way We ThinkNext, President Nelson talked about virtue. He said:
“Virtue will drive away impure, cruel, or depressing thoughts. Virtue will free you from anxious, troublesome thoughts.”
That line stood out because sometimes I don’t even realize how much noise I’ve let into my head. Between social media, the negativity of the news, and just the speed of life, it’s really easy to lose track of where our thoughts are. Virtue is about guarding your mental space. It’s about saying, “I only want things in here that bring the light.”
There’s a scripture in Doctrine and Covenants that says,
“Let Virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly”. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:45)
There is another in Philippians 4:8 that tells us how:
“Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report… think on these things.”
That’s basically a checklist God gave us for virtue. If we want the Spirit with us more, we have to clear out the mental clutter from life and replace it with things that help us keep the Spirit.
I’ve noticed that when my thoughts are cleaner, when I’m not cynical, not resentful, and my prayers are vastly different. I feel more peaceful. And I approach God with more openness and faith.
Gratitude: The Way We SeeNow I am coming back to gratitude.
President Nelson didn’t include it directly, but it was touched on in his talk and the rest of conference. And honestly, it helps tie charity and virtue together. If charity is how we love, and virtue is how we think, gratitude is how we see.
When we’re grateful, we stop obsessing over the train we didn’t get and start noticing all of the blessings we already have sitting in our hands.
One of my favorite examples of real, passionate, personal gratitude comes from Joseph Smith’s own journal. He was in Nauvoo, valiantly struggling to build a city while also fighting off legal battles, betrayals of friends, and constant threats to his life.
And yet, in the middle of all that intense pressure, he paused to write this:
“My heart is full of gratitude to God that he has preserved me, and enabled me to stand in defense of the truth and virtue. I thank him for the manifestations of his Spirit to me.” (Joseph Smith Papers, Journal, March 20, 1842)
He wasn’t writing this after everything had been solved, after he got what he was praying for. He was still right in the eye of the storm with his gaze fixed on Christ. His heart was filled with genuine gratitude.
A Lens for LifeThat’s the kind of person I want to be. Someone who can stop in the middle of the fight, in the middle of the work, and still say, “Thank you, God, for everything you have provided me with. For what you’ve already shown me. For helping me stand as a witness of Christ”
That’s when gratitude becomes more than a feeling. It becomes a lens that we see everything through. And that lens gives us strength, spiritual clarity, and the confidence to reach out to our Father in Heaven.
Come As You AreIf we want to have real confidence in the presence of God, not pride, not perfection, but real spiritual confidence… Then we need to live with:
- Charity in the way we love,
- Virtue in the way we think,
- and Gratitude in the way we see.
And here’s why it matters so much, because when hard things hit—and we were told they will—it’s those three things that help us stay close to God, even when it would be easy to lose sight of Christ and drown in the storm.
So here’s my invitation to you to help gain greater confidence approaching our Heavenly Father:
-
Show one small act of charity to someone who you maybe feel doesn’t quite deserve it. Let that love remind you of the Atonement.
-
Guard your mind. Choose one noisy influence to remove this week and replace it with something that brings you the peace of the Spirit. Let that peace bring you confidence in your relationship with our Father in Heaven.
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Choose one “red train” moment in your life, something that maybe didn’t turn out how you had hoped, and find the blessing and thank God for it.
Let gratitude for all that you have been given bring you closer to Heavenly Father.
Let’s honor our Father in Heaven.
Let us be the kind of sons and daughters who can regularly see and say thank you for each of our blessings. Who run to share the blessings we’ve been given. Who doesn’t sit in the corner and sulk about what we wanted and didn’t get, but who open our arms and hearts to what we have been blessed with.
Because when we do, we won’t just find happiness, we will find confidence.
President Nelson invited us to take these intentional steps to grow in our confidence before the Lord.
Then, as we go to our Heavenly Father with increasing confidence, we will be filled with more joy, and our faith in Jesus Christ will increase.
We will begin to experience spiritual power that exceeds our greatest hopes.
I testify that God loves you. He knows you personally. He’s not waiting to bless you until you’re perfect. He’s inviting you to come to Him, right here… right now… as you are.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Come As You Are – Gaining Spiritual Confidence Through Christlike Living appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Possible
Scaling.com/Audiobook
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsBenjamin 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 Church
00:05:20 – The Goal Shapes the Path and System
00:05:50 – The Power of 10x Goals and Short Timelines
00:08:40 – Missionary Work as an Example of Scaling
00:10:50 – The Past and Future as Lenses for the Present
00:14:10 – Operating From the Goal, Not Toward It
00:14:40 – Raising the Floor and Saying No
00:15:30 – Blake’s Missionary Experience and Filtering
00:19:40 – Overcoming the Influence of the Past in Organizations
00:21:50 – Simplicity vs. Complexity
00:23:10 – The Challenge of Too Many Goals in Church Councils
00:24:50 – Focusing on Key Priorities in Leadership
00:28:00 – Defining and Owning Roles in Church Leadership
00:28:50 – Understanding and Raising the Floor
00:31:30 – The Floor as a Standard of Accountability
00:33:30 – Avoiding Guilt from Too Many To-Dos
00:36:10 – Setting Clear, Numeric Goals
00:40:20 – The Future Shapes the Present
00:42:50 – Repentance and Reorienting Towards the Future
00:44:50 – Distancing from Past Self and Growth Mindset
00:48:50 – Measuring Impact and Qualitative vs. Quantitative Goals
00:53:00 – Accountability in Systems and 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. Learn more and 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.
The post The Science of Scaling Your Ward | An Interview with Benjamin Hardy appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
Highlights4:40 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”
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.
The post I Love My Ward! | An Interview with Clint Pulver appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer and editor who works in university communications. His work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. He earned his English degree at Southern Virginia University and an MBA at the University of Lynchburg. In the Church, he has served as a missionary (in Nevada and California), a Primary chorister and teacher, a ward clerk, Seminary and Gospel Doctrine teacher, and in elders quorum presidencies. He and his wife and children live in South Carolina.
Enter Bryan…One of the most challenging tasks for a church leader is getting someone to do something they do not already want to do. We want a teenager to go to Seminary, an adult to visit ministering families, an activities committee member to help decorate, and someone to agree to prepare a talk. Sometimes, we might urge someone to change long-ingrained habits to prepare for making temple covenants.
If you’ve ever hit a brick wall in trying to convince someone to do these good things, you might even be tempted to try badgering or guilt-tripping them into choosing the right. Or you might give up instead — after all, they’ve made their choice.
But there is another way to handle these situations, and it’s illustrated well in a story from Joseph Smith’s life that seems straight out of an action western movie.
The Persuasive ProphetIt happened in November 1839. The Prophet Joseph was in a stagecoach bound for Washington, D.C. About 130 miles from the capital, the stagecoach driver stopped for a drink at an inn on the mountain.
While the passengers waited for the driver’s return, something happened to spook the horses yoked to the carriage.
“The horses took fright and ran down the hill at full speed,”
The passengers panicked as their driverless coach bounced along the winding mountain road. But Joseph knew that screaming passengers would only scare the horses more.
“I perswaded [sic] my fellow travellers to be quiet and retain their seats,” he wrote. “I used every persuasion to calm their feelings.”
Then the prophet opened the stagecoach door, grabbed the side of the carriage, and made his way to the driver’s seat.
This incident, also shared by Elias Higbee, shows us a prophet’s leadership in a moment of crisis. Joseph could have barked commands. He could have screamed with the other passengers or screamed at them. Instead, he twice mentions persuasion ― a concept he knew well, even though he struggled to spell it.
Only six months before this stagecoach adventure, while stooped in the cramped Liberty Jail, the prophet recorded a revelation teaching that:
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:41-42)
Because of this revelation, we know that we do not have to give up when someone does not follow the gospel path at first. Nor do we need to resort to force, intimidation, or pressure to get other people to do what we want. Instead, we can learn the doctrine and the art of persuasion.
The Doctrine of PersuasionThe original Latter-day Saint hymnal opened with the hymn we now call “Know This, That Every Soul Is Free.” The second verse in our modern hymnal reads:
“He’ll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind.”
God leads through persuasion, not force. Our Heavenly Father doesn’t want us forced to return to him, because only willfully walking the covenant path will help us develop into who He wants us to be.
This is God’s mode of leadership. President Howard W. Hunter said:
“God’s chief way of acting is by persuasion and patience and long-suffering, not by coercion and stark confrontation. He acts by gentle solicitation and by sweet enticement. He always acts with unfailing respect for the freedom and independence that we possess. … He will … stand by us forever to help us see the right path [through] his gentle, peaceful, powerful persuasion to do right.”
God expects us to emulate his patient persuasion as we teach the gospel and lead others, thus the list of persuasive characteristics in section 121: longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned.
President Gordon B. Hinckley said that we
“must lift the world, and the only levers [we] have” are the example we set and “the powers of persuasion that will come of [our] testimonies.”
We can’t force the world to a higher plane, but by setting an example, we can invite persuasively. Not only is persuasion God’s way of leadership, but it is the only way that truly works in the long run.
Elder Dallas N. Archibald, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy, once said,
“Attempting to force others to accept our way of thinking will cause them to close their minds to our teachings and ultimately reject our words.”
How, then, do we persuade others? The art and science of communication and the scriptures together teach us powerful lessons that we can begin to apply quickly.
The Art of PersuasionOne of the world’s oldest texts on persuasion came from the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who lived more than 300 years B.C. In his treatise titles “Rhetoric,” he outlined three modes of persuasion ― three approaches that combine to create a persuasive argument. Think of them as the three legs of a stool; take one away and your argument falls flat. The three legs of this stool are ethos (sometimes called “character” or “credibility”), emotion and logic.
Ethos is the essential character or reputation of the speaker. It answers the question, “Why should I believe you?” Aristotle says that a speaker must show himself to have “certain qualities.” These may include character traits like honesty, integrity, and humility, but it also may include competence or skill. In the gospel context, ethos almost always includes setting an example.
Aristotle also said that ethos requires displaying a certain attitude toward the audience. Think of this as charity for the person you’re trying to persuade. Show respect for their freedom of choice and their intellect. Social science shows that people resist information presented in ways that talk down to them. Charity opens doors to the mind and heart.
Logic, the second leg of the stool, is reasoning with facts and arguments. Aristotle had a lot to say about logic, including an entirely separate treatise on that topic alone, but for now it is enough to know that a logical argument builds on ideas that the audience already understands or accepts, leading them to consider other points that must be true. “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isaiah 1:18) the Lord says, acknowledging that our minds as well as our spirits need to be converted.
Emotion comes into play because we often trust our feelings as much as our minds. Logic presents us with lots of reasons, but our emotions motivate us to act. In “Rhetoric,” Aristotle explains many emotions and what kinds of thoughts lead someone to that emotion. Helping someone to feel love, peace, joy, longing for family, hope, or excitement can provide the spark that gets them to take action.
Examples of PersuasionOne of my favorite examples of persuasion in the scriptures is Mosiah 29, when King Mosiah wants to convince his citizens to replace their monarchy with a system of judges. He logically walks them through the problems of monarchy, including the risk of having an unrighteous king as well as problems of succession. He reminds them how he has served them, building ethos as someone who has their best interest at heart. He arouses emotion with stories of the tribulations faced by the people of King Noah. Ultimately, his people agree to change their system of government.
I love the story shared by Sister Carole M. Stephens about convincing her young granddaughter, Chloe, to stay buckled on a car ride. She tried insisting, offering incentives, and more, but made no progress until she shifted gears:
“I turned to face her and pulled my seat belt away from my body so she could see it. I said, “Chloe, I am wearing this seat belt because it will protect me. But you aren’t wearing your seat belt, and you won’t be safe. And I will be so sad if you get hurt.” She looked at me; I could almost see the wheels turning in her little mind as I waited anxiously for her response. Finally, her big blue eyes brightened, and she said, “Grandma, you want me to wear my seat belt because you love me!”
Sister Stephens set an example by wearing her seatbelt and demonstrated her caring for Chloe (ethos). She quickly connected the seatbelt to safety (logic), and helped Chloe feel love (emotion) that motivated her to obey.
Other examples abound. Ammon developed the ultimate ethos by serving King Lamoni with the utmost faithfulness, then by building on the king’s beliefs, and then helped Lamoni feel convinced of his need to repent.
Nephi persuaded his brothers to keep trying to get the brass plates by appealing to the scriptures, reminding them of stories of Moses as metaphors for their own path.
Peter convinced other church leaders to accept Gentile converts by telling his story, which evoked his authority as one to receive revelation, prompted excitement about Christ continuing to lead his church, and ended with the logical conclusion,
“what was I that I could withstand God?” (Acts 11:17).
Persuasion in PoliticsThe principles of persuasion also call us to engage in politics in a certain way. The world’s preferred mode of political discourse seems focused on domination. Many countries are now dealing with high political polarization, with stark coalitions gathering on opposite ends of a spectrum with little middle ground. This leads to contentious political discourse and occasionally political violence. From time to time, I see church members on social media use abusive language against each other due to political differences. Twice in recent years, President Russell M. Nelson has reminded us from the pulpit,
“Anger never persuades. Hostility builds no one. Contention never leads to inspired solutions.”
In the April 2025 General Conference, he expounded:
“It is imperative that we have charity in our discourse, both public and private. … As followers of Jesus Christ, we should lead the way as peacemakers.”
Peacemaking doesn’t mean we should withdraw from politics or that we adopt a middle-of-the-road position on every issue. We are supposed “to be anxiously engaged in a good cause” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:27), which may involve running for office, campaigning for someone else, or lobbying our elected leaders. But in all this, we can employ the principles of persuasion to make our case.
Elder Neil L. Andersen said,
“Peacemakers are not passive; they are persuasive in the Savior’s way.”
Agency and PatienceWhen Joseph Smith rescued a stagecoach full of passengers by persuading them to calm down while he took the reins, he was traveling to Washington, D.C., to ask the federal government of the United States to intervene to stop the persecutions against the Latter-day Saints. He presented a written testimony that was powerfully persuasive. It evoked pity by describing the Saints and their simple desire to worship. It appealed to American values of freedom. It outlined the facts of the case in detail.
And yet Congress did nothing.
This begs the question, what if we follow all these principles of persuasion and someone does not do what we asked?
There’s a reason the prophet paired “persuasion” and “longsuffering” in his Liberty Jail revelation. Persuasion is about enticing people to follow a certain action; Longsuffering is about allowing them to choose and waiting patiently for the right time when they might change.
This doesn’t mean giving up. Instead, we should continue to employ the principles of persuasion. We can build ethos with them through love, service and example. We can learn about them and learn how we might present a logical case and strive to help them feel God’s love.
Jesus told the Nephites that if someone has rejected the gospel, “unto such shall ye continue to minister” in hopes that “they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them” (3 Nephi 18:32).
Persuasion is the practice of continuing to minister to someone with hope they may someday follow Christ. It’s what our Heavenly Father does for us, and what he asks us to do for those we lead.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Persuasion over Pressure: The Prophetic Pattern for Influence appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.com
Bad Marriage Advice: Debunking Myths That Will Make You Miserable and What To Do Instead
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsMonica 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 Struggles
Monica discusses the prevalent issues couples face, particularly around communication and faith transitions.
00:04:54 – The Empty Nest Phenomenon
Exploration of the challenges couples face when their children leave home, leading to potential relationship reevaluation.
00:06:27 – Advice for Struggling Couples
Monica 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 Marriages
Discussion on the stigma around seeking help for marriage issues within the Latter-day Saint culture.
00:10:55 – The Concept of Choice in Marriage
Exploration of how the perception of being “locked in” to a marriage can affect relationship dynamics.
00:12:22 – Agency and Choice in Relationships
Monica emphasizes the importance of making daily choices in marriage and the role of agency in relationships.
00:14:27 – The Importance of Communication
Discussion on the necessity of open communication in marriage and the dangers of complacency.
00:16:12 – Navigating Divorce Conversations
Insights on how church leaders can approach discussions about divorce and the importance of not feeling trapped.
00:18:10 – Infidelity and Marriage Recovery
Monica shares perspectives on how infidelity can sometimes lead to positive changes in a marriage.
00:20:22 – The Role of Church Leaders
Advice for church leaders on how to support couples in distress without overstepping their boundaries.
00:22:25 – Community Support in Marriage
The importance of community support and sharing experiences to help couples feel less isolated.
00:24:35 – The Reality of Marriage Dynamics
Discussion on the complexities of marriage and the need for both partners to actively engage in the relationship.
00:26:16 – The Atonement and Marriage
Exploration of how the doctrine of the Atonement relates to marriage and the possibility of finding happiness after divorce.
00:28:10 – The Importance of Seeking Help
Monica emphasizes that seeking help for marriage issues is a sign of strength and commitment.
00:30:19 – Debunking the Myth of Fighting
Discussion on the misconception that happy couples never fight and the importance of healthy conflict.
00:33:02 – Relationship Math in Marriage
Monica introduces the concept of “relationship math” and the importance of both partners showing up fully in a relationship.
00:35:02 – The Myth of Never Going to Bed Angry
Critique of the advice to never go to bed angry, emphasizing the need for rest and perspective in resolving conflicts.
00:39:18 – Contracting for Better Communication
Monica discusses the importance of contracting in communication to ensure both partners are ready to engage in discussions.
00:41:11 – Final Thoughts on Marriage Advice
Reflection on the need to reevaluate traditional marriage advice in light of modern understanding and individual experiences.
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.
The post Bad Eternal Marriage Advice | An Interview with Monica Tanner appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsEarly Experiences & Utah Transition
00:03:34 Involvement with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; reflections on what President Thomas S. Monson said about him
00:05:24 How he ended up in Utah with the Jazz
00:09:03 First knowledge of and interactions with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
00:10:15 Approach to sports and Utah’s culture: “What can we do to help here?” Focused on building relationships over highlighting differences.
Personal and Professional Philosophy
00:12:44 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 degrees
Leadership & Team Management
00:20:10 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 discipline
00:28:20 Players must believe in you, and you must believe in yourself.
– Understanding who needs motivation vs. encouragement
00:32:47 Establishing leadership: the team must know who leads
– “Winning is not a sometimes thing; it starts the first day of practice.”
Relationship-Building & Daily Culture
00:39:42 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 loyalty
00:42:50 Players can sense if you enjoy your job.
Reflection on Faith & Community
00:48:22 How being part of Utah’s religious community enhanced his experience as a Catholic
00:53:04 Takeaways and Leadership Principles
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.
The post How I Lead as a Coach and a Catholic | An Interview with Frank Layden appeared first on Leading Saints.
Tommie Farrell currently serves a 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake Presidency. He has served as ward mission leader, elders quorum president, and previously as bishop. Favorite callings in his past have been primary teacher, temple ordinance worker in the Lubbock Texas Temple, a scoutmaster and 1st Counselor in the bishopric just prior to his current calling. He has been married to Karen Farrell for 30 years and they have four fantastic children at ages 29, 24, 21, and 17. They especially enjoy being “Pops” and “Boo” for their two-year-old grandson. Tommie has been a physician for 24 years with 19 years of these dedicated completely to the field of Hospice and Palliative Medicine where he takes care of patients and families with critical illness and end-of-life care.
Enter Tommie…I want to share insights I gained recently about the best youth activity I ever thought of when I was previously a bishop.
Well, maybe not the best.
I had several that were more spiritual and uplifting. But this activity was meant to be a blast, and it was!
The Best Laid PlansI had just learned how to make blowpipe-like guns out of PVC pipe that allowed you to shoot mini-marshmallows at each other. I had bought some on vacation with my own children and it was becoming a family favorite. I figured out how to make our own and decided this needed to be a combined young men/young women activity.
I was in my fourth year as bishop. I was well connected with the youth. We were in a brand-new building the Church had built to accommodate the growth in the area. I was in a comfortable spot in my calling and thinking all was well.
We started the activity outside, but it started raining. No problem. We moved it inside, made the marshmallow guns, and started attacking in the makeshift alliances that formed and rearranged. An hour of great fun with no problems. Then at the end we started looking down on the gym floor. Hundreds of gummed-up marshmallow balls were on the floor and squished in well by the shoes of all of those participating. No worries, we will sweep that right up….okay let’s try some mopping…. okay, it appears this only comes up with kneeling down on the floor with scraping tools, solvent and elbow grease. An hour of fun turned into about two hours of cleaning for those who stayed. Many had to leave, some felt duty bound to stay with me and help. Some were kind to me about the obviously ridiculous predicament I had gotten us into. A few were not.
Why Wasn’t I Guided?This is something easy to look back on with a laugh, but that night and for several days after I felt quite foolish.
In our reasoning minds it is easy to see this situation for what it was: a simple mistake, a lesson learned, could have happened to anyone, not a big deal in the eternities, etc.
However, we all have had these moments where we feel a bit of despair for making such a lame mistake.
I think the culture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a natural tendency to cause us to want our pursuit of being “perfected in Him [Christ]” (Moroni 10:32) but not to lead us to desire to be perfect in every moment. So, our emotional brains often go to the thought of, “Was this supposed to happen? Why didn’t I have the spiritual discernment to see this going the wrong way? Is it not the purpose of the gift of Holy Ghost to help us avoid these things?”
The Works of GodWhat if moments like this are not a mistake? What if they are meant to be?
If not so, then consider this: who sinned? Me, as the bishop, who planned the activity? One or multiple of the other six adult leaders attending that night who did not take a moment and see what was happening to the floor? Or was it one of the 17 youth there? Or were we all astray and unworthy of spiritual prompting?
I feel this mirrors the moment when “his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:2-3)
Learning Through ConflictLet me take this to a more recent experience. I was at a wonderful Young Women camp this summer. The adult leaders had prepared everything. The older young women serving as the youth camp leaders (YCLs) were awesome. All the best you hope for in fun, spiritual experiences, inclusion, and engagement. The girls were busy from dawn to late into the evening.
Of course, they were quite tired by the last night. The final evening had an activity illustrating the lesson of the 10 virgins. It took a while to get going, but the young women were patient, and it seemed to have paid off as I heard hymn singing and quiet conversations as they walked in the dark with hand-made clay lanterns. This eventually ended with a marriage feast of snacks. As the young women returned to the main hall for the wrapping up activities, some conflict arose. Not worth mentioning the details. It was brief, but intense enough for hurt feelings to arise. One of the young women took control quick enough that it reset the evening and things closed out with the Spirit.
I went to the task to helping clean, but it became obvious that there was still processing occurring among some of the young women and some of the leaders. I stayed within earshot and felt confident they would work it out and I heard many sage words being spoken. I offered a few brief words of my own. I hoped that all was done as I went back to my lodgings and prepared for bed.
However, there were more conversations needed, and I was called to visit with those wanting to find more resolution. Some conversations drifted from the conflict and on to the disappointment of this occurring at all.
How interesting that a week’s worth of near perfection gets soiled with five minutes of the adversary’s influence.
I spent more time listening to the worries of leaders and I again returned to my lodgings. I was blessed to have one of our stake’s bishops as a lodging companion. He had sensed that I might need to debrief myself and he had stayed awake for my return.
As we discussed things I shared the promptings I had to share about my marshmallow gun experience to point out that many times the best laid plans both go well and have some sticky consequences, but the Atonement covers all of this.
This bishop had been praying for weeks prior to this camp that the youth and leaders would grow closer to the Savior during their camping experience. This had primed him for being ready to have the Spirit influence him as we counseled together. We spoke for a few minutes about the desire we had to help everyone involved to receive the healing of the Atonement. We then prayed and went to bed pondering with the desire to receive any further inspiration to help those who needed it.
By morning we had two important thoughts that we felt the Spirit had us prepared to share.
Holy InterruptionsThe first insight was a reminder by the Spirit how often the adversary’s influence attends near the most spiritual of events.
Just about all of us know of one prominent example in the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Prior to the first vision where he learned of his being forgiven of his sins and that he was to be chosen to restore Christ’s church to the earth, the adversary physically attacked him. (Joseph Smith History 1:15-17)
This, of course, did not stop the Father and the Son appearing to Joseph.
Another example from Joseph Smith’s life came just months prior to the dedication of the Kirtland Temple. On December 16, 1835, Joseph and his brother, William, got into a physical altercation that led to Joseph being unable to “sit down or rise up without help,” and William almost leave the apostleship. However, at Joseph’s personal urging, he did not leave. (The Joseph Smith Papers, Documents, Volume 5:1835-January 1838, 100-121)
This did not stop all the marvelous manifestations that occurred associated with the Kirtland temple dedication in the months that followed. (Doctrine and Covenants 109; 110; 137)
As I met with the adult leaders the next morning, I shared these stories. I encouraged them that the adversary could not stop the great growth of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in those early days with such contention. He certainly was not going to disrupt the lives of the beautiful young women in our stake with his five minutes of bad feelings at our camp. I had seen too much growth in all who had attended that week.
My wise bishop friend added another thought (the one that has prompted this whole article). He shared the thought,
“Maybe this was supposed to happen.”
He asked us to consider was this a good Young Women camp where something bad happened, or was this a good Young Women camp because something like this happened?
What if this was just another wonderful Young Women camp where everything was good, but nothing stood out for some of the young women?
Would there be the potential that the memory of it would be pleasant and the spiritual growth real, but not with the emotional element to allow the greater growth that could occur as those who needed to overcome the bad feelings from the night before allowed the Atonement of Christ do something very real for them at this time?
He Knows UsAs I reflect on my life, most of the events that have strengthened my testimony and devotion to this gospel are the things I have overcome through Christ. Both those trials that have occurred to me as well as those I have brought upon myself by my own sins.
As we had one last gathering with the girls, we celebrated the week. I shared how it seemed impossible to cram one more spiritual thought into a week where so much had occurred. But that I was going to try.
I discussed marshmallow guns, the discomfort of a few moments from the night before, but mostly testified of the Bridegroom they had celebrated the night before.
I testified of knowing Him and knowing He gives us every experience we need in life, including the one at the end of the activity.
It is only a few weeks out since the conclusion of the Young Women camp and I realize it took 12 years for the “marshmallow activity” to have its moment to help me empathize and teach others.
All things work in the Lord’s timing.
I am grateful for the thought posed by a wise bishop, “Maybe this was supposed to happen.”
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Holy Interruptions – How the Adversary Can’t Stop What the Lord Starts appeared first on Leading Saints.
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/Zion
DanDuckworth.Substack.com
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn 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.
00:05:08 – The Nature of Hierarchy in the Church
00:09:22 – Zion as a Present Goal vs. a Future Event
00:12:08 – Leadership in Zion
00:17:18 – The Role of Gifts and Discerning Leadership
00:23:25 – Distinction Between Ruler and Leader
00:28:13 – Ecclesiastical Work vs. Zion Building
00:29:54 – Anointed vs. Appointed Leaders
00:45:02 – Navigating Resistance and Subversive Building
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.
The post Zion Today, Not Someday | An Interview with Dan Duckworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
What a fascinating discussion that came from last week’s newsletter message.
Many agree that modern technology can do a lot to coordinate details and administrative tasks; however, there is no doubt something powerful about coming together in an in-person council setting and petitioning the will of the Lord through a revelatory experience.
Here’s where my mind is stuck…
How do we do this without remaining in the “shallows”?
Or, in other words, how do we get to a place mentally where revelation can be received?
Naturally, we start each council meeting with a prayer, but we often do so with the passion of dialing the dentist’s office on your phone.
It feels like the first step to get out of the way so we can “get to the business.”
What if we could somehow push past the “shallows” of spirituality and reach the “depths” of it?
Consider the state of mind you are in as you walk into the Celestial room after an endowment session.
That’s the aim.
My fear is that we are simply changing the name of our “meeting” to “council,” but it remains a “meeting.”
A simple prayer is said, and then the agenda starts to roll down the hill with the momentum of gravity.
Ideas have been passed back and forth.
Action items are set.
Names are discussed.
Until all that remains is a long list of tasks to do rather than a revelation to process to guide.
How do we do this right?
Off the top of my head, here are some ideas to get to the depths of council meetings:
- A 5-minute pause of silence to begin while we invite the Lord to speak to our minds.
- A temple attendance rotation so that one member of the presidency is in the celestial room once a week, petitioning for further revelation.
- A silent meeting intermission at the midpoint to reflect and ask God if we are on the right path.
Maybe I connect revelation too much with silence; however, I have rarely talked my way into deep revelation.
With all this said, how do we REALLY make a meeting a revelatory experience?
See what others think about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Councils That Lead to Revelation appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Principles
How to be resilient for turbulent times | Angela Sturgeon | TEDxUSFSM
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsAngela 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 Indiana
00:04:51 – Transition to Stake Primary President
00:05:49 – Initial Orientation in Leadership
00:07:10 – Navigating Leadership as a Convert
00:08:57 – Visiting Wards and Branches
00:09:48 – Scheduling Visits
00:10:45 – Personal Experiences and Challenges
00:12:23 – Building Relationships in Leadership
00:16:22 – Embracing Flexibility and Personal Growth
00:19:26 – Fostering Spiritual Resilience
00:25:54 – Cultivating a Culture of Love and Growth
00:30:47 – Windshield Time and Connection
00:32:27 – Unique Activities in the Stake
00:34:00 – Navigating Stake and Ward Dynamics
00:35:33 – Final Thoughts on Leadership and Love
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.
The post How I Lead as Stake Primary President in Indiana | An Interview with Angela Sturgeon appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Of note, this is part two of a two-part article. Be sure to read part one of “Enduring in Faith – Growing Through Every Trial.”
Enter Reg…In part one we explored how life’s trials—particularly those that challenge us intellectually and physically—are part of a divine practicum designed to help us grow in wisdom and faith. We learned from the Savior’s example and were reminded that enduring well often means trusting in God’s timing and purposes, even when life feels heavy. In this second part, we turn our attention to two of the most spiritually stretching arenas: our personal spirituality and our relationships with others. These trials can test our hearts in quiet, often unseen ways. Yet, as we stay anchored to Christ and strive to follow His teachings, we can find strength to endure with grace, empathy, and enduring faith. Let’s dive in to part two.
SpiritualSpiritual is defined as, “Relating to sacred matters.” Sacred means, “Dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity.” (Merriam-Webster.com, “sacred” and “spiritual”)
To live a spiritual life is to strive to serve and worship our Heavenly Parents by learning of Them, keeping Their commandments, and helping and serving others. Satan and his multitude of minions work constantly to distract us from our spirituality—to confuse right with wrong and tempt us away from a life dedicated to our Heavenly Parents and Their purposes for our lives. In our current internet driven world, corruption, vulgarity, extortions, lies, profanity, pornography, defamation, blasphemies, exaggerations, falsehoods, and evils of every variety are swirling constantly through our personal space and around our domain. At times we may be tempted to pull inward and become hermits—however, our Savior admonished us to live in the world, yet be “not of the world.” (John 15:19)
How do we do it—live in the world without being destroyed by it? How do we endure our spiritual challenges with faith? Constant diligence, humility to change, and rededication are required. Many eternal truths can guide us forward. I will share three.
Recognize the Need for Faith—Seek Pure TruthIn our premortal life, we readily believed the words of our Heavenly Parents because we lived with Them and saw eternal truth in constant action. Here in our mortality, we no longer have the constant personal knowledge that what we are being taught is of God. We are left to seek and exercise faith, which is why “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Articles of Faith 1:4) is the first principle of the gospel. We are left to constantly sort fact from fiction.
As Paul admonished,
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
We are compelled to diligence in fine-tuning our critical thinking skills in complex issues, while honing our humility to believe simple truths.
Be Honest with Ourselves and OthersI recall listening to the impeachment hearings of a current president. Hatred was running high. Half-truths and outright lies were constantly being hurled from one side of the political aisle to the other and back again. Social media was aflame with falsehoods of every variety and from every corner. Maintaining our civility and spirituality is a constant daily challenge. I have long loved this message from Elder Marvin J. Ashton that gives us a great tool for navigating a lying world with faith:
“A lie is any communication given to another with the intent to deceive. . . . Don’t tell lies. Don’t share lies. Don’t participate in lies.”
Anchor Yourself to Christ and His TeachingsIn my teaching, I used an object lesson to teach the principle of enduring our challenges with faith in Christ.
I placed a strong rope on the floor at the front of my classroom and then invited several students to come up and take a printed sign of a temptation used by Satan (e.g., lying, cheating, lusting, profaning). They all stood at the side of the rope opposite the fire-escape door. I then chose a single student to represent themself and stand on the other side of what was to be our Tug-O-War. I whispered assurance to the lone student to “Just hold firm to the rope and they will not be able to move you.”
The lone student seemed nervous and skeptical until everyone picked up the rope and the contest began. Then the angst and skepticism were replaced by calm and confidence as the majority of students, pull as they would, could not budge the lone student.
At this point, it did not take them long to discover that the fire-escape door was left slightly ajar and that the rope extended to my parking spot just outside where it was secured to the bumper of my pickup truck. Near the anchor to my truck was a tripod holding a picture of the Savior.
The lesson was simple and obvious—if we anchor ourselves to Christ, we will not be moved by the forces of Satan. It has been said that no amount of water can sink a ship unless it gets inside. Likewise, no amount of evil can harm our spirituality unless we allow it inside of our thoughts and actions. This principle is expressed in the scriptures in reference to the holy temple:
“That no combination of wickedness shall have power to rise up and prevail over thy people upon whom thy name shall be put in this house.” (Doctrine and Covenants 109:26)
We endure our spiritual trials with faith as we continually learn of Christ and strive to live as He invites us to live. Although we live in an ever-darkening world, we are blessed with expanding revelation that provides ever-increasing light to brighten our path forward.
SocialBrigham Young supposedly wrote a note in a young girl’s autograph book. Although never documented, the sentiment is still wise.
“To live with saints in heaven is bliss and glory—but to live with them on earth is quite a different story.”
A gifted author I read years ago, James Ferrell, presented the thesis of his book on forgiveness and reconciliation as follows:
“Being mistreated is the most important condition of mortality, for eternity itself depends on how we view those who mistreat us.”
Our social interactions will provide some of our most serious life trials and therefore some of our greatest opportunities for growth and development. Paramount to our ability to deal righteously and appropriately with others is to recognize the eternal truths that “all are alike unto God” (2 Nephi 26:33) and that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” (Doctrine and Covenants 18:10)
I have tried to counsel my children—and myself—to “love them until you love them.” In other words, we come to love those whom we get to know and serve.
We demonstrate our love for others by serving them in whatever appropriate and helpful way we can, and in so doing, we come to love them more deeply.
How do we demonstrate love for others with whom we have conflict? Our Savior taught us a grand key for social interaction:
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” (Matthew 18:15)
Notice what He did not say—to attack them on social media or to gossip to others about them. There is power and wisdom in sitting down personally with someone and being willing to listen to them.
I have tested this principle many times and found it to be true. And of course, others have their own agency and may not respond to us as positively as we would like. But if we humbly try, seeds for future communication will be planted. And if they outright refuse to communicate with us and perhaps even attempt to harm us, at least we have made the attempt in the Lord’s way.
We were privileged to be taught a true principle from an inspired leader. Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles was visiting our area and conducting a leadership meeting. President Spencer W. Kimball was our church president and prophet at the time.
We were a relatively small group of perhaps fifty people. Elder Packer asked, “How many of you would like to help President Kimball?” Of course we raised our hands—who would not want to help this humble, inspired prophet? Elder Packer then continued, “Well, then, cross your name off his worry list!” He then expounded that no matter whatever slight or insult we may receive from others, we should not take offense.
Taking offense involves a conscious, controllable choice on our part and we may choose not to do it.
Often through the years as someone has “made me angry,” I have paused and remembered that no one has the power to “make me angry.” It is my choice to respond to others as I so choose.
ConclusionDuring one of my darkest life trials, I wandered into an empty classroom seeking a few moments of peace and solitude. On the whiteboard was a partially erased quotation. After some searching, I found the source to be Elder Neal A. Maxwell. It has since become one of my guiding stars. I conclude with this quote that is worthy of much thought and pondering.
“True enduring therefore represents not merely the passage of time but also the passage of the soul—and not merely from A to B, but amid “mighty change” all the way from A to Z. To endure in faith and do God’s will thus involves much more than putting up with a circumstance (see Doctrine and Covenants 63:20; 101:35). Rather than shoulder-shrugging, true enduring is soul trembling. Jesus bled not at a few pores but “at every pore” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18). Sometimes spiritual obedience requires us to “hold on” lovingly, such as to a rebellious child, while others, despairing, cry, “Let go!” Enduring may likewise mean, however, letting go when everything within us wants to hold on, such as to a loved one “appointed unto death” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:48). Patient endurance permits us to cling to our faith in the Lord and our faith in His timing when we are being tossed about by the surf of circumstance. Even when a seeming undertow grasps us, somehow in the tumbling we are being carried forward, though battered and bruised. When, for the moment, we ourselves are not being stretched on a particular cross, we ought to be at the foot of someone else’s—full of empathy and proffering spiritual refreshment.”
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The post Enduring in Faith – Growing Through Every Trial – Part 2 appeared first on Leading Saints.
There’s no denying it-we have some leadership traditions that date back before 1990 and are still going strong today.
They might feel necessary or simply routine, but let’s be honest: some of them fit a little awkwardly in the world of 2025.
Take presidency meetings, for example.
Once upon a time, a formal meeting-everyone gathered in the same room, agenda in hand-was essential.
Back in 1985, this was how things got done.
Fast forward to 2025 where coordinating and planning can always be happening.
A quick text on a Tuesday afternoon about flyers for Saturday’s activity can do the trick.
Or maybe you send a Marco Polo message, talking through potential callings and names you thought of while stopped at a traffic light.
Sometimes, a simple phone call between episodes of the Leading Saints podcast, all while changing your baby’s diaper, moves the conversation forward.
Sure, we have a rich tradition of “counseling with our councils,” and there’s definitely something special-maybe even revelatory-about meeting in person in a controlled space.
But is it okay to rely on the lightning speed of modern technology to keep the ward, quorum, or group vision moving forward?
Honestly, most of my leadership inspiration comes when I’m mowing the lawn, washing dishes, or walking the dog-not necessarily sitting with a presidency at the church.
Presidency in-person discussions are important, but maybe they don’t need to happen as regularly as they did decades ago.
What do you think?
Does the presidency meeting tradition look different today?
And if so, is that a good thing?
See what others think about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Are Presidency Meetings Outdated? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Note: This is a part one of a two-part article. Be sure to read part two of “Enduring in Faith – Growing Through Every Trial.”
Enter Reg…Several decades ago, I enrolled in a university to earn my master’s degree. After a few years of study came the practicum, or practical application experience of the concepts and theories we had studied.
My assignment was to counsel with inmates at the county jail. This practicum was difficult—it was much different to be using the principles with real people in real life than it was to just theorize about them in class.
My supervisors would visit and observe and then offer correction and counsel.
Earth Life PracticumOur life on earth could be compared to this practicum. Before we were born, we lived with our Heavenly Parents and fellow beings in a glorious realm of instruction and growth. When our time was right, we were born to experience earth life that we might apply our knowledge and might advance further along our path to eternal life.
Our Heavenly Parents and our Savior, through the Holy Ghost and appointed prophets and leaders, offer us counsel and correction and allow us to exercise our agency to see how well we do in improving our own life and in blessing the lives of others.
Of the purpose of our earth life, the Lord declared through His prophet, Abraham,
“And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them.” (Abraham 3:25)
In our dispensation, the prophet Joseph Smith, in teaching the Apostles in Nauvoo, declared,
“You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God. . . . God will feel after you, and he will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.”
The thought of having our hearts wrenched by tribulation is not particularly comforting, but hopefully the potential growth and opportunity that come from overcoming such trials is a pleasant prospect. Remember that Christ and our Heavenly Parents will be at our side to guide us forward and will not give us what we cannot bear. They will sustain, support, and comfort us in our struggles. Although They could prevent all illnesses from developing, planes and cars from crashing, storms from raging, and hearts from aching, They allow us to live real life and to experience our needed growth therefrom. And through it all, we have our Savior as our Exemplar.
Wisdom and StatureChrist, in His mortal life and particularly in His suffering through the Atonement, experienced all trials.
“He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth.” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6)
He also had to learn and grow through His afflictions and life experiences.
“And he received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness.” (Doctrine and Covenants 93:13)
Early in my teaching career, a scholar pointed out that, although the mortal ministry of Jesus lasted for thirty-three years, the Bible only records events happening on a mere thirty-five days of his life. What, we may wonder, did he do the rest of His days? A small verse from the Gospel of Luke helps us fill the gap:
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” (Luke 2:52)
He developed intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially. Let us use this four-area format to discuss a brief sampling of trials we may face and how we can endure them with faith.
IntellectualA friend of mine sometimes quoted her husband’s grandfather, Franklin L. West—a great man of learning and experience—as saying,
“Some people are educated beyond their intelligence.”
Learning is good, and education is good, but if we misuse our learning to take unfair advantage of others or if we become puffed up with unrighteous pride in thinking we are better or more important than someone else because of our greater formal education, then we are “educated” beyond our natural, God-given intelligence. Our Heavenly Parents would have us use our learning and life-experience to promote Their gospel of truth and to bless and uplift the lives of others. Our personal trial may come in comparative thinking—perhaps the temptation to think we are better than others because we have more education or to think we have less value than someone else because they are more educated.
Degrees granted by universities do not equate with true assessments of our hearts granted by God. He has declared,
“O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (2 Nephi 9:28-29)
How do we demonstrate our faith in meeting the intellectual struggles that come our way?
We should be grateful for our opportunities and take advantage of them to better our lives and bless the lives of others. We should seek truth from the purest sources. We honor excellence in all worthy pursuits. We recognize the worth of all souls in the sight of God and treat each other with kindness and respect.
PhysicalWe gain much joy and pleasure from our physical world. We eat good food and drink pure water. We build comfortable homes, drive nice cars, and travel our globe in relative peace and safety. We earn money with which we buy fun toys. We enjoy intimacy with those we love. The physical blessings provided us seem endless. But we are also tried and tested by our physical world.
Our toys rust and break. Our homes may burn. Our money is sometimes lost or stolen. Our health fails. Our cherished relationships may dissolve. Our loved ones die, often seemingly too soon. Our bones break. We get sick. We die. And so on.
Of the many trials we may face from our physical world, I will comment on two—money and health.
We usually do not equate the possession of too much money as a trial; I think we generally consider a lack of money as our trial. We likely relate well to Tevye’s plea to God in the classic movie, Fiddler on the Roof,
“So what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?”
But having a fortune, small or large, can be one of our most severe trials in mortality, and we often do not even recognize it as a trial.
President Brigham Young warned,
“The worst fear I have about this people is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and his people, wax fat . . . and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution and be true. But my greatest fear is that they cannot stand wealth.”
How do we endure the trial of riches while maintaining our faith in the Lord? The answer is simple, but the application is perpetually challenging and demands diligence and focus on His desire for us.
He taught us the key to enduring this challenge with faith:
“But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.” (Jacob 2:18-19)
Financial prosperity can be a blessing to us as we dedicate it to the building up and establishment of the Kingdom of God. Some of our greatest afflictions come from injury or failed health. A gifted athlete with a promising future is disabled for life. A father or mother becomes ill and is no longer able to support and care for his or her family. A child is born with a physical or mental challenge and must forgo many common activities associated with childhood. How do we live true to our faith in the face of such trials?
Two brief examples from the Old Testament give us direction. Job experienced extreme suffering from his loss of possessions, family, and health. His response to it all, in referencing God, was,
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” (Job 13:15)
He kept his eternal perspective. He trusted that all would be made fair and right by God, either now or later. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were three young men among the Hebrew captives in Babylon who honored and worshiped their true God and refused to bow to the false idol-gods of their captors. As punishment, they were placed into a fiery furnace. They expressed hope that
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.” (Daniel 3:17)
They knew that God could deliver them, according to His will and purpose. They also knew that, at times, His will and purpose do not always manifest as we may desire. Knowing this, they added,
“But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods.” (Daniel 3:18)
Whatever our illnesses and injuries, we should faithfully seek healing from the Lord. But if we are not healed now, we trust that we will be at some future day, and, in the interim, we do our best to live gratefully and worthily.
This is the end of part one of a two-part article. Be sure to read part two of “Enduring in Faith – Growing Through Every Trial.”
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
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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 community
Highlights00:02:00 – The Importance of Teaching Basics
00:03:30 – The Foundation of Knowledge and Testimony
00:05:00 – Understanding the Unwritten Order of Things
00:06:30 – The Role of the Presiding Officer in Meetings
00:08:00 – Accepting Calls and Releases in the Church
00:09:30 – Learning from Experienced Leaders
00:11:00 – Seeking Counsel and Blessings
00:12:30 – The Vertical Nature of Revelation
00:14:00 – The Importance of Being a Good Follower
00:15:30 – Proper Order in Callings and Assignments
00:17:00 – Maintaining Dignity in Meetings
00:18:30 – The Role of the Bishop in Meetings
00:20:00 – Learning Through Observation and Experience
00:21:30 – The Power of the Ordinary Saints
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.
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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 Sweat
Y Religion: Defining Church Doctrine, with Michael Goodman
The Role of Doubt and Faith | An Interview With Prof. Michael Goodman
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsKurt 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 Talk
00:04:11 – The Unwritten Order of Things Explained
00:05:24 – Weaponization of the Unwritten Order
00:06:05 – Importance of Context in Leadership
00:07:51 – Changes in Handbook Accessibility
00:09:05 – Elder Packer’s Teaching Style
00:10:08 – Challenges in Communicating Leadership Guidelines
00:11:22 – The Role of General Authorities in Leadership
00:12:03 – Misinterpretation of the Unwritten Order
00:13:40 – Elder Packer’s Ten Unwritten Orders
00:14:01 – Analysis of Each Unwritten Order
00:19:05 – The Role of Personal Counsel in Leadership
00:20:30 – Observing Church Customs and Traditions
00:21:23 – Setting a Tone of Dignity in Meetings
00:22:06 – The Balance of Leadership and Followership
00:23:20 – Binding Nature of the Unwritten Order
00:24:03 – Current Unwritten Orders in Leadership
00:25:07 – The Tyranny of General Authority
00:26:20 – The Importance of Local Leadership Autonomy
00:27:34 – Principles vs. Prescriptions in Leadership
00:29:41 – Establishing Best Practices in Leadership
00:30:57 – Conclusion: Moving Beyond the Unwritten Order
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.
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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 community
Highlights1:55 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? Four 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 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 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.
36:25 Kurt- as a leader- encourage people to live relationally. ALL people need other people.
37:45 How do you find yourself? Lose yourself serving others. Story of girl who wouldn’t attend activities: Asked to find one person who looked as awkward as she felt and say hello…
41:45 Plural marriage and our doctrine:
- Starts with Abraham and Moses
- System instated when God sees fit (usually at the beginning of a dispensation)
- Essay on Plural Marriage: ordinances may be preformed for the dead sealing one person to all the spouses they have had on Earth. “The precise nature of these relationships in the next life is NOT known. Many relationships will be sorted out in the life to come”.
42:50 Back to agency: You’ll never be stuck in a relationship you don’t want, plural or otherwise.
46:50 There has NEVER been a statement given churchwide that says you must practice plural marriage to qualify for exaltation.
48:00 Cancellation of sealings: It’s a triangle ordinance. Righteous desire and faithfulness bind the sealing. If they don’t exist neither does the sealing.
52:50 Four aspects of the sealing ordinance (1998 Ensign):
- Individual covenants and blessings based on personal faithfulness
- Join covenants: Blessings only given jointly to couples who are faithful jointly
- Joining in celestial marriage: “Getting super-glued”
- Blessing for children born in the covenant or sealed to parents: Blessing of the Abrahamic covenant
- These help us through contingencies like death, divorce, etc.
55:46 President Oaks Quote: For all questions on the spirit world I suggest two answers. First, remember that God loves his children and will surely do what is best for each of us. Second, remember this familiar bible teaching which has been most helpful to me on a multitude of unanswered questions: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, lean not to thine own understanding and he shall direct thy paths.”
58:45 Story of President Eyring: When Pres Eyring lamented that he wasn’t sure people’s choices would allow families to be together forever the prophet responded with “ you are worrying about the WRONG PROBLEM”. Live worthy of the celestial kingdom and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.
1:00:15 What about the concept of servants in the celestial kingdom? Again revert to agency. We cannot be forced to live a life we do not choose.
- Heavenly Father is not impatient. We are.
1:00:43 Hopelessness is Death: Until we have hope there is no progress to the “next step.”
1:04:45 No need to live “white knuckled” now. Learn to live relationally. If you are in a situation familially or relationally where you are unhappy, Satan will try to tell you you are broken. He will try to convince you you are “damaged goods”. Let the Lord show you how to get up and live.
1:06:35 If you are struggling… welcome to mortality
1:08:05 There ain’t no such thing as a perfect person except for Christ, and you can’t marry Him!
1:08:30 One last thought on The Proclamation: Don’t read it thinking of what you don’t have. Notice what you do have and can have. There is comfort there. It is full of beautiful truths.
1:11:15 Final encouragement: We have been asked to focus on love and law. Love those around you, love those you serve. But that can’t be all. Then lead them to Christ. The commandments are the way He leads us back home and are not a weapon.
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, 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.
The post The Doctrine Related to Being Single or Married | An Interview with Michael Goodman appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rich Watson resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and has an education in psychology, with other degrees in education and social sciences. He has been happily married for almost 25 years and has 4 amazing children, a soon-to-be son-in-law, one daughter-in-law, and an awesome granddaughter. Since his retirement from the military, he currently works for a veteran service organization in their mental health department. He and his team provide resiliency-based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. He joined the Church in 1996 and has had the pleasure of serving in varying leadership roles, some of them multiple times. (One of the “benefits” of moving so often during his military career.) These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, Young Men presidency, branch president, bishopric, high council, and more. Rich has also shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about personal revelation, and realizing how much I need to improve at making time and space for it. Simply put, the world doesn’t whisper anymore, it shouts. Between newsfeeds, notifications, and nonstop obligations, it continues to feel like we are living in a time where peace has become one of the most valuable commodities and one that can seemingly be too expensive for most of us to afford. Personal revelation was never meant to be reserved for quiet, reverent moments—if it were, most of us would never experience it. It’s meant for real life. For the overwhelmed, the anxious, the stressed, and the stretched-too-thin.
For the dad driving to work, praying for direction to guide his family. For the Relief Society president, asking for guidance on whom to help today. For the individual wrestling with working through trauma. For the teenager asking what’s next. I’ve come to believe that the more chaotic the world becomes, the more intentional we have to be about hearing Him.
Know His VoiceYears ago, I used to train in mixed martial arts—even had a few very low-level fights. During practice, even when things were relatively quiet, my coach always yelled instructions. One day I finally asked him, “Why are you yelling? I’m right here.” His response stuck with me ever since:
“I’m yelling so that when there’s a crowd, you’ll recognize my voice above all the others. You’ll already know it.”
That moment became a pillar for how I approach personal revelation. If I want to receive direction from the Lord, I have to first learn to recognize His voice—especially amid the noise of life. Discernment starts with familiarity. Knowing who is speaking makes all the difference.
As I’ve reflected on how to seek personal revelation in restless times, three key principles have stood out to me: recognizing the voice, creating space in a crowded life, and acting on the whisper.
Recognizing the VoiceJust as my coach trained my ears during practice—to prepare for a fight—God teaches and speaks to us in private so we can discern Him in public. We see this pattern throughout scripture: Moses learns the Lord’s voice in a quiet bush before standing before Pharaoh (Exodus 7:15). Elijah hears a whisper before confronting the spiritual rebellion of Israel. The Lord helps us recognize His voice in quiet, personal moments so that when it matters most, we already know it.
Most of us have heard His voice before—maybe as a child singing in Primary, a teenager reading scriptures and hoping they were true, or a convert first learning about Joseph Smith. In some way, we’ve likely each learned what His voice sounds like to us.
But somewhere along the way, we may have forgotten. Life got louder. Responsibilities piled up. What once felt clear and familiar now seems just out of reach. Like any relationship, if we don’t spend time together, that closeness fades. His voice gets harder to distinguish from all the others. Not because He stopped speaking, but because we stopped listening.
And yet, there is always hope. The beauty of personal revelation is that it isn’t a one-time gift. It’s not lost. It’s something we can relearn. It starts by remembering what it once felt like to be close to Him… and then choosing to seek Him again—even in the middle of the noise.
Creating Space in a Crowded LifePeace isn’t found only in times of quiet, only amidst the absence of noise—it’s found in the presence of intentional space. The issue most of us face today has nothing to do with God not speaking to us; it is that we rarely, if ever, sit still long enough to listen.
Somewhere in the last decade-plus, the art of pondering has been replaced with group texts and endless scrolling. Our minds and our spirits are constantly being pulled away from stillness. Revelation rarely competes with distraction; from my experience, it will wait patiently until we slow down enough to notice
When I use the term “creating space” it doesn’t mean we have to retreat to a mountaintop or carve out two hours of uninterrupted solitude each day. Although that would be nice, it is not realistic. Creating space can and should be simple, sacred, and consistent.
Maybe it means praying during your commute with the radio off, although I wouldn’t suggest closing your eyes while driving. Maybe it’s not having your phone on you while you read even a single verse from a physical copy of the scriptures and ask, “Is there something here for me?” (Full disclosure—I’m not sure I’ve done that since scriptures became available on phones, but writing this reminded me how powerful it used to be.) Perhaps it’s a walk in the morning or evening without headphones—just letting your body, mind, and spirit rest.
“Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.” (D&C 88:63)
That promise still holds—but the drawing near is on us. Creating space is a choice, an intentional choice that is rarely convenient. However, every time we do it, we’re saying, “I’m ready to hear You again.” And He always responds.
Acting on the WhisperPersonal revelation won’t thrive or grow if it stays inside of you; it grows in action, in the follow-through from a prompting. It’s one thing to feel a prompting; we all feel those. It is an entirely different thing to get up and do something about it.
As with many others, some of the most significant spiritual moments in my life were not burning bush or Hill Cumorah type moments. They were those quiet whispers, the nudges that were a call to action. Call this person, check on that family, go sit with your daughter in her room, even say yes to a calling that felt uncomfortable. If I’m being completely sincere and vulnerable, sometimes I acted on those nudges while other times… I may have talked myself out of them.
Following Promptings Right AwayHowever, the pattern I’ve noticed is this: promptings when ignored quickly begin to fade. When followed they begin to multiply. Years ago, when I was a newly-called elders quorum president, I was out working in the yard, headphones in, likely listening to Metallica (my favorite band still, but definitely noise), totally in the zone. That’s when a prompting came—clear as day—guiding me to reach out to one of the young single adults in the ward. I reasoned with myself that I would do it after I finished the yard and took a shower. But the prompting came again: Reach out now. So I stopped, walked into the house, and sent a quick text: “Hey brother, hope all is well. I just had a strange prompting to reach out to you, so what’s up?” I have always been pretty direct with individuals, so saying I received a prompting as opposed to beating around the bush just made sense.
He responded almost instantly. Turns out he was literally in the middle of praying as he was trying to decide how to move forward in church, and what he wanted to do next. He had just started coming back to church and was pondering whether it was time to prepare for the temple. We ended up meeting later that day to talk. I still think about that moment and how close I came to missing that opportunity.
A Test of TrustRevelation is often quiet and can be a test of trust, wherein He may not give us the big picture, but rather a whisper of the next step. Then He watches to see what we do with it. When we act on the whisper of revelation, it builds spiritual momentum. You start to trust that voice more, you start to hear that voice more, and you begin to block out those other distractions as you listen for that whisper. As you grow in this, you become someone God can count on—not just to listen, but to act. Promptings don’t need to be perfect to be powerful; they just need to be followed.
Final ThoughtsIf the last few years have taught me anything, it’s that the world isn’t going to get quieter. In fact, it may get even louder. If we want to hear Him through personal revelation, we have to train for the noise. Recognize His voice. Make room for it. And when the whisper comes, act. One of the greatest miracles of personal revelation isn’t just that God speaks, but that He is willing to speak directly to us, right in the middle of our overloaded, noisy lives.
Like Nephi, we will likely never see the full picture; however, we can still act on our personal revelation. “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do” (1 Nephi 4:6).
That’s typically how revelation works, just enough light for the next step. When it comes to personal revelation, that is what He asks of us, to move forward with trust. Even when the path ahead is uncertain, simply act.
Peace in this world and the ability to hear Him don’t require perfection. They require practice, patience, and a willingness to follow the whisper.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post How to Hear God in a Noisy World – Personal Revelation for the Restless appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Change
Listen to Part 2: 6 Types of People in Your Ward | An Interview with Jeff Strong
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsIn 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 Disaffiliation
00:05:12 – Survey Response Insights
00:07:38 – What People Love About the Church
00:10:30 – Core Values of Church Members
00:12:33 – Strengths of the Church
00:13:10 – Tension Between Tradition and Change
00:16:00 – Navigating Cultural Differences
00:19:15 – Understanding Tension in Church Experience
00:22:10 – Data on Comfort and Belonging
00:23:38 – Recognizing Conflict in the Congregation
00:30:02 – Tension Between Personal and Cultural Values
00:35:44 – Embracing Tension in Leadership
00:40:08 – Creating a Safe Space for Tension
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.
The post Part 1: The Data Behind Church Culture | An Interview with Jeff Strong appeared first on Leading Saints.
Hey everybody, Kurt Francom coming to you from Williams, Arizona.Yes, this is in the mountains.
This isn’t your typical Arizona so it’s cold in the morning here.
But I wanted to take a moment to share a message.
I’m not necessarily in front of my computer to type something out.
I want to talk about truth.
I want you to think about the platforms that you’re consuming online.
A lot of good stuff.
A lot of content, but it takes my mind to a quote by Tim Keller and he said this:
“Love without truth is sentimentality. It supports and affirms us but keeps us in denial about our flaws.”
This is one thing I want you to just tune into as you’re consuming content online.
I’m a big grace guy.
Love talking about grace, wrote a whole book on grace, Is God Disappointed in Me?
It’s so crucial to talk about love and grace and acceptance, the love of God.
And it propels us.
It propels us into a gospel, propels us and orients us to God.
But be aware of those platforms.
We try to make this Leading Saints platform not hyper-focused on only talking about love.
Love isn’t everything but so often individuals refuse to reconcile the truth side of the spectrum.
They’ve refused to reconcile, how do covenants fit into all this love?
Or are they too restrictive?
And what about commandments?
Let’s be clear and condemn sin.
That sin will corrupt your soul and lead you away from God.
And so that’s my message today, as you articulate the gospel amongst your family, your ward, your classes, whatever it is you teach.
We’ve got to really build and lay a foundation of love and acceptance while also establishing truth and how it all reconciles with covenants, commandments, the laws.
And that combination is actually quite sanctifying.
It propels people further because, yes, people need to feel love.
They need to feel that affirmation and that acceptance.
But if they don’t meet truth on the other side, they have nothing to do with that love.
They don’t know what to do with it.
And if they find that truth, it will propel them into sanctification and helping us all become more like our Heavenly Father.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss these ideas with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Teaching a Complete Gospel appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
By John Bytheway
Our Turtle House is now LatterDaily
Meg Johnson’s story: “Falling Up”
Six Events: The Restoration Model for Solving Life’s Problems
The Divine Center
Follow Him
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
Transcript coming soon
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Highlights4:00 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
Image: magazine.byu.edu
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, 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.
The post Lead & Teach Youth Through Strong Examples | An Interview with John Bytheway appeared first on Leading Saints.
Brett Morris is a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and life coach based in Logan, Utah. He’s the founder of Replace and Recover, a wellness and mindset program built to help people reclaim their physical, emotional, and spiritual health through structure, introspection, and purpose. But his real credibility doesn’t come from titles. It comes from a life he rebuilt brick by brick. Enter Brett…At six years old, I suffered a traumatic neck injury that never healed properly. At 22, doctors re-broke and fused my neck in surgery, prescribing heavy morphine for the pain. That moment marked the beginning of a downward spiral, one that would last nearly two decades. The medication meant to help became a trap, leading to years of addiction, shame, lost potential, and spiritual disconnection.
The Distant FlickerThrough it all, there were moments when the gospel flickered in the distance, sometimes a whisper, sometimes a roar.
After hitting rock bottom, I chose to fight my way back. I started by walking. Then running. I lost over 40 pounds, ran more than 1,000 miles in 2024, and eventually finished a marathon and then a 50K ultramarathon. Every step became part of a larger mission to heal not just my body, but my spirit and my identity.
Connection, Community and GraceI got clean. I came back to the Church. I earned a college degree that took me over 20 years to complete. And through it all, I learned how important connection, community, and grace truly are. I now help others on their own path of recovery and transformation, blending physical training with mental coaching, spiritual reflection, and real-world tools for growth.
I was rebaptized and now regularly attend the temple.
I have a testimony of the Savior Jesus Christ and the Atonement.
Fighting For My SoulThere’s a moment in every conversion, especially a reconversion, where you hold your breath and hope the people around you will care enough to notice you’re trying. That was me, sitting in sacrament meeting, week after week, wondering if anyone could see past my rough edges—my past—and realize I wasn’t just filling a seat. I was fighting for my soul.
Coming back to church after years away, especially after addiction, is not just hard. It feels insurmountable. It’s completely vulnerable. There’s a reason we call it “recovery.”
You’re not just recovering spiritual habits, you’re trying to recover trust, hope, and a sense of belonging, and that recovery doesn’t happen in isolation.
The Positive Impact of the Human ElementThe gospel of Jesus Christ is perfect. The Church is made up of imperfect people. What follows is my honest experience about how that human element helped me, and how at times it almost made me walk away.
A Bishop Who Showed UpMy second bishop didn’t just tell me I was welcome; he proved it with his time.
After I was baptized we made a goal to get back to the temple. He was personally there my first time back and rode with me to the temple. Not once, not for a photo op, but monthly. Side by side.
We still go together.
That one act did something nothing else could: It made me feel worth the effort. He didn’t just open the doors of the church. He walked through them with me.
When someone in authority makes time to walk at your pace, it chips away at the inner voices telling you that you’re not good enough to be there, too broken to belong. He helped me believe that rebaptism was more than a technical step. It was a covenant worth fighting for, and I was worth it.
A Brother Who MatteredIn that second ward, people went out of their way to ask how I was doing. Not out of obligation. Not to be polite. But because they cared. There were no pretenses.
I wasn’t treated like a cautionary tale or a service project. Just a brother who mattered. That human connection was like spiritual CPR. It brought life back into my heart.
A simple, “How are you doing, really?” can change the entire trajectory of someone’s return.
Called Up – Not OutWhen I was offered a calling, the bishop told me something that rewired my sense of value. He said,
“The Lord has growth in store for you, and He needs you—specifically you—to show up and give your best. You will touch lives.”
That calling wasn’t a checkbox. It was a mission. And for someone who’d spent years feeling like a burden to everyone around him, that assignment made me feel seen by heaven. It reminded me that I wasn’t disqualified from purpose just because I’d wandered. In fact, maybe the wandering had prepared me to guide others.
We Value Your VoiceBeing asked to speak in stake conference was something I never expected. It caught me off guard. But the effect it had on my self-worth was undeniable.
That stake president probably doesn’t know how much that moment meant. But for me, it said, “We trust you. We value your voice.” And in the journey of rebuilding, trust is everything.
That opportunity helped shift me from feeling like an outsider with a past to someone with a future who could lift others.
Sacred InteractionsSometimes it wasn’t the lesson or the ordinance that made the biggest difference. It was the moment after the activity when someone stayed behind to talk. Or when someone remembered my name and asked if I was doing okay. These simple acts of presence turned casual interactions into sacred ones. They reminded me that I wasn’t just allowed in the building, I was part of the body.
Things That HurtLet me be clear: When someone’s crawling back from addiction, apathy doesn’t feel neutral. It feels crushing. As does the lack of members reaching out in an inclusive or loving way. There are real challenges in returning. Here are a few to be aware of when you are blessed with the opportunity to be placed in the path of anyone on their journey who would benefit from your Christlike acceptance.
A Burden Rather Than A BrotherMy first bishop was close to being released but never said a word. I was vulnerable, open, trying to return, and I felt like I was met with indifference. He wouldn’t contact the stake president. He wouldn’t even entertain the idea of starting my rebaptism process. I left meetings feeling more like a burden than a brother. Like my presence was inconvenient.
A Severed LimbIn that first ward, no one reached out unless I reached out first. I was always the one starting the conversation, asking to sit near someone, forcing a smile. It made me feel like I was interrupting something. Like there was an invisible line I wasn’t allowed to cross.
The gospel says we’re all one body, but I felt like a severed limb.
It was exhausting, and for a while I seriously questioned whether trying to return was even worth it.
Feeling Like a Chore, Not a Child of GodI wasn’t expecting anyone to roll out a red carpet. But I also wasn’t expecting to feel like I was on trial every Sunday.
That first ward made me feel like a project that no one wanted to work on.
The looks, the silence, the lack of follow-up—they weren’t outright rejections, but they were enough to plant doubt. Doubt about whether I had a place. Doubt about whether anyone actually wanted me to stay.
A Void of FellowshipThe fellowship of the Church isn’t window dressing; it’s a survival mechanism for the soul. And in those first few months, I had none.
No invitations.
No check-ins.
Just silence.
Honestly, if it weren’t for my mom, who’s older and desperately wanted to see me come back, I probably would’ve left. I stayed, at first, more out of love for her than belief in the process. And that says something, doesn’t it? Perhaps this demonstrates how fragile a returning testimony can be when it’s not held up by the community.
I Didn’t Believe I BelongedWhen someone’s returning, they’re not guarded. They’re wide open. No armor. No pretense. Just hope and fear. It’s a window of time that either makes someone feel like they’ve come home or convinces them that they were better off staying away. That’s where I was.
Had the right people not stepped in when they did, I would’ve walked out the chapel doors and never looked back. Not because I didn’t believe in Christ, but because I didn’t believe I belonged in His house.
Someone BecomingOne of the hardest battles wasn’t with strangers, it was with my own family. Even as I changed, even as I healed, they still saw me as the addict. The liar. The disappointment.
Trying to escape the box your own family has stuffed you into is a battle that most people never see, and few can understand.
When the people closest to you have frozen your identity in time, it feels nearly impossible to grow beyond it, unless someone steps in with a new lens. For me, that was my second bishop.
He treated me like someone becoming, not someone broken. He didn’t see the label. He saw the person. And that one shift, being seen as more than my past, is what gave me the strength to keep stepping forward when the voices around me wanted to pull me back.
Notice the Silent CourageYou don’t need to have the perfect words. You don’t need a background in counseling or years of experience in leadership. You just need to care, genuinely, consistently, and without condition.
You don’t have to fix anyone.
That is not your job.
But please, whatever you do, don’t ignore them. Don’t look past them. Don’t let their silent courage go unnoticed.
When someone walks into your chapel carrying the weight of guilt, shame, or years of spiritual distance, they are already doing the hardest part. They showed up. What happens next is on us.
Instincts of a DiscipleLook them in the eyes. Learn their name and remember it. Invite them to sit with you, not because it is your assignment, but because it is your instinct as a disciple of Christ.
Walk with them to class. Ask how they are really doing, then pause long enough to actually hear the answer.
Follow up. Follow through. Make room, not just in the pew, but in your heart.
True ShepherdingIf you are in a leadership role, understand this truth. Your presence carries more weight than you realize. The way you shake a hand, the way you extend an invitation, the way you follow up—or don’t—can be the tipping point between someone staying or silently slipping away.
Your title does not make you a shepherd. Your willingness to leave the ninety and nine for the one does.
People Stay Because of PeopleIf you are a member who wonders whether your small gesture matters, it does. It always has.
The gospel is true, yet it is important to realize that many people stay because of the people.
Because someone smiled without judgment.
Because someone reached out first.
Because someone said, “We’re glad you’re here,” and meant it.
Hearts do not often change in big moments. They change in quiet ones.
The ones that feel ordinary to you, but unforgettable to someone who is finally brave enough to come back.
Be unforgettable in the way Christ was. Through love, through presence, through grace.
How to Bring Back the Lost SheepSimple, powerful ways to help someone feel like they belong again:
- Walk with them, not just for them – Go beyond delegation. Invite them to the temple. Sit with them. Reach out personally and consistently. Presence heals more than policy.
- Make it personal – Learn their name. Look them in the eyes. Ask real questions and listen to the answers. People return when they feel seen, not studied.
- Give them a purpose, not just a program – Extend callings with vision. Tell them why they, specifically, matter. Let them know God still has work for them to do.
- Let them lead – Invite them to teach, to speak, to share. Trust restores dignity. Giving someone a voice reaffirms that they are no longer defined by silence or shame.
- Create a culture of belonging – Fellowship is not optional, it is a lifeline. Activities, casual conversations, invitations to sit, or walks to class all build invisible bridges back to belief.
- Speak to their identity, not their history – See them as becoming, not broken. Refuse to label them by the past. Call out their potential. They know their mistakes. Show them what God sees now.
- Be consistent after the baptism – Do not let the support vanish after the ordinance. Healing continues long after the font. Keep walking. Keep calling. Keep caring.
- Trust that small things are eternal things – A smile, a text, a seat saved—these things matter. Quiet gestures become sacred moments when someone is deciding whether they are truly welcome.
If I could leave one message with the entire church, it would be this:
Be the kind of disciple that makes someone feel like they’re worth the effort.
When someone finally musters the courage to walk through those chapel doors again, they’re not just hoping to feel the Spirit.
They’re hoping to feel seen.
And sometimes, heaven’s love looks like a person who simply chooses to sit beside them.
I stayed because someone sat beside me. Will someone stay because you did?
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Seen by Heaven – How True Shepherding Matters appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.org
GoHYPE.org
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights00:03:39 – The Vision Behind Cumorah Academy
00:05:23 – Understanding the Structure of Cumorah Academy
00:06:30 – The Importance of Leadership Skills
00:08:00 – Who Can Attend Cumorah Academy?
00:09:49 – The International Reach of Cumorah Academy
00:10:34 – Tuition and Scholarships
00:12:26 – Language and Learning Environment
00:13:11 – Success Stories from Cumorah Academy
00:14:41 – Transformative Experiences of Students
00:16:25 – The Need for Continuous Learning
00:17:42 – Addressing the Transition Challenges for Young Adults
00:18:50 – Curriculum Overview and Key Principles
00:19:28 – Accountability and Personal Growth
00:20:34 – Conflict Resolution Skills
00:22:08 – Interactive Learning Methodology
00:23:40 – Balancing Workload and Downtime
00:25:57 – Creating Positive Connections Among Students
00:27:36 – The Role of Visiting Mentors
00:29:50 – Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
00:31:07 – Leadership Curriculum and Modules
00:32:54 – Holistic Approach to Student Well-being
00:34:37 – Measuring Emotional Resilience and Hopefulness
00:36:39 – The Importance of Human Connection
00:38:06 – Opportunities for Mentorship and Involvement
00:39:49 – Conclusion and Resources for Further Engagement
00:41:13 – Introducing Hype: Humanitarian Leadership 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, 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.
The post Developing Crucial Leadership Skills | An Interview with Patrick Sedivy appeared first on Leading Saints.
Recently, I attended an event and found myself sitting next to a man I’d never met before.
As we began to talk, it quickly became clear that he was successful on many fronts.
He’d built a prosperous business career, which had brought him considerable wealth.
Currently, he works for a highly respected organization that collaborates closely with the Church and has contributed significantly to its success.
He’s well-connected, with relationships spanning general authorities and influential business leaders alike.
During our conversation, he shared some remarkable insights he’d developed—ideas that could truly benefit many members of the Church.
He’d considered writing a book, but for a busy man, that’s a long and demanding journey.
Even after consulting several of his general authority contacts, he found there was no clear way to get his ideas out to the wider community.
He felt stuck, with something valuable to share but no easy platform to share it.
Then, our paths crossed.
I’m just an ordinary guy, but I happen to have a big megaphone that reaches the greater leadership world in our church.
You can imagine his excitement when I said:
“Well, would you like to share your idea on the Leading Saints podcast?”
In that moment, I was reminded of the special work we do at Leading Saints.
We are the think tank of Zion.
If someone has an idea that could change church culture, improve meeting effectiveness, or transform a Relief Society lesson, Leading Saints is the place to share it.
It can start with a simple post in the Leading Saints Community.
You might submit an article for publication on LeadingSaints.org.
Or, you could request to be on the podcast and reach thousands—potentially impacting the Church community at large.
If it’s a great idea, people will embrace it.
If it falls flat, we can dismiss it and move on.
Ryan Webb single-handedly disrupted how thousands of wards approach sacrament meeting.
Kurt Brown inspired bishops worldwide, leading to countless individuals feeling more comfortable in their wards.
Sharla Dance is blessing the lives of children she’s never met, simply because she stepped up to the Leading Saints megaphone.
So, what do you have to share?
What has the Lord placed on your heart that could make a difference in Zion’s think tank?
Don’t wait until you’re invited to speak at general conference.
Share it now.
Step up to the megaphone.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Step up to the Megaphone appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Culture
The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction
Read the transcript of this podcast
Highlights4:30 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
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.
The post Introverts in the Church of Jesus Christ | An Interview with Adam McHugh appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jeff Borders joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 19, and since then has had many opportunities to serve in various capacities. His wife, Crystyne, was integral to his conversion while they were dating, and he believes her to be one of the best missionaries he has ever met. When not serving at church, Jeff works as the manager of Respiratory Therapy and Clinical Informatics at a rural hospital in Eastern Washington. He has published several fantasy novels and recently published his first religious book, The Antichrist Playbook. Enter Jeff…I stood on the rocky beach shore, watching him row away from me, my heart full of guilt and more than a bit of worry that I was sending him off on his own into the unknown.
That’s near the end of my story, so let me go back to the beginning.
The Adventure BeginsOur ward’s priest quorum was planning an epic summer high adventure to kayak the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound. I had the opportunity to join my oldest son on his first high adventure as a priest, and what an adventure it would be.
The plan seemed simple enough. We would travel from Spokane to Anacortes, where we would put in at Washington Beach. On the first day, we would paddle to Pelican Island, and from there, Clark Island, and eventually Sucia Island, where we would reverse and come back in the same direction. We would have a week on the ocean, away from distractions, with plenty of time to contemplate the wonderful world and our place in it.
We planned our meals, knowing we had limited space in the hulls of tandem kayaks. We did our safety training, ensuring all knew how to get back in a capsized kayak because ocean water can be unpredictable. Other groups that had made the trip had encountered winds and tides that hampered their journey, so we wanted to ensure we prepared for any eventuality. On the day of the trip, we met at the church parking lot, all a little tired from the early morning but still excited about what was to come. This trip was to be a grand adventure.
When we got to the launch site, we loaded up our kayaks, got the obligatory pictures, and soon were off. It became apparent quickly that I should have prepared more. The rowing was tiring, sometimes feeling like we weren’t getting closer to our destination, but the beautiful sights helped buoy us. The world around us was a stunning reflection of God’s majesty and glory. Dolphins jumped in and out of the water near us while bald eagles soared overhead and seals roamed the shores. The weather couldn’t have been better on that first day.
Unexpected ChallengeThe first night on the island started great. We were excited to be surrounded by such beauty. We got on with our evening and headed to bed. Around three in the morning, I began to get very cold. It might be because I was staying in a hammock for the first time, but as the morning wore on, it was apparent that something wasn’t right. I felt more and more ill as time dragged on. As the sun rose, not even its rays could warm me, and the smell of the priests cooking their various breakfast items made my stomach twist. I couldn’t eat or drink anything without feeling sick.
It became evident quickly that I wouldn’t be able to manage the next row to Clark Island in my sick and dehydrated state. Luckily, we had a boat that could take me back to shore to go home later in the afternoon, but that would mean leaving my son. The decision was hard. I waited as long as possible, but I eventually conceded that my son and the other priests and leaders would have to go on without me. Worse for my son was that he couldn’t paddle the large tandem kayak by himself. He would need to be tethered to another kayak to make the row possible, thus increasing the strain on someone else.
As I watched my son paddle away, tethered to someone else, I had many conflicted feelings: guilt, frustration, and failure. It felt like such a failure, not only to my son but to the other priests and leaders who would no doubt have to take turns helping him get to where he needed to go.
I returned home and started feeling better within a few days, but my thoughts stayed with the priests, and I began to ponder the experience.
Remembering the PlanI wondered if Heavenly Father feels the same way, watching His children leave His presence. We leave His protective side to venture into mortality, which has its share of dangers and trials. I watched my son leave me, knowing he had other leaders to keep him safe, but there might be trials ahead. I watched it from the beach. It looked like the kayaks weren’t moving for a while, but eventually, they were a speck on the horizon. Then, before I knew it, they were gone, and I was alone. I felt defeated. I wondered if my son would remember the meal plan we put together. Would he know how to use the rain fly for our new hammocks? I never taught him how to use the rudder to keep the kayak on course. There were so many questions about his preparedness for the task at hand.
As I thought about my son’s situation, it made me ponder Heavenly Father further. Does He wonder if His children remember the plan? Do they know how to use their rudder (the Spirit) to stay on course? Do they know how to build protection from the storms they will face?
Communicating With FatherLuckily, the group had some cell signal, so I constantly checked his location on Google Maps and eagerly awaited his responses to my texts. I knew he had limited battery and would only respond when he could, but I cherished that communication.
Our Heavenly Father waits for our communication with Him and cherishes it when we reach out to Him. Like any father, he is concerned about our whereabouts.
The group ran into rough weather, and a small craft advisory stranded them on Clark Island. Of course, there are worse places to be stuck than a beautiful island in the middle of the Pacific Northwest. But they were stranded. They would need a larger boat to pick them up and ferry them back to the safety of Anacortes. It was one of the things we considered when planning, but you only know what the weather will do once you are face-to-face with it.
Returning HomeAfter the weeklong trip, my son returned home, and my wife and I met him in the church parking lot. I didn’t even care about good-natured ribbing from the other priests about my “fake” illness. I was so excited to see my son and hear about his adventure.
Like my experience in seeing my son return home, our Heavenly Father will be excited when we return home from our mortal journey and tell him of our great adventure.
This experience, small as it was, has reminded me of how much God loves me. If I want to be successful as a parent, there is no better example than our loving Heavenly Father. Elder D. Todd Christofferson said the following about our fatherhood and Heavenly Father in the General Conference of April 2016:
“The perfect, divine expression of fatherhood is our Heavenly Father. His character and attributes include abundant goodness and perfect love. His work and glory are the development, happiness, and eternal life of His children. Fathers in this fallen world can claim nothing comparable to the Majesty on High, but at their best, they are striving to emulate Him, and they indeed labor in His work. They are honored with a remarkable and sobering trust.”
Though I didn’t consider it then, Heavenly Father was there with me on that rocky beach, watching my son paddle away when I felt defeated and like a failure. He sent His Comforter to offer peace when I was worried about my son. Both my son and I also had to be rescued in some way by someone with a boat and the capability of rescuing us.
Being the Rescuer on the BoatThe feeling that I have is likely something other people have experienced throughout mortality, alone, abandoned, feeling like a failure.
We have the opportunity to be the rescuer on the boat for others. The formal way we do this is through the ministering program, but this only works if we know the families we serve and they are willing to open up to us about their needs. It’s a two-way relationship.
Informal ministering is likely more common, as we grow close to our brothers and sisters at church, we can use the spirit of discernment to know how to come to their rescue. In his April 2001 talk, “To the Rescue,” President Thomas S. Monson said the following:
“In a very real sense, those persons stranded on the vessel which had run aground in the storm-tossed sea are like many young men—and older men as well—who await rescue by those of us who have the priesthood responsibility to man the lifeboats. Their hearts yearn for help. Mothers and fathers pray for their sons. Wives and children plead to heaven that Daddy and others may be reached.”
A Father’s LoveAs I ponder this experience and the words of modern prophets and apostles, I am grateful for the trust that Heavenly Father has given me as a father in mortality. I’m also thankful for what this experience taught me about a father’s love for his children and the rescuers He sends to us throughout our lives. And I am even more grateful that He gave His only begotten Son so that I could return home, having faced wind and waves, growing and learning, to come into His presence and tell Him about my grand adventure in this mortal life.
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The post Ministering from the Beach – How God Uses Us to Rescue One Another appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 podcast
HighlightsScott 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 Leadership
00:04:03 – Scott’s Background and Experience
00:05:10 – Positive Perspectives on Young Adults
00:06:24 – Connecting Youth to Jesus Christ
00:07:13 – Chick-fil-A’s Unique Organizational Culture
00:09:25 – The Importance of Sunday Closure
00:11:22 – Mission to Be the World’s Most Caring Company
00:12:22 – Translating Mission Statements into Action
00:13:41 – Servant Leadership in Action
00:14:56 – The Impact of Chick-fil-A’s Values
00:16:05 – Local Ownership and Community Impact
00:17:02 – The Role of Personal Connection in Leadership
00:18:10 – Examples of Chick-fil-A’s Customer Experience
00:20:10 – Core Four Principles for Employee Interaction
00:22:36 – The Origin of “My Pleasure”
00:23:09 – The Significance of Culture in Organizations
00:24:26 – Retention and Employee Satisfaction
00:25:38 – Patterns of Gathering in the YSA Ward
00:27:44 – Straggler Sunday Concept
00:28:59 – Informal Gatherings and Building Relationships
00:29:20 – Digital Relationships with Ward Members
00:30:48 – The Importance of Availability
00:32:06 – Mentoring and Leadership Development
00:33:11 – Involving Spouses in Ministry
00:34:05 – Creating a Culture of Vulnerability
00:35:09 – The Role of Surprise and Delight
00:36:11 – Letting Young Adults Lead
00:39:29 – Delegating Responsibility in Chick-fil-A
00:40:39 – Building Trust Through Delegation
00:41:26 – Adapting to Change in the YSA Ward
00:42:18 – Embracing New Traditions 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. Learn more and 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.
The post Creating a Chick-fil-A Ward | An Interview with Scott Rasband appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Angle
Mully
Hearts and Hands for Humanity
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsBrenda 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 Project
Recap of the previous interview with Brenda.
00:04:22 – Planning the Temple Trip
Brenda discusses the initial idea and planning stages for taking people from Tanzania to the Nairobi Kenya temple.
00:06:57 – Fundraising Success
Details on the overwhelming support and donations received from the Leading Saints audience to fund the trip.
00:09:20 – Organizing the Trip
Brenda describes the logistics of organizing multiple buses and the challenges faced leading up to the trip.
00:12:08 – Challenges on Departure Day
An account of the chaos and challenges encountered on the day of departure.
00:15:20 – Arrival in Nairobi
The experience of arriving in Nairobi, including accommodations and feeding the participants.
00:17:03 – Experiencing the Temple
Describing the participants’ experiences at the temple, including their reactions and feelings.
00:20:32 – Diverse Participants
Discussion on the demographics of the participants, including members, investigators, and orphans.
00:22:24 – Temple Grounds and Activities
Details about the activities on the temple grounds and the emotional impact on the participants.
00:26:21 – Reflections on Leadership and Opposition
Brenda 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, 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.
The post Thank You For Supporting Tanzanian Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Brenda Angle appeared first on Leading Saints.
Esther Bristol has served as the activities leader for girls ages 8-11, Relief Society teacher, and is currently serving as the Relief Society secretary in her Ward and as the Young Single Adult (YSA) Representative for her stake. She has moved back and forth between Utah and North Dakota several times with occasional periods in Idaho. She went to school for Visual Communication, and her current occupation is development coordinator for a non-profit hunting organization called Delta Waterfowl. (But the only hunting she does is for hidden mini resin ducks around the office).
Enter Esther…“I’m sorry.”
These are the words I hear every time I am called to a new calling. Yet, let’s remember that the introductory overview for the General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints states,
“As a leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, you should seek personal revelation to help you learn and fulfill the duties of your calling.”
We believe that prayer and scripture study are necessary to understanding the will of the Lord in helping to further His work in “[bringing] to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). Our aim in fulfilling our callings is to provide loving, safe spaces that remind people of Christ.
Does this always happen?
No. We are human too. But God loves all His children everywhere. He loves you. He loves me. He loves the neighbor who plays their loud music until the early hours of the morning. He loves the little old lady who stands talking with the mailman for half an hour because she’s lonely. He loves the playground bully, and the child who went home with a black eye. So, our callings are to help each in the best ways we can.
God Qualifies UsAs President Russell M. Nelson says,
“We may be led to some who have never believed in God or Jesus Christ but who are now yearning to learn about Them and Their plan of happiness. Others may have been ‘born in the covenant’ but have since wandered away from the covenant path. They may now be ready to repent, return, and let God prevail. We can assist them by welcoming them with open arms and hearts. And some to whom we may be led may have always felt there was something missing in their lives. They too are longing for the wholeness and joy that come to those who are willing to let God prevail in their lives.”
I strive every day to let God prevail in my life while I try to help others around me. I don’t always succeed. There are many times that I get stuck in my own head and think, “Was I being too pushy?”, “I hope they know I wasn’t trying to be weird,” or “I could have done that better.” I never feel like I’m good enough for the callings I have. As far as I know, no one does. If you do, you are more the exception than the rule because from my experience, God doesn’t call those who are qualified for the role He wants them to fill. He calls the unqualified, then qualifies them with experience. It is not always rainbows and sunshine, but neither is it doom and gloom. Elder Steven D. Shumway of the Quorum of the Seventy said,
“The Lord’s promise is compelling that callings, ministering, temple worship, following promptings, and other ways we embark in God’s work uniquely prepare us to meet the Savior.”
Later in his talk, he said,
“Selflessly serving is the very essence of Christ-like discipleship. But serving is rarely convenient. This is why I admire you covenant-keeping disciples…who set aside your desires and challenges to serve God by serving His children.”
The Blessings of ServiceThe scriptures are replete with blessings that await those who willingly and selflessly serve God’s children—all of us. So, with such great blessings in store, why do we often say “I’m sorry” when someone we know is called to serve as a bishop, a nursery leader, or serve a full-time mission? Shouldn’t we be excited for the blessings they are bound to receive?
God’s Plan of GrowthOver the last five years I have received several callings. They have included activities leader for girls, Relief Society teacher, and now Relief Society secretary. In addition, I have also recently been called to serve as a YSA representative for our stake.
Anyone who knows me knows I have mixed feelings about my relationships with both the Relief Society and the YSA. They stem mainly from the life-plan I gave myself when I was five years old: that I would be a good student, graduate high school, go to college, get married and start a family, and graduate college. The end.
I graduated from college at 24 with only a handful of dates on my punch card and no experience with a long-term boyfriend or any prospect of one. I was baffled by what I thought was men’s lack of good taste, then wondered if maybe there was something off-putting about me, and finally towards the end of my twenties, I was coming to grips with the fact that I may age out of the YSA without having found an eternal companion. Then the Church raised the age limit on the YSA from 18-30 to 18-35, and I found myself stuck with “the babies” for almost another five years. I was angry and bitter, and because I live outside of Utah and Idaho where there are a lot of YSA wards and activities, I felt there really wasn’t a lot of support for us here anyway.
My relationship with the Relief Society took on a similar, if slightly-less-bitter trajectory. After I graduated from college, I ended up far from my family in a family ward where I was frequently invisible. No one brought me cookies on holidays. Few asked me to come over for dinner. Once in a while someone would ask me to do something like help clean the church or bring a specific dish to a potluck. But often, no one asked me to do anything because I didn’t have the help of a family. I often felt lonely and even though I could do things to help, I found I was either taken advantage of because I didn’t have kids and it was assumed I had all the time in the world, or I was never called because I was forgotten about, being just one person.
I didn’t truly feel like a part of my ward until I was given the calling to serve as activities leader for girls. Kids are easy to spend time with. They are blunt, saying whatever comes into their heads, and entertaining them can be as easy as letting them run wild in the gym for 20 minutes after a 5-minute lesson and a 15-minute craft. I enjoyed that calling immensely and was sad when I was released, but I had grown a lot because of it and it was time to allow someone else to grow.
Practicing Our HumanityWhen I was called to be Relief Society teacher, I had an idea for about a week before I was officially called that I might be good at teaching. When I received the calling, I assumed my premonition was actually God letting me know His plans for me in advance. I was grateful and excited to be able to stretch myself this way. I’m a selectively extroverted introvert and I rarely have an opportunity to say what I think in respectful and meaningful ways without feeling like I’m inserting myself where I’m not wanted. I thought this would be a good experience to practice sharing my thoughts and inviting discussion.
When my calling was announced on Sunday, my friends’ first words were, “I’m sorry,” and “My condolences.” I was a little confused, not to mention annoyed. I knew neither of them wanted the calling I had been given, but I didn’t think I had ever said or done anything to indicate I would dislike this calling in particular. One of my friends had recently asked to be released as Relief Society secretary and felt some animosity towards the Relief Society, so I could understand her condolences in a vague sort of way. Still, I was upset that this should be her reaction to my opportunity for growth. I went home and tried to put it out of my mind. It happened again a year and a half later when I was called to be Relief Society secretary, and yet again when I was called to be YSA representative. Friends apologized that I had to have those callings, and I wondered how apologizing would help sustain anyone in their calling.
True SustainingWhile we believe God is the giver of the callings through our bishops and stake presidents, it is also part of our belief that members should agree to sustain and support those in callings in their wards, branches, or stakes. Raising your right hand in church when someone receives a calling is not a vote on whether or not that person gets the calling. President Henry B. Eyring said,
“You choose whether to sustain all whom the Lord calls—in whatever the Lord has called them. That choice happens in conferences around the world. It has happened in this one. In such meetings, names of men and women—servants of God—are read, and you are invited to raise your hand to sustain. You can withhold your sustaining vote, or you can pledge your sustaining faith. By raising your hand to sustain, you make a promise. You make a promise with God, whose servants these are, that you will sustain them.
These are imperfect human beings, as are you. Keeping your promises will take unshakeable faith that the Lord called them. Keeping those promises will also bring eternal happiness. Not keeping them will bring sorrow to you and to those you love—and even losses beyond your power to imagine.”
Growing OutwardWhen my friends pitied me for having to have callings, I was frustrated with their lack of understanding. Of course I wasn’t entirely looking forward to the calling. They knew as much as I did that I had mixed feelings about giving so much of my time freely to the Relief Society and to the YSA, both of which I was somewhat embittered towards. But what my friends still don’t understand is that I cannot grow out of my embitterment if I don’t try. I have to accept these callings because otherwise I won’t just be letting down my bishop or stake president. I will be letting my God down.
Queen Esther’s ExampleGrowing up, I read the story of Queen Esther often because she is my namesake. Just as the Jews were about to be destroyed, Esther’s uncle Mordecai asked her to go to the king and beg for mercy. At that time, there was a law stating that any who went before the king uninvited would be killed, and Esther reminded Mordecai of this. Mordecai’s answer has stuck with me all my life as I have prepared to serve God in various callings.
“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews.”
“For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)
Because Esther stood before the king uninvited, she could have been killed, but instead saved herself and all her people. By accepting callings, we are allowing not only ourselves to grow, but to help others around us. By sustaining and supporting others around us, we are agreeing to encourage and help them.
Mordecai could have said, “Sorry you have to go to your death, Esther,” and left it at that. But he didn’t. He and the other Jews prayed and fasted for Esther while she prepared to talk to the king, giving her the strength and support she needed to face him.
The Doctrine and Covenants teaches,
“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen?”
We often quote this scripture, but we don’t often quote the answer to the question posed at the end.
“Because their hearts are set so much upon the things of this world, and aspire to the honors of men, that they do not learn this one lesson— “That the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven…” (D&C 121:34-36)
Serving and SustainingIf we want the blessings and the benefits that come from the Lord’s church, we have to be willing to serve—in callings and out. The Lord knows what we are capable of. He will not ask us for more than we are able to give, but it may not be comfortable. Still, if we are to be ready when He comes again, we must strive for pureness in ourselves and encourage those around us to seek it too.
So the next time that someone says, “I’m sorry,” when I am given a calling, I have my answer ready.
”Why?” I’ll say. “Why are you sorry that I am serving my Lord and my God? Why are you sorry that I am giving myself the opportunity to grow? Why are you sorry that I know the Lord will qualify me even if I’m not good at my calling currently?”
Because I know that God will qualify me for service I can’t yet perform. I know that He does only give us what we can handle. I know that only by trying can I succeed. And I can’t wait to hear their answer.
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The post More Than a Raised Hand – What It Really Means to Sustain One Another appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.com
Personal mindset assessment
Vertical development assessment
Ryan’s books:
Becoming Better: The Groundbreaking Science of Personal Transformation
Success Mindsets: The Key to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership
The Elevated Leader: Leveling Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development
Previous podcasts with Ryan:
What About Our Culture is Holding Us Back?
Is There a Correlation Between Losing Faith and Moving?
The Research Behind Becoming Christlike
Is Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership?
What Every Leader Should Consider About Community in Their Ward
Articles by Ryan at LeadingSaints.org
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsRyan 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 concepts
00:05:00 – Mindsets and the difference between vertical and horizontal development in leadership
00:07:00 – The Being Side vs. Doing Side: The importance of focusing on the “being” side of leadership for transformational growth
00:09:00 – Connection between leadership principles and gospel teachings, emphasizing the importance of becoming
00:10:30 – The role of personal healing in effective leadership and the importance of self-awareness
00:12:00 – The window of tolerance and its relevance to emotional regulation
00:15:00 – Personal complexity and its impact on leadership effectiveness
00:20:00 – Exploration of emotional complexity and self-complexity in leaders
00:25:00 – Examining leaders’ relationships with risk, failure, and conflict as indicators of their health
00:30:00 – Contrast between survival-focused leadership and purpose-driven leadership
00:35:00 – Investigating the quality of relationships with self, others, and various challenges
00:40:00 – The challenges of people-pleasing and its impact on leadership effectiveness
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.
The post Literally Becoming a Better Leader | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson appeared first on Leading Saints.
I remember visiting the Kirtland Temple and hearing about day-long meetings the early Saints would have in that sacred building.
People would practically be hanging from the rafters to hear the latest restoration perspective.
These meetings would carry on for hours because, quite frankly, how else are you going to learn information in the 1830s?
One could not simply turn on a podcast while they harvest the field.
This gather, sit, and listen tradition has continued to be the dominant way we process leadership efforts.
In some contexts, such as sacrament meetings and general conference, there is a purpose to them.
But for most other meetings, there is probably a better approach.
I’ve had two recent experiences related to a multi-stake leadership meeting/gathering, and they helped me identify a self-sabotaging habit we have as a faith community and a leadership community.
Naturally, we want to gather groups of leaders to offer them perspective and help them lead more effectively.
We default to holding these meetings in the chapel for a variety of reasons.
It holds a lot of people.
No need to set up chairs when the pews are bolted to the floor.
Audiovisual tools are ready, except for possibly setting up a projector if needed.
Boom…let’s go!
Let’s feed these good leaders with some content!
And in these meetings I attended, there were experienced leaders who presided and spoke well; however, I couldn’t help but look around the room at the collective experience and think…
“I wonder what that guy/gal over there does in their similar role?”
“What inspiration have other ward councils in this room received that would benefit my perspective?”
“Who’s doing it differently and why?”
Who’s doing it traditionally and why?”
Another dynamic in this chapel training setting is that 99.9% of the participants are in a beta state or a state of passive listening.
In 2025, it’s not hard to find content to sit and listen to.
You could reach more leaders in an area by simply recording each talk in a voice memo and sharing it with the masses.
If we’re going to take the time to put on the dress clothes and gather, let’s make it count.
Could we gather in the cultural hall and have more engaging, smaller discussions?
Could we instead do a service project and chat with other leaders in similar roles?
Could we invite 20 people to speak (instead of 2-3) and have them instruct smaller groups?
Revelation is spread among us, so let’s take the time to share it.
If it’s 1835, sure, let’s gather, sit, and listen.
But in 2025, let’s engage on a higher level.
What ideas do you have?
See how others are disagreeing with this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post 1836 Meetings vs. 2025 Meetings appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Women
Read the transcript of this podcast
Highlights2:50 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
- Her favorite Nauvoo Relief Society: Zinah Jacobs Young’s experience becoming a member of Relief Society
- Eliza’s expansion of that idea as she traveled and taught: Relief Society brings women together and gathers their embers in to a flame of fire
- 55:15 Eliza’s letter: “May you have a copious refreshment of the Spirit”; they felt the Spirit as a purifying stream
57:30 The Relief Society president is enlarged as she calls on the sisters to do ministering: Eliza instructed them to go into the homes of the people and re-light the fires of the sisters; meet their needs to provide relief to them.
1:00:30 The influence of otherwise-unknown women leaders
- Jane Lyman’s story and her discourse in At the Pulpit: Charity covers a multitude of sins
- Talk by unknown Eleanor Georgina Jones, about prayer: “Prayer is the key to the statehouse of our understanding.” “There is no pit so deep, no hole so dark, that you cannot reach out to your Heavenly Father in prayer.”
- We need the voices of the people on the margins
1:07:45 These women have become her hosts, sitting with her in difficult times and as she has studied them. They can provide depth as our spiritual sisters.
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.
The post Women Leaders in Church History | An Interview with Jennifer Reeder appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…One of the most powerful and profound desires of the human soul is connection with our parents—both earthly and heavenly. We need assurance of their love, presence, and protection.
We Are Not AbandonedWhen our third son was born, I checked his mother into the hospital and then drove his two older brothers to a rendezvous point with my parents, who were to care for them for a few days. As we transferred the boys from my car to theirs, our two-year-old son began to wail, “I want my Dad!” As later reported, he continued his lament for the entire journey and into the evening until he finally settled down. All felt empathy for him, but life is just like that—we must separate from our parents at times during our journey of growth and progress.
Now fast forward a half-dozen or so years when our third son was in elementary school. One afternoon he had traveled with me to procure a load of carpet cushion for our business. On the way home, we stopped at his grandmother’s house and, in a playful act, he climbed to the top of the load, jumped off, and injured his foot. Since the pain persisted, we took him to the hospital to discover that he had broken four metatarsals. He was fitted with a cast and given a pair of crutches.
At home, as we began to review the instruction process of how he was to navigate school, he firmly announced that he “would not be going to school until his foot healed.” Sparing the full details of this boy’s personality, I just say that he is of exceptionally strong will, so we knew he meant business. As we had some unchangeable plans for the next day, we temporarily acquiesced but announced that he would be going to school the following day. He replied that he would not. He crawled around the house, refusing to even practice walking on his crutches.
The next day, I drove him to school early, not wanting to embarrass him before the entire student body. As anticipated, he refused to enter the school. I lifted him in one arm and carried the crutches in the other, walking briskly to the door of his classroom. Amidst his somewhat subdued (because of fear of embarrassment) protests of “No, Dad, don’t leave me!” I unclasped his arms from his firm grip around my neck, stood him and his crutches against the wall, and with an ache in my heart, turned and quickly walked away.
Around the corner of the hall, I paused and peeked back to observe him standing with a bewildered look on his face for a moment, and then realizing that he was out of options, he picked up his crutches for the first time and entered his classroom.
What a dark feeling of terrible abandonment he must have had. However, what he did not know was that my wife had called his teacher the day before, informed her of our planned action, and made all needed arrangements. His teacher was in the classroom when he arrived and implemented the accommodation plan. When we picked him up at the end of the day, he was happy and smiling. The other students had written their names and well-wishes on his cast. A friendly girl had helped him with his lunch tray. He recounted the story of his heroic injury to his class. He happily went to school each day thereafter.
Sometimes, as we pass through times of trouble and challenge in our lives, we may be tempted to feel that our heavenly parents have deserted us, but They never do. They allow us to make our choices, “according to [our] desire, whether it be unto death or unto life,” (Alma 29:4) but we are never left without access to the great pre-arranged plan of happiness, the divine love of heavenly parents, and the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
Love and AssistanceJesus’s feeling of darkness at the apex of His suffering provides us with the most tender plea imaginable for the love and assistance of Father. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland testified,
“In that most burdensome moment of all human history, with blood appearing at every pore and an anguished cry upon His lips, Christ sought Him whom He had always sought—His Father. “Abba,” He cried, “Papa,” or from the lips of a younger child, “Daddy” (Mark 14:36). This is such a personal moment it almost seems a sacrilege to cite it. A Son in unrelieved pain, a Father, His only true source of strength, both of them staying the course, making it through the night—together.”
Correct UnderstandingAll people everywhere are the literal sons and daughters of our heavenly parents, our Mother and Father in Heaven. They love us with perfect love and desire our peace and happiness here during our mortality and throughout all of eternity.
In Their divine wisdom and perfection, They have full capacity and power to help us achieve our worthy goals and desires. Our greatest life task is to seek out and prepare for eternal life by gaining a correct understanding of our heavenly parents and of Their plan of happiness for us, and then living our lives according to the truth we have gained.
As Jesus taught,
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
It is uncertain why we do not hear as much taught and spoken about our Mother in Heaven as we do about our Father. We will learn and understand more in due time, but the important thing is that we recognize and venerate our Heavenly Mother. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught,
Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them. Under the merciful plan of the Father, all of this is possible through the atonement of the Only Begotten of the Father, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As earthly parents we participate in the gospel plan by providing mortal bodies for the spirit children of God. The fulness of eternal salvation is a family matter.
With a proper understanding that we have “a mother there,” we are better able to understand the nature of references to Deity in scripture. For example, references to God throughout the Old Testament generally refer to Jehovah, or Jesus Christ, the Creator. However, “God” referred to in the account of the creation of Adam and Even refers to the Father. Because our Mother in Heaven is an equal partner and a co-creator with Him, we may better understand the scriptural declaration,
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . . So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” (Genesis 1:26-27)
The Universal Father and MotherWe understand that Mother and Father in Heaven created male and female— Adam and Eve, man and woman—in Their own image, with Eve in the image of Mother and Adam in the image of Father.
The First Presidency taught,
“All men and women are in the similitude of the universal Father and Mother.”
President Joseph Fielding Smith affirmed,
“Female spirits were created in the image of a Mother in heaven.”
Elder Erastus Snow taught,
“Deity consists of man and woman. … I sometimes illustrate this matter by taking up a pair of shearers … they are composed of two halves … and to perform their work for each other, as designed, they belong together, and neither one of them is fitted for the accomplishment of their works alone. … I have another description: There never was a God, and there never will be in all eternities, except they are made of these two component parts; a man and a woman; the male and the female.”
Speaking of Elder Snow’s quote, two gospel scholars, Fiona and Teryl Givens, remind us that as we speak and write of God, we often reference both Mother and Father. They go on to say,
“If this is true, then when we employ the term God, it will often be the case that two divine Beings are behind the expression. The writer of Genesis employed the name Adam to refer to a fully collaborative couple; Adam is effectively their surname (Gen. 5:2; Moses 6:9). Just as Adam can refer to both Adam and Eve, there will be instances when God is rightly followed by the pronoun, They.”
In this article, I will reference “heavenly parents” where appropriate to the context. There will be times when I use the plural pronoun “They” when referencing “God” to remind us of Father and Mother. “God” will also often have a singular reference to Heavenly Father. Sometimes “God” will have a singular reference to Christ. In all our gospel study and pondering, we do well to always remember that we have a Savior and heavenly parents—Mother and Father—who serve and guide us in perfect unity and divine love. Our Mother and Father in Heaven serve as equal partners with different primary roles. They live as equals in perfection, knowledge, power, compassion, glory, and love. They love each other with perfect love, respect, and honor. They set the example for us as Their children here in mortality.
Our heavenly parents are our ultimate role models. Jesus taught, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48.)
A True and Worthy QuestEven though such a lofty goal is not possible during our mortal lifetime, it is nonetheless a true and worthy quest, for Jesus would not direct us to do the impossible.
Since we are created in God’s image and are Their literal offspring, we have potential to learn and grow and gain the type of life They have. As we do so, we come to know, understand, and more fully love Them.
The Perfect BlendOur heavenly parents act in perfect blend of justice and mercy. They are gracious, merciful, kind, patient, forgiving, and nurturing. They take each of Their children wherever they are in life, shower them with Their divine love, and guide them forward. They are perfect in holiness and guide and help us master our imperfections and overcome our unholiness, while always remaining just in Their judgment and the blessings They grant.
They walk, talk, hear, smell, taste, speak—not in some mysterious metaphorical sense as many misguided philosophers and theologians suppose—but literally and physically with Their perfected and immortal bodies of flesh and bone.
They are compassionate—perfectly aware of our joys and sorrows and constantly prompting and leading us from darkness to the light. Elder Holland taught,
“Of course, the centuries-long drift away from belief in such a perfect and caring Father hasn’t been helped any by the man-made creeds of erring generations which describe God variously as unknown and unknowable— formless, passionless, elusive, ethereal, simultaneously everywhere and nowhere at all. Certainly, that does not describe the Being we behold through the eyes of these prophets. Nor does it match the living, breathing, embodied Jesus of Nazareth who was and is in “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his [Father” (Hebrews 1:3).”
All Things Teach UsAs we become mindful of the true nature of our heavenly parents and of our divine nature and potential, and as we strive to live as They would have us live, all things about our lives teach us about Them. As we walk, speak, and listen, we may come to know that our heavenly parents have power to speak and listen to anyone at any level of understanding and knowledge. They can converse comfortably with the greatest scientists because the subjects of their scientific studies are Their creations.
If They speak to the humble and unlearned, They communicate simply and plainly with perfect love and empathy, never belittling or condemning; instead, they are always encouraging and lifting.
As we smell the flowers and hear the cooing doves, we are made aware that our heavenly parents also enjoy such sweet fragrance and peaceful harmony. With perfected senses they have pure delight in the creation of all things for the blessing and enjoyment of Their children.
“And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food.” (Genesis 2:9)
The Omniscient of God and ChristGod and Christ are omnipotent (all powerful). They have all power to create, to govern, and to order all things in the universe. They could stop all cars from crashing and all cancers from forming—but They do not. They allow death, drought, illness, and heartache as natural aspects of our earthly mortality for our growth and development. They allow man to have his agency and to grow by the exercise thereof. They give us ample opportunity to learn to love and serve each other.
God and Christ are omniscient (all knowing). Not only are They more intelligent than the most intelligent of earthly mortals—They are more intelligent than the combined intellect of all beings. There is no problem or challenge that we could experience for which They do not know the proper solution.
In Their love for us, They impart Their divine knowledge and wisdom to the degree that we seek Them and prepare our hearts and minds to receive Their counsel. God and Christ are omnipresent (everywhere present). As personal beings of flesh and bone, They can physically only be in one place at a time, but through the power and influence of Their Spirit, They are everywhere present and aware of all creation—the happenings of the universe and the heartaches and joys of all Their children.
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:29-30)
We Are AssuredOur heavenly parents are perfectly honest and honorable in all Their doings. We can always fully trust Them. They will never fail, betray, or abandon us. Although we, through our rebellious thoughts and actions, may at times distance ourselves from Them, They will always be close at hand. “His hand is stretched out still” (Isaiah 5:25) to rescue us, to guide us, to love us, and to comfort us.
I know that our heavenly parents live and love us with divine and perfect love. They will never abandon us. As we seek Them, we are assured of Their plan and love for us.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Love Beyond Comprehension – The Truth of Our Divine Heritage appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 podcast
HighlightsIn 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 Experience
Lynn 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 Tenure
Bill discusses his short time as bishop before being called as stake president.
00:08:53 – Rick Francom’s Journey as Bishop
Rick 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 Authority
Rick shares the process of being ordained by an apostle and the significance of that experience.
00:15:35 – Lynn’s Unexpected Call
Lynn reflects on his unexpected call to be bishop and the learning curve that followed.
00:17:09 – Bill’s Stake Presidency Call
Bill shares his experience of being called as stake president shortly after serving as bishop.
00:19:07 – Leadership Challenges
Discussion on the feelings of inadequacy and the reliance on the Spirit in leadership roles.
00:25:26 – Financial Concerns in Leadership
Exploration of the financial challenges faced by church leaders in the 70s and 80s.
00:28:12 – Budgeting and Fundraising
Discussion on the complexities of ward budgeting and fundraising efforts in the past.
00:30:38 – Welfare and Assistance Programs
Insights into the welfare system and how leaders managed assistance for members in need.
00:33:02 – Administrative Tasks and Check Writing
Discussion on the administrative responsibilities of bishops, including cutting checks and managing funds.
00:40:02 – Unique Welfare Experiences
Rick shares a memorable story about using fast offering funds in an unconventional way.
00:42:06 – Personal Challenges of Members
Bill reflects on the personal challenges faced by ward members and the emotional toll on leaders.
00:43:34 – General Authority Visits
Bill shares experiences with general authorities visiting the stake and the insights gained from those interactions.
00:47:19 – Quarterly Conferences and Technology
Discussion 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 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.
The post Church Leadership in the 70s & 80s | Rick Francom, Bill Luker, and Lynn Peterson appeared first on Leading Saints.
We’ve been working hard over at the Leading Saints Community to make it easy to navigate the hundreds of hours of content we have there.
I am currently working on a “Bishops” section where I will list the best 10 episodes a bishop can watch/listen.
There is a piece of content there that is widely applicable to any leader. It’s called 7 Self-Sabotaging Habits of Latter-day Saint Lay Leaders (and What to Do About Them).
I recorded that monologue a few years ago, and there are a few places I probably disagree with today; however, I’d love to know where you agree or disagree.
In summary, here are the seven self-sabotaging habits I reference in that monologue:
- Creating a culture of unquestioned obedience to what the leader directs
- A leader’s lack of motivation to acquire accurate self-awareness by seeking out alternative perspectives and general leadership training
- Providing no venue to experience real connection
- Church/family imbalance: An excessive emphasis on the importance of family responsibility that causes individuals/families to disengage with the Church (and vice versa)
- Creating unintentional shame
- Too many targets and no vision
- Excessive gestures of niceness, love, or spirituality meant to influence a person to choose a specific life path
You can listen to the episode HERE.
Share your perspective and feedback on that same page.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post 7 Self-Sabotaging Habits of a Leader appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 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
HighlightsMike 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.
Highlights
00:04:52 – Description of Mike’s YSA Ward
00:05:48 – Mike’s Personal Story
00:07:38 – Spiritual Wounds from Imperfect Relationships
00:10:27 – Development of Shame and Addiction
00:12:23 – Early Bishop Interactions & Unhelpful Advice
00:16:16 – Analogy: Quitting Smoking vs. Pornography
00:18:18 – Realization: Pornography Isn’t About Sex
00:19:15 – The Nature and Root Causes of Addiction
00:20:14 – Sobriety vs. Recovery
00:20:32 – Leadership Focus: Behavior vs. Underlying Wounds
00:22:33 – Rock Bottom
00:26:40 – Hope: Bishop Suggests ARP Program
00:29:03 – Deepening Involvement in 12-Step Recovery
00:32:36 – Recovery Strategy: Face It, Replace It, Connect
00:35:18 – Called as Bishopric Counselor
00:39:16 – Called as YSA Bishop
00:39:53 – Openness About Past with Leaders and Ward
00:42:53 – Purpose of Sharing Story: Connection, Not Attention
00:44:06 – Advice for New Bishops: Learn About Addiction (Attend ARP/AA)
00:53:58 – Advice for Friends/Family: Love, Grace, Connect
00:55:45 – Support for Spouses/Children of Addicts (The “True Victims”)
00:56:06 – Leaders: Support Spouses
00:58:04 – Better Follower of Christ = Better Leader
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 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.
The post Why Recovering Addicts Make Great Bishops | An Interview with Mike Houghtaling appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsBrandon 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 Transition
00:03:24 – Brandon Doman’s Early Faith Development and Family Influence
00:06:03 – Family Challenges and the Pursuit of Football Scholarships
00:07:30 – The Role of Sports and Parental Involvement in Childhood
00:13:05 – Influence of High School Coach Roger Dupe and His Principles
00:15:49 – Transition to BYU Football and Lavell Edwards’ Coaching
00:20:48 – A Leadership Lesson from Lavell Edwards’ Consistency
00:23:19 – Lavell Edwards’ Delegation and Trust in His Coaches
00:24:53 – Early Church Leadership as a BYU Quarterback
00:28:30 – Calling as a Stake President for Young Single Adults
00:33:15 – Challenges and Needs of Young Adults in Today’s World
00:37:57 – Orienting Bishops in Young Single Adult Wards
00:39:39 – The Role of Bishops and Their Wives as Examples
00:41:26 – Dynamics with Stake Counselors and Focus on Temple Ordinances
00:43:10 – Key Leadership Principles Learned as Stake President
00:48:12 – Hope and Encouragement for Those Worrying About Young Adults
00:54:54 – The Importance of Gathering and Finding Everyone
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.
The post From BYU Quarterback to Stake President | An Interview with Brandon Doman appeared first on Leading Saints.
I’d like to share a throwback message I shared on YouTube about six years ago.
Go to the following link to learn more about my ministering interviews strategy, which I still use today as elders quorum president.
While you’re over at YouTube, make sure you’re subscribed. This helps us rank higher in the algorithm and help more leaders.
I present to you… THE CABLE GUY METHOD
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Cable Guy Ministering Interviews appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsPresident 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 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 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.
The post Expect the Unexpected as You Lead | A How I Lead Interview with Calvin Griffin appeared first on Leading Saints.
Mary Margaret Thompson was raised in Salt Lake City by two California natives and converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary served a mission in upper New England. Upon her return, she met and married Spencer Thompson. She earned her masters degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Utah and taught kindergarten for three years. She is now raising four precious children. Mary has served in various callings, both in ward and stake Young Women presidencies, as well as a Primary presidency and as Primary chorister. She is currently a Relief Society teacher. She has also been the supporting role for her husband who served as the president of NorthStar International for several years. Mary has a great passion to write inspirational thoughts, and has written a personal blog for the past seven years, since President Nelson encouraged us to receive personal revelation.
Enter Mary…Mother’s Day is often filled with a whirlwind of emotions. As women, we are gifted with deep feeling, and in moments of anguish or joy, heaven often reaches out in sacred, personal ways. I’d like to share one such experience, and how it connected me more deeply with the divine feminine—our Heavenly Mother.
Years ago, I became captivated by a biography of my husband’s great-grandfather, Stayner Richards, a descendant of Willard Richards, who was with the Prophet Joseph Smith during the martyrdom at Carthage. Stayner had served as a Mission President in Great Britain and an assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. One letter from President David O. McKay in the biography especially moved me. He recounted a sermon by Stayner Richards, delivered in Cardiff, Wales, which brought a congregation of missionaries to tears—a tribute to mothers.
That detail overwhelmed me because at age 14, I was in Cardiff when I received the devastating phone call that my mother and sister had died in a car accident. The fact that Spencer’s great-grandfather had spoken of mothers in that very city decades earlier felt like a whisper from heaven—a divine alignment reminding me of eternal bonds. While my mother has passed on, I’ve come to reflect on another sacred truth: we all have a Mother in Heaven.
Our Mother in HeavenOur theology is unique and beautiful in its acknowledgment of heavenly parents. As Elder Oaks declared,
“Our theology begins with heavenly parents. Our highest aspiration is to be like them.”
This is echoed in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, which proclaims:
“Each person is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents.”
Although we speak of Her less frequently, the Church affirms Her existence in the Gospel Topics essay “Mother in Heaven,” which Elder Renlund referred to in his April 2022 talk, Your Divine Nature and Eternal Destiny. It reminds us:
“The doctrine of a Heavenly Mother is a cherished and distinctive belief among Latter-day Saints.”
We are daughters and sons of both a Father and a Mother Divine.
When I studied Eliza R. Snow’s hymn, Oh My Father, I felt a resonance that only the Spirit can provide. Her inspired words echo Joseph Smith’s teachings and capture eternal truth:
“In the heav’ns are parents single? No, the thought makes reason stare! Truth is reason; truth eternal Tells me I’ve a mother there.”
That truth has been healing for me. As I’ve sought to understand God—and myself—more deeply, I have turned to both of my heavenly parents. In times of grief and longing, I’ve prayed to comprehend Her better. While Church leaders have directed us to pray to the Father in the name of Christ, I believe She too listens, nurtures, and ministers.
A Personal PrayerAs part of my own spiritual journey, I wrote a heartfelt poem—a prayer, really—expressing my yearning to know Her. Though it is personal revelation for me, it afforded me the opportunity to connect to Her through personal poetry.
The Divine in UsTraveling recently through Europe, I reflected deeply on how our churches are places of remembrance. Each week, we partake of the Sacrament to “remember Him.” I believe remembering our Mothers—both mortal and eternal—is part of that sacred remembering. Christ, even in His agony on the cross, honored His own mother: “Behold thy mother” (John 19:27).
Mary, the mother of Jesus, exemplifies divine motherhood. She was there from His first breath to His last. Her obedience, sacrifice, and nurturing prepared the Savior for His earthly ministry. Her actions mirror those of our Heavenly Mother, whose influence surely helped shape the Redeemer of the world.
One powerful moment for me was witnessing Michelangelo’s Pietà in Rome. It depicts Mary holding the crucified body of her Son with both sorrow and serenity. Her expression, youthful and peaceful, seemed to whisper of eternal perspective—perhaps the same love and foresight our Heavenly Mother has as she sends us to earth.
Just as Mary offered her Son, our Eternal Mother offers each of us to mortality, fully aware of the trials we will face, but trusting in the plan of redemption through Her Son, our Brother and Savior.
What Our Faith TeachesAs women, and as Latter-day Saints, we are heirs to a profound spiritual identity. This truth is echoed in the revised Young Women’s theme:
“I am a beloved daughter of heavenly parents, with a divine nature and eternal destiny.”
All women, regardless of life circumstances, embody divinity. As Elder Ballard taught: “All women have within their divine nature both the inherent talent and the stewardship to mother.” And Sister Patricia Holland added:
Mother is… a statement about our nature, not a headcount of our children.
We learn from Daughters in My Kingdom that the Savior was the greatest advocate of women in His time—and remains so today. “Certain women” in His ministry were disciples, teachers, and caregivers. Their strength reflects our own eternal potential. Charity—“the pure love of Christ”—is described with feminine pronouns in scripture. It is nurturing, healing, and divine.
A Healing InvitationI lost my mother at 14. One of the only things she left behind was a letter—a matriarchal blessing, in a way. She wrote about who I was and who I was becoming. It ends with, “We all love you. Love, Mother.” That letter has become one of my most sacred possessions.
If you feel the absence of your mother—mortal or Eternal—I invite you to do something healing: write yourself a letter, imagining what She would say. Let the Spirit guide you. Sign it: Love, Mother.
As we lead by example in our homes and strive to better understand our Heavenly Mother, I believe She leads us back to the Savior. He is the bridge between us and our heavenly parents. He embodies the perfect balance of divine masculine and feminine love.
Elder Glenn L. Pace once testified:
“Sisters, I testify that when you stand in front of your heavenly parents in those royal courts on high… any questions you ever had about the role of women in the kingdom will evaporate into the richest celestial air, because at that moment you will see standing in front of you, your divine nature and destiny.”
Until that sacred day, may we live worthy of our eternal heritage and prepare for the glorious return of the One who makes our return possible.
And remember Her.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Remember Her – Recognizing Our Heavenly Mother appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsCoach 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 Faith
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 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.
The post How I Lead as BYU Women’s Soccer Coach | An Interview with Jennifer Rockwood appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
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 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.
The post Why I Called 3 Relief Society Counselors | A How I Lead Interview with Amy Jo Schenewark appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.com
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsRick 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 Chapters
00:04:32 – Rick’s Personal Experience
00:11:31 – Defining Infidelity
00:12:53 – Advice for Church Leaders
00:15:59 – The Danger of Trickle Truth
00:21:32 – Understanding CPTSD
00:25:29 – Treating Trauma
00:33:34 – The Importance of Community
00:37:14 – Timeline for Healing
00:40:01 – Navigating Affair Partners
00:43:13 – Involving Children
00:45:42 – Prioritizing Individual Healing
00:53:39 – Reasons for Affairs
00:58:21 – Gender Differences in Affairs
01:01:06 – The Importance of Recovery
01:04:35 – Recommended Resources
01:05:03 – The Role of Faith
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 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.
The post When a Latter-day Saint Has an Affair | An Interview with Rick Reynolds appeared first on Leading Saints.
Since I have interviewed hundreds of leaders across the world in our How I Lead segment where I explore their personal approach to a specific calling, it’s probably only fair for me to share what I do as an elders quorum president.
Over the past six months or so, I have had the opportunity to serve as elders quorum president, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it, to say the least.
Of course I bring my own personality and style to the role; however, there are a few things I have discovered that could easily be a template for other elders quorum presidencies who are struggling to get life and energy into elders quorum.
So here are my suggestions that any elders quorum could implement to enhance the experience in quorum meetings.
- Embrace the Cultural HallFor years, elders have been meeting in the cultural hall for quorum meetings; mainly because church architects, for some reason, never designed a room for elders quorums (we are the forgotten demographic).
However, I embrace this fact.
I love the open space and the ability to spread out in different groups (more on this later).
- Start with a WarmupThis is sound advice for any teacher.
Don’t just start with a prayer and then jump into the lesson.
You need to warm up the group to the experience.
I mentioned some warmup ideas previously; however, how to do this probably deserves its own newsletter message.
The point is to do a simple interactive activity that gets the group talking.
• Do a spotlight interview of someone in the quorum
• Ask questions that get them reflecting on their past week
• Share good news moments
• Pair up the group and have them get to know each other for 5 minutes
• Show a short church video or song and ask reflection questions
I typically use the warm-up time to naturally transition into the suggested 10-minute quorum council discussion.
- No Class Instructor, Multiple FacilitatorsI’ve never called an elders quorum instructor.
Instead, before each quorum meeting, my presidency asks specific quorum members the following, typically via text message:
Would you be able to help us out in elders quorum on Sunday?
• Pick any general conference talk
• Prepare to facilitate a discussion with 4-6 elders
• The discussion will last 10 to 15 minutes
Let me know if you have any questions.
We typically ask 4 men to facilitate each quorum meeting, which makes 4 groups of 6-9 men.
This approach accomplishes several things:
• Rotating facilitators allows more men to contribute in quorum meetings, which builds community and friendships
• Facilitators get to pick a general conference talk they are more connected to, which makes for a personalized discussion
• Smaller groups make it easier to stimulate discussion, and men get to know more individuals on a personal basis
- Pray for One AnotherEight minutes before the end of class, whoever is conducting interrupts the discussions and invites everyone to circle up.
A member of the elders quorum shares a short 2-minute spiritual thought and also shares a personal way that the quorum could pray for them.
We then remind the quorum to keep this information in the room in order for others to feel safe in sharing.
We then invite anyone in the room to share how we can pray for them as a quorum.
Sometimes, this requires a few quiet moments as we wait until men are willing to raise their hand and share.
This is often the most powerful part of the meeting and stimulates connection and brotherhood beyond anything else we do.
We then invite one person to offer the closing prayer and remember these specific prayer requests.
That’s the basic model for quorum meeting:
- Embrace the Cultural Hall
- Start with a Warmup
- No Class Instructors, Multiple Facilitators
- Pray for One Another
Maybe some of this is inspiring and you can tweak it to the needs of your quorum.
It’s all based on stimulating a foundation of community and connection.
If you’re able to do that, then more of your quorum members will feel the transformation of His doctrine and its redemptive power.
See what others are saying about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post A Quorum Meeting Template appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.com
Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Life, Work, and Leadership
The Elevated Leader: Level Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsRyan 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 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.
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, 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.
The post Is Your Mindset Limiting Your Leadership? | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bob Young is a lifelong member of the Church who has served in a variety of leadership and support callings. He served a full-time mission in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a degree in Communications. Bob spent more than three decades as a human resources professional and is now happily retired. He is currently serving as a stake emotional resilience facilitator.
Enter Bob…Recently, in a discussion regarding community activities, a neighbor stated it was hard to know about the community events because “the standing joke is, you don’t really have neighbors here unless you’re LDS.” She added that for the last several years, she has taken Christmas goodies to her immediate neighbors but has yet to make a connection with any of them.
As I thought about this comment, I also recalled two previous conversations with different community residents who were told by other Latter-day Saint neighbors their children would not be allowed to play with each other because they were not members of the Church. One of these comments was from a couple of decades ago while the other was somewhat more recent.
While I obviously do not know if similar feelings are had in other areas, it makes me sad to hear that it is present in my own neighborhood. I hope that as I present a few discussion items on this topic, each of us can self-evaluate how we interact with our neighbors who are not members of our faith.
The Savior’s Legacy of LoveIn the familiar story found in Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus was asked “which is the great commandment in the law?” He responded the “first and great commandment” is to love God with all of our soul and mind. However, he didn’t conclude His answer here, He continued by adding this commandment’s companion. He continued “And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Then the Savior declared, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
In other words, isn’t Christ teaching us that love is the essence of His gospel? President Thomas S. Monson said:
“Actually, love is the very essence of the gospel, and Jesus Christ is our Exemplar. His life was a legacy of love.”
Also, Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf stated,
“Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ.”
In Luke 10:29-37, Jesus responds to the question “who is my neighbour” by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus then asks which one was “neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?” The inquiring man responded that it was the one who showed mercy and Jesus then commands “Go, and do thou likewise.” An essential part of this story is that Samaritans were thought by Jews to have a diluted bloodline, and incorrect faith and traditions. Yet this greatest of all teachers taught us with this parable these things do not matter; we should love and show love to others regardless of differences in faith, culture, standing and/or any other difference.
We have a wonderful manual on the Church’s website dedicated to “Teaching in the Savior’s Way,” but shouldn’t we also love as the Savior loves?
Christ taught in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you, “That ye love one another; as I have loved you.” Then He emphasizes the importance of this “new” doctrine by essentially repeating it twice more to His disciples in John 15:12 and John 15:17.
The doctrines and principles of the gospel are, of course, important and deserving of our attention and obedience—but if they don’t lead us to greater compassion, kindness, and inclusion, perhaps we are missing something. With the above being said, the question is how do we do it?
Being NeighborlyThere are many ways to involve ourselves in our communities and to include our neighbors regardless of differences of faith, culture, politics, ethnicity, or orientation. There are PTAs, garden clubs, youth sports leagues, local neighborhood associations, etc. Step one could be just to become friends with our non-member neighbors by doing simple things like:
- Inviting them over for dinner without an agenda,
- Having a game night with several neighbors,
- Shoveling someone’s snow or mowing their lawn without being asked,
- Sharing produce from our garden,
- Having a mutual play day with kids at the park and
- Many more ways not listed here.
We can also show up at community forums, concerts, or service opportunities not affiliated with the Church, and invite neighbors to attend with us. Loving our neighbor isn’t about shared religion—it’s about shared humanity. It’s great to invite our non-member friends to our Church activities, but many might not feel comfortable in this type of setting and may respond better to non-religious invites. Other ways to be more neighborly include:
- Learning your neighbors’ names and using them,
- Waving and greeting them regularly (especially those who live near you),
- Bringing over cookies just because,
- Welcoming someone new to the street right away,
- Offering help in emergencies, moves, etc.
A big way is to engage in conversations about them by asking questions and showing interest in their lives, their children, and/or their beliefs. This can help people feel seen and valued before they ever step into our Church building. It can also open hearts without pressure and let the Spirit guide naturally.
With regard to this subject, President Dallin H. Oaks stated,
“On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention. Followers of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. Our stands and communications on controversial topics should not be contentious.”
An addition resource on how we can do this can be found on the Church website.
Our Own StreetLet us lead out—not just in faith, but in friendship. Let us live the gospel by loving like the Savior loves. A good place to start or to renew our efforts will be on our own street, right where we live.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post The Joke’s on Us – Rediscovering What It Means to Be a Neighbor appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Instagram
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
Highlights03:57 – Braeden’s Career Transition
06:45 – Creating Safe Spaces for Youth
11:45 – Understanding Youth Psyche
18:53 – Emotional Literacy
24:30 – Integrating Emotional Awareness in Church Settings
34:38 – Authenticity and Vulnerability
44:57 – Surrender and Trust in God
48:07 – Changing Prayers
50:24 – Modeling Authenticity
56:33 – Continuous Learning about God
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 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.
The post Connecting Authentically with Youth | An Interview with Braeden Jensen appeared first on Leading Saints.
Like most things in mortality that we attempt to correct, we often overcorrect.
This is the case for a trend happening in many young single adult (YSA) wards.
A few decades ago (around the time I was strutting around my own singles ward), there was a more blatant push for single adults to get married.
We all have our own stories, but this emphasis became excessive and out of control.
It was the topic of many church meetings and passive-aggressive jokes as the YSA bishopric saw itself as a matchmaking service.
Thankfully, since then, there has been a cultural shift.
However, have we overcorrected?
Many YSA bishoprics and stake presidencies wear it as a badge of honor that they focus solely on personal relationships with Jesus Christ rather than pursuing marriage.
This would make sense if we were any other Protestant denomination that has no belief in eternal marriage—or, better stated, no belief in the sanctifying and exalting nature of eternal marriage.
Can you imagine if we sent missionaries out into the world to simply focus on individuals’ personal relationships with Jesus Christ and never mention baptism?
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, ~~baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost~~…and help them have a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
In our theology, a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is essential; however, it is very much tied to restored ordinances, one of which includes an eternal sealing to an eternal partner.
These ordinances are given to us for the very purpose of having a relationship with Jesus Christ.
(Here comes my overly-used newsletter phrase…)
NOW DON’T GET ME WRONG…
I’m not saying we should go back to meat-market traditions where an awkward bishopric member in his 50s encourages you to chat with the attractive prospect on the other side of the linger-longer.
We shouldn’t emphasize marriage; however, we should emphasize the eternal marriage ordinance that sanctifies, strengthens, and puts couples on a path of exaltation.
Are people getting married too young?
Aren’t they too immature to know what they want in life?
Shouldn’t they focus on education?
To each their own; however, when given the opportunity, I’m leaning into any ordinances offered to me, and I wouldn’t want to discourage anyone else from the same exalting path.
Ten times out of ten, I’ll bet on the couple who gets married too young in an eternal sealing bond performed by divine authority rather than the person who thinks they need a personal journey.
I got married at 23, and it has been a transformational relationship between me, my wife, and Jesus Christ that has developed me into a more heavenly person (with a long way to go).
So, to my dear YSA leaders, let’s not get weird about it, but never hesitate to suggest a next step that includes a saving ordinance.
Nothing will enhance their relationship with Jesus Christ like an eternal sealing ordinance.
See what others are saying about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Did We Overcorrect on Marriage in YSA Wards? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Years
Developing Wilford Woodruff as a Leader | An Interview with Steven Wheelwright
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsThis 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 Woodruff
06:56 – The Wilford Woodruff Papers Project
09:08 – Overview of Kristy’s Book
10:00 – Kristy’s Role as Stake Relief Society President
11:07 – Support from Stake Leadership
11:47 – Changes in Stake Leadership Sundays
12:47 – Demographics of the Stake
12:49 – Engaging with the Wards
14:31 – Building Relationships with Ward Leaders
15:38 – Common Challenges in Relief Society
19:29 – Unity in Leadership
20:36 – Importance of Sincere Testimonies
22:42 – Fostering Doctrinal Confidence
27:26 – Encouraging Open Discussions
29:49 – Addressing Hard Questions
32:24 – Collaborating with Other Leaders
36:21 – Normalizing Difficult Conversations
40:36 – The Role of Problem Solving 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. Learn more and 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.
The post Bringing the Hard Questions to Relief Society | A How I Lead Interview with Kristy Wheelwright Taylor appeared first on Leading Saints.
Many of you may have had a transformational experience during an Easter or Christmas sacrament program. Or were deeply touched by a special musical number.
There’s something sacred about sitting in sacrament meetings and feeling the Spirit settle into the room as voices rise in harmony or a single voice bears testimony through music. Whether it’s a heartfelt solo, a humble duet, or a well-rehearsed choir, special musical numbers are more than just “filler.” They are instruments of healing, worship, and connection—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Science confirms what the Spirit has long taught us: music has power. It activates both hemispheres of the brain, increases endorphins, boosts heart health, reduces cortisol, and enhances emotional regulation. On a spiritual level, music can soften hearts, invite revelation, and prepare us to partake of the sacrament with more humility and gratitude.
With that in mind, here are three key ways we can intentionally use musical numbers and choirs to uplift and unify the Saints:
Choir as Connection: Building Emotional and Spiritual UnityParticipation in a ward choir is often underestimated. But those who show up—consistently or even just when they can—often find more than music. They find connection. According to research published in Frontiers in Psychology, singing in a group not only synchronizes breathing and heart rates but also increases oxytocin—the “bonding hormone.” That’s the same hormone released during acts of trust and love.
For members who feel isolated or are working through grief, stress, or spiritual questions, choir can be a place of gentle healing. The act of singing together builds emotional safety and unity. Over time, these shared musical experiences become spiritual anchors.
For Choir DirectorsYou have a sacred stewardship. More than just “getting through the hymn,” you can create a space of belonging. Begin practices with a short spiritual thought. Ask members what a song means to them. Invite prayerful reflection before performances. When you lead with love and purpose, your choir becomes more than a group—it becomes a small spiritual family.
The Individual Offering: Testimony Through SongWhen a soloist or small group shares a musical number, something sacred happens. The congregation leans in. The Spirit whispers. Testimonies are quietly strengthened. These offerings often come with vulnerability, and that openness invites authenticity—something our worship desperately needs.
Music allows members to testify in a language that transcends spoken word. For some, it’s easier to sing than to speak their testimony aloud. For others, it’s a way to process grief or gratitude.
From a health standpoint, singing individually increases breath control, decreases stress hormones, and promotes emotional expression. One Harvard Health article noted that even listening to a heartfelt solo can reduce pain and increase empathy in the listener.
A Bonus Benefit?The youth in your ward may be more willing to share musical numbers than give talks. Music gives them a doorway into spiritual expression—on their terms, in their voice.
Inspired Selection: The Stewardship of Song ChoiceEvery music director knows the challenge of selecting songs that fit within policy and time constraints. But what if we saw this effort as a spiritual opportunity?
Choosing inspired music requires sensitivity to the Spirit, awareness of ward needs, and sometimes, boldness. The right song at the right moment can feel like revelation to someone who desperately needed it.
There’s growth in this effort. It requires listening—not just to music, but to people. What themes are surfacing in sacrament talks? What challenges are members facing? What quiet promptings are you feeling? The more we seek that inspiration, the more refined our ability becomes to receive it.
For Choir Directors and Music CoordinatorsThis is your influence. This is your ministry. And it’s one that can touch even those who struggle to connect with spoken messages.
Final Thought: Making Room for the Spirit Through MusicWhen we prioritize music in our worship, we prioritize connection. Not performance. Not perfection. But connection—with each other and with heaven. Elder Merrill J. Bateman, of the Seventy, shared that:
“Church hymns are a form of worship; they serve as a prayer of thanks and an expression of commitment. Many hymns build unity among the Saints as well as build a community of Saints. They invite the Spirit into meetings and into our lives. They teach doctrine. Hymns often express testimony and may even be a form of protection or a source of comfort and healing.”
So whether you’re a bishopric member choosing to invite more musical numbers, a choir director wondering if your efforts matter, or a member who’s been thinking about volunteering your musical talents—step forward.
Offer your song.
Give your voice.
And trust that heaven hears—and heals—through it.
Beth Young is a convert of 47 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 38 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah seven years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
The post Spiritual Anchors – The Power of Music in Worship appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 reports
Addressing Pornography
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsKurt 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 Research
04:26 – Overview of BYU and the Wheatley Institute
05:57 – Research Impact on Policy and Society
06:57 – Teaching Future Therapists and Family Studies
07:37 – The Stigma of Pornography in Religious Contexts
08:50 – Understanding the Broader Impact of Pornography
09:51 – Meta-Analyses and Key Findings on Pornography
11:38 – The Concept of Addiction and Compulsive Behavior
12:58 – Potential for DSM Inclusion of Hypersexual Disorder
13:47 – Brain Chemistry and Pornography Use
15:29 – Distinction Between Addictive and Problematic Use
17:34 – Scripting Expectations from Pornography
19:24 – Social Media and Its Impact on Mental Health
20:34 – The Need for Open Conversations About Pornography
21:09 – The Role of Church Leaders in Addressing Pornography
22:13 – The Importance of Avoiding Labels of Addiction
23:47 – Understanding Youth Experiences with Pornography
25:56 – The Normative Context of Pornography Use
27:06 – Creating Positive Conversations Around Pornography
28:51 – The Role of Fear and Anxiety in Youth Discussions
30:05 – Normalizing Sin and Repentance
31:04 – Distinction Between Guilt and Shame
34:02 – Motivating Youth Through Guilt vs. Shame
36:57 – The Importance of Understanding Triggers
39:11 – Building Coping Skills for Youth
41:27 – Final Thoughts on Support and Guidance
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 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.
The post The Science of Pornography Use | An Interview with Brian Willoughby appeared first on Leading Saints.
Pastor Jeff, known for his Hello Saints YouTube channel, recently invited me to join him at general conference.
This wasn’t his first time attending—he’s been twice before.
The first time, he came solo as a curious pastor, and the second time, he attended with his wife, Joy.
This time, he wanted to experience general conference alongside a Latter-day Saint (me) to gain a closer perspective on how we engage with this sacred tradition.
For me, attending general conference feels routine, so I wasn’t sure how this experience would unfold.
However, as the experience progressed, I found myself reflecting deeply on this cherished tradition.
It helped me better appreciate the significance of general conference and why it holds such an important place in my faith.
Here are four concepts that stood out to me during this experience.
We Truly Are Brothers and SistersEvery time I attend general conference, I’m reminded of the familial bond we share as saints.
Outside the Conference Center, groups naturally form—people reconnecting through hugs and smiles.
Whether they’re mission companions, old ward members, college friends, or former presidency members, these moments highlight our shared faith and love for one another.
I cherish how effortlessly we connect as spiritual siblings through our mutual beliefs.
There’s Power in Gathering TogetherThe pandemic showed us what general conference feels like without the in-person gathering—it was different.
Walking into the Conference Center now has a grounding effect that’s hard to describe.
You can feel the love of the people and the unified testimonies of the restored gospel.
No matter where you sit in the vast auditorium, there’s a sense of togetherness.
Even for those who can’t attend in person, the central gathering place renews us all.
I Love ProphetsSeeing leaders like Elder Uchtdorf with his ever-present smile or marveling at Elder Cook’s seemingly ageless appearance reminds me how deeply we grow to love these men over decades of hearing their teachings.
While we sometimes risk overdoing hero worship for these mortal servants of God, their consistent preaching makes them endearing, even when some talks uncomfortably challenge us.
I’ll never forget the week between President Hinckley’s passing and his funeral; I could feel some intense emotion bubbling under the surface.
During the closing hymn of his funeral broadcast, I found myself unexpectedly overcome with emotion—ugly crying on the couch while my wife looked on in shock.
That moment encapsulated how much love we develop for these prophets after years of learning from them.
Now it’s your turn.
How do you experience general conference and why?
Watch my documented general conference experience with Pastor Jeff HERE and share your thoughts there as well.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. Get the up-to-date newsletter message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post I went to General Conference with a Pastor appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 18:3
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsNed 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 Activities
05:08 – Ned’s Background in Young Mens Leadership
10:10 – The Importance of Proactive Leadership
12:13 – Developing a High Adventure Program
16:05 – Planning Party for Youth Activities
20:52 – Preparing for the Backpacking Adventure
24:36 – Budgeting for High Adventure Activities
26:10 – Effective Communication with Parents
30:02 – Engaging with Parents for Support
32:10 – Finding Jesus in High Adventure
38:43 – The Power of Prayer in Activities
42:15 – Building a Supportive Culture Among Youth
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 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.
The post How I Lead “High Adventure” Experiences with Youth | An Interview with Ned McArthur appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…Our Heavenly Parents are the ultimate scientists. Not only are They more intelligent than each of the most revered scientists of all the world, They are more intelligent than the combined intelligence of all scientists of all time.
They are omniscient.
Perpetual Question MarksI have great respect and appreciation for the work of scientists. It is incredibly inspiring to look at the panorama of history and consider how our lives are blessed because of scientific research. But I am also sometimes amused by scientific research and at times wonder how much more advanced scientific theories would be if the architects of such theories had revealed truth from God as their beginning points rather than as their perpetual question marks.
For example, several decades ago in a cover story of a popular news magazine, after much presentation of their research, scientists declared that they were quite certain that we would, in the not-too-distant future and with our brilliance and sophistication, be able to determine if there is life on other planets. Just for fun, I checked again at the time of this writing and, sure enough, the same magazine is now predicting that perhaps within the next decade or two, we will discover if there are other planets like ours with life like ours.
“God has declared, And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purpose. . . . there are many worlds that have passed away. . . . And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man, but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them.” (Moses 1:33-35)
In the same chapter, God declares that His “purpose” of creating these worlds is to provide homes for mankind—for Their sons and daughters. The following description from modern revelation that proclaims the intelligence and grandeur of God has long been one of my favorite scriptures:
“He comprehendeth all things, and all things are before him, and all things are round about him; and he is above all things, and in all things, and is through all things, and is round about all things; and all things are by him, and of him, even God, forever and ever.
And again, verily I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and their seasons; And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets.
And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years—all these are one year with God, but not with man.
The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.
Unto what shall I liken these kingdoms, that ye may understand?
Behold, all these are kingdoms, and any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:41-47)
Delivering AweThere are many great scientists, of course, who are believers in God and His designs. Others, although not fully convinced of the reality of God, come close to belief in the divine in their thoughts and theories. In his book, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future In Space, the late Carl Sagan, who was often accused of being an atheist (and often denied such), helps us understand the grandeur of God and how some are inhibited by not recognizing His greatness:
“In some respects, science has far surpassed religion in delivering awe. How is it that hardly any major religion has looked at science and concluded, ‘This is better than we thought!’ ‘The Universe is much bigger than our prophets said—grander, more subtle, more elegant. God must be even greater than we dreamed’? Instead, they say, ‘No, no, no! My god is a little god and I want him to stay that way.’ A religion, old or new, that stressed the magnificence of the Universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by the conventional faiths. Sooner or later, such a religion will emerge.”
Our Heavenly Father is not “a little god” but is a Great Big God. Our Heavenly Parents created all things for the blessing and joy of Their children and therefore know all principles and truth associated with Their creations. They stand willing to impart all truth to any of Their children who will honestly and humbly seek Them.
Eternal TruthsI am grateful for the truths I have learned through my study of Them and Their work.
I share what follows as a sampling, in the form of brief, summary statements, of what I have come to believe through my spiritual-life journey with the hope that these statements will offer you true direction in your life and be a springboard to inspire your further pondering and study:
- All truth is included in one great whole and our Heavenly Parents, in Their omniscience, know the total of all truth. In Their dealings with us, They are not as a scientist experimenting in a laboratory and guessing at outcomes. All true science and philosophy conform to God’s truth. There is no question or problem that They cannot help us with if we are willing to humble ourselves and place our complete trust and faith in Them.
- There is no conflict between pure science and undefiled religion but only between scientific theory and religious speculation, where both sides often miss the mark of doctrinal truth.
- Eternal truth is simple, clear, and understandable, whereas false science, false philosophy, or false worship come veiled in deep mystery and confusion. Through the power and influence of the Holy Ghost, we may discern between truth and falsehood in any field of study.
- The discovery and application of light and truth take us away from the dark influence of Satan and toward the glory and omniscience of God. “Light and truth forsake that evil one.” (D&C 93:37)
- The forces that impact the earth are not static. For example, the quantity and force of time, heat, and pressure studied and applied to matter in our present day may be different than in a past age or period of creation.
- Science is typically silent as to the question of why man was created. This question is central to true religion. Our Heavenly Parents, in providing us Their great plan of eternal happiness, employ and exceed all laws of science known to mortal man. Their plan is based on and operates within eternal, irrevocable divine law and purpose.
- Eternal truths are revealed directly by God to man as needed for Their plan and purposes.
- Eternal truths may also be discovered through scientific research.
- God communicates on a level commensurate with the understanding and abilities of the receiver. He does not speak up or down to anyone.
- Faith—the assurance of things unseen but true—is foundational to the discovery of truth. Whether our assurance of truth comes early or late in our course of study, our faith is what propels us forward to discovery of eternal truth.
- Repentance—the turning around from a bitter course to pursue a healing course, or the changing of one’s mind and heart—is an essential element of true study and research. As scientists and followers of Christ show humility and willingness to change their minds from a course of error, God blesses them by revealing to them more eternal truth.
- Revelation—divine disclosure from God—is more timely and more pure than is scientific research. For example, God revealed the ill effects of the use of tobacco and alcohol long before science seriously studied and concluded the same effects.
- God is a God of order and precision. Their eternal laws permeate and apply to all things in the universe.
- The fact that universal physical laws are evident in man and animal does not establish a relationship of ancestry between the two. A heart may circulate blood in basically the same manner in a human as in a monkey. In Their perfect and practical understanding, God used successful universal principles in both creations—but this does not make them cousins.
- The elements are eternal. All matter is indestructible and can only be transformed—never destroyed.
- To create means to organize. In creating the earth and all things therein, Our Heavenly Parents did not create from nothing—They organized existing, eternal matter.
- Man and woman—Adam and Eve, and thus their descendants—were directly created by our Heavenly Parents and are Their literal offspring. Their creation came after and apart from the creation of plant and animal life.
- Jesus Christ, under direction of God the Father, created all things—except man and woman.
- The power and influence of Christ—sometimes referred to as the Light of Christ—permeates all the universe and enlightens, governs, and influences all beings to the degree they give heed to it.
- As people heed the influence of the Light of Christ, they are led to further light and truth—even to the full receipt of the power of the Holy Ghost through baptism and confirmation and to an ultimate perfect understanding.
- Our Heavenly Parents sometime provide physical instruments to assist Their children in gaining truth (e.g., the Urim and Thummim in ancient and modern times) and inspire the creation of other instruments (e.g., Global Positioning Systems) to assist mankind in searching for truth. The more skilled and studied a person becomes in the use of such instruments, the less dependent he or she becomes on them. Studied, learned, and heeded truth becomes an eternal part of our very being.
- The full scope and extent of how the scientific theories of organic evolution and survival of the fittest apply to the creation and development of plant and animal life remains uncertain.
- We, and all people, are eternal beings carrying forth our individual and unique spirit and intelligence through our premortal, mortal, and postmortal existence.
- God’s revealed truth is not always in accord with current experimental data or what scientists may deem as scientific fact.
- The Fall of Adam and Eve launched mankind into our current state of mortality. This Fall could be viewed more as a state of progression and came about not by chance or accident but by righteous moral choice of our first parents.
- When our mortal bodies die, our spirits live on. Our spirits are a more refined state of matter than that of our physical bodies. Our resurrection at some point will reunite our spirit with an incorruptible physical body, thus forming our eternal soul.
- Energy is indestructible and can only be converted to another form.
- The material universe is controlled by eternal law. God works in accord with eternal law and truth. His miracles are simply applications of eternal laws not understood by man. If man could fully understand eternal law, he would fully understand miracles. Wendell Berry said, “Whoever really has considered the lilies of the field or the birds of the air and pondered the improbability of their existence in this warm world within the cold and empty stellar distances will hardly balk at the turning of water into wine— which was, after all, a very small miracle. We forget the greater and continuing miracle by which water (with soil and sunlight) is turned into grapes.”
- God would have us all be scientists, in a sense. He is not a God of mystery—He desires that we study all things and learn all truths. He aids and reveals such to us according to the humility and diligence we apply to the challenge of learning. He allows us to be tutored by our false conclusions and errors. The truth of all things will be revealed to us in due time.
- One of the ways God reveals His truth to man is through nature—He said, “all things are created and made to bear record of me.” (Moses 6:63) Composition, structure, and movements of rocks help tell the story of how and when landforms came to be. Processes and forces such as photosynthesis, soil erosion, evaporation and rainfall, gravitational force, the orbits and movements of planets, etc. teach us how our Heavenly Parents organized and designed nature to provide life and sustenance for Their creations. In Their creative processes, They use these natural forces to move and organize matter.
- Men and women have and exercise moral agency. Plants and animals do not. All people are accountable to God for how we use our moral agency.
- Animals grow and progress, live beyond their life on earth, and enjoy “eternal felicity” within their own species.
- The best scientific tool any scientist could employ is the guidance, power, and influence of the Holy Ghost.
The post The Ultimate Scientists appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Eldredge
Helping Others Restore Personal Worship & Connection with God | An Interview with John Eldredge
Experience Jesus. Really: Finding Refuge, Strength, and Wonder through Everyday Encounters with God
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul
WildatHeart.org
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsJohn 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 Eldredge
02:30 – John’s Background and Work
04:00 – Impact of “Wild at Heart”
05:00 – Evolving Insights on Men’s Needs
06:30 – Addressing Modern Challenges for Men
08:00 – The Importance of Validation for Men
09:30 – Engaging Men in Spiritual Discussions
11:00 – Check-in Practices for Men’s Groups
12:30 – Spectrogram Activity Reflection
14:00 – Addressing the “I’m Fine” Mentality
15:30 – Entry Points for Men’s Retreats
17:00 – Importance of Purpose and Meaning
18:00 – Introduction to “Experience Jesus Really”
19:30 – The Trilogy of John’s Books
20:30 – The Need for Experiential Faith
22:00 – The Impact of Internet Life on Spirituality
23:30 – Seeking Rest in God
25:00 – The Role of Desire in Spiritual Life
26:30 – The Concept of Spiritual Amphibians
28:00 – Inviting God into Daily Life
29:30 – The Importance of Mysticism in Faith
31:00 – Understanding Mysticism in Christianity
32:30 – The Need for Experiential Connection with God
34:00 – Ordinary Mystics and Childlike Wonder
35:30 – The Relationship Between Left and Right Brain
37:00 – The Role of Relational Connection in Faith
38:30 – Reframing Mysticism as Experiential Faith
40:00 – Finding God in Creation
41:30 – Communing with God Through Worship
43:00 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Experiencing God
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 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.
The post Being in the World But Not Of the World | An Interview with John Eldredge appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Parker
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsAdam 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 Proximity
05:17 – Adam’s Profession and Role
06:02 – Adam’s Experience as Elders Quorum President
07:06 – Challenges of Reintegrating After COVID
08:02 – Demographics of the Quorum
08:59 – Meeting Locations and Challenges
09:46 – Initial Steps as Elders Quorum President
10:50 – Focus on Ministering Assignments
12:05 – Building Connection and Unity
13:10 – Moving from Ideal to Reality in Lessons
18:30 – Importance of Vulnerability in Discussions
20:12 – Engaging Different Groups in Lessons
24:51 – Real-Life Example: Discussing Blessings
30:01 – Connection Precedes Meaningful Instruction
30:44 – Creating Ground Rules for Safety
35:03 – Connection Outside Sunday Meetings
39:58 – Interest-Based Micro Groups
40:33 – Managing Activities and Engagement
41:22 – Using WhatsApp for Communication
44:40 – Ministering to the Ministers
47:51 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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 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.
The post 3 Types of Elders Who Attend Quorum Meeting | A How I Lead Interview with Adam Broderick appeared first on Leading Saints.
Mary Margaret Thompson was raised in Salt Lake City by two California natives and converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Mary served a mission in upper New England. Upon her return, she met and married Spencer Thompson. She earned her masters degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of Utah and taught Kindergarten for three years. She is now raising four precious children. Mary has served in various callings, both in ward and stake Young Women presidencies, as well as a Primary presidency and as Primary chorister. She is currently a Relief Society teacher. She has also been the supporting role for her husband who served as the President of NorthStar International for several years. Mary has a great passion to write inspirational thoughts, and has written a personal blog for the past seven years, since President Nelson encouraged us to receive personal revelation.
Enter Mary…The recent change for young women to act as greeters startled me more than I expected, when I walked down the hallway to enter the chapel and saw my own twelve-year-old daughter and another young woman standing by the entrance. Their light and their presence stunned me. It brought me joy to see them there, and it felt like something was different.
Many women and young women may have mixed feelings about this new change. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it either. Nevertheless, the Lord gave me a new way to look at it, and I’m hoping it will help you, and/or any young women you know.
The Symbolism of the SacramentAfter seeing these two young women, a thought struck me that I had once heard before. If the emblems on the sacrament table represent the body of Jesus, then that means our chapel could also be viewed as a symbol of His tomb.
With this visual in mind, each time we enter the chapel which holds these sacred symbols of Him, it is as though we are entering the tomb where He lay. Our meetinghouses are not just buildings, they are dedicated spaces set apart for remembering Jesus Christ. That means the way we enter them matters.
We know that when His disciples came to the empty tomb, they were greeted by angels. (See John 20 and Matthew 28.) Could it be that these young women have just been given an incredibly sacred role to stand as angels to welcome people into our most sacred space of the week? They, as Elder Kearon has taught us, are the “welcome(rs)” to the church of joy!
In fact, it was women who were first taught at the tomb site that, “He is risen,” and those women were instructed to go and tell the others.
“They departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.” (Matthew 27:8)
The disciples came running back!
When was the last time you ran toward those chapel doors and felt the welcoming embrace of angels beckoning you to come feel the rest, the joy, and the warmth of our Savior’s loving embrace?
Joyfully ShineIt seems so clear that our young women are called, not only to stand as angels, but also to be like these sacred women of old, to bring their simple holy presence, and let it joyfully shine as a beacon to others that “He is risen.” This is especially pertinent as we prepare to worship on the most holy of holy days, Easter!
Young women, I hope you can see it! YOU are an important part of this latter-day work. It may not always be so obvious, but if you desire to know, God will help you see it.
As I observed those young women step into their role for the first time, I witnessed the joy their presence brought to every individual who walked past their welcoming smiles. My hope is that in return they felt their value and the power of their presence as well as the impact of their loving words. Some may never know how much their warm welcome may mean to a weary soul struggling to get through those doors.
A Sacred CallIf you are reading this and you or someone you know is struggling with this new responsibility, maybe just remind them that they are called to something sacred. Your presence is more than just a greeting, it is an act of discipleship.
It is a call to bring your powerful presence as a welcoming witness that our Savior lived, died, rose again and will come again to claim you as His.
Will you embrace this errand of angels?
“The errand of angels is given to women; And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim: To do whatsoever is gentle and human, To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name. How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission, If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed. Oh, naught but the Spirit’s divinest tuition Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.” (“As Sisters in Zion”, Text: Emily H. Woodmansee)
Helpful InsightsHere are a few tips for greeters to invite a sacred worship experience:
- Set the Tone With Reverence – Before greeting, take a moment to say an intentional prayer, and ask to know how you individually can bless someone with your presence, your words, and your warmth. Or rather, that God’s light can shine and be felt through you.
- Be intentional With Your Words – This is great preparation for missionary work! You may feel a little awkward and may not know everyone you are greeting, but you are on the Lord’s errand. He will fill your mouth with the words to say. You can also prepare some phrases to help you. “Welcome to Church!” Or “We’re so glad you’re here” are a couple. Take some time to ponder on some things that feel sincere to you.
- Learn Names – People love to hear their names. This is a lifelong skill that will bless you. Take some time to look in the Church tools app and learn people’s names. (This could be a fun YW activity and could relate to the names you take to the temple. They are real people!) When you see them, simply say “Hello______”, or just say their name by itself happily! We have several beautiful examples in scripture of servants of God being greeted by name. We know that in the sacred grove the first word that was uttered out of God’s mouth was “Joseph.” Likewise, we have the beautiful account of the risen Lord appearing to a grieving Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb. We know that she was weeping, and Jesus asked her why. She thought Jesus’ body had been stolen… until the sweetest word was uttered in her ears and penetrated her spirit with familiarity. He said her name, “Mary.” In both of these cases, when these people were in despair, these divine individuals brought comfort to them by saying their names. You too can use that simple acknowledgement to bring comfort to others as they come to worship.
- Be Sensitive and Aware – Learn to read other people’s body language and pray to be sensitive and aware of them. Your warm loving energy and welcoming presence can set the tone for their experience at church that day.
- Express Sincere Joy and Love Through Your Countenance – Your joyful countenance can be a reflection of Jesus’ love for others. You can be an instrument to bring hope to others who may feel weighed down, lonely, or in need of a friend.
- Remember Your Divine Identity – Every week you go to Young Women, you repeat the words, “I am a beloved daughter of Heavenly Parents….” Nowhere else in all of our worship do we declare as boldly who we are! We have a divine father and a divine mother! This is incredible knowledge and divine doctrine that reveals beautiful truth about who we are and who we are to become like! This makes the reality of our Savior, as our brother, that much more sacred. His divine mission invites us into an incredible task to assist in bringing all of our brothers and sisters home!
Sacred SpaceMay we all more fully see this incredibly sacred role of the young women to stand as angels to welcome people into our most sacred space of the week.
The post The Errand of Angels – Young Women Expanding our Sacrament Experience appeared first on Leading Saints.
Since all the general conference feels are in the air, I thought I would share a general conference-related message today.
In the past, I have shared my tips for getting the most out of conference; however, as I was searching for the most recent version of that message, I discovered how many interesting discussions we have had in the Leading Saints community related to conference.
So, in lieu of my traditional message, I thought I would recommend you check out the top 4 discussions we have had as a Leading Saints community. The real gems are in the comments of each post.
See the 4 Messages Here
Then share what other general conference concepts could be explored.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post General Conference is in the Air! appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 podcast
HighlightsDaniel 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 Channel
02:38 – Interview with Daniel Oki, Elders Quorum President
03:46 – Description of Daniel’s Ward and Elders Quorum
05:05 – Discussion on the Demographics of the Ward
06:43 – Daniel’s Experience with Elders Quorum
08:15 – Changing the Elders Quorum Experience
08:49 – Implementing Round Tables and Snacks
10:43 – Creating a Comfortable Social Environment
12:27 – Importance of Engaging Discussions
13:42 – Anonymous Surveys for Needs and Challenges
15:05 – Addressing Difficult Questions in Elders Quorum
16:15 – Moving Beyond Fluff in Lessons
17:15 – Utilizing Church Resources for Discussions
18:04 – Positive Changes in Elders Quorum Attendance
19:28 – Daniel’s Approach to Leadership and Change
21:09 – Engagement and Feedback from the Relief Society
22:07 – Setting Up and Taking Down Tables
24:07 – Positive Reception from High Priests
25:12 – Sisters’ Reactions to the Changes
26:09 – Advice for Elders Quorum Presidencies
29:34 – Encouragement for Elders Seeking Connection
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 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.
The post Why Your Elders Quorum Needs Round Tables | An Interview from Salty Saints appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rebecca Burnham has served in various roles in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Young Women’s organizations and currently serves as a temple ordinance worker, family history consultant and pianist. After her mission to Sao Paulo Brazil, she worked as a journalist until her first marriage, when she became a full-time homemaker. She is now a disability support worker by night and a community builder/entrepreneur/playwright and composer by day, who is recently launching Summit Stages an initiative to build beloved community through the creation and promotion of musicals that lift and unite. She is passionate about building peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes about gospel topics at 4MutualRespect.
Enter Rebecca…I grew up in a deeply religious family with a strong sense of being different from, and defensive against, “the world,” a term that I understood to apply to people who didn’t believe in God and who therefore, kept promoting destructive paths in their pursuit of happiness. The godless liberals were “them.” The believing conservatives were “us.” I believed they were attacking us, and I was excited to stand up in defense of institutions and the values we held dear.
Reporting News with a MissionMy big chance came when I was hired by publisher Ted Byfield to write for his recently launched, unabashedly conservative, and Christian-based BC Report Magazine. I sought him out and asked him to be my mentor because I appreciated his reasoned and principled editorials. He hired me because I was female, conservative, and Christian. He needed someone who could credibly cover the “war on the family” without getting sucked in by feminism.
My beat was faith, family, and education. I cranked out weekly articles about current events, most of which reflected what we saw as an assault on traditional families, parental rights, academic strength, and Christian voices. I saw myself as a keyboard-wielding soldier, raising a warning cry against all forms of crazy, big-government liberalism that threatened the foundations of our freedom. I was flattered when the head of the BC Teachers’ Federation made a special announcement to the 666 delegates at their annual convention that no-one was allowed to speak to me.
My first hint that I needed a change in perspective was in the fall of 1991.The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission called for public comment on a proposal to ban “broadcast programming that is abusive on the basis of sexual orientation.” We at the magazine suspected an anti-Christian agenda that would be used to muzzle good faith, free speech on a moral issue. I was sent to look through the letters that people had sent in so we could hold the CRTC accountable for whether they considered the public’s response.
I was shocked and sickened by the content of the letters; page after page of dehumanizing vitriol against homosexuals. One said they didn’t deserve human rights. By this time, I actually had a close personal friend who was gay. All that hatred was aimed at someone who was precious to me. And I suddenly felt a deep connection to the reasons for the CRTC’s proposed ban – that it wasn’t about muzzling Christians, but about protecting gays from real abuse.
Until that moment, I had not realized that my camp of “believers” included a multitude of people who actually, virulently hated homosexuals, in the name of religion. It shook up my definitions of “us” and “them.” I soon began to see that many of the people I had seen as enemies were actually people like me, trying to create a better world. We just didn’t agree about the how. That didn’t stop me from being a warrior, but it moderated my tone. I wanted to take extra pains to fight fair, and to focus my criticism on ideas, not people.
Lobbying for the FamilyThe next quantum shift came in December 2004. By this time, I was a single mom of five, having fled my first marriage for safety. I had come to see parental rights as a mixed bag, and to be a lot more interested in focusing on the best interests of the kids. But I was still a culture warrior, heading up the Canadian branch of a pro-family lobby during the Parliamentary debate on same-sex marriage. The strategist for our parent organization drafted an angry action alert for me to send out to our thousands of subscribers. It focused on how the Liberal government was betraying Canadians on this issue, and urged them to email the Prime Minister or their Members of Parliament. Only, I didn’t actually believe that the government was behaving in bad faith. I figured they were well-intentioned, just wrong, because marriage was not about validating adult relationships; it was about protecting, as best we could, the right of children to be raised by their father and their mother. I didn’t want to enrage our subscribers against the Liberals. Instead, I wanted to send out a calm and reasoned email, urging them to bring our message to the attention of their elected officials.
That’s when the strategist explained something I had never understood about culture warfare. He said that calm and reasoned emails don’t work. They don’t motivate people to act. What you have to do is make your readers angry. And then, when they’re mad, give them something to do with their anger. That’s how you lead a political movement.
Rejecting AngerThat conversation is what drove me out of the trenches. I just couldn’t be okay with peddling anger. For me, it was primarily a spiritual thing. My faith teaches that a peaceable walk with others is a core component of Christian discipleship. In a key passage of The Book of Mormon, Jesus says,
“He that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.” (3 Nephi 11:29)
It was also a pragmatic thing. Anger is counterproductive. When we assume our opponent is bad, we invite him or her to react poorly to whatever we demand, and our efforts become counterproductive. Furthermore, every extremist movement rides piggyback on a just cause. When you redress the underlying injustice, you cripple the movement. If, however, you deny the injustice and double down to defend the status quo, you may enjoy a temporary victory, but you also entrench the movement and sow the seeds of your ultimate defeat.
Once the politics of anger had been unmasked for me, I stopped being pulled in by the infuriating emails that kept finding their way to my inbox. I started looking into the incendiary stories they were spreading and discovered, almost without exception, that they were gross distortions or outright lies. One of the first was an urgent appeal to sign a petition aimed at stopping atheists from getting “Touched by an Angel” banned from the airwaves for being too religious. I looked it up and discovered this was a hoax that had been circulating since 1975. Who comes up with such nonsense? And—what might be a more important question—why? Whatever their promulgators’ goals, these outrage-inducing distortions create a siege mentality among groups that leads to chip-on-the-shoulder defensiveness. I believe the polarization that threatens our democracy has deep roots in distorted stories we’ve been circulating and stewing about for decades.
Learning from Hard KnocksThere’s something else that has driven me from the trenches of culture warfare: my own hard knocks and becoming acquainted with others’. It was easy to hold rigid views and mistake them for principles when I had no experience of situations where they did more harm than good. I could dismiss third-hand stories about such situations as exaggerated or self-inflicted. But when I got to see them up close and personal, I had to adjust my understanding. For example, it was easy to decry no-fault divorce before I had to carefully navigate the dissolution of my marriage to a partner who was in a volatile space. It was easy to champion parental rights before I learned that they can turn children into powerless pawns between warring parents. It was easy to suspect gay rights were just a cover for a predatory, anti-family “gay agenda” back when I didn’t know any gays and before I read the rantings of people who didn’t think they deserved any rights. And so forth.
Building the Beloved CommunityI have learned that life experience is designed to lead us past black-and-white, two-dimensional thinking, beyond the simplicity on the near side of complexity. It’s designed to challenge and humble us, to strip away our self-serving, convenient answers, and carry us into the light of deep, steady, and courageous love. We can’t do this without each other, without authentically sharing our contrasting stories and courageously listening to understand. We need to learn from our good-faith differences and find the beautiful commonalities that can unite our hearts across them.
So I am done with culture warfare. I want to overcome alienation and build the Beloved Community instead. There are still differences that I find too threatening to want to engage across. I’m not going to push myself to go where I don’t feel safe. But I am going to practice courage where I am led by the light of my conscience, even though I’m not entirely sure of my way.
I’d love to hear from you!
How have you grown from engaging with someone who believes differently from you? What kind of differences do you feel able to collaborate across, while still being true to your core values?
The post Courageous Love – Confessions of a Reformed Culture Warrior appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsJustin 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 Focus
02:56 – Exploring Toxic Perfectionism
03:41 – Research Intent and Methodology
05:12 – Understanding Toxic Perfectionism
06:48 – Healthy vs. Toxic Perfectionism
09:46 – Impact of Perfectionism on Identity
10:33 – Balancing Standards and Self-Worth
12:06 – The Role of Perfectionism in Religious Context
13:13 – Addressing Youth and Leadership Dynamics
14:03 – The Challenge of Leadership Messaging
16:44 – Data Insights on Toxic Perfectionism
20:06 – The Role of Religion in Mental Health
22:44 – Encouraging a Positive Gospel Experience
24:33 – Parenting and Toxic Perfectionism in Youth
27:01 – The Importance of Love in Parenting
28:51 – The Impact of Parental Relationships on Identity
30:41 – Navigating Adolescence and Identity
32:27 – The Dangers of Silent Suffering
34:13 – Encouraging Healthy Standards in Youth
36:36 – Addressing LGBTQ Dynamics in Religious Context
38:10 – The Importance of Individualized Support
40:06 – Adult Experiences with Toxic Perfectionism
42:29 – Building a Secure Relationship with God
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 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.
The post Toxic Perfectionism at Church | An Interview with Justin Dyer appeared first on Leading Saints.
I was struck by a comment made by a popular parenting expert named Dr. Becky Kennedy when she was being interviewed on the Tim Ferriss podcast.
She said,
‘“Parenting doesn’t come naturally. The only thing that comes naturally is how you were parented,” or, “We were never meant to parent on instinct alone.”’ (Link)
With a slight tweak, it is also a powerful church leadership quote:
“Church leadership doesn’t come naturally. The only thing that comes naturally is how you have been led in church. We were never meant to lead on instinct alone.”
But what about this famous quote, which some attribute to President Lee and others to President Monson?
“Whom the Lord Calls, He Qualifies.”
Like many quotes, giving more meaning than was intended is natural.
It’s easy to interpret this quote as saying,
Whom the Lord Calls…
…He magically makes them an all-knowing leader.
…He endows them with the power to make all the right decisions.
…He makes them an expert influencer of organizational culture.
…He takes away the need for any other leadership resource or understanding.
These interpretations aren’t fair to church leaders, especially lay church leaders.
You were never meant to lead on instinct alone.
You were never meant to lead on inspiration alone.
You were never meant to lead on handbook references alone.
Let me be clear: I do believe in that famous prophetic quote.
There is power in being set apart (sometimes ordained) with priesthood power (yes, even you sisters).
There is power in the office and capacity.
I’ve experienced it myself.
My worry is there are many leaders in quiet desperation because they assume that leadership capacity would fill their being like some type of Marvel Comics story.
Now, in a calling of leadership, they assume something is wrong with them because leadership isn’t coming as easy or that other leaders before them made it look easy.
Yes, the Lord called you.
Now get to work in order to enable Him to qualify you.
Pick up a book.
Binge on a leadership podcast.
Become a studio of personal leadership development.
See what others are saying about this message. There are already 25+ comments about it HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Does the Lord Qualify Whom He Calls? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Sweat
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsDave 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 Teaching
06:12 – Unexpected Path to Teaching
10:03 – Balancing Teaching and Leadership
12:26 – Embracing Individuality in Leadership
13:04 – Questioning the Status Quo
20:20 – Focusing on People Over Programs
24:02 – Creating a Meaningful Sacrament Meeting
28:07 – Innovative Approaches to Sacrament Meeting
32:50 – Collaborating with Stake Leadership
36:17 – The Importance of Individual Worship
40:50 – Grace in the Come Follow Me Program
42:43 – Viewing Come Follow Me as a Resource
45:00 – Interview with Anthony Sweat
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, 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.
The post Putting Jesus at the Center of Your Ward | An Interview with David Butler appeared first on Leading Saints.
In the quest to build robust relationships and foster a sense of community among men, the principles of Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith—collectively known as F3—emerge as pivotal. These three tenets, championed by F3 Nation, serve as foundational elements in invigorating male community leadership.
In a recent podcast episode titled “Fellowshipping Men in Elders Quorum | An Interview with Frank Schwartz,” Schwartz, the volunteer CEO of F3 Nation, and Kurt Francom delved into how these principles can transform men’s lives and, by extension, their communities.
Fitness: Cultivating Discipline and LeadershipPhysical fitness is more than just maintaining a healthy body; it’s a gateway to developing discipline and leadership qualities. Schwartz emphasizes that caring for one’s body is the first step toward personal discipline, which is essential for effective leadership. He asserts,
“If you don’t live a disciplined enough life to take care of yourself, it’s very difficult for you to lead others.”
This perspective aligns with the idea that personal well-being directly influences one’s ability to serve and lead within a community. Engaging in regular physical activity not only enhances health but also fosters mental resilience and confidence. For members of the elders quorum, integrating fitness into their routine can serve as a practical approach to embodying the principle of discipline, thereby setting a positive example for others.
Additionally, in Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, President Smith said:
“We came to this earth that we might have a body and present it pure before God in the celestial kingdom. The great principle of happiness consists in having a body.”
Added happiness is found as we do those things that will strengthen and support the daily use of our body. Thus, there are a multitude of benefits of maintaining a healthy body.
Fellowship: Building Authentic ConnectionsIn today’s fast-paced world, many men find themselves isolated, lacking deep, meaningful relationships. Schwartz reflects on this societal issue, noting that men often realize they don’t have close friends outside of superficial associations, such as their children’s friends’ parents. He observes that after high school or college, there’s often a 20-year gap where men lack close friendships.
F3 addresses this gap by emphasizing fellowship—creating spaces where men can connect authentically.
Regular gatherings, whether for workouts or community service, provide opportunities for men to bond over shared experiences and challenges. For the elders quorum, fostering such fellowship can lead to a more cohesive and supportive community, where members feel valued and connected.
Faith: Embracing a Purpose Beyond OneselfFaith, as defined by F3, is a belief in something greater than oneself. It’s not confined to a specific religious doctrine but encompasses the understanding that one’s life has a higher purpose. Schwartz articulates that for a man to be an effective leader, he must “believe in something bigger than himself” and “submit himself to that,” using his talents to serve others.
This principle encourages men to look beyond their personal ambitions and consider how they can contribute to the greater good. In the context of the elders quorum, embracing this broader perspective can inspire members to engage more deeply in service, mentorship, and community-building activities, thereby enriching the collective spiritual and social fabric.
Implementing F3 Principles in the Elders QuorumIntegrating the principles of fitness, fellowship, and faith into the elders quorum can revitalize its members and strengthen the community. Here are some actionable steps:
- Organize Regular Physical Activities: Establish weekly workout sessions that are free and open to all men in the community. These sessions can serve as a platform for building discipline and camaraderie.
- Facilitate Small Group Discussions: Create forums where men can share their experiences, challenges, and successes. Such interactions can deepen bonds and provide support systems.
- Encourage Service Projects: Engage in community service initiatives that allow members to work together toward a common goal, reinforcing the concept of serving a purpose greater than oneself.
By embracing these principles, the elders quorum can become a beacon of leadership and community spirit. They can reflect the transformative power of fitness, fellowship, and faith through using the F3 format or engaging in the community in another way.
A Vibrant and Engaged CommunityFor a more in-depth understanding of how these principles can be applied, I invite you to listen to the full podcast episode with Frank Schwartz. His insights offer valuable guidance on fostering a vibrant and engaged community.
Beth Young is a convert of 47 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 37 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah seven years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post Bridging the Friendship Gap: Helping Men Connect and Thrive appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Miller
Hope in Him Today podcast
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsThis 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 Saint
03:01 – Conversation Dynamics Between Friends
04:11 – Life Updates from Gary Miller
05:44 – The Complexity of Conversion Stories
06:34 – Cultural vs. Theological Conversion
09:14 – The Ongoing Nature of Conversion
10:27 – The Binary Nature of Faith Commitment
12:14 – The Importance of Personal Reflection in Faith
13:18 – Navigating the Journey of Faith
15:23 – The Cage Stage of New Believers
18:12 – The Need for Quiet Reflection
19:08 – Balancing Old and New Faith Communities
21:00 – Building a Foundation in Faith
22:33 – The Role of the Temple in Conversion
25:49 – Personal Connections and Understanding the Temple
29:06 – The Temple as a Place of Worship
30:40 – Messaging the Importance of the Temple
32:07 – The Need for Authentic and Simple Messaging
34:01 – Engaging with Old Friends about the Temple
36:29 – The Gravity of Worship in the Temple
37:34 – Current Calling and Church Involvement
38:32 – Gary’s Podcasting Journey
41:08 – Balancing Scripture
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 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.
The post The Temple is a Jesus Place | An Interview with Gary Miller appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
Nairobi Temple Open House Trip Fundraiser
Listen to the follow-up interview: Thank You For Supporting Tanzanian Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Brenda Angle
Why Not Me?
Breaking the Yokes that Bind Us
Mully
Hearts and Hands for Humanity
Faith-Based Life Coaching Academy
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsBrenda 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 Saints
06:22 – Common Struggles Among Latter-day Saints
07:24 – Navigating Life’s Messiness
07:47 – Brenda’s Books and Their Themes
08:44 – The Question of “Why Me?”
09:09 – Brenda’s Journey Through Divorce
10:27 – The Challenge of Being a Divorced Leader
11:07 – The Social Dynamics of Divorce in the Church
12:14 – The Importance of Presence and Support
13:05 – The Need for Connection in Leadership
14:28 – The Experience of Being Sidelined
15:18 – Finding Purpose After Divorce
16:10 – The Role of Service in Healing
17:23 – The Impact of Leadership on Others
18:25 – The Importance of Empathy in Leadership
19:46 – The Value of Non-Formal Callings
21:05 – The Need for Consistent Outreach
22:06 – Brenda’s Humanitarian Work in Africa
23:32 – The Joy of Serving in Africa
25:00 – The Dynamics of the Church in Africa
26:06 – The Need for Understanding and Support
27:32 – The Excitement of the Nairobi Temple Announcement
29:05 – Preparing Members for the Temple Experience
30:30 – The Logistics of the Temple Trip
32:00 – Fundraising for the Temple Trip
33:40 – The Importance of Empowering Local Members
34:40 – Observations on the Church’s Growth in Africa
34:50 – The Need for Cultural Sensitivity in Leadership
37:00 – The Significance of the Nairobi Temple
39:00 – Engaging Members in the Temple Experience
40:00 – Planning for the Temple Trip Logistics
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 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.
The post Gathering African Saints to the Temple | A How I Lead Interview with Brenda Angle appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bob Young is a lifelong member of the Church who has served in a variety of leadership and support callings. He served a full-time mission in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a degree in Communications. Bob spent more than three decades as a human resources professional and is now happily retired. He is currently serving as a stake emotional resilience facilitator.
Enter Bob…From my view as a member of my ward elders quorum and father of three wonderful adult children in the LBGTQ+ community, I was deeply impacted by an outstanding conversation in a recent quorum meeting. The comments were given in the spirit of love and were non-judgmental, sometimes vulnerable and raw, and the topic was needed and welcome. Our quorum president’s leadership showed he was aware of the pulse of the quorum (a loved quorum member recently came out on Facebook), was not afraid to invite loving discussion on sensitive topics, and perhaps also knew of recent Church policies relative to the LBGTQ+ community and that could create a discussion point for better understanding. The following is a summary of some of our conclusions and some of my own observations on the subject.
Loving LanguageAt first, a couple of the brethren referred to their children who no longer attend our church meetings as “wayward” or stated they had “gone astray.” We discussed how referring to them in this manner has a negative connotation and could create hurt feelings if they heard us refer to them in this manner. We concluded using the phrase that they have “chosen a different path” (or something similar) to be a much better choice as it sounds neutral, and I believe it is also more accurate. Father’s plan is one of free agency and accepting that others have a right to choose their own way, yes, even our loved ones, is what we fought for in the war in heaven. I believe all former members or members who are considering a different path (whether or not it stems from their identification as LGBTQ+) would appreciate being viewed in this kinder way as well.
Another question was regarding LGBTQ+ loved ones who ask us to use a different name or pronoun when referring to them. This is a very sensitive subject to many and I only provide some food for thought from one of my children who taught me what I consider to be a very valuable lesson.
A favorite family story of ours is that when I was about 10 years old, I wanted to “graduate” from being called “Bobby” to the more adult sounding (at least to my 10-year-old mind), “Bob.” So after my older brother referred to me as “Bobby”, I replied, “Mike, can I ask you a question?” He agreed and then I said, “Quit calling me Bobby.” After informing me this was not actually a question (at which we still get a chuckle), he has called me “Bob” from that day forward. He did this because he loves me. During a discussion about pronouns several years ago, my child asked me, “Wouldn’t it be unkind for my brother or anyone else to continue to call me “Bobby” after I informed them I didn’t like that name? In the same way, wouldn’t knowingly using a certain pronoun which they did not prefer also be unkind?” I agreed as this made sense to me and I have tried to apply it in my life from that moment forward.
One other loving language item I’d like to share, but which did not come up during the above discussion, is in regard to how we identify those with same sex attraction. Saying someone “has” same sex/gender attraction sounds like it is a disease or something negative. A better way might be to say someone “experiences” same gender attraction. However, the best way would be to either notice how they identify themselves or ask them their preferred identity (it could be “gay” or “queer” or “bi” or some other term).
Connection over CorrectionMuch of our discussion centered on what we should do if those we love chose a different spiritual path as they explore their life in the LGBTQ+ community. The overwhelming response was to continue to accept their right to choose their own path and express love and show our love to them.
“This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
Below are some of the lessons learned and/or counsel given on loving and accepting our family members.
Connecting with them as a loved family member is a top priority and doing anything to try to “correct” them (as it relates to how they identify) will, in most cases, damage our relationship with them. Besides, they already know what the Church teaches on the subject and now is most likely not the time to try to make up for a missed family home evening lesson or preach to them about the subject.
A question was asked about whether or not accepting them for who they are would be indirectly condoning their behavior. We concluded it is not. We accept and love because they are our child and because they are a child of God, loved by Him. Discussions regarding their behavior as it relates to how they identify may be appropriate especially if they are not yet adults. However, it would be wise to prayerfully seek the inspiration of the Holy Ghost before doing so. In addition, we should also consider seeking assistance from a mental health professional to help them (and us as parents) navigate this new journey, especially if a child is experiencing distress from their feelings or identity.
It was noted that sometimes our love and acceptance is not readily believed by our LGBTQ+ family member. It is important to remember that they may have been complying with our religion for quite some time knowing they experience same sex attraction or are different in another way. This may have made them believe we love the person they were pretending to be, not their true self. If this dynamic is present, any sort of attempted “correction” on our part may reinforce their mistrust of our love and acceptance. The path to overcome this includes lots of patience and consistent loving acts and verbal expressions of our love.
Listen – Learn – & LoveI want to share an excellent way to demonstrate our love and acceptance to our child. However, I want to share that I learned this the hard way and I hurt my relationship with my child by not doing this much, much sooner. The idea is to ask our child to describe their journey to us without any judgment, correction, defensiveness or preaching from us. Using active listening skills during this conversation would be most helpful (such as asking follow up questions like, “What did that look like,” “How did that make you feel?” and “How did I contribute to those hurt feelings?”).
It might be hard to not offer our dissenting opinions or to preach about our view of God’s law on the subject, but to foster the feelings of love and acceptance, it is highly recommended we refrain. I did not do this right away after one of my children “came out,” and in fact I didn’t ask any questions at all to them about their feelings, journey, etc. Because I didn’t, my child withheld information about dating a same-sex partner. They believed I either did not want to know or that I might say something derogatory about their loving relationship. Though I wouldn’t have, there was no way for my child to know this due to my complete lack of demonstrating interest in them or their journey. It took courage to share what was happening in their life and my silence clearly communicated a message that I didn’t really care, even though I did care. This was my fault and it’s my hope that by sharing this mistake it can benefit others in similar situations.
One quorum member mentioned his son chose another path and he used to pray about what he could do to help his son return to the covenant path. He felt guilt for the mistakes he had made and felt a tremendous responsibility to “fix” the situation. This brother stated it occurred to him one day that his son was Heavenly Father’s son long before he was his son, which resulted in him trusting Father more fully. He stated his prayers changed from “What should I do” to prayers of “I trust You; what can I do to help You with Your plan for Your son.” He shared that it lifted a great weight from his shoulders.
The Plan of SalvationIt was also discussed that we, as members, sometimes don’t fully understand and/or trust our own understanding of the plan of salvation. It was shared that we have the most liberal view of heaven among most, if not all, religions. We believe only a select few will go to outer darkness and the rest will receive a glory from Father that is beyond our current comprehension. When a loved one chooses a different path, our own belief is that regardless of what happens, they will receive blessings and glories from God based on how they live their life. I believe that if we fully accept this, there will be less heartache in Zion when loved ones choose a different path than the one we are on. Many people outside of our religion lead wonderful, good, moral lives and they will be rewarded in the afterlife in accordance with Father’s plan of happiness.
Incorporating Similar ConversationsThis topic is a reality, not merely an ideology. Elder D. Todd Christofferson stated:
“The diversity we find now in the Church may be just the beginning. Frankly, I think we will see greater and greater diversity. … [T]he fact that people can bring different gifts and perspectives and the wide range of variance and backgrounds and challenges that people face will show us what really is essential in the gospel of Christ.”
He also stated that when someone shares LGBTQ+ feelings, “One thing that is always important is to recognize the feelings of a person, that they are real. That they are authentic….”
There are almost certainly members of all our wards who either experience or have loved ones who experience same gender attraction, a desire to present or dress as a different gender, or experience gender dysphoria. Discussions like the one we had as directed by our elders quorum president can be very helpful and educational for ward members as well as helping ease any discomfort that some may have about even acknowledging the topic.
May I invite you to discuss having a similar discussion as a presidency or a ward council and see what the Spirit prompts you to do? I hope this narrative has been helpful in provoking thoughts of what you can do in your ward. Additionally, if you have had similar tender conversations in your quorum or classes, feel free to share them in the comments.
The post How One Elders Quorum Fostered Love and Understanding for LGBTQ+ Loved Ones appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.com
Instagram: @jewishutahcounty
Facebook: @jewishutahcounty
Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community
HighlightsRabbi 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 Role
04:07 – Overview of Chabad in Utah County
05:03 – Community Focus vs. Traditional Services
06:23 – Jewish Community Dynamics in Utah
07:27 – Rabbi Chaim’s Journey to Utah
09:03 – Family Background and Chabad Movement
10:40 – The Need for Jewish Presence in Utah County
12:02 – Rabbi’s Outreach to Jewish Youth
12:35 – Community Support and Anti-Semitism in Utah
21:05 – The Role of a Rabbi and Path to Leadership
23:02 – Conversion and Personal Journeys in Faith
30:03 – Understanding Jewish Laws and Practices
32:31 – Experiences and Testimonies in Faith
36:25 – Conversion Perspectives in Judaism
40:06 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts on Faith
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 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.
The post How I Lead as a Jewish Rabbi in Utah | An Interview with Rabbi Chaim Zippel appeared first on Leading Saints.
Here’s the situation…
You’re the bishop and have some dynamic ideas to rally your ward around a specific vision and purpose.
Your ward council is on board and adds more inspiration to the mix to make the plan even better.
After implementing the plan, even your ward members love it, and you see evidence of bolder personal spirituality and family goals.
You’re stoked!
Your inspiration in action is making a difference, and you love the progress.
However, the new vision and plan seem a bit much to those on the outside in other wards and to your stake leadership.
Stake leaders are worried that other wards will feel minimized, overshadowed, and distracted by your ward’s efforts.
Suddenly, you find yourself on the phone with a stake president who is really unhappy about the vision and purpose.
There you are, the leader, between a rock and a hard place.
What do you do?
Option 1: You fold in the name of obedience to your stake president and deflate the excitement and momentum of your ward.
Option 2: You hold firm and dare the stake president to release you.
Option 3: You passively slow down the program and forget it ever happened.
There are probably several other options, but those are the ones that immediately come to my mind.
This scenario of bold action by an organization that finds disfavor with higher authority is quite common.
This is where authentic leadership shines.
Yes, your stake president has the right to step in and veto a ward’s vision for a stake vision; however, this probably will not stimulate positive morale.
Most leaders think they have to take the sucker’s choice and pick one of the options I listed above; however, true leadership looks different.
What does your ward deserve from you as a leader?
They deserve something they most likely will never realize is happening.
They deserve a bishop willing to have a series of difficult conversations with the stake president behind the scenes.
Not in a posture of conflict or rebellion but one that articulates the ward’s process, purpose, inspiration, etc.
Anything to win the hearts and minds of the leaders in conflict with the cultural momentum.
Sure, that doesn’t mean the bishop will get his way, but at least he was willing to fight.
In essence, that is what a ward wants.
A leader to fight for them.
So have the conversation.
See what others are saying about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post When the stake president hates the bishop’s idea appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
HighlightsJon 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 Korea
06:03 – Military Background and Current Role
07:10 – Personal Connection to Korea
08:02 – Career Path and Revelatory Process
10:12 – Unique Calling as District President
11:00 – Reporting Structure in the Military District
12:36 – Coverage and Responsibilities of the District
13:43 – Diversity in the Military District
17:52 – Interaction with Korean Stakes
19:09 – Managing Transient Leadership
20:05 – Importance of Revelatory Leadership
25:16 – Coaching New Leaders on Revelation
30:20 – The Need for Quick Decision-Making
32:31 – Building Momentum in Leadership
35:35 – Aligning with Prophetic Priorities
37:10 – Customizing Efforts for Branch Needs
39:18 – Feedback and Improvement in Meetings
44:05 – The Importance of Quality Meetings
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 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.
The post How I Lead in the Seoul Korea Military District | An Interview with Jon Holdaway appeared first on Leading Saints.
Mary Margaret Thompson was raised in Salt Lake City by two California natives and converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Mary served a mission in upper New England, which covers the birthplace of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Upon her return, she met and married the amazing Spencer Thompson and earned her master’s degree in early childhood education at the University of Utah. She taught kindergarten for three years and is now raising four precious children. Mary has served in various callings, both in ward and stake Young Women presidencies, as well as a Primary presidency and as Primary chorister. She is currently a Relief Society teacher. She has also been the supporting role for her husband who served as the president of NorthStar International for several years. Mary has a great passion to write inspirational thoughts and has written a personal blog for the past seven years, since President Nelson’s plea for us to receive personal revelation.
Enter Mary…One of the most underestimated blessings of any calling in the Church is the blessing of learning from and loving those you serve with. What a blessing to love and be loved by those we serve with! Thus, I got one more extra year than anticipated in Primary, and for me it felt complete, having gotten through teaching music for all of the standard works.
The other great blessing from experiencing different callings in the Church is the ways callings can stretch us and challenge us. If you ever find yourself praying for an added measure of joy and an added measure of humility in your life, Primary chorister would be perfect for you!
God’s Magnifies Our Weak & Simple EffortsIt’s equally as joyful as it can be humiliating at times! I was overjoyed to receive this calling and was also very quickly humbled by it. Each week I was brought to my knees pleading for help to know how to best bring the spirit and fun into the lives of the primary children. However imperfect the delivery, without fail, God always pulled through and something came that was definitely meant from heaven.
My testimony grew in this truth: God uses the “weak and simple” to do God’s work. (D&C 1:23)
There were plenty of weeks that I felt like a failure, but I learned that if we are willing to simply be a vessel, God can use us and magnify our efforts. In the missionary study guide Preach my Gospel, we learn that
“When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself. You can feel certain that the Lord is pleased when you feel the spirit working through you.”
Our Heavenly Parents Love their Children DeeplyAs I continually pleaded for help, I was constantly taken back by the way God put words in my mouth or ideas in my mind which were not mine, or not part of what I would have chosen to do. This was a witness to me that God loves those children and cares deeply about their souls. One example I experienced, which taught me this truth, was during a lesson when I was teaching the song “I’ll Walk With You”.
While teaching the children the line, “If you don’t walk as most people do…some people walk away from you, but I won’t, I won’t.” Out of nowhere, a story came like lightning into my mind. A story which happened in one of the areas I served in on my mission. This was the story of Joseph Smith’s leg surgery. Knowing Joseph was seven at the time, I had all of the seven year olds raise their hands…and then began to tell them the story about Joseph’s leg and how he had a sickness in his bone…and that he was going to have to have his leg cut off, but that miraculously the only doctor in the world who knew how to perform the surgery Joseph needed happened to live in the same town. I was able to share how courageous he was and share the miracle of how his leg was saved, which helped him complete the work he had to do…and that he always walked with a limp for the rest of his life. He walked differently.
This moment wasn’t anything I planned to share, but I remember the Spirit being palpable as I was able to testify of the truths God helped me share as I taught them this beautiful song. Later that day I learned that it was the 177th anniversary of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. In this story, Hyrum was a true example of displaying, “I’ll walk with you,” and he did walk with Joseph for the cause of Christ, even in death. After learning what day it was, I felt the Spirit confirm to me that God wanted those truths to be shared. I simply got the honor of being the vessel.
I Accept Your OfferingExperiences like this were not uncommon. I am a witness. One other personal experience I had during our last Primary program was during a song we had practiced for several months. It was my favorite for so many reasons. It is called “The Tree of Life” by Shawna Edwards. I tend to get emotional from time to time when the children sing, but while the children were singing this particular song during the program, something about the spirit in which it was delivered was so powerful that it completely overcame me.
I lost it.
I was not just emotional, I was sobbing. I fell apart while leading the music, but those sweet children just kept singing. They kept it together and knew it so well. All during this experience, I felt that all of those years, all of those prayers, all of those days of fretting whether I had done enough, were received by God. Like God was saying, “I accept your offering.” Not just with words, but with deep love. It reminded me of when the saints spent years sacrificing to build the Kirtland temple, and when the Lord appeared He said, “Behold, I have accepted this house.” (D&C 110:7)
I felt relief that must have been a smidge of what those Saints had felt when their work was accepted by God. I was not building a temple, but I was building God’s children. And I felt God accept my efforts. It was such a tangible moment, which I will always be grateful for. Those children may not always remember me and my very human efforts, but I pray they remember those beautiful songs in their hearts forever.
The Greatest in SpiritPresident John Taylor once said,
“It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it.”
This is what Primary songs do.
I’d like to share a few lines from some of the songs we have sung over the years, which echo this sentiment. There is something about children singing pure truth that brings the spirit unlike anything else, and I do believe it is because they are the purest vessels:
- “Jesus is a God of miracles, nothing is at all impossible to Him.”
- “Jesus is my loving friend, He is always near”
- “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam to shine for Him each day.”
- “I feel God’s light shining in me…”
- “The wise man built His house upon a rock.”
- “Even though it’s still hard with questions that arise everyday.”
- “I will find my own sacred grove, away from all of the noise of the world.”
- “The greatest place in all the world to be, is at the tree.”
- “Scripture power, every day I need the power that I get each time I read.”
- “I will spread God’s love to all I know and serve, I will be what I believe.”
- “By this shall men know, ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
How I love the simple profound truths I have learned while serving in the Primary. Most of all how grateful I am for the sacred stewardship of serving the children in our ward. It has been an honor to be in their midst.
May we all seek for ways to learn from “the least of these” in age, but perhaps the greatest in spirit.
The post Vesselhood – Allowing God to Magnify Our Efforts appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 community
LinksF3 Nation
Warrior Heart retreats
Read the transcript of this podcast
HighlightsFrank 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 Background
05:26 – What is F3?
07:33 – The Founding of F3
12:16 – Personal Journey to F3
16:35 – The Structure and Cadence of F3 Workouts
19:00 – Finding and Starting an F3 Group
21:30 – Leadership vs. Management in F3
25:07 – The Importance of Lay Leadership
30:14 – Starting Your Own F3 Group
36:23 – Inclusivity for All Fitness Levels
37:42 – Building Authentic Fellowship in F3
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 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.
The post Fellowshipping Men in Elders Quorum | An Interview with Frank Schwartz appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts.
Transcript coming soon
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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.
The post Why Your Ward Should Be Using the Ward History Tool | A How I Lead Interview with Beth Zeleny appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
What is Church?While we understand “the Church” in terms of its structures, buildings, and protocols, church is nothing more than what we individually experience as we come together. So often, what we experience isn’t what we need.
This morning, in the scriptures, I came across a glorious vision of what church could be—indeed, should be.
In 3 Nephi 11:1-2, the people gathered at the temple. They had just endured storms, earthquakes, and fires, followed by three days of darkness filled with sorrowful cries for lost loved ones. Then, they heard the voice of Christ calling to them. The darkness lifted, and their grief turned to joy.
Paraphrasing the scripture, “a great multitude gathered, marveling and wondering and showing one another the great change that had taken place, and conversing about Jesus Christ and the sign of his death.”
In this moment of transformation, they gathered—not out of obligation, but because of an innate human need for connection. We are social creatures, and our lives are socially constructed. We need others to help us make sense of our experiences.
This is why we gather. This is why we do church. They came to the temple, a physical representation of God’s presence among them, to marvel and share their awe and wonder at the profound experiences they’d witnessed. Without procedures or rules, they came to share stories, seek understanding, and collectively determine the meaning of it all. It was so natural.
As they all had witnessed the sign of Christ’s death and heard his voice in the darkness, their discussions naturally revolved around Jesus. They sought to comprehend his significance in the unfolding events, grappling with the profound transformation they had collectively undergone when they had accepted Jesus’s invitation to come unto Him—their overwhelming grief becoming inexplicable joy. Their gathering was not mandated or habitual, but a response to a personal invitation from Jesus himself and the redemption he rendered in them. It was spontaneous and unscripted.
What It Means to Do Church“Church”, it turns out, is a natural phenomenon, a collective experience that occurs without pastors, priests, and teachers, without bells to gather the people or pews to corral them. In its purest form, church is simply gathering in Christ.
Any structure we introduce into the organic experience of church should directly support and edify the natural gathering and integration of the body of Christ (see Ephesians 4:11-12). Conversely, any structure that detracts from it should be eschewed and discarded.
Unfortunately, church, as we experience it today, has become a rigid institution that reduces individuals to passive recipients rather than active participants—objects instead of agents (see 2 Nephi 2:26). Therefore, it is incumbent upon our pastors and teachers—at least those who grasp the essence of communal worship—to diligently dismantle unnecessary barriers to the natural phenomenon of gathering in Christ.
What is needed is not lectures, presentations, gimmicks, or refreshments. What is needed is an environment and culture that fosters open, adaptive conversations centered on Christ, a space that naturally beckons the people—
“Gather to marvel and wonder at the power and judgments and mercies of Christ.
“Gather to show one another the great and marvelous changes taking place in your lives.
“Gather to converse about Jesus Christ and the signs of his reality and imminent return.
“Gather to fast and pray with sympathetic others, and speak with one another concerning the welfare of your souls. (see Moroni 6:5)
“Gather—amidst your busy, distracting, and sometimes overwhelming world—to remember and reconnect with Jesus Christ. Come partake of the fruit of the tree of life, and freely eat and drink of the bread and water of life, even symbolically through the sacrament. (see Alma 5:34 and Moroni 6:5)
“Gather to mourn the travesties and injustices you experience, seeking comfort not in an abstract portrayal of God or a dogmatic recitation of his gospel, but in the warm embrace and comforting words of those around you; and give comfort to those who likewise need you. (see Mosiah 18:9)
“Gather where friends preach or exhort or pray or supplicate or sing as the Holy Ghost guides them to, where we worship in spirit and in truth because what we do is always congruent with our ever-changing needs—never scripted, never stale. (see Moroni 6:9 and John 4:24)
“Gather where the law—the structures and the rules—is dead to us and our gatherings are alive in Christ because of our faith; where we freely and fluidly talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ, preach of Christ, and prophesy of Christ as the source of our redemption and joy.” (see 2 Nephi 25:25-26)
We don’t need the Church to tell us how to do church. It’s in our bones. As 3 Nephi 11 proves, if there were no Church, there would still be church. The faithful would still gather in Christ to marvel and wonder and collectively make sense of their lives.
Regrettably, though, this is not the church experience we encounter on most Sundays in most congregations. While we may glimpse it in isolated moments or to varying degrees, such instances are exceptional rather than normal.
Justice Demands That We Restore the Natural OrderYesterday, my heart was heavy as I mourned for my neighbors, Jason and Amanda. Just days ago, they lost their second child in a tragic motorcycle accident. As my wife Jolene and I gathered around Amanda in her home, we witnessed profound grief—weeping and howling that rivals that found in 3 Nephi 8-10. Guided by the Spirit, we mourned and comforted, prayed and encouraged. There was no script, only the Holy Ghost to guide us.
As we were preparing to leave, Amanda unexpectedly said, “I think I’d like to come back to church when things settle down.” Newfound hope lifted her voice and expression. Jesus was doing His thing.
In her heart, Amanda heard the gentle voice of the Messiah, saying to her, “You whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart.” (see 3 Nephi 10:6)
Naturally and instinctively, she felt drawn to gather beneath the protecting wing of Christ to find meaning in the tragedy—to mourn, marvel, wonder, and discuss the changes she’s experiencing, as well as the future made possible through Jesus—and to do it with likeminded others. Upon hearing God’s voice, her natural instinct was to gather with God’s people.
And then yesterday, as I drove, I pictured Amanda at church, going through the motions with us all, sitting quietly in our seats, dutifully playing our roles. Can you imagine? Amanda, sitting there with her heavy heart, grappling with unimaginable pain, questions swirling in her mind, being led through a structured, predetermined lesson, listening to abstract discussions completely disconnected from her lived reality? That’s not what she came for. It’s not what she needs.
In Original Grace, Adam Miller defines justice as doing what is needed. He says Christ is just in that He always does for us what we need. Shouldn’t His Church do likewise?
Amanda doesn’t need to sit in a classroom, passively listening to others discuss their worldviews and interpretations of the gospel. What she needs is a space to mourn, marvel, and ponder the profound changes taking place in her life. She needs to engage with others who are also grappling openly and authentically with both tragedy and triumph, seeking to make sense of their experiences. She needs a place where conversations flow freely and dynamically—where she can openly discuss the signs in her life, and in others’ lives, that affirm Jesus truly died for her, rose again, and is shepherding her towards healing and redemption. Anything less would be unjust.
Aligning How We Gather with Why We GatherIn my current role as stake Sunday School president, combined with my professional background as a leadership mentor, I spend a lot of time observing teaching and learning in classroom settings, deeply reflecting on and experimenting with ways to enhance spiritual development.
I’ve concluded that within the Church, we’ve evolved into a structured pattern of worship that often runs counter to natural rhythms. It’s rigid rather than fluid, confining rather than uplifting. Far from being inspired by the Holy Ghost, church is performed each week according to a well-worn script.
In many ways, church is canceling church—the methods we’ve adopted contradict the very reasons we gather. The means are destroying the ends.
Today, reflecting on 3 Nephi 11:1-2, I’ve realized that my efforts to encourage Sunday School teachers toward a transformational mindset and teaching approach are fundamentally about restoring the natural order in our approach to church. I’m trying to help them reclaim the dynamism and fluidity, the marveling and wondering, and the community and meaningful conversation that our people crave—and need.
Pastors and teachers don’t need to work magic; they need only to create the space for the people to gather—whether two or three, or twenty or thirty—in the name of Christ. Then Christ will come into their midst, as He did with those at the Nephite temple, and minister to them (see Matt 18:20). That’s what the people need. That’s justice
What my soul yearns for—for myself, for Amanda, for all of our children—is a restoration of the church experience to its natural state.
There is a monumental need to align how we gather with why we gather. Church leadership has repeatedly acknowledged this need by dismantling old blueprints over the past decade. And yet, they can’t really change the patterns, because they are culturally ingrained in our everyweek worship. Local leaders (both called and otherwise) must take the initiative to bring about meaningful change in their stakes and wards, but few have. Thus systematic change in how we gather is unlikely to occur in the near future
In the meantime, what can each of us do?
Lift where we stand. Teachers, especially, can create microcosms—small, localized instances where positive and innovative practices diverge from the traditional approach. Teachers can learn to create environments that foster the authentic church experience we all earnestly yearn for.
Restoring the natural order in a context so rigidly set in an artificial mold is challenging, as I’ve experienced firsthand. However, I’ve done it and seen it done. It requires focus, energy, and above all, personal transformation to attune yourself to the natural order of things and relinquish your dependency on and reverence for the traditions of our fathers.
The post Restoring the Natural Order of Church appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Prioritizing Music in our Worship | An Interview with Brett Stewart appeared first on Leading Saints.
I recently read a fascinating book that challenges the way many of us think as leaders.
It’s called Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion.
The book argues that empathy can lead to biased, irrational, and even harmful decision-making, advocating instead for rational compassion as a more effective guide for moral choices and actions.
While I’m not yet convinced that every act of empathy is harmful—in fact, it’s still quite important for a leader to understand and use empathy to connect with others who are struggling (I wrote about this HERE)—there are several ways empathy can sneak up on a leader and really mess with their decision-making, potentially causing further suffering for those they lead.
Here are some examples:
- A bishop may be blinded by empathy when he gets too close to witnessing the actual suffering of a family. He may be too quick to offer ongoing welfare support when, in reality, the family may need to make dramatic adjustments to their financial lifestyle.
- A leader can be blinded by empathy when a youth leader who is creating a negative experience for youth needs to be released, but the leader is too worried about offending the person or experiencing emotional blowback.
- A leader may be blinded by empathy when they spend disproportionate amounts of time with individuals experiencing intense challenges, neglecting other important responsibilities and people in the organization.
- A leader can be blinded by empathy when they hesitate to recommend the covenant path to an LGBTQ brother or sister because they’re worried it will cause more pain than redemption.
This reminds me of a quote by Anne Morrow Lindbergh that perfectly explains this leadership experience:
“My life cannot implement in action the demands of all the people to whom my heart responds.”
When we see pain and suffering up close, we can’t help but try to make it go away in the short term rather than offer more rational compassion for the long term.
It’s one more example of the impossible nature of leadership.
However, we need to carefully consider how empathy might be blinding us or causing us to create more unintended suffering.
Others have already started to comment on this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Blinded by Empathy appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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.
The post Instructing and Edifying Each Other in Meetings | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rebecca Burnham has served in various roles in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Young Women’s organizations and currently serves as a temple ordinance worker, family history consultant and pianist. After her mission to Sao Paulo Brazil, she worked as a journalist until her first marriage, when she became a full-time homemaker. She is now a disability support worker by night and a community builder/entrepreneur/playwright and composer by day, who is recently launching Summit Stages, an initiative to build beloved community through the creation and promotion of musicals that lift and unite. She is passionate about building peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes about gospel topics at 4MutualRespect.
Enter Rebecca…In her previous article, “Part 1 – Being A Sanctified Zion-builder”, Rebecca shared the impact of how we can become distracted by injustices, but our goal is to discover how to be a sanctified Zion-builder. She ended with one thought about possible redemptive reasons for perceived inequities. Below is the conclusion of her article.
Negative Impact of Activism on RevelationSecond, it seems that agitation against the Church because of inequitable practices may have interfered with the prophet’s getting divine direction to change them.
The way I read it, during Alma’s ministry, the prominent voices that were concerned about the status of non-Nephites were so antagonistic to the Church that they prejudiced Alma and his brethren against their cause. It was early in the reign of the judges when Nehor revolted against the Church and launched his own, likely with non-Nephite priests,* chosen by the people and paid according to their popularity (Alma 1:3,5). He went on to amass great wealth with his teachings which, in the minds of faithful Church members, would have connected priestcraft with the ordination of non-Nephites. Nehor’s subsequent murder of Gideon would have then demolished his entire argument for them. Then, Amlici’s rise to prominence would have involved condemning the rule of Nephites and promising as king to replace both church and government with a system where leaders represented the non-Nephite majority. Alma and his brethren would have been arguing against Amlici’s claims, not asking the Lord if they should change a longstanding tradition that they believed came from Him. Ordaining non-Nephites would have seemed like caving to the dissenter’s demands and trying to curry favour with the world.
As a rule, it seems that the Lord waits for His prophets to ask before He gives new direction. More than a decade before receiving his own revelation that ended the priesthood ban for Black men, Spencer W. Kimball stated,
“Revelations will probably never come unless they are desired… I believe most revelations would come when a man is on his tip toes, reaching as high as he can for something which he knows he needs, and then there bursts upon him the answer to his problems” (BYU Studies Quarterly, Vol 47, Iss. 2 (2008), “Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on the Priesthood,” pg. 43).
The prophet is a steward over the Church, not the ultimate leader. He needs to get his own agenda out of the way in order to hear what the Lord is directing. But that’s not easy, especially when there are loud and insistent voices trying to force an issue. How does the prophet hear the still small voice when it’s masked by a cacophony of criticism? The logical and instinctive thing to do is to sit tight, assume that current practices were put in place under inspiration, and defend them. Spencer W. Kimball recalled that before he received the 1978 revelation on the priesthood,
“I had a great deal to fight . . . myself, largely, because I had grown up with this thought that Negroes should not have the priesthood and I was prepared to go all the rest of my life until my death and fight for it and defend it as it was. (“Spencer W. Kimball and the Revelation on the Priesthood,” pg. 45).
As far as I can see, pressure tactics to get the Church to change are just as counterproductive today as they were in Alma’s time. If I believe the prophet is called of God and His appointed mouthpiece, and I do, then I need to sustain him in a way that removes obstacles to revelation instead of creating them. For me, that means praying for the prophet and others who preside, heeding their counsel as it is witnessed to me by the Holy Ghost, and appreciating the way that it blesses my life. Because inspiration improves with information, it also means communicating about my concerns and the negative, personal impact of some teachings and aspects of Church culture, in a supportive manner. It means praying for the membership of the Church to be able to support the prophet in a manner that allows him to receive the revelations the Lord wants to pour out upon him. And then, it means following the personal inspiration that comes to me for how I can bring my own heart and practices into greater harmony with the prophet’s teachings and the light I’ve received.
Injustice May Be an Inescapable Aspect of Fallen SocietyThird, it occurs to me that humans are not very good at being just, even when we are trying our very best. We are all, including me, subject to personal bias based on our own experiences. We all have blind spots. That’s why we need to rely on Jesus Christ for justice and our only hope to achieve it in the world is by coming, “in a unity of the faith… unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Until then, we will need human, hierarchical leaders like apostles and prophets (Ephesians 4:12) to unite us under the Lord’s priorities at this moment for our healing, even though those leaders are fallible.
So injustice will continue in the kingdom until we, as a people, are sufficiently sanctified to achieve Zion. I can make that reality an obstacle that diverts me out of the path to Zion and His presence, or I can use it as a stepping stone. There have been times when I’ve done the latter, like early in my proselyting mission, when my senior companion informed me that it was not my job as junior to counsel with her about the work; I was to learn the discussions (already passed off) and work on my language skills, and leave the work to her. When I told her that a recent convert had approached me at Church to say she needed to see us that week and I had promised we would be there, she informed me that it wasn’t my place to make such a promise. We never made that visit. I learned then about the debilitating effects of unrighteous dominion: I felt detached from our work, completely disconnected when she would report on our goals in district meeting, and drained of energy. The Lord led me to a personal commitment to never pull rank on my junior companions. The unjust treatment I received from my senior companion changed me in happy ways that have outlasted my mission and influenced my leadership ever since. It taught me one aspect of justice—egalitarian leadership—and in a way that has burned that principle into my soul.
The Lord grieves (D&C 121:37), even weeps (Moses 7:29,32-33), over the injustices we practice on each other. But He isn’t interested in dictating justice. He’s interested in our choosing it, which we cannot do until we’re close enough to Him to even be able to comprehend what genuine justice (or Zion) looks like.
This brings me back to the teachings of Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah.
I Need to Change My Focus from Justice to Reconciliation With GodFirst, Amulek, who by my theory has stumbled over the injustice in the kingdom, counsels the people to focus on their own repentance—“well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand”—and not to get tripped up by the injustice because: “well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands” (Alma 10:20-21). Our job, Amulek explains, is to prepare the way of the Lord by getting our hearts right with Him. When we’ve done that, He will visit us—and the world—and we will find equity and justice in Him.
Then, Alma suggests that the Ammonihahites are barking up the wrong tree when they focus on the priesthood as a marker of power and status; the entire point of priesthood ordination is to forward the sanctification of the priesthood holder (Alma 13:11), reconcile him with God (Alma 13:12), and turn him into an ambassador for God to the unordained, to help them also enter into His rest (Alma 13:6). Reconciliation and reunion with God through the gift of His Son is the one thing that really matters and is just as available to them as to any high priest, if they seek it. There’s precedent for this. The people of Melchizedek “were full of all manner of wickedness” but they repented and obtained peace. Won’t the Ammonihahites do likewise, “that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest” (Alma 13:29)?
I feel my heart softening as I read Alma 13 with this perspective. It occurs to me that preoccupation with power and status is just as spiritually blinding to the unempowered and the marginalized as it is to the mighty and the celebrated. I don’t want to chase that rabbit. It leads away from faith, through anger and toward futility. I want to be like Melchizedek instead: a witness of God and a sanctified Zion-builder. I don’t need priesthood ordination for that because my covenants specifically include that commission.
I long for a just society—for Zion. But more than that, I long to be connected with and reconciled to God. Like Amulek, I want to trust in His merciful mysteries and marvelous power, let them have full sway in my heart. And that’s not a trade-off: reconciliation with God is the only path to Zion. I can let go and let God deal with the injustices that continue among His people, while He leads me to deal with the injustice that still exists in me.
I feel an upswelling of conviction that God will do His work. No. Not that He will, but that He is doing it and has been doing it all along. I see the evidence of His sanctifying influence all around me. “Be still,” the Spirit seems to whisper. “Lift your eyes to the pillar of fire that guards and guides My people and know this: ere long, you will watch the Red Sea part.”
- Of note: Nehor’s name was Jaredite (see Ether 7:4). He arose to prominence just after Mosiah II brought an end to the monarchy with a proclamation that deplored inequality and called for the “land [to] be a land of liberty, and every man [to] enjoy his rights and privileges alike,” (Mosiah 29:32). After his proclamation, the people “became exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all the land” (Mosiah 29:38).
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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.
Links
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.
The post Should Church Be Entertaining? | An Interview with Meagan Kohler appeared first on Leading Saints.
I am working on a project to summarize leadership principles or thoughts on small reference cards. This approach will help leaders quickly learn a concept and facilitate discussions in council settings with other leaders. I invite you to try and use this in your next council/presidency meeting to stimulate discussion with other leaders.
…
The weight of staffing a ward can be intense. Bishoprics naturally want to follow God’s will for their ward. There is an assumption that God must have a chalkboard in heaven where every calling in the ward is written with the name of a specific ward member next to it. The belief is that it is the leaders’ job to figure out who God wants in each calling. This is what we call the chalkboard-in-heaven fallacy. However, it was never meant to work like this.
We often see revelation as a one-way street, from heaven to earth or from heaven to our leadership roles. However, as with most things, it’s more complicated than that.
Doctrine & Covenants 128:9 describes the revelatory and administrative process well:
“It may seem to some to be a very bold doctrine that we talk of—a power which records or binds on earth and binds in heaven. Nevertheless, in all ages of the world, whenever the Lord has given a dispensation of the priesthood to any man by actual revelation, or any set of men, this power has always been given. Hence, whatsoever those men did in authority, in the name of the Lord, and did it truly and faithfully, and kept a proper and faithful record of the same, it became a law on earth and in heaven.”
The Lord has empowered His leaders with priesthood keys, or the authorization to govern the Church in their area. This means He trusts them to make calls using all the skills, abilities, and perceptions He has blessed them with. So when a leader makes a final decision about a specific calling in the ward, even without a strong heavenly hunch, it is still classified as a revelation. That leader should feel empowered to move forward because they are acting according to the power that has been given.
Questions:
- How have you typically understood the revelatory process for church leaders?
- How can we strike the right balance between seeking revelation and trusting our own decision-making abilities as leaders?
- What experiences have you had where you felt you received clear inspiration about a specific calling? How did that experience differ from times when you had to use your best judgment?
- What is the role of the member receiving the calling in the revelatory process?
Others left comments about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Does God tell the leader who to call? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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.
The post From Faith Crisis to Relief Society President | A How I Lead Interview with Rebecca Woolf appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rebecca Burnham has served in various roles in the Primary, Sunday School, Relief Society, and Young Women’s organizations and currently serves as a temple ordinance worker, family history consultant and pianist. After her mission to Sao Paulo Brazil, she worked as a journalist until her first marriage, when she became a full-time homemaker. She is now a disability support worker by night and a community builder/entrepreneur/playwright and composer by day, who is recently launching Summit Stages, an initiative to build beloved community through the creation and promotion of musicals that lift and unite. She is passionate about building peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes about gospel topics at 4MutualRespect.
Enter Rebecca…I’m a believing, prophet-sustaining member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am also an egalitarian, deeply committed to the idea that we are all equals and it’s never okay to treat somebody as less than another. This creates tension because, while human equality is a fundamental doctrine of the Church that safeguards my covenants, some of its teachings and practices have seemed to be at odds with that ideal. Feeling that the Church should be the most-just institution in the world, I am challenged by the appearance of injustice within it. This has sent me on a quest for understanding. Lately, I’ve had a couple breakthroughs, both in my study of the interactions between the Nephites and their neighbours, and in my recent experience as a director casting a musical. I’m going to focus this post on my scripture study and save the theatrical director insights for another day.
My “Crazy” TheoriesIn order to set up my breakthroughs in the scriptures, I need to share one of what my children lovingly call my “crazy theories.” They have reason for using the word “crazy” – envisioning Abinadi as a time traveler will someday make a great musical, but it doesn’t enrich my credibility. Unlike that one, though, this theory is one I actually and actively believe, largely because it clarifies a bunch of things in the Book of Mormon narrative and because it resonates with some of the issues that trouble me today. I’m not asking you to believe that it’s true. I’m just inviting you to consider that it might be, and if so, what light it may shine on current struggles.
Possible Reservation of Leadership to Descendants of NephiHere goes: I believe that from the time of Nephi’s death around 544 BC (Jacob 1:9-13) to about 13 AD (3 Nephi 2:14-16), Nephites believed that only direct descendants of Nephi were qualified to lead as priesthood and government officers. The Lord had told Nephi,
“Thou shalt be a ruler and a teacher over thy brethren… and they shall have no power over thy seed” (1 Nephi 2:22-23).
I believe that they understood that to mean that it was wrong for a non-Nephite to have power (or leadership) over a Nephite. So, the Mulekites, who were much more numerous than the Nephites, were barred from the high priesthood and from serving as kings or ruling judges. I think they were allowed to exercise leadership in their own communities, so they could be lower judges, but always subject to Nephite rule.
Would this have been galling to non-Nephites? Yes, to varying degrees and at various times. The Mulekite, King Zarahemla, yielded his throne to Mosiah I, so that gave his people a reason to accept the legitimacy of Mosiah’s reign. But there were still contentions and dissensions (Words of Mormon 1:12,16; Mosiah 2:32). King Benjamin used language aimed at dissolving the tension and uniting the people when he led them into a covenant with God and invited them to identify themselves with a new ancestry and name, that of Christ (Mosiah 5:7-11). This seems to have created peace for about a generation, but then contentions re-arose, especially during the reign of the judges.
Causes of Contentions and DissensionsI think one cause for this recurring unrest was unrighteous dominion among some of the ruling class Nephites. While Alma had a servant’s heart and passed that legacy on to his descendants, power was now dispersed among many, and “it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion” (D&C 121: 39). There would be leaders among the Nephites who became more interested in protecting their ruling class status than they were in serving. They would hide their sins and begin acting in ways that brought them the support of their peers, to the disadvantage of others. While that would cut them off from their genuine authority and communion with God (D&C 121:36-38) it would still leave them in positions of institutional power, which they would abuse. Over time, the ruling class Nephites would become wealthier and better educated than others, while non-Nephites would be socialized to stay in their place. And all of this injustice would seem to be supported by a scriptural teaching that leadership was the God-given role of Nephi’s descendants.
A second cause of the unrest would be power-and-status-hungry individuals like Amlici, Nehor, Korihor, Amalekiah, Paanchi and Gadianton. They would exploit the situation for their own ends, stirring up mostly non-Nephites to anger against their rulers, and setting up rival churches or seeking political office, promising to turn things around when they were finally in charge. What they were really after was personal prominence, not justice. But the injustice that was already troubling the people gave them an instant following.
Ammonihah: A City of Mulekite DissentersWith that background, I’m going to move on to my recent study of Alma’s and Amulek’s ministry in Ammonihah. First, I was struck by Amulek’s telling Alma, at first meeting, “I am a Nephite” (Alma 8:20). It occurred to me that, for that information to be worth communicating to Alma, it would need to be something Alma would not have expected. So ,it seems likely that Ammonihah was mostly inhabited by non-Nephites, that is, people under Nephite rule but not descended from Nephi. Who were they? The record gives some hints.
Just five years earlier, Amlici had risen up in opposition to the chief judge, demanding to be established as king and promising to overthrow the Church. Because he amassed such a following, I’m guessing his followers thought he had legitimate grounds for claiming the throne – which would make sense if he was a descendant of Zarahemla. But his claim would be contrary to the doctrine of Nephite rule, so that would be why he wanted to overthrow the Church. When he and his followers rebelled and took up arms, they were defeated and scattered west and north of the river Sidon (Alma 2:37). Now, five years later, the city of Ammonihah stood in the same area (Alma 8:3;6). Its people were studying to destroy the liberty of the Nephites. All of this and their treatment of Alma suggests that Ammonihah was a city filled with people who were angry with the Nephite ruling class and who experienced their own status as infuriatingly unjust.
Insights into AmulekIt also identifies Amulek as someone who cared a great deal about justice, so much so that he had thrown in his lot with those who were barred from the privileges he enjoyed. I find myself admiring his commitment at the same time that I am struck by his self-assessment:
“I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power… I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God”.
Was Amulek someone who had dissented away from the Church because he couldn’t stand the way that it was treating his brethren as less than himself? Could he be saying here that his preoccupation with injustice, however sincere, had led him out of relationship with God, blinded him to saving truths, and cut him off from godly power? I find myself rejoicing that he was nonetheless able to hear an angel’s invitation to care for Alma and that this brought him to reestablish his connection with God. Amulek’s example means that it’s possible to care deeply about justice, to be bothered by injustice in the Church, and to be faithful, covenant-keeping and fully engaged in gathering Israel.
Alma’s (Familiar) Explanation for Priesthood ExclusionThe next thing that strikes me, and painfully, is Alma’s explanation for why some people are called as high priests and others not. This occurs in Alma 13, which is one of my very favourite chapters, so I am saddened to taste something bitter nestled in doctrine that I find so sweet. But here it is: Alma says some men were “called and prepared [to be ordained priests] from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works… while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren” (Alma 13:3-4). It sounds like he’s telling the non-Nephites of Ammonihah that they weren’t born into a line that were eligible for the priesthood because the Lord knew they were going to be hard-hearted and they would blind their minds against Him.
I am reminded of the justification incorrectly given in my lifetime for excluding Black men from priesthood ordination because they were supposedly less valiant in the premortal life. If it were true, that would mean the 2,000 stripling warriors were born into non-Nephite families because they fell short on the necessary faith and good works to be eligible for the priesthood, which seems ludicrous. And if the Lord foreordained people to the priesthood according to His foreknowledge of their faithfulness, there wouldn’t be any priesthood holders going astray and abusing their positions of authority. This was clearly not the case among the Nephites, nor has it been the case since the Restoration.
Yet, I can relate to Alma’s frustration with the Ammonihahites, given their virulent resentment and how it had given Satan “great hold upon [their] hearts” (Alma 8:9). I can see him standing before a simmering multitude who were heckling and spitting at him, while complaining about being treated as inferior because they are barred from leadership positions. It might occur to him that their behaviour proves their ineligibility. Then it could occur to him that God knew how they would be even before they were born, leading to the conclusion that this is why they weren’t foreordained to the high priesthood.
Why Did the Lord Permit This?This seems to be an honest mistake. But why did the Lord allow it to happen? Not just here, but at any point between 544 BC and 13 AD? Why did He allow a culture of Nephite supremacy to develop and be defended in His name, to be a cause of suffering and oppression, continual offense, contentions, and just about every war the Nephites fought from Alma’s judgeship until the time of Jesus Christ? Why didn’t He just tell his prophets that the Nephites weren’t any better than the non-Nephites and that personal preparedness, not lineage, is what makes one eligible for priesthood leadership? Even if my speculations about Nephite history are out to lunch, the question matters because it also applies to modern inequities, like the 126-year priesthood ban for Black men in the Church, the historic teachings from my formative years about wives being subject to their husbands and responsible to obey them, and other apparent inequities that continue today.
Somehow, these questions are less threatening when I apply them to a situation in the ancient past, in a record that I know to be sacred because of how it has brought me closer to God. My perspective broadens and my fears become more manageable, allowing me to see principles that can help me with today’s issues. I have several thoughts that occur to me.
Possible Redemptive ReasonsFirst, the Lord may have had a redemptive reason for reserving priesthood ordination to a smaller group of people at that time. Nephi declares, “And the time cometh that he shall manifest himself unto all nations, both unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles; and after he has manifested himself unto the Jews and also unto the Gentiles, then he shall manifest himself unto the Gentiles and also unto the Jews, and the last shall be first, and the first shall be last” (1 Nephi 13:42). Such scriptures seem to indicate that the Lord has different seasons for offering all the blessings of the gospel to different peoples. I might have difficulty understanding what His wise reasons for that might be, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. What I do feel assured of is that all His reasons are good, they are not about certain categories of people being “better” or “more valiant” than others, and He does not play favourites. I really don’t have any idea what possible redemptive reasons there might have been for reserving leadership status to descendants of Nephi for a time. I have, however, spent a great deal of thought and study on possible reasons for reserving priesthood ordination to men in my day. I’m not going to explore that issue here, but I recommend these posts. (The Two Trees: An LDS Revisiting of the Garden of Eden and Satan’s War on Women.)
The post Part 1 – Being a Sanctified Zion-builder appeared first on Leading Saints.
At this time of year, many ward clerks are busy in their offices preparing ward sign-up lists for tithing declaration.
They carefully tape these lists to the bishop’s office door, sometimes even attaching a pen on a string to make it easier for ward members to sign up.
In the weeks that follow, a member of the bishopric often pleads from the pulpit, urging everyone to sign up.
This is tradition… but does it work?
I remember these days as a bishop.
However, if I were to serve as bishop again, I would approach it differently and save everyone a considerable amount of time.
Here’s what I would do:
Ditch the sign-up sheet and assign every household a time.
That’s right!
Simply tell them when they’re expected to show up.
If they have a conflict, invite them to contact another ward member and make a trade.
Most bishoprics will find that most families are generally available.
The challenge isn’t so much showing up as it is getting signed up.
So give it a try:
- Assign everyone a time for tithing declaration
- Send an email blast notifying the ward
- Post the assignments on the bishop’s office door if you want to maintain tradition
You’ll likely find that the vast majority will show up.
Let’s gather more of these tithing declaration ideas.
What strategies has your bishopric tried to get tithing declared?
See other ideas for tithing declaration HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Happy Tithing Declaration Season! appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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.
The post Listening to the Stories of Those We Lead | A Live Event with Robert Ferrell appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post When Clapping Happens at Church | A How I Lead Interview with Devin Pope appeared first on Leading Saints.
I am working on a project to summarize leadership principles or thoughts on small reference cards. This approach will help leaders quickly learn a concept and facilitate discussions in council settings with other leaders. I invite you to try and use this in your next council/presidency meeting to stimulate discussion with other leaders.
“As we intentionally strive to incorporate empathy as exemplified by the Savior, we will become more sensitive to people’s needs. With that increased sensitivity, feelings of genuine interest and love will permeate our every action.”—Elder Ulisses Soares
Empathy and sympathy are often used interchangeably, but they represent very different ways of relating to others’ emotions and experiences. At a Leading Saints workshop, Louie Hamner taught about the difference between sympathy and empathy.
As leaders, we often want to stay in a state of sympathy, where we are observing someone else’s problem from a distance. We naturally avoid getting vulnerable, so this is where we stay. However, deeper connection can be established when we lean into empathy even when we may not fully understand their hurt and pain.
Here are some quick examples of how sympathy differs from empathy:
Sympathy: “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
Empathy: “I want to understand how you feel, and I’m here with you.”
Sympathy: “At least life isn’t as hard for you as it is for others”
Empathy: “I can’t image how hard this must be for you. Tell me more.”
Sympathy: “Oh, that’s bad. Have you been praying?”
Empathy: “I’m here with you in this dark place. You’re not alone.”
Sympathy: “Keep your head up. Things will get better soon.”
Empathy: “I’ll sit with you in this as long as you need.”
Here are some tips to stay in empathy with another person:
Embrace their perspective & stay out of judgment: When someone is hurting they might share a perspective that you know is inaccurate or that makes you suspicious. “My husband is so hurtful at home and is constantly treating our family poorly.” Maybe this statement seems off when you compare it to your own interactions with the husband. However, for the sake of stimulating connection and helping the person feel heard, you assume their perspective is accurate. “I’m so sorry you are experiencing that in your home. Tell me more.”
Recognize Emotion: There is no need to attempt to fix the situation that seems to be making the person emotional. Instead, simply try to recognize the emotions that the person is experiencing. “Wow, I can see this is really heavy for you. How else would you describe it?”
State Your Desire to Understand: Empathy is about feeling with people. It involves creating a “sacred space” where you acknowledge someone’s pain and let them know they are not alone. It seems like a given, but when you can communicate to the person that you simply want to understand their experience this creates safety for the other person and they naturally want to open up and tell you more. When they feel safe they are more likely to return to you as their leader when they need further help.
When in doubt, here are some solid empathy statements you can use in almost every situation, especially when you don’t know what to say:
- “Tell me more.”
- “I want to understand more how you are feeling.”
- “What other feelings describe what you are going through?”
- “I’ve felt similar feelings.”
Orient them to Jesus Christ: It is crucial for church leaders to turn people to the Savior Jesus Christ because He embodies the ultimate source of empathy, having experienced every form of human suffering and pain. Jesus’ profound empathy is rooted in His willingness to take on human form, endure temptation, and suffer the ultimate agony on the cross, thereby fully understanding and sharing in our afflictions. This unparalleled empathy not only comforts and reassures believers but also bridges the gap between fallen humanity and God, offering a path to healing and salvation. By guiding people to Christ, church leaders connect them to a Savior who not only understands their struggles intimately but also provides the strength and grace needed to overcome them.
Empathy Scriptures:
- Alma 7:11-12
- Mosiah 18:9
- Doctrine & Covenants 81:5-6
- Doctrine & Covenants 42:45
- 3 Nephi 17:5-6
See what other ideas people are sharing HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post “Someone hurts, and I don’t know what to say.” appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Preparing Youth as Ward Missionaries | An Interview with Greg Trimble appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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.
The post From Lost in a Mine to Stake President | An Interview with Joshua Dennis appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…We may be tempted to consider the Lord’s strong justice and tender mercy as “bad news—good news,” but when we correctly understand these principles, we find that, in truth, they are “good news—good news.” We each receive a perfect blend of justice and mercy. We are each subject to the Lord’s loving justice—His guarantee of the reliability of our life choices. He really does have the power to bless our lives according to His promises. Through His consistent, fair, and loving justice, we gain confidence in Him and in the eternal promises of the great plan of happiness as we make correct choices. We are each blessed and redeemed by His loving mercy that restores us from our broken and fallen condition to the true and complete nature of our divine potential.
The Gift of JusticeThe Lord’s blend of justice and mercy is simply portrayed in two adjacent verses of scripture. I have used these verses many times in my efforts to teach the beauty and balance of these saving principles. First verse:
“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:31)
The Lord does not grant us license for sin—He teaches and guides us away from harmful choices and toward correct choices that further effectuate our peace and joy. For example:
- “No, you may not beat up on your sister just once to teach her a needed lesson.”
- “No, you may not tell a lie just this once.”
- “No, you may not steal, even if you promise to never do it again.”
The justice of God is an eternal principle and part of His divine character—He is a “just” God.
His justice is good news for us. Through it, He designates choices that show love and choices that may hurt us and others. We are blessed and guided on a righteous life-course through a trying world. Through His divine justice, He validates our power to choose; we may know with surety that we are making a correct choice that is “justified.” As we break laws, we suffer that we may be motivated to change our course. As we keep God’s laws, we are blessed according to His justice. Through the perfect Atonement, we are pronounced healed as a gift from God. Through the Lord’s justice, and by His Atonement, we are exonerated from fault.
The Gift of Mercy
“And we know that justification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true.” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:30)
Second verse:
“Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:32)
Through the Lord’s mercy, we are restored to wholeness.
“Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
A lifetime of receiving His mercy results in our sanctification. This was expounded upon in a conference talk giving in April 1977 by Boyd K. Packer.
“Through him [Jesus Christ] mercy can be fully extended to each of us without offending the eternal law of justice. This truth is the very root of Christian doctrine.”
Our Desires EvolveThrough Christ’s pain and suffering, He made it possible for us to be purified through our pain and suffering. As we accept His gift and become purified, we lose desire to participate in worldly, unholy things. The Lord’s desire to restore us to wholeness by healing our wounded and sorrowful souls is accomplished by His Atonement and leads ultimately to our sanctification. And we know also that sanctification through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their might, mind, and strength.
Sometimes I have heard people attempt to classify our Heavenly Parents and our Savior as being sternly just on one occasion and yet tenderly merciful on another. The truth of the matter is that They always operate in total unity with a complete and perfect blend of justice and mercy in all circumstances.
The Good NewsThe eternal law of justice and mercy is good news for each of us. Hopefully a personal parable will help illustrate the operation of the law of justice and mercy.
Two of my older brothers were truckers and my heroes. I wanted to be a trucker someday—the idea of maneuvering huge vehicles through traffic and across the country fascinated me. In my growing-up years, I took advantage of my opportunities to drive trucks and equipment, and, on a few occasions, my brothers even let me drive their big rigs.
A few years ago, I mentioned to my wife that I still thought it would be fun to drive a big truck, and she replied, “You have been saying that all of your life—why don’t you just do it?” So, I did.
We began with classroom instruction in laws, safety, and systems, and within a few 185 days we were assigned a partner and began driving a semi-truck on the range. A few days later, accompanied by an instructor, we began driving the streets and freeways in and around the town. Our goal was to prepare to pass the state examination administered by a certified examiner and to receive our Commercial Driver License (CDL).
Near the end of the course, my time came for the CDL examination that consisted of three parts: pre-trip inspection, backing exercises, and road test, in that order. We were required to pass one portion before advancing to the next. I was confident but also quite nervous. I did fine with the pre-trip portion of pointing out the 300+ plus parts of the truck to the examiner and was relieved to successfully complete the straight, offset, and 90-degree backing tests.
We then went on the road test. Other than one intersection where I lost a gear and had to slow down to get the right gear and continue, I did fine and was so relieved to not hit a curb! As we pulled back into the campus yard, my examiner asked me how I thought I had done. “Fine,” was my sincere response. He then kindly informed me that I had failed because of the lost gear in the intersection. I was embarrassed, disappointed, frustrated, and nervous about my required retake of the road test portion the following week.
I had tried so hard to succeed but had failed and felt discouraged and hopeless. Then something wonderful happened. Greg, one of my favorite instructors, invited me to go with him on a trucking all to another town.
During the trip, he let me get behind the wheel again. I successfully navigated back to our town. For several days Greg helped me practice driving and included the route I’d take on my driving test. My test day came again. I was nervous but prayed hard and tried my best. I did not stall in an intersection, nor did I hit a curb. Back at campus, the examiner asked how I felt I had done. I replied, “Fine, except that is how I answered last week, and it did not go so well.” He smilingly replied, “You did an excellent job. You passed. Congratulations!”
Here is the parable of justice and mercy. I did not and would not have asked for any special favors or leniency from my instructors or examiners, nor would they have granted any. They were in the business of preparing us for the desired result: becoming professional and safe drivers. They were not interested in lowering the bar but were totally committed to helping each of us reach the bar.
The Lord’s justice is designed to help us reach eternal life. He knows how to get us there and will not give up on us—ever. He is God. This is His work.
“For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God.” (Alma 42:24-25)
Although far from being a perfect driver once my training was complete, I felt good about reaching the intended level. I was “justified” in receiving my CDL. I will be forever grateful for Greg and the others who demonstrated their professionalism and mercy by caring for me and helping me.
Love and Mercy of Heavenly ParentsThe Lord loves us with a perfect, divine love and applies His saving mercy for our progress and eventual salvation. He will not diminish His justice but will apply His mercy as needed to get us where He can bless us with ultimate happiness.
“And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of the last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.” (Alma 34:15)
The Atonement solves our great dilemma of being sinners but needing to be pure of sin to gain eternal life. Amid our trials and our wounds of mortality, we may at times get discouraged and feel hopeless. But as we exercise our faith and open our hearts and minds to the power of the perfect Atonement, we gain a testimony of God’s tender mercy and ability to redeem us. Elder Orson F. Whitney taught,
“Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable, than even the best of his servants, and the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend.”
As we ourselves experience the love and mercy of our Heavenly Parents, we are moved to serve others with greater empathy and mercy for them in their struggles. Joseph Smith taught,
“Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive…God does not look on sin with [the least degree of] allowance, but…the nearer we get to our heavenly Father, the more we are disposed to look with compassion on perishing souls; we feel that we want to take them upon our shoulders, and cast their sins behind our backs.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Deseret Book Company, 1972], 240-241, 257.)
The Perfectly Orchestrated FormulaWe need not be overzealous or try to become perfected in this life—that happens well beyond the limits of our current mortality. We just need to keep trying, be believing, and accept the helping hand that Heavenly Parents extend to us through the love and service of others. They do not hammer us with justice—justice is there to guide us in the proper course. They reach to us in love and mercy to help us reach our goals.
President J. Ruben Clark taught us of mercy,
“I believe that the Lord will help us. I believe that if we go to him, he will give us understanding if we are living righteously. I believe he will answer our prayers. I believe that our Heavenly Father wants to save every one of his children. I do not think he intends to shut any of us off because of some slight transgression—some slight failure to observe some rule or regulation. There are the great elementals of course, that we ought to observe but he is not going to be captious about the lesser things. I believe that his juridical concept of his dealing with his children can be expressed in this way. In his justice and mercy he will give us the maximum reward for our acts and give us all that he can give. And in the reverse, I believe that he will impose upon us the minimum penalty which it is possible for him to impose.”
I am grateful for our Heavenly Parents’ perfectly orchestrated formula of the right blend of justice to show us the correct way, coupled with Their abounding love and mercy that draw us unto Them and to the eternal life They have prepared for us.
The post The Perfectly Orchestrated Formula – Justice and Mercy appeared first on Leading Saints.
I am working on a project to summarize leadership principles or thoughts on small reference cards. This approach will help leaders quickly learn a concept and facilitate discussions in council settings with other leaders. The content will include points from podcast episodes and past newsletters. I recommend you use the following message with a group of leaders. Read the card together and discuss the questions at the end.
In church leadership, we attend a lot of meetings. Most meetings get a bad rap and are more of a burden than a revelatory experience. The typical trap with meetings is that we rarely have boundaries or rules that will help the meeting proceed in a way that more people will enjoy and that will stimulate more revelation. It’s crucial for a ward council or any group that is formally meeting to have some unbreakable rules that everyone agrees upon.
Below are 7 unbreakable rules of a meeting that you can consider using in ward council or other leadership meetings. Which ones do you love and which ones do you disagree with?
Rule #1: 60-Minute Time Limit
In the past, church handbooks have advised ward council meetings should last 60-90 minutes, but realistically, no meeting needs to go longer than 60 minutes. Anything beyond that damages your effectiveness as a leader, as people lose focus and creativity plummets.
Rule #2: Anyone Can Cancel (No Excuse Required)
The leader presiding over a meeting seems to be the only one with authority to cancel a meeting. All participants of the meeting should have that same autonomy – if they need to miss a meeting for any reason, no excuse should be required. If few want to attend, it’s not a problem with absenteeism but a sign that we need to make our meetings more revelatory and worthwhile.
Rule #3: No Administration Allowed
It’s tempting to use meetings to process administrative tasks, but meetings should focus on blessing lives, not administering tasks. To avoid getting bogged down, avoid the big three NOs, (1) no downloading information that could be emailed, (2) no brainstorming that depletes time, and (3) no round-robin updates where each person gives a report. Stick to an inspired course of action to truly help people.
Rule #4: Agenda Required
Creating an effective agenda takes planning and preparation, which can be difficult amidst the busyness of church leadership. However, it’s crucial that attendees know what will be discussed and have time to process the information beforehand. The details may vary, but having an agenda allows for a focused, productive meeting.
Rule #5: No Tech
In this modern age, this may seem impossible. Many want to refer to notes or calendar details in their smartphones; however, the more we can eliminate technology distractions in the meeting, the more likely we will have an engaging discussion that leads to revelation.
Rule #6: Always Assume the Presiding Authority is Misguided
Too often we default to the presiding authority to make the final decision. A council meeting requires all involved to share their perspective that isn’t influenced by others because of their position. We should assume the presiding authorities’ role is to confirm, not originate, revelation until a final, inspired decision emerges from the group.
Rule #7: When in Doubt, Cancel the Meeting
If you haven’t figured out how to turn a meeting into a revelatory experience—cancel it. You will find not much is impacted negatively with fewer meetings.
Activity:
Use the above rules to stimulate rules you want to set in your meetings. Write them down and review them quickly at the beginning of each meeting. This is the way of revelation.
Scriptures:
Doctrine & Covenants 46:2, Doctrine & Covenants 20:55
Questions:
What should we stop, start, or continue in our meetings?
What distractions often come up in meetings?
Does the presiding authority have too much influence on the meeting?
See what other meeting ideas people are sharing HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post 7 Unbreakable Rules of a Meeting [Leader Card] appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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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.
The post NFL Leadership at Church | An Interview with Taysom Hill appeared first on Leading Saints.
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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Transcript coming soon
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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.
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Michal Neff is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ. First in 1998, and again in 2018. He found those 20 years to be essential to his spiritual development. He is a mental health clinician in Tooele, Utah, and has run his own clinic with two other therapists since 2021.
Enter Michal…Faith struggles are no new thing, but access to the world wide web has made information gathering and availability both a blessing and curse.
Within the last four years, platforms like YouTube and TikTok were only showing content congruent with their agenda, but now their algorithms seem to provide videos focused on controversy.
For example, some members in my area have noted that the more they watch conference talks on YouTube, the more videos of other faiths attacking Latter-day Saints show in their feeds. I don’t think this is limited to religion, as I notice the same in politics (Trump vs Harris), weightlifting (go to failure vs shy of failure), and many others.
Sacred TopicsWith the increase in data availability, many people (not just Church members) are torn with the idea of which faith to follow. And there are many, from Muslim to Christianity, from atheism to universal faith. This struggle is not unique to us, but what is unique to us is sacred topics.
The sacred nature of these topics leaves some not sure of what to talk about, some with questions and uncertainty and not knowing where to go with these questions, and some wondering if their struggle with these topics makes them unworthy to be members, hold priesthood or callings, etc.
Within my time as elders quorum president, we’ve worked on challenging “norms” and striving to have some of these tough, but essential conversations. We know there are some things we can’t talk about outside of the temple, but there are many things we can talk about and people will seek answers somewhere else if don’t talk about them. However, they often won’t talk to members because we won’t always engage in these discussions.
A Need for DiscussionsMy dad, who used to be a member but left a long time ago, made some accusations about “exaltation.” Previous to this discussion, I had this topic in the “weird box.” When he made this comment, I knew I had to look deeper into this topic. If he was right, the Church was wrong, and I needed to leave this Church. If he was wrong, I could continue my work in the Church. To me, these were the only two choices once I was presented with the “controversy.”
So, I began my journey. I asked leaders in the Church who gave me answers like, “Well, you’re early in the faith. You need to drink milk before eating meat.” This answer angered me. What kind of answer is this for something so important? I searched the Latter-day Saint library and found myself having more struggles in finding anyone, other than my dad, to talk with about this. Which I knew to be biased, but it’s all I had.
I discussed my concern with our bishop about lack of opportunities to have tough discussions, he seemed to agree with the need I saw. If we don’t have these discussions, they’ll still happen. We just won’t be a part of them. The other voices will all (presumably) be against the Church and our faith because they aren’t members. This led to us looking for a way to be proactive in this.
Hard TopicsWe developed an anonymous “hard topics” questionnaire, to gather all the questions members in the ward had and wanted answers for. We gathered roughly 100 questions such as:
- What to do if you don’t feel brother/sisterhood
- What if you can’t sustain a leader
- Why don’t women have priesthood authority?
- Why didn’t people of color have the priesthood for a period of time?
- Exaltation
- Plus many others
Building TopicsThen we facilitated a monthly meeting to discuss the topics. We noticed some built on others, such as “How do you know?” was the foundation of all of the questions, but for some knowing is different for different questions.
Then, not feeling like you belong came before accepting callings. These “building topics” helped us choose where to start.
Since the start, people have enjoyed it enough they requested to have these discussions bi-weekly instead of monthly.
The discussions provoke more topics, which leads to increasing the list.
Sometimes the group is large, other times it is small. The change in size of the group is essential though, and here is why. God guides the processes through the Holy Spirit. If only three people can attend (leadership and the person with the question), the Spirit guided this for a reason. Someone getting held up at work, or just not wanting to come and allowing free will, was also the Spirit in creating an environment for that one person to discuss their question.
Trust in our Lord who guides all things.
Here are my key thoughts to make this a success:
- You don’t have to be a therapist to talk about hard things. None of the Apostles were therapists.
- Let the Spirit drive discussion and learning. The key to our success is that we don’t have the discussion to get people to believe or to “know the truth.” We have discussions to be with people, share thoughts, pray, and support. Essentially, to minister. There are things I just don’t believe. The ward family that shows up to talk about these topics has been great at letting me struggle, and sharing where they found answers. Then they let me be wrong, right, or somewhere in between. In our “sustaining of leaders” discussion, we learned which things I have to do as a leader, and how much leeway we all actually have. Allow the leeway for everyone. The Spirit will do the rest.
- Be welcoming, but listen to the Spirit. I’ve had non-members who weren’t in our ward ask to attend these meetings. It hurts to tell them no, because I believe in what we’re doing. However, our bishop wanted this to just be our ward members. I honor his keys and his wisdom. I had to say no. These discussions have prepared me to talk to non-members though. I still engaged with these people, as I’d encourage you to. But this group discussion is sacred and some of the topics may brush against sacred ones.
- Sacred topics are sacred for a reason. There are things we don’t talk about outside of the temple. Topics blend, but sacred is not secret. This means even these topics should not be avoided. They should be planned and prepared for. We are planning a temple visit because we can have these discussions in the temple. However, just as the growth of callings, classes, and priesthood, it’s important to know sacred topics build on many other topics that aren’t sacred. Thus, it is probably best to address all relevant non-sacred topics before attending the sacred discussions.
Be a VesselMay I repeat: let the Spirit teach. If anyone is trying to convince someone else, the Spirit can’t be felt. Our responsibility as discussion leaders is to provide information, listen to the Spirit and promptings, stop pushing when the thoughts stop coming or urgency shows up. Just be a vessel for the Spirit, not an enforcer of the teachings.
The post Conversations Around Faith Struggles appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
“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.
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.
The post The Ministry of Chaplains | An Interview with Tami Harris appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Transcript coming soon
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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.
The post Navigating the Intersection of Faith and Politics | An Interview with Thomas Griffith appeared first on Leading Saints.
When I served as bishop of a transient ward, I had the privilege of working with many Relief Society presidents.
Each one brought a heart full of love and excitement to their new role, eager to make a difference. However, the demands of our inner-city ward quickly piled up, and within 3-4 months, many found themselves overwhelmed.
I vividly remember several Relief Society presidents sitting in my office during one-on-one meetings, tears streaming down their faces.
They spoke of the endless phone calls, texts, and service requests that felt insurmountable.
Despite their best efforts, the lack of gratitude from those they served often stung the most, turning what should have been a fulfilling experience into a source of resentment.
Reflecting on these experiences, I wonder how you’re feeling about your leadership role.
Whether you’re juggling a busy service calling or managing a room full of energetic children in Primary, feelings of resentment can creep in and become a “relationship cancer” to those you lead.
It’s impossible to be your best self when resentment is lurking in the background.
Resentment is a natural emotion we all experience at times.
It’s a signal that something is off, that perhaps repentance and relationship mending are needed.
So, how do we address it?
It might involve having tough conversations, seeking support from fellow leaders, admitting we don’t have the whole story, and making an effort to serve those we resent even more.
Now, I’d love to hear from you.
How have you overcome feelings of resentment in your leadership journey?
What strategies have helped you climb out of a leadership slump?
Your experiences and insights could be invaluable to others facing similar challenges.
Let’s support each other in this journey of improvement and innovation.
See what others said about resentment in callings HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post When You Resent Those You Lead appeared first on Leading Saints.
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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Transcript coming soon
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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.
The post Saints with ADHD | An Interview with Rebecca Buffington appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer whose work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. Originally from North Carolina, he served a mission in Nevada and California before earning an English degree at Southern Virginia University. He is a member of Heterodox Academy, an organization that promotes viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement in higher education, and he contributes to Discourse Magazine on topics of political polarization. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife and their three children. He works as a college communications director and serves as a counselor in his Elder’s Quorum presidency.
Enter Bryan…One of my earliest memories of church involves my best friend’s dad at the pulpit talking about politics.
No, he wasn’t giving a campaign speech or endorsing a candidate. Quite the opposite. He was my bishop, and he had just read a letter from the First Presidency reminding us that the Church remains politically neutral. He then added his own commentary, which went something like this:
“Please forgive me if I ever forget to take my political buttons off my suit coat when I come to church, or if you see a political bumper sticker on my car. Those reflect my personal opinion, but they don’t reflect on the Church. You don’t need to vote the same way as me!”
That memory has stayed with me for more than 30 years. I was just old enough to know that politics and elections existed. I barely knew my parents’ political views. It was eye-opening to hear my bishop express his fallibility and say it was OK for people to disagree.
But that was the early 1990s, and political attitudes were about to diverge sharply. Today, social media has amplified political divisions, and some of society’s loudest voices agree on just one thing: It’s not OK for people to disagree. Over the past decade, political disagreements have ended friendships, cut short Thanksgiving dinners, and— let’s be honest—they’ve made the testimony meeting before Election Day a bit awkward, especially when Brother You-Know-Who gets up.
In this era of polarization, church leaders may wonder how they can lead their congregations when political contention is bubbling beneath the surface. Fortunately, there are a few things that church leaders can do to help, and they center on what we are supposed to do anyway: Help people come unto Christ.
Politically Neutral and PluralisticTo begin with, we can reaffirm the Church’s values of political neutrality, which really begins with Doctrine and Covenants Section 134, an 1835 document outlining the church’s beliefs about government and laws.
This scripture says that human laws are “instituted for the express purpose of regulating our interests as individuals and nations” while divine laws are “given of heaven, prescribing rules on spiritual concerns, for faith and worship.” The separate spheres for civil and spiritual law free the church from having to make declarations about tax rates, speed limits, or international trade. Those are for people to work out through a civil process while the church focuses on teaching the gospel.
The Church’s approach to politics has varied over time, though. According to a church topics essay, early church leaders often endorsed candidates. Some church leaders started their own political party. But when that party dissolved, the church “recommended bipartisanship among Church members.”
The church’s political neutrality creates room for political pluralism—having church members who hold different political views and supporting different parties. In the October 1932 General Conference, Elder James E. Talmage shared the following:
“My religion ought to teach me to regard my fellow as entitled to his views, as well as I am to mine, in matters political as in all else. … I know too many honorable Democrats to believe that all the good is in the Republican party, or the reverse. … Do not think because your neighbor does not vote your ticket that he is reprobate and bound for destruction. … Do not let rancor and hatred find a place in your heart because of political differences.”
Today, the General Handbook teaches that regardless of politics, “all should feel welcome in church settings.”
In a 2023 letter to members in the United States, the First Presidency affirmed that “some principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties.”
President Dallin H. Oaks added this perspective:
“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 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.”
Charity and HumilityClearly, the Church aims to be politically neutral while encouraging its members to be politically active. Next, it may help to focus on the Christlike attributes of charity and humility, which can help us overcome the challenges of political polarization.
Even secular approaches toward decreasing polarization recognize the value of these virtues. The nonprofit Heterodox Academy, which promotes viewpoint diversity and constructive disagreement in universities, espouses a set of guidelines called “The HxA Way” advises that to keep discussions civil. Two of those guidelines are “Be intellectually charitable” and “Be intellectually humble.”
Intellectual charity is about treating other people and their ideas respectfully. Rather than considering someone who disagrees with us to be less rational or less righteous, we should “look for reasons why the beliefs others hold may be compelling, under the assumption that others are roughly as reasonable, informed, and intelligent as oneself.”
Humility Prepares Us to LearnIntellectual humility involves being open to learning. “Take seriously the prospect that you may be wrong. … Acknowledge the limitations to one’s own arguments and data as relevant.” Pride encourages us to dig in our heels as though we know everything already. Humility prepares us to learn.
Every secular program designed to help people resolve conflicts and differences has some element of these principles. The Crucial Conversations model tells us to “master our stories,” to make sure our inner narratives “represent reality, and this helps us engage in better dialogue.” The Pluralist Lab, a program of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, encourages people to seek to truly understand why people believe differently from them. The nonprofit BridgeUSA holds “Bridge the Gap” events that encourage college students to take turns speaking, listening, and asking questions about their different political views. The nonprofit Braver Angels organizes debates focused on finding common ground.
But applied in a church setting, charity and humility gain additional power when we apply the gospel view of these virtues.
For example, the gospel teaches us that charity is more than goodwill and respect for others. It is “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). Knowing that the people who disagree with us politically are children of God for whom Christ died will change how we see them. The definition and examples of charity given by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 show us how to respond to political disagreement:
- “Charity suffereth long and is kind” — Longsuffering means loving someone and showing kindness even in strong disagreements.
- “Vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up” — Charity rejects the prideful tendency to congratulate ourselves for having “correct” opinions that make us popular with our tribe.
- “Rejoiceth not in iniquity” — Charity does not delight in the unrighteous ways that politicians and pundits treat those who disagree.
- “Rejoiceth in the truth” — Charity leads us to accept truth, even if it contradicts our current views, even if it comes from a politician we disagree with.
- “Is not easily provoked” — With charity, we are less likely to get angry because of political disagreements.
The Power of PersuasionImagine how politics would change if every politically active person aspired to have charity. Political rallies might become more boring—which might not be a bad thing. But because “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18, Moroni 16:18), more charity in our politics would translate to less fear, which would lead to less anger.
The gospel view of humility is instructive, too. One of the most instructive examples came when Alma was the high priest of the church and the chief judge of the government. After a period of righteousness and prosperity, “The people of the church began to wax proud, because of their exceeding riches.” Pride led them “to be scornful, one towards another, and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to their own will and pleasure” (Alma 4:6,8). Doesn’t that sound like politics in 2024?
Alma could have used his power as chief judge to try to force some changes. But he understood that true power came from persuasion (D&C 121:41). Alma resigned as chief judge “that he himself might go forth among his people [and] preach the word of God unto them, … that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions” (Alma 4:19). He was humble enough to try winning people’s hearts with “the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).
How Church Leaders Can Lead in Polarized TimesWith these principles in mind, what can Church leaders do to make their wards resilient against political polarization? Many business leaders and university leaders are asking similar questions, and the answers may be useful at church.
A Harvard Business Review article published in January 2024 advises business leaders to start by “co-creat[ing] ground rules of expression with your team.” The ground rules for expression might be, “No politics at church, but with charity outside church.” It may be helpful to use a fifth-Sunday lesson or another discussion opportunity to review some of the scriptures outlined in this article, or General Conference talks such as the following:
● “Peacemakers Needed” by Russell M. Nelson
● “Love Your Enemies” by Dallin H. Oaks
● “Defending our Divinely Inspired Constitution” by Dallin H. Oaks
● “Instruments of the Lord’s Peace” by Robert S. Wood
The Harvard Business Review authors also recommend creating a “release valve” for political tensions by allowing team members to discuss difficult political issues. Because we have been asked to avoid political teaching at church, this exact recommendation is unavailable to us. But we can seek creative alternatives.
For example, what if the Elders Quorum and Relief Society each spent some time discussing what to do on a ministering visit if the member we’re visiting brings up politics?
Ward councils may also want to practice how to respond if a member makes a political comment during class. We don’t want members who disagree with them to shift uncomfortably in their seats, but neither do we want them to pounce on the person with political comebacks. There’s a kind, Christlike way to respond and remind everyone of the Church’s political neutrality and our desire to focus the lesson on the gospel.
One exception that might make overt political discourse necessary is when political differences spark relationship conflict—if political discourse between ward members on social media is harming the church experience for anyone involved. In this case, the priesthood duty to prevent “backbiting, nor evil-speaking” (D&C 20:54) may necessitate intervention. Leaders can counsel with the parties involved not to instruct them on their political beliefs, but on a more constructive, Christlike way to interact.
The Harvard Business Review article also recommends that leaders “make counter-cultural behavior prestigious.” I think back to my bishop more than 30 years ago who told the ward that none of them had to vote the same as him. I think of President Nelson sharing how his counselors sometimes disagree, but “they do so with pure love for each other. Neither suggests that he knows best. Neither evidences the need to compete with the other.” Without divulging specific political views, church leaders can share how they personally work together despite differences and make this the aspiration of the ward
Last, church leaders can do something that no secular organization does: invite all to come unto Christ and develop the Christlike attributes of charity and humility.
Mormon admonished us to “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:48). He also said that as we repent, “the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart,” which would invite the Holy Ghost, “which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer” (Moroni 8:26). In this way, humility and charity form a virtuous cycle, reinforcing each other.
A More Peaceful WayPresident Nelson said, “The pure love of Christ is the answer to the contention that ails us today.” As church leaders teach the principles of political neutrality, political pluralism, charity and humility, we can influence church members around us who then influence the world, creating a more peaceful way to engage with politics.
The post Healing Partisan Divides With Humility and Charity appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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.
The post Artificial Intelligence & Latter-day Saints | An Interview with Bennett Borden appeared first on Leading Saints.
Last week I finished up a series about the four main dichotomies of motivation.
- Authority vs. Relationships
- Obedience vs. Autonomy
- Your Agenda vs. Their Agenda
- Shame vs. Buy-in
To be honest, for a topic like motivation I hear leaders struggle with the most, my series seemed to fall flat with little interest.
That was probably related to my delivery, so I’ll keep trying.
Apart from the series, I noticed a passionate discussion in the Leading Saints community that caused me to consider a different angle of motivation — that is when you are not the leader trying to motivate, but the subordinate the leader is trying to motivate.
What if you need RELATIONSHIP but your leader offers AUTHORITY?
What if you need AUTONOMY but your leader pressures OBEDIENCE?
What if you need YOUR AGENDA considered, but your leader forces THEIR AGENDA?
What if you need an opportunity for BUY-IN, but your leader SHAMES you?
In short, what if the leader is leading from a place of tyranny and not partnership?
This is where our leadership culture gets tricky.
Yes, we have been asked to be obedient, but we have also covenanted to give our “time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed us to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.”
For example, what if you’re a Primary president who wants to go one way, but your bishop wants to go another way?
Or, what if you’re a [insert lower calling] who wants to go one way, but your [insert higher calling] wants to go another way?
This isn’t as simple as assuming the Lord’s will is more in line with the will of whoever is higher in authority.
It’s also not as simple as assuming God has an opinion one way or the other.
(I call this the Chalkboard in Heaven Fallacy.)
When these motivation conflicts arise, our cultural pressures have taught us to go passive, step back, disengage, and go with the flow.
My invitation to you is instead to lean in, stand up, have the tough conversation, and engage on a higher level.
Easier said than done, right?
This requires leadership skill sets.
This is why Leading Saints exists.
If we are students of leadership, we will be more prepared and have the confidence for these interactions.
This is why leadership is not a title that gives you authority to dictate vision.
Leadership is an identity where you learn how to lead those who are your leaders; not to get your way, but to build Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post When the Leader Tries to Motivate YOU appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How I Lead as a Young Single Adult in London | An Interview with Andy Rosas appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jason T. Rogers has been a member of the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for over 30 years. He served a full-time mission in Minnesota and has served in various callings from greeter, primary teacher, and clerk. In 2014-2015 Jason backpacked around the world with the desire to better understand the human experience. He is a visionary dedicated to connecting people and building creative communities. He is the founder of Gateway Gears Marketing and has over a decade of experience in the film industry as a Producer at COMV Productions. Jason’s global adventures and diverse experiences have enriched his understanding of human connections, as detailed in his book, “Social: The Power of Relationships.” He currently lives in Salt Lake County with his wife and two kids.
Enter Jason…When I was called as the secretary of the elders quorum in my ward, we began discussing ways to help our elders feel more connected. I began considering my own personal experience, I’d mostly just gone through the motions of being an active member for two reasons. First, I was so overwhelmed by my personal circumstances that it was a struggle to pay my bills each month and I didn’t have extra time to devote to my church community. Second, what I did wasn’t really valued; I felt unseen by my fellow brethren.
Thus, I wanted to do more than go through the motions. I wanted to be more involved in my church community. I prayed for an opportunity to help and grow a deeper connection with the other men in my ward.
During that process, I’d recently read a book by Brené Brown, and it opened my eyes to the difference between belonging and fitting in.
Brené Brown, a renowned researcher and author, has extensively explored the topics of belonging, vulnerability, courage, and empathy. In her work, she emphasizes several key principles regarding belonging that have deeply resonated with me and could be useful for leaders of wards and auxillaries.
Fitting In vs. BelongingAccording to Brené Brown, “fitting in” is distinctly different from “belonging,” and it’s an important distinction in her work on vulnerability and connection.
Fitting in, as Brown explains, is about assessing a situation and adapting oneself to be accepted. It’s an attempt to mold oneself into an existing framework or set of expectations, often at the expense of one’s authentic self. This approach involves altering or hiding certain aspects of oneself in order to be accepted by a group.
In contrast, belonging, in Brown’s view, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.
Belonging is about being accepted for your true self, flaws and all. It’s a more genuine, deep connection that arises from authenticity and vulnerability. Brown emphasizes that true belonging can only happen when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world.
Thus, while “fitting in” might bring short-term comfort or superficial connection, it ultimately undermines the deeper sense of belonging and self-acceptance that Brown champions in her work.
Finding Our Personal BalanceOver the years I’ve learned there is a balance I’ve had to make between fitting in and belonging. When I’m learning something new, I need to follow someone else’s advice or do things in a different way than is normal. However, when I know how it’s done, I can make it my own. I’ll change what I’ve learned to give it my own flare.
I’ve also found socializing is done much the same way. I will take time to learn about the people around me and try new activities that I’ve never done before so I can get to know them better but when the moment feels right, I’ll add my own flair to the moment.
Differences Become StrengthsAt its core, a true quorum celebrates authenticity, encouraging members to be themselves unapologetically. In this space, differences aren’t just tolerated; they are embraced, fostering a rich tapestry of perspectives. Respect is paramount, not just in listening but in valuing each voice equally. Support transcends mere cooperation, evolving into a network of empathy and understanding. Such a group thrives on the courage of individuals who stand by their values while honoring those of others, creating a harmonious balance between individuality and collective unity.
True acceptance and respect can be a challenge inside a church community because we have religious principles we all strive to follow but we each Interpret those principles differently. This can cause members of the congregation to treat each others differently based on our different interpretations.
Ultimately if we desire to connect and share God’s love then our differences become strengths.
For those who have a desire to grow stronger bonds in their communities here are 8 things that could help.
1. Embrace Authenticity
- Be True to Yourself: Share your genuine thoughts, feelings, and experiences with the group. Don’t hide or alter who you are to fit in.
- Accept Imperfections: Recognize and accept your imperfections. Everyone has them, and they make you unique.
2. Cultivate Courage
- Stand Alone When Necessary: Be willing to stand by your beliefs and values, even if it means being different from the group.
- Face Vulnerability: Understand that being open about your fears, failures, and imperfections is a strength, not a weakness.
3. Build Empathetic Connections
- Practice Empathy: Make an effort to understand and share the feelings of your fellow quorum members. This builds deep, meaningful connections.
- Listen Actively: Show genuine interest in others’ stories and experiences. Validate their feelings and perspectives.
4. Engage in Self-Acceptance
- Belong to Yourself First: Accept who you are fully before seeking acceptance from others. This self-acceptance is the foundation of true belonging.
5. Participate Actively in the Community
- Get Involved: Engage in quorum activities, discussions, and service projects. Active participation fosters a sense of belonging.
- Contribute Your Skills: Offer your unique skills and knowledge to the community. Your contributions are valuable.
6. Practice Gratitude and Joy
- Celebrate Small Wins: Regularly acknowledge and celebrate moments of joy and gratitude within the quorum. This strengthens the sense of community.
- Express Appreciation: Show appreciation for others’ efforts and contributions. This creates a positive and supportive environment.
7. Communicate with Compassion
- Set Boundaries: Establish and communicate your boundaries clearly and compassionately.
- Respect Others’ Boundaries: Honor and respect the boundaries set by your fellow members.
8. Address Shame
- Recognize Shame: Be aware of feelings of shame that may prevent you from being vulnerable and authentic.
- Combat Shame: Counter shame with empathy, self-compassion, and open dialogue.
ConclusionNow there are a few things our elders quorum plans to do differently in hopes of growing a deeper connection with our fellow brethren. We plan to create a space where we can share our strengths, skills, and talents with other members of our quorum. We plan to learn the visions, goals, and dreams of our brethren so when the right opportunity arises, we can help them achieve their goals and dreams. It’s our hope that in this way we will have a strong group of brothers and sisters that truly love each other the way Christ loves us.
Belonging is about being accepted for who you truly are, while fitting in requires changing yourself to be accepted. By embracing authenticity, cultivating courage, building empathetic connections, and actively participating in your community, you can move from merely fitting in to truly belonging. This journey requires vulnerability and self-acceptance, but the reward is a deep, genuine connection with your elders quorum that enriches both your life and the lives of others.
Let’s commit to creating a space where everyone can belong, not just fit in.
The post Belonging vs. Fitting In – A Journey to Unity appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How Can Leaders Better Talk About Sex? | An Interview with Dr. Jennifer Finlayson-Fife appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
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.
The post When Leadership Expectations Are Exhausting | In Interview with Aaron Osman appeared first on Leading Saints.
As I was navigating my concerns, resources, and hopes for a loved one who is struggling with addiction, I was grateful for the recent podcast with Kurt Francom and Nate and Marla Christensen.
Their candor, expertise, and vulnerability were not only hopeful, but filled with wise advice. So, if you are navigating a similar concern as a parent, leader, family member. or friend, I invite you to take a listen to this podcast.
The Christensens not only brought their lived experience to this ever-growing concern, but they also brought a host of degrees and experience in clinical psychology and therapy.
There is much to be learned in understanding codependency and becoming enmeshed in the messiness of addiction. They shared some great insights as well as the power of the Church’s Addiction Recovery Program (ARP).
Marla shared her personal journey of realizing the need to lean on Jesus rather than being overly dependent on her partner’s actions or behaviors.
I agree with her regarding the impact of the ARP meetings. In fact, I think it would be so impactful if every member of The Church had the opportunity to participate in the ARP program. (Not that the General Sunday School Presidency would ever ask me, but I think it should be offered as a Sunday School class at least once a year.) I can’t begin to tell you the impact it had on me as I was participating in an ARP program for the families of addicts. It was transformative in my relationship with the Savior, with my beloved addict family member, and it began creating in me a desire to be more charitable, forgiving, and Christlike when interacting with folks who sin and struggle differently than I do.
In an April 2014 conference talk, Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared words of hope:
“Please know, first of all, that there is hope. Seek help from loved ones, Church leaders, and trained counselors. The Church provides addiction recovery help through local Church leaders, the Internet, and in some areas, LDS Family Services.”
Loaves and FishesI was recently pondering on some of the many insights we could glean from the historic miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14: 12 – 20; John 6: 5-14). I began to consider how we could apply it in our daily lives as individuals, family members, and leaders.
In dealing with and growing through life challenges, including the challenge of having an addicted loved one, we can discover ways to grieve, serve, trust, and love.
In the narrative of this particular miracle, we have the 5,000 being taught, the disciples, and our Savior who is grieving the loss of his cousin, John the Baptist.
It is instructive regarding finding space to grieve; noticing the needs of others; the timing of service; having the disciple bring what they had (five loaves and two fish); and seeing the miracles that happen when touched by our Savior’s faith and power.
Taking CareIt’s stunning to me that in the midst of His grief, the Savior saw the hope and needs of the multitude and began healing them, teaching them, and ultimately feeding them both physically and spiritually.
Yet it is of note, He took time to go to a desert place first. At the end of the podcast, Sister Christensen stressed the importance of doing things to support ourselves during difficult times—including having a therapist to help us process and understand what we are going through and how to best move forward.
In Alma 31:1-11 we also discover the virtue of the word of God and how it truly has the power to change hearts and the trajectory of a life. “Simple” attributes that keep us strong in the faith include:
- Keep the commandments
- Participate regularly in the ordinances of the Church
- Prayer and supplication daily.
As we do those things, our souls remain healthy, strong, and at peace.
The Balm of ServiceNext, we can consider the impact of properly-timed service and how it can become a balm to our aching hearts during times of struggle. The timing of the service is worth pondering on when we are in the midst of a heavy trial. We may not engage in it as immediately as our Savior did, but it is something to consider when spiraling downward in our grief and/or fear of what is going on with our addicted loved one. The service could be to our addict loved one, but it could also be service that Father invites us to participate in as we seek to be His hands. There is a healing power in serving others and recognizing the many blessings we have rather than hyper-focusing on a specific trial.
We All Have an OfferingThe disciples didn’t have a solution to feeding the multitude, but they willingly gave what they had come up with, five loaves and two fish. Sometimes we get stuck in what we don’t have or that we think we are not enough, yet if we will turn our willing heart (our offering) over to the Lord, He can transform the meager offering into miracles. Miracles of hope, of instructive leaders, of kindness from friends, family, and more. When we yoke ourselves with our Savior, not only is the burden lightened, but we are also strengthened as the Savior helps us pull the load with Him.
In the podcast, the Christensens reflected upon the transformative power of surrendering to the Savior and finding solace in the midst of life’s challenges.
May we consider the loaves and fishes we can bring to a challenge in our role as a supportive loved one, a leader, or a friend and move forward in hope, caring, and peace.
Beth Young is a convert of 46 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 37 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah six years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post Loaves and Fishes – Recovery and Hope appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Links
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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.
The post What Type of Leader Should I Be? | An Interview with Elder Clate Mask appeared first on Leading Saints.
Let’s continue exploring the one big leadership question…
How do I motivate people?
Here I will discuss the third of four dichotomies when it comes to motivating others.
- Authority vs. Relationships
- Obedience vs. Autonomy
- Your Agenda vs. Their Agenda
- Shame vs. Buy-in/
Consider something as simple as ministering interviews.
There’s often an orchestrated push to get these interviews scheduled and completed.
The elders quorum president may start by asking you to set an appointment, and then they pester, and then they beg.
Why is it so difficult?
Well, there are two agendas at work here.
The elders quorum president wants to be a good soldier because he was asked to get the ministering interviews done each quarter with the help of his presidency.
However, the members of the elders in the quorum can feel like a task to be completed.
Those same elders might have a busy work schedule, demands at home, or simply don’t want to have an awkward meeting where they feel more guilt than encouragement.
We have two agendas clashing and both the leader and the elder can feel frustrated.
When attempting to motivate never assume those you lead are lazy.
They simply have a different agenda.
It’s up to the leader to find out what their agenda is.
Maybe they are in a season of life where they don’t have the bandwidth to check up on other people’s families when they feel like their family is falling apart.
Maybe they are starting a dream business and it is taking more focus to get it off the ground.
When a leader sets his agenda aside and becomes curious about the agenda of those they lead, suddenly they have new empathy and discover more authentic ways they can serve the family or find others to serve their family.
Suddenly, agendas are easier to align.
So, what’s the agenda of each person you lead?
What do they need from the quorum related to their agenda?
Do they need more ministering assignments and constant pleadings to meet for an interview?
Or is there more to be learned by exploring their agenda?
Go find out.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post The Silent Agenda War appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Involving Women in Sunday School Leadership | An Interview with Garret Shields & Monica Fell appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books, including Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…One day my son and I were waiting on word from the findings of a report from a building inspector regarding the garage/shop I had been helping him on. The issue was whether the original roof had followed the building code, and that would determine our next steps. We were hoping for the best, that the code only required one-half inch, or if not, that the inspector will grant a waiver. We were also planning for the worst in the event we were not granted a waiver but must increase the thickness. We had been pricing seven-sixteenths-thick sheeting with the hope that for a few hundred dollars and a lot of work, we could nail it over the top of the existing sheeting, if needed.
Hoping for the BestOh, such is life—it seems that in so many things, although we hope for the best, we find ourselves having to plan and prepare for the worst. With that said, a notion has occurred to me that in temporal/mortal things, we hope for the best but plan for the worst. However, in spiritual/eternal things, we are to hope for the best and plan for the best. There is no provision, teaching, covenant, or ordinance the Lord gives us to help us prepare for anything less than the best—
“Eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” Doctrine and Covenants 14:7
Mortal/Temporal—Hopes and Plans“Temporal” means “temporary.” During our temporary journey through mortality on earth, we often find ourselves in challenging and undesired circumstances. But they are temporary— as with my roof dilemma, a week or so of waiting and whichever way the inspection goes, the roof we were shingling will be done and the challenge will be mostly forgotten.
Even as we plan for worst case, as we keep our eternal perspective, we are assured eternal blessings through making and keeping our sacred covenants.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego understood and believed this. When King Nebuchadnezzar, in his vain glory, erected a huge graven image of himself and demanded that his subjects bow down and worship it, the three brave young men refused. The king, in his anger, sentenced them to be burned in a fiery furnace. They replied,
“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king.” (Daniel 3:17–18)
They had eternal hope. But even in that hope, they knew that God does not always cure every ill or dissipate every trial. They were prepared for the worst case, and as such they replied to the king,
“But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
In their case, the Lord did intervene and saved them.–
The blessing of Abinadi took a different turn. When wicked King Noah demanded that he retract his words of prophecy against the evils of the king and his followers, Abinadi, from a core perspective of eternal hope, reaffirmed his message to the king:
“I say unto you, I will not recall the words which I have spoken unto you concerning this people, for they are true; and that ye may know of their surety I have suffered myself that I have fallen into your hands. Yea, and I will suffer even until death, and I will not recall my words, and they shall stand as a testimony against you. And if ye slay me ye will shed innocent blood, and this shall also stand as a testimony against you at the last day.” (Mosiah 17:9–10)
And so it was—Abinadi was prepared for worst-case death by fire, and as he so suffered, he kept his faith centered on Christ and his eternal hope intact.
A Modern ExampleDuring the 2020 pandemic, we experienced a restricted lifestyle as the world battled a global pandemic, COVID-19. We all continued hopeful that the virus would abate and the sufferers would be spared. We all hoped that we and those we loved would be protected, but we planned for the worst—we kept recommended social distance, wore protective masks in public, and held our Church and other gatherings virtually through the internet. And even in our hope for relief, the virus touched us.
We had one family in our ward who was suffering. We got word that a good man we knew died from the virus. He was as joyful, positive, and hopeful a person as any I have known. I am confident that he, and his caregivers, planned and prepared and did all that they could to preserve his life, but I also know that he was spiritually prepared for his death and reunion with his eternal companion.
The pandemic was a portent of many things yet to come as we more closely approach the Second Coming of our Savior to rule and reign on the earth.
Coming TrialsThe forty-fifth section of the Doctrine and Covenants has become one of my favorite prophecies of the times of the Second Coming as it so clearly describes the trials leading up to the coming of the Savior and the promises and blessings that await those who choose the way of righteousness. We are told of many temporal things that we may wish we could escape but also of many eternal things that inspire our eternal hope.
As we learn of “wars and rumors of wars,” we hope that neither we nor our loved ones will be caught in them. But as we hope, we also strengthen our armies, bolster our personal preparations, and reach out in support to those who are victims of the evil actions of others.
As “the whole earth [is] in commotion and men’s hearts…fail them,” we hope for peace and calm, but we pray and prepare for the courage to endure the turmoil that comes our way. As “the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound, ” we hope for the strength to resist hatred and evil, while spiritually fortifying our defenses against temptation to hate.
As we encountered “an overflowing scourge; for a desolating sickness shall cover the land” (Doctrine and Covenants 45:26–27, 31) during the pandemic we hoped and prayed for the best—that we, those we loved, and all people everywhere would be spared. But we also rallied in support of our healthcare professionals and others who were striving to keep our society intact and our people well and healthy. We personally did what we could to prevent the spread of the disease. We hoped for the best but planned for the worst.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell shared this enlightening perspective about hope in times of trouble:
“Much as I lament the gathering storms, there will be some usefulness in them. Events will help to draw fresh attention to God’s higher ways and His kingdom, which is to “become fair as the sun, and clear as the moon.” (D&C 105:31)…Real hope keeps us “anxiously engaged” in good causes even when these appear to be losing causes on the mortal scoreboard (see D&C 58:27). Likewise, real hope is much more than wishful musing. It stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine. Hope is serene, not giddy, eager without being naive, and pleasantly steady without being smug. Hope is realistic anticipation which takes the form of a determination—not only to survive adversity but, moreover, to “endure…well” to the end. (D&C 121:8)
Spiritual/Eternal—Hope for the Best and Plan for the BestAs we keep our eternal perspective, we are aware that even during our temporal—or temporary—challenges, we have the power to choose to respond with eternal love for our Heavenly Parents and for all Their children. Even while preparing for the worst, we can hope and act for the best of all things spiritual and eternal.
The great revelation of the Second Coming and the Millennium continues. Here is a sampling of the Lord’s decrees concerning the blessings promised to those who center their faith and hope in Him and strive to live hopeful of His rewards:
- But my disciples shall stand in holy places, and shall not be moved
- Be not troubled, for, when all these things shall come to pass, ye may know that the promises which have been made unto you shall be fulfilled
- Even so shall ye come unto me and your souls shall live, and your redemption shall be perfected
- And Satan shall be bound, that he shall have no place in the hearts of the children of men
- And the earth shall be given unto them for an inheritance; and they shall multiply and wax strong, and their children shall grow up without sin unto salvation
- For the Lord shall be in their midst, and his glory shall be upon them, and he will be their king and their lawgiver
- For verily I say unto you, that great things await you
- And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God
- And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy. (Doctrine and Covenants 45:32, 35, 46, 55, 58–59, 62, 66, 71)
Standing Holy in an Unholy WorldSo how do we stand in holy places when so much of the earth is unholy? I often paraphrased this declaration a bit to help my students understand that “stand holy in places” means to be holy or righteous in whatever place we may be in, while avoiding the obviously corrupt dens of iniquity so prevalent in our world.
We remember our baptismal covenants wherein we promise
“To mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death.” Mosiah 18:9.
As we strive to be righteous wherever we are and whatever we do, our eternal hope guides us forward. Even though Satan, in our present realm, wields great power and influence with us and with those we love, we have the sure hope that he will ultimately be bound and his influence will be gone forever from our lives.
What sweet hope to think of our children and grandchildren growing up without the dark temptation and sin that we now struggle against every day of our lives. As we choose the covenant path of righteousness, we are blessed with the eternal hope of a forever peaceful and happy world.
Lives Centered on ChristIt has now been years since we were concerned about the roof at the beginning of this article. The building inspector approved and gave the green light for the installation of the shingles, the project was complete and were it not for my using this experience as an example herein, I would have nearly forgotten that we were even concerned to begin with. That is how life is—we struggle through darkness and trial, but if we do so with our faith and our lives centered on Christ and His gospel, our hope becomes eternal while our trials fade away.
The Brightness of HopeElder Jeffrey R. Holland offers this hopeful perspective:
“May we press forward with love in our hearts, walking in the “brightness of hope” (2 Nephi 31:20) that lights the path of holy anticipation we have been on now for 200 years. I testify that the future is going to be as miracle-filled and bountifully blessed as the past has been. We have every reason to hope for blessings even greater than those we have already received because this is the work of Almighty God, this is the Church of continuing revelation, this is the gospel of Christ’s unlimited grace and benevolence. I bear witness to all of these truths and so much more in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
The post The Brightness of Hope appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How Google Helps Non-Latter-day Saints Join Us at Church | An Interview with Paul McHardy appeared first on Leading Saints.
Let’s continue exploring the one big leadership question…
How do I motivate people?
Here I will discuss the second of four dichotomies when it comes to motivating others.
- Authority vs. Relationships
- Obedience vs. Autonomy
- Your Agenda vs. Their Agenda
- Shame vs. Buy-in
In leadership, especially church leadership, it is easy to default to the law of obedience when it comes to motivating others.
Isn’t it the first law of heaven?
Aren’t we supposed to be obedient?
How can we be obedient unless someone gives us a command?
This is an oversimplification.
You may demand compliance and obedience but you’ll soon realize you’re a tyrant and nobody wants to follow a tyrant.
Instead of demanding obedience, offer autonomy.
A great example of this is God Himself.
He doesn’t only give us commandments and demand obedience.
As the Great Leader, He offers us priesthood keys and invites us to drive the church for a while.
This doesn’t mean a leader with the keys will be “commanded in all things.”
God literally gives keyholders a chance to run the show, make the calls, and see how it goes.
He does this because it is such a sanctifying experience.
We become something more in this process.
In turn, those with the keys should do the same — offer autonomy to those you lead and see how it goes.
Let the Primary teacher dictate who is called to Primary.
Let the activities committee make all the decisions for the Fourth of July breakfast.
Let the Sunday School teacher try something new that has them excited.
Autonomy leads to engagement and engagement leads to people loving their calling.
A ward full of people who love their calling looks a lot like Zion.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post God lets us drive appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
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The Priesthood Power of Women: In the Temple, Church, and Family
Grounded Podcast with Barbara Morgan Gardner
Transcript coming soon
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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.
The post Women, Priesthood, & Church Leadership | An Interview with Barbara Morgan Gardner appeared first on Leading Saints.
Michal Neff is a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ. First in 1998, and again in 2018. He found those 20 years to be essential to his spiritual development. He is a mental health clinician in Tooele, Utah, and has run his own clinic with two other therapists since 2021.
Enter Michal…Being a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ, I frequently find myself unsure of what is “expected” and what is “culture.”
My first real calling was as the elders quorum 1st counselor. This was a great experience, but my own doubts and insecurity of myself in doctrine prevented me from leaning into this role. So much so, I requested to be released.
The almost immediate guilt led to my regret of this decision, but it gave me time to find myself.
Not just me, but the me I knew to be created through God’s will.
Our True SelfI made a commitment to God to let this “self” be seen in any future calling. Thus, when the elders quorum president I served under was released, I was called as elders quorum president.
I immediately took inventory of where the quorum was, the brief summary provided by the previous president, and numbers provided by leadership, as any “do gooder” would do. However, it didn’t seem to tell me what to do. My initial thoughts were to carry the torch the same way as the previous leadership.
However, the high counselor that was assigned to me was a great blessing. In one of our first meetings, he told me,
“I don’t know why I feel the need to say this, but you are called by God, who knows you and what you’ll do. If you’re feeling you need to do something, then you probably should.”
I was then prompted with a few reminders.
Monkey CultureThe first reminder was of a parable of a study involving monkeys.
A scientist put four monkeys in a room, with a ladder in the center and bananas hung above the ladder. Any time the monkeys climbed the ladder, they would all be sprayed with a fire hose. Soon, they stopped spraying them, but they noticed the monkeys would beat any monkey trying to climb the ladder.
Later, they removed one monkey and put in a new one. The new one would be beaten by the others if they tried to climb the ladder until it stopped. Then, the scientist replaced another, with the same result. And another, then the last. Now, none of the monkeys knew why not to climb the ladder, but none of them did.
The Example of SimplificationMy next reminder was of President Nelson’s attempt to clarify and bring us back to the basics. His changes include ministering instead of home teaching, temple videos and how much is shared with the public, clarifying roles and redistribution of things the bishops did, etc.
Second ChancesMy next insight was the reminder of my commitment from my first attempt in the presidency.
My life experiences, and the places I’ve been in this earthly journey is why I was called to fill this role.
These three things led to the clarity I needed. I knew that trying to “continue what others had done” is no different than the parable of the monkeys, while understanding that what is done needs to be doctrinally sound.
Begin With the End in MindA few years ago, I took a leadership training course called “Becoming Your Best.” The main thing I learned from that training was to begin with the end in mind.
My presidency started with going to basics and finding what our unique “vision” was in this calling.
We began with activities, because we wanted a place for brotherhood. We wanted bonding and unity, before service.
We shifted discussions in quorum meetings to be on the wellness of the members, with a true and genuine interest in their lives. We chose not to call teachers, and to have all members as teachers. This way we heard from all of them and could seek to find the uniqueness in each person.
One of my favorite lessons was provided by a brother that walked us through a talk about seeing each person as a child of God. He put us in two rows, facing each other, and encouraged us to look into each other’s eyes with a wholehearted attempt to see them without the earthly lens we tend to.
When the awkwardness subsided, I noticed some tears in many eyes that I’m sure none of us will ever admit to or forget.
Sacred ConnectionsAnother thing I personally enjoyed doing was giving one of the Father’s Day talks. My entire talk was mentioning brothers by name and listing either parables they reminded me of or describing Christ-like attributes in their actions over my first year in the calling.
I enjoyed watching some youth in the congregation lean on their father’s in appreciation and acknowledgement, and some of the wives tear up, in seeming joy, as their husband was named.
The “downside” of my talk, was that I couldn’t mention everyone in the time I had, and some were people I didn’t know. So, I was guided to offer a call to action at the end of the talk by inviting people to show up at activities or just reach out.
The Fruits of the ShiftDue to these things, and many other things we tried, conversations in quorum shifted to people talking about work issues, parenting issues, how to engage in Come Follow Me, doctrine issues, faith-shaking questions, and so on.
Additionally, potential members who weren’t sure about joining the Church showed up to quorum activities before attending church.
We also wanted “family” first, and a few members who moved in recently have expressed the family feel in and out of Sunday.
Challenging and Understanding the “Norm”This is not without issue. We’ve ruffled feathers and challenged ideas. We were the new monkey, who asked, “Why not the banana?” and continued until either we changed the norm, or understood the why.
This experience has taught me a few things I’ll summarize:
- Acknowledge you! Your life has been yours. If your childhood best friend had a different tone of voice, your life would be entirely different. If you find yourself in a leadership calling, “you” are called. Your uniqueness is essential, or they’d call someone else.
- Know your role. Doing things for myself in this calling serves nobody. The movie “Bruce Almighty” explains this concept quite well. If you’re in a leadership role, you’re called to serve those people. The vision should be about them, and not about you.
- Begin with the end in mind. We aren’t done yet, but we know where we want to be. Of course, each of us should strive to be like Christ. However, our quorum’s vision is to be more like the Apostles of Christ: flawed, falling short, incapable of perfection, making mistakes, and maybe not understanding all things, but also taking initiative, trying new things, leaning on Christ, serving with true compassion, being watchful for the silent in-need, welcoming, forgiving, patient, compassionate, questioning, looking to learn, inviting, and thinking celestial. This list goes on and is much larger than the first. This end can only be achieved by leaning on each other.
- Follow Him. This statement goes a bit deeper for me. As a therapist, I know whatever we give attention becomes magnified and glorified. If I focus on my misery and sorrow and limitations, I feel more misery and sorrow. However, giving focus to where I want to be and what I can do, brings more of where I want to be. We acknowledged the misery but emphasized togetherness.
Just Do It“Follow Him” brings emphasis on doing something good. If something is good, it’s not anti-doctrine, and brings them closer to Christ, “why not” just do it?
The post Challenging the Norm appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post What If We’re All Addicts? | An Interview with Nate & Marla Christensen appeared first on Leading Saints.
I receive a lot of questions like these…
- How do I get ward leaders to do their ministering?
- How do I get people to show up to activities?
- How do I get my bishop to be open to my ideas?
- How do I get youth to get off their phones?
- How do I get people to magnify their callings?
Essentially, these questions are really one question…
How do I motivate people?
As I have pondered this most-asked question, 4 dichotomies come to mind.
- Authority vs. Relationships
- Obedience vs. Autonomy
- Your Agenda vs. Their Agenda
- Shame vs. Buy-in
If leaders become aware of these four dichotomies, even if they don’t master them, they will be in a much better spot to lead.
Let’s start with the first one and then we can explore the others in the coming weeks.
When we are called to leadership in the church we are given some level of “authority” or jurisdiction over a group of people.
It can feel refreshing to suddenly be the one with the final say, so naturally, we jump to the final say.
Few leaders take the time to build relationships, also known as the infrastructure of leadership.
If those you lead don’t know you, care for you or appreciate you, they will not follow you.
And they will only follow you if you know them, care for them, and appreciate them.
How you build relationships is a topic for several other newsletter messages; however, in short, it takes personal interactions and a lot of listening.
This takes time but can be done quickly.
During this process, you may need to set aside your dynamic vision until you become the leader in the eyes of those you have authority over.
Go knock on some doors.
Go shake some hands.
Go listen to their story.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Motivating Others appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How I Lead as Young Women President | An Interview with Emma Smith appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dustin Walker grew up in Denver, Colorado and currently serves as an early-morning Seminary instructor in the Raleigh, North Carolina area. He served as a full-time missionary in Chile and attended Brigham Young University to study Molecular Biology and Genetics. He has worked as a microbiologist, business development manager, and sales marketing training manager in the biotech, food manufacturing, and healthcare industries. He spends his spare time seeking out adventures with his wife and four children, playing the guitar, collaborating with other creative people, and blogging.
Enter Dustin…When you first wake up in the morning your body is at complete rest. Everything has slowed down significantly during the night and all of your biological processes are at their most “baseline”. This is a great time to record what is called your resting heart rate. Resting heart rate is a fantastic way to gauge general cardiovascular health. For most healthy adults, a normal resting heart rate can be anywhere from about 55-70 heartbeats per minute.
The heart is a very interesting organ. It is one of only 5 organs that medical professionals consider “vital”; the others being the brain, liver, kidneys, and lungs. Every second our heart pumps blood throughout our entire body, supplying the other vital organs with life giving oxygen and nutrients while at the same time drawing toxins and carbon dioxide out. In medical lists of the most important life saving skills everyone should know, the first one is always CPR. This is because when blood flow is stopped, every other organ immediately suffers.
Matters of the HeartPresident Russell M. Nelson is famously known for being a former heart surgeon. He loves sharing analogies about the heart and body. During a conference he shared elaborate details about the mitral valve located inside of the heart and the impact it would have on our lives if that valve were ruptured. He then explained,
“[some of] you may wonder why I use such teaching models…The Lord said that ‘all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal’ (Doctrine & Covenants 29:34). He is our Creator. Thus, temporal or physical laws that relate to our divine creation often have a spiritual application.”
President Nelson loves giving examples of the heart because he can see the power of spiritual laws manifesting themselves through very real physical and scientific observations.
Pacing With MusicWe established resting heart rate. Our heart rate also goes up when we exert ourselves, usually through movement or exercise. It can also go up when we experience stress, anxiety, or excitement. The reasons are simple. When we’re moving, stressed, or excited, our bodies and organs require more oxygen and nutrients and begin to release more carbon dioxide. Our heart pumps faster to meet those demands. Yet, there is another curious example of when our heart rate changes, almost to meet an exact number.
As an experienced performance musician, DJ, and scientist, I know there is an interesting thing that happens when music is played. Our heart rates try to match the tempo (or beats per minute) of the music.
Even if somebody is simply sitting their heart rate will start to increase or decrease to try and match the pace of the music. This is why most popular songs are written at 120 beats per minute; because it is exactly double our average resting heart rate. Dance music usually follows a beat called four on the floor because it is literally your heart beat at a faster rate. (Bum bum bum bum) When I’m working as a DJ, I know that if I need a quick way to fire up a crowd, I find a song right at that sweet spot of 120 bpm and we’re off. Most songs that are used for cardio workout playlists will be around that range for the same reasons.
Songs of The HeartI observe this real physical reaction and, as President Nelson explained, I think it has a very real spiritual application.
When Emma Smith began compiling the first hymn book, the Lord told her,
“…my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.” Doctrine & Covenants 25:12
I love that phrase, “the song of the heart”. Literally, we are physically tied to music. It has the power to affect our thoughts and feelings for good. It has the power to bring back memories, inspire us to change, pump us up before a big game, or calm us down before going to bed. But the simple fact that our heart rate (an involuntary biological function) works to pace itself faster or slower with music, is a testimony to me that music is eternal.
Profound AweFor the last several months I’ve been “wrestling with the Lord” with my concept of the word “worship”. Worship, to me, seems like a very active word and different than merely sitting and receiving instruction. The dictionary even defines worship as a verb: to show great or extravagant respect, honor, and devotion to a divine being. As I reflected on my spiritual growth over the last year I was frustrated as I thought about how often I found myself just quietly sitting during a worship service. Head down. Tired.
A non-member cousin of mine who attended a service of ours felt that our worship looked sad and somber as we hyper-focused on our idea of reverence. He noted, “You sing lines that say; ‘We’ll sing and we’ll shout’ but I honestly don’t think you will.”
Have we connected worshipful praise with a cultural concept of reverence? Yet remember that even the children’s song reminds us that “reverence is more than just quietly sitting”. True reverence means we are literally struck with profound awe. I thought back to some of the most powerful spiritual moments I’ve had where I truly felt worshipful and real awe in my life:
- The times when the entire MTC would stand and sing “Called To Serve” in everyone’s mission language
- When every single one of my children were born
- Standing to honor Handel’s “Messiah” as it is performed literally anywhere
- Clapping my hands and singing along with fellow brothers and sisters in a local Baptist church
- The entire month of last December when our bishop, conductor, and amazing organists and musical performances led us through a month of weekly Christmas themed services
- Seeing our youth sing in choirs, direct the hymns, come to Seminary, and lead discussions in their classes
- Caroling with my wife and kids to friends and neighbors
- Gazing at the stars with my wife as we contemplate eternity together.
Enveloped By MusicI’m not surprised to find that music has been present in several of these memories. Music allows us to be very active participants in the moment. We hear it, feel it in our bones, sing along with it, tap our toes, read and memorize the lyrics, stand up to it, clap our hands with it, dance to it, breath to it, cry with it, view the album art, and allow sounds to wash over and completely envelope us.
I truly believe that the reason why Handel’s “Messiah” resonates with so many of us is we were ALL there singing it at Christ’s birth when Luke recorded:
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-15, emphasis added)
An Equation of the HeartEvery hymn in our hymnbook shows the beats per minute recommended for that particular song. It also shows the suggested attitude that we can bring to our presentation of that hymn. Some are meant to be more internally focused and pensive while others are meant to be more of an outward display of rejoicing.
Well, my son Dasch and I went page by page through the hymnbook to crunch the numbers. Yes, there is a spreadsheet now.
Hymns intended to prepare us for the sacrament slow down our heart rates and are more internally focused and pensive. Think things like the slowest hymn; Sweet Hour of Prayer at 42 bpm with the instructions “peacefully”. Hymns meant to be outward expressions of praise, think like the fastest hymns which are a five-way tie at 126 bpm. The Day Dawn is Breaking is one of them with the instructions to sing ‘joyfully’. Average bpm of the entire hymnbook? 92—with the Easter section averaging the fastest songs at 98.
Top three instructions shown to sing each hymn:
- Joyfully
- Fervently
- Reverently
Let that sink in for just a second. How often do you find yourself singing a hymn full of joy or fervor (which is just another word for excitement or passion)? 132 hymns have more of an inward-focusing instruction and 199 have a more outward expression.
I don’t want you to think that I’m saying that only fast, upbeat, or louder songs are the answer here. What I am saying is that it is 100% about allowing our hearts into the equation.
Our hearts are linked to not only music, but they are also a symbol for our desires and passions. Music is one of the most powerful forms of worship.
If you can’t sing, hum.
If you don’t want to hum, attentively read the lyrics.
If you don’t want to read the lyrics, open your heart to the Spirit and focus on the sound.
Immediately after that scripture verse about “the song of the heart”, the Lord told Emma,
“Wherefore lift up thy heart and rejoice and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.” (Doctrine & Covenants 25:13)
The Expanding HymnbookParticipating musically helps us put down distractions, lift up our heads, and engage with the Spirit that is present because of the testimonies that are shared and the covenants we make during our sacrament meetings.
I remember the multiple times during my mission in Chile when I was asked by recently-baptized members, “Where are the Latino composers?” or “Why aren’t there any songs that we sang with my previous congregation?”
My heart literally leaps for joy when I think that shortly we will be blessed with a new collection of hymns that were sparked into action by our inspired prophet.
The Church’s website states these will be
“songs that make children feel they belong in our meetings, music borrowed from other faiths, songs that are more globally relevant, songs that have been updated to clarify doctrine, replace outdated language, and ensure lyrics and styles are more universally inclusive.”
Music Demonstrates FaithWhether it is Bach’s organ masterpieces, the absolute rock and roll that Mozart put together, African tribal drums, Indian Hindustani, Japanese kagura, or the blues played on a dusty guitar in Chicago, so much music has been created and played with intentions to demonstrate faith, uncertainty, love, and unity in something divine.
Christ and His apostles sang a hymn after he performed the sacrament for them. It wouldn’t have been one of the hymns in our book. It would have been some much older Hebrew song and one day we will be able to even hear that again and sing it together.
Elder Renlund said that the new hymnbook will
“help deepen [our] conversion to the Lord and His work.”
Music Creates a Worshipful EnvironmentI’m grateful that we have leaders, conductors, and organists that put their hearts into providing a worshipful environment. There is a great effort to make music a part of our services and I pray that we can be more joyful and heartfelt in the ways we approach our worship.
I know for me personally, I don’t want my worship to be a somber or sad display of me looking down, because that’s not how I feel inside when I think about Christ and His Atonement. Rather, I aspire to praise like the Psalmist described:
“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; make a loud noise and rejoice and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp… With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, let the floods clap their hands, let the hills be joyful together.” (Psalms 98:4–9)
The post Music Unlocks Meaningful Worship appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Senior Missionary Opportunities
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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.
2:20 Larry Richman’s career in the church. He has worked in the materials management, translation, and curriculum departments.
5:50 Larry retired and went on a mission to South Africa with his wife. Now he is a church service missionary.
6:20 There are so many more opportunities for senior missionaries and service missionaries than people know. There are so many different ways to serve and you can do it before you retire. You can serve from home in hundreds of different ways.
8:05 When Larry was in graduate school for instructional science, he was offered a full time position with the church. He helped the church implement different projects.
9:00 Behind the scenes of the church’s programs and the curriculum that comes out. Working with General Authorities.
12:30 Reworking programs that have gone stale. Employees study it out and come up with recommendations and take them to the brethren, who discuss and pray about it.
17:00 Working with general authorities and all the different councils in the church.
21:00 Meetings with general authorities. Balancing and structuring a meeting so that the spirit can speak and you address what you need to address.
24:00 How they implement Church Initiatives.
26:50 Implementation of new technology: blogs, websites, social media. The Lord moves his work forward with technology.
30:31 Larry has a blog called LDS 365. He updates people on things the church is implementing and more of the details on the apps and resources that the church has.
33:45 Resources that Larry wished more people knew about:
Life Help
Gospel topics
My calling
40:30 Understanding and using the handbook. How strictly does it need to be followed?
45:20 Updates and changes in the handbook.
46:20 Larry’s experiences serving a mission in South Africa.
48:40 How an area presidency works in South Africa.
52:00 Leaders can not truly lead if they aren’t willing to do the things themselves that they are asking others to do. We go back and forth between being a leader and follower. Both are important.
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.
The post Behind the Scenes at Church HQ: Handbooks, Ministering, & Area Presidencies | An Interview with Larry Richman appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Leading the Rising Generation | A Live Event with Robert Ferrell appeared first on Leading Saints.
As we explore the concept of membership councils, it would always be wise to get very familiar with this section in the General Church Handbook.
However, like most things, the Handbook focuses more on the administration of membership councils rather than the human side of the experience.
In this series, I am looking to gather the experience of others, both leaders who have helped facilitate membership councils and individuals who have been the subject of membership councils.
I want to know what has been helpful or not so helpful as we strive to give individuals the best chance to turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness and healing.
As I reflect on my experience being involved with membership councils here are a few points that come to mind.
Shame Helps NobodyThe repentance process really isn’t about repentance as much as it is about shame.
Once shame is moved out of the way, repentance is beautiful and easy.
In short, shame is present when someone is negatively identifying themselves because of what they have done or because they are experiencing a formal church process.
They can’t feel redeemed until they feel redeemable.
The best membership councils I have been involved in are those where the bishop has taken the time to help this member process the shame they are feeling before a formal membership council is even considered.
This isn’t possible in every case, but definitely in the vast majority of cases.
It Isn’t About PunishmentIn recent updates to the handbook, recent general conference talks, and Elder Neil L. Andersen’s book The Divine Gift of Forgiveness it has been taught over and over again that repentance isn’t about punishment.
A successful membership council needs to communicate that all punishment for sin was taken on by our Savior.
That doesn’t mean repentance should be easy, without pain, and have zero painful consequences, but nobody but Jesus is paying for the sin.
Nobody needs to suffer just enough so that they never think about sinning again.
The Result Shouldn’t be ShockingIf the final decision of the membership council leaves a member feeling shocked or surprised, that’s typically an indicator that they were not prepared enough in advance.
There are some rare cases when this can’t be avoided like when an individual has not been cooperative during the entire process.
However, generally speaking, when I have seen someone be notified that their church membership is being removed, most well-prepared individuals receive that news with gratitude as they look forward to getting back in the font in the coming years.
Membership councils have been some of the most spiritual and healing meetings I have ever witnessed in the Church, especially when these points above have been considered.
Now it’s your turn.
What have you seen leaders do to make membership councils a more positive experience for all involved?
What have members experienced during their own membership council that has made for a more positive experience?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Creating Smooth Membership Councils appeared first on Leading Saints.
As a licensed health educator and certified wellness coach, Stacy has spent over a decade teaching all aspects of health and wellness, but she specializes in reproductive education and postpartum health. She’s passionate about empowering mothers to live the lives they truly want by gaining new knowledge and implementing small lifestyle changes. She loves hosting mom meet-ups, designing curriculum, and coaching moms one-on-one. In addition to coaching, Stacy has served in Young Women, Relief Society, and Primary presidencies, but she currently serves in her dream calling as primary activity day leader. She resides in Utah with her husband and three sons. You can find Stacy at stacylyncoaching.com or @stacylyn_coaching on Instagram.
Enter Stacy…With a brand-new baby in arms, Jessica starts her Sunday routine extra early. This is her first time washing her hair since last Sunday, and she’s rushing to breastfeed the baby before church to avoid doing so in public. Breastfeeding is still a challenge, therefore being in the mother’s lounge still feels overwhelming. She rifles through her closet struggling to find an outfit to wear. Her body has dramatically changed after having this baby, making her clothes feel uncomfortable and awkward. She desperately wants to look nice and feel like herself at church.
After rushing into church, she sits through sacrament meeting and feels a bit overwhelmed. The speaker is talking about everyone’s responsibility to do family history work. Jessica asks herself, “How can I do family history when I can barely feed myself and shower? I’m failing!” Every time her baby cries, she panics because everyone turns around noticing what a novice she is. She’s trying to keep herself together as she is surrounded by veteran moms with four to six kids. Jessica tells herself, “They all know what they are doing. Those moms look beautiful, put-together, and confident with their families. I can barely handle this baby. How do they have six kids? I can’t even breastfeed outside my house.”
Between meetings, a bishopric member pulls Jessica and her husband into the office for a temple recommend interview. The bishopric member asks Jessica’s husband about his work and his recent business trip. He turns to Jessica and asks, “How’s the baby?” Jessica secretly wishes he would ask about her life. She was excited about a new part-time job she just started, but the focus is on the baby. After small talk, she hesitantly answers her temple recommend questions. She gives the same answers she has in the past, but this time her answers feel hollow, lacking conviction. She can’t remember the last time she felt the Spirit. She feels unsure about her testimony.
As the second hour meeting ends, members ask Jessica how she’s doing. She answers, “Good” to every question. She’s not going to tell them how hard this transition has been as each takes their turn saying, “Aren’t babies the best?” “Oh, how I miss this stage!” “Are you getting any sleep? Just you wait, it’s worse when they’re teenagers.”
“This is going to get worse?” Jessica thinks to herself. “I can’t do more than this. Waking and feeding three times a night is stretching me to my limit.” By the time Jessica gets home she’s spiraling in overwhelm, frustration, and shame as her painfully-engorged breasts start to leak all over her uncomfortable shirt. She asks herself, “Was that even worth it? I don’t like church.”
Although Jessica is a fictional character, her story mirrors the experiences of women I have coached and/or served in my local ward.
A Dramatic ChangeWhen women have a baby, they go through “matrescence.” It’s an unfamiliar term, but matrescence is the process of becoming a mother. Similarly to adolescence, new mothers experience many changes overnight: ·
- Dramatic drops in hormones
- Fluctuating body shape
- New schedules ·
- Additional responsibilities
- Lack of sleep
- Depletion of nutrients while navigating the healing process
- Relationships evolve, including with their spouse
- Career and/or educational goals shift
- Identity changes
For many modern-day moms, this can be a very overwhelming process. Not only do they experience internal pressures and family expectations, but they also get the bombardment of social media telling them how to be a mother. This is the first generation of moms that have access to global information and opinions about parenting.
How can we help as leaders?
Ask the Right QuestionsIf you ask a postpartum woman how she is doing, nine out of 10 times you’ll be told, “Good.” They are not going to voluntarily tell you the hard. Moms don’t want to come across as ungrateful, weak, or unfit for motherhood. Try asking better questions. My favorites include:
- “Tell me the best part of motherhood and the hardest part.”
- “What has surprised you about postpartum?”
- “How are you feeling physically and emotionally?”
- “Do you have family support nearby?”
- “Who is able to help?”
As we ask these questions, it’s crucial to let the sister answer and share HER experience. Often a new baby brings up memories of our experiences, and it’s easy to sideline the new mom as we share our birth story, newborn experiences, opinions, etc. She needs your focus and listening ear.
Empathize and NormalizeOne in five new mothers experiences some type of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder. It’s estimated that seven in 10 women hide or downplay their symptoms.
When women struggle postpartum, most think they’re broken, weak, or doing it wrong. It’s important to let women know it’s common to feel this way and help is possible. Consider using phrases such as the following:
- “I really struggled postpartum (or my wife did), so feel free to tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly.”
- “The transition to motherhood is hard. It takes time to find your footing.”
- “This is why we have each other, for these moments of hardship.”
- “I promise you’re not broken or weak in any way. I know it feels like that, but this is a normal response for everything you have going on.”
- “Motherhood is hard. You carry a large burden. It’s helpful to have extra supports for you because you are carrying such a heavy load.”
- “I worked with a therapist/coach postpartum and that was really helpful for me.”
- “I’m available at 6pm on Tuesday. What can I help you with?”
See the WomanMothers want to be seen as individuals. A large portion of their identity has changed since having a baby. They feel invisible as their baby becomes society’s focus. As shown in Jessica’s story, let’s make sure we talk to husbands and wives as people, not just parents. Often husbands receive interesting questions about their life and then the woman’s default question is, “How are the kids?”
Children are a huge part of our world but women, just like men, have other parts of themselves: hobbies, jobs, dreams, interests, goals. Motherhood can look a variety of ways, which is why we don’t always know the right question to ask. We don’t want to ask about her career if that woman has chosen to stay home. And maybe we don’t know interesting questions to ask about being home, so we default to asking about the kids. Try one of these:
- “Tell me about your life.”
- “What are the good and hard things happening in your world?”
- “Outside of your children, tell me more about you.” “
- What are your dreams and goals right now?”
- “What are you working on right now?”
- “What brings you joy in this season of life?”
Find the Right InvolvementCallings/ServicePostpartum women often share that they feel spiritually numb during this phase. It’s hard to find a new groove with scripture study and their experience at church isn’t as peaceful as it once was. We want to keep them close to the flock, but not overwhelm them. Many of us have heard the phrase, “Information often precedes inspiration”. As a leader, I started talking to sisters personally before submitting their name to the bishop for a calling. I’ve learned that some members have a hard time saying no to the bishopric even if the calling was overwhelming or a bad fit. I would ask for their thoughts and feedback first. I was able to get real answers. We could counsel together to involve them in a way that worked for them. For example, I had a sister with severe postpartum depression who didn’t come to church but was willing to make the monthly newsletter on her home computer. Win win! When I had my babies, I appreciated leaders who asked me about my current calling. They checked-in to see if I wanted to stay or be released.
Our ward had a lot of postpartum women, which made it tricky to fulfill service needs such as providing meals for families. I wanted to give sisters an opportunity to serve without overburdening them, so we often broke up the meal between a couple of sisters. When asking I’d say, “If this isn’t a good week, it’s ok. There are many ways to love and support this family.” It’s important to be aware of the needs of the individual and the ward family as a whole.
Attending ActivitiesOften women feel their attendance at activities shows their righteousness or commitment level. With each activity we hosted, we told sisters they should never be burdened to attend, but that activities are there for those who want to utilize them. They’re not supposed to be an obligation to add to their to-do list. I would always say, “Stop by for two minutes or two hours.” We tried to be aware of new moms when creating activities. For example, we held daytime and evening playgroups to help working moms and moms at home.
Be Mindful of Cultural Norms and BiasesOur church has a rich history of being family centered. There can be spoken and unspoken expectations around womanhood and motherhood—social pressures about family size, spacing, work and education, etc. In my experience, men do not receive the same comments or questions regarding their family choices like mothers do. Be thoughtful in your comments and questions knowing families can look and conduct themselves in a variety of ways. We are very much aware of “The Family- A Proclamation to the World,” we know we have a
“sacred duty to rear our children in love and righteousness, [and] to provide for their physical and spiritual needs”.
This can be done in a variety of ways. If someone’s choices or parenthood journey doesn’t match yours or the norms, it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. We should encourage seeking personal revelation instead of meeting a norm. For example, Elder Neil L. Andersen taught:
“When to have a child and how many children to have are private decisions to be made between a husband and wife and the Lord. These are sacred decisions—decisions that should be made with sincere prayer and acted on with great faith.”
He also added,
“We should not judge one another on this matter.”
When deciding how many children to have and how to raise them, numerous factors must be considered. These include the physical, mental, and emotional health of the parents, their financial situation, and more. Instead of sharing our opinions and preferences, encourage members to seek guidance from the Lord in their specific situation. He will help them understand what is right for their family.
The process of becoming a mother (matrescence) comes with a handful of mental, physical, and spiritual challenges. As leaders, we can better support mothers and families by asking thoughtful questions and intently listening, empathizing and normalizing the struggles, seeing and validating the woman as an individual, finding ways to get women involved without overwhelming them, being mindful of our personal and cultural biases around parenthood, and encouraging personal revelation.
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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.
The post How I Lead as President of BYU-Idaho | An Interview with Elder Alvin F. Meredith III appeared first on Leading Saints.
Let’s tip-toe into the world of membership councils (formerly known as disciplinary councils).
I’ve had my personal experience with this topic as a bishop and a member of a stake presidency.
I have heard them framed as the most spiritual meetings in the Church (that was my experience).
And I have heard them described as terrible, shame-filled experiences, that left the repentant feeling pushed away and condemned.
These are probably the trickiest meetings for new leaders to navigate (especially if they are the ones presiding).
With this said, I would love to survey a leadership audience, especially current/former bishops and stake presidents who have experience with these sacred and sensitive councils.
I have heard of several new leaders who are curious about how others are approaching these meetings.
So, let’s see what we can learn together.
- How does a leader know when to hold a membership council?
- How does a leader remove shame from the membership council process?
- How does a leader prepare other leaders who are involved?
- What should happen after the membership council?
- How can a leader continue to fellowship with individuals after the council meeting?
- What other membership council questions would you ask an experienced leader?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
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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.
The post Rallying the Ward Around Sacrament Meeting | A How I Lead Interview with Ryan Webb appeared first on Leading Saints.
Julie grew up in Southern California, as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She is the oldest of 10 siblings. She currently lives in Utah with her husband. They have five children and five granddaughters. Family time is her favorite time. Monthly Sunday dinners with her children, grandchildren, local siblings, nieces and nephews are the best. Julie has served in the Church in many different capacities, over the years, most often with the Primary children and Young Women.
Enter Julie…By the time I graduated from high school, our house was getting pretty crowded. At this point, I no longer wanted to have to share a room with my little sisters. Soon after my 18th birthday, I moved from California to Utah. My grandparents and cousins lived in Salt Lake, so that’s where I wanted to be. After a few months of living with my grandparents, I got a job waitressing and moved into my own little apartment.
On My OwnOnce I was totally on my own, it was easy to stop going to Church on a regular basis. I never really stopped believing, I just wanted to live my life for a while. Six months later I started dating a regular from the restaurant where I worked. He was not a member of the Church, nor were any of his friends, which I didn’t think twice about. By that time, I had stopped going to Church altogether and I was smoking and drinking with the rest of the group. I was happy and having fun.
I worked a few different jobs, and moved from place to place around the Salt Lake Valley, for several months. We then decided to move in together. I finally got a regular full-time job, and things were going well for us.
A Wake-Up CallAfter almost a year of dating, we decided to get married. Unfortunately, our marriage lasted for only seven months. Two days after my 20th birthday, my husband told me that he didn’t want to be married anymore, and that was it. I
t was a month or two later that I found out I was pregnant. This was a bit of a wake-up call, and I stopped smoking and drinking basically overnight. Nothing was more important than this child.
Plans ChangeFor the rest of my pregnancy, I didn’t really change anything else about my life or my way of living. I got my own place and continued working. My ex was planning to be a father, and I was hoping we would get back together. When my son was born, my ex-husband was there with me. After the birth, he called his girlfriend from the hospital to give her the good news. It was then that I knew that we really weren’t getting back together.
I stayed with my former in-laws for a while right after my son was born, since I wasn’t working. I started training for a data-entry job that I could do from home.
My ResponsibilityWhen my son was almost two months old, he and I went to visit my family back in California. That Sunday, while we were in town, we went to Church with my family and my dad gave him a name and a blessing. In this special blessing, I remember my dad blessing my son that he would serve a mission one day.
After hearing this blessing, I realized that it was my responsibility to make sure he grew up preparing to serve a mission. To do this, I needed to turn things around in my own life.
A Welcome HomeNot long after returning to Utah after our visit, my son and I moved back to California to live with my family for a while. Once there, I started attending Church regularly again. I was welcomed back to my home ward with such love. Nobody cared what I had been doing for the last two years of my life, they cared about me and they were happy I was there with them.
I realized that I needed to repent and go through the process to return to full fellowship in the Church. Our Bishop at that time was the father of my good friend, a man I had known for years. I trusted him and I knew that when I was ready, he would be there to help me.
Support During ChangeThe repentance process isn’t easy, but I had so much support. For my first visit with the bishop, my mom went with me and spent over an hour in the foyer waiting while I spoke with him. I met with the Bishop regularly after that. It was a slow process.
I moved back to Utah when my son was six months old. We moved into an apartment and I was able to start my at-home data entry job. We attended a family ward while we were living there. After nine more months, I was finally able to return to full fellowship in the Church. A couple months later I was able to join my parents, grandparents, aunt, uncle, some cousins and friends in the Salt Lake City Temple, where I received my own endowments.
A New Family ViewI met and married my eternal companion later that year. My ex-husband relinquished his parental rights and my husband petitioned to adopt my son. One year later his adoption was finalized. Our daughter was born near that same time. We then had the wonderful opportunity to go to the temple, with my son and my baby daughter, to be sealed together as an eternal family. We have since been blessed with another son and two more daughters.
Blessings FulfilledSeventeen years later, my first son’s blessing was fulfilled. He was called and served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the Argentina, Cordoba Mission.
Following his mission my son married his high school sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple. They are now the parents of four beautiful daughters.
Eternal JoyLooking back at that time in my life, I’ve realized that what I thought was happiness was only temporary. The joy I have now, with my family, is eternal.
The way I felt loved and not judged, is how I want others to feel as well. Everyone has different life experiences, trials, fears, sadness and other suffering that we may not see, and we may never know about, and they all deserve to be treated with kindness, love and compassion.
I’m so thankful I was.
The post Loved and Not Judged appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
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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.
The post The Bishop Miracle | An Interview with Brad Agle appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post The Power of Stillness in Leadership | An Interview with Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, and Ty Mansfield appeared first on Leading Saints.
Several years ago, while living in Texas, I was privileged to serve in what was then called Stake Public Affairs. (Currently called Stake Communication Director.) Those years were such a sacred time of service, connection and miracles.
There were many sweet experiences as I had the opportunity to get to know a variety of church leaders of other faiths, civic leaders and nonprofit organizations that were striving to bless the lives of many in our area. Thus, when I had the opportunity to listen to a podcast with Kurt Francom and Marie Duncan, those memories started flooding back into my mind and heart.
If you are currently a Stake Communications Director, then this is a must listen to podcast that will help inspire you in your efforts. But if you are not currently in that calling, please read on because there are many opportunities for the “average member” to participate in strengthening our communities and the supporting the efforts of the Stake Communication Directors.
The DutiesThere is a lot that you could become involved in as the Stake Communication Director, thus, you need to know the scope of what your calling could be, then counsel with the Stake Priesthood leaders to determine the scope of work for your stake. The main areas that are usually considered for focus are internal communications in the stake, interfaith, governmental and education activities.\
Inspiring Interfaith WorkI was impressed by the variety of insights, impressions and activities that Sister Duncan has engaged in over the years as she as served in several stakes.
In her Interfaith work, she regularly visits other churches and their leaders; discovers their needs; is inspired by their work and also connects them to her Stake President.
Because meainngful relationships take time to form, this calling typically is for 15 years. As she visits churches, they may have needs in general or need service help. As a Stake Communication Director, she is able to award them food grants through special deliveries and the bishops storehouse; assist them with their volunteer needs and other needs. Many of the volunteer needs are met by the church or civic organization putting a request on JustServe.org.
In Sister Duncan’s current stake they have a variety of people that work with her on the stake communications team. There is a graphic designer, newspaper writer, youth specialist, social media manager, JustServe leaders, education specialist, interfaith leadership, and a member of the stake presidency.
She has worked hard at finding inspired and inspiring ways to use the youth specialists. From writing articles for the local paper about events, running social media and engaging in service in the needs of local churches.
She has found some “best practices” when it comes to visiting another church in general and some specifics with youth.
Sister Duncan recommends that you visit the specific church in advance to ensure that it will be a positive experience for the youth. It is so powerful when the youth discover that you can feel the Spirit in many places where good is found.
Additional valuable tips regarding visiting other churches are to dress like they do for their church services; participate in the singing, listen to the Spirit ,because it will be there, as they teach truth. She wants to be just as quick to visit other people’s worship services as we are to invite others to visit our church.
It Doesn’t Require a CallingYou may be intrigued by the work of the Stake Communications Director, and maybe even wish it was a call you would receive. Guess what, you can participate as a “regular member.” We don’t need a specific calling from the Bishop or Stake President to make meaningful connections with people of other faith traditions.
In the December 2023 Liahona, there was a great article on ways we can participate in interfaith efforts.
“What can we do to follow prophetic counsel and participate in interfaith collaboration as individuals, families, and wards or branches? Here are four ideas to get you started:
Do a service activity, such as a blood drive. In California, USA, members of the Church joined fellow Christians for an interfaith blood drive. Then–Area Seventy Elder Robert N. Packer said, “This is being done because there’s a lot of love between this Catholic community and the Latter-day Saint community.”
Plan and participate in an interfaith day camp for children or youth. Some Church members in Manila, Philippines, participated in an annual interfaith camp by the Religions for Peace Asia & the Pacific Interfaith Youth Network. The camp provides “leaders with the tools they need to work together to address myriad problems that young people face.” Interfaith camps and activities can provide opportunities to unite with others, where we can all feel the peace that comes through serving like Jesus Christ.
Participate in local food drives. Walker N., age 7, from Alberta, Canada, said: “Our city does an interfaith food drive every year. We pass out fliers and then pick up the food left on the doorsteps. When we delivered the food to the depot, I felt really excited. My mom said that feeling was the Holy Ghost.”
Participate in interfaith concerts. Megan C., 18; Ethan M., 19; and Romy C., 17, from Florida, USA, participated in an Interfaith Music Festival with the goal to “help people from different backgrounds to become friends.”
Can you see how fun it would be to participate in community outreach and service in this way?
The Power of The TempleTemple open houses are a wonderful opportunity to bring members of other faith traditions in to have a peace-filled experience.
Ideally, bringing someone who has been a part of our outreach and connection prior to the open house. When we have developed a friendship first, their experience will be more powerful because they won’t be wondering if we’re trying to convert them, they will know we are just wanting to share a sacred experience with them.
Maria found this to be true during several temple open houses where she brought special guests:
“They were able to have powerful experiences because this wasn’t their first time having a connection with our church because we already had a foundation of friendship and love.“
There is a great power of bringing other faith traditions to our temple open houses.
It is of note that there is a “VIP Week” where there are a closed tour with one of the general authorities for civic and religious leaders. Thus, if you are friends with someone who serves the community in that capacity, reach out to your Stake Communication Director and see if it would be appropriate to invite them to this special tour. Either way, be sure you take the imitative to provide them with an opportunity to visit the temple. Whether it’s a public or private tour, it’s such a beautiful experience.
You will discover what Sister Duncan has discovered,
“When God cares about something, it is easy, way easier than it should be and He magnifies our efforts.”
Alliances of LoveDuring my time of service on our Stake Public Affairs team, I not only developed friendships across religious and political lines I discovered the powerful alliances that were created for our community to strengthen it during joyful and difficult times. Thanks to these alliances, during the aftermath of hurricane Harvey, our little Texas community had access and support of donations organized with food at the Catholic Church, clean up tools and products at the Baptist Church and works crews organized by our Church. Our community came together in a powerful way to support, strengthen and bring hope to the many heavy hearts impacted by that storm.
A beautiful by product that comes from these alliances is the support and hope that also helps during the storms of life.
Beth Young is a convert of 46 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 36 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah six years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth is the owner of 5 Pillars of Health, serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
The post God Magnifies Our Efforts as We Serve in Communities appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post A Latter-day Saint Bishop Sits Down with Four Evangelical Pastors appeared first on Leading Saints.
The last two messages (this one and this one) have both been about my church marathon experience where I visited 3 Protestant churches on one Sunday.
I’d like to share one final lesson from that experience.
It is simply this…
Latter-day Saints and Protestants should never be afraid to walk into each others’ church services; in fact, we need to do it more often.
It’s easy to highlight the contrast of these different experiences and consider which one is “better” or how you might wish we could improve the music or sermons in our faith tradition.
But maybe the difference is good because it gives us a reason to visit each other.
On Easter, my family attended our one-hour church service to worship Jesus Christ and reflect on his resurrection and redemption.
We then drove down the street to an Evangelical church so my family could worship with them in a different way.
I am glad my children experienced it.
I want them to find a reason to look forward to both types of traditions.
Again, the biggest thing I gained by visiting these different churches was that I’m not afraid to visit again.
I can even do so while still maintaining a deep faith in the Restored Gospel and what is offered through authorized ordinances and established doctrines.
Maybe you already have an interest in attending other faiths or you already have such a practice.
Maybe you never have and you’re nervous to try.
Maybe you have no desire at all.
I would encourage you to give it a try.
Do it to stimulate connection in your community.
Do it to appreciate what they do.
Do it to appreciate what we do.
Drive down the street and sit in their pew.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Visit Another Church appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Visiting Other Churches as a Stake Communications Director | A How I Lead Interview with Maria Duncan appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books including, Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…The law of tithing is an important part of our Heavenly Parents’ system of meeting the material and spiritual needs of Their children, while also providing for the establishment and expansion of Their kingdom throughout the earth.
I will first give a brief doctrinal overview of this important law and will then discuss the blessings that come to us as we live the law of tithing.
The Doctrine of the Law of TithingPresident Howard W. Hunter gave us a down-to-earth and easily understandable definition of the law of tithing:
“The law is simply stated as “one-tenth of all their interest.” Interest means profit, compensation, increase. It is the wage of one employed, the profit from the operation of a business, the increase of one who grows or produces, or the income to a person from any other source. The Lord said it is a standing law “forever” as it has been in the past.” (Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, pg. 105)
The law of tithing has been an important aspect of our mortal realm since the beginning. From the Old Testament we learn that Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek,
“And he gave him tithes of all.” 2Genesis 14:20.
Jacob covenanted to
“give the tenth unto [the Lord].” Genesis 28:22.
Moses commanded the Israelites,
“And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy unto the Lord.” Leviticus 27:30.
In the closing book of the Old Testament, Malachi posed a solemn question and dilemma to ancient Israel,
“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me.” He then revealed the specific way they had “robbed” Him and offered them the corrective action for their neglect. “But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house.” Malachi 3:8-9
In our modern day, the Lord reaffirmed the law of tithing, followed by an intriguing promise:
“Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice, and a day for the tithing of my people; for he that is tithed shall not be burned at his coming.” Doctrine and Covenants 64:23.
People occasionally jest that the payment of tithing is as fire insurance based on this promise that those who so pay “shall not be burned at his coming.” Generally, people who consistently live the law of tithing are striving to do the other things the Lord has asked of them as well. Their protection from destruction, even if by fire, stems from their cumulative efforts to live a Christlike life.
A Barometer of Dedication and FaithMany years ago I served as the executive secretary to our stake president, and during our many meetings, I was seated near a credenza where, among other things, we secured confidential records. Whenever an individual was being considered to be called to a major position, the stake president would nod to me to hand him the binder containing the five-year tithing record for members of the stake.
He would consider the record, which would then have an important bearing upon whether the person would be called to the position. The president was not using this record as a hard and fast rule but rather as a helpful tool as part of the decision. It was a barometer of their dedication. In modern scripture, we read of tithing as an important commandment.
“And after that, those who have thus been tithed shall pay one-tenth of all their interest annually; and this shall be a standing law unto them forever, for my holy priesthood, saith the Lord.” Doctrine and Covenants 119:4.
More Than Money – An Act of FaithI have been intrigued through the years by my observations of how people respond to the law of tithing. And although this is a matter between the individual and the Lord, in a general sense, I believe that those who consider only the monetary aspects of tithing struggle with living the law.
For me, it is a simple matter. Our Heavenly Parents created us, our earth, and all that we have for our provision. They have given us all things in abundance and simply ask that we return one-tenth to Them for Their purposes.
When people consider payment of tithing only in dollars and cents, they find themselves short of being able to live the law. But those who look at the law as an act of faith are blessed to consistently live the law throughout their lives.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught,
“While tithing is paid with money, more importantly it is paid with faith.”
Another time he said:
“This is not so much a matter of money as it is a matter of faith. . . I urge you . . . to take the Lord at His word in this important matter.”
Promises and Blessings of Keeping the Law of TithingTo the doubting Jews in the temple, Jesus proclaimed a bold challenge that they could employ to determine the verity of His directives:
“If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” John 7:17.
Doing is the key to testimony.
We may study and theorize to no limit and still not come to believe a principle. When we do it—when we apply it in our lives—then we may know the truth.
I have had a testimony of the law of tithing for over sixty years and am grateful to have been taught this doctrine as a young boy. Since that time, through times of scarcity and of plenty, I have kept this law. From so doing, my testimony is certain that the promises of the Lord are real and true—He keeps His word and blesses us for our obedience.
Now in the twilight of my life, I look back and forward with gratitude for the law of tithing, knowing with absolute certainty that the Lord has richly blessed me and my family from living this law and that He will continue to do so. After Malachi’s firm rebuke of ancient Israel concerning the law of tithing, he proclaimed a great blessing:
“Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Malachi 3:10.
“Open you the windows of heaven”—what a marvelous and boundless blessing! And it may involve material, tangible things, but the greater aspect is that He grants us revelation and wisdom. He inspires us in our decisions to choose the things that will bless our lives and the lives of those we love.
Elder David A. Bednar taught,
“The imagery of the “windows” of heaven used by Malachi is most instructive. Windows allow natural light to enter into a building. In like manner, spiritual illumination and perspective are poured out through the windows of heaven and into our lives as we honor the law of tithing.”
President Harold B. Lee said,
“By tithing, a principle enunciated in former dispensations as attested by the scriptures and reaffirmed by modern revelations; the promise following obedience to this principle is that the windows of heaven would be open and blessings would be poured out that we would hardly be able to contain. The opening of the windows of heaven, of course, means revelations from God to him who is willing thus to sacrifice.”
The Unique Windows of HeavenAnother blessing in my life is a general lack of desire to acquire something just because someone else has one. There is an old saying, “Keeping up with the Joneses,” that depicts this very thing—trying to live a lifestyle like those around us, even though it is economically not practical. And of course, I have, at times, made foolish economic decisions, as I suppose we all do. But generally, I have guarded and preserved my resources.
I feel that a blessing Heavenly Parents have given me from paying tithing is one of gratitude and contentment with, for example, living in a smaller house and driving an older vehicle. I do not begrudge others their honest acquisitions—we each have our agency to pursue our own lifestyle. But folly comes in cases where false pride, greed, and dishonesty become the driving forces of acquisition.
Elder Dallin Oaks, in discussing the Savior’s parable of a man who acquired so much that he had to build bigger barns to store everything (see Luke 12:16-21), stated,
“A modern illustration of that principle is suggested in the apocryphal story of two men standing before the casket of a wealthy friend. Asked one, “How much property did he leave?” Replied the other, “He left all of it.”
A real blessing of paying tithing is development of gratitude for the basic provisions of life that our Heavenly Parents grant us.
Years ago, I developed a personal motto that has blessed my life—A bargain is something that I really need and that I can afford to pay cash for.
I ascribe the inspiration for this personal motto as a blessing from paying tithing. It has saved me from many foolish purchases.
Tithing Applies to All MembersThe law of tithing applies to all members of the Lord’s Church—rich and poor. We may wonder at times why the encouragement for the payment of tithes is given to those who struggle just to meet their daily needs of food and shelter.
Such encouragement may make no sense to worldly reason, but remember, this is a heavenly law given by a God who operates on a higher plain and with eternal insight.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9.
The Lord’s system for lifting people from their poverty is to invite them to elevate their faith through the payment of tithes. He then opens the windows of heaven to them and helps them rise to a better life.
President Gordon B. Hinckley spoke to a group of struggling saints:
“I have wept as I have seen the poverty and the suffering of the people in this part of the earth. My heart reaches out to them. I do not know what the solution is, except the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think it is the only thing that will help them and bless their lives. If they, even living in poverty and misery, can look to God with hope and faith it will sustain them in their hours of sorrow. Furthermore, I believe with all my heart that if they will accept the gospel and live it, pay their tithes and offerings, even though those be meager, the Lord will keep His ancient promise in their behalf, and they will have rice in their bowls and clothing on their backs and shelter over their heads. I do not see any other solution. They need a power greater than any earthly power to lift them and help them. (Missionary meeting, Philippines Cebu Mission, June 1, 1996).”
Our Heavenly Parents are aware of our economic needs and righteous desires and stand willing to bless us in all things. I remember a time when our children and our financial budget were small. My wife came to me discouraged that she did not have enough money to do what she wanted for the children at Christmas time. As we discussed the matter, I felt impressed to write her a check for $1,000 and asked her to hold it for a few days until we could figure out how to cover it. The very next day, I received a call from the owner of an office suite to whom I had offered a bid for new flooring several months earlier. Since I had not heard back from him, I assumed that he had accepted a bid from someone else. He gave me a down payment and wanted me to proceed immediately. My profit from the job was just over $1,000.
Real ProsperityPresident Heber J. Grant taught,
“Prosperity comes to those who observe the law of tithing. When I say prosperity I am not thinking of it in terms of dollars and cents alone. . . What I count as real prosperity . . . is the growth in a knowledge of God, and in a testimony, and in the power to live the gospel and to inspire our families to do the same. That is prosperity of the truest kind.”
I am not suggesting that God has appointed me some “tithing angel” who keeps a ledger of our donations and sits at the ready to pull a lever that grants us a blessing exactly commensurate with our tithe.
When I pay $100 in tithing, I do not expect a $100 bill to miraculously float through my car window. (Although, the nearly exact match of the needed Christmas money to my flooring contract was impressive and gave me pause.)
I have known skeptics who would classify what I call blessings from paying tithing as mere coincidences. For me, it is a non-issue. I make no attempt at keeping a balance sheet to match Heavenly Parents’ blessings to my donations; if I were to do so, I would need eternal reams of paper to record Their side of the ledger. I just know that I have always paid my tithing and that They have always blessed me.
We live in a comfortable home and have never gone hungry. We have been able to travel to some impressive parts of the world and have been privileged to serve and teach others the principles of the gospel that we hold so dear. I am blessed with a great wife and family and so much more. My blessings are endless, and for that I am incredibly grateful.
The Token of TithingElder Yoshihiko Kikuchi taught,
“It is a matter of commitment. The earth belongs to the Lord, and this includes our own lives. He allows us to use everything on this earth. He only asks us to return one-tenth. Tithing is a token of gratitude, obedience, and thanksgiving—a token of our willingness and dedication. Paying tithing, willingly, develops an honest and pure heart. Paying tithing increases our love for the Lord.”
My sincere desire for you and for everyone is that we will experience the joy and peace of living the laws of God and thereby having the windows of heaven opened and eternal blessings poured out upon us—more than we can now imagine.
The post Tithing – The Barometer of our Faith appeared first on Leading Saints.
In my last newsletter, I talked about visiting three different Protestant churches on one Sunday and highlighted some things that I appreciated about how they ran their services.
In fact, you can watch the video HERE on Hello Saints.
Now, I’d like to turn the tables and highlight specific traditions we have that I appreciated more by attending other churches.
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I Like Dressing UpWe may look at more charismatic churches and see people (even the pastor on the stage) wearing jeans and hoodies and think, “Dang, that looks like a comfortable way to go to church.” However, I think there is power in dressing up in your Sunday best. Not only do I appreciate the confidence a nice suit brings me, but it is also an easy way to shift into a Sabbath state of mind. It also has great benefits for children as well.
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Our Communion TraditionCommunion was only offered at 2 of the 3 churches I attended. From what I understand, it’s sort of a passive experience for most Protestants and isn’t always offered. We’ve done a great job making the sacrament the pinnacle of our Sunday worship experience. I love the symbolism, the young deacons’ involvement, the prayer, the quiet, the contemplation, the renewal. It is the reason why I show up each week.
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Our Ordinance TraditionSimilar to what I just said, I appreciate our focus on ordinances in general. I know many Protestants give us a lot of flack because of this as they interpret it as required “works” to get into God’s presence. Of course, it’s more complex than that. I simply appreciate that similar to when I fell in love with my wife I wanted to step into a ceremony to symbolize my commitment and solemnize the relationship. I want the same experience with the God I worship. I want a passageway, a rite, a symbol of commitment that I am on His course and in relationship with Him. This isn’t to earn anything — only to symbolize the commitment.
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Lay LeadershipI’m sort of torn on this one. I am impressed by the power that can come from a full-time pastor who is constantly preparing for next Sunday and has spent years in theological and pastoral training. However, I love what our lay leadership experience does for individuals and our faith community in general. It has a sanctifying nature that I wish everyone could experience. Of course, it sometimes makes for boring meetings, awkward talks, and chaos at times, but it’s beautiful in its nature. I want to give every mechanic, homemaker, farmer, and introverted engineer a chance to lead and watch God’s glory be made manifest.
What do you appreciate about our Sunday church tradition that other churches might consider?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post Why I Love Our Sunday Worship Experience appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Transcript coming soon
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
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 Bridge Camp
13:45 Overview of Bridge Camp. A place for parents and their kids to connect.
16:01 Components of Bridge Camp: 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.
The post How Girls Camp & High Adventure Camp Can Develop Relationships Youth Need | An Interview with Dan and Dave Gray appeared first on Leading Saints.
See Summit Details Here: https://hellocreative.life/summit-2024
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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.
The post “I Literally Washed Her Feet” | A How I Lead Interview with Sierra Larson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Gentry is a writer whose work has appeared in university publications, magazines and newspapers for more than 20 years. Originally from North Carolina, he served a mission in Nevada and California before earning an English degree at Southern Virginia University. He enjoyed performing in plays and musicals in high school and college, and he wrote and directed two plays for a prior ward in Virginia. He now lives in South Carolina with his wife and their three children. He works as a college communications director and serves as a counselor in his elders quorum presidency.
Enter Bryan…One night in December, 2013, a ragtag group of actors slumped into chairs in a cultural hall in Lynchburg, Virginia, after what felt like the worst Christmas play dress rehearsal ever. Everyone had missed lines, some actors had missed scenes, and someone probably had missed the entire rehearsal. The children representing sheep and the angelic hosts of heaven had been anything but sheepish and angelic. Most singing was hard to hear, some was hard to bear.
As their director, I sat on the edge of the stage and scanned a long list of problems I had noted.
We’d worked on this play for months, opening night was coming quickly, and it felt like everything was falling apart.
What happened next changed everything for that play, though.
I had a clear prompting that I should not go over my list of problems. Instead, I should ask the actors to help me name everything that went right.
Their compliments came slowly at first, and then quickly: A teenager had nailed her song. Someone had improvised well to help an actor who forgot a line. The brass band was great on “O Come All Ye Faithful.” The positive energy in the room grew.
Only after we had a substantial list of good things did I ask the actors to share the problems they had noticed, and we brainstormed solutions together.
Later that week, we had two nights of nearly flawless performances. At the end of the show, a Jewish colleague rushed up to congratulate me for the play. A young single adult approached me nearly in tears to thank me for including powerful music.
That whole experience convinced me that a resurgence of performing arts in local Church units can bless our families and our communities, and that effective leadership can make this happen.
The Rise and Fall of Church TheaterTheater has been a part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints almost from the beginning. Saints built theaters in Nauvoo and Salt Lake City and performed skits during the trek west. Brigham Young said,
“If I were placed on a cannibal island and given the task of civilizing its people, I should straightway build a theater.”
I’m sure the same applies for civilizing Sunbeams.
Church theater took a leap forward in the 1920s with the “road show” tradition, in which wards performed short plays, sometimes in competitions. On top of these homegrown, local productions, the Church had official theater including pageants at Hill Cumorah and other sites. By the early 1990s, the Church had an official, 140-page manual for theater productions.
As a kid in the 1980s, I watched a grainy tape recording of a road show and thought, I want to do that. I finally got my chance in junior high when my mom ran our ward’s road show. She cast me as the Ugly Duckling. (Thanks, Mom.)
The theater bug bit my dad even worse. He organized an over-the-top performance for a dinner my ward hosted for school teachers. He also convinced Michael McLean to let him produce our own version of a play based on The Forgotten Carols. He cast me as a police officer, which sure beat the Ugly Duckling. (Thanks, Dad!)
Neither of my parents had theatrical training. They just did the best they could to help people have fun and fellowship with a touch of the spirit. I learned from them that you don’t have to be a professional in order for God to work through you. I also learned that theater has a power to forge a sense of community and invite the spirit.
But Church theater has waned. Road shows are rare or forgotten in most regions. Many newer Church buildings do not have stages, and stages in existing buildings are often reduced to long- term storage and seating for basketball tournaments. In recent years, some pageants have been phased out as well as youth cultural celebrations around temple openings.
At a time when we are encouraged to simplify Church activity and keep it home-centered, Church-supported, it’s tempting to think the curtain has closed on Church theater.
Room for a Church Theater EncoreI don’t think the Church intended for the stage lights to go out forever, though. After all, the Church’s general handbook still lists “cultural arts” as one of the three kinds of activities that leaders should plan, the others being service and physical activities. It says:
“Cultural arts activities provide opportunities for members to develop and share their talents. These activities also nurture creativity, confidence, and cooperation. They could include arts and crafts displays, talent shows, or dance, music, and drama. They could also include celebrations of culture, holidays, or local or general Church history.”
In a recent General Conference address, Elder Gerrit W. Gong said,
“A few more ward activities, of course planned and implemented with gospel purpose, could knit us together with even greater belonging.”
That sounds like permission to do more!
In a 2021 fireside, Elder D. Todd Christofferson shared the following about the end of the Hill Cumorah Pageant:
“Going forward, different and equally compelling formative experiences will come for families and for the current and future rising generations. Those experiences will be tailored to their time and suited to their need.”
Considering all this, I think there can be an encore for Church theater, maybe even a resurgence focused at the local level where leaders can determine what kind of production would bless Church members and others in the community.
How Church Theater Can Bless Church MembersShakespeare’s Hamlet said,
“The play’s the thing.”
But in Church theater, the play isn’t the thing. It’s not the point. But a play can benefit everyone who participates.
Here are a few ways, starting with those mentioned in the handbook:
- A chance to share talents – Theater can involve almost any talent that ward members possess—public speaking, singing, sewing, painting, writing…depending on what kind of production you do, many skills come in handy.
- Creativity – Elder Richard G. Scott said, “Creativity can engender a spirit of gratitude for life and for what the Lord has woven into your being” (quoted by Gerrit W. Gong). A play nurtures creativity in planning, performance and problem solving.
- Confidence – Acting in front of a supportive audience can help people become more confident in ministering or speaking assignments.
- Cooperation and community – People who perform in a play together form a strong bond. Teenagers and families especially benefit from the time together.
- A missionary opportunity – Friends, neighbors, school teachers and others will come see the play to support cast members whom they know. For many, it may be their first time inside the Church.
- Real-life experience – Practicing for a play gets us to set aside social media and video games to really spend time with others.
- Spiritual experience – Whether the play is bringing scripture stories to life or relating a modern story with faith-affirming themes, it can invite the spirit and touch hearts. (See Converted on a Cross for one example.)
- Involvement – “You need involvement,” Peanuts’ Lucy says to Charlie Brown when she recruits him to direct a Christmas play. Church theater can entice many people to get involved who might otherwise sit on the sidelines.
A Tale of Two Christmas PlaysI saw many of those blessings realized in two Christmas plays I directed at church in Lynchburg, Virginia.
In 2013, a few sisters in my ward asked me to help write the script for a tri-ward Christmas play they had been asked to organize. But when family situations required each of them to step back, I ended up being director, too.
My dad’s penchant for over-the-top had rubbed off. The play portrayed a modern-day family reading scriptures on Christmas Eve, but we also had Isaiah and Ahaz, Nephi and Samuel, Mary and Gabriel, sheep, shepherds, angels, and a small brass band. Even before that difficult dress rehearsal I shared earlier, we had numerous challenges. One ward scheduled an activity at the same time as our opening night. Some members were frustrated by how frequently we needed the cultural hall for rehearsals. The play didn’t have enough speaking parts for many of the young women who auditioned. Some of my communications (including rehearsal changes) came too last-minute.
A few years later, I felt prompted to work on another Christmas play that would solve these challenges.
I contacted my bishop that spring, and he helped me get the support of the other wards and the stake. I wrote a script about a group of people stuck in an airport on Christmas Eve, inspired by a talk by President Thomas S. Monson.
We held auditions in September and by the end of the month, I had a final rehearsal schedule. I modified the script to make additional speaking roles suited to those who had auditioned.
For two months, we spent several hours rehearsing each Saturday morning.
The performances went well enough that several people said, “I look forward to next year!” But the play was more than just a fun show. The actors, especially the youth, formed a strong bond.
A young man who seemed reluctant at first was energized by the end. Years later, a Primary child (by then a youth) still talked about the play as a positive experience for him. I watched many of the youth involved go on missions.
One thing these two plays taught me was the importance of good leadership.
After the first play, I learned a lot about communicating, planning, and collaborating that prepared me to lead more effectively and to create a better experience for everyone in the cast and the audience.
So you want to direct a ward play?I cannot write a comprehensive guide to staging a ward play. There are many resources online that you can search for and find helpful tips. But I do want to offer a few lessons specifically related to the leadership aspects involved.
- Start Early and Plan – Planning is perhaps the most important leadership task in directing a ward play. Everyone involved, from the bishop who sanctions the play to the parents who will drive primary children to rehearsals, needs a clear vision of what to expect and what to do. I recommend that you start planning the play at least four to six months ahead of time. Create a complete rehearsal schedule as soon as possible after casting the play so families can plan ahead. Try keeping the rehearsal schedule predictable rather than using a different schedule each week. For my second play, we only rehearsed on Saturday mornings, making it easy for actors to plan and easy to schedule the building.
- KISS: Keep it Simple, Saints! – Let simplicity guide your decisions. Whether you do a two-act play with songs or a series of short skits performed by families depends on the interests and talents of your ward. A reader’s theater, radio play, or a group of songs connected by narration are worth considering, too. If people are eager to sew custom costumes and build a set with intricate scenery, that’s great. But if not, consider a play with a minimalist set and with costumes from actors’ own wardrobes (or perhaps someone’s box of Halloween costumes).
- Recruit Help – Ideally, you would have an enthusiastic committee helping with the play. You can be in charge of directing actors, or the scenery, or the music, or the costumes—but not all of that.
- Find or Write a Play – I wrote the scripts for my two plays because I love writing and I wanted to customize the plays for the wards. But there are many plays already out there. The Church website lists plays for children. The script and score for Savior of the World is available, too. If you’re writing the play, make a clear connection to the gospel. Bring a scripture story to life, perhaps in a modern retelling. Or base it on the history of the Church in your area, conversion stories or mission stories from people in your ward…something that can testify of or rejoice in the savior. Include everyone possible—especially youth Try to provide a role for everyone who is interested in being on stage. This is easiest if you’re writing your own play, or if you have a play with many roles that can be played by someone regardless of gender or age.
- Remember Principles of Gospel Leadership – To paraphrase Doctrine and Covenants 121, “no power or influences can or ought to be maintained by virtue” of you being a play director. Persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, love and kindness are just as important in this endeavor as in any other calling.
Break a LegThis is far from a comprehensive guide to Church theater. Remember, at one time the Church had a 140-page handbook for it. But I hope my experiences inspire at least a few Latter-day Saints to revive theater traditions in ways that work for their wards, using these activities to share the gospel and create faith- affirming experiences for actors and the audiences.
The post Reviving Church Theater – Opportunities for Growth appeared first on Leading Saints.
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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Transcript coming soon
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.
The post Order of the Priesthood, Sacrifice, & Leadership | An Interview with Todd McLauchlin appeared first on Leading Saints.
I was kidnapped by an Evangelical pastor and forced to go to church.
Okay, that sounds a little dramatic, but seriously, my friend Pastor Jeff from Hello Saints asked if he could take me to 3 different types of Protestant church traditions and get my reaction.
So early one Sunday morning he picked me up and the church marathon began.
You can watch the reaction video HERE to get the full story.
For the record, I love our church service tradition, especially sacrament meetings.
Of course, I think there are ways it could be improved, but for the most part, I love it.
For the sake of this newsletter message, I thought it might be interesting for me to highlight some things from these church experiences that could enhance our Sunday worship experience.
Again, there is a lot Protestants could learn from us, but maybe that’s for another newsletter.
Here we go…
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They assume visitors are comingI’ve written about this before, but I was impressed with something as basic as signage. The minute you walk in, you know exactly where to go.
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They leverage audio/visual technologyMore technology can seem too flashy for a sacrament meeting, but the engagement factor went way up. I think this can be done in a very respectful manner.
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They transitioned me into churchThe first 20ish minutes of each service was nothing but worship music. After the hustle and bustle of getting to church, it was nice to sit down and mindfully listen to spiritual music for an extended period. It got my mind in a place that was ready to receive a spiritual message. We attempt this with a 4-minute opening song, but I think there is more we could experiment with to get a similar experience.
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They offered coffee and donutsSure, coffee is off the table for us but what about Diet Coke and donuts at the end of each church service? There’s something about simple refreshments that stimulates connections. Get people lingering after the two-hour service and we won’t regret it.
Those are my quick takeaways related to church service structure from attending a different church.
What have you observed from other faith traditions’ church meetings that we could learn from?
Read what others are saying about this message HERE.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post I attended 3 Protestant churches on one Sunday appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
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.
The post Leading Like Elder David B. Haight | An Interview with Jim Ritchie appeared first on Leading Saints.
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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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, 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.
The post PMG: Creating Youth-directed, Vulnerable, Spirit-led Meetings | An Interview with Ganel-Lyn Condie appeared first on Leading Saints.
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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Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
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.
The post The Art & Science of Ministering Interviews | An Interview with Steven Rogelberg appeared first on Leading Saints.
We have remarkable doctrine, tradition, and practice around the concept of “church.”
We believe it to be the Restored Church of Jesus Christ that He originally founded long ago.
I believe this completely.
However, I wonder if the nature of our approach to “church” has been augmented in ways that have taken us away from the correct framing of the church.
Now, I am in no way an authority on this subject but let’s have some fun and explore the concept of “the church.”
I recently listened to a sermon by Pastor Andy Stanley.
I recommend you listen to it HERE (he really unpacks the concept of “church” around minute marker 13:00).
Now theologically, I see a lot of things differently than Andy Stanley, but again, let’s just have some fun with this thought experiment.
In short, he frames the original intention of “the church” as an assembly of Christ’s followers.
He goes so far as to explain that the “church” was never meant to be a static institution; but rather, a movement in bringing people unto Jesus.
In our Latter-day Saint effort to be clear on establishing the Restored Church, we may have overemphasized the institution rather than the movement.
As always, hear me out.
The institutional church is important as we are dealing with restored authority, keys, doctrine, programs, ordinances, etc.
However, considering the ways we are wired as humans, we rarely get engaged around the idea of an “institution.”
Instead, there is example after example of the effectiveness of motivating people and positive change via a movement (i.e. Civil Rights Movement, American Revolution).
It seems like institutions often want the status quo and resist change.
Considering a broader view of what Jesus Christ did with His church, and even how Joseph Smith restored it, they both appeared to establish movements rather than institutions.
I’m probably oversimplifying complicated concepts and history; however, I feel energy in this framing.
What if we didn’t see us as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
Instead, what if we saw ourselves as The Movement of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?
A movement to bring people to Jesus Christ in the modern days.
Yes, we still need the institution to help us through the administration of the movement.
But primarily, it’s a Movement.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post The “Movement” of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
There is already a discussion started about this podcast. Share your thoughts.
Transcript coming soon
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
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.
The post The Best Five Years | A How I Lead Interview with Kirby Heyborne appeared first on Leading Saints.
Reg Christensen lives in the Midwest with his wife, Carol. They have seven children and seventeen grandchildren. Reg has fulfilled a variety of callings in the Church and he and Carol have been blessed with many service opportunities as Pathway missionaries and service volunteers at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies, to mention a few. While living in Jerusalem, they served in the Bethlehem branch, Carol as the Relief Society president and Reg as the branch president. His happy times come from being with family and friends, reading, writing, woodworking, leathercrafting, exploring nature, and blessing lives with his handyman skills. He has published several books including, Unlocking Isaiah: Lessons and Insights that Draw Us to the Savior.
Enter Reg…A classic Disney movie, Snowball Express, portrays a family who gave up their city life to take over an inherited, run-down, abandoned ski lodge/hotel.
In preparing the ski slope for business, the father finds an old donkey steam engine he hopes to use to tow skiers to the top of the mountain but must first solve the challenge of getting the engine itself installed part-way up the slope. As he goes throughout the community trying to engage various people with equipment to accomplish the task, his young son keeps tugging at his dad’s coat in his effort to speak to him, only to be shooed away with, “Not now son, I am busy.” A t the end of the day, as the father sits down discouraged at his failure to solve his problem, his wife hands him a little note from his son who had long since gone to bed. The note simply asked, “Dear Dad, if a donkey engine can pull a 6-ton log out of the woods, why can’t it pull itself up the hill? Respectfully, Your Son, Richard.”
Problem solved.
They rig and anchor a long heavy-duty rope and pulley system and watch gleefully as the steam engine pulls itself up the mountain.
Unfortunately, we are often like the dad in this example. We scurry around and expend much time and energy in search of solutions to our life-challenges, while the true answers may lie within our simple grasp through a humble, prayerful petition to our Heavenly Father. He stands ready to guide and inspire us in all our worthy dilemmas and life pursuits.
Cry Unto HimAmulek counseled,
“Therefore, may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save. Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; y must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.” Alma 34:17-26
Of course, we are not to spend all our time in prayer; after our sincere petitions, we arise and go to work in faith to accomplish the good cause we have prayed about. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught,
“Sometimes we expect Heavenly Father to answer our prayers when all we have done is utter a prayer. The doors of heaven will ever be closed to those who hold out their hands waiting for the blessings of heaven to drop from heaven upon them.“
Amulek affirmed the need for constant effort to remember the Lord and His designs for us, even as we go about our labors. “Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.” Alma 34:27
Spiritually Creating Our DayElder David A. Bednar taught us a meaningful way to approach each day in prayerful petition for our welfare and that of others. He suggested that, just as our Heavenly Parents created all things spiritually before the actual physical creation, we, in our morning prayers, can plan or “spiritually create” our day in such a way that we are more likely to succeed in reaching our desired goals. Elder Bednar said,
“In a similar way, meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other.”
Elder Bednar then went on to describe a prayerful way to end our day and prepare for the next:
“At the end of our day, we kneel again and report back to our Father. We review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help we received. We repent and, with the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, identify ways we can do and become better tomorrow. Thus our evening prayer builds upon and is a continuation of our morning prayer. And our evening prayer also is a preparation for meaningful morning prayer.”
Valued by Heavenly Parents As we live life in our mortal world with sincere desires for the good welfare of ourselves and others, we are often disappointed, undervalued, ignored, and even persecuted and reviled by our fellow mortals. Sometimes we may wonder if there is anyone who will listen to us and help us forward from where we are in life. That is the beauty of prayer—it is always available for us, and we are always valued by our Heavenly Parents.
Elder Juan A. Uceda taught,
“At the very moment we say, “Father in Heaven,” He hears our prayers and is sensitive to us and our needs. And so His eyes and His ears are now connected to you. He reads our minds, and He feels our hearts. You cannot hide anything from Him. Now, the wonderful thing is that He will see you with eyes of love and mercy—love and mercy that we cannot fully understand. But love and mercy are with Him the very moment you say, “Father in Heaven.” . . . He is not one to say, “No, I will not listen to you now because you only come to me when you are in trouble.” Only men do that. He is not one to say, “Oh, you cannot imagine how busy I am now.” Only men say that.”
Just as the young boy in the Snowball Express yearned to be acknowledged and valued by his father, the desire to connect and communicate with our Heavenly Parents is one of our most basic needs and desires. An inspired hymn teaches:
“Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed, The motion of a hidden fire That trembles in the breast. Prayer is the burden of a sigh, The falling of a tear, The upward glancing of an eye When none but God is near. Prayer is the simplest form of speech That infant lips can try; Prayer, the sublimest strains that reach The Majesty on high. “
Faith, Hope and TrustPrayer is a combination of faith, hope, and trust—faith and hope that we are asking for the right things, faith that Father is there to bless us with the things that are best for us, and trust that we can accept the answers when and how they come.
I have occasionally met people who have never prayed and have no idea how to proceed. When able to help teach, I have tried to assure them that there is no rigid formula—the main thing about prayer is that we do it.
Prayer is beautifully defined:
“Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”
Elder Richard G. Scott counseled,
“To better understand prayer, I have listened to the counsel of others, pondered the scriptures, and studied the lives of prophets and others. Yet what seems most helpful is seeing in my mind a child approaching trustingly a loving, kind, wise, understanding Father, who wants us to succeed. Don’t worry about your clumsily expressed feelings. Just talk to your Father. He hears every prayer and answers it in His way.”
Over the years I have been amused, but also grounded and encouraged, by this little rendition: An Informal Prayer By Sam Walter Foss
‘The proper way for a man to pray’ said Deacon Lemuel Keyes, ‘and the only proper attitude is down upon his knees.’ ‘Nay, I should say the way to pray,’ said Reverend Dr. Wise ‘is standing straight with outstretched arms and rapt and upturned eyes.’ ‘Oh, no, no, no.’ said Elder Snow ‘Such posture is too proud A man should pray with eyes fast closed and head contritely bowed.’ ‘It seems to me his hands should be astutely clasped in front. With both thumbs a pointing toward the ground.’ Said Reverend Hunt. ‘Las’ year I fell in Hodgkin’s well headfirst,’ said Cyrus Brown, ‘With both my heels a-stikin’ up, my head a-p’inting down, An’ I made a prayer right there an’ then; Best prayer I ever said; The prayingest prayer I ever prayed, A-standin on my head.”
When our Savior taught us how to pray with what we often call The Lord’s Prayer, His intent was not to give us a strict formula for rote prayer, but rather an example of the basic elements of our prayers. After this manner therefore pray ye:
“Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” Matthew 6:9-13
First, I want to provide a few clarifications of some things misconstrued in translation. In an inspired, prophetic translation of the above passage, we read,
“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Matthew 6:13, Joseph Smith Translation
And it would be folly to petition the Lord to “lead us not into temptation” because to do such is not in His nature—He does not tempt or lead anyone to evil. The inspired translation changed the wording thus: “And suffer us not to be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”
The Sacred Nature of PrayerThis classic example of prayer rightly teaches us to pray to our Father in Heaven— even as Jesus did. We also learn that the name of God is sacred and holy— “hallowed.”
Although our prayers are an individual expression of our feelings, as we use sacred language, we better demonstrate our humility before and respect for our Heavenly Father. As we reserve more formal language such as thee, thou, thy, and thine for speaking to our Heavenly Father, our prayers become more sacred.
But even when we address Heavenly Father less formally, He hears us and loves us just the same. Elder Dallin Oaks said,
“I’m sure that our Heavenly Father, who loves all of his children, hears and answers all prayers, however phrased. If he is offended in connection with prayers, it is likely to be by their absence, not their phraseology.”
Our petition for our “daily bread” may include both our physical and our spiritual nourishment. As we focus on our need for spiritual development, we are learning to live the type of heavenly life our Father desires for us, even as we struggle through our mortal temptations and challenges.
As we pray to Father for His will to be done in our lives, we are showing, by our faith and humility, that we trust Him and that we will allow His grace to change our hearts. We need not give Him counsel as we seek His counsel and direction for our lives.
C.S. Lewis said,
“I’ve heard a man offer a prayer for a sick person which really amounted to a diagnosis followed by advice as to how God should treat the patient.”
The prophet Jacob taught,
“Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.” Jacob 4:10
The Lord cautioned us against the use of thoughtless words in our prayers.
“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7
Answers to PrayersNow for a few thoughts about receiving answers to our prayers. One of my personal favorite scriptures about how our Heavenly Father speaks to us is,
“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.” Doctrine and Covenants 8:2
Mind and heart—we find true direction when our intellect and spirit are in harmony with one another and with the will and decree of God. Revealed truth will make sense to us—and when it does not, we have further seeking to accomplish.
The more we come to understand the mind and will of God, the clearer and more sensible our inspirations will be. Truth does not evolve—it exists. Our understanding of truth evolves. When we come to know something to be true, we need not rediscover it, we just need to remember it. When Oliver Cowdery sought confirmation of a truth he had already received, the Lord told him to remember what he had previously learned and felt.
“If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23
Recognizing God’s AnswersWe are each blessed with our own personalities, talents, thoughts, and feelings. We need to tune our individual hearts to the will and direction of God and come to recognize how He speaks to us. Elder Boyd K. Packer shared an example of how different people may each hear different sounds.
“Many years ago John Burroughs, a naturalist, one summer evening was walking through a crowded park. Above the sounds of city life he heard the song of a bird. He stopped and listened! Those with him had not heard it. He looked around. No one else had noticed it. It bothered him that everyone should miss something so beautiful. He took a coin from his pocket and flipped it into the air. It struck the pavement with a ring, no louder than the song of the bird. Everyone turned; they could hear that! It is difficult to separate from all the sounds of city traffic the song of a bird. But you can hear it. You can hear it plainly if you train yourself to listen for it.”
From The Darkness To The LightAs we are more attentive to our prayers and petitions, we will become more skilled in recognizing God’s answers. The most important message I can share about prayer is that we should do it—and that we make it a constant part of our daily life. Our Savior taught,
“I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.” 3 Nephi 18:15
Praying “always” does not mean, of course, that we are always in formal prayer. We have much work to do that requires our eyes to be open and our bodies and minds to act. But in all we do, we can develop an attitude of prayer—we can learn to live our lives as our Heavenly Parents would have us live. As we so live, we are “praying always.”
Elder Neal A Maxwell taught,
“Prayer, in fact, is to be a reflection of our attitude toward God and life. In this sense, we can always be praying.” (All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Company, 1980], 92.)
May the spirit of prayer always bless our lives in guiding us through the darkness and into the light—now, always, and forever.
The post Spiritually Creating Our Day Through Prayer appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Welcoming Young Women into the Bishop’s Office | An Interview with Jennie and Dave Blaser appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bishoprics are notorious for long meetings.
Unfortunately, two- to three-hour bishopric meetings have become the norm for our leadership culture and many assume that is just part of the gig.
Plus, even though long meetings can be draining, they also fill your brain full of dopamine and it feels like you made serious progress in the ward.
I want to push back on this cultural norm and offer a better way.
I don’t mean to brag (yes I do), but in my last year as bishop, we spent an average of 30 minutes a week in bishopric meetings.
And I am willing to bet your bishopric or presidency could do the same.
Let me share with you five reasons why your meetings go too long…
You Aren’t Delegating EffectivelyIf your meeting begins with a list of decisions to be made or topics to discuss my experience has shown that more than half of those items could be handled by other ward organizations or by committees that are called to process that information.
This requires you to surrender control and trust those you serve with; however, more will be engaged in the work, and more progress will happen in the long run.
You Overestimate the Impact of Your DecisionsIn short, your meetings are not as crucial as you think.
The decisions you make in the meetings won’t change much in general.
It’s easy to see your list of discussion items and put more weight and urgency on them than needed.
Recognize them for what they are and if you don’t get to each one, bump it to the next meeting’s agenda or erase it all together.
You aren’t going to break anything. 🙂
Too Much Time Spent on Ward CallingsWard callings are one of the more difficult things to keep in check during a bishopric meeting.
I used to be the biggest violator of this and finally, we got it down to less than 10 minutes of the weekly bishopric meeting.
Bishoprics should only be discussing names for callings if they are an organization president.
Any other discussion related to ward callings should only include reviewing submitted names from organizational leaders and either approving the submitted name or sending back information to those organizational leaders to consider.
If the same organization is asking for the same individual to be called, have a short discussion, and then approve the name for one organization and tell the other to submit another name.
Bishoprics must get to a place where they trust their ward leaders to staff their own organizations or your meetings will be impossible to keep under 2 hours.
The next reason meetings go too long also relates to ward callings…
You Aren’t Using a Project Management SystemA really big reason our bishopric was able to keep our ward calling discussion to under 10 minutes was because we used Asana, a free project management system (watch a free training about how to use Asana in your bishopric).
This allowed us to process simple information outside of the meeting.
For example, if a name was submitted to the bishopric from the Primary and I knew as the bishop that that individual was available, I could quickly respond so that the Primary would move on to another name long before our bishopric meeting even began.
The list of benefits of using a project management system is long, but, in short, it is essential.
You Don’t Preside Over or Focus the MeetingPresiding is the most underrated skill in church leadership.
We often hear who is presiding in a meeting but real presiding is how that leader influences that meeting from beginning to end to become a revelatory experience for all involved.
In a bishopric meeting, this includes keeping the discussion on point and moving forward by asking questions and diminishing topics that will not help the progression of the meeting.
Presiding also includes keeping the main thing the main thing during the meeting.
It’s awesome to be a part of a bishopric where each individual feels like they are in a circle of friends.
Nothing beats a good belly laugh with those good people you serve; however, the presiding authority needs to avoid tangential stories or topics that interrupt the pace of the meeting.
So what do you think?
How do you keep the bishopric/presidency meetings concise?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
The post The 30-Minute Bishopric Meeting appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
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“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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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.
Recently the Church published a fantastic resource found in the Gospel Library to help individuals in a faith struggle, Seeking Answers to Questions and Helping Others with Questions.
There’s a lot of great advice and direction there and I would encourage you to spend time with it.
As I was reading it, it made me think of the newsletter I shared a few weeks ago about how struggles with faith are not always based on the lack of answers related to Church history or doctrine, but a lot of the time an individual is struggling to get the gospel working for them.
The gospel promises peace, joy, easing of burdens, a relationship with God, and strength, just to mention a few.
However, some people struggle to find that relief.
This made me wonder what I would write if I were organizing a section of the Gospel Library about how to get the gospel working for individuals.
Maybe I can expand on these points in future newsletters, but here is a section heading for each one with a brief summary.
Proactively Surrender Your Life to God
Many times we hold on to relationships, conditions, and habits in life that help us cope with life’s struggles. This doesn’t only include sin. Many of these items can appear righteous but may be holding us back from future personal growth and dependence on God and Jesus Christ. Explore what more you can surrender to God.
References: Galatians 2:20, Alma 22:18, Sacrifice (Bible Dictionary), Priests (Bible Dictionary)
Understand Your Divine Identity
It’s easy to lose our identity in the behaviors of a gospel life. You may be too focused on if you are doing enough and not focused enough on the identity God has endowed you with. Consider surrendering all behaviors that have become too rote, and rebuild faith and behaviors on a foundation of understanding the identity of Jesus Christ and the identity He has endowed you with.
References: 2 Cor. 5:17, Act 3:25, Matt. 21:10, John 17:23, 1 Samuel 16:7
Be Still & Take Bold Steps of Faith
Invite a level of stillness in your life, whether this be through times of quiet prayer or meditation. Seek directly on all minor and major steps in your life and act in faith even if you aren’t sure of the exact direction. As you do this, expect miracles and witnesses of the hand of God in your life.
References: “[We} receive more faith by doing something that requires more faith.” -Pres. Nelson, Ether 12:12, Mark 9: 14-27, Alma 32:27
Surround Yourself in Community
Surround yourself with other individuals who you find inspiring and full of faith. Don’t ask for advice but rather a listening ear as you articulate the journey you are on. Invite them to pray over you daily as you are on this journey of igniting the light of Christ in your life. Seek strength, love, and acceptance from this group.
References: Genesis 2:18, Mark 2:3, Luke 22:32, Doctrine & Covenants 108:7
I am sure there are more sections to consider but this is what initially came to mind.
What principles would you add to this list if someone were striving to get the gospel to work for them?
It’s tempting to default to a list of behaviors like, “read more scripture, attend the temple, serve others, etc.”
These behaviors may be important but are too focused on application.
What principles could someone follow in order to get the gospel working for them?
I’m excited to learn from you as well.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
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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.
Kevin Gardner has spent almost all of his adult life in church leadership and was recently released as a bishop. He has served as an elders quorum president, ward mission leader twice, high councilor, a councilor in the San Bernardino California Mission Presidency, and currently serves on a stake high council in the Settlers Park Stake. Professionally, Kevin works for Idaho Central Credit Union as the Vice President of IT. He resides with his wife and four children in Meridian, Idaho.
Enter Kevin…The day came when I was released as a bishop.
I had that same feeling I had when I was released as a full-time missionary, bittersweet.
I loved serving the Lord and the members of the Ward and had some wonderful experiences that will impact the rest of my life and how I see Life. It had been a heavy load for me, I was a young father and husband, and I had spent lots of time away from home during my tenure of service. It had also been a heavy load that my wife had carried by herself at times and never once did she complain.
The Importance of Our SpouseWhen I had the call extended to me from the stake president, he spoke directly to my wife and said,
“There will be times when the Church needs your husband and there will be times when you need your husband and when that happens, you tell him you need him at home and he can put everything else at the church on hold or delegate it.”
My wife was good at that, I felt. In my very biased opinion, I feel that most bishop’s wives are typically the best person in the ward. Men get called to serve in leadership positions, oftentimes, because their wives are so good spiritually and emotionally grounded.
A bishop’s wife can be steady in the chaos that we may deal with at times, even without knowing any details. I’m so grateful for my wife’s service right along with me.
A ChangeSoon after I was released as bishop, we moved to another state for my job. It seemed that overnight I had gone from being one of the most needed person in the ward (always having somewhere to be or something to do) to just being a “regular guy,” not having to worry about much.
One of the things I loved about serving was my opportunity to grow charitable efforts. By nature I am a pretty selfish person with my time and other things. However, serving the Lord allowed me to think of others in ways I would not normally consider.
I felt important, and needed, and oftentimes had many interactions with the Spirit, which can be addicting in some ways as a missionary or church leader. (Alma 36:25, Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors.)
Re-integratingNow instead of coming home and resting for a minute before I had to go to the church for a meeting or a youth event, I had nowhere to go.
No one really needed me outside of my family, which left me empty in some ways. I had to re-integrate myself into my own family. Things I had excuses for because I “had a meeting” I now had time for. Fixing things around the house, spending more quality time with my kids, and helping my wife do more stuff in the kitchen.
I was not a bad husband or father during my tenure as a bishop, but believe you just get tired between work and the duties of a bishop. Thus, putting things off or not doing them right away, seemed “ok” or justifiable at the moment.
Finding a New IdentitySunday would come around, I only had to be at church for Sacrament, Sunday School or Priesthood, and rarely any meetings before or after the block. For about three months I kept feeling like I had to be somewhere or meeting with somebody. I would look at my cell phone to see if there were any messages. Sometimes I felt relieved that I didn’t have to be anywhere and I would asked myself why I felt this way. Other times I felt lost because I didn’t have anywhere to be or was not needed.
I noticed I was having a bit of a hard time finding my identity.
I am a convert to the Church so serving in a leadership calling made me feel like I belonged in a lot of ways, but that is another story or topic for another time.
Progressing Through ChangeIn October 1979, Elder Marvin J. Ashton gave a great talk about change entitled, “Progress Through Change.” He said:
“As opportunity for change reaches into our lives, as it always will, we must ask, “Where do I need development? What do I want out of life? Where do I want to go? How can I get there?” … In God’s plan we are usually free to choose the changes we make in our lives and we are always free to choose how we will respond to the changes that come. We need not surrender our freedoms. But just as a compass is valuable to guide us out of the dense forest, so the gospel points the way as we walk the paths of life.”
Interestingly enough, I had two brothers-in-law who were serving as bishops during the same time.
One had received his call about three years before I did, so we only served “together” for a few short years.
The other brother-in-law was called about six months after I was called and was still serving when I had got released.
I reached out to my brother-in-law who was released and asked him if he had the feeling of being a little lost after being released and he said he did. I reached out to another really good friend who had served as a bishop during the same time and explained what I was going through, and he could relate and had a similar experience.
I soon realized that I was not alone. Many had similar feelings or experiences after being released in church leadership.
Over the years I have had many conversations with past bishops, some stake presidents, elders quorum presidents, and with my angel wife after she was released as a Relief Society president. I found comfort in knowing I was not alone in that experience.
Our Calling is Not Our IdentityIt took me about three to four months to find my way through my disparate feelings about moving on in church life.
I embraced the reality that my calling was not my identity or a defining part of who I was as a person or member of the Church.
I soon picked myself up and found fulfillment in being more part of my family. Ultimately, projects around the house got done, I did more mountain bike riding with my son, spent time with my daughters in areas and things they liked, and helped my wife more. I also began studying the gospel differently.
A Time and a SeasonWe all have read the below scripture, but I feel that it’s a great reminder of moving forward and through changes in our callings, our families and our lives.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;” Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
I suspect some of you reading this article may have felt like this or had a similar experience after being released from a calling that took a large amount of time and energy. I almost feel if I would have had a re-immersion program to normal life, things would have evolved easier. But, perhaps that’s part of the process of learning, growing and evolving. What do you think?
The post Transitions in Our Callings and In Our Hearts appeared first on Leading Saints.
Soon after Elder Patrick Kearon’s call to the Quorum of the Twelve, I came across an old Church News announcement from when Elder Kearon was called as a stake president.
I was surprised to see that he was listed with two middle names: Robert David.
So why haven’t we been calling him Elder Patrick RD Kearon?
The Deseret News picked up on this as well and asked Elder Kearon why no initials.
His response…
“It’s just Brits don’t do that.”
Well, I am not sure how familiar Elder Kearon is with American culture, but we don’t do the middle initial thing either.
At least not since John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson.
What I love about this minor detail that doesn’t mean much is that it actually means a lot.
This is how culture is changed.
Someone new comes along and says, “Nope, we are not doing that.”
Seems like an easy thing, but imagine the pressure of being a brand new Area Seventy or General Authority Seventy and pushing back on the middle initial tradition.
That is leadership.
I assume leaders reading this aren’t using middle initials.
But you’re probably doing other things and you don’t know why.
You may dream of larger cultural strides but take some baby steps along the way.
Beards?
Blue shirts?
Intermediate hymns?
Ward Christmas parties?
What else?
Let’s follow Elder Kearon’s lead and shift the smaller cultural norms.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE. Discuss this message with the Leading Saints community HERE.
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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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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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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.
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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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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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 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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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.
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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 podcast
Highlights2:10 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 save families because they are eternal but we need to keep in mind that the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. Focus on the person and the healing and put a pause on talking about eternal families. 49:00 The prize or end game isn’t to have a healed marriage but a healed person—having a person that feels connected to Christ. Even if the marriage ends in divorce, those healed individuals are still beautiful and miraculous. 51:00 How can bishops find the right help? Therapists need special training in betrayal trauma. Use psycologytoday.com and use filters to find the right therapist. 54:30 A resource that Ashly recommends is a book called The Choice to Leave Abuse, by Ryan Anderson. 55:30 Many leaders think that their ward is the exception and there aren’t abuse problems or pornography problems. There is so much more than you think. 56:45 Start having more conversations and break the taboo on talking about abuse. 59:30 Ashly’s final 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.
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...
Drew Young is a native of the east coast, growing up in Connecticut, and now resides in Utah with his wife and daughter. He studied at Brigham Young University where he helped in teaching and developing curriculum for various student development courses and is the current publicity manager at FranklinCovey. He’s been sharing his story […]
The post You Were Created on Purpose With Purpose appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Teaching Others How to Receive Revelation | An Interview with Loren Dalton appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Teaching Others How to Receive Revelation | An Interview with Loren Dalton appeared first on Leading Saints.
Someone recently turned my attention toward this paragraph in the handbook:
Sometimes the same people are called repeatedly to leadership positions. This can overburden them and their families and take opportunities away from others. Seek to give all members opportunities to serve and grow. (4.2.6)
Many of us have experienced STP (Same 10 People) being called to leadership positions repeatedly.
It’s natural to assume that bishoprics or stake presidencies are missing this paragraph and going for who they think are the safe options.
It’s easy to cast the blame on those leaders.
And then I started talking to those leaders.
I asked one stake president how he goes about making sure STP is avoided in the wards in his stake.
He told me he’d love to spread the opportunity of leadership around, but he’s been shocked by the number of people who simply turn down callings.
They either decline the invitation to meet with leadership to begin with or turn down the invitation to serve when the call is extended, claiming they need to give more time to family or personal projects.
I don’t have a clear conclusion around this topic, but I thought it was interesting enough to put it out to the Leading Saints audience.
How I see things, there are two groups of people who are unintentionally (sometimes intentionally) pushing the STP to the top of the list for callings: Leaders & Potential Leaders
(I guess that’s basically everyone. 😊)
Here are possible reasons why both these groups are perhaps contributing to this dynamic:
(I’m just thinking out loud here, so some of the following assumptions might be flawed or incorrect.)
Leaders
- Cognitive bias can interfere with revelation when the STP feel like really “comfortable” or reliable options.
- Leaders generally associate more with the STP and are more familiar with their capacity and personalities.
- Leaders are overwhelmed with the idea of having to mentor or train new specific leaders when they already have plenty to do, so it is easier to go with someone with experience.
Potential Leaders
- Over the last few decades, individuals have busier, more distracted lives and therefore have little bandwidth to invest in a church calling (unless it has higher social validation such as bishop, Relief Society president, or the stake presidency).
- Families are suffering more, and children demand more attention from their parents, so church callings become more of a distraction for them.
- Generally speaking, people are less religious, so they are less committed to accepting religious callings.
But, what do I know?
I’d love to hear what you are seeing and experiencing.
Does the STP issue exist in your ward/stake? If so, why?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Is STP treatable? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Someone recently turned my attention toward this paragraph in the handbook:
Sometimes the same people are called repeatedly to leadership positions. This can overburden them and their families and take opportunities away from others. Seek to give all members opportunities to serve and grow. (4.2.6)
Many of us have experienced STP (Same 10 People) being called to leadership positions repeatedly.
It’s natural to assume that bishoprics or stake presidencies are missing this paragraph and going for who they think are the safe options.
It’s easy to cast the blame on those leaders.
And then I started talking to those leaders.
I asked one stake president how he goes about making sure STP is avoided in the wards in his stake.
He told me he’d love to spread the opportunity of leadership around, but he’s been shocked by the number of people who simply turn down callings.
They either decline the invitation to meet with leadership to begin with or turn down the invitation to serve when the call is extended, claiming they need to give more time to family or personal projects.
I don’t have a clear conclusion around this topic, but I thought it was interesting enough to put it out to the Leading Saints audience.
How I see things, there are two groups of people who are unintentionally (sometimes intentionally) pushing the STP to the top of the list for callings: Leaders & Potential Leaders
(I guess that’s basically everyone. 😊)
Here are possible reasons why both these groups are perhaps contributing to this dynamic:
(I’m just thinking out loud here, so some of the following assumptions might be flawed or incorrect.)
Leaders
- Cognitive bias can interfere with revelation when the STP feel like really “comfortable” or reliable options.
- Leaders generally associate more with the STP and are more familiar with their capacity and personalities.
- Leaders are overwhelmed with the idea of having to mentor or train new specific leaders when they already have plenty to do, so it is easier to go with someone with experience.
Potential Leaders
- Over the last few decades, individuals have busier, more distracted lives and therefore have little bandwidth to invest in a church calling (unless it has higher social validation such as bishop, Relief Society president, or the stake presidency).
- Families are suffering more, and children demand more attention from their parents, so church callings become more of a distraction for them.
- Generally speaking, people are less religious, so they are less committed to accepting religious callings.
But, what do I know?
I’d love to hear what you are seeing and experiencing.
Does the STP issue exist in your ward/stake? If so, why?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Is STP treatable? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Kent Brooksby has served as a Bishop, a member of several High Councils, a High Priest Group leader, a Stake Sunday School President, and several times in the Young Men’s organization on a ward and stake level. One of his favorite callings of all time was Scoutmaster. He and his wife of 50 years, Jan, are currently serving a service mission teaching English to immigrants and refugees. They are the parents of five children, 21 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Enter Kent…For the last 20 years or so, I have heard the following phrase used repeatedly from the pulpit:
“I was asked to give a talk about Elder ____’s talk in last General Conference.”
When I hear that phrase, I have to exert all my willpower to keep from screaming, “NO-O-O-O!!!!” and running from the room, or immediately falling asleep. Either way, I think to myself how much more edifying it would be to call up the video of the original talk and let us watch or listen to it in its entirety, as originally given.
I know this sounds prideful. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to find fault. I am not judging the speakers. I am not trying to affix blame. I am not trying to steer or guide the Church. I know the speakers are not there to entertain or enlighten me. I just wonder how and why this started.
Book Report TalksEver since I was a young boy, I have disliked book reports. These assigned sacrament meeting talks are book reports, pure and simple. And heaven help us if more than one speaker has been asked to give a talk on the same talk!
I was in a meeting once where THREE speakers had all been assigned the same talk. Two of the talks started with, “Well, Sister ____ pretty much gave my talk,” and then the speakers proceeded to give their talks, just as they had prepared them. Same thoughts. Same lengthy quotes. Same stories. N-O-O-O!!! And then, can you guess what talk was discussed in elders quorum that day? You are correct.
Does anyone know where, when, or why this practice started? I have visited many wards in the past 20 years in various capacities, and “book report” sacrament meeting talks seem to be universal. I have asked several Bishops and Stake Presidents about this, and no one seems to know how or when it started. If it has been directed by the leaders of the Church, can someone please show me where it is written? If it has not been directed by the brethren, why are we doing it this way? What ever happened to people praying for guidance and speaking by the Spirit?
Topics Resources NOT ReportsReflecting on my time as a Bishop 30 years ago, we were counseled to have speakers address the TOPICS of the last conference, but not the TALKS. Back then, the topics (Faith, repentance, baptism, enduring to the end, etc.) were listed in a small section at the front of the Church magazines. General Conference talks, regardless of the topic, all tie back to the Savior and His atonement; book reports about those talks do not always do the same. Speaking on a gospel TOPIC is not the same thing as talking about a TALK. I am relatively sure that the brethren do not prepare their talks, hoping they will be used for book reports.
I was informed recently by a friend that in his ward even newly returned missionaries are assigned conference talks, rather than letting the missionary talk about his/her own spiritual experiences, conversion experiences, and how the spirit helped the missionary grow!
I thought the purpose of having returned missionaries speak was to inspire young people to serve missions and to let them bear powerful testimonies of the Savior. How tragic, to hear a missionary, recently returned and full of the Spirit, begin a talk with, “I was asked to talk about Elder __’s talk in conference.” I thank heaven that I am not in that ward.
Inspiring Personal ExperiencesOur wards are filled with members with many thousands of years of combined personal experiences that could illustrate gospel principles just as effectively as a story told and retold from the conference center pulpit. I would much rather listen to a ward member talk about a personal experience that promoted his/her faith in the Savior than listen to a story read from the pages of the Liahona about an experience someone else had that benefited someone else somewhere else.
Now, I know that not all people are gifted speakers, and I know that there are many members of the Church who would rather have all their teeth pulled than to have to give a talk in Church. (I recall a time when I served as a Bishop when a sister nervously turned to me just before she spoke and asked me, “Has anyone ever died doing this?” I told her, “Only one person that I know of.”) It may be that assigning them a conference talk is the best way to help them overcome their fears and help them to grow. It wouldn’t be an issue in my mind if it happened now and then. But when it happens everywhere I go, in almost every meeting I attend, I wonder why.
A book that has been tremendously influential in my life is “Teaching by the Spirit.” by Elder Gene R. Cook, who was in the First Quorum of Seventy. Drawing from ideas that book has planted in my mind and heart, may I make a few suggestions?
For Bishopric Members Who Are Assigning TalksRather than saying, “We would like to have you speak about Elder ___’s talk in the last general conference,” try saying, “We would like you to speak next Sunday on the principle of forgiveness. We would love it if you would tell us of times the principle of forgiveness has blessed and strengthened you. Please use the scriptures, and you can refer to examples from conference talks if you wish. As I recall, Elder ___ gave a great talk on that last April, which might give you some ideas. Above all, focus on the Savior.”
For Members Being Asked to SpeakIf you are assigned a conference talk to speak about, by all means prayerfully read the talk and figure out the key message of that talk that spoke to you. Then prayerfully prepare a talk about that message, focusing on the Savior. As the Spirit brings things to your mind, reflect on how those experiences relate to the topic assigned. Refer to thoughts from the talk if you wish, but don’t “talk about the talk.” Above all, listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost who will tell you what to say.
The Gospel of ChristThanks for listening to the rants of an old curmudgeon. I would love to hear other people’s thoughts on this issue. And please, if you know where this “policy” is to be found, let me know.
The gospel of Christ is true, and the Church is true and led by prophets, “book reports” or not.
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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 […]
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Judi Price has served in many callings in the Church, currently as the stake JustServe specialist in Arizona. Married for 38 years to Dr. Ronald Price, they have four adult children and one granddaughter. Judi graduated from Brigham Young University and returned to school years later to receive a master’s degree in Spiritual Psychology, with […]
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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 […]
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Over the last several years, I have often thought about the concept of how spiritual confirmation can trigger confirmation bias and how confirmation bias can trigger the feeling of spiritual confirmation. Quick definitions: Spiritual confirmation is to receive a personal witness through the power of the Holy Ghost that a gospel principle is true or […]
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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 […]
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Originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, Cory Omanson served a mission in Santa Maria, Brazil, graduated with a degree in accounting from Idaho State University, and lived in Boise, Idaho before settling in Pocatello, Idaho working as the CFO of a local credit union. The father of four, Cory has served as Elders Quorum counselor and […]
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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 […]
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I’m an efficiency nerd. I love tinkering with systems until they work like a well-oiled machine. Since many of you can relate, let’s have some fun and dissect the sacrament meeting system from a leadership point of view and see what ideas we can share. (I’m really excited to hear what you can add.) Here […]
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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
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Ryan Snarr grew up in Layton, UT. He is a life-long church meeting doodler. He fulfilled a calling as a full-time missionary in the Lima Perú South mission from 1997-1999, and later was called to serve as a musical missionary in the then Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square) from 2008-2016. Other […]
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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 […]
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As many of you know, I have recently developed a friendship with Jeff McCullough who produces Hello Saints on Youtube. In short, he is an evangelical pastor exploring everything he can about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and he documents his journey on YouTube. It’s been interesting monitoring how other Latter-day Saints […]
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At the Table is a new podcast series produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Listen and subscribe on Spotify.
Chris Robison is a software architect living in Lehi, UT. He’s married with four children and currently serves as a Sunday School teacher for the 11-14 year-olds. He’s previous served as a Sunday School president, in an elders quorum presidency, as Primary chorister, choir director, and accompanist. Enter Chris… What makes a faith crisis so […]
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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 […]
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Families can be together forever. Is this doctrine? Well, yeah, sure. However, it is more of an attempt to communicate a doctrine in the form of a marketing message. For years, we as a church community have attempted to convert people to the restored gospel by using this tagline. And I admit that it has […]
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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 […]
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Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, in her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4-acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged […]
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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 […]
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Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His […]
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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. […]
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To register for the Recovering Saints virtual conference visit: https://leadingsaints.org/recovering The Hope of God’s Light Video
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Register for Recovering Saints by visiting https://leadingsaints.org/recovering
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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 […]
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Judi Price has served in many callings in the church, currently as the Stake JustServe Specialist in Arizona. Married for 38 years to Dr. Ronald Price, they have four adult children and one granddaughter. Judi graduated from BYU and returned to school years later to receive a Master’s Degree in Spiritual Psychology, with an emphasis […]
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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 […]
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I’ve recently discussed the importance of leaders talking more openly about their personal struggles and the reasons why they need repentance from sin just like everyone else. The temptation is to keep struggles with sin vague and to not get too specific. So, instead of speaking generally: “We all need to repent,” we should tell […]
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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 […]
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Katie Davis graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from BYU in Family Studies. She and her husband Matt, have two toddlers and live on a hobby farm in South Carolina. They are passionate about helping individuals and couples heal from the effects of pornography use in marriage and founded Upward Inward Outward to help them spread […]
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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 […]
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As church leaders, of course we struggle with sin and need to repent constantly. Right? Yes, of course we do, and I have heard many leaders make a similar confession, even over the lectern at church. However, simply confessing that you struggle with sin and need to repent regularly is not enough to build the […]
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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 […]
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Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4-acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged since […]
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In the last newsletter I discussed the importance of needing to get rid of the term “serious sin” and take all sin seriously. Naturally, our brains want to categorize concepts such as sin. There is the really, reeeeally bad sin, and then there is the white-lie sin. Obviously, there’s a difference between the actions of […]
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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 […]
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Jenny Parnell Willmore lives in Logan, Utah, USA with her husband James. They have four children and two grandchildren. She currently serves as Relief Society president and has taught everything from nursery to Gospel Doctrine. She has a Master of Second Language Teaching from Utah State University and taught Spanish at Snow College, the military’s […]
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Do you feel called to be there? See all the details for these retreats at: https://leadingsaints.org/gathering
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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 […]
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I’ve been thinking a lot about sin and stigma lately. It seems we have created two general categories for sin: Sin Sin with stigma In our faith tradition, we don’t say “sin with stigma,” but instead we say “serious sin.” It’s a terrible habit, and collectively as a faith community, we need to repent of […]
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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.
Jonathan Seiter is a pretty normal guy. He is a husband, father, and life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He grew up in Tempe, Arizona and served a mission in Cebu, Philippines. He met his wife at and graduated from Brigham Young University with a Masters in Accounting. Jon has […]
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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, […]
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Recent newsletter messages may have helped explain the concept of why expectations are poison in leading people; however, they might have been too “in the clouds.” I’d like to address what leading without expectations might actually look like in real life. Although many of these tactics have already been discussed, hopefully you’ll be able to […]
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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.
Cory Shirts works as a software engineer in the metro Detroit area. He served a mission to Frankfurt Germany, later studying at the University of Utah, graduating with a Bachelors degree in Computer Engineering and a Bachelors in German. A student of leadership, he loves to find and apply gospel truths to bless others, no […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Stacey Carruth has served in a variety of callings under all of the organization umbrellas. She currently helps manage the co-sponsorship efforts between her stake and local refugee resettlement organizations. She works in journalism, focusing on the how and why of including conservative audiences. Her content can be found at TheLiberalConvert.com. She and her husband live in Denver, Colorado with their four kids.
Enter Stacey…I spend my time teaching journalists. Specifically, I teach them why they need to attract conservative audiences and how to do it. Since more than 70% of journalists identify as liberal or progressive, most are curious if not desperate to hear me out.
I am uniquely qualified to be in this position because while I currently align most with liberal policies and values, I grew up a strict and loyal conservative. What’s different about me is that I don’t regret being conservative. I have my conservative upbringing to thank for much of the good I’ve done in my life.
So, I spend my time explaining conservative views and values to liberals to help them write a more accurate story that benefits all of their readers, not just the liberal ones.
These are not easy conversations, especially when so many people can’t even stand being in the same room as someone from the opposite side of the political aisle, let alone have a conversation with them. Despite this, I see these conversations as crucial to building Zion and gathering Israel in our communities.
Which is why I was ecstatic to listen to President Nelson rebuke the saints and call on them to become peacemakers this past General Conference.
“Regrettably, we sometimes see contentious behavior even within our own ranks….This should not be….One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that person treats other people”.
Identifying As a PeacemakerThere are a few ways that he specifically mentioned that we can be peacemakers. It is important that we don’t take these out of context or go “beyond the mark.” He said,
“If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy” that we can say about another person—whether to his face or behind her back—that should be our standard of communication”.
He did NOT say that we need to refuse to stand up for ourselves in fear of “causing” contention. He said, “Contention drives away the Spirit—every time. Contention reinforces the false notion that confrontation is the way to resolve differences; but it never is”.
What he did NOT say was that disciples of Christ should avoid conversations that trigger contention, should avoid people that we extremely dislike, or should avoid getting involved in situations that make us angry. We are called to be peace-makers not professional avoiders. If anything, the call to being a peacemaker requires us to enter into MORE difficult conversations, not fewer.
Praying for CharityThe prophet’s solution to avoid contention was to pray for the gift of charity. While I believe in the power of prayer and of charity, if you’re a normal human (like me), your natural man tendencies occur on a daily, if not hourly, basis. Praying to make that giant leap to charity seems like too tall of an order for my mustard seed-sized faith. Add to that the importance of not being a professional avoider and the prophet’s call seems all but impossible to follow.
Through my work, I’ve discovered an often unsung value that, when cultivated, can act as a bridge between where we are now to our ultimate goal of being charitable, in possessing the pure love of Christ, even in the most difficult discussions.
That value is curiosity.
The Power of CuriosityCuriosity is the opposite of judgment. It doesn’t require you to love, accept or forgive. Neither does it require you to condemn, malign or vilify. All it requires of you is to wonder: wonder why someone would choose those words, wonder how someone could arrive at such a belief, wonder if there was something more, wonder what’s missing.
There are many organizations and individuals that are experts in guiding people along the curiosity bridge. The one I recommend to start with is Braver Angels. It is an organization dedicated to bridging the partisan divide. They produce free workshops and podcast episodes that help individuals understand and be understood across the political spectrum.
Monica Guzman is a Senior Fellow at Braver Angels and recently published a book about how to have fearlessly curious conversations. She discusses the simple things we ignorantly do to cultivate our contempt and misunderstanding of one another while showing a way out. It is a must read.
Curiosity can also help us in spreading peace while holding those in power accountable for their part in our society’s contentious polarization. Two powerful groups to start with are journalists and politicians.
Use Our Curious VoiceStay in touch with your local newsroom. When you see or hear them producing content that aims to incite contempt rather than understanding, call them up and be curious. Share your concerns. Give alternative suggestions. Listen to their response. The Spirit will touch your conversation on how to move forward.
Take a similar approach with your local and national politicians. Rather than complain about the political climate of our day, use your voice! Keep track of your elected officials’ behavior. Call or email their offices when you feel they are sowing division rather than cultivating collaboration.
Stand StillAs we seek to spread peace in our lives and our communities, take courage in the words of the prophet Joseph Smith:
“Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (D&C 123:17).
I can promise that you will see the power of God move mountains as you follow the prophet’s council.
I have.
The post A Prophet’s Plea – Becoming Peacemakers appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post “He Will Magnify Your Efforts” | An Interview with Bonnie Oscarson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Let’s continue to explore the concept of leading through expectations.
In a recent newsletter, I made the argument that even though it is common encouragement to lead with high love and high expectations, I consider expectations poison because they are behavior focused and therefore require the leverage of shame, which is effective but also cancerous to the soul (and the organization).
I had some agree with me.
I had some disagree with me.
And a few wondered if I have completely lost my marbles.
And this newsletter wouldn’t be as fun if I didn’t double down on a controversial opinion.
So, here it goes…
Don’t misunderstand my condemnation of expectations as soft leadership.
I am not advocating for high-love paired with low- or zero-expectation leadership.
I am proposing a higher law, a more profound way of leading.
You see, a leader must understand that those they lead don’t lack expectations.
Expectations are already in us.
It is part of a divine identity that was given to us long ago.
God made fish to swim, eagles to fly, and His children to become like Him.
Unfortunately, the attacks of mortality have caused our identity to be diminished to the point that we need help embracing this divine identity.
Albert Camus said it best: “Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is.”
Offering expectations is such a minimal effort.
Revealing identity is the daunting task of leadership.
I guarantee you every coach in the NFL uses high expectations, but only one holds the Super Bowl trophy at the end of the season.
If you can convince a group of professional football athletes that they are champions, they will supersede any ambitious expectations set by their coach.
The same goes for a leader of a church organization.
If that leader can convince those they lead that they are a child of God, a child of the covenant, and a disciple of Jesus Christ, not one more behavioral expectation will be needed.
Like I said, this is a higher law.
Expectations are cheap.
Revealing identity is a journey.
It takes a different type of leader who is on their own quest for identity.
This quest for leading via identity takes away the manufactured goal chart.
It requires a leader to step out from behind the lectern and into the lives of those they lead.
It requires relationship, connection, vulnerability.
With that said, let me warn you that this is not an easy path: that’s why I frame it as a higher law.
If you were to follow me around in a leadership capacity, you would still find expectations creep in just like you would find me slumping into sin from time to time.
Expectations are necessary in transactional relationships or administrative tasks.
If I am a bishop, I am naturally going to “expect” my bishopric to show up to bishopric meeting each Tuesday night.
But when I am trying to lead an organization to a remarkable vision, pounding the drum of expectations will only get you so far.
Expectations may appear to stimulate progress, but at what costs?
Help them believe who they are, and then they will become who God intended them to be.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Expectations are Cheap appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 Highlights 06:30 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 Links Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover, by Jason Coombs Brick House Recovery Recovering Saints Virtual Conference TRANSCRIPT coming soon Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library, including the Liberating Saints Conference
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,
Rich Watson currently resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, just near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, and has an education in psychology, with other degrees in education and social sciences. He has been happily married for over 22 years and has 4 amazing children. Since his retirement from the military, he works for a veteran service organization, in their mental health department. He and his team provide resiliency-based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. He joined the church in 1996 and has had the pleasure of serving in varying leadership roles, some of them multiple times. (One of the “benefits” of moving so often during his military career.) These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, young mens presidency, branch president, bishopric, high council, and more. Rich also has shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…As a convert to the Church I never quite grabbed hold of the importance of General Conference and the importance of hearing from our leaders frequently. However, in 2010, I was deployed to Afghanistan for several months and during this time missed the April session, which, at the time, I didn’t think was that big of a deal for me. However, following a prompting from an individual I was deployed with, I challenged myself to make it a priority to study the conference I had missed when I was deployed. This was the first time I had studied conference, rather than just listen to it, since my conversion.
How Promptings GrowShortly after this, my wife and I decided to use this prompting to make our daily conversations more impactful while I was away.
Being the Excel nerd that I am, I decided to make a simple Excel sheet that would have us each listen to one conference talk a day with the intent of discussing that talk during my nightly conversation with her. This proved to be such an instrumental decision for us, and we haven’t looked back since then.
Upon returning home from the deployment, when the October conference came around, we shared this approach with our ward and several participated with us. We continued to do this as a ward even after moving.
In 2013, while serving on the High Council we shared this idea with the stake and we started a Facebook group, wherein we would post the schedule, and each day post a link to the talk we were going to study. That way, individuals would comment on the talk and everyone could have a discussion about what impressions they received.
The Facebook group, which is now called “General Conference Challenge,” was created in April 2013 and has since grown to over 10,000 followers in countries all around the globe.
Thoughts from April 2023 ConferenceAs my wife and I continue to facilitate this group, it helps us to hear each talk, ponder it, read comments from others, and more. With that backdrop, the intent for this article is not to share one particular talk from General Conference, but rather share a few insights on various talks that have been presented to my wife and I as part of the April 2023 General Conference Challenge.
Empowering Through DelegationAfter the Fourth Day – Elder Mark W. Bassett
Referring to Christ having His disciples move the stone, as opposed to commanding it to move, from where Lazarus was laid, Elder Bassett stated:
“That which His disciples could do, He instructed them to do. The disciples were certainly capable of moving the stone themselves.”
How often do we as individuals, as leaders, as parents, as significant others, do so much for others that we are enabling them? An example that we see all too frequently is a loving bishop who takes everything on himself, rather than delegating that which he can to his Relief Society or Elder’s Quorum Presidents. When this occurs it can, and often does lead, to compassion fatigue for that Bishop coupled with a lack of feeling needed for the other two leaders. The delegation, which is shown by the Savior here, is not about delegating tasks, any leader can do that. Rather it is about delegating authority to those in your stewardship; trusting and empowering them to lead.
The Impact of Positive IntentFollowers of the Prince of Peace – Elder Ulisses Soares
In this talk there was a great emphasis on not speaking negatively about one another, rather using uplifting and edifying language. He states:
“Consider ways we can transform ourselves into uplifting and supportive people, people who have an understanding and forgiving heart, people who look for the best in others…”
One of the most difficult aspects of this earthly experience is assuming positive intent in others, often most frequently with those closest to us. When we can work with others, even those we disagree with, from the standpoint of assuming positive intent, the conversation will change.
Recently, while facilitating a couple’s retreat, I was able to take the couples on a tandem kayaking excursion. Before leaving the shore, I asked the question “Do any of you have the intent of flipping over your kayak once you get in the water?” Of course, the unanimous answer was that not a single person wanted to do so.
With that in mind, my next statement was “Perfect, then if your partner is doing something contrary to what you think is right, you now know they are not trying to flip the kayak, they are doing what they think is right. You both have the same goal, to stay in the kayak.” After the kayaking we spent some time discussing how viewing problems or disagreements from that same lens can help us in our daily lives. If we assume those we interact with are not trying to “flip over our kayak” then we can proceed in a significantly more Christ-like manner. As Elder Soares stated we can proceed in a way that “is more cordial and sensitive to the needs of our fellow beings.”
Christ Has the Ultimate SolutionFocus on Jesus Christ – Brother Milton Camargo
Sharing a comment from his father, Brother Camargo opened his talk with:
“Don’t focus so intensely on your problems that you can’t see the solution.”
The talk was geared towards allowing Christ to be the solution to our problems and not allowing any problem to overshadow that. This single piece of advice encompasses so many of the roles we take on. As leaders in the church, to help individuals, we often focus on solving the problem with our wisdom, our experience, our ideas, and more. However, when it comes to Church stewardship, the answer we often seek will rest with Christ, the ultimate solution. Praying for His guidance, searching through His words, and, keeping covenants made with Him, will open our aperture to solutions we have yet to think about. This also applies to other aspects of our life; His guidance is not limited to what happens in the realm of our calling. Rather we can, in all aspects of our life, strive to not focus so much on the problems we are presented with and focus on Christ, the solution.
Standing FirmHosanna to the Most High God – Elder Ronald A. Rasband
In discussing Palm Sunday and the week that would follow, Elder Rasband stated:
“They were drawn to Him, His miracles, and His teachings. But the adulation for many did not last. Some who earlier had shouted, “Hosanna,”soon turned and cried, “Crucify him.”
I don’t know if any single statement from this particular conference impacted me as deeply as this. Living in this world, we are often inclined to sway with the popular trend. What we see on social media, what we see successful individuals doing, what we hear on the news, etc. We allow the opinions of others to influence us. In doing so, we never become fully cemented in our values, The same values that are supposed to guide and direct us throughout our life. If we don’t have firm values we have no clear direction and will consistently go with whatever, or whomever is in the moment. We have to be firm in our values and beliefs to find lasting joy in this life. A purpose-driven life is a life that is guided by our values, and what is important to us, not to those around you.
The Impact of RememberingWhile these were just a few examples of how just a sentence or two from the April 2023 General Conference that have impacted me, there are so many more that likely haven’t even been found.
We each have an opportunity, twice a year, to hear those who are called to be our spiritual leaders—men and women of great faith, who have diligently prepared messages for us.
Our conversion is an ongoing endeavor. Thus, our charge is to listen to the messages, discern how each applies to our lives, keep them in our hearts and minds, and implement them for our betterment—a process that if we continually do will help us grow into the individuals He intends us to be.
If you would like to join us in our General Conference Challenge, we’d love to have you check it out.
The post Continual Conversion – The Impact of Conference Talks appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post “I’m Not the Gatekeeper, I’m the Welcoming Committee” | An Interview with Kurt Brown appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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, 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.
The post Offering Your Authentic Self to Those You Lead | A How I Lead Interview with Tommy Wilson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Ryan Snarr grew up in Layton, UT. He is a life-long church meeting doodler. He fulfilled a calling as a full-time missionary in the Lima Perú South, and later was called to serve as a musical missionary in the then Mormon Tabernacle Choir (now Tabernacle Choir on Temple Square) from 2008-2016. Other callings in gospel doctrine and in the Elder’s quorum have given him valuable opportunities to lead gospel discussions over the last 20+ years. He currently serves as his ward’s bishop. His home is in Syracuse, UT with his wife and four children. He works as a marketing director by day and a freelance illustrator and graphic designer by night.
Enter Ryan…In an effort to share some visual insights regarding several gospel truths, this article shares graphics along with the spiritual imaginings that accompanied their creation.
All is Swell, All is SwellThis graphic aligns with a reimagined version of Lehi’s Tree of Life dream in my head. It also incorporates some ideas from the seed mentioned in Alma 32. All trees start with some kind of seed, right? The central question I’m pondering here is:
- What if the tree of life doesn’t exist unless I plant it?
- If I do my part in giving place for the seed, and do all I can to nurture it, wouldn’t the end result have the potential to resemble what Lehi experienced in his vision?
- What if the planting of the seed, and caring for it, mentioned by Alma, was akin to beginning your journey on the straight and narrow path in Lehi’s dream?
Rather than an iron rod as an adjacent railing-like feature, this pictured iron rod is more like a rake or a shovel. With this iron rod in hand, one can dig, dung, and nurture the growing tree (borrowing language from the prophet Zenos as quoted in Jacob 5) as it strengthens and grows heavenward.
Diligent EffortOur own individual effort to care for the tree isn’t sufficient as we need both heaven-sent light and water (symbols of Christ) to feed, strengthen and nourish it. It is also through Christ that our special tree will withstand the force of gravity (gravity of sin/natural man) enabling it to stand tall with branches wide, constantly reaching for the sky.
Over time, our diligent effort will allow us to behold a magnificent tree—even a tree of life.
We didn’t search for this tree like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow; but instead, God allowed us the opportunity to bind ourselves to Him in the growing/caring of it.
It is magnificent to BeholdIt is strong and standing tall because of the Savior and your effort in strengthening a testimony of Him. You’ve created this tree with Him as you’ve given Him the most prominent place in your heart.
The characteristics of the most desirable fruit on this tree echo the efforts that went into growing it in the first place.
The sweetness of the fruit bears witness to the beauty of the planting/growing/nurturing process.
How Wonderous God’s Plan of happiness!He allows each of us the choice to plant His word (the seed) in our hearts. We nourish it with our faith and our efforts. Through God’s grace it is allowed to grow heavenward and bear the most delicious fruit.
What good does it do to mentally reimagine this account of the Tree of Life?
How does this help us serve as leaders in the church?
Figuring Things Out With the Word of GodFor me, it’s all about encouraging personal accountability and taking an active approach to gospel application in every aspect of life. I’m not simply following a checklist of tasks along a straight and narrow path, but I’m toiling, I’m working, I’m making mistakes and I’m figuring things out with the word of God to guide me.
To me, there is so much more to gain from planting a seed and nurturing it into a fully grown tree than solely setting off in search of one. The resulting fruit, the literal fruit of my labor, would be most delicious partly due to all that I’d experienced through the growing process.
Rolling Up Our SleevesGod didn’t answer Joseph Smith’s prayer in the sacred grove by simply telling him not to join the other churches. He would become the prophet of the restoration that would initiate the building of the Kingdom of God on earth. He wasn’t just to endure hardship until the Kingdom appeared, he had to roll up his sleeves and get building it. This is something he had to figure out each step of the way. It is a work we’re invited to take part in that continues on a global scale today.
This quote has come to my mind several times as I’ve pondered this idea:
“I came to America because I heard the streets were paved with gold. When I got here, I found out three things: First, the streets weren’t paved with gold; second, they weren’t paved at all; and third, I was expected to pave them.” Quote from an unknown immigrant
What makes this quote memorable is the irony in this poor immigrant’s realization. Was the idea of streets paved with gold worth him/her sacrificing much to find them? Yes, and for so many, those immigrant journeys were really rough. But would it also be worth traveling to a foreign land, and then unexpectedly have to pave the streets of gold you’ve heard about yourself?
Seeking to Be BuildersHerein lies the real question; a question that I submit Latter-day Saints should be asking themselves. We shouldn’t only be seeking streets paved with gold, we should be seeking to also be builders of these streets.
As it relates to the Tree of Life, we should seek that tree starting with the seed. We should want to plant that seed in our hearts just like Alma described to the poor Zoramites (Alma 32:28). Our faithfulness in giving place to that seed, allowing it to grow tall and strong, and enjoying the fruit it bears is what the gospel is all about.
Giving Place To the SeedThe gift of the atonement, the grace of God, is what enables this to take place. It is the light and water that make the tree grow. Our job is to give place to the seed in soil we condition for spiritual growth.
As church leaders, we can look at church meetings and interaction with members as grand opportunities to “condition the ground” and help members to understand the importance and desire that spiritual growth—to embrace the work of seeing a seed grow into a tree.
The first verse of 1 Nephi chapter 8 confused me because it seemed to randomly introduce seeds out of nowhere. As I ponder this reimagined idea, I don’t find this verse so random anymore.
The post Growing and Strengthening the Kingdom appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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, 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.
The post Engaging the Bystanders | An Interview with Keyth Pankau appeared first on Leading Saints.
There is a quadrant that is often used when teaching leadership in the Church.
Maybe you have seen it.
It combines the power of love and the power of expectation in one quadrant.
Elder Andersen has referenced it in a few trainings, and it was even referenced in my recent interview with Elder Lynn G. Robbins.
Now, take my opinion for what it’s worth, considering I’m about to give an alternate opinion to an apostle and a remarkable former seventy.
This wouldn’t be an intriguing newsletter if I didn’t ask you, “Hear me out!”
Generally speaking, this quadrant is a very effective way to approach leadership.
It makes sense to aim for a high expectation / high love relationship with all those we lead.
Here’s the problem…
Expectations are poison.
The reason it is poison is that it requires a leader to leverage shame for it to work.
In fact, that is why you can probably think of several high-expectation leaders who are successful.
High expectations are effective because shame is effective.
Why do you think the adversary uses it so much?
Expectation naturally causes people to question their identity.
If we live up to a leader’s expectation, we feel like it confirms a positive identity, and we can feel good about ourselves.
However, when we don’t live up to a leader’s expectation, our identity feels broken.
Our identity is set as a child of God and can never be increased or decreased.
However, our perception of that identity can be manipulated to feel like it has changed.
The problem with employing expectation (shame) and love at the same time is that these are competing values.
The first is damaging, and the other is healing.
In this effort, it would be very common for an individual to feel like, “You are saying you love me, but you are also saying my identity is flawed.”
Even if the leader doesn’t intend for that message to be communicated, it will most likely be communicated if you try to leverage expectation.
Let me offer a reframing of this quadrant idea.
Instead of high expectation / high love, may we instead aim for high identity / high love?
Divine identity and love will always push us in the same direction and are highly motivational.
As leaders, instead of laying out our expectations, leaders should focus on the goals of whatever effort you are involved in (i.e. missionary work, ministering, callings) and then continuously remind them of their divine identity as someone who can accomplish remarkable things.
In that posture, it is impossible not to offer high love because the focus is on the divine identity and not the behavioral expectations.
I’ve been practicing these principles being a father of a 10-year-old soccer-playing daughter.
After a typical game where she has performed well, I avoid saying, “I’m proud of you.”
Instead, I offer a statement which articulates how I see her divine identity: “I always knew you were the type of player that could be aggressive on the field.”
After a game where maybe she didn’t perform as well, I say something similar that keeps the focus on her set divine identity like, “I always knew you were the type that never gives up when things aren’t going well on the field.”
What do you think?
Are expectations in leadership poison?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Expectations are Poison appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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, 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.
The post Helping Stakes & Wards Work Together to Create Awesome Church Activities | A How I Lead Interview with Jenna Rhoads appeared first on Leading Saints.
Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as ward mission leader, elders quorum president, and bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been primary teacher, temple ordinance worker in the Lubbock Texas Temple, and as a scoutmaster just prior to his current calling. He has been married to Karen Farrell for 28 years and they have four fantastic children at ages 26, 21, 18, and 14 with two sons serving on missions at this time. They especially enjoy being “Pops” and “Boo” for their 6-month-old grandson. Tommie has been a physician for 22 years with 17 years of these dedicated completely to the field of Hospice and Palliative Medicine where he takes care of patients and families with critical illness and end-of-life care.
Enter Tommie…Our prophet called for peacemakers in our April 2023 conference.
“One of the easiest ways to identify a true follower of Jesus Christ is how compassionately that the person treats other people.”
His entire talk instructs well on how we do this. I don’t believe our prophet’s words need any addition, but some of us following the prophet will be at different levels of ability and comfort at being compassionate in our communications with others.
The Seeds of CompassionI work in a field of medicine in which being able to express compassion is a core skill set. One of my favorite speakers on the subject of compassion, Joan Halifax, states a belief I share –
“the seeds of compassion are present in all humans.”
If we have the desire that seed can be nurtured, and we can learn to express ourselves more and more compassionately.
In this article I will share some of the principles we aspire to in my field and connect these to gospel truths. This may help those who struggle to communicate as compassionately as they would like or those who want to hone this skill better. Of course, I believe that the best teacher on this subject is the Holy Ghost. Following the Spirit can lead a person to have charity and express compassion better than anything you can learn from the writings of a man. I hope that these words help connect to the Spirit.
Therapeutic PresenceOne way I have become better at my compassionate communication is following the principles of therapeutic presence. When we meet others, it is rarely a neutral event. We will either help them feel better about themselves and their relationship with God, or worse. The principles of therapeutic presence attempt to place you in the best emotional, mental ,and spiritual position to be a positive influence in every interaction. Some of the principles you may find easy and natural, especially if you have spent a lot of time in serving others. Some will be more awkward. They all fit naturally into the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Principles of Therapeutic Presence – Grounded and ConnectedIn order to be therapeutic with others we have to be in a good place personally with our emotions, mental state and spirituality. For those who are in the Lord’s service, we have the clearest direction on how to do this:
“And now, my sons, remember, remember that is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation…” Helaman 5:12
We also know the best way to build on this strength.
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
To walk in His light and show his light to others, we have to follow Him and be connected with Him. The daily actions of prayer, scripture, repentance and all the activities in building the kingdom of God of sharing the gospel and temple attendance give us the connections that bring us compassionate power. We can have confidence when we are connected to the Lord that He will bless our efforts.
Respect for OthersYou can’t help another if you don’t respect them. In the gospel we have the best perspective in thinking about our fellow man. We have been called to:
- “love thy neighbor as thyself,” Mark 12:31
- “love your enemies,” Matthew 5:44
- “let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men.” Doctrine and Covenants 121:45
For those I train at work I use the goal of holding an unconditional positive regard for all those we see. To love others is aspirational, but we can at least make the decision to not judge others before we know them well.
An experience from my personal life that impacted me was from my time as a young missionary for then Church in Michigan. I remember that in conversations with fellow missionaries it was easy for us to drift into negative conversations in regards to particular faiths. One group that we discussed on one occasion was members of the Jehovah Witnesses. I remember discussing with my companion afterwards that we didn’t see how we could ever share the gospel with members of the Jehovah Witness faith if we harbored inward prejudice towards them. We decided to speak differently and work on feeling differently about members of that faith.
Nothing happened at that time, but months later in my mission I had the blessing of meeting Jack and his family. They had been members of the Jehovah Witnesses. Sister missionaries found them at the right time in their life and my companion and I had the blessing of completing the lessons they needed prior to baptism. Jack and his wife and children became devoted members and my relationship with him was one of my favorites from my mission service.
Being Fully Focused on OthersThis may be the hardest of the essential elements of therapeutic presence. We are naturally focused on ourselves. Most of us who serve are juggling needs of our work, callings, and family. Our minds can be filled with responsibilities and tasks. But to communicate with others in the most compassionate manner, we must be focused on them and their needs in the moment. This requires practice and intention.
We keep all our thoughts on the encounter and the person before us. We don’t let technology get in the way. We take a moment prior to the encounter to ask for the Lord’s help in our intention to be compassionate and loving to the person with whom we are interacting.
This also includes blocking the negative emotions of others. When someone is going through a difficult moment, they may become defensive and even lash out. The natural response is to react defensively as well. Here is an example.
Imagine someone you are visiting with gets upset that you recommend a solid gospel principle to help them and they state, “you don’t really care about me, you care more about me going to church so you can feel good about yourself.”
How would you react? The natural response is to be offended and defend yourself with a response such as, “of course I care about you… I just spent all this time with you… “.
Regarding a moment like this, President Nelson teaches,
“The Savior’s message is clear; His true disciples, build, lift, encourage, persuade, and inspire – no matter how difficult the situation… Charity is the antidote to contention. Charity is the spiritual gift that helps us to cast off the natural man, who is selfish, defensive, prideful, and jealous.”
When practicing true compassion, consider that this person is hurting. Don’t internalize the negative emotion that they are directing towards you. Instead attempt to explore their feelings. Recognize that they are expressing an unmet need. This would be the true way to turn the other cheek.
In the example above, the person could feel judged by the gospel-centered recommendation. They may have had other well-meaning people give the same advice.
So going back to our response when they state that you don’t really care, how could we respond better? Consider the principle taught by the Proverb “A soft answer turneth away wrath.” Doctrine and Covenants 121:45
Here is how one could respond.
First apologize even if you did not intend the offense – “I’m sorry I made you feel that way.”
Don’t give a qualified, defensive apology, such as, “I am sorry you took my advice the wrong way?” Then after the apology seek to understand more. Some possible ways you could say this could include,
- “Let me listen more”
- “Help me understand better what true caring would look like to you?”
When I started this approach, I was surprised how often a sincere apology and caring response opened up previously unopened doors. I have had people apologize for their previous statement and say to me that they can tell I really care and thank me for listening.
Again, this skill of being able to focus on another and not internalize any of their negative and hurt feelings is not natural. Be patient with yourself when you don’t get it right. Every time you react the wrong way, reflect on how you could have done better, pray for the Lord’s help and be more determined to do better the next time.
I have gone through this cycle truly hundreds of times in my career and am grateful at how much more natural it has become for me to respond with compassion.
Monitoring Your Emotional ReserveAs many of you already know, service can be overwhelming at times. It is a natural part of this mortal existence to become drained while providing compassionate service. This last principle is very similar to the first one discussed.
When feeling that your own emotional reserve is low, be sure to take care of yourself. This can include a variety of techniques based off your circumstances and the moment.
Taking time for yourself, developing personal talents or hobbies, and journaling are practices we endorse in our professional training. How grateful I am in particular to journal writing as an encouragement of our faith tradition and I rely on it heavily.
On particularly heavy days or after a particularly intense emotional interaction with others, we need ways to get through the day since we still have to be pushing on with the activities of work or service for that given day. It is appropriate to take a pause in the activities and do something that connects you back to those things that bring you strength in the Spirit. I have three favorite ways to do this.
- Send a text to one of my children or to a sibling. Feeling connected to my family strengthens me.
- Say a quick prayer asking for the additional strength I need for the day.
- Think about a memorized scripture.
I especially like the memorized scripture because it is a practice I learned from the October 2011 talk by Richard G. Scott . He taught that the scriptures are “stalwart friends” and when we memorize a scripture it “is to forge a new friendship… who can help in time of need.”
I have some favorites that I say to myself when I need increased emotional reserve:
- From the Book of Mormon prophet Alma – “…never be weary of good works, but be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls.” Alma 37:34
- The other is a prayer from the Catholic Saint Francis: “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.”
Now the prophet, in his April 2023 conference talk, has added a new passage to memorize and use when I need to pause in the day. He did it in the form of a blessing:
“I bless you to replace belligerence with beseeching, animosity with understanding, and contention with peace.”
The Grace to Do BetterIn conclusion, we have been called from a prophet of God to be peacemakers. Our Father in Heaven can grant us this gift. The Savior’s Atonement makes it where we can keep repenting and asking for His grace to help us to do this better. The Spirit will guide us through the process of becoming better peacemakers. The principles above are some ways to consider applying specific practices to increase your ability to be a peacemaker and have compassionate conversations. They are only as important as the Spirit has guided you in how to apply them.
The post Becoming Peacemakers with Compassionate Conversations appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Connecting the General with the Individual | An Interview with Reyna and Elena Aburto appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Offering Love & Acceptance to All | A How I Lead Interview with Dave Olsen appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rachel Leavitt is a nurse, health coach, educator, wife, and mother. She is a mother to seven amazing children of God and married to a husband who is able to provide a wonderful push to her pull, while navigating spaces of faith and doubt together. She currently serves as a counselor in the Relief Society and has served in the primary in numerous roles. Her favorite calling is Sunday School teacher.
Enter Rachel…This year, I had done such a good job in preparing for general conference. With the upcoming spring equinox and the symbolism of Easter in mind, I had taken time to contemplate new life, new ideas, and new directions, and I had written down four questions I wanted to sit with during conference.
I have found that preparing in advance with the right questions does wonders for me. These were questions that had resonated with my heart and mind, which are the two things that have become more important to me in the development of faith.
I had given some thought to providing activities for my younger children to do and invited everyone to participate. I was hoping all this would allow me to have my own time and space to focus on what I felt God was sharing with me.
Yet, halfway through the first session, I was flustered and frustrated for a number of different reasons. I finally walked outside to sit and ponder what I needed to do to experience God this weekend.
I sat down on my porch and began a familiar routine of breathing and grounding as a way to calm my anxiety and frustrations that had bubbled up. I noticed the feeling of my feet on the ground and the sun warming my skin. I allowed my breath to move through me and calm my thoughts and emotions.
My attention then turned to my heart. I felt Amulek’s words where he taught that we should “let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer” (Alma 34:27). At that moment, I felt God again and I sat for a moment in that space.
I imagined perhaps that all of the other members watching conference may also have been taking a moment to try to tune their hearts to the spirit, all in their own unique ways.
I’m sure we were finding different ways and different moments to reflect on God, but we were doing it together all across the globe. A group of seemingly unrelated people coming together as covenant-makers to work at listening to what the spirit may speak to us through the words of our general leadership.
Preparing for InspirationMany of the steps I took before and after conference to strengthen my relationship with God, are ones that we could categorize under the term “Sunday School answers”. You could certainly say I was praying, reading my scriptures, listening to leaders, etc.. But I have begun to explore a deeper meaning of these answers, under a term that is known as contemplative practices that help make the general more personal.
ContemplationThe definitions of contemplation and contemplative practices are hard to nail down. They are used by various organizations in various ways. To provide a common understanding, I will provide a few different definitions.
The Encyclopedia Britannica defines contemplation as,
“the act of thinking deeply about something”, or “the act of looking carefully at something.”
One contemplative group defines contemplative practices as a way to
“facilitate and deepen our relationship with God. The more we practice and allow the transformation process to happen, the more we are able to experience the Indwelling Presence in everything we do. Contemplative practices give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear God calling us to the banquet that is our lives, as they are.”
The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society breaks contemplative practices down into seven categories.
- Stillness (Pondering, prayer, silence)
- Generative (Remembering, beholding, charity, gratitude, scripture study)
- Creative (Music, journaling, art, acting)
- Active (Ministering, service, fasting/tithing, activities)
- Relational (Bearing others burdens, counseling, dialoguing, storytelling)
- Movement (This is something we don’t do in our faith, but it may include things such as religious dancing or yoga)
- Ritual (Priesthood blessings and ordinances)
Essentially, contemplative practices are ways that we utilize our mind, spirit, and body to draw closer to God. Within our faith we utilize a lot of practices typically associated with this genre, but I find we often leave out the contemplation part of it. We just go through the motions, so to speak. While I know many who would like to bring the contemplative part into their practices, yet they have not seen examples of this or know what it may look like. In my personal porch example above, I utilized prayer, breathe work, visualization, stillness, and pondering.
Making it PersonalA huge benefit of incorporating contemplative practices, though, is that it helps us bring the generalized down to the personal. It allows us to feel and understand what the spirit teaches us in ways that are unique to us. Thus, we can take words spoken by our leaders to a generalized audience and find ideas, thoughts, and meanings meant specifically for us.
As an example of one way to find meaning in conference talks, I’ll walk you through a contemplative exercise based on a method called lectio divina. Before we begin, find a paragraph or even just a few words that you seemed to connect to during conference (you can even find some that bothered you or made you uneasy).
Contemplative Practice ExamplesGrounding: Begin with a deep breathe in and paying attention as it fills your lungs. I like to imagine God’s love filling me in the same way my breathe is. Sometimes I bring more imagery in as I visualize a light filling me from my heart out with each breath.
Writing: Write down the words or phrases from the conference talk you are wanting to ponder. Read it out loud slowly two or three times.
Reflection: Reflect on words or phrases that stand out to you. Color, underline or decorate those words/phrases on your paper. Notice any feelings that may arise. How does your body respond to those words? What questions arise as you reflect? They may or may not be related to what you read. Write them down.
Connecting to God: How do these words connect you to God? What do you feel God is trying to teach you? If you feel disconnected by the words you read, how is God leading you to feel re-connected?
Rest: Breathe in again and sit with any new insights you may have gained. Let go of any worries that you haven’t done enough or learned enough. Release any anxiety over whether or not you understand things perfectly. Allow yourself space to be grateful or experience any thoughts or feelings you may have had during this reflection.
Moving ForwardPerhaps the above contemplative practices resonated with you, or maybe a variation would work more effectively for you. I just invite you to consider some sort of contemplative effort as you review notes you may have taken during conference, or as you read the printed conference talks.
We now have six months to review, reflect and contemplate the inspiration God was sharing with us through the speakers at conference. I encourage each one of us to take the time to discover how we can best connect our heart and mind to this faith growing opportunity.
The post Finding the Personal in General Conference Talks appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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 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.
The post Part 1: How to Hug a Transgender Latter-day Saint | An Interview with Katherine Herrmann appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is Part 2 of a 2-part conversation. Listen to Part 1 here.
Podcast audio for this part will be available soon.
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
North Star Saints
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, 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.
The post Part 2: How to Hug a Transgender Latter-day Saint | An Interview with Katherine Herrmann appeared first on Leading Saints.
In my most recent newsletter message, I highlighted that doctrine is less effective if it is framed poorly.
I shared some dramatic examples to communicate my point, but most of the examples sounded like they were framed by some type of anti-Mormon.
My attempt at creating contrast may have given you the impression that only those who are antagonistic against the Church are those who frame our doctrine poorly.
This caused me to rack my brain to think of common poor framing of doctrine I often hear within the context of orthodox members.
Here is a list of 8 poorly-framed doctrines I often hear taught or shared among believing Latter-day Saints.
I’d love your help in adding to this list.
Doctrine Framed Poorly
-
Families can be together forever
-
We just need to love
-
Keeping the commandments leads to happiness
-
Service solves bad days
-
If you fall short in serving others then the sin will be over your head
-
God is disappointed in you
-
The Holy Ghost is your special friend
-
Sin vs. Serious Sin
Each one of these deserve their own newsletter for further explanation (I’ve already addressed some of these in past newsletters).
The tricky thing about framing doctrine poorly is that there is truth in each one, but that doesn’t mean the framing is accurate.
Here’s a quick explanation of each one:
Families can be together forever – We all sing this song, but it is an oversimplification of doctrine that gives people the impression that we won’t associate in eternity with those who did not maintain the covenant path.
We just need to love – I love this bumper sticker phrase, and, again, there is truth here; however, it is often communicated in a way that dismisses the existence of sin and the corrupting nature of sin.
Keeping the commandments leads to happiness – This oversimplified framing can lead to a prosperity gospel mindset. Keeping the commandments plus consistency does not equal happiness. I have seen too many people leave the gospel because it “doesn’t work.” No, that framing doesn’t work.
Service solves personal problems – I’ve already discussed this in a past newsletter. The concept of solving a personal struggle by finding someone else to serve isn’t a terrible idea, but often it becomes a way of ignoring the problem happening in your own heart by distracting yourself with someone else’s problem.
If you fall short in serving others then the sin will be over your head – This is one I remember well from my full-time missionary days. To keep us motivated, it was often stated that if we didn’t work hard enough to share the gospel with others we would “pay for it!” Somehow, we ignore the 2nd Article of Faith when this doctrine is framed so poorly.
God loves you but is often disappointed in you – I literally wrote an entire book on this awful false doctrine (coming out this spring). Why would God be disappointed in us when He gave us a Savior that saved us? He’s our biggest cheerleader in mortality—not our disappointed eternal parent.
The Holy Ghost is your special friend – This is a common poor framing I often hear at 8-year-old baptisms. Yes, it’s cute to frame the gift of the Holy Ghost as a new special friend that will tell us what is right and wrong; however, the more powerful framing is the cleansing agent of this member of the Godhead. He cleanses us of sin through the grace of Jesus Christ each week as we renew our covenants. Special friends are great; cleansing me of my sin is better.
Sin vs. Serious Sin – We often frame sin as external behaviors we sometimes participate in. This leads to us classifying some sin as “serious sin.” However, all sin separates us from God, and if we think we are doing okay by avoiding “serious sin,” it leads to less repenting. It’s not about repenting from sin as much as it is about removing the sinner from our character and crucify our old man on the cross with Jesus. (Romans 6:6)
What doctrine do you hear poorly framed among believing people?
I am not immune to poorly framing doctrine either.
Which doctrine above have I framed poorly?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Doctrine Framed Poorly at Church appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Helping Others be Heard and Earning Their Buy-in | A How I Lead Interview with Ashley Smith appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jill Armijo is a physical therapist assistant, health coach, author, editor, and ghostwriter. She lives in Ogden, Utah, with her husband, Joe, a Navy veteran, and her terrier mutt, Meggie. They raised three boys and have the best daughter-in-law, one on the way, and two grandchildren. Jill enjoys playing with the kiddos, walking the dog, hiking, star gazing, gardening, reading, eating, and cheating at Scrabble with Joe. Writing and publishing her book, Home of the Unknown Soldier, was a healing and transformational work that provided a new perspective and love for everyone in their story. You can contact Jill by email at jjdedarmijo@yahoo.com.
Enter Jill…At April General Conference, 1991, Neal A. Maxwell gave one of his signature talks using the most exact and descriptive words to convey his meanings. One must listen carefully, not even trying to take notes (especially those of us with ADD), then go back and study what he said. It takes patience, intent, and maybe a dictionary to extract all we can from the wisdom of this beloved leader.
This talk addressed many lesson topics, such as how to be closer to the Savior, build faith, gain testimonies, and withstand temptation. Leaders, teachers, and advisors frequently cite the “Sunday School answers” serve, study, pray, and worship. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds,” Ensign, May 1991, 88
Emma Addams wrote an insightful article sharing her application of Elder Maxwell’s prescription. She related her “tendency to look for grand answers” to her challenges and determination as a gospel doctrine teacher to ask profound questions that would elicit new, insightful responses other than the “Sunday School answers” offered each week.
Emma said, “I found the answers to my challenges by reading the scriptures, praying daily, serving my family and others, and attending the temple and my Sunday meetings. I learned that those simple things make the difference between enduring, and enduring well and with patience. The “Sunday School answers” really are the best answers.” Is this formula the magic bullet?
Could Emma have overlooked an essential piece of her experience? Let’s look at what the “Sunday School answers” are.
- Read scripture
- Pray
- Serve
- Attend the temple
- Go to church
They are actions. Behaviors. Righteous ones. Potentially life-altering efforts.
Missionaries, newlyweds, teenagers, and grandparents do them.
Pharisees did them too. Instead of joyfully and gratefully recognizing and following the Savior, they demanded his crucifixion.
Many people devoutly practice this list yet struggle to endure life’s challenges without abandoning their membership with the church in the end.
What if we do all four of these essential things—serve, study, pray, and worship—and still feel a lesser measure of promised blessings? Some find discipleship constraining and the world appealing. These individuals are merely going through the motions without real intent.
The missing piece isn’t another thing to DO; it’s something to DESIRE.
Sunday School behaviors don’t lead to any particular results without intent. Desire comes from thoughts that create a longing for a result, prompting actions with much less gut-wrenching effort and willpower.
Lamoni’s AnswersKing Lamoni demonstrated a sincere desire to learn when he asked Aaron to teach him. (Alma 22: 5-18.) His intent is powerfully evident in his expressions:
- Verse 5 “. . . What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? . . .”
- Verse 6 “What is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved. . . ”
- Verse 7 “. . . if now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe.”
- Verse 11 “. . . I desire that ye should tell me concerning all these things, and I will believe thy words.”
- Verse 15 “. . . What shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? . . . I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.”
Then, in verse 17, the king prayed. He prayed with belief, faith, intent, and desire enough to forsake all he possessed, even his entire kingdom. This sounds like many new members of the church who sacrificed all they had to travel immense distances under challenging circumstances to receive temple blessings.
Lamoni’s prayer and members’ sacrifices to attend the temple are actions performed only after thoughts and beliefs created a yearning for truth and joy.
Thinking we should DO the “Sunday School answers” feels like work.
The DESIRE to connect with God feels hopeful, loving, and restful. He wants us to “. . . continue faithful (not busy) in all things, . . . not be weary in mind, neither darkened.” (D&C 84:80)
Moroni’s Answers Moroni 10:3-5 contains counsel that must precede the “Sunday School answers” to produce meaningful growth.
- Remember the Lord’s mercy.
- Receive His word.
- Ponder it in your heart.
- Ask with sincerity and intent.
- Have faith in Christ.
- Recognize truth through the Holy Ghost.
While this counsel is also a list of actions, notice the depth of thought, feeling, and desire in seeking connection with Christ.
Remember mercy.
Receiving His word feels more like a gift and less like a chore that many diligent saints consider studying the scriptures to be.
Pondering the word brings peace, and asking sincerely with intent suggests an interest in receiving answers rather than simply “saying a prayer.”
Recognizing the Holy Ghost feels like companionship, a group effort, yoking ourselves with the Savior so truth comes to us naturally.
How does Moroni’s list feel to you? Does it make the Sunday School behaviors seem more like appealing quests than duties to earn or deserve an outcome? Remember Alma’s invitation to experiment with the word?
He talks about desire and planting, nourishing and faith, not about doing more tasks. When we desire, plant, and nourish faith, the behaviors become engaging instead of tiring.
Church and temple attendance are beautiful activities that can bring us close to heaven. In the temple, the veil feels thin, and we’re blessed with glimpses of eternity and our connection with the whole family of Adam and Eve.
But going to church and the temple only feels that way if we want them to. Hebrews 4:2 teaches, “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”
Elder Maxwell’s AnswersBuilding faith is often preceded by circumstances that shape us and prepare us to hear the word” (Alma 32:6), but only if we don’t harden our hearts. Alma taught that if our hearts are hard, our state will be awful, and we will be uncomfortable in God’s presence. (Alma 12:13-14)
Leaders who emphasize behaviors without nurturing our members with love and faith risk losing the hearts of those who do all the right things but don’t embrace a desire to partner with Christ.
Fostering the beginning of a “desire to believe” and then exercising a “particle of faith.” (Alma 32:27) requires learning what members in our stewardship hope for and helping them see a way to happiness through faith in Christ.
While faith is not perfect knowledge, it brings deep trust in God.
Serving with meekness and lowliness (Alma 37:34), Alma teaches us never to be weary of good works but to find rest to our souls as we avoid the wearying burdens of self-pity and hypocrisy. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2012/10?lang=eng
Joseph Smith Sr.’s AnswersBefore we embark on missions or engage in any service to God, we must understand what qualifies us for practicing and teaching the “Sunday School answers.”
The fourth section of Doctrine and Covenants teaches how our thoughts and feelings must precede service to bring success and joy to ministers and their flocks.
- 1 Now behold, a marvelous work is about to come forth among the children of men.
- 2 Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. (emphasis added)
- 3 Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;
- 4 For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul;
- 5 And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. (emphasis added)
- 6 Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. (emphasis added)
- 7 Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Amen.
Our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, and emotions point us to and create the desire to engage in the “Sunday School answers” of asking and knocking so we might receive all God wants for us.
The post Engaging in Sunday School Answers as we Partner with Christ appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post The Secret to Happiness is Improvement | An Interview with Riley Jensen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Strengthening Relationships with Young Women | An Interview with Kim Partridge appeared first on Leading Saints.
Steve Donegan is a retired U.S. Army warrant officer. He joined the Army and made this prophetic statement during his initial training: The Army will either make me an alcoholic or a Christian. Luckily, he chose the latter and joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints during his third year of service. His Army career took him into many locations in Europe, to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and around the United States. In each location he served as a teacher at many levels, counselor and/or secretary in many presidencies, and a student at the feet of many who knew/know more than him. His Eternal Companion, Kathleen, has given him three children on each side of the veil and the three on this side have provided nine grandchildren.
Enter Steve…Unity: something we strive for but seems out of reach in many of the aspects of our lives.
The decision we must start with is: are we looking for oneness, unification, or accord?
Each one of these three can be described as “unity,” just at different levels. Let us look at the three and see different examples of each.
OnenessWith oneness there is no need for unification or accord as each separate entity has the same mindset as the others. This is the unity expressed by Jesus as he stated that:
“I and my father are one” (John 10:30)
This simple, six-word sentence has caused great difficulty for some in figuring out the Godhead, though. Some see this statement as showing Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost are one entity. People who follow such thinking have been called to have a “oneness religion.” We members of the Church of Jesus Christ testify the Godhead is made up of three distinct entities: Elohim, Jehovah, and the Holy Ghost.
A Story of OnenessWhile at a restaurant one day I had an experience that illustrates this well. I was seated with a man and his fiancée who were attending a Bible college to become ministers for their church. During the conversation the subject of “oneness” came up. The man was adamant that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had it all wrong as the Godhead was one entity with three names.
The Holy Ghost thought this was a great time for teaching them—and me—about the Godhead. I was inspired to grab saltshakers from two other tables and add them to the one on ours. I then asked the man what he would get from any one of the shakers. “Salt,” was his answer. “How about the other two?” I asked. “Salt,” came the reply. So even though there are three distinctly different shakers on the table, you can get the same thing from each one? Is not this like asking Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and/or the Holy Ghost a question? Is not the reply going to be the same? (I will admit I do not think I convinced the man of my argument, but his fiancée seemed more than willing to come to my way of thinking. I wonder to this day if they stayed engaged.)
UnificationThis happens when we take a disparate group of individuals and get them to join under one banner. This normally takes three things: a strong, charismatic leader, a manager who can manage, and a willing-to-be-led group.
Let me take a moment to provide you with my definitions of a leader and a manager. Of note, the “managers” in this explanation could be bishopric members or organization presidencies.
- A Leader: has the vision of where the organization is going and what it will look like when it gets there; a strategic thinker.
- A Manager: a person (there can be more than one in an organization) who takes on the daily tasks that will, ultimately, fulfill the vision of the leader; a tactical thinker. While one person can do both, in the Church we have presidencies and bishoprics so no one person is required to do both.
While oneness is the supreme eternal goal, unification should be the goal of every organization’s leadership (this includes parents.) It can take a lot of work to unify a group and therefore it takes a lot of time. But it is time well spent.
One way to create unification of a group is by creating a single sentence or phrase that is decided upon that will become the guiding mantra of the organization. This could be decided by the bishopric or an organization presidency. When written and decided upon well, this mantra will inform or guide every decision that is made within the organization.
With this decided upon, the organization leaders then gather to divide up the responsibilities needing accomplished to bring the vision to pass. They then take the vision and the list of what needs doing to the populace for initiation.
A Story of UnificationThere is a story about when Harold B. Lee was president of the Church that illustrates the unification we are more likely to find as we go about our callings.
While meeting in the temple, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve discussed a matter of some importance to the Church. The newest member of the Twelve was late arriving. As he walked in, someone asked him how he felt about the subject being discussed. His answer was adamant and focused in on one direction – the exact opposite of what had already been discussed before he got there. When he was finished someone told the late comer that President Lee felt exactly the opposite. The late comer immediately voiced his support for President Lee’s opinion and came up with a list of why President Lee was right!
As a side note, humanity is a wonderful thing, and we should not lose sight of the humanity of others while we serve and lead.
AccordThis is a shortened way of saying, “We can agree to disagree.” In the categories of good, better, best, this is good, but there are better things to hope for.
If you can believe in the sentence/phrase you have selected for your vision, it is time to look at what Kurt Francom has been writing about in two recent newsletter messages: high love/high identity leadership. Get to know the individual(s) you feel are not totally committed to the vision and help them to see who they are and what their support for the vision means to the identities of others within the organization.
If you find yourself at this place in your leadership it might be well to remember the words of Elder Ulisses Soares from the October 2022 General Conference:
“Nurturing and presiding are opportunities, not exclusive limitations.”
“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:19–20)
The keyword in that scripture for our purposes is “agree.” Brothers and sisters, we need to agree. And not just to be agreeable. We need to see our part in not wasting precious time on petty disagreements, but getting on to the best part: ensuring the earth and its inhabitants are ready for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior!
Uniting Under a Common BannerUnity: we cannot get our organizations (even families) ready for the Second Coming without it. But while it is essential, it is also a hard-fought way to prepare for anything. When we truly want the Savior to be in our midst and supporting our vision/calling, we need to unite under a banner. In any undertaking there will be valleys to cross and mountains to climb. Do not get discouraged! If the Savior was included in the creation of your sentence/phrase, he will be there as the journey continues. I so testify from many experiences in the Church and out of it.
Surprises as We ServeIn conclusion, there is one last thing I must share. It is a quote from General George S. Patton:
“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.”
Gifts and talents were given to everyone before their sojourn on earth, use them. Be surprised at the identities you have at your fingertips. Let them become who they are: children of the Most High God.
The post Uniting Under a Common Banner appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Infusing Love in Your Ward Culture (243) | An Interview with Tyler Bastian appeared first on Leading Saints.
When it comes to people disengaging from the Church, we often hear the same typical reasons…
• Social issues
• Church history
• Negative church culture
• Church doctrine or theology
For believing Latter-day Saints, this is sometimes hard to understand as we have such a dynamic theology that include doctrines that provide so much hope in mortality.
However, it seems that one person can be repelled from the Church for the same doctrine that attracts another.
How could this be?
This leads me to a reason many people leave the Church that is rarely talked about.
This reason is our failure to effectively frame doctrine.
The way we frame doctrine could convert one heart while breaking another heart not because the doctrine has changed, but the framing of that doctrine is different.
For example, here is a list of basic doctrines and how they could be framed differently.
Notice the different feeling that comes from each framing of the same doctrine.
Eternal Families
• The doctrine of eternal families separates families in eternity.
• We are sealed together as families so that we can be exalted together and become more like our Heavenly Parents.
Three Degrees of Glory
• You must be married, sealed, and endure to the end or else you will be a servant in heaven.
• Heaven is available to all, and we will all have the opportunity to be eternally happy.
Word of Wisdom
• God will not allow you to be happy if you drink a cup of coffee.
• The Word of Wisdom is a commandment that allows us to seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ regardless of the long-term health benefits.
The Sacrament
• If you drink the sacrament unworthily, you are drinking damnation to your soul.
• The sacrament is a time to commit once again to a covenant relationship with Heavenly Father.
As leaders, we don’t just need to make sure doctrine is taught.
We also have a responsibility to make sure it is framed in a way the invites people unto Christ rather than shaming people unto Christ.
Doctrine framed incorrectly can cause people to feel exhausted by the idea of engaging in the gospel.
Generally speaking, we can make sure we are framing doctrine correctly by asking ourselves a few simple questions:
Is this doctrine helping people feel redeemed or condemned?
Is there a hopeful message in how I am explaining this doctrine?
Does this doctrine instill hope and love?
What do you think?
Do we need to pay more attention to how we are framing doctrine we teach?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Doctrine Framed Poorly appeared first on Leading Saints.
Amy Heaton Bailey lives in the Phoenix, Arizona area and works as a crafter, substitute released-time seminary teacher and ward Young Women president.
Enter Amy…“Love the young women!”
“Communicate with parents!”
“Don’t forget the stake activities!”
“Camp is in four months!”
“Let the youth lead! “
These are just a few of the things shouted by others, or in your own head, at any given time when you are the ward young women president…and it feels DAUNTING! Everything feels so important, and they are all interconnected. Drop the ball in one area and everything comes tumbling down.
The gospel of Jesus Christ isn’t about activities, meetings, or calendars; even though these are important aspects of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Gospel is about people, individuals, “The One”.
Planning Meetings Focused on the OnePresidency meetings can be overrun with planning activities and calendaring. It is easy for these details to take precedence when we should instead be considering specific needs of specific young women. Thus, discovering ways to spend the majority of the time on the young women takes some thinking outside of the box. Here are a few ideas where a text or email could be used to:
- Help plan how to guide a young woman on how to run a class presidency meeting
- Work out details of activities
- Calendaring future activities
As a ward young women presidency, we need to be considering the circumstances and needs of each individual young woman and plan how to help, support, and encourage them. By having some pre and post meeting texts or emails, we can keep the focus on the young women.
Where to BeginI moved into a new ward during the Covid 19 shut down. Within a few months, I was called to serve as the young women president. Even as a second time young women president, I felt at a complete loss. I didn’t know the young women or their families and they didn’t know me. It would be six months before I even saw some of their faces. I had no idea where to begin.
An Individual Focused AgendaShortly after receiving my new calling, the General Young Women and Young Men Presidency hosted an area leadership training. They asked us to meet weekly with our presidencies. They invited us to encourage our class presidencies to do the same. We reviewed the ‘Help for Presidencies’ section found on churchofjesuschrist.org and used the sample presidency agenda.
I must confess, I didn’t love it. There wasn’t enough room to make notes and add details. So, I used it as a guide to create my own. See the modified agenda:
Young Women Presidency Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Here are some key points to consider including on an agenda while striving to minister to each young woman:
- Whether they attend or not, list the name of each young woman (Modified Agenda: “Ministering to Our Young Women)
- Leave space to make notes about her life and needs
- Include names of non-baptized young women working with the missionaries that attend meetings and activities
- Follow up to include ward council, Sunday classes and activities
- Space for urgent bullet points (Modified Agenda: “For Your Information”)
- Review the calendar to include Sunday classes, activities, camp and stake activities
- Space for discussion on the needs of the young women leaders
By discussing our young women first, we kept them as our focus and invited the Spirit to deliver revelation regarding their needs throughout the rest of the meeting. Although there is a section to include plans and assignments, that’s just for notes, it’s not the focus.
Another valuable benefit of listing each girl and their needs is to ensure that when a new presidency is called, less active or non-member girls don’t get lost during the transition.
The Power of a Post Event ReviewOnce we are more proficient in planning ways to meet the needs of the girls, it’s beneficial to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities through reviewing those past activities.
I was on a community committee once that always held a post-mortem meeting. At the end of a project or event we would discuss how it went from start to finish and include notes for what we should do the same or different next time. This helped us evaluate our progress, improve, and avoid making the same mistakes.
On the modified young women agenda this post event review is in the “follow up” section. We include any information from other meetings such as ward council and stake leadership meetings. We discuss the previous Sunday lessons and activities. This is especially helpful as we are teaching our young women how to lead. For example, if we have overlooked a training detail that should be addressed, this gives us a place to make notes and correct the error
The Benefit of Reviewing the CalendarAs we move on in our meeting to “calendar review” we start making plans/assignments of Sunday classes. We record which young women and leaders the class presidencies has assigned to lead those discussions.
We calendar activities and the secretary schedules the building as needed. We always include future events that we are working toward such as camp. This is also when we talk about any assignments our ward has for stake activities.
Self-Care of Our PresidencyOur last section is “Leader Needs and Support.” Several of our young women leaders travel for work or family so we keep a list of when someone is away, and we may need help to maintain two-deep leadership for their classes and activities. This is also an area to keep track of calling changes that may be needed. We also use this section to support each other. Recently, one of our leaders had a baby and we were able to provide meals for her.
Effective Use of Time and EnergyWe upload the agenda into an online doc sharing service like OneDrive or Google. We can add to the agenda anytime during the week. On the off weeks we can do quick email or text message meetings where we are working off the same agenda.
By keeping the information current, we can do “Hallway Huddle-up” meetings on Sundays or after activities to follow up on details or make changes and reminders as needed. We have taught our class presidencies to use this simple agenda as well. We have made adjustments leaving more room for activity planning based on the service and activity planner found under ‘Help for Presidencies.”
By using this agenda, we have been able to hold 30–60-minute meetings twice a month and stay on top of all the details required to serve, teach and bless the young women of our ward.
The post Remembering the One During Planning Meetings appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Lead by Principle | An Interview with Eric Jenson appeared first on Leading Saints.
As with any institution, at Leading Saints we are constantly striving to refine our messaging so that we can continue to grow our audience.
During this process, our board of directors has been trying to answer the question, “What problem does Leading Saints solve?”
In an attempt to answer this question, I thought I would think-out-loud via the newsletter and then invite you to answer that question as well.
One tactic I use to brainstorm and get more ideas is from a writer/podcaster by the name of James Altucher.
Daily, he pushes himself to create a list of 10 ideas related to a specific topic or question.
This tactic forces your brain to come up with more than the obvious 3 ideas and see what more you can discover by sitting with the question longer.
Even if the idea feels crazy or stupid, write it down!
I have come up with some great new ideas using this method.
It’s simple and effective.
So here are my top-10 problems that Leading Saints strives to solve.
(These are simply in the order that I thought of them)
-
Leading Saints solves the problem of overwhelmed leaders
-
Leading Saints solves the problem of giving permission to leaders to step outside the norm (to be positively deviant)
-
Leading Saints solves the problem of a lack of leadership skillsets or ideas
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Leading Saints solves the problem of a lack of opportunities for character growth via in-person experiences (much like youth receive via FSY or a mission experience)
-
Leading Saints solves the problem of a lack of community among official leaders or those who lack a leadership calling but still seek to influence their local church and community
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Leading Saints solves the problem of boredom by giving people content to listen to while they do other tasks like yardwork, chores, or driving
…Now I am really stretching my mind to come up with more ideas
-
Leading Saints solves the problem of framing the problems that hold back leaders from success.
-
Leading Saints solves the problem of leaders being unaware of their weaknesses that are holding back their organization.
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Leading Saints solves the problem of creating content about difficult topics that the Church couldn’t talk about without resistance from outside groups and media.
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Leading Saints solves the problem of sharing the best ideas that leaders are using around the globe.
I might come up with better ideas later, but I’m leaving the list as is.
Raw and real.
Now I have three questions for YOU.
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What is a problem you face that could be overcome by making a list of 10 ideas?
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Add to my list. What would you say is the problem that Leading Saints solves?
-
Make your own list. What are the 10 problems your ward (or organization) solves?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post What problem does Leading Saints solve? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Being a Forerunner as a Leader | A How I Lead Interview with Laauli Faamausili appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His favorite was teaching early morning seminary. He currently serves in the high council as the stake Young Men president.
Enter Dack…In the early 1940’s, Robert was your typical teenager growing up in Southern California. However, when Pearl Harbor was attacked in December of 1941, Robert felt a call to join the Army. In 1943, at age 17, Robert obtained permission from his parents to enlist. Whatever he imagined warfare would be like from books or movies he had seen, Robert quickly learned that war was an awful engagement. Robert was among the first wave of soldiers to land on Omaha beach during the invasion of Normandy. Later he fought on the front lines in France and Belgium. Robert watched as friend after friend died. He witnessed death over and over again.
War – A World of DarknessTowards the end of the war, in April of 1945, Robert was among the first to enter the Dachau concentration camp as German guards fled their posts to escape capture by the Allied forces. Inside the gates he found gaunt prisoners riddled with lice, he saw common graves with bodies piled high, and a cremation ovens filled with human bones.
One of the prisoners, an old man that he described as bones covered by skin attempted to kiss his hand. At first, Robert didn’t understand. A two star general then explained to him that this wasn’t a work camp, it was an extermination camp where Nazi’s killed Jews, gypsies and Catholics. Stunned, he couldn’t believe the human family was capable of committing such atrocities.
Being born of Russian Jewish immigrants, witnessing this camp was particularly hard on Robert. Those who knew him would say there was the early version of Robert that hadn’t seen the camp, and then there was the later version that had. Robert himself would say, “In a half hour I saw enough to fill my nightmares for the rest of my life.”
Four days later his platoon was advancing towards a town called Breidenbach. While fighting behind enemy lines he became entangled in some barbed- wire fencing. Just as he was getting loose from the fence he was shot in the knee. He was rushed back to a field hospital. Over worked doctors and nurses worked on patients as best they could under the circumstances, but the cries of fellow soldiers echoed under the enormous tent. The bullet was removed from his knee after 4hrs of surgery. When he woke, the doctors told him that he would have trouble walking the rest of his life, if he would have the ability to walk at all. Robert would need the use of a cane for the rest of his life. The wound was bad enough to send Robert home.
Once home Robert had a desire to write novels. He wanted to express the things he had witnessed through language to let others know that at its worst the world could be filled with darkness and a sense of evil.
Personal Dark TimesWhile many of us haven’t gone to war, or experienced some of the horrors of a concentration camp, most of us have experienced dark times. I am speaking of times in our lives where we are brought to our knees in anguish and pain. I speak of those moments where we feel our hearts are literally being ripped in two or the fear of what we are facing is paralyzing.
Each of us have or will face these crushing moments of losing a job and not knowing how we will afford to feed our family or keep them in a home. They come as we face the news of a serious health concern for ourselves or someone we love. I have had several friends and family lose a child or a spouse. It is debilitating. You don’t want to move or talk to anyone. There are days where you cry yourself dry, where you cry so much that no more tears come out but you still keep crying and feeling the pain.
The Pain of Loved OnesThroughout life I have heard many talks and sermons on Christ’s atoning sacrifice and resurrection. I think most of us could recite the events of the week leading up to it. I have marked my scriptures and added notes about the last supper and those hours in Gethsemane. I have read a discourse on the medical description of what Christ’s body must have experienced in the final hours of his life. But what I have found to be the most powerful for me, is to ponder and think about what those moments must have been like for Mary his mother, Mary Magdalene, and the few apostles and disciples that were there at the cross, and then the few moments after.
While the Romans didn’t invent the act of crucifixion they had certainly perfected its usefulness of inflicting the maximum amount of pain on a person, without killing them. As well as using it as a powerful deterrent for any who dare to oppose their rule. The process of crucifixion is as lengthy as it is brutal. Some victims were known to have been on the cross for days. In Christ’s case at about 3 p.m. that Friday afternoon, Christ willingly gave up his life for all mankind.
Christ Willingly Gave Up His LifeI want to take a quick minute here and explain Christ’s death from a doctrinal standpoint. It should be understood that his death was not due to the natural process of organ failure. Jesus died because he voluntarily gave up his life. True that the torturous nature of crucifixion brought him to the point where he could choose to give up his mortal life, but it was ultimately His choice.
Death did not have power over him, did not control him. He controlled it and decided to submit to it. He taught,
“I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it again.”
In other words, our Heavenly Father passed on genetically to his literal, biological Son, the power of life. Jesus possessed the powers and attributes of eternal life independently, and this gave him the ability to choose to die only AFTER all things necessary to the plan had been accomplished.
But another factor also influenced the Savior’s death was the withdrawal of the Father’s Spirit and power.
Part of the reason that Christ was able to die was because, by necessity, the Father had to completely withdraw Himself from Christ while on the cross. This included withdrawing his life-giving, life-sustaining influence and powers. Christ had to experience both spiritual and physical death. He had to know what it was like to completely have God’s spirit removed from him, that he might know how to succor his people according to the flesh.
The Father removing his spirit from his Son not only caused spiritual death, but opened the door for Christ to have the sole power to determine his own physical death. If the Father had not withdrawn himself from Christ while on the cross, as he did in Gethsemane, Jesus would have been sustained and nourished by the life and light of his Father’s spirit, thus he could not have died by an act of his own will. We should all be eternally grateful, that both the Father and the Son possessed the deep love towards all of mankind to complete this incredibly vital, and incredibly difficult part of the plan.
The Depth of DespairThe Passover would start at sunset, so those that were with him at the cross would need to act quickly to prepare his body. Joseph of Arimathea, at his risk, approached Pilate to procure the Saviors body. Upon receiving permission, he and Nicodemus had the task of preparing the body of Christ for burial.
One can only imagine the feeling of despair and finality that moment must have felt. They had to quickly, but reverently take his body down, pound out the nails in his hands and feet to remove him from the cross, and then start to wash his body. Due to the shortness of time before the sunset, they did all they could. Wrapping his body in fresh linens and placing a few spices in the sepulcher before leaving.
A few of the women, made plans to return after the Sabbath to complete the anointing and insure a proper and honorable burial. Those apostles, disciples and friends of the Savior had to be physically, emotionally, and even spiritually exhausted by the terrible events of that Friday. The next day must have been the darkest of days. Their sorrow and anguish must have been beyond words. Not only had they witnessed this horrible event to one of their closest friends, but to one they saw as the Messiah and Savior of mankind. Elder Joseph B Wirthlin once stated,
“It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God. I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest.”
Roberts’ Continued ChallengesI return now to Robert.
Robert did try his hand at writing novels when he returned home, but no publishers wanted to pick up any of his writings. He bounced from job to job trying to make ends meet, but nothing ever took hold. One day his father suggested that he and his brother Richard team up. Richard was a struggling musician, that had turned to working part time at a floral shop to survive. The two brothers decided to give it a shot.
Robert would write the lyrics, while Richard composed the music. But success would not come easily for them. They were forced to try to write songs across all genres of music but could never find their sound.
A Welcome SuccessFailure after failure plagued the brothers until one day, they wrote a song called “Tall Paul.” The song was sung by Annette Funicello. Tall Paul reached number seven on the billboard top 100 songs, but more importantly it opened the door for the brothers to meet with Jimmy Johnson, the general manager of the Walt Disney Music company.
This eventually led to a meeting with Walt Disney in his office to discuss an upcoming film about twin sisters that had been separated shortly after they were born but then meet up at summer camp as teenagers. Robert and Richard were able to create songs for the movie that would become know as, The Parent Trap. This success with the Disney company propelled the brother’s careers.
They are mostly known for their work on a film that came shortly after about an English nanny that flies in by her umbrella, Mary Poppins.
If you haven’t put it together yet, Robert, is better know as Bob Sherman. He and his brother Richard wrote and composed over 200 songs for the Disney company. They also have contributed a number of songs for the Disney theme parks. Despite his early life of pain and death, witnessing some of the most horrible things that humans can do to each other, Bob Sherman was able to write music lyrics that bring smiles and laughter to children of all ages, including the child in myself.
In fact, some say that what made the Sherman brothers so successful was the fact that they didn’t just compose kiddy songs, but that they used lyrics that often had deep and powerful messages while being attached to a whimsical tune.
Finding Hope After DevastationOne of their most popular songs written by the Sherman brothers starts with, “It’s a world of laughter, a world of tears. It’s a world of hopes and a world of fears.” Indeed it is, our world is filled with days of laughter and days of tears. Days of hope, and days of fear.
Again, from Elder Wirthlin,
“Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.”
Life can have a way of being harsh and unkind. I think of Mary being filled with despair as she headed to the tomb that Sunday morning. Feeling like she was at the lowest of lows as she entered the garden, she absolutely crumbled when she came upon the tomb.
Seeing the stone removed, and upon further investigation finding that His body had been removed, she was devastated beyond consolation. Without even looking up, she mustered up all she could to respond to the gardener’s inquiry,
“If you’ve taken him, tell me where you have laid him, so I can take him away.”
To which the gardener of our souls responded with a single word, “Mary.” Instantly all the pain, all the anguish and hurt inside of her was washed away and replaced with joy and hope. Could it be? Is it possible?
Because of HimI testify that it is possible. I testify that he lives. And because he lives our dark Fridays will come to an end and we will have our Sundays. Because of him death has no sting, despair becomes hope, guilt becomes peace, regret becomes relief, because of him, there is no such thing as the end.
The post There is Always Hope in the Gardener of Our Souls appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post The Leadership of Elder Joseph F. Merrill | An Interview with Casey Paul Griffiths appeared first on Leading Saints.
At the recommendation of a friend, I recently read the book, Unreasonable Hospitality.
It was a great read about how one specific New York restaurant become the highest-rated restaurant in the world.
And they did it mainly through their focus on hospitality.
Because I am cursed (or blessed?) with a brain that is constantly applying everything to church leadership, it made me consider hospitality in the context of our church experience.
Of course, we sort of expect hospitality when we visit a restaurant.
They are pursuing a great tip.
Or they want their patrons to come back.
Or they want an awesome online Yelp rating.
So what role does hospitality play within a church experience?
Sure, most leaders take time to work the room, greeting everyone with a smile and a handshake.
They want people to enjoy their time in the pews or during the 2nd hour.
But with a team of lay leaders who are already giving so much of their time, many congregants are lucky the lights get turned on and the doors get unlocked on Sunday.
We can’t expect too much more from leaders, right?
Aren’t we just supposed to make sure “doctrine” is taught and that’s enough?
Well, as I have mentioned before, culture eats doctrine for breakfast.
Doctrine is powerful, but organizational culture is so thick, it often doesn’t allow individuals to reach the life-changing doctrine on a typical Sunday.
I don’t have a five-point plan on how to increase hospitality in a ward, but what if a ward council put the idea of hospitality in the center of the room?
What could be revealed if they spent the next 60-minute meeting on how to increase only hospitality in a ward?
When you get organizational culture pushing in the same direction as the ward council, miracles can happen.
For further inspiration on this topic, watch THIS TED TALK by the author of Unreasonable Hospitality.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
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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
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.
The post How I Lead as Elders Quorum Secretary | An Interview with Skyler Droubay appeared first on Leading Saints.
Ann Kassel Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes about gospel topics at AnneKassel.com.
Enter Anne…
“Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another” (Mosiah 23:7).
One of my dearest people is an “anarchist”. She doesn’t believe in authority and certainly not in hierarchy (defined as “a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority”). Egalitarianism is one of her fundamental principles and she stands opposed to any system that places one individual above another.
Are We Anarchists?Getting past the shock value of the term “anarchist” and listening more to what she means by it, I’ve come to understand that we agree on many fundamentals, especially the sacredness of human equality. It’s taught in scripture. See, for example, Alma the Elder’s explanation that monarchy is a dead end because it’s intrinsically wrong to elevate ourselves or anyone else above others (Mosiah 23:7- cited above). See also Jacob’s exhortation to “Think of your brethren like unto yourselves,” (Jacob 2:17).
I recently learned from a Leading Saints podcast with Brooke Rasmussen, about the difference between vertical and horizontal relationships, these scriptures have become even more important to me. As I’ve listened to my dear one’s concept of an ideal society, I’ve recognized a resemblance to Zion. We are both seeking to establish communities of equals who care for each other without compulsory means. The key difference between our visions is that the only way I can see us ever getting there is by each seeking after and becoming filled with the love of Jesus Christ.
Reconciling the Doctrine of EqualityBut what about authority and hierarchy?
How do I reconcile the doctrine of equality with the imperative I feel to be “subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates” (Article of Faith 12)?
More significantly, as a believing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, does my commitment to sustain my priesthood leaders mean placing myself as subject to prophets, general authorities, stake presidents and bishops? That word “subject” is tricky for me, both in light of the doctrine of human equality and because of my own experience of abdicating personal stewardship in order to obey my leaders.
Deference to Civil LawI find in Alma the Elder’s example some clues about how I can resolve the first question. Although Alma taught his people that having kings was wrong, a few years later, he led them to the land of Zarahemla where they became subjects to righteous King Mosiah. I don’t think that means that Alma changed his mind about human equality. The fact that King Mosiah later dissolved the monarchy and set up a system of judges seems to suggest the opposite: that Alma’s influence moved King Mosiah toward greater political equality.
I suspect that Alma led his people in subjecting themselves to a righteous king because he understood that mortality is messy. While it is true that the Lord desires for all His children to treat each other as equals, many of His children do not yet share that desire. The society that Alma established in Helam was entirely made up of people who had voluntarily and joyfully covenanted to come into the fold of God and to bear one another’s burdens. They didn’t need a king to uphold secular law because they were united in their desire to abide by God’s law of love. But then the priests of Noah and an army came on the scene, Amulon got himself appointed as their king, and the people of Alma were enslaved. When at last the Lord led them out of bondage and to the land of Zarahemla, I imagine that Alma saw value in becoming subjects to a righteous king because:
- a) Joining with the Nephite nation protected them from their enemies and
- b) The people of King Mosiah were not yet ready to live as equals and still needed enforcement mechanisms for civil law.
I believe the 12th Article of Faith approves our subjecting ourselves to civil authorities in “obeying, honoring and sustaining the law” for the same reason. Until we establish a society where the law of God is written on all our hearts, we will need civil law, and civil law relies upon some sort of authority figure/s to direct it. So when I consent to be governed by rulers, it is not because I see that person as above me, but rather because sustaining a system of law that protects our inherent and inalienable rights (D&C 134:5) creates a safe environment where we can learn to become a society of equals.
Gospel SchoolmastersIt isn’t just in civil matters that the Lord makes use of less than ideal systems that mirror the readiness of the people within them. We know that because the New Testament and modern prophets have been very clear that, although it came by revelation, the Law of Moses was deeply flawed. The scriptures tell us the Lord wanted to give the Children of Israel something better, but they weren’t ready for it (JST, Exodus 34:1-2; D&C 84:24-27), so they were given a highly regulated system of worship as “a schoolmaster to bring [them] unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24).
Hierarchy in the Priesthood PyramidIs it possible that Church hierarchy is another example of a deeply-flawed system that came into being because we weren’t ready for better? By Church hierarchy, I mean a priesthood pyramid model of gospel government, featuring the prophet at the top as head of the Church, his counsellors right below him, then the 12 Apostles beneath them, with other General Authorities, area authority seventies, stake presidents, bishops and finally husbands/fathers, all on their successive tiers.
When I used the priesthood pyramid model, I felt like I had to obey everybody up the line, unless they were clearly out of harmony with the teachings of the gospel, in which case, I needed to skip a level and obey the leader above them. This model is hard to reconcile with Alma’s teaching that we are not to “esteem one flesh above another,” nor is anyone to “think himself above another” (Alma 23:7) because if I must obey my priesthood leader, then he is above me and we are not equal. But maybe I don’t need to reconcile it, because maybe it’s a model I’m intended to grow beyond.
Stewardship Model of GovernmentAs I understand my covenants, it is the Lord and the principles of His gospel that I have committed to obey, not even the prophet. Since the Lord directs me to receive the prophet’s word “as if from [the Lord’s] own mouth, in all patience and faith” (D&C 21:5) making that distinction may seem like splitting hairs. But it matters because if it’s the Lord I’m obeying instead of His prophet, then the prophet becomes my fellow-servant instead of somebody who is above me. This allows me to consider what may be a truer model for God’s government, one based on stewardship.
As I envision this model, it looks more like a Venn diagram, with many overlapping circles that represent each of our stewardships. Each of us have a fundamental stewardship from God for our own selves (Moses 7:32), to choose our path, to develop our gifts, to recognize and take responsibility for our own needs. As we become increasingly capable of self-management, we are entrusted with additional stewardships. Many of those stewardships overlap, but our self-stewardship – our agency – remains ours alone. This means that leaders do not have a stewardship over other people (which would put them above those people). Rather, they are entrusted with building a redemptive relationship with the individuals they lead, approaching them from the same level with the voice of invitation instead of command. This is consistent with D&C 121:41-42:
“No power or influence can or ought to be maintained by virtue of the priesthood, only by persuasion, by long-suffering, by gentleness and meekness, and by love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile”.
By way of illustration, temple recommend interviews are a place where multiple stewardships overlap, as clarified in a First Presidency letter issued October 6, 2019. It is the stewardship of the First Presidency to identify the questions that determine temple readiness. It is the stewardship of my bishopric and stake presidency members to build a redemptive relationship (to “lift, inspire and bless” me) as we review those questions, and to ascertain by my answers and the Spirit whether they can sign their names as witness to my temple readiness. And it is my stewardship to collaborate in building that redemptive relationship, to examine my own heart and practice with regard to the questions I am asked, and to give an honest answer.
It is not my bishop’s role to encroach on the First Presidency’s stewardship or mine by asking additional questions; for instance, how many hours I wear my temple garments on hot summer days. The letter instructs leaders,
“they should not omit, add to, or modify any of the temple recommend questions… They should not present personal beliefs, preferences, or interpretations.” Instead, on the issue of temple garments, they are to read a message of instruction from the First Presidency which includes the counsel,”
Endowed members should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to answer personal questions about wearing the garment. Nor is it my role to encroach on the First Presidency’s stewardship by deciding that some of the questions don’t count and don’t need to be answered honestly, (for example, discounting the Word of Wisdom because it was first introduced by invitation and “not by commandment or constraint” (D&C 89:2)). Insofar as we honour our personal stewardships as well as each other’s, the Spirit of the Lord will likely be present and the interview will be edifying.
Parable of the TalentsAlthough the stewardship model of Church government seems much better aligned with gospel principles, that doesn’t mean there is no place for hierarchy. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) seems to identify that place. In the parable, a master entrusts three of his servants with varying amounts of money before he goes away on a journey. One is to care for five talents, another is charged with two, and a third receives just one.
When the master returns, he interviews each of his servants about what they did with what he gave them. The first and second servants report that they were able to double the money he left with them. He tells each of them, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25: 21,23). Then the third servant comes forward with just the initial talent, explaining that he was afraid and so he buried it the ground. Anxious to be rid of it, he hands it back to his lord, saying “there thou hast that is thine.” The master, instead of thanking him for keeping the single talent safe, reprimands him for being a wicked and slothful servant, handing his single talent over to the care of the servant who was able to magnify five.
I think the meaning of the parable becomes clearer if we replace the word “stewardship” for “talent”. The first stewardship everyone receives is their own selves. Then the Lord entrusts additional stewardships to servants who are ready for that much responsibility. By way of illustration, perhaps one servant is entrusted with building a redemptive relationship with a spouse. Another is to build redemptive relationships with their spouse, their child, their fellow-servants, and their lord’s storehouse.
Then comes the time for an accounting. When the servant who received five stewardships comes before the Lord, they see that they have responded to obstacles in their lives as opportunities for personal growth. Their deep and loving relationship with their spouse has not only matured into a powerful, godly partnership, but it has also inspired another couple to do the same. They learn that their relationship with their child has taught that child to love and trust goodness; to go forward with confidence and become a facilitator of mercy in other lives. Their encouragement of fellow servants has created a collaborative work environment where most feel inspired and liberated to give their best and grow in capacity. And the storehouse items they distributed to hungry families in the deep of winter have been doubly replenished by those families and their neighbours after a bountiful harvest. Every stewardship has been multiplied. The Lord commends them, entrusts them with even more responsibility and invites them into the joy of the Lord.
The servant who similarly magnified two stewardships receives the same response. But then the servant who had only their own self to manage comes forward and reports that, for fear of displeasing a “hard” lord, they have been very careful, risked nothing, and they are no worse off than they were at birth. I think this answer displeases the Lord for three reasons:
- Because He wanted to bring them into His joy, not have them cringing from Him in fear;
- Because the whole point of this exercise was growth;
- Because the agency He gifted them in the Garden of Eden (Moses 7:32) was never truly received if they haven’t dared to use it. He has said:
“For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. … But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded… the same is damned” (D&C 58:27-29).
Faced with a servant who is too afraid to act, the Lord establishes a hierarchy. Instead of taking back the agency that is so eagerly offered Him, He puts it into the care of the servant who has demonstrated capacity as an agency builder. The goal here is not to punish the unproductive servant but to help them grow so that eventually, they can leave the outer darkness of subjugation and also enter into the joy of the Lord.
Hierarchy Is TemporarySo, there is a place for hierarchy. It’s a response to the woundedness of people who are not yet prepared to fully take responsibility for themselves. It was instituted in Israel when the people requested a king to rule over them and the Lord instructed Samuel to go ahead and anoint one,
“for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (1 Sam 8:7). But Zion, where we see eye to eye and lift up the voice together (Isaiah 52:8)
It is not hierarchal. Neither is heaven, where we are joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). So, hierarchy’s place is transitional, and its goal is to help us move into claiming and magnifying our stewardships.
I believe that much of the direction we’ve been receiving from the presiding officers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is to help us do just that by seeking personal guidance from the Lord, rather than just obeying the voice of a leader. The changes in For the Strength of Youth that were announced in October 2022 are a clear example of this effort. Encouraging youth to “seek your Heavenly Father’s guidance as you make choices”, the booklet explains:
“The purpose of For the Strength of Youth is not to give you a “yes” or “no” about every possible choice you might face. Instead, the Lord is inviting you to live in a higher and holier way—His way. … While others can help you, your spiritual growth is personal. It’s between you and the Lord.” (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (2022). Make Inspired Choices, For the Strength of Youth, 4-5.)
The Transition is A Changed PerspectiveTo me, it’s beautiful that I can transition from a priesthood pyramid model to a stewardship model of Church government just by changing my own perspective. I don’t need the brethren to state that the Church is not a hierarchy. For some, it needs to be and so it will remain until they are ready to make that transition themselves.
Meanwhile, I can fully claim my own stewardships while honouring the stewardships of all others, whether they are my priesthood leaders or my non-LDS neighbours. And I can remember that I don’t need a calling through Church channels to build redemptive relationships with everyone around me. Jesus gave me that stewardship already, when He said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
The post Journeying from Hierarchy to Stewardship appeared first on Leading Saints.
In the last few months during various firesides I have been asked to give, I led the audience through an exercise about how they define doctrine.
It is always amazing to me how a group of orthodox Latter-day Saints can define doctrine so differently.
And yet our handbooks and instruction emphasize that we need to be teaching doctrine.
How can this be done when we haven’t figured out how to define it?
We know doctrine is powerful as Alma talks about in Alma 31:5:
And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.
The problem we run into is that we want a more intellectual or academic experience with doctrine.
We want a periodic table of doctrine that we can point to in order to reach clarity.
We want an equation to tell us what is true doctrine and what isn’t.
We want doctrine to be clear truth claims, historical events, or clear theological statements.
But like most things, God wants us to experience more nuance—an unclear journey through an experience that leads us to change and repent.
I love the simplicity of how Doctrine and Covenants 10:67 defines doctrine:
Behold, this is my doctrine—whosoever repenteth and cometh unto me, the same is my church.
In my interpretation, anything that stimulates repentance is doctrine.
PERIOD.
This stimulation of repentance can happen in a more traditional way by learning principles in our theology, singing a hymn in the approved hymn book, learning about a specific event referenced in scripture, etc.
However, repentance could also happen by reading a non-denominational book with Christ-centered principles even though the author writes about principles that don’t exactly line up with Latter-day Saint teachings.
Repentance could happen while listening to a sermon in a different church.
And to reference last week’s newsletter message, repentance could also happen while watching a clip from a TV series like The Chosen…
…which leads me to say…
(you may not like this)
The Chosen is doctrine.
It is doctrine because it stimulates repentance.
In fact, I received a great email that illustrates this:
“My 17-yr-old daughter, who was constantly ditching Seminary and Sunday School, finally got ‘bitten’ by The Chosen. I had invited her to watch it dozens of times, but she had never agreed—until she had ankle surgery and was laid up for several weeks, so had nothing better to do. (The things that keep us humble! You better believe she could relate to the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda, and little James’ desire to be healed.)
“A few episodes in, she was hooked. She told me that she had even stayed up until midnight reading her scriptures (‘Mom, can you believe that I did that?!’ she said), learning all she could about the disciples, and what was actually recorded about Jesus’s doings/teachings. She’s all caught up on the show now, savoring the last episode in anticipation of Season 3’s finale. She continues to compare the four gospels after each episode to learn what is really in the scriptures versus what was creatively fabricated. Most importantly, now when someone talks about Peter or James, etc, she makes the connection of ‘fisherman, Jesus’ defender and right-hand man, etc.’ It means something to her now—she knows who they are talking about, rather than it being just a name.
“The show makes Jesus Christ’s compassion, patience, kindness, and understanding come alive. The creators captured so well His many roles – Friend, Messiah, Healer, Teacher, Son. And all the stories of women—never before have I realized how much Christ cares for women, but this show has it on full display!
“Especially for this generation that is so visual…the viewing experience helps them more easily believe that Christ knows and loves each of us, even in our imperfections, and asks only for belief and a willingness to follow. (And the show definitely helps with understanding the law of Moses vs Christ’s ‘higher and holier way.’ My daughter gets the concept of the new FSY pamphlet now because of seeing what the Pharisees cared about…fewer prescribed rules, more internalizing doctrine and following heart/Spirit!)
“The Chosen has most definitely turned my daughter to the scriptures and ignited a personal relationship with her Savior. She changed her college plans to include serving a mission, and she is taking her Gospel learning more seriously. Now that she’s 18, she attends RS and adult Sunday School and gets much more out of the discussions.”
So did the doctrine in traditional seminary not work for this young woman?
Did she not understand the periodic table of doctrine well enough?
Or maybe God will reach us with His doctrine in various ways, even if it is a fan-fictional expression of the life of Jesus.
As far as I am concerned, The Chosen is doctrine.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post “The Chosen” is doctrine appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Teaching Through Better Stories in Sacrament Meeting Talks & Lessons | An Interview with Matthew Dicks appeared first on Leading Saints.
Church culture has often dictated that all callings come from divine inspiration and are therefore the will of God, not to be questioned and never to be turned down. I enjoy questioning the dictates of culture and holding them up to the light of the current Church Handbook’s instructions as well as the words of modern prophets and leaders. Let’s see what this can mean for both those inviting and those receiving invitations to serve.
Where Do Callings Come From?Article of Faith 5 reads:
“We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.”
Elder Carl B. Cook referenced this verse in his October 2016 general conference talk when he said,
“All Church callings come from God—through His appointed servants. … It is important that we make that connection—that our callings literally come to us from God through our priesthood leaders.”
This is a clear statement about where callings come from, but it doesn’t mean the leader got a text message from God with a specific name in it. It does mean inspiration was involved, one way or another.
I was once called to serve in the nursery of a new-to-me ward by a newly-called bishopric counselor who frankly acknowledged that the bishopric extended the calling because they didn’t know me at all. I was a little disappointed but accepted and enjoyed the opportunity, later observing those nursery children as they grew through the Church youth programs and went on to become powerful servants of Jesus Christ. I’m sure I could have fulfilled other callings at that time, and others in the ward could also have served as well or even better than I did in the nursery, but it was a good experience with good outcomes as I did the best I could.
Considerations When Extending a CallingThe General Handbook clarifies that callings come from God by inspiration and offers additional guidelines for leaders extending callings (see Callings in the Church, General Guidelines 30.1.1). This can also help those who are invited to serve understand how to respond to a call.
The Handbook instructs leaders to consider “the member’s personal circumstances, including his or her health and work.” This requires knowledge.
Sometimes when a leader extends a calling there are additional circumstances in the member’s life that the leader does not know and which could make that calling difficult or impossible to fulfill at that time. This does not mean the calling was not inspired or the member should not accept it, and it offers a wonderful opportunity for ministering.
Leaders are specifically instructed in the Handbook to consider the potential difficulties with health or work circumstances, the possible impact of a calling on a member’s marriage or family, and the potential to place undue burdens. Leaders can ensure they are doing this by seeking information prior to extending the call and by asking the individual or couple to share what is going on in their life at the time the calling is extended.
Those receiving an invitation to serve in a calling can help ensure leaders are following this instruction by being willing to share personal circumstances which could affect their ability to serve, before they accept or turn down the calling. Knowing that this invitation comes from God can help the member recognize that God sees them and is offering them an opportunity.
The opportunity may be the calling, or it may be to share what they are going through so their leaders can better minister to their needs. So often members want to hide their struggles at all costs. This is normal and we all do it for many reasons, but choosing not to share and be vulnerable can rob everyone of opportunities to minister and be ministered to. Accepting a calling without sharing these struggles can lead to unnecessary burdens for the member, their family, and those they serve with.
Questioning a CallingNow what of the cultural dictate that all callings are the will of God and not to be questioned? I believe one of God’s greatest gifts is the ability to choose for ourselves, and a calling is not a commandment but an inspired opportunity.
Elder Cook continued:
“Even if we think that our Church calling was simply our priesthood leader’s idea or that it came to us because no one else would accept it, we will be blessed as we serve. But when we recognize God’s hand in our calling and serve with all our hearts, additional power comes into our service, and we become true servants of Jesus Christ.”
God wants to bless us and we receive priesthood power in our service as we recognize the calling’s source. This helps us see God’s hand in our lives and embrace the opportunity to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and even gives us strength and abilities beyond what we have had before.
Church service can be challenging. God seeks to stretch us and give us opportunities to grow, but this can be frightening or wearisome. Questioning is normal, especially when a calling puts us outside of our comfort zone, looks unappealing, or comes at the same time as other difficulties.
When we question, we can turn to God for answers and receive personal revelation that will help us recognize why we were called, where our personal service can impact others for good, and how we can open ourselves up to the power of God when we serve as Jesus would.
This may mean leaders and members work together to find a unique way to fulfill that calling at that time. Seeking additional inspiration and searching for creative, outside-the-box answers can lead to innovation and open up additional blessings for everyone involved.
We can accept a calling and still question as we seek our own inspired answers, but it’s also important to recognize the difference between questioning why a calling was extended or doubting our own abilities, and recognizing when a calling may need to be turned down.
Turning Down a CallingThrough discussion and prayer, both members and leaders can recognize when a calling may need to be turned down.
I recently heard the experience of a member who was extended a calling but could not fulfill it due to personal medical circumstances. She was confused as to why her leader would think to extend the calling to her, but noted that he did not know what she was going through. She expressed frustration with him for not doing enough research or being diligent enough in prayer to receive the revelation of who was best to receive that calling—which clearly was not her—but accepted the calling as it was offered.
My heart went out to this woman and the difficult situation she found herself in, trying to serve and do what she was asked to do, but finding it impossible to fulfill the calling due to her physical health. In circumstances like this it’s easy to ask, “Why would God call me to something I cannot do?”
This is one of those questions we can take to prayer and seek personal revelation about, but one answer could be simply that God wants us to know we are seen, we are needed, and we are qualified to fulfill this calling, even if we cannot do it at that time. As we are willing to be vulnerable and share our circumstances with our leaders, we can also be blessed with help and support we may not otherwise have allowed ourselves to receive—whether or not we accept the calling.
God Sees UsGod knows each of us individually, knows what we are capable of and what we (and others) need, and wants us to grow and learn as we serve. God can inspire leaders in many ways and we can know that callings extended through priesthood leadership come from God.
Sometimes this means we will receive a calling or even multiple callings in the Church. Sometimes it means we will receive a calling that is disappointing or that we cannot accept. Sometimes it means we will not have a specific calling at all. Whatever our circumstances, both leaders and members can seek revelation about what God would have us do as we seek to serve in the Church, and we can feel God’s love as we follow the example of Jesus Christ and serve each other.
Lillian Angelovic works behind the scenes at Leading Saints to keep everything running as smoothly as possible. She tries to limit time on social media while working as a social media manager, but prefers to spend time writing poetry and reading books. At church she has taught every youth Sunday School and Primary class, and loves talks and lessons that encourage vulnerability.
The post An Inspired Invitation Can Be More Than a Call to Serve appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Overcoming Come Follow Me Obstacles | An Interview with Shannon Foster appeared first on Leading Saints.
I was encouraged this past fall as I led a 10-day Church History tour.
As we visited many of the Church historical sites, it was obvious that work had been done to encourage the missionaries to describe historical events more transparently than what I remember learning in seminary in the late 90s.
Joseph Smith’s translation process was clearly described in the context of using a seer stone in a hat.
Polygamy was not glossed over either.
The Kirtland apostasy struggle was obvious.
It seems in the last decade or so, there has been an obvious effort to teach Church history and even doctrine in a way that is more straight forward, even when it gets messy.
I wouldn’t argue that our faith community is doing a perfect job, but there is definitely more effort leading us in a positive direction.
In the past, it seemed that we were more focused on painting the gospel and historical picture with only the positive highlights with the hope that this would stimulate more certainty of truth claims, especially in our young believers with sprouting testimonies.
This has led to an over-investment on communicating the “right answer” rather than helping individuals discover how to build a relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
And even in 2023, we still can’t seem to shake this.
Let me give you an example.
I’ve come across a few discussions online about whether it is appropriate or not to share clips from the popular series The Chosen during a Sunday School class in church.
I even heard one full-time seminary teacher explaining that she has been asked not to use The Chosen material in class because it is neither “correlated” nor “doctrinally based.”
On the surface, I completely understand this approach.
However, I think it still shows the over-investment on wanting to “give the right answer” rather than help people find a relational connection point with Jesus Christ.
The creators of The Chosen have admitted that their intent with creating this television series is not to be historically accurate but rather to create an emotional experience with the life of Jesus and offer one interpretation of the Gospels in their portrayal of Christ.
It’s not about creating a truth experience as much as it is about creating an emotional or relational experience.
Yes, it’s true: the Holy Spirit does work to confirm what is true.
However, this process typically happens on an emotional level.
I worry that by stigmatizing a fantastic emotional work like The Chosen, we are sacrificing relationships with Jesus Christ for the sake of having all the “right answers.”
I wish we would encourage individuals (especially youth) to engage with content like The Chosen because it will put them on a path of wanting to learn more about their God and their Savior.
What do you think?
Should emotional experiences be limited in order to be more accurate about history or truth claims?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post “The Chosen” in Sunday School appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How I Lead as YSA Elders Quorum President | An Interview with Eli Nelson appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk | An Interview with Richard Nash appeared first on Leading Saints.
Do you have one of those friends who seems to have consistent experiences of receiving clear spiritual direction from God?
Or in a leadership context, do you hear about the leader who seems to be receiving clear divine direction almost daily regarding what the next steps are in their leadership?
Maybe you are one of these individuals.
Confession time!
I’m not one of these people.
I’ve often faced daunting situations in my personal life or leadership roles, and when I have turned to the Heavens for direction, nothing has come.
And often the adversary wants me to believe there is something wrong with me because of it.
Now, don’t get me wrong (I seem to say that phrase a lot in my newsletter messages).
I have had many experiences in my life where clear direction has come, but that has been the exception rather than the rule.
I worry that there are many other individuals (or leaders) in my boat.
They worry they aren’t receiving clear, consistent revelation in regard to their life or calling, and they start believing something is wrong with them or they aren’t trying hard enough.
It’s important to know you aren’t alone and that there is nothing wrong with you.
We could frame this as the “Nephi Dichotomy.”
I’m referring to two different Nephis.
Both the OG Nephi in 1 & 2 Nephi and also his namesake in Helaman.
OG Nephi seemed to get the spiritual answer he needed right when he needed it (i.e. Kill Laban).
Helaman Nephi was told “all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will” (Helaman 10:5).
Or in other words, God was telling Helaman Nephi…
You make the call, and I’m good with it.
Having an experience of more autonomy in the choices I make, like Helaman Nephi, has been a sanctifying experience wherein God is offering me trust.
He has giving me countless life experiences that have helped me develop into the responsible person I am today so that when direction is needed, God usually lets me make the call.
It’s a faith-promoting experience.
So, for all you out there wondering if something is wrong with you because divine communication seems consistently unclear, keep praying, asking, and listening.
But don’t be afraid to make the best call with the good brain God gave you, and move forward.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post How often do you hear God’s direction as a leader? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Leading Primary Music | An Interview with Sharla Dance appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His favorite was teaching early morning seminary. He currently serves in the high council as the stake Young Men president.
Enter Dack…Since we all experience conflict in our community, as we lead in our home or church and in other situations, it’s critical to find peaceable ways to resolve and work through conflict. I would like to share some ideas on how we handle conflict and some examples of ways we can peacefully resolve that conflict in our lives.
What is Conflict?We don’t talk a lot about conflict in our church discussions, but the scriptures are full of examples of conflict. A conflict is a battle or fight between two or more parties. Typically, a conflict begins when one party attacks or tries to impose its will on another party. Nephi and his brothers are constantly at odds with each other. David and Goliath had a direct conflict when Goliath and the Philistines tried to take over David and the Israelites. Christ is the ultimate example of being in constant conflict with the Pharisees, Sadducees and eventually even the Roman government.
At one time or another we all face a conflict in our lives. Take a moment to think about either a current conflict you are in or a past conflict you have faced. In most cases, we are faced with the following conflicts:
- Conflict with peers,
- Conflict with family,
- Conflict with those adults/leaders, boss, etc…,
- Conflict within ourselves
Conflict vs OppositionConflict can be different than opposition. Opposition is mentioned several times throughout the Book of Mormon. Opposition can sometimes be viewed as a negative (good vs evil, light vs dark). When, in fact, opposition is an intricate part of the plan of salvation.
Part of the purpose of the plan of salvation was for us to be tested to see if we would be obedient to God. Opposition creates choice and ultimately gives us agency to choose between good and evil, light, and dark.
Conflict, on the other hand, is more of a direct attack or contention between us and another opposing force. Conflicts can occur when each person thinks that their opinion or position is correct. Or conflict can occur when one person wants to overpower or take control of another. Whatever form it comes in or however it originates, we will all face conflict in our lives.
What Conflict Is NotIt may also be important to identify what is NOT conflict. When parents or a leader correct you or are firm or direct with you, that is NOT conflict. We can’t mistake directness or correction as someone wanting to take control of us. In most cases, a parent or leader, when correcting or being direct, is coming from a place of love and a desire for you to become a better person. So, mom getting onto you about cleaning your room…. Not a conflict.
The Nuances of ConflictEach person deals with or handles conflicts differently depending on our personalities, our prior experiences (such as the way conflicts were handled in the home where we grew up), and perhaps other factors such as gender and culture. Some choose to avoid conflict at all costs, while others don’t mind conflict. They even go so far as to seek it out.
There is not an exact formula to handle every conflict in every situation. We must rely on the Spirit to guide us and help us navigate through each situation. Take a moment and think about that conflict you might currently be in today. Or one you may have recently experienced. More than likely, you know this person quite well. You may have a good relationship with them that you don’t want to damage. It may be a close friend or family member. It may be with a boss or a leader at church that you need to continue to work with and be around. Or it could potentially be someone at work or school that is trying to bully you. How are you handling that conflict? Are you addressing it or just hoping it goes away? Are you worried that it may damage your relationship with that person? What do you think you need to do to resolve the conflict?
The Saviors Approach to ConflictOur ultimate example on confronting conflict is our Savior. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. While lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response:
“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).”
I would like to offer three suggestions that I try to live by (not always successfully) that helps me when conflict comes into my life.
Step One- Address it Right AwayWhatever the scenario may be, conflicts are much like toothaches, they don’t age well. Left alone, they can grow into something larger and more painful to deal with as time goes on. The first rule of a conflict is to act on it right away.
Conflict, like storms are unavoidable, but we should never avoid or create conflict. Conflicts are easy to get into but difficult to get out of. If we have the courage to face them early, they are easier to resolve and to learn from. This especially applies to texts, emails, and other non-verbal communication. We should never avoid or create conflict.
Step Two- Look InwardAs we think about our conflicts and reflect on them, they are like mirrors that can teach us things about ourselves that are otherwise difficult to discover. If we permit them, our conflicts will show us where we are weak, defensive, prideful, or otherwise in need of repair.
Edward Edinger, a wise psychologist, wrote this about mirrors:
“[A mirror] shows us what we otherwise cannot see for ourselves. Without a mirror, for instance, we would never even know what our face looks like; since we are inside looking out, there can be no self-knowledge, even the elementary self-knowledge of what we look like.”
In Alma 59 we see an amazing example of this – Captain Moroni was the leader of the Nephite armies. He was trying to win a war but was constantly running low on supplies and men. Moroni wrote an angry letter to Pahoran, the Chief Govenor of the Nephites, asking/demanding that he provide the needed supplies and reinforcements. Moroni was so angry at Pahoran that he told him if you don’t provide this now, I will take my armies and leave the battlefield to march back to the capital and will go to battle against Pahoran and those who followed him.
What Captain Moroni didn’t know was that Pahoran was a loyal follower and was actually under the control of a group of decenters known as the Kings Men. This group of men wanted to over-throw the government and were holding the supplies and reinforcements captive in hopes that Moroni’s army would fall. Even though Moroni had blasted Pahoran and accused him of treason, Pahoran responded to Moroni in humility and gratitude for Moroni’s commitment to his people. Pahoran had his own battles he was dealing with and getting this letter must have been absolutely demoralizing. Pahoran could have easily blown up at Moroni. But he showed humility. Moroni is also a great example. When he received Pahoran’s response, he was not prideful, he immediately marched to the aid of Pahoran. Both men had the chance to feel attacked and betrayed. Both would have been justified in their feelings. But thankfully both looked inward instead of outward and worked together to find a resolution.
Even when we are right, we may be wrong. Even when we are right—or especially when we are right—if we are presumptuous and rash, we will give offense and become a stumbling block to others.
Step 3- Learn When to Walk AwayIn some cases of conflict, we can only be injured. In such instances, we are better off to keep our distance and simply walk away. As we do, some may try to provoke us and engage us in argument. But we must learn that to engage will only leave us bruised and the other party satisfied. I will share a quick personal example.
At a previous workplace I had a co-worker that was just as mean and nasty as a hornet. Many of my co-workers learned to stay as far away from her as possible. When I first started working there, I did everything I could think of to befriend her, but no matter what I did, she was still just as mean as can be. Even when I tried to disengage, she would go on the offensive and seek me and others out. To make matters worse, she and I were both up for the same promotion. To her, this was an open invitation to attack as much as possible. Finally in desperation I went to my manager and asked him what I could do. He gave me a powerful life lesson. He said,
“Some people are like porcupines; they only know how to hurt. You can’t blame a porcupine for sticking you with its quills, because that is all they know how to do. It is their nature.”
Christ-like CourageLearning to walk away can be difficult. Some may see these actions as being passive or weak, but to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, do good to those that hate us, and pray for those who despitefully use us takes true faith, strength, and Christ-like courage. This is not to suggest that we compromise our principles or dilute our beliefs. We must also have the courage to stand, even if we stand alone.
As I mentioned before, conflict is unavoidable. However, as we learn to face our challenges and address them early, as we learn to look inward and find our own areas of needed improvement, and as we learn to have courage to walk away, we become more Christ-like.
The post Having Christ-like Courage in the Face of Conflict appeared first on Leading Saints.
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Is Elders Quorum Working?
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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
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.
The post Helping Others Overcome Sin, Trauma, & a Tough Life | An Interview with Glenn Schiraldi appeared first on Leading Saints.
In 2022 I felt like I went on a remarkable journey of self-development.
I think Ryan Gottfredson frames it best with his term “vertical development.”
I am learning concepts and becoming more aware of my story and it has become more clear to me how I can personally develop as a leader (or as an individual) and how others can do so as well.
To hear more details about my personal journey and this concept listen to the recent interview with Ryan Gottfredson.
This vertical development journey has made me more aware of a specific “tried-and-true” strategy of coping with hard times, that we continue to perpetuate, when I don’t think it is working as well as we think it is.
I am referring to the common advice to fix your own troubled heart by looking for others to serve.
Here is an example of someone describing this strategy.
Yes, we have heard it many times before…
If you are experiencing a tough time look for someone else to serve.
It has been mentioned many times in chapels across the world and even in general conference.
Now, don’t get me wrong.
This strategy of overcoming depression and adversity by turning to another and serving them isn’t completely flawed.
However, it can become an unhealthy coping mechanism that holds us back from real personal development.
Let me explain further…
We all deal with hurt, violation, or abuse in our past that creates an emotional wound that can become inflamed.
It could be in a dramatic context like having a childhood past that included sexual abuse.
Or this inner pain could simply be caused by the day-to-day frictions of life that build over time.
This inner wound that can become triggered or inflamed then leads to a typical day becoming too-much-to-handle.
We can’t cope and do the simple things life requires of us and this can lead to a disruption in personal relationships, depression, anxiety, etc.
In this state of mind, if we turn to “forgetting yourself and serving others” the following acts of service can suddenly be an unhealthy coping mechanism that numbs the pain rather than addressing the wound.
Over time it builds on the perception that Christ’s healing power is only available to those who are doing more and more.
Just like Christ didn’t require the woman at the well to take water to someone else to feel healing, He doesn’t require you to serve serve serve in order to partake of His healing balm.
I’ll be the first to admit that serving others does offer a form of spiritual and emotional dopamine that can turn a day around.
Especially in the leadership context.
A marital conflict caused by emotional wounds created long ago can start to feel better when you have to go to the church that night and help other people with their problems.
It’s easier to address others’ problems with service rather than doing the hard work to fix core issues in your own life.
We will never be the leaders capable of effectively serving others until we have done the work to serve ourselves.
We must do our own work.
This leads to a clarity that we are saved by God’s grace and accepted by Him fully no matter what we do today.
In that state of mind, when we face a tough day, a spike of depression, or adversity that is tough to figure out, then we can forget ourselves and turn to serve others.
This is possible not because we have forgotten ourselves; but rather because we have surrendered ourselves and our wounding to the Redeemer for His healing touch.
This doesn’t mean we halt all serving opportunities until we have done months or years of self-work.
It means we check in with God every day to explore our soul to make sure we aren’t coping by serving others to numb a wound but serving to perpetuate the healing we have already received from Him.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Maybe serving others isn’t always the answer appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Being Heard & Hearing Others in Council Meetings | A How I Lead Interview with Sara Payne & Dale Williams appeared first on Leading Saints.
Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4-acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged since 2014. Caren has served in a variety of callings in the Church and is currently serving as the JustServe coordinator in her Montana Ward.
Enter Caron…I’ve been trying to gather my thoughts for months now. As a friend and I had a teary conversation recently, it hit me why I hadn’t been able to write anything. It’s because I don’t have the answers, I’m right in the middle of it all, I’m still figuring it out, I’m not sure what it’s supposed to look like.
Except that I’m here. I’m willing. I’m trying.
I want to be both the friend where religion doesn’t have to come up at all while also being available to listen for hours. While I don’t want it to come between us, I want to hear their experiences and what they think, to be safe if they ever feel like talking about it. I want them to know we have a million other things we can talk about while at the same time acknowledging how tender and big religion can be. I want them to know I’m curious and eager to listen, but I also want to be respectful of where they are and allow them space to figure things out.
The only evidence I have that anything is working is that our friendships and relationships are not only intact but that I, at least, feel more connected and closer than ever to my friends and family who are not in the church anymore.
The Awkward “Why”As far as our conversations about it all, I’ve tried to leave it up to them because I’m not sure what they want. And that’s on me. All I need to do is ask if they feel like talking about what’s been going on or if they would rather not. I guess my hesitancy in asking is wanting to maintain our friendship.
I don’t want to make it awkward or to ever let religion be a wedge between us. So, with my longest friendships and familial relationships, I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never even asked what made them leave, how they’ve felt about it, or even what their current beliefs are. I think it’s because these people left years, even decades, ago, and back then it felt like it wasn’t polite or any of our business to ask about something so personal. And at this point, after so much time has passed, I feel awkward about bringing it up, I hardly know where to start.
Tell Me Where You AreIt hasn’t been long since we’ve started to become more open and have more dialog within our culture. But because of that shift, I’ve had such emotional, insightful, and long conversations with several friends about religion in recent years. I could tell things were changing, and I decided it was worth taking the risk to ask them what they were going through. I wanted to be a sounding board, to hear these individuals who were already dear friends. We had a history, a framework of friendship, and so it was natural and safe to ask what they were experiencing and feeling and thinking.
“Tell me where you are, what’s been happening for you, what’s your story.” My husband and I have gone to dinner as couples, we’ve had friends over, we’ve sat in each other’s living rooms, we’ve talked in the hall at church, and I’ve gone on long walks. But again, these have all been close friends.
A Little Late and A Little FakeOn the other hand, I know of others within my friendship circles who are also questioning or who have left but with whom I have no real connection other than the occasional social gathering. It would truly feel disingenuous to insert myself into their stories about something so tender and personal as a faith transition when we don’t already have a strong friendship and foundation. I think this is exactly what is so offensive when we suddenly try to befriend those who are wavering. To me, this isn’t the time to, out of nowhere, strike up a relationship. Friendships take time and lots of casual, normal interactions, to feel comfortable enough to share such private, intimate feelings of grief and loss and change. Anything other than that, ward members showing up with cookies out of the blue, invitations suddenly after years of being in the ward together, neighbors who want to get to know you now… it all feels like a little late and a little fake.
Perhaps, a lesson to be learned as leaders and neighbors, is to take the time to better know those in our circle of connection so that we can be available, should it be needed, to be a listening ear on all the good, the bad and the ugly. Whether it has to do with faith transitions, personal trials, or anything in between.
Mostly I’ve just tried to keep things as comfortable/the same as they’ve always been. And I honestly don’t know if that feels just right to some or insensitive to others. Some I know have felt grateful that they were able to just slide away, that no one pursued or questioned them. Others feel disappointed and unnoticed that no one asked or seemed to care about this major change in their life. I have friends in both camps. From my perspective, I honestly just want them to feel at ease and loved no matter what they choose or where they are or go. I want them to know that religion doesn’t have to be in our relationship at all, I’m here no matter what.
We Have So Much in CommonI wonder if I’m the one with a wall, protecting our relationship rather than allowing it to grow and change and become even more authentic and intimate. I also wonder if I’m afraid of being misjudged, that they might feel like I have an agenda about how to “get them back” or “fix them” or “convince them,” when in reality all I want is to avoid making it harder for them by thinking they have to defend themselves; I just want us to keep on being friends.
I also don’t know that people view me as approachable when they’re leaving while I’m solidly staying. And yet, just as they’ve changed over the years, so have I. I’m not as rigid in my thinking as I was as a teenager and young adult. I have my own questions, I’m curious, I love hearing what people think about everything. I wonder if because I’m a long-time active member they feel they already know how I’d react. But I’m not blind, nothing much shocks me, I’m mature enough to know we all have our own take on the world. I love that we’re different; but more than anything, I believe we all have so much more in common than not.
I sometimes project and think people who leave assume that they know what I believe or think because they were just here. But I feel like members these days are all over the place in their beliefs and interpretations and practices; to me, there’s no typical member, every marriage is a mixed faith marriage, and we’re all just figuring things out. But I do feel like there’s been a positive shift in the past several years, and maybe it’s just getting started in some places… but the people I surround myself with as authors, podcasters, lecturers, and friends are progressive, open-minded, articulate, accepting, intelligent, questioning, faithful thinkers, researchers, and movers. We WANT to change the thinking of the past, to switch up the paradigm that faith looks the same for everyone, to question cultural ways of interpreting doctrine, to be inclusive, and to maintain relationships and build new ones with all kinds of people and ways of thinking.
True ConnectionIn my experience with family and friends, I’ve found it most comfortable to just take religion off the table. At least as something that could divide or differentiate us. I want us all to feel like we can continue as always, that nothing will change the love I have for them. But, at the same time, I want to be present and available to walk through the questions and grief and anger and disenchantment, and transition. So, in that sense, I feel I’ve been wrong in not asking. And yet I honestly wanted them to feel it didn’t matter to me, that it wouldn’t change our friendship. I’m trying to be different for my friends who are leaving now, but I don’t know how to go back in time.
It saddens me when members say they have to just be superficial now that their loved one has left the church. I’m well aware that our religion tends to influence much of our lives, but I just don’t buy it in every situation. It depends.
I have friends of different faiths or who don’t align with any particular religion or who have left this one who I am much more able to talk with in-depth than many staying members of the church who sometimes tend to be very shallow. I suspect it’s because anything other than traditional doctrine/accepted practice tends to be uncomfortable and a little threatening.
On the other hand, I enjoy a deeper, more satisfying exploration of ideas with friends of differing religious perspectives. In fact, I think it’s because they’re usually readers and listeners and learners and thinkers that we do have a lot to talk about! From podcasts, books, movies, articles and studies, performances, trips, current events, the houses and projects we’re all working on to how we’re navigating the teen and young adult years with kids and in-laws, health issues, messy relationships all around, caring for parents, aging, finances, marriage, and all sorts of mixed emotions, my friends and I never, ever, ever run out of things to talk about. Religion never even has to be a thing; and yet, sometimes a friend will want to talk for hours about nothing else and I’m game for it all, I’ll take conversation of any kind because that’s connection.
Remembering We Truly CareFor now, all I know is what’s helped build bridges. It starts with both sides assuming the best from the other and remembering we truly care about each other more than we care about differences of opinion or life choices. I feel like we need to trust the relationship, all the years we’ve shared, and to remember the inevitable ups and downs that are part of any relationship that we’ve managed through. We need to continue to give each other the benefit of the doubt and assume good intentions. We need to be vulnerable with each other and admit when we’re having a hard time understanding or seeing things the same, but assuring one another that we’re here, we’re willing, we’re trying. We want help seeing another way.
It’s taken many years, I’m ashamed to say, to make these deeper connections viable. I feel so regretful and sad that my friends in the past (and even still, I’m sure) have had to be someone different with me than they authentically were, that they thought they had any reason to feel that I would judge them. I think they’ve felt embarrassed drinking or swearing around me, they didn’t want me to see their tattoos or new clothes or lifestyles they thought I wouldn’t approve of. I have deep sorrow over it all especially because it inhibited closeness and made them feel they couldn’t be themselves.
I’m so sad when friends show relief that I don’t care that they’ve come out, for instance, as if that should ever be anything. But as I’ve become friends with such amazing people, I have been so disappointed to hear that they didn’t think we would accept them because we’re “Mormon.”
We have got to do better at sharing our unwavering and unconditional love because no one should ever have to worry about something as basic as showing up authentically. I can’t tell you how sad it makes me to think of anyone being afraid to be anything than who they are, and yet I know I’ve contributed to their pain and discomfort. I wish I could change the past and be more obvious about how much none of that matters to me. There must be something that still puts people off though, and that’s hard for me because while I love my beliefs and try to live congruently with them, it doesn’t mean I’m not open to all kinds of other ways of living. I don’t know how to show that though.
An Authentic Space for AllI actually love it when someone is quiet while we pray because it tells me that they’re comfortable not having to conform and be different for us. I like that they’re okay drinking whatever they want with me, that we can go to coffee shops, that they have their coffee and tea stashes here on our shelf for when they visit.
I love that they don’t have to preface things they think I might be shocked by, that they can talk naturally without filtering. I love hanging out with my friends with different lifestyles and beliefs who have enriched my thinking and my life so much. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for their acceptance of me, someone who could represent an institution or set of beliefs they no longer subscribe to and that has contributed so much to their grief and upset, that they see me as a person and not the church. I’m so deeply thankful for the respect they show me. Largely due to our strong foundations and our desire to maintain what we’ve always enjoyed, I have seen a warmth and closeness growing within my relationships over the years, both in and out of the church.
Building BridgesAnd yet, here we are. This is all very one-sided. We are desperately in need of hearing much more from others and their experiences and perceptions, what is helpful and what has been hurtful. I’m grateful for the things I’ve heard and read that help me understand and see other perspectives; I do believe there are many who are trying to help us build these bridges. Because, in my mind, there’s no reason we can’t continue to have the friendships and relationships we’ve always derived so much strength and joy from just because we change our minds about something, even something as personal and big as religion.
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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
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.
The post Ministering to Those Who Don’t Hear God Anymore | An Interview with Emily Robison Adams appeared first on Leading Saints.
There is a natural reflex that leaders feel when an issues arises.
I call it the “gotta-do-something” reflex.
This dynamic happens when something breaks in the organization or in the lives of those in the organization.
Someone is preaching “false doctrine”.
The leader has gotta do something!
Someone if offended by another person in the ward.
The leader has gotta do something!
Someone is living a life of sin and breaking covenants.
The leader has gotta do something!
Now, I admit, there are certain situations where the leader is responsible for taking action and easing pain or creating safety for others.
However, I think leadership action should be intentional and not reflexive.
Many times, there are situations where the leader (let’s use the example of a bishop because it is more general) inserts himself in a situation, and it simply makes it worse or puts him in the middle of a situation that is not his concern.
Let me share with you a situation I heard arise in a ward recently.
Family A and Family B live in the same ward and have been close friends for many years.
Unfortunately, Husband A and Wife B are caught up in an emotional affair that is found out by Wife A and Husband B.
Drama and chaos ensue.
After some time, both Couple A and Couple B decide to take the steps necessary to reconcile their marriages.
However, the hurt feelings between these former ward friends result in Husband B having a passionate conversation with the bishop.
Husband B tells the bishop that he needs to demand Husband A attend a different ward or else his family is moving.
This is when the “gotta-do-something” reflex ignites in the bishop.
The bishop considers the situation which involves family Sunday worship, other ward relationship dynamics, and long-term testimony impact, not to mention the youth involved whose spiritual progress could be disrupted.
The leader has gotta do something, right?
This leadership reflex suddenly convinces the bishop to make this problem his problem to fix even though none of his personal decisions led to the creation of the problem.
Because the bishop feels the pressure from those involved, his gotta-do-something reflex takes over.
He inserts himself in the middle of it all as some type of spiritual mediator trying to fix issues that aren’t completely spiritual.
There are probably many opinions of how a leader should approach this situation, and I’d love to hear from you on how you might handle it.
Just for fun, let me share my perspective on how a leader could resist this gotta-do-something reflex.
When a problem arises in the personal lives of individuals in the ward (especially a problem that the leader had no part in creating), often that problem is brought to the leader, and those in the middle of the problem want him to leverage his authority to fix or reconcile the problem.
A simple question to be asked to those involved in the issue is, “What do you need?”
This doesn’t mean the leader will automatically fulfill the requested need, but it helps clarify the request.
In the A/B Family issue, the request from Husband B is to demand Husband A attend a different ward.
The bishop could simply communicate that it isn’t his job or responsibility to tell families in his ward boundary to attend a different ward; however, if Husband B needs his family to attend a different ward, the bishop could help facilitate that for Family B.
This has shifted from “gotta-do-something” to “what is the need and how can I help within healthy boundaries?”
The expressed need is “Family B needs to attend a ward that doesn’t include Husband A,” and the boundary the bishop is setting is “I don’t force anyone not to attend the ward.”
I admit my approach may be flawed and is shared without the influence of specific priesthood keys that would be valuable in approaching these situations.
However, as leaders get prodded into the middle of difficult problems they didn’t create, we must avoid the gotta-do-something reflex.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post The “Gotta-do-Something” Reflex appeared first on Leading Saints.
In this How I Lead podcast, Kurt speaks with Judy Clemens, who felt inspired to go to her stake president with some ideas, and was called to lead quarterly stake devotionals that have been very successful.Highlights02:30 Introduction to Judy Clemans
04:30 Kurt reads his newsletter inspired by Judy.
06:30 Judy felt the call to serve but didn’t have an official calling. She stepped up anyway because she had lots of ideas.
07:50 If people could hear other people that are different from themselves, there could be so many opportunities to grow and expand.
09:00 Judy had so many ideas in her heart that could be helpful for the stake. She emailed her stake president and they had a meeting to discuss them.
12:40 After sharing her ideas with the stake president he took time to think about it and counsel with others and he ended up creating a special calling for Judy to implement her ideas. The calling is stake devotional coordinator.
14:30 Judy’s calling includes doing informal devotionals. A place to talk about difficult topics and hear from different people.
16:00 Judy’s purpose statement for the devotionals. These are the guidelines for every single devotional.
- Create connections to remember that we are not alone in our experiences.
- We are all God’s children.
- Seek understanding.
- Hear personal stories of those that have experiences different from our own.
- Provide learning.
- Take time to learn about other people’s experiences so you can show up, love, and support each other in meaningful ways.
- When we know better, we do better.
- Testify of Christ.
- Testify to the healing power of Jesus Christ and demonstrate how we allow our experiences to bring us closer to Him.
17:00 Judy gives more details about her calling and the devotionals. The goal was to be informal and casual dress. They had them on Friday night, once a quarter.
22:30 There are lots of people with big ideas in the Church that feel like they need to shrink down and feel shame for speaking up.
24:00 One of the most popular topics covered was understanding and loving our LGBTQ family and neighbors. Other topics were raising children with autism, struggling with scrupulosity, and navigating disappointment.
27:15 The devotionals are in person but there is also a recording that is public for anyone to watch on YouTube.
29:00 Doing these devotionals is about bringing the community together. They are culture changing and help us have empathy for one another. These sensitive topics are not normally brought up in a Sunday meeting and Judy wanted a place to speak about these things.
32:40 So far people have been blown away by the experiences they are having at the devotionals and being able to talk so openly and frankly about some sensitive topics in the gospel.
34:40 Judy has an advocate in each ward to help advertise the devotionals, get flyers out, and listen for topics of interest from the ward or find speakers.
35:30 Big ideas don’t have to be complicated. Judy has been able to keep her idea simple and straightforward. No refreshments and it’s only once a quarter. Very doable.
36:00 Judy has found a way to use her gifts and talents in a way that benefits and blesses others.
LinksListen, Love, Learn – Brighton Stake YouTube channel
TRANSCRIPT coming soon
Watch on YouTube (coming soon)
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post How I Lead Without a Title | An Interview with Judy Clemans appeared first on Leading Saints.
I recently heard a speaker talk about how bison and cows respond differently to a storm.
Bison actually run into a storm. Yet their cow cousins turn and run from a storm.
Think about the impact of their direction and possibly their emotions. As a cow runs from the storm, which rapidly catches up to them and overtakes them, they are running in fear and are even in the storm longer.
Conversely, bison run into the storm, and with a determination that builds confidence and courage. (And they get through the storm more quickly.)
A question worth asking ourselves is how do we deal with earthly storms – challenges, in our families, work, callings and more. Do we respond to life’s storms in the way a cow would or more like a bison.
Address the Challenge Right AwayLet’s consider applying the “bison solution” to our life challenges in a way that we may have more of an opportunity to grow and progress and be powered by courage and not fear.
The first lesson we might learn from the bison approach to challenges is they don’t avoid the challenge or wait around as it grows into something bigger. They lean into it and take action.
Especially in regard to relationship challenges, it helps to address the issue before it becomes any more difficult. The longer the issue sits and stews, the bigger it may seem.
The scriptures are an inspired reminder on the importance of acting sooner, rather than later, in our efforts to repair or improve a challenge in a relationship.
- Resolve it quickly: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26)
- Set aside other things and reconcile quickly: “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” {Matthew 5:23-24}
You’ll notice I described it as leaning into the challenge, not stampeding into the challenge. Leaning implies movement with intention, not just wildling jumping in head long without taking the time to consider how to approach the problem.
Whether it’s a challenge with another individual, or some other life challenge, seeking a solution sooner, rather than later, will be most beneficial to our physical, spiritual, and emotional health.
The Gift of Herd MentalityThe concept of a herd mentality is often given a negative connotation, but there are uplifting benefits to be found in how a herd of bison cares for one another.
Bison run into the storm together. Together it’s so much easier to face that challenge with hope and courage and stay the course. Whether we are there as a family member, friend, neighbor, or church leader, we can help support another in their challenge so that they are also better able to stay the course with hope and courage.
If there is a predator, the female bison circle the young bison and the male bison circle around the female bison. Thus, two rings of defense for those who are weaker and deeply loved.
When we are faced with difficult things to overcome, it is so much easier to have a herd, or a support system as we navigate this challenge. For example, I’ve had the privilege, and challenge, of caring for my aging mother in my home for the past nine years. It would have been impossible to do were it not for my “family herd,” my “church herd,” and my “neighborhood herd.” I have felt Fathers’ love, support, and inspiration through their hands. Additionally, my mother has had a “village” provide her care and loving kindness.
Imagine the impact we can have as friends, neighbors, and Church leaders, when we circle and support those around us as they face challenges. Perhaps we should change the name of “ward council” to “bison circle.” Well, maybe not, but you can certainly see the inspired wisdom in both.
Adversity Brings Us CloserAs we look at some of the bigger challenges that we have faced as an individual, in a family, or as a Church unit, we will discover that to navigate our challenges well, we need to pull together. Thus, as we counsel with our family, trusted leaders and friends, our “herd” is strengthened and blessed.
For 25 years we were privileged to live in Texas and experience the epitome of “southern hospitality.” It’s real! We always had a village to help raise our children, and a herd to face challenges.
Because of how close we lived to the Gulf coast, we experienced several devastating hurricanes and tropical storms that left a great deal of destruction in our town and those around us. It would have been overwhelming for any one person or family to clean up the impact of flooding and wind damage. But in Texas, they know how to “get ‘er done.” Although the Church was well represented in their yellow shirt clean up crew efforts, they were cleaning side by side with thousands of big-hearted Texans of all faith traditions who truly cared about their neighbor.
These epic natural disasters were a catalyst to lean into challenges with our neighbors, community, and church leaders. For example, a tornado struck an apartment complex with mostly Hispanic residents. There were so many needs to be met in addition to a language barrier. Picture this, a huge circle of responders (a mixture of apartment residents, Spanish speaking Latter-day Saint missionaries and community leaders) holding hands in prayer as a community leader was the voice for a prayer for help, comfort, and courage. The Red Cross was there to help with much needed immediate resources for the residents, and the community was there to do the rest.
Or a local town that had an inspired emergency management team that invited local churches to create a plan on how to help that community when disaster struck. That City couldn’t clean up the impact of the storms on private property, but because of pre-planning with the local churches, when the storm arrived, so did help. The different churches came together and designated one to manage the hygiene donations, another the food donations, another organized the volunteer work crews and another feeding the volunteer crews. This community circled their herd as they cared for the needs of their citizens.
Caring for Our HerdAs we do these things, we will be drawn closer together with other individuals, families, and neighbors. Then when the next challenge comes, which it will, we are stronger and better able to face this new challenge. Plus, a natural side effect of these efforts is the creation of deep and lasting relationships in our families and communities.
Remember, what happens to one individual, to one family, happens to all and we need to be a support and strength to our herd. We are now better able to show more compassion and seek to be more caring because we have had our own personal trials and experiences as well as helping others in theirs. Thus, we have more to draw from during difficult times.
As we look back at the lessons learned from our challenges and the challenges of others, we will discover that we are indeed a better person, spouse, parent, co-worker, friend, ministering sister or brother and neighbor. Plus, with our growing herd, we will be able to more fully embrace our next challenge, and the lessons to be learned.
Beth Young is a convert of 45 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 35 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five adult children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She moved to Utah five years ago and loves writing, teaching, and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health. Beth serves as the written content manager at Leading Saints, and is a master gardener.
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Jeff Nance is originally from Charleston, South Carolina, served in the Sydney Australia Mission, and graduated from Brigham Young University in Political Science as an ROTC scholarship student, and from BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. He served in the 101st Airborne Division, then in many capacities in Okinawa, Japan, in the civilian personnel branch, and later in Bad Kreuznach, Germany and Vicenza, Italy. He served as the Chief, Military Justice and then Chief of Operational Law of V Corps and deployed to Iraq, where he oversaw the initial reconstitution of the Iraqi criminal courts system. Back in the United States, he served as USATDS Region II Regional Defense Counsel before being selected to serve as a Military Judge. Promoted to Colonel, he was transferred back to Germany and deployed several times to preside over scores of courts-martial in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait. He later served as Circuit Judge and then as Chief Circuit Judge in the 3rd Judicial Circuit and 2nd Judicial Circuit.In his 13+ years as a military judge, Colonel Nance presided over hundreds of courts-martial, including some of the Army’s most complex and high-profile cases. After retiring from active duty in October 2018, he was sworn in as an Immigration Judge with the Department of Justice.
Being in the Army for 30 years and living all over the world has given Jeff and his wife Jeneen many service opportunities. He is currently serving as a bishop in his eighth bishopric and has served as a nursery leader, youth Sunday School teacher, primary teacher, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, and stake high counselor. Jeff and Jeneen are the proud parents of three children and three grandchildren.
Highlights02:00 Kurt shares Jeff’s background and how they met.
06:00 Jeff shares his schooling and career path to becoming a judge in the military.
21:10 The last case that Jeff worked on was the very high profile case, United States vs. Bergdahl. Jeff shares some of the background of the case.
31:20 After getting out of the military Jeff was called as bishop in Charleston. He describes his experience of getting called.
37:10 Advice to those that have to judge. Being a judge in Israel is helping people to repent. Where do justice and mercy come together?
40:30 How do you balance justice and mercy? It’s not just about paying the price for what they’ve done. It’s about being redeemed. You must judge each case differently.
46:20 The process of making decisions when judging. How do you know you are making the right decision? Jeff shares the “Oliver principle” taught through Joseph Smith.
52:50 Impossible calls to make. Jeff talks about having doubts about decisions that he made but how he finds peace with it also.
56:00 Reprove with sharpness only when the spirit indicates to do so.
1:01:45 The church system versus the legal system. Jesus always leaned towards mercy.
1:05:00 Our role 99% of the time is to help people apply the Atonement. Leaders need to discuss what things that person needs for repentance and in some cases what needs to be done to protect the name of the church.
1:07:50 Jeff’s experience in the church helped him more in his career than his career has helped him in the church.
1:09:30 Jeff shares his final thoughts and the biggest things that he has learned in his time in leadership.
LinksRead the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post Being a Judge in Israel | An Interview with Jeffery Nance appeared first on Leading Saints.
When it comes to calling leaders, we hope this is done in a revelatory process — but that process includes many minor decisions.
We don’t give much thought to these decisions most of the time.
From my experience, many of these decisions happen quickly in a simple bishopric meeting.
A calling, like an elders quorum president, needs to be recommended to the stake presidency.
The bishopric begins to suggest names to consider…
Brother Altamirano?
Nah, he travels too much.
Brother Barragan?
No, he’s moving.
Brother Nixon?
Yeah, that might work.
Who else?
On and on this discussion goes.
Names are suggested and a list of possibilities begins to form.
Well, what about Jimmy Osprey?
From the bishopric counselors’ perspectives he seems like a great fit.
However, the bishop knows his spiritual preparedness isn’t where it needs to be.
Often this is a simple “no” and the name is dismissed.
Why have an awkward conversation or challenge this “unworthy” brother to serve as a leader?
Instead of stepping over this possibility, I wonder if we could do better by leaning into it more often and at least taking it to God.
Maybe it would lead to a conversation with Jimmy about a higher calling God has for him.
Maybe it would be the catalyst that leads to lifelong change.
My worry is, as leaders process staffing/calling needs in an organization, we too quickly move past the people who seem unprepared (especially spiritually).
I wonder what lives we could change by sitting with a name a little longer and maybe even having a conversation with someone about a calling God has in store for them.
We were designed by God to answer the call of a greater mission.
Don’t hold it back from them.
Extend it.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Calling the “unworthy” to lead appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in January 2018.Terryl L. Givens, PhD, did graduate work in Intellectual History at Cornell and studied Comparative Literature at UNC Chapel Hill. He taught courses in Romanticism, nineteenth century cultural studies, and the Bible and Literature and was the Jabez A. Bostwick Professor of English at the University of Richmond. Currently, he is a Neal L. Maxwell Senior Fellow at Brigham Young University. He has published in literary theory, British and European Romanticism, Mormon studies, and intellectual history. Terryl has authored or edited 20+ books, and some of his favorites include his collaborations with his wife, Fiona. Together they are the authors of The God Who Weeps, The Crucible of Doubt, The Christ Who Heals, and All Things New.
Baptized initially in the Presbyterian faith by his minister grandfather, Terryl and his family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when Terryl was eight or nine. He served as a missionary in Brazil and has served as a bishop. Whether hosting insightful podcasts for Faith Matters or speaking to saints the world over at intimate firesides, Terryl’s mission is to help everyone–no matter where they are in their journey of faith–come closer to Jesus Christ.
Highlights4:30 Terryl’s background and work experience.
6:20 Religious background and faith development.
10:20 How Terryl met his wife, Fiona. The early years of marriage and having kids.
13:45 Terryl’s unlikely journey to becoming an author and his father’s collection of 19th-century anti-LDS literature. The impact of learning The Book of Mormon was the most widely-produced book, other than the Bible
16:50 Books are no longer the primary vehicle for disseminating information. Terryl’s podcast is about his desire to celebrate intellectual and theological richness of Mormonism.
19:20 There is not one typical Mormon testimony; finding one’s own path in coming to Christ.
20:30 Called as bishop in Richmond the week of 9/11.
21:30 Advice Terryl received when he got called as bishop.
- As a bishop, you occupy a position with enormous ability to make a difference in people’s lives.
- Be aware of the power of the mantle you wear.
- One small look or gesture can completely change someone’s Sabbath experience.
22:45 Terryl and his counselors focused on personal interaction as a bishopric.
- No one left the chapel without encountering the bishop or one of the counselors.
- They made visits to everyone in the ward in the first year.
- He made appointments with every single young person.
24:30 Dealing with faith and emotional crises. Terryl didn’t always know how to help people but the number one thing he learned to do as a bishop was to be empathetic. Stop trying to fix it. Just listen and validate them.
30:00 Helping people with difficult faith questions. Listen to the questions people have without interjecting yourself with your own faith position. Terryl shares personal experiences he has had helping people with faith crises.
35:15 As a leader, have the courage to refer someone to a person with more expertise. Be careful about trying to shut off sources of intellectual inquiry.
38:00 Many in the church criminalize doubt. Elder Hugh B. Brown says, “We all have to serve an apprenticeship in doubt on the way to discipleship.” Doubt is a phase on the way to finding something richer. However, people shouldn’t stay in that attitude of doubt.
39:35 Faithful trust instead of certain knowledge. Believe vs know.
44:15 Scriptural examples of individuals having faith without absolute knowledge. It’s ok to say I don’t know.
46:35 Asking genuine questions in adult Sunday school classes. The importance of truly-spiritual gospel doctrine class teachers.
50:30 Is there resistance to addressing questions head-on? In the long run, how will church members be fortified? Terryl shares his experience about being “shut down” in the U.K. when he was teaching.
53:00 What is holy envy? Terryl says that his holy envy is of faiths that see the role of art and literature as sacred vehicles. President Kimball said, “When God didn’t have prophets he spoke through poets.”
55:30 The essence of discipleship is the recognition that we are all wounded and hurting in some way. There is no one whose life can’t be made better by a shared concern. Nearly everyone carries some type of burden.
LinksTerrylGivens.com
Books authored by Terryl
The Sin of Certainty: Why God Desires Our Trust More Than Our “Correct” Beliefs
Men are From Mars Women are From Venus
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post Ministering to the Doubter | An Interview With Terryl Givens appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His favorite was teaching early morning seminary. He currently serves in the high council as the stake Young Men president.
Enter Dack…I’d like to start today with a little exercise. Imagine you are driving down a street with several businesses and restaurants along the roadway. I want you to imagine that you can see the business logo, but you can’t see the name of the business. Do you think you could identify which brand or logo belonged to each company or restaurant without seeing the actual name of the company?
Let’s give it a try. So, let’s start driving. In your mind’s eye, I want you to imagine you are driving down the road. Up ahead you see a giant yellow “M” ahead of you with a red background. Do you recognize this restaurant? You should. It is one of the most popular brands on the planet, McDonalds. As you continue down the road you notice that the low gas light just came on in your car as you scan the horizon looking for a gas station you see a yellow seashell with a red border. Is this where you need to stop? Yes, it is. Many of you have already identified this as a Shell gas station.
Let’s do a couple more tougher ones. Today you’re out shopping for shoes. But what brand are you looking for? If you were looking for a pair of Nike’s, could you identify them just by the logo? I think most of us could, but what about a more obscure brand? Can anyone remember the Converse logo? What about Reebok or New Balance? Last one… As you leave the shoe store that day and head back home you decide to drive by the car dealerships just to window shop. We can all dream. The first dealership has four interlocking circles. Do you know what cars are there? The next dealership has a an oval-shaped logo with a blue background, inside is one larger star with five smaller stars off to the right. Any guesses? Finally, you come to the last dealership. This logo has a black stallion with a yellow background. Across the top it has thin green, white and red stripes. This one might be a little too rich for my bank acct.
The Universal LanguageI hope you enjoyed this exercise. “Symbols are the universal language. Symbols bring color and strength to language, while deepening and enriching our understandings. Symbols enable us to give conceptual form to ideas and emotions that may otherwise defy the power of words. They take us beyond words” and can bring a full range of emotions.
Symbols are also a big part of our gospel experience of the covenant path. Just like in our exercise of virtually driving down the road and seeing symbols, the covenant path also has different symbols that bring a meaning and depth to the covenants and ordinances we make.
From the time we are immersed in the waters of baptism to the time we kneel at the alter of the temple with the companion of our choice in the ordinance of eternal marriage, every covenant we make will be accompanied with a symbol.
Symbols Are Both Timely and TimelessWhile some symbols have very specific meanings, others tend to be more ambiguous in their meaning. Much like the parables we read in the scriptures, symbols can be more timely than timeless. We can’t fixate on what the symbols may or may not mean. Symbols can take on different meanings as we experience different phases of life.
While on the surface it may feel like the Church is unique in using symbols as part of our worship, if we take a moment to look at other religions and cultures, we will see that mankind uses symbolism to enhance their worship. Many religions have ceremonial clothing that is worn during worship services. Some faiths will wear specific clothing as part of their daily worship. Other religions have very specific rituals and practices that they adopt as part of their worship. Anciently we see that as God led the Children of Israel out of Egypt, he repeatedly used symbols. From the Passover to the Tabernacle, Israel was taught through symbols, rituals, and covenants.
As I look back and remember my first experiences with the temple, I was a little surprised at how ritualistic it felt. However, as I continued to go, my spiritual eyes and understanding began to open. I began to find meaning and connection with the covenants I was making. Now as I have come to be married and have children, the temple has become more meaningful and a deeper understanding of the plan of salvation. Going to the temple conditions our spirits to be in the presence of God. The more we attend and participate the more we begin to see through the lens of eternity. There are five fundamental covenants we make in the temple that guide us and teach us to be like God. I believe there is power not just in the covenant we make, but also in the order in which we make them. For the sake of time, we will focus on the endowment and the covenants we make there.
Heartfelt and Willing ObedienceObedience is the first law of heaven and the cornerstone of all righteousness and progression. In the endowment of the temple, we make a covenant of obedience before we make any other covenants. Saul learned a powerful lesson from Samuel when he chose sacrificing the Amalekite’s sheep and cattle over obeying the commandments given to him. Samuel taught, to obey is better than sacrifice. I think one reason obedience comes first is because it is the starting point where we begin to change our hearts from our own will to the will of God.
In the garden, Adam and Eve made the conscious decision to partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This led to them being cast out of the garden. Prior to them being completely cast out, Adam and Eve were taught about the law of obedience. Elder Bednar taught that there are two levels of our obedience. The first is to obey out of a sense of duty or even fear of God. For many of us this is a familiar form of obedience. We may obey parents, leaders, or our employers out of a sense of obligation or fear of getting into trouble. Some may obey traffic laws out of fear of getting a ticket. But Elder Bednar taught,
“It is a good thing to obey out of a sense of duty; but it is an even greater thing, a more spiritually demanding thing, to obey through love. It is one thing to reluctantly or grudgingly conform to commandments; it is a different thing to joyfully obey”.
He continues,
“It is one thing to perform the outward actions of obedience; it is quite a different thing to become inwardly what the commandments are intended to help us become.”
Progressing from the level of complying obedience to the level and happiness associated with heartfelt and willing obedience does not occur quickly or all at once. There are certainly days in my life that it is more a matter of grit, willpower, and determination. As we progress spiritually and become more and more like the Savior, we learn to internalize the commandments and accept them as our own. What once felt like a restriction or some type of heavenly enforced deprivation, can become a part of who we are. Our love of God and our ability to change through the power of the Atonement our obedience will begin to change from obligation to love.
Sacrifice – From Worldly to HolyThe law of Sacrifice is the second covenant we make in the temple endowment. As they left the garden Adam and Eve were given a commandment to offer the firstlings of their flocks as a sacrifice unto the Lord. The word sacrifice derives from the Latin sacrificium, which is a combination of the words sacer, meaning something set apart from the secular or profane for the use of supernatural powers, and facere, meaning “to make.” Simply put, to sacrifice something means to take something that is worldly and make it holy.
In the case of Adam and Eve’s sacrifice, they were commanded to take the best that their flock could provide and to burn it. This was not an easy ask. This lamb could have been a potential source of food or clothing. They had already invested time, food, and energy into the lamb’s mother. One of the components of sacrifice is that we are learning to do without something that is of value to us. But the angel that appeared to Adam and Eve provided an even deeper meaning of our sacrifices. He explained that Adam and Eve’s sacrifice was a similitude (or a type of) Christ’s ultimate sacrifice.
Similarly when we sacrifice our time and energy, when we take something of value to us and we place it on our own alter of sacrifice, we become more Christlike. Sacrificing may also require us to give up a bad habit or practice. It may require us to develop an attribute.
Far too often we sacrifice something we want the most for something we want in the moment. Part of the spiritual training and conditioning that the temple provides for us is learning to see things through an eternal perspective. Sacrificing is also the first step of becoming unselfish and not being self-centered. We begin to think outwardly instead of inwardly. This developmental process of giving our broken hearts and contrite spirits can feel similar to the soreness that comes with stretching and exerting our physical muscles. But with consistent and steady practice, our spiritual muscles will grow and strengthen. Our spirits will begin to teach the natural man within us who is in control.
More Fully Taking Upon Us the Name of ChristThe third covenant we make along the path of our progression is to live the law of the gospel. Christ taught:
“This is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father…that I might be lifted up upon the cross…Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day. Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel.” (3 Nephi 27:13–14, 20–21)
It may seem odd at first that we are asked to make this covenant again in the temple since we have already made this covenant in our baptismal covenant. Each of us must be baptized before we enter into the temple. In addition, each week when we take the sacrament, we recommit and renew our baptismal covenant. So why are we asked to covenant to obey the law of the gospel again in the temple?
Elder Dallin H. Oaks has explained that in renewing our baptismal covenants by partaking of the emblems of the sacrament,
“we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. [Rather], we witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77.) The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the [ultimate and] most important sense.”
The baptismal covenant clearly contemplates a future event or events and looks forward to the temple.
In other words, when we are baptized, we start the process of taking upon us the name of Christ. But as we go to the temple and enter into these covenants, we more fully commit to taking upon us the name of Jesus Christ. Much like an adoption, when we take the name of Christ upon us, we are born of him and become his sons and daughters. As children of Christ we take on family characteristics, we begin to look and act like our Father. We in reality become more CHRIST-ian, our behavior is more CHRIST-like. This third covenant then becomes a major steppingstone on the path of preparing ourselves to be in the presence of God.
The Guardrail – the Law of ChastityThe fourth covenant we make in the endowment is to live the law of chastity. In its most basic definition, the law of chastity states that an individual will have no sexual relations with anyone except their spouse who they are legally married to.
In my opinion, this covenant above all others is the one that teaches how to become like our Heavenly Father. One of the biggest ways we can be like our Heavenly Father is by creating life. Procreation is the way God moves his great plan of happiness forward. As Spiderman was told by his uncle, “with great power comes great responsibility”. Our Heavenly Father wants us to understand and use that responsibility wisely. He does this by giving us commandments and guidelines that help us to come to understand the power and responsibility of procreation.
But the law of chastity isn’t limited to sexual relationships. With a goal to become like God, chastity encompasses our thoughts, words, and even our dress. As we embrace the whole meaning behind this law, we begin to see how we can apply its principles into our behaviors in all aspects of our lives. Our entertainment, our interactions with each other, and even our language can reflect our understanding of this law.
When I was younger, I used to think, “once I get married, all my law of chastity challenges will go away.” Well, they didn’t. I had to learn to place restrictions and guardrails in place in my life to keep me on the right path. I had to learn self-control and self-mastery. This did not come easy, and it is still a daily battle that I face. But what I have come to learn is that the previous covenants of obedience, sacrifice and living the gospel build upon each other to help me live the law of chastity.
I have learned and am learning that obedience is paramount. I have learned and am learning that living the law of chastity takes sacrifice of my natural man’s desires. I have learned and am learning that I can repent and take upon me the name of Christ and be more Christlike as I strive to live the law of chastity.
Law of Consecration – Expanding Our SoulsThe final covenant we make in the endowment of the temple is the law of consecration. The law of consecration is that we will give our time, talents, and energy to the Lord for the building up of His kingdom.
The law of consecration is designed to eliminate our selfishness. This law was initially introduced to the saints by the prophet Joseph Smith, but ultimately, they were unable to consistently live this law. Rather than judge these early saints too harshly, we should look at ourselves to see if are doing any better.
This can be a challenging law to live. It would be very difficult to give everything I earn to the bishop so he could redisperse it to those in need. I think I would really struggle with that. But thankfully, there are ways that we can start to train ourselves to live this law. One way is by living the law of tithing. Paying tithing and fast offerings teaches us to give back to the Church and individuals. We can also practice living the law of consecration in our families. Often running a family home means doing chores and activities for the entire family. How many of us have said, “well those aren’t MY dirty dishes in the sink. Why should I have to do them?” As we learn to work as a family and give of ourselves for the building up of our homes, our circle of capacity will begin to expand to other areas of our life.
We can magnify our church callings and extend ourselves to our ward family. We are learning to give of ourselves and become more like Christ who loved the church and gave himself for it.
Becoming Like ChristEach temple covenant we make builds upon each other and expands our spiritual muscle to be able to make additional covenants. But Christ doesn’t just want us to do something, he wants us to become something. As we enter into covenants and participate in ordinances, we unlock the power of Godliness in our lives. Our minds and spirit will become enlightened, and we grow to become more and more like our Savior.
The post From Worldly to Holy – Embracing Temple Covenants appeared first on Leading Saints.
Tyson Bradley is the future #1 New York Times bestselling author of the book Reclaim Your Inherent Identity: The 5 Steps To Bypass Your Brain and Create Lasting Change Instantly. He has studied mindset and behavior change over the past 10 years and has finally cracked the code on the fastest way to make habits happen. Tyson has a masters in Human Resources and an MBA. He is a certified life coach and specializes in time management, identity-based habit creation, and teaching people the skill of neuro-bypassing.Tyson has served as an elders quorum president, stake executive secretary, and currently serves as a ministering secretary. He is happily married and the proud father of two redheaded girls and one brown-headed boy.
Highlights02:00 Introduction to Tyson Bradley and his work as a neuro bypassing coach.
04:40 Tyson talks about what he sees most with the people that he coaches and what a lot of people are struggling with.
10:15 Tyson’s manuscript that he uses in coaching. It’s not for sale but part of a membership he has for those he coaches.
13:20 We need to start focusing more on identity.
14:40 Inherent Identity method. Also called the I AM ME method. They use Kurt’s calling as an example of how to apply this method.
15:00 I is for Ideal. What is the ideal version of this experience? It could be a goal or a church calling that you really want to improve on.
19:40 A is for Amplify. Take your ideal and amplify it. A lot of times we think small but this helps us to think big.
27:00 M is for movement. What is the next step I need to take?
33:45 M is for Manifesto. Take the action and create it into an identity statement. Identity statements always start with I am… An I am statement needs to be paired with doing something.
40:50 E is for Evoke. Evoke is like to remember. Remember our identity.
49:30 Tyson guides us through the I am me method.
- Ideal – What would you love to experience? What’s your ideal?
- Amplify – What would be the 10x or dramatized version of your ideal? Visualize it. Take time to be grateful for it.
- Movement – what is my next step? What is the one thing I need to do next?
- Manifesto – creating your action step and turning it into an identity.
- Evoke – Wake up in the morning and remind yourself of who you are and your true identity everyday.
53:30 Tyson encourages people to change the way they pray. One way that Tyson likes to change his prayers is by writing his prayers down. Kurt writes down 3 gratitudes and 3 glories to God that helps his prayers be more meaningful.
57:50 Tyson shares his testimony and final thoughts on leadership and Jesus Christ.
LinksInherentIdentity.com
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post Expanding the Possibilities of Your Calling | An Interview with Tyson Bradley appeared first on Leading Saints.
When I started Leading Saints, I figured my target audience was leaders in the church.
Almost 13 years later I realize the target audience for Leading Saints is much more expansive.
(Not to mention, the audience is much more female than I expected it would be.)
Creating content directed at a formal church leadership audience does help us stay focused.
With that said, the Leading Saints movement is much bigger than the titles you hear in the hallway at church.
Meeting recently with our board of directors, Dan Duckworth framed the Leading Saints audience perfectly when he said,
“Leading Saints serves the leadership class of Latter-day Saints.”
The Leadership Class… I like it!
So, what does that mean?
Observing our current audience, it is obvious that those who are drawn to Leading Saints are…
The influencers
The positive deviants
The movers and shakers
Title or no title, they are making a difference.
They are not limited by a calling or a title.
Sure, they need some direction or inspiration sometimes, and we are happy to provide it.
They refuse to sit back.
They shape their community by having their presence felt.
It’s a very Christlike attribute.
You are the leadership class.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post You are the Leadership Class appeared first on Leading Saints.
Vivian Bishop-Cook lives in the Green Bay, Wisconsin area and works as a therapist. She has been a participant and leader at Young Women camps at least 15 times as an adult.Highlights02:30 Introduction to Vivian and her background.
04:45 Vivian talks about what she is seeing in her therapist’s office. Most people are working on relationship issues, balancing their lives, and working on their self esteem.
07:15 Vivian’s girls camp experience growing up and also as a leader. As an adult she has been to girls camp 15-16 times.
11:50 Vivian focuses on 3 things for girls camp. She calls it the three ring circus.
- Faith
- Friendship
- Fun
14:50 One of the most important parts of camp is mentoring the YCLs and letting them lead. In Vivian’s stake they also call a YCL director. The YCLs are the heart of the camp.
20:40 How Vivian’s stake mentors the youth. Mentoring is the secret sauce.
- Youth do the devotionals. They pick the topic but Vivian mentors them on how to do the devotional and how to present the topic.
24:50 The number one request from the young women was to have a longer personal spiritual time during camp.
25:20 Vivian shares a story of one of her young women and her experience with personal spiritual time during camp.
26:40 Mentoring the youth to do devotionals is more than just mentoring. It’s an opportunity for the leaders and the youth to connect and get to know each other more. It’s a moment of one on one time to help them with their testimonies and struggles in their lives.
29:00 Part of having the YCLs doing the devotionals is to help them tap into their vulnerability and sharing a part of themselves.
29:45 In preparation for camp they teach the girls what a testimony is and what the components are. This helps the testimony meetings be focused on the gospel and so that the testimony meeting doesn’t turn into a group therapy session.
30:50 The ring of friendship is another important principle at camp.
- They created “campanions” so that everyone has a friend at camp.
35:00 Vivian’s stake has been working on including the YCLs more. They invite them to do the workshops with them. It’s not always easier to have the youth lead but it’s very important to their growth.
39:00 Vivian spent about 8 years outside the Church in her early 20s, where she explored other faiths. But everything led her back to the Church.
42:40 Final thoughts and testimony of leadership and growing closer to Christ.
LinksRead the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post How I Lead at Young Women Camp | An Interview with Vivian Bishop-Cook appeared first on Leading Saints.
Adam Ellsworth is currently loving his service as a Teachers Quorum Advisor in Alpine, Utah. He and his wife, Maricel, are enjoying the challenges that come with raising three boys, ages 14, 11, and 11. Professionally, Adam has been practicing law as a patent attorney since 2006. After receiving his bachelor’s degree at BYU, Adam graduated law school from Pepperdine University, after which he took a job in Washington D.C. Adam and his family recently moved to Alpine after living in Washington, D.C. for 13 years. Hear his How I Lead interview HERE.
Enter Adam…I recently attended a funeral of my friend’s dad held in a funeral home in Utah. As I sat in the main room waiting for the family to enter from a nearby viewing room, I looked around at empty seats. No one else was there. While my friend’s dad had chronic health issues that would have kept him from attending church services regularly, he and his wife were members of a local ward. They would be known by bishops, elders quorum and Relief Society presidents, assigned ministers, and neighbors. But on this day when loved ones gathered to remember the life of the recently deceased, no one came.
My friend did not complain. His family did not seem upset that no one else was there. They mourned and celebrated together. And I felt glad to mourn and celebrate with them. But I was also a little sad for my people. We don’t always do “love thy neighbor as thyself” very well, do we?
Who is my neighbor?When Christ shared the parable of the Good Samaritan, in response to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”, he selected a Samaritan to be the protagonist. The Samaritans were despised by faithful Jews. But only the Samaritan had compassion and took time to care for a wounded man along his path.
Sometimes we say this parable teaches us that “everyone” is our neighbor. I don’t think so. While it is true we should not hold onto contentious feelings towards anyone, the Samaritan in the parable did not love “everyone.” He took time out of his journey to express love for the one person on his path.
In a podcast episode a few years ago, Kurt interviewed a Protestant pastor, Dave Runyon, who realized in his efforts to love “everyone,” he was neglecting his literal neighbors. He was not being intentional in loving his literal neighbors, because he was too busy doing important church stuff, such as setting up church activities and counseling families.
Sound familiar?
Dave said:
“I filled up my life with so much of that [e.g., church duties], I didn’t have any time to get to know the people who live right around me.”
Dave said as he came to this realization, he had two thoughts. His first thought was, “Jesus is smart. What if Jesus gave us a simple plan, that if everyone did it, it would change the world?” His second thought was, “I wasn’t doing it.”
Loving at a Deeper LevelFaithful latter-day saints fall into similar traps. In my experience, we do a good job of being warm and friendly to others we see in a church setting. I personally feel joy and love for my fellow ward members when we worship together. But to say that I love my fellow ward members based on brief interactions at church, is like saying I love the ocean based on sitting on the beach. The surf is not the ocean. It is a miniscule part, although an admittedly beautiful part, of a vast and complex ecosystem. I may love the part of the ocean I can see, but there are vast depths I cannot see. I may (and do) love my brothers and sisters at church, but Christ’s admonition to “love our neighbors as ourselves” is an invitation to love our neighbor at a far deeper level.
We Cannot Love Whom We Do Not KnowOur capacity to love a person is proportional to how well we know them.
Movies represent love as being instantly smitten by beauty or a wacky weekend with a partner’s family. But these are only the seeds of love. A deeper kind of love requires getting to know a person’s hopes and challenges, then choosing to share in their hopes and be supportive as they face or overcome challenges.
Think of your hopes. What is it that you hope for in life? This year? This week? Now think of your neighbor. What are their hopes? Do you know their hopes like you know your own?
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Think of your challenges. What is a difficulty you are facing? What is an area in which you are striving to improve? Now think of your neighbor. What are their challenges? Do you know their challenges like you know your own?
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Christ’s admonition to love our neighbor as ourselves is an invitation to become more like Him. We cannot follow Christ’s admonition if we do not take time to get to know our neighbor. We can only love a person to the extent we are willing to take time – yes, outside of a church setting – to get to know them and to the extent we are willing to share in their hopes and challenges.
Develop Loving Friendships With Those Around YouThe invitation to love our neighbors as ourselves is an invitation to make new friends. One of my favorite expressions of the relationship between love and friendship is by Louis Armstrong in his song, “What a Wonderful World.”
“I see friends shaking hands, Saying ‘how do you do?’ They’re really saying, ‘I love you.’”
Discussing a recent publication, Dr. Marisa Franco, a psychologist, noted three different types of “belonging” identified in scientific literature: intimate relationships, belonging to a cause or purpose, and platonic friendships.
Platonic, or non-romantic, friendship is an important kind of love. In addition to the eternal benefit of developing Christlike attributes of loving our neighbors, friendship is scientifically linked to increased longevity and reduced mental health issues, such as loneliness and depression. And yet, according to Dr. Franco, the number of adults who say they have “no friends” has increased fourfold compared to decades past. In addition, our circles of friends are shrinking compared to years past.
Dr. Franco also added:
“What’s the single best action a person can take now to live a longer life? How do you take the edge off of depression? What can single people do to flourish, and married people do to revitalize their marriage? The answer to all of these questions is good friendship. Yet, despite friendship’s essential benefits, people are experiencing friendship famine. According to a survey of 2000 adults, the average American hasn’t made a new friend in the last five years…”
Creating BelongingOur church has a strong tradition of encouraging us to seek and maintain intimate relationships in the form of dating, striving for an eternal marriage, and raising a family with an eternal partner. Our church also provides us with many opportunities to feel unified in the same cause – whether through leadership opportunities, service opportunities, or participation in classes in which we have the opportunity to hear and share our feelings about Christ. Therefore, active participation in church activities and service has a tendency to provide support for developing intimate relationships and a sense of belonging to the same cause or purpose.
However, our church provides less structure in the third class of belonging – creating belonging by seeking out and fostering new, lasting friendships with our neighbors. And it shows. Many church members, particularly adults (and most particularly, men), don’t take time to make new, lasting friendships with neighbors. We greet each other warmly and sincerely in church settings, but often fail to spend time building friendships outside church settings.
Surrounded By People but Feeling LonelySomeone reading this article may wonder how they can feel loneliness while in a supportive marriage and while actively participating in church service. According to Dr. Franco’s research, different types of belonging satisfy different emotional needs. Deep, long-lasting friendships provide emotional and mental support in a different way than our relationships with a spouse or our acceptance in a congregation. Consequently, we may still feel loneliness and lack of belonging when we actively participate in church worship and when we are in a committed intimate relationship.
If we accept the invitation to love our neighbors as ourselves, we accept an invitation to make a friend of a neighbor. Friendship takes time. Only with time will we come to understand our friends’ hopes and challenges. Only by sharing in the hopes and challenges of our neighbors can we know them enough to love them as ourselves.
Invitations to FriendshipI believe friendship cannot be assigned. For example, an assignment to minister to a member or family is not an assignment to be a friend. It is, however, an invitation for us to make opportunities to start a friendship. In addition to our assignments to minister, ward leaders may encourage friendships by creating an environment in which friendships may grow.
I have been in wards in which small groups of members came together to participate in common interests. One group of elders had a monthly movie night. I made lasting friendships with a group that played soccer in the cultural hall in the morning while kids participated in early-morning seminary. My wife participated in a book group. A friend’s ward had thirty men – both members of our church and non-members – playing pickleball regularly.
In each case, anyone was welcome, but ultimately a relatively small group came together to enjoy time with each other. We did not worry about how many people attended. We had a great time with whoever showed up. Elders quorum and Relief Society presidents may ask their members what kind of hobbies and interests they have and consider sponsoring or promoting regular mini-activities.
Be Intentional About Loving a NeighborWhile our church can foster an environment in which we can build unity through lasting friendships, God does not want us to wait for anyone else to act before we accept His invitation to love our neighbors as ourselves. We can act now to create opportunities to build friendships. We can invite ward members and neighbors to a monthly pot-luck, a neighborhood walk-about, a game night, a sports morning, a movie night, a breakfast get-together, a book group – or anything that interests us. It does not so much matter what we decide to do, but that we are intentional about expressing love to our neighbors by spending time together.
My experience at the memorial service for my friend’s dad, when no other friends came to be with the family, mirror’s my family’s experience since moving to Utah from the East coast. I’m discovering that we, as a community of believers, are pretty good at making church friends. But we are not as good at making deeper friendships, particularly as adults. There are a lot of reasons for this. Some relate to regions, some to age, some to individual personalities. For example, in Utah, where so many of us are fortunate to have family living nearby, we are more likely to spend time with family instead of other church members. As another example, adults, generally, have fewer opportunities than kids to hang out in unscheduled interactions with others. According to Dr. Franco, these unscheduled interactions are an important ingredient for making friends. For many adults, busy family and work schedules leave us feeling like we don’t have the time or emotional capital to devote to making a new friend.
This Is Your Personal InvitationI acknowledge all these realities. And yet, the invitation stands: Love thy neighbor as thyself. Christ invited the lawyer in Luke chapter 10 to “Go and do likewise.” The invitation is open to all of us. Who is our neighbor? It is the person along our path. We do not need to feel overwhelmed by our failure to spend time befriending the whole world. Instead, we can extend a hand of friendship to the one person in front of us, or next door to us, right now.
The post You Are Invited – Love Your Neighbor appeared first on Leading Saints.
Sara Brewer is a certified life coach and a Latter-day Saint who helps people quit porn. She is also the host of the Overcome Pornography for Good podcast, a fast-growing podcast about quitting porn, with over 400 5-star reviews. Her tag line is “shame-free and sex-positive” and her methods center around mindfulness, emotional management and resiliency, growth mindset, and identity creation. Outside of her full-time work as a coach, Sara is the mom of two toddlers and married to her high school sweetheart.In this podcast, Sara shares a presentation that is now part of the Liberating Saints Virtual Conference.
Highlights02:50 Introduction to Sara Brewer, a life coach for people that struggle with pornography use.
05:15 Sara helps both men and women with pornography.
06:15 Sara introduces her presentation and the main root causes.
07:20 The first root of pornography use is ESCAPE AND BUFFERING.
- Buffering is an action to escape negative emotion.
- People try to put on a “bandaid” solution on porn. They don’t deal with their emotions.
- People need to learn to sit with their emotions and focus on healing wounds.
14:00 Shame only makes porn use worse. A lot of members get into a shame cycle with porn use and it never ends.
16:10 The difference between guilt and shame. Holding onto guilt turns into shame.
17:00 It’s not either shame or justification. There are middle ground emotions that are going to be more useful in helping people quit.
18:00 It’s important to differentiate physiology and morality.
- We all have urges and sexual desires. This is physiology and part of being human.
- Morality comes from what we do with our desires.
20:10 Application for leaders. Be careful with punishment and adding to shame.
21:10 Leaders need to stop focusing on behavior but underlying emotions.
22:00 Using a filter is a good tool to use but it’s not a long-term solution for porn use and addiction.
25:30 Guilt should not be a motivator. It’s more of a signal that something doesn’t align with our values.
26:40 Root two is OVER DESIRE.
- Over desire is something that is learned and can be unlearned.
- It’s your brain and reward system working correctly.
- Avoiding urges isn’t going to solve the porn problem.
- Pavlov’s dog theory and what it teaches us about learning and unlearning behaviors.
32:00 Willpower doesn’t work. It’s like holding a beach ball under water. It wants to pop up. Allow the urges and emotions to pass through without getting the reward.
35:20 Sara’s technique to help people overcome over desire for porn. Stop, drop, and breathe.
38:20 Applications for leaders
- Stop telling people they will struggle with this forever.
- Avoid all or nothing thinking. Slip ups don’t mean you have to start over.
- Stop demonizing sexuality. It’s very normal to want sex and to have urges.
- Avoid saying that more prayer, fasting, and righteousness will fix this. Instead, focus on healing.
40:10 Instead of distracting yourself, sit with the emotions.
44:40 Too often we hear a lot of all or nothing phrases in the bishop’s office. If you can go x amount of days without porn then you can take the sacrament.
46:00 Root three is IDENTITY.
47:10 How we think about ourselves really matters. It gives us energy for our actions.
48:20 Not everyone that uses porn has an addiction. Most young men and women are not addicted. Be careful about labeling people with an addiction. It can be harmful to them.
50:00 Applications for leaders
- Avoid fostering an addiction mindset which is an I can’t change mindset.
- Avoid labeling people with an addiction.
- Avoid members feeling hopeless and stuck.
- Help members foster an identity of someone that quits porn.
55:20 Bishops should consider sending people to a life coach. They shouldn’t dismiss life coaches. They can work side by side with therapists.
59:20 Sara has many resources for members. She offers programs with group calls or one on one appointments.
1:01:00 Sara’s final encouragement to leaders who are trying to help those that are struggling with pornography
LinksWatch the video with 14-day access to the Core Leader Library, including the entire Liberating Saints Virtual Conference
SaraBrewer.com
It Isn’t a Sin to Be Weak, by Wendy Ulrich
Worthiness is not Flawlessness, by Brad Wilcox
Helpful episodes from Sara’s podcast that focus on the stop, drop, and breathe technique: Episodes 66, 47, 21
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post The Root of Pornography Use | A Presentation by Sara Brewer appeared first on Leading Saints.
There is a huge benefit of being in a formal church leadership role that rarely gets mentioned.
It’s simply this…
Friendships
Brotherhood
Sisterhood
Community
A decade of my life was spent in bishoprics and a stake presidency, and it was an amazing way to be in a friend group.
The brotherhood I felt by having a regularly scheduled weekly meeting where we would come together in prayer and seek to improve our local religious community is hard to beat.
It was awesome!
I sincerely miss it.
With hindsight, I have both appreciated the friendship that came from leadership and become more aware of some negative results from this dynamic as time goes on.
First, church leadership provided automatic friendship for me but not so much for my spouse.
I ran off to meetings and benefited from this friendship while my wife had no regularly scheduled friendship meeting on her schedule.
Second, more demanding callings naturally make you feel more connected to the ward as a community when this isn’t the case for many others in the ward.
This often skewed my perspective that our ward community was friendly, connected, and supportive.
Third, after these callings ended so did the benefit of these friendships.
Sure, I am still “friends” with those I served with, but we lost the need to have a regularly scheduled connection each week.
The solution to this friendship dynamic could be discussed in many future newsletter messages, but in short, this is what I have learned:
Friendship doesn’t randomly happen on a deeper level.
Friendship and connection must be intentional and work best if they are built around a specific routine.
Leaders can be intentional in making sure many (even those who don’t fit the mold) have opportunities to serve in more demanding callings so that they benefit from the automatic friendships that these callings provide.
There isn’t a season in your life when you don’t need friendship.
Don’t sit in a silo thinking social media is actually connecting you to anyone.
Maybe you have been spoiled in the past with automatic calling friendships.
But you still need a friend today.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post Leadership => Friendship appeared first on Leading Saints.
A stake president who has many bishops with a high welfare demand asked for insights on ways to approach welfare in the Lord’s way. Now that the elder’s quorum and Relief Society president carry a major portion of these efforts, it’s important to have insights to assist them in their efforts of providing caring and self-reliant resources. We blended comments from several wise and busy priesthood and relief society leaders to provide you with a few things to consider.
Keep in mind, most of these are from the perspective of a bishop with a heavy welfare load. If you are a bishop that has one or two welfare requests a year, this may not apply to you. Also, count yourself lucky, and on behalf of all the welfare wards out there, please thank your ward members for paying a generous fast offering.
- Your Only Job is to Say Yes or NoIn section 22.6.5 of the Church’s General Handbook of Instruction, there is a simple table that easily explains the roles of those involved in handling Church welfare. It is an invaluable reminder that the bishop only has one role that he cannot delegate – to say “Yes” or “No” for assistance. The Relief Society or elder’s quorum presidencies have the delegated responsibility to assess needs and assist with the self-reliance plan and are an integral part of a bishops welfare assistance team. (Relief Society or elders quorum presidencies, welfare specialists or service missionaries)
Thus, there is no need, nor is it a good use of his time, for a bishop to be spending hours in his office combing through utility bills and reviewing member’s budget plans. It is important for a bishop to realize that the only part of the process he must do is approve the check to be cut or the resources to be given. Either yes or no. Everything else can be delegated.
As a side note: When meeting with a member, it is beneficial to refrain from saying “money” or “check” and instead say “sacred funds” or “fast offering donations” etc. This helps keep it from being transactional.
If there is a higher need for welfare assistance, the bishop can call ward welfare and self-reliance specialists. Additionally, if it is a heavy welfare area, the Church can assign service missionary couples to a ward to help with all things temporal.
With the bishop teaching self-reliance principles and approving checks and/or orders, his time is freed up and he is able to put his focus where it really needs to be, in activation efforts or with the youth.
- Create Clear BoundariesWe highly recommend the book Bridges Out of Poverty. It is not published by the Church, but the Church sponsors trainings in Salt Lake and other areas teaching inner-city bishops and service missionaries about the principles taught in this book. If you are a bishop, buy it! You can also listen to Kurt Francom’s interview with one of the authors.
One section of the book talks about the “tyranny of the moment” that faces many low-income communities. These are moments when the simplest event (e.g., expired speeding ticket, garnishment of wages, sickness) causes a person’s life to spin out of control and suddenly he or she needs immediate help. These events don’t impact the middle- and upper-classes as much because they can afford insurance or have savings in place to soften the blow.
When temporal needs are urgent, the bishop loses control. He loses time and must make decisions in haste, and he may later regret a certain way he used sacred funds. It’s crucial for the bishop or welfare specialists to slow down the process. This is done by setting clear boundaries with members. Boundaries may include:
- 7 to 10 Day Decision Process – Advising them upfront what the ward’s assessment process takes 7 to 10 days, at least, before any decision can be made. If they come in with a three-day eviction notice, then you explain there isn’t enough time to process their request and they need to find another solution. This invites them to figure out other options and come back the next month with time to effectively process their request.
- No “Drop Everything” and Run to the Church – Other than rare exceptions, try to only cut welfare checks when you are already going to be at the church. It gets too chaotic to drop everything and run to the church to cut a check just because this person didn’t plan well.
Once members know the bishops boundaries, they respected them. Plus, it removes the chaos and invites time to be guided to the best welfare plan for that individual.
Since this plan includes meeting with either the Relief Society or elder’s quorum president or a welfare specialist, it provides time for adequate assessment. If someone goes directly to the bishop, kindly advise them that an assessment has to be done before a decision on assistance can be made.
Side note: There are specific details in the handbook section 22.5 on how to best help regular attending members; those who you may not know due to them being non-attending members; non-members in your ward boundaries or the homeless.
- The Plan is EverythingMany bishops constantly wonder how long is too long to assist a family with the Church welfare program. The Church has no specific policy on how long a family can be helped other than stating the goal to help them reach self-reliance.
One way to gauged it as a bishop is by keeping the family’s plan central to the welfare process. If they want the bishop to use welfare funds to help, they need to develop a plan that shows this would not be a long-term need. The plan they propose might take three to six months, but as long as the bishop, with the input from his welfare specialist team, feel like that is their best plan, it may make sense to help them for that long. If they come back and need additional help outside the planned time frame, it is easier to help them see that a better plan needs to be formulated. If they were unwilling to change the plan, additional help may not be a good idea and you can encourage them to find another resource
- Use the Self-Reliance PlanDon’t try to reinvent the wheel here, use the forms and resources provided by the Church. Not only will it provide a great way to develop a plan with the requester, but it also creates a reference point when discussing each case with you welfare assistance team.
Here are helpful steps from the handbook:
“When providing Church assistance, leaders follow the principles in sections 22.4.1 through 22.4.5. Bishoprics and clerks are encouraged to review the video “Sacred Funds, Sacred Responsibilities.”
The handbook also teaches:
“Principles for Providing Church Assistance:
- Encourage personal and family responsibility.
- Provide temporary assistance for essential needs.
- Provide resources or services rather than cash.
- Offer work or service opportunities.
- Keep information about Church assistance confidential.”
- Separate Yourself from the EmotionOne of the biggest benefits of working with your welfare assistance team is being able to separate yourself from the emotion of the situation.
As Elder Richard G. Scott has said,
“An individual … who lets his or her emotions influence decisions will not be powerfully led by the Spirit.”
The members requesting welfare assistance are in heavy situations. When someone first meets with them, the members are speaking from a position of strong emotion. The bishop is trying to make a logical decision, but as we know emotion can blind logic.
By sending in a one of your welfare assistance team and having them report back to you with the facts, you can take a more rational look at the situation. You can then make a better decision that you are less likely to regret later. As the bishop, don’t avoid meeting with the member, because that is an important part too, but allow most of the emotion to be filtered out through the welfare assistance team.
The Lord’s WayThere is a way and it’s the Lord’s way and it works perfectly. The Lord’s way includes meeting with the whomever is delegated to by the bishop to be the point person on the welfare assistance team. This allows bishops to do two things: feel peace about their diligence in protecting the sacred funds of the Church and, even more importantly, to ensure the recipient is on a path to self-reliance.
Remember, the sacred funds of the Church are to sustain life (not lifestyle or credit scores).
With that said, there are some scenarios where members should be asking for help but may not; this too is not good. They should not forgo medical treatment, emotional/mental counseling, or personal investments such as communication/transportation that help a person earn an income.
So what do you think? What approach have you taken in administering welfare?
We also recommend that you read the article, When the Bishop Doesn’t Pay the Rent.
This article has been updated with contributions from Beth Young and members of the Leading Saints Helpers Group.
The post 5 Tips For Administering Church Welfare appeared first on Leading Saints.
Elder Lynn Grant Robbins was sustained as a General Authority Seventy in 1997. After serving for over 25 years, he was released and given emeritus status on October 2, 2022. Elder Robbins served as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy, as President of the North America Southwest Area, and supervised the North America Southeast and Southwest Areas. He has served as President of the South America South, Central America, and North America West Areas. He has also served in the North America Central Area.In his professional career, Elder Robbins was one of the founders of Franklin Quest. He concluded his career there when he was called to preside over the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. Born in Springville, Utah, he married Jan Nielson and they are the parents of seven children and 21 grandchildren.
Highlights02:10 Introduction to Lynn G Robbins; his background in the Church, education, and work
11:30 Lynn talks about his journey in church leadership.
17:40 The early years of leadership as a bishop and mission president
20:00 Transitioning to becoming a new mission president; telying on revelation instead of past experience
21:30 Every Christ-like attribute has a complementary attribute. We can make all the plans but those plans have to be balanced with following the Spirit.
23:00 Elder Robbins explains complementary principles. They complement one another.
- It’s not justice versus mercy. It’s justice and mercy.
- Religion and science
- Men and women
24:15 The contrary principle. Elder Robbins explains the firefly effect. It takes a dark background to manifest the light of the firefly. We need contrary principles and opposites to manifest the truth.
26:30 Any virtue taken to the extreme becomes discombobulated. For example, love taken to the extreme becomes enabling and permissive.
27:00 A complimentary principle that goes with love is self reliance. Elder Robbins gives the example of Helen Keller.
29:00 Bishops need to use these complementary principles of justice and mercy or love and self reliance. When giving welfare help it’s important to make sure that there is self reliance there.
31:50 Bishops also have to balance administration and ministering. It’s easy to write someone a check to help them out. Problem solved. It’s much more difficult to sit down with that person and go through all their expenses but this is ministering.
33:10 You can give a man a fish and feed him for a day. That’s charity. However, it’s far wiser to teach him to fish. This is self reliance and he will be fed for a lifetime.
36:30 Too many people leave the bishop’s office feeling condemned. Always lean to the side of mercy. They should leave the bishop’s office feeling the love of the Savior demonstrated through the bishop and the hope of the Atonement.
39:40 Elder Robbins gives advice on how to help people with repentance. Remember that every case is different. Some sins need more mercy and others need justice and sacrifice. It’s not about punishment.
45:00 The bishop’s office is like a garbage dump. It’s a place where people can unload their garbage and walk away feeling lighter.
49:50 The most important things happening in a stake are never going to show up on a sheet of statistics because they can’t be seen. You can’t count love between husband and wife, conversion, and acts of service.
50:30 The Savior counted the things that cannot be seen or counted as the “weightier matters.” Statistics are things that matter less. Elder Robbins describes the difference between do’s and be’s.
51:30 Elder Robbins talks about how he has helped stake presidencies during stake conference weekend and what they focused on.
54:40 Elder Robbins gives an example of the do’s and be’s and why they are both important.
57:00 The world looks for accolades and titles. The Lord looks for the weak and the simple. Christ’s disciples were fishermen. It’s the Lord that qualifies his servants.
1:02:30 Some people are afraid of extending invites. Why are we afraid of extending invites?
1:05:00 A good question for a leader to ask while doing home visits is, “Would you be willing to share your experience in the Church?”
1:06:00 A totally ineffective question that all of us do at the end of a visit is, “is there anything that we can help you with?” Let’s change that to something more effective. A better question is, “If it’s not too personal, what are the things that keep you awake at night?” Pray with them and for them about these things.
1:07:10 Elder Robbins breaks down the quote from Elder Packer, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behaviors.” Behavior is evidence of what’s in their heart. You have to figure out what is driving someone’s behavior.
1:09:00 Elder Robbins shares an experience of teaching his daughter to make her own decisions and letting her be self reliant. Forcing our children into a decision can plant the seed of rebellion.
1:14:00 President Nelson’s story of teaching his daughter. He took a minute to teach her and then let her make her decision to keep the Sabbath day holy or not.
1:15:45 Balance of love and expectations
1:21:30 How do you have high love for people? What can you do on a day to day basis?
1:24:30 Christ’s greatest sermon was His life. The quest of our lifetime is to develop Christlike attributes. Be like Him.
1:27:40 If you were to ask the world to consider the words, leader and servant and if they are antonyms or synonyms, they would say antonyms. However, if you asked Christ, he would say they are synonyms.
1:29:20 Elder Robbins’ final thoughts and sharing how leading has drawn him to Christ and vice versa
LinksUntil Seventy Times Seven
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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Scriptures referenced in this podcast: Luke 9, Alma 31:5, Exodus 31:13
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Quotes referenced in this podcast: “By proving contraries, truth is made manifest.”—Joseph Smith
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post Leading People to Do and Be Like Jesus Christ | An Interview with Lynn G. Robbins appeared first on Leading Saints.
I’ve heard a handful of individuals make the observation that those who leave organized religion are able to replace most of the benefits that religion has to offer; however, rarely are they able to replace the type of community they find in religious traditions.
This is true.
Speaking in the Latter-day Saint context we have a great thing going for us.
We have a routine gathering once a week that fosters community connection.
If someone has a baby, we bury them with casseroles.
If someone is suffering with bedrest, it’s not shocking to see someone else mowing their lawn.
We even assign you a friend (whether you like it or not).
Church community is pretty cool and is a huge benefit of being a Latter-day Saint.
However, in the context of what someone loses by walking away from organized religion, I hate the fact that community is the main loss someone experiences.
Now, don’t get me wrong.
If you have been reading my messages for a while you know that I’m a big advocate for community.
Whether I am sitting on the stand as a leader or lost in the pews as a congregant, I am always trying to encourage community in whatever ward I am in.
But should it be the biggest thing people miss when they leave our faith tradition?
It’s like saying, Nike has mediocre shoes, but their shoeboxes are amazing!
This often-stated opinion of religious community should shout in the minds of church leaders because of what is NOT at the top of the list of losses.
So, what should outrank community in faith?
Community with Christ.
As we have mastered gathering people around our community, we have failed to gather people around Jesus.
When someone walks away from the Church, how is it that the gaping hole isn’t about their loss of relationship with Jesus Christ?
Now, I am willing to have the debate as to whether those who leave our faith tradition can’t find a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ in another Christian denomination.
Yes, other Christian faiths have a lot to offer in the realm of relationship with Christ, but the reality is, most who walk away from our church seem to abandon Christianity altogether.
I also don’t have a clear answer of how we can get community with Christ to outrank church community, but is there a more worthy problem to address through whatever priesthood keys and revelation you lead under?
What would your ward look like if the experience with Jesus outranked the community of friends?
People can regret leaving a faith with great people, but what if they were encouraged to stay put because of the relationship with the Redeemer?
Your ward may be awesome.
Your people may be unified.
But are you offering Jesus more than you are offering community?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post The Container > The Contents appeared first on Leading Saints.
Marlise Ahuna, Germaine Tauati, and LaRae Mortensen of the Hilo, Hawaii Stake, joined Kurt for an online conversation about their unique Huaka’i youth trek over spring break 2022.
Marlise is currently the stake interfaith specialist in the Hilo, Hawaiʻi Stake. She has previously served as stake communications director, Primary president and music leader, and Relief Society counselor and president. Marlise grew up in Bakersfield, California, served a mission in Fukuoka, Japan, and graduated from Brigham Young University with a BA in International Studies and Diplomacy, and from the University of South Dakota with an MM in Vocal Performance. She is the owner of Marlise Ahuna Music Studio, married to Joseph for 20 years, and they are the parents of four children.
LaRae Mortensen is currently the stake Primary music leader in the Hilo, Hawai’i Stake. She has previously served as the stake Young Women president, ward Primary president, music leader, counselor, secretary, and pianist, as well as ward Young Women president and counselor. LaRae grew up in Punalu’u, on the island of Oahu in Hawai’i, and graduated from Brigham Young University–Hawaii with a BS in Business Management. She and her husband Hans own H&L Services LLC, a landscape maintenance company, and have been married for 27 years. They have five children and seven grandchildren.
Germaine Kaleilehua Tauati is currently supporting her husband as he serves as the YSA Branch President of the Hilo, Hawaiʻi Stake. She has previously served as the second counselor in the Keaukaha Ward Primary and prior to that Germaine has served in various positions in the Keauakaha and Ainaola ward as Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, Relief Society teacher, and Young Women president. In the stake she has served as the stake education specialist, second counselor in the stake Young Women presidency, stake Primary president, and stake Relief Society president. Germaine grew up in Hilo on the Island of Hawaiʻi and graduated with a bachelor of arts in Early Childhood Education Administration with a minor in Organizational Management and a master of arts in Education with a specialization in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashford University. She currently works as the Early Literacy Program director at the Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture. She met and married her college sweetheart from BYU-Hawaiʻi and together they have four children, two daughter-in laws, one son in-law and soon to be three beautiful grandchildren. They have been married for 33 years.
Highlights02:30 Introduction to the speakers and the trek they did in Hawaii
05:00 The church is very established in Hawaii. The demographics there.
05:45 The tradition of treks and how it’s different in Hawaii
08:00 The trek experience in Hawaii and finding a good location.
09:00 Connecting the tradition of the trek to the culture of the people
11:30 The meaning of Huaka’i
13:30 A summary of the trek and what they did each day
16:20 There was a lot of preparation and activities before the trek. It created a richer experience.
17:30 The follow up experience to the trek. Many of the youth shared their experiences in sacrament meeting.
18:15 The Hawaii trek was adapted in a way that allowed the youth to connect with their ancestors and traditions. They didn’t do as much walking.
20:00 The dynamic of the adult leaders and what they did on the trek
24:30 The trek was almost like a glorified youth conference. They packed the days with activities. Because of Covid they didn’t do overnights.
26:00 The amount of adults involved and what it took to put the trek together
27:00 There were a lot of cultural activities taught by different members of the stake.
29:20 What the youth got out of the activities and what they went away saying about it
31:15 Sometimes we try too hard to orchestrate a spiritual moment. In reality just gathering together with a focus on Christ, tradition, and our ancestors we can walk away with a spiritual experience.
32:30 Things the leaders think they could change for the next trek
- More youth-led activities
- Involving the youth more in preparation and planning
33:40 A cultural based trek is an opportunity to show the youth how their culture aligns with the gospel.
- Many of the youth see culture and religion as two different things. It was important for leaders to show how they could integrate the two.
36:45 A cultural based trek helps the people inside and outside the culture to see each other better.
- The pioneers in Hawaii are just as important as the pioneers that crossed the plains
- There are many different cultures within Hawaii. All the youth were able to connect and learn more about Hawaiian culture to bridge the gap between them.
44:00 Kurt recaps the overall trek experience.
44:50 The dress on the trek and the importance of the clothing they chose to wear that was connected to their ancestors
52:00 Final thoughts. The trek was exactly what the youth in Hawaii needed. It wasn’t their event; it was the Lord’s event.
LinksVideo of days 1-3 activities
Hilo, Hawai’i Stake Facebook page
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Watch on YouTube
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library
Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post Youth Trek in Hawaii | A How I Lead Interview appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 graduated from Brigham Young University in Strategy and Computer Science.
Enter Chandler…
“It is not good for man to be alone.”
This is the first thing that God says about Adam (not speaking directly to Adam) after He created him, and God wasn’t just referring to Adam; this statement was meant as a general referendum on the state of mankind. It is not good for any of us to be alone — we were created to help each other, to work together and learn together through our time of probation.
Small wonder, then, that Satan’s ploys to draw us off the straight and narrow path are designed to isolate us. Pornography use is perhaps the most poignant example. It begins with simple curiosity, but the adversary immediately cements scintillation with a strong sense of shame, telling the user “You want this, but no one can ever know about it.” Pornography use is thereby linked to secrecy and isolation. As habits form, loneliness deepens and relationships deteriorate, and to cope with these negative feelings, the user turns right back to the short-term pleasure that continues to cause long-term pain.
Connection, the Antidote for IsolationIt’s a cycle of isolation. Isolation leads to loneliness, and to cope with that people use pornography, which causes shame, leading one to isolate oneself. (Note that you can replace the word “pornography” in that cycle with any unhealthy coping habit: binge eating, gambling, substance abuse, and more)
I know this because I’ve gone through it (if you haven’t yet, pause and listen to my story here on the Leading Saints podcast).
Statistically, either you or someone close to you, has gone through it too.
So how can you break this vicious cycle, especially for someone you love?
We have to come back to core principles: it is not good for man to be alone.
Connection — real, deep human connection, is the antidote to the poison of isolation.
Administering connection is not nearly as simple as injecting an antidote to a physical poison, however. The right type of connection is key, and I submit that a key element of that is peer connection.
Peer ConnectionIf you talk with someone who’s worked to overcome pornography habits for a long time, chances are they’ve tried to reach out to family and friends for help (or worse, been “caught” by family or friends), and found that these relationships are often harmed much more than they are helped by this connection. Parents and friends often overreact to the initial revelation of pornography use; they don’t know how to respond to a discussion about pornography, much less provide emotional support and help keep someone accountable in their recovery journey. Spouses are typically even less prepared — the emotional trauma caused by their partner’s pornography problem makes them perhaps the worst person to rely on for the raw honesty and deep connection needed to overcome compulsive habits.
Who else do they have, then? As a church leader, you may be a core part of the spiritual aspect of their recovery journey as they confess and forsake their sins. Yet your temporal and emotional availability are finite resources, and with so many sheep to care for in your flock, you may not, on your own, be able to provide the deep connection a person needs to recover.
To truly break free from the cycle of isolation, people need to work with peers — peers who understand their struggle and won’t judge them for it, peers who are removed enough from a person’s personal life that they can provide perspective without becoming emotionally involved.
With peers who have gone through the recovery journey, or even those who are currently on the path to recovery, one can reach the kind of openness and vulnerability that are needed to make real change.
Finding Peer ConnectionThat seems intuitive enough, but how can you enable someone to find peers and create those connections? Here are a few options, along with pros and cons of each, based on my personal experience.
The Church’s ARP Program Pros:
- Peers who share similar beliefs (LDS faith) can make deep connections more quickly
- Working with peers who you may know from your local congregation can be a strong incentive for accountability
The Church’s ARP Program Cons:
- Sometimes the ARP program lumps several types of struggles together, and the recovery process for different challenges (e.g. pornography habits and substance abuse) should often look very different, especially as pornography use is typically not a diagnosed “addiction”
- Many people have an emotional barrier of shame that inhibits them from getting out and showing their face to others who may recognize them
Local 12-Step Groups (SA, SAA, SCA) Pros:
- These free local groups are often unaffiliated with any particular denomination, so one gets the benefit of a God-fearing group without the potential shame of encountering acquaintances
- These groups are even more deeply rooted in the 12 Steps than ARP, and the 12-Step system can be very powerful for some people
Local 12-Step Groups (SA, SAA, SCA) Cons:
- Getting out and showing oneself in person can still be hard, and logistics get especially difficult when a spouse or family is unaware of the struggle
- Meeting once a week is typically not enough for deep connection and accountability
Group Therapy Pros:
- These groups are led by trained professionals who can effectively address the heart of the issue for many individuals in recovery
- Clinician-led programs often provide structure that ensures a positive group dynamic and an experience that leads to healthy habits
Group Therapy Cons:
- These groups can be expensive and even cost-prohibitive
- Therapists typically don’t have time to lead or moderate group chats, so engagement is often limited to one or two sessions a week
Digital Support Group Apps (Relay, for example) Pros:
- These groups are available on-demand from the comfort of one’s home, eliminating the emotional and logistical difficulty of meeting in person, and providing 24/7 support
- The app platform itself provides tools and education to help the person recover
Digital Support Group Apps Cons:
- Although less expensive than group therapy, these apps are not free, which can be a barrier for some (though many give scholarships for those in need)
- Digital, asynchronous connection is not quite as powerful as in-person, live connection, although these apps are a great way to supplement in-person connection (or a great starting point if jumping into a face-to-face settings feels like too big of a leap)
I attended many groups during my recovery, and while I loved the connection I felt with other young men who were dealing with the same struggle, I felt that connection often evaporated between our group meeting sessions. We’d all come back each Thursday night and share how hard the week had been, yet our group text was silent throughout the week — no one reached out for help, myself included.
I came to realize that seeking help from others isn’t just as easy as sending a text message or making a phone call. Our own emotional barriers and Satan-induced shame keep us isolated, even when we know we have peers who understand us.
That realization led me to create a platform where I can tap a button to ask for help instead of finding a way to explain myself through text. (Again, listen to my Leading Saints podcast episode if you haven’t yet; there I explain a lot more of my recovery journey)
Our Role — Facilitate ConnectionUltimately, no matter where the peer connection comes from, it is critical that we help people in recovery find that connection. They are a small raft floating helplessly in a sea of isolation, and the shame grows ever deeper as their habits build on themselves. They need peers who can empathize with their challenges and enable vulnerability through love and understanding.
“It is not good for man to be alone”. Help those you serve find peer connection to end the cycle of isolation that perpetuates pornography habits.
The post The Power of Peer Connection in Overcoming Pornography appeared first on Leading Saints.
Pre-register HERE for the Recovering Saints Virtual Conference
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.
The post Former Bishop, Recovering Addict | An Interview with Evan Hathaway appeared first on Leading Saints.
I was recently listening to an interview on Bronco Mendenhall’s podcast where he was talking to another Division 1 football coach.
By the way, if you haven’t listened to my interview with Bronco Mendenhall, do so ASAP.
Anyway, in this interview, these two coaches talked about the difficulty the transfer portal presents to college coaches.
For those less familiar with college sports, a college athlete has a much easier time today to transfer to another college if his or her playing time and opportunity is more limited than they anticipated.
So if the going gets tough, a college athlete can transfer to another school with little friction, where they can find more opportunity, playing time, or other benefits.
This leads to less-resilient athletes who haven’t pushed through as much adversity, yet pushing through adversity makes for a better individual to have on a team.
Listening to this, I couldn’t help but consider the Latter-day Saint worship experience.
Other faith traditions have a very loose “transfer portal” because congregants can decide one week to drop their pastor/congregation and go down the street to another church to try a new pastor/congregation.
As a Latter-day Saint, this process is almost impossible to do because transferring your membership records from one ward to another (without changing residence) takes special permission and paperwork.
In other words, our “transfer portal” is basically closed.
This dynamic demands a different approach from our leaders.
We can get away with feeding our flock mediocre experiences, and they have to bear it out or stay home.
This makes us more prone to a disengaged or inactive congregation.
It’s a dynamic worth pointing out and sitting with in our leadership council meetings.
We have to push past mediocrity and present an experience and community that no one would want to leave.
Because the transfer portal is closed, we must be more aware of the expectations of our members.
Because the transfer portal is closed, we must admit that attendance numbers tell us very little.
Because the transfer portal is closed, we have to prioritize open communication and have tough conversations.
Because the transfer portal is closed, we must prioritize building relationships over strictly adhering to a traditional religious routine.
Because the transfer portal is closed, we have to commit to a higher level of personal leadership and character development.
The transfer portal is closed, but the leadership opportunity is wide open!
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post The Church Transfer Portal appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in January 2020.Melody Warnick is the author of two books about thriving where you live: This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are and If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Power of Place in a Work-from-Anywhere World. Her books have been featured in the New York Times, Time magazine, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and others, and her writing has appeared in such publications as the Washington Post, the New York Times, Slate, Reader’s Digest, The Guardian, Good Housekeeping, and Woman’s Day. A regular speaker about creating connection with your community, Melody lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, where her husband serves as stake president.
Highlights5:30 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
LinksMelodyWarnick.com
This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are
If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Importance of Place in a Work-from-Anywhere World
Read the < href="https://files.leadingsaints.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/25105158/Feeling-at-Home-in-Your-Ward-An-Interview-with-Melody-Warnick-transcript.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
Listen on YouTube
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Ranked in the Top 20The Leading Saints Podcast has ranked in the top 20 Christianity podcasts on iTunes.
Over 500,000 Listens Each MonthOver 10 million Total Downloads Part of the nonprofit Leading Saints' mission is to help latter-day saints be better prepared to lead.
Past Guests IncludeEmily 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 Content Related to CallingsPodcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.
The post Feeling at Home in Your Ward | An Interview with Melody Warnick appeared first on Leading Saints.
For some time now I have boldly researched the topic of suicide ideation and related mental health concerns. I’m not a scientist or a doctor, rather, I’m a grieving father who lost his son to suicide two and a half years ago at the age of 39.
Relish the Unknown“Bear” still makes an occasional visit in my mind. I’m enough of a believer in how connected the entire universe is to believe that my son even graces us through butterflies and birds – even through a buck deer who one time paused to pose and speak to me. I know to some that sounds strange, but I’ve also learned to relish the unknown and make that a part of my faith.
My wife, Ginger, and I and our entire family were graced with certain experiences in Skyler’s passing that have anchored us in a solid foundation of things divine. In fact, the circumstances, and events we were graced with at that time caused us to delay, or perhaps even believe it unnecessary to deeply grieve our loss.
But the pain never really goes away. And because we love him so, frankly, it shouldn’t dissipate like fog in the morning sun. No, it needs to linger from time to time so we can sit and celebrate our Bear. Sometimes he even stops by to comfort us with a figurative bear hug.
Mourning is PersonalSince his passing, at Christmastime we put up a small tree and decorate it with Skyler’s ornaments. It’s a tender time as we relive how these ornaments came to be. We laugh and cry and miss him so. Recently, the day after Christmas, my wife and I looked at each other and both felt to take down Christmas and move on.
As I was taking the bulbs off the tree, a royal purple one with a lovely manger scene and Skyler’s name imprinted near the top, slipped from my hand. In slow motion I cried “noooooo” and then it shattered on the wood floor. Suddenly, the pent-up grief that had never been released, gushed out of me as I sat and sobbed. This bulb would never grace the tree again. It was broken and beyond repair. Ginger was kind and came from the other room to witness the commotion. She joined me in the intermittent sobs as I picked up the damage.
We have some of Bear’s ashes on our mantle in the form of a bear. He was watching over this entire episode. I heard him say in my mind “That’s OK Dad, it’s just a bulb.” And later, “I appreciate the sentiment, but don’t put too much energy in the things I had. I’ve moved on. Those things don’t hold my soul, God does.”
Living in a World of WondersMy intent in researching and writing about suicide ideation and mental health is to provide foundational truths that can change the way one deals with these issues, and hopefully heal some of the unknown and delayed sorrow and grief.
I recently learned that living in the world of wonders is better than living in a world of answers. Ultimately our path is defined by love. When we love into the wonders and the unknown, we also invite a peace and tranquility that sifts reality from broken Christmas bulbs to a reminder of who it is who holds our soul.
Embracing What IsNot coincidentally, I was recently reading the book Art + Faith by Makoto Fujimura and learning about Kintsugi, the art of taking broken fragments or chards of glass and pottery and restoring them. The idea is to embrace flaws and imperfections and turn them into even more beautiful art than before they were broken. I momentarily looked at the broken Christmas bulb, wondering if this might be possible. But then I heard a voice again telling me “Your son is in no need of repair, let it go.” Understanding that my son’s brokenness was no longer in need of repair helped me to see what “is” rather than what “was.”
The Beauty That ContinuesSo, I begin this new year with added perspective. Makoto Fujimura said,
“There is no art if we are unwilling to wait for the paint to dry.”
Time is a healer, and for those of us living beyond the most painful sorrow imaginable, WE can move forward too. Continue to hold space for the occasional sobs of sorrow but understand the bulb that was broken is not in need of repair. We need only to love and see the beauty that continues, even if it is from and through loss.
Steve Hitz is a co-founder of Launching Leaders Worldwide, a nonprofit organization that provides young adults with tools for personal leadership and faith, with participants from 75 countries. He is the author Launching Leaders: An Empowering Journey for a New Generation, and Entrepreneurial Foundations for Twenty and Thirty-Somethings, available at Deseret Book or Amazon.
The post A Word for the LIVING appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Addiction Was My Vehicle to the Savior | An Interview with Kelly Clark and Heather Warren appeared first on Leading Saints.
I received a thought-provoking email recently.
It read like this:
“Something I have been musing upon lately is the practical qualities of a ‘good’ church leader. (Of course, you would first have to define ‘good,’ to whom? In what way?) Certainly, we can easily fall back on the ‘Christ-like’ attributes, which would never be wrong! But I think we have all seen an amazingly Christ-like bishop who could not effectively lead a ward council or bishopric meeting and was constantly disorganized. Or maybe you have a very organized/administratively savvy EQP who is just not charismatic (nobody likes him). Or a Relief Society president who has her ministering assignments/interviews locked down, plans THE BEST activities, is liked by all, but lacks that spiritual spark. Maybe the ability to give inspiring/memorable talks, lessons, etc. should also feature on the list…”
This question, “What makes a ‘good’ church leader?” is the question Leading Saints was created to chase.
The difficult part of this question is that there are as many answers as there are people in your ward, and that really makes leadership difficult for whomever is in that position.
I’ll be the first to recognize that everyone is born with some traits that make them a good leader as well as some traits that limit them as a leader.
However, as leaders, we shouldn’t just settle with our genetics and try to lead.
As we learn from Ryan Gottfredson’s research, we never lose the ability to vertically develop.
We all have the ability to refine our in-born traits and acquire new skill sets and character that will improve our leadership ability generally.
This gets complicated with a lay leadership model like ours where little to no leadership development is available for ambitious leaders.
Yes, it’s true.
The vast majority of church leaders in our faith still don’t know of Leading Saints.
(That’s why you should send a leader you know a link to your favorite Leading Saints resource.) 😊
But I digress…
So, in our faith tradition, what does make a “good” leader?
Regardless of skill set, character development, or use of a fantastic resource like Leading Saints, I think “good” leadership can be reached with a simple intention.
Here’s that intention:
A “good” church leader strives to articulate their personal expectations as a leader while also striving to understand the expectations of their followers and doing their best to match the two.
That’s it.
“This is what I think I should offer, and this is what I understand you want.”
The consistent quest for matching up these two expectations will lead to the revelation necessary to at least get close to the mark.
If I know my leader is striving to understand my expectations and also taking time to explain theirs, then I can sit happily in that organization and hang with the leader as they struggle with any personal limitation.
So, with that said…
What is your understood expectation as a leader?
And / or what is your expectation for your church leader?
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post What makes a “good” church leader? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How I Lead as Stake President in Ukraine | An Interview with Pavel Mykhailovskii appeared first on Leading Saints.
Melody Warnick is the author of two books on thriving where you live: This Is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are, an exploration of the ground-breaking concept of place attachment, and If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Power of Place in a Work-from-Anywhere World, a guide to how location-independent people choose where to live and how communities can attract and retain them. A graduate of BYU, she lives in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she’s in the Relief Society presidency and her husband serves as stake president. You can subscribe to her newsletter about place at her website, melodywarnick.com.
Enter Melody…Every few weeks I get a request in my inbox from someone who needs help deciding where to live.
This isn’t as weird as it sounds. I recently wrote a book about how location-independent people find their ideal place, so I know the endless, murky list of factors people must weigh. These people email me their dealbreakers, from political leanings to cost of living to how easy it’ll be to line up a new rec-league rugby team, or whatever. I just fielded a message from someone who says yoga studios and Trader Joe’s are her twin lights of geographic happiness.
And then, for fellow members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, there’s the question of the Church.
All through our hypermobile years of ping-ponging around the United States, my husband and I kept telling each other, “The Church is the same everywhere,” and in some ways that was true. We showed up at a chapel in a new town and there were the battered green hymn books, the wailing babies, and the word-perfect sacrament prayers, a familiarity that was endlessly comforting.
But then other things would be different, starting with the members who comprise the ward and their various ages, races, genders, politics, family sizes, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We’ve known a high priest who came to church with a concealed-carry pistol strapped to his leg and a Relief Society sister who championed abortion rights.
People will endlessly surprise you with their capacity to not be like you: in attitudes, in experience, in faith and devotion.
Parts of the broader Church culture would vary too. In southwest Virginia, where I live now, we drive three and a half hours to the nearest temple (shave off 30 minutes once the Richmond, Virginia, temple is dedicated). Our teens attend early morning seminary with teachers who juggle this enormous calling with full-time jobs.
In some units in our stake, which covers a few hundred miles’ worth of Virginia and West Virginia, a new family with kids might double the size of the Primary. In one branch, if you moved in as an active priesthood holder, your chance of being called to a leadership position stands at about 95 percent. The current branch president has been serving for more than twenty years.
So I’ll admit to getting ever-so-slightly bitter when I visit Utah and pass what feels like 20 temples in the first 30 minutes of leaving the airport, or when friends from our ward in Virginia move back to Utah to take jobs at BYU or get closer to extended family.
Where Can We Help?But here’s the thing. I wouldn’t trade our time here for anything. One of the things I discovered writing both This Is Where You Belong and If You Could Live Anywhere is that there’s a Trader-Joe’s-and-yoga-studio kind of happiness we find in places that are easy and meet all our needs—and then there’s the meaning we create in communities where we have to dig in and contribute more because our places need us.
In a fantastic April 2013 general conference talk, Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy said,
“For 16 years I served in the presidency of the Houston Texas North Stake. Many moved to our area during those years. We would often receive a phone call announcing someone moving in and asking which was the best ward. Only once in 16 years did I receive a call asking, ‘Which ward needs a good family? Where can we help?’”
Being the family that chooses the hard but meaningful place is as deep an act of spiritual consecration as I can imagine.
Consecrated ServiceListen, I know membership in the Church is easy nowhere, that Utahns serve and sacrifice, too. One friend, after moving from our Virginia ward when her husband got a job at BYU, was called as the Young Women president in a ward whose girls, many of them less-active, LGBTQ+, and/or struggling with mental health needs, desperately need her. She is consecrated.
Here in Virginia, the opportunities to serve might come even more fast and furious. My husband, Quinn, serves as the stake president, a calling he regularly says he wouldn’t have received if we lived in Utah. And we’ve witnessed just how giddy our leaders are to see a new family move in—the joy in branch council over one new arrival in Welch, West Virginia, is immeasurable.
Acting With Perfect FaithAs Elder Ellis pointed out, we no longer live in the days when Brigham Young announced over the pulpit where you and your family would be moving to build the kingdom. And yet, isn’t it still possible that the Lord could tell you where you could be of most use to Him if you asked?
The readers who fill my inbox asking for moving help don’t know that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a serious advantage in their relocation decisions because of their access to the Spirit. We’ve had people move into our stake in response to spiritual promptings that they barely understand yet act on with perfect faith.
Luckily, despite our distance from the temple, the Church is as true in small-town Virginia as it is in Utah or anywhere else. Visit us on a Sunday and you’ll get the sacrament, a Sunday School class, and hopefully an ample portion of the Spirit. Stay and you’ll be welcomed—and undoubtedly be given a meaningful way to serve.
So, when the time comes to explore a career change or a new educational opportunity, or even when you’re feeling restless but aren’t sure why, you might ask yourself, “Which ward needs a good family? Where can we help?” Then go there.
The post Spiritual Consecration – Choosing the Hard But Meaningful Place appeared first on Leading Saints.
I typically write this newsletter for the general Leading Saints audience.
However, this week I need to speak to one person in particular.
You know who you are.
You see, I was reminded of you when I met Judy a few weeks ago at a conference.
She approached me with excitement and shared with me how Leading Saints has inspired her to lead.
What followed was not a story where a calling came from a bishop or stake president to lead with a title.
It was a call from the Spirit of God.
And you, the person this newsletter is for, know the sound of that voice.
You have been sitting in the pews of your local ward for a while knowing you are supposed to step up.
You have been given that idea that needs to be explored.
You just need to take the next step.
That’s what Judy did.
She decided not to ignore the invitation anymore and set up an appointment with her stake president.
She then explained to him the need she saw in the stake.
Fulfilling this would require a unique calling that you don’t find in the Handbook.
The stake president listened and then took the step to create the call which magnified Judy’s influence in her local stake.
The calling that was created and the influence Judy had going forward isn’t as important as the fact that she heard the call and stepped up.
So, back to you.
You can’t dismiss those promptings to lead anymore.
It’s an invitation from God.
You can’t wait around for a traditional calling to come your way.
That’s no excuse.
Take the next step.
Talk to who you need to talk to…
…and then lead.
I’m excited for you to comment or email me later and tell me the story of your unique calling and the difference you are making in the Kingdom of God.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post You received the prompting…now act! appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post How I Lead Primary in Honduras | An Interview with Karla Fonseca appeared first on Leading Saints.
Aaron and Julie Bujnowski are the authors of Discovering Your Temple Insights. The book is available for pre-order at Amazon and will be released in April 2023. They maintain a blog where members share their temple insights. Julie is a stake Relief Society president and a former ward Young Women president, ward Primary president, and family history consultant. Aaron is an ordinance worker in the Dallas Texas Temple, a stake Sunday School presidency member, and a former bishop, stake high counselor, elders quorum president, and Seminary teacher. Aaron and Julie are the parents of two adult children and live in Frisco, Texas.
Enter Aaron and Julie…Of all our priorities as leaders in the Church, perhaps our highest is leading saints to the temple. President Russell M. Nelson has taught,
“The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church. All of our efforts in proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the Saints, and redeeming the dead lead to the holy temple.”
Unfortunately, Church leaders can face challenges as they encourage and invite members to participate more fully in the Lord’s holy house. Although many members arrive at the temple excitedly, leave edified, and return often, these positive experiences are not shared by all.
Some members feel anxiety before or aversion after their temple experience. Others appreciate the temple’s importance but are unsure about how to improve their learning. These concerns cause some to attend rarely or haphazardly.
This article offers five suggestions to help lead saints to the temple more effectively.
Leaders Inspired HelpLeaders should always seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to guide their temple-related efforts. However, as President Nelson has taught,
“Good inspiration is based upon good information.”
We hope to offer some good information to assist leaders as they seek to resolve concerns and inspire members to greater temple faithfulness.
Suggestion 1: Center Members’ Temple Experience on Jesus ChristFirst and foremost, any teaching related to the temple must be centered on Jesus Christ. The temple is His house. The Redeemer and His Atonement are the centerpieces of all temple ordinances, covenants, and instruction. We should focus on our Redeemer and His Atonement whenever we teach or speak of the temple. This approach is the Savior’s way! The recently updated Teaching in the Savior’s Way manual instructs,
“No matter what you are teaching, remember that you are really teaching about Jesus Christ and how to become like Him.”
We could consider this manual and its principles a guide for all our leadership efforts. It could be called “Leading in the Savior’s Way” or “Parenting in the Savior’s Way.” When applied to the temple, we could call it “Worshipping at the Temple in the Savior’s Way.”
Leaders should explicitly invite members to look for the Savior and His Atonement in the details of all temple ordinances. If there are portions they don’t fully understand or have questions and anxieties about, we can invite them to consider how that element teaches or symbolizes Jesus Christ. We can remind them to concentrate on their positive feelings about the Savior.
If they look for the Savior and feel His goodness in all aspects of the temple, the Holy Ghost will open their spiritual eyes and help them gain insight, understanding, and peace. Their questions and doubts will become curiosity and interest as they focus on Jesus Christ.
Suggestion 2: Openly Teach the Temple’s Purpose and DoctrineAlthough we agree not to disclose certain specifics related to temple ordinances, we can speak about much more than Church leaders and members may realize. In a 2018 General Conference talk, Elder David A. Bednar gave us two basic guidelines to govern our efforts to teach the temple appropriately. He said,
“Guideline #1. 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.“
For example, the five covenants we make during the endowment ordinance are published on the Church’s main website, along with other important teachings on the temple, and in the General Handbook.
Church leaders and parents could help those preparing for their first endowment experience understand these five covenants. For other ward members, leaders could design a fifth Sunday lesson that concentrates on one or more of these covenants, specifically tying that lesson to the temple to ensure that class members have a better grounding before they worship in the temple again.
Other points of temple doctrine include the creation, fall, atonement, plan of salvation, agency, mercy, and priesthood, among others. Parents, leaders, and teachers could explicitly state during Sunday or home lessons that these concepts are also found in the temple. Specific details of how a doctrine or principle is taught in the temple should be avoided, but the fact that it is taught there can be mentioned. Over time, these frequent ties will help members feel more comfortable in their temple worship because they will recognize familiar doctrine while worshiping there.
Suggestion 3: Make Temple Mechanics ManageableThe mechanics or processes of the temple are unique in our Church experience. We share two ways they are distinctive, and we provide a few ways leaders can help members find familiarity amid that distinctiveness.
First, the way that we learn temple ordinances is unique. When preparing for baptism, we learn and witness how a baptism is performed before receiving the ordinance. In the temple, we learn the ordinances; mechanics while receiving them. To reduce the natural anxiety that many feel because of unknowns related to temple mechanics—most notably during their first experience—leaders can provide a thorough overview of the information that is allowable, which is contained at the Church website and in other Church-sponsored publications.
Leaders can also have members watch the Church video entitled “Sacred Temple Clothing,” which shows the temple garment and ceremonial clothing. Those visuals will help members become more familiar with the clothing they will see and wear during the temple endowment and sealing ceremonies.
Second, temple ordinances themselves are distinctive. Temple ordinances use ceremony. A ceremony is “an act or series of acts performed according to a traditional or prescribed form.” (“Ceremony,” Oxford Dictionary of English)
Using ceremony is not completely unknown to Church members. We use ceremony in the sacrament ordinance and at baptism, where the same words and actions are used when the ordinance is performed. The temple is rich in simple, sacred ceremonies, which can be surprising for those attending endowments and sealings for the first time.
Leaders can help members attending for the first time understand that temple ordinances will be like other saving ordinances they have witnessed or received—they use specific words and actions that are repeated the same way each time they go. Leaders might remind members that they are familiar with the mechanics of the sacrament and baptismal ordinances because they have heard and participated in them so frequently.
Likewise, members can be invited to worship in the temple regularly to become familiar with the unique words and actions of temple ceremonies. In the early stages of learning, they can be encouraged to focus on the Savior and not memorize all the details at once—they should try to learn a little at a time.
By helping members become familiar with temple mechanics, leaders can help make them more manageable. Doing so will reduce the barriers to learning that unfamiliarity causes. Anxiety will be reduced, and aversion can be avoided.
Suggestion 4: Review Covenants and Covenant MakingThe temple is a place of covenants. Understanding covenant-making can help members understand, accept, and live temple covenants. We often speak of covenants as two-way promises between a person and God. This description is accurate, but it is incomplete. Covenants are also a way to form a new relationship with God and with other people.
Temple covenants enable us to form new relationships with God and our neighbor. For instance, in the temple, we promise to sacrifice and consecrate to God, and we also agree to sacrifice and consecrate for our neighbor. Other temple covenants form similar relationships. As members understand these new relationships, they will grow in their love of God and love of neighbor and better keep their covenants.
Suggestion 5: Help Members Find Meaning in SymbolsWith ordinances, symbols are reminders of our promises. We describe baptism’s mechanics—where the person goes beneath the water and comes back up again—as a symbol of leaving behind an old life and being re-born as a new disciple of Christ.
We also speak of the sacrament’s bread and water as “tokens” of our baptismal covenant. A token is a tangible representation of something—a physical symbol. (“Token,” Oxford Dictionary of English )
When we partake of them, we remember our covenants and think of the Savior, whose sacrifice made them possible. Members should not be surprised when they learn that temple covenants also have reminders, which help us remember our promises to God and our neighbor. It is of note, the temple garment itself is a reminder, symbol, or token of the covenants we have made.
Although we do not discuss the details of these reminders outside the temple, leaders can help members understand that covenants always come with
- Processes,
- Promises, and
- Reminders.
They can be encouraged to pay attention to the processes and learn them slowly over time, live and apply their promises in their new covenant relationship with God and their neighbor, and always remember their covenants, especially when their associated symbols are used in the temple.
Leaders can encourage members to ask the following questions when they experience something symbolic in the temple:
- “What does it mean or represent?”,
- “What does it encourage me to do?”, or
- “What does it enable me to become?”
As we mentioned earlier, temple patrons should always ask, “What does it teach me about Jesus Christ and His Atonement?” They can ponder these questions and perhaps even write down their feelings in a temple journal. This approach will help patrons find meaning and application in the sacred symbols of the temple.
Conclusion: Help Members Learn How to Learn!In the temple, the Holy Ghost is the ultimate teacher. He will teach us of Christ. He will give us revelatory experiences that will make the temple go through us instead of us just going through it.
By centering members’ temple experience on Jesus Christ and His Atonement, openly teaching the temple’s purpose and doctrine, making the mechanics manageable, reviewing covenants and covenant-making, and helping members find meaning in symbols, leaders can remove barriers to that sacred learning process.
These five suggestions will help our precious members learn how to learn from the Spirit in the temple. They will become more capable of applying that learning in their everyday discipleship. The temple will become a rich revelatory place, a sacred space of covenant-making and covenant-living, and, ultimately, a beacon of belonging and becoming.
The post Leading Saints to the Temple appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
Watch on YouTube
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.
The post Ministering to the Incarcerated | An Interview with Travis Richey appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Relief Society and Social Media | A How I Lead Interview with Jennifer Sumko appeared first on Leading Saints.
Sara Talbert lives in Mesa, AZ and is currently the Relief Society President in her ward. She has been married for 17 years and has 3 boys who are 12, 8, and the surprise 14-month-old. Her parents converted in her teen years, so Sara and her two brothers grew up in the Church. She grew up in the Northern California town of Chico and a little town called Paradise. She has a master’s in leadership and a bachelor’s in communication with a focus in cultures. She currently works from home for a company that provides retirement help for federal employees. Sara loves all things crafty and doing whatever she can to get to the beach. She also helps support her family’s obsession with the world of Disney and Star Wars. She has been the Relief Society President since the beginning of COVID and has had a lot of experience in doing things differently.
Enter Sara…The Relief Society motto is ‘Charity Never Faileth’.
As you think of this motto and the Relief Society, what comes to mind? Do you see sisters bringing meals to others, making blankets, visiting the needy, or doing ministering? Do you think about service projects like all the masks sewn by many sisters at the beginning of the COVID pandemic or all the packages and aid being sent to Ukraine? What about the moms, sisters, aunts that serve in your home and the community?
I want you to think for a second on what comes to your mind when you hear the Relief Society motto – ‘Charity Never Faileth’.
Why do you think this is the motto? I am sure there could have been other mottos. Some that I thought of could have been – ‘Women are Awesome!’, ‘Women Who Serve’, ‘Love to All’, or maybe ‘Relief Society, We Lift Others’. Those may not be all that great, but it brings up the question, why is the motto ‘Charity Never Faileth’?
Let’s talk about the Relief Society, one of my favorite topics right now since I am the Relief Society President of my ward. First, it was organized because women saw a need to help and lift others. Joseph Smith saw what these women were doing, knew it was no coincidence and along with those sisters created the Relief Society with their motto – ‘Charity Never Faileth’.
Now their purpose has shifted and changed in littles ways over the years, but ultimately the Relief Society, and may I add the Elders Quorum’s purpose, is to participate in the work of salvation and exaltation by doing four things.
- Living the gospel of Jesus Christ
- Caring for those in need
- Inviting all to receive the gospel
- Uniting families for eternity
So, in short – ‘Live, Care, Invite, Unite’. What a great motto… why isn’t this the motto of the Relief Society then?
Scripture Insights on CharityLet’s look at some scriptures to better understand why charity is a key component of our efforts in the Relief Society and elders quorum.
1 – Charity Helps Prevent Sin – The JST of 1 Peter 4:8 reads “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity preventeth a multitude of sins.” Thus, having charity will prevent sinning. So in other words, having charity allows you to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is one of the purposes of the Relief Society and Elders Quorum. Interesting.
2 – Caring for Others – In Ether 12: 33-34 we read “And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of they life for the world, that thou mightiest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore except men shall have charity they cannot inherit the place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy father.”
In this scripture we learn that Christ laid down His life for us so he could prepare us a way back to our Heavenly Father and called this charity. So, Christ is caring for us- just like the second purpose of the Relief Society and Elders Quorum, which is to care for others.
3 – Inviting all to Receive the Gospel – The next scripture is D&C 4: 3-6. “Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work: For behold the field is white already to harvest; and lo, he that thrusteth in his sickle with his might, the same layeth up in store that he perisheth not, but bringeth salvation to his soul. And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work. Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.”
Here we learn that the field is white and ready to harvest – missionary work and through remembering things like faith, virtue, godliness, and charity, we can bring salvation to many souls. Just like the third purpose of the Relief Society and Elders Quorum – Inviting all to receive the gospel.
4 – Uniting Families for Eternity – Next is Moroni 7:47, “But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with them.”
The last purpose of the Relief Society and Elders Quorum is uniting families for eternity. We need to have had possessed charity in our last day to be well with God, to be united with Him.
Live The Gospel of Jesus ChristTo bring this all together – the purpose of Relief Society and the Elders Quorum is to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, to care for others, invite all to receive the gospel and to unite families for eternity… or in other words to have charity. And if we have charity in our lives, it will not fail us.
Instead of thinking about Relief Society and the motto ‘Charity Never Faileth’ as just service, visiting, or ministering, which is part of it, we need to broaden our minds and think about our purpose to live the gospel of Jesus Christ, care for others, invite others to learn, and to unite families for eternity- which is charity.
Charity is About Christ and His MissionIn researching charity, I came across an old conference talk that helps explain charity a little more. It’s by Elder Caldwell, of the seventy, back in 1992 called ‘Love of Christ’. Elder Caldwell brings up the question, what is charity? The word charity in the scriptures, as he states, doesn’t seem to be consistent with what we commonly use it for. Just like when we think of the Relief Society as first a group of women who do service. We forget the other definitions of what charity is and why the motto ‘Charity Never Faileth’ defines the Relief Society.
If we look at the scripture 1 Corinthians 13:15, as Elder Caldwell suggests, it states:
“Faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
If we think of charity as just a word for service, then how is that greater than faith and hope? Elder Caldwell brings up another scripture, Mormon 7:47 that helps us realize what charity really is. Moroni states that:
“charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.”
So, what is the love of Christ? And why are we commanded that all men should have charity?
Love For ChristElder Caldwell explains that there are three dimensions of the love of Christ.
- Love for Christ
- Love from Christ
- Love like Christ
The love for Christ means that we proclaim our love for Christ in how we behave, act, and through our attitudes. For example, are we grateful and turn to Christ when things are good and bad? I recently lost my dad due to a heart attack; he was just 63 and was looking forward to retiring and moving to be close to his grandkids and I. This was a tough loss, but despite how hard it was, I still loved Christ and felt him helping me along the way. While by brother, who has left the church took it as a sign that there is no Christ, because “how could he do this to us?”
Being grateful and having a love for Christ all the time can be difficult when we are going through hard things, but this is what it’s meant to have charity at all times, having the love for Christ even when things are hard.
Love From ChristNext, the love from Christ. Elder Caldwell explains that the greatest love from Christ we ever received was the atonement. His sacrifice and our Heavenly Father’s willingness to sacrifice His son has shown us that greatest charity- His pure love.
Elder Caldwell states,
“This gift of charity is to be received. The Savior’s act of redemption for our sins is of no effect without our willingness to comply with the conditions of his atonement.”
Moroni declared “except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy father.”
Without accepting the atonement, Christ’s charity, by repenting daily we cannot inherit our kingdoms in heaven. If we see repentance as a gift, verses a punishment (which it’s not) then we are receiving that pure love from Christ…Charity.
Love Like ChristLast is to love like Christ.
To love like Christ isn’t always easy, but I have seen it and felt it. In the callings I have had, I have felt a little portion of what it’s like to love like Christ.
When I was a primary and Sunday school teacher, I loved those kids. I thought about them, I cared about them, I wanted them to be happy and wanted to help them. Because of that relationship, I cared more about them than other kids in other classes. When I was released from those callings, I still loved those kids, but the thoughts and continuous want to help them faded. I was given a gift while in those callings to have charity for those kids, a portion of God’s pure love. And never have I felt more of this pure love, this charity, than in my calling now as Relief Society President.
When the hands were placed on my head and I was set apart in this calling, I immediately felt this overwhelming love for all the sisters in my ward. It is hard to explain it, but from that moment the sisters in my ward became part of me. I care for them, feel their pains, their sorrows, and their happiness’s. I get to feel just a little of what God feels for them.
When I hear our prophet talk about his love for the saints, I can partly understand how he can truly love us all, despite not knowing all of us. I can say with all my heart that I know the Savior and our Heavenly Father love each of us and knows us because I can feel a small portion of that in my calling.
Charity – An Internal ConditionI do believe everyone should have the opportunity to have a calling like mine. It really brings you closer to Christ, not just because you are doing the work, but because you get to feel His love for others. Elder Caldwell states,
“Charity is not just a precept or a principle, nor is it just a word to describe actions or attitudes. Rather, it is an internal condition that must be developed and experienced in order to be understood. We are processors of charity when it is part of our nature. People who have charity have a love for the Savior, have received of His love, and love others as he does.”
Just as the Relief Society motto states, “Charity Never Faileth,” If we live charity, in that we love Christ, receive His atonement, and love others, we cannot fail. This is what God has told us and why it is His greatest among faith and hope.
So, do we trust God, that if we possess charity that we cannot fail?
Ask yourself, how can I show charity to myself and others more, remembering this isn’t just service. It’s to live the gospel, care for others, invite others to the gospel, to unite families for eternity. As we internalize charity, we have a love for Christ, we accept love from Christ, and we love like Christ.
Charity is God’s pure love, and who wouldn’t want that internal condition in their life?
The post Charity Never Faileth – More Than a Relief Society Motto appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Artificial Intelligence in the Church | An Interview with Ross Richey appeared first on Leading Saints.
In my last newsletter I talked about one of the phrases we say in our culture that isn’t helping: “You need to forgive.”
Next, I’ll share another overused phrase that’s been on my mind recently and with which you’ll probably disagree: “Stop judging.”
We need to stop judging others at church!
We need to stop judging people when they return home early from a mission!
There is a lot of irony in this statement because when you tell someone to stop judging, you are literally judging them for judging.
I once learned from a world-renowned mental health therapist that it is literally impossible for our brains not to judge.
In fact, our brains were designed specifically to make as many judgments as possible, whether you are judging the flavor of each bite at breakfast or judging someone walking towards you as a possible threat.
Yes, whether we like it or not, our brain will probably push our awareness towards someone who isn’t wearing temple garments but probably should be, or we will naturally wonder why someone left the Church.
Your brain is probably telling you at this moment that this message you are reading sure sounds judgmental.
Where we should put our focus is how we can better accept like Jesus did.
Accepting isn’t naturally wired in our brain, and we are constantly invited to develop this skill.
“I’m concerned that Cathy doesn’t seem to wear her garments a lot, but no matter what choices she makes I want to make sure we continue inviting her to our monthly lunch group.”
“I don’t think Darrel’s decision to enter a same-sex relationship is the best move for him, but I need to learn more about him and his new partner by inviting them over for dinner.”
Let’s learn to accept better rather than attempting the impossible action of not judging.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post You’re going to judge others appeared first on Leading Saints.
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:
The post What is Leading Saints in 2023? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Sam Tielemans is a marriage and family therapist in Las Vegas, NV. He has spent thousands of hours working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, addictions, or challenges in marriage. He’s certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy and loves working with people! He is one of the professional therapists on the Advisory Board for Leading Saints and has been a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He’s been married for 10 years and has a 4-year-old and 8-year old.
Enter Sam…It’s not a secret that as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we are asked to give a lot. Unfortunately, many sincere and devout members of the Church struggle with feelings of inadequacy despite their best efforts, and they wonder if they are doing enough or if they should be doing more.
After all, Nephi said that
“we are saved by grace after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23),
so how do we know when we’ve done enough? When can we actually feel satisfied with our efforts? How do we know if we are doing all we can do?
An assumption that’s easy to make sometimes is thinking that we have to add more to our already-full schedule in order for us to feel confident saying we are doing all we can do.
But what if there was another way to approach this so we can feel at peace with our offering of time and talents to the Lord?
What is Enough?To start, I think it could be useful to more clearly define what it means to be ‘doing enough.’
Without a clearer and more concrete definition, ‘doing enough’ becomes an overwhelming and impossible standard to achieve because we don’t actually know when we’ve accomplished ‘enough.’ This makes it very difficult to feel satisfaction and contentment regarding our efforts in our callings or as members of the Church.
One potential way to define what is enough might be: Are we acting in alignment with what God wants in this moment or phase of our life?
Looking through this lens at our callings, how we use our time and talents, or any other matter, now gives us a better standard by which we can judge if we are acting congruently with the will of the Lord, which is all He wants for us.
President Nelson has repeatedly said,
“the Lord loves effort,” but “He doesn’t expect perfection today. We keep climbing our personal Mount Sinai.”
While it’s true that our responsibility to give of ourselves, our time and means to furthering His kingdom, but how each of us do this in our individual circumstances and in the various stages of our life will be different.
This way of looking at things can help release us from the overwhelming feeling of always falling short, despite our best efforts.
I heard a local stake president speak at a meeting where he described the sheer number of responsibilities he had in connection with his calling and how it was impossible for him to fully accomplish everything that was required of him in that position.
So instead of feeling guilty and beating himself up about all of the things that he couldn’t get to, he accepted the reality of the situation and then decided to prioritize what he felt like the Lord wanted him to focus on during his tenure.
With that understanding and perspective, he was able to feel total satisfaction with his efforts and service because he tried to act in alignment with how the Lord wanted him to act, even though there were many things he didn’t spend his time doing.
Different Seasons and Different ExpectationsAs we consider the sometimes overwhelming number of things that we are asked to do – namely, scripture study, prayer, ministering, performing our callings, temple and family history work, etc., instead of wondering if we are spending ‘enough’ time in each of these endeavors, it might be useful to consider how much energy the Lord would have us devote to these practices in our current phase of life.
The amount of time that a young couple with small children will be able to devote to going to the temple, will be different than an empty nester who is retired. Both groups of people have different priorities and demands that require their attention, so what the Lord expects from each of them will be different.
Seeking Personal Revelation Brings PeaceHonest reflection and prayerful consideration with an open heart invites the Lord to reveal to us His will and desire for each of us, which can then influence our actions and priorities.
Surely there will be many times where we need to course correct as it relates to our priorities and focus in life. When this happens, we need not shame or beat ourselves up for “not doing enough,“ rather, we should simply take the instruction we get from the Spirit as feedback to help us realign with God and His will for us in that moment.
This is the sum and total of what it means to repent – it’s simply a realigning with God and His will, which is what I believe President Nelson refers to when he teaches us about the “joys of daily repentance.”
Instead of taking Nephi’s statement about being saved after all we can do as a call to add more to our overbooked schedules, we can cross reference that with the observation made by king Lamoni, who, in humility, said,
“It was all that we could do to repent of our sins (Alma 24:11).”
Nowhere in his exhortation to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies did he talk about doing more, rather it was that they should repent of their sins and have their swords be washed through the blood of the Son (Alma 24:14).
Through a continual seeking of the Spirit and to be guided, we can be directed in our daily efforts to align our will and actions with the Lord, for the Spirit “will tell you all things what ye should do (2 Nephi 32:3).
What Would the Lord Have Me DoDropping the impossible standard of ‘being enough’ and replacing it with the question of “what would the Lord have me do today or in this moment?” can free us from guilt and burnout feeling trapped in a hamster wheel of flurried activity.
Additionally, because the Lord loves effort and wants us to follow His matchless example, He has provided a way for us to be empowered by grace through the enabling power of the atonement to “receive strength and assistance to do good works that [we] otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to [our] own means” (Bible Dictionary, grace).
Sacred Alignment With GodThe Prophet Joseph Smith said,
“Happiness is the object and design of our existence,”
and the Lord knows our hearts and is encouraging, lifting, and helping us along our path, not critically evaluating our efforts and hoping we stumble so he can take pleasure in meting out justice.
When it becomes clear that a decision or priority has slipped out of alignment with God, we can heed the Spirit’s promptings to know how to return to the path that He desires us to walk so we can ultimately experience a fullness of joy.
Joseph Smith said,
“It is essential for any person to have an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to the will of God.”
Thus, having a prayer in our heart to discern the Lord’s will for our individual circumstances will empower us to experience the joy He wants to bestow on us, even though everything on our gospel to-do list might not get done.
The post Am I Doing Enough? – The Peaceful Plan appeared first on Leading Saints.
Richard, “Rich” Watson currently resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, just near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, and has an education in psychology, with other degrees in education and social sciences. He has been happily married for over 22 years and has 4 amazing children. Since his retirement from the military, he works for a veteran service organization, in their mental health department. He and his team provide resiliency-based retreats for individuals, couples, and families. He joined the church in 1996 and has had the pleasure of serving in varying leadership roles, some of them multiple times. (One of the “benefits” of moving so often during his military career.) These include ward mission leader, elders quorum president, high priest group leader, young mens presidency, branch president, bishopric, high council, and more. Rich also has shared his insights in a Leading Saints Podcast, “Ministering to Veterans in Your Ward.”
Enter Rich…Often leaders in the church can get tunnel vision when it comes to helping those in need. In that tunnel vision, they can become overly focused on the individual they are helping and often forget the impact of this situation on the individual’s partner. However, if leaders are to be truly successful in helping members work through addictions, faith challenges, mental health concerns, and so much more, the partner cannot be ignored. Leaders can offer this support to the partner in two main ways. The first way is by providing the partner with guidance on how to support the individual who is struggling. Second is ensuring that, as a leader, the needs of the partner are being met as well.
Supporting a Struggling PartnerWhen church leaders take the time to talk with the partners of those who are struggling, one thing that needs to be addressed with that partner is how they can effectively support their partner. Doing this first will, typically, help set the partner’s mind at ease and then allow them the space to focus on themselves.
When someone is going through addiction recovery, mental health concerns, physical injuries, etcetera, the importance of adequate support cannot be stressed enough. As human beings we are social creatures, even when we don’t like it, we need each other. Without support from a partner in difficult times of change and growth, the process can become very lonely and next to impossible to work through. Having a partner that actively supports someone through the process can greatly enhance the probability of long-term success and help to continually keep the individual motivated.
Guiding Individuals On How to Support Their PartnerA church leader can be instrumental in helping to provide tools for an individual to help their partner during times of struggle. The first aspect of this is encouraging the individual to educate themselves on whatever the concern is that their partner is struggling with. This can take the form of church material or outside material, if it is from a credible source. Arming that individual with knowledge about what their partner is experiencing will assist them in discovering a better understanding of how they can help.
Once they gain that knowledge, a church leader can show them how that knowledge can be used to have open communication with their struggling partner. Help them see how asking their partner the right type of questions and being willing to sit and listen to them, without placing blame or passing judgment, can aid greatly in this process.
Additionally, it is of vital importance for church leaders to help the individual understand that the issue their partner is having needs to be addressed and not avoided. It needs to be openly discussed in a manner that will invite conversation about both failures and successes. It needs to allow for a free-flowing conversation about all aspects of the process. This can be achieved by utilizing the information gained and tailoring that towards open discussion. The result of these discussions should lead the individual to empower their partner towards change and not enable them. The discussion can provide their partner with tools and more while allowing them the freedom to put in the work towards the change.
In that same mindset, it would be valuable for a leader to discuss with the individual warning them about the possibility of co-dependency during this process and providing them with signs to watch out for.
The last thing a leader can do is continually remind the individual that helping their partner will require patience. This will not be resolved overnight, over a week, likely even over several months. It will require patience and determination to work through.
Once a leader can help the individual see how they can help their struggling partner, the next step for that leader is to turn the focus towards that individual and setting aside conversations about the struggling partner.
Providing Support to the IndividualWhen leaders begin to work with someone who is struggling, they are quick to provide and offer any necessary support that is needed. However, as mentioned, it is equally imperative that the leader provides support to the partner. While this may sound straightforward it is not something that is typically done.
The first, and perhaps most logical step, is to ensure that the leader is expressing their love for the partner, not just the individual struggling. Simply acknowledging that the supportive partner is going through something can work wonders. It shows them that not everything revolves around their partner and whatever the issue is they are struggling with. The church leader can ensure they are just as available to the partner whenever needed as they are to the individual who is struggling.
If possible, this can be displayed by meeting with the partner, without the other individual, to garner a good assessment of how they are feeling. The initial response from the partner, since they likely won’t want to take the focus off the struggling individual, will be that they are okay. However, a leader should not let this answer stand, they should dig a little deeper to see what “okay” actually looks like.
Using a gentle start-up to break the conversation, something like “I know your partner has been struggling, however at this moment I am concerned about you.” This statement or something similar can completely change the tone of the discussion. Then following that up, as the spirit dictates, with open-ended statements/questions such as:
- Talk to me about how this experience has been for you.
- Can you explain to me how you have been feeling during this time?
- Share with me some of what you have been doing for your self-care. Note, if they have not been doing anything for their self-care, that is a red flag that should be immediately addressed.
- From a church standpoint, how do you feel this has impacted your testimony?
- What support do you need, that you honestly feel you are not getting?
While these questions are not all-encompassing, they can certainly help to get a conversation started.
Another thing to consider as a leader is connecting this individual, if they are open to it, with another partner who has been through the same thing. Preferably someone who felt supported and was effectively able to navigate through this process. There is much to be said for peer support; if church leaders can facilitate that opportunity, it would be highly beneficial by helping the partner to see they are not alone, and others have walked this path. Additionally, most communities offer programs to partners of those struggling with, most often, addiction. These groups can provide a level of support that may not be immediately available within the church.
Caring and LoveThe biggest aspect for church leaders to understand is that helping the individual who is struggling has to include helping their partner. This involves the leader helping the partner understand their role in helping the struggling individual and then also ensuring the partner feels they are being cared for, loved, and supported. Allowing them to understand that they are not defined by the struggles of their partner.
The post Whole Family Watch Care appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Part 2: The Research Behind Becoming Christlike | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson appeared first on Leading Saints.
I have an electronic note that I keep adding to, titled, “Things our culture says…”.
It’s a list of interesting phrases we have been saying for decades as a faith community that either have a different meaning depending on who you are talking to or are so cliché that they don’t really have meaning at all.
One of those phrases we say in our culture that isn’t helping and with which you’ll probably agree.
We use this phrase a lot, many times as leaders: “You need to forgive.”
When we say it to one another, it’s as effective as telling an anxious or angry person, “Relax!”
Yes, God commands that we forgive one another (Doctrine & Covenants 64:9): that is His prerogative, and I won’t argue with that.
But if we take that commandment and try to force it on others, it won’t work that easily.
It especially won’t work that simply with those who have been victims of betrayal, abuse, or crime.
Just like the commandment to be perfect requires time, so does forgiveness.
This reminds me of an interview I did with Jim Hastings, who was a bishop at the time his sweet daughter was abducted and murdered.
It would be hard to remind someone who has experienced something so tragic to simply flip the switch of forgiveness.
I even asked him about forgiveness in the interview, and his answer was enlightening (see minute mark 39:00).
So the next time it appears someone is in need of flipping the forgiveness switch, maybe sit with them a little longer, offer them as much patience as they need, and Jesus Christ will continue to shepherd them along the path of forgiveness, even if it takes a while.
Sincerely,
Kurt Francom
Executive Director
Leading Saints
P.S. This is an older newsletter message. Get the up-to-date message weekly by subscribing for free HERE.
The post When “Just Forgive” Doesn’t Work appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post How I Let the Youth Lead | A How I Lead Interview with Justin Sorensen appeared first on Leading Saints.
Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes about gospel topics at AnneKassel.com. In her previous article, “Satan’s War on Women – Part 1 – True Identity,” Anne shares the impact of Satan’s lies regarding the sacred role of women. Below is the conclusion of “Satan’s War on Women.”
Enter Anne…What I have come to believe is that the patriarchal order is God’s system for imbuing His love in His children and building with fathers and mothers a covenantal relationship that redounds in blessings upon our children. Within that order, He gave to women the crucible of child-bearing; and to men, the crucible of priesthood service. Both roles, when embraced with an understanding of what they’re all about, are equal in their power to lead us toward sanctification.
Satan’s Sponsorship of PatriarchyOf course, Satan wanted none of that, he twisted in the minds of both men and women what it meant to preside. Of course, he promoted the idea of man having a divine right to be obeyed, rather than a divine call to win hearts with long-suffering service. Because he was also promoting misogyny, he could dismiss long-suffering service as weak and womanish. And, once he’d promoted the fiction that presiding meant compulsion and domination, he could point to God’s calling men to preside as further proof that women were inferior and should rightfully be subservient.
That continued for millennia. And then, in about the mid-19th century, when women started revolting against his lies, he deepened his deceptions. He pointed their fury, not at him, but at the faith traditions into which he had insinuated his lies, and even at God. He could do the latter because we tend to base our expectations about our Heavenly Father on our experience of our earthly father. So, when Satan persuaded generation upon generation of men to exercise unrighteousness dominion, and to excuse it with scripture, it wasn’t hard to also persuade men, women and children that God was an autocrat, intent on punishing and controlling. This is deeply ironic, considering that it is Satan who wants to punish and control us, and God who loves us with a self-sacrificing tenderness that is beyond human comprehension.
The Faithful but Misguided Defense of PatriarchyAnd what was the reaction of people of faith? It was to defend God, who we knew to be loving, and the patriarchy (or rule of men) which we believed He had set up.
That was my reaction. I believed my role was to submit to my husband so well and wisely that he would not engage in tyranny. I thought I was to teach my children to honour him as the head of the house when he made unreasonable and punitive pronouncements. I bit my tongue and kept my head down and taught them the dance of appeasement while trying to figure out how to raise them up in the patriarchal order.
When the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stopped using the language of Adam ruling over Eve, I still didn’t realize that presiding was something different from being in charge. I still believed that my role was to be righteously submissive (whatever that meant). And I assumed that the Church had changed its language in order to avoid triggering women who were so wounded that they couldn’t bear the doctrine of submitting to male authority, which I believed I could bear if only I could figure it out. But gradually, bit by bit, those changes in language worked on me, enough that I was finally able to understand my covenants in a way that allowed me to break free from the tyranny.
And finally, in writing this article, I learned that the change of language was in fact a rejection of Satan’s lies that men rule over women rather than with women. I learned it when I looked for a definition of the Patriarchal Order in the Gospel Library and found Brent Barlow’s February 1973 Ensign article “Strengthening the Patriarchal Order in the Home.”
Brent Barlow’s defense of patriarchy was a painful-to-read. It quoted President Joseph F. Smith’s teachings that the Melchizedek-Priesthood-holding father holds the highest authority “in all home affairs and family matters“, and that this “is not merely a question of who is perhaps the best qualified. Neither is it wholly a question of who is living the most worthy life. It is a question largely of law and order“. Furthermore, the father’s ”authority remains and is respected long after a man is really unworthy to exercise it.“
What was a delight to read was the editor‘s note at the top of the page:
“Articles in the magazines archive may reflect practices and language of an earlier time. More current messages from the magazines on the relationship between husbands and wives include “Spiritual Treasures” and “Achieving Oneness in Marriage.” See also “Marriage” in Gospel Topics.”
In contrast to the 1973 Ensign article, the recommended current resources teach the following:
- On Priesthood power — ”the heavens are just as open to women who are endowed with God’s power flowing from their priesthood covenants as they are to men who bear the priesthood” and “every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God” (Spiritual Treasures).
- On partnership — ”Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither person exercising dominion over the other” (Marriage) and “as President Gordon B. Hinckley said, ‘In the marriage companionship there is neither inferiority nor superiority’” (Achieving Oneness in Marriage).
- On decision making — “This side-by-side, equal partnership manifests itself in all aspects of the marriage relationship, including in how couples make decisions together. To be one we must counsel with our spouse in all things and strive to come to a union of mind and heart on all matters” (Achieving Oneness in Marriage).
Women’s Opportunity TodayShould I be troubled that the Church used to teach male dominance in the home but now teaches full equality in marriage? No. Because the restoration is ongoing and such corrections will continue. God has been patiently leading us through all of human history toward the explosion of light and truth that will herald the Millennium. Also, His restorative mercies extend beyond the grave and He will make it gloriously right with all who have suffered from Satan’s assaults.
What I can do instead is rejoice at the opportunities that are before us now. God anticipated every tactic of Satan’s war on women and takes advantage of even those in His plan for victory. Today, at least in the Western world, the coercive scripting that made chastity and childbearing obligatory for women has been dismantled. That means we can freely choose to embrace both and reclaim all of their power.
I was in high school when President Spencer W. Kimball (whose love I felt and whose prophetic calling was personally witnessed to my heart), said:
To be a righteous woman is a glorious thing in any age. To be a righteous woman during the winding up scenes on this earth, before the second coming of our Savior, is an especially noble calling. The righteous woman’s strength and influence today can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times.
I felt the majesty of it and six months later, when the song “Walk Tall, You’re a Daughter of God” came out, I sang it over and over, with conviction. In just another six months, President Kimball prophesied:
Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different—in happy ways—from the women of the world.
Ever since, I have been trying to walk tall and to be “distinct and different — in happy ways — from the women of the world.” But I could never quite figure out how to walk tall while also walking within the role that was specified for me. I felt the need to cut myself down to size, bite my tongue, serve as the silent partner, because I thought it was my role to be ruled by my husband.
Realizing that it’s not, that recent changes in language from the Brethren are not efforts to euphemise a hard doctrine for those who are not ready to bear it, but actually reflect a quantum change in our understanding of the patriarchal order, is like shaking off a heavy weight. I feel excited and free.
I think the prophet Isaiah saw this moment and sent his words across the ages to urge us to seize it. He recounted our history of being ordered “Bow down that we may go over — and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over.” Then he delivered a message from the Lord:
“I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again… Awake, awake, … put on thy beautiful garments… Shake thyself from the dust; arise, sit down, O Jerusalem; loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion“ (2 Nephi 8:22-25).
The Lord is Our ChampionSatan has been waging war on women since the days of Eve. He even succeeded in distorting the family and confusing the members of the Church so that both were used in his arsenal against us. No matter. Because the Lord has been our champion all along and has been patiently preparing us for today. Now we get to wield righteous power in ways our enemy never anticipated. What an exciting time to be a woman!
The post Part 2 – Satan’s War on Women – The True Enemy appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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.
The post Leading People Towards a Patriarchal Blessing | An Interview with Keith Erekson appeared first on Leading Saints.
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”)
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 500,000 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.
The post Helping Youth Feel Confident to Lead | An Interview with Kolette Hall appeared first on Leading Saints.
Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly polarized world and writes about gospel topics at AnneKassel.com.
This article has been edited for length and clarity. The full version is available here.
Enter Anne…Truly understanding the sacred role of women and then modeling it well in our families, and as leaders at Church, is sometimes a challenge during this day and age. A challenge that has been instigated by the cunning lies of Satan as he has carefully laid a path of deceit from the beginning of our earthly existence.
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed;” Genesis 3:15
One of the key doctrines of a certain brand of feminism is that traditional institutions have, since the dawn of time, been waging a war on women. Some people with this perspective might opine that the family and the Church are twin instruments of women’s slavery, and the ultimate emancipation of women depends on the overthrow of both. Yet a full understanding of Heavenly Fathers plan for eternal families and the importance of equality in the roles we all may play, helps us to recognize that in the covenants we make, there is eternal emancipation.
For people like me, it’s tempting to dismiss such charges without a second thought. Believing deeply that the Church and the family are key to the emancipation of women, I seek to shore them up against efforts to dismantle them. But sometimes, a fortress needs to be strengthened before it can be defended. And, as Moroni learned in Alma 61, you need to become aware of and deal with the treachery that’s been at work in your heartland before you can prosper against a foreign enemy.
So, let’s talk about Satan’s particular war on women.
I believe it started in the Garden of Eden, when the Father told the Serpent,
“I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed.” Genesis 3:15
Granted, all humankind is woman’s seed, so that can be broadly understood to reference a general antipathy toward Satan that the Lord placed in our hearts at that time, as discussed in a recent blog post at my website. But I also believe the Lord provided a particular fortification against Satan for women, and that it was directly tied to the burdens we carry in relation to childbearing. In fact, the Lord’s promise of enmity was closely connected with motherhood in two ways. First, there is the reference to her seed. While this does seem to allude to the virgin birth of Jesus Christ and to His ultimate triumph over Satan, the scriptures tend to be multilayered with meaning. “Her seed” also brings to mind women’s procreative powers, both Eve’s and her daughters’. The second connection is what comes next as the Lord turns to Eve and continues:
“I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children.” Genesis 3:16
The Great Quest of LifeMuch has been argued in recent years about the unfair burden with which biology saddles women in human reproduction. What I want to consider for a moment is whether that “unfair burden” is, in fact, a boon. And I think the answer depends on our objective for coming to Earth in the first place. What was it about the opportunity for mortality, including all its attendant difficulties, that led us to shout for joy (Job 38:7)? I doubt that it was because we were excited to launch stellar careers in pursuit of wealth and exploitive power. Nor was it an eagerness to spend our lives in the pursuit of sensual pleasures. I believe it was because we wanted to grow to be like our Heavenly Parents: beings of pure, unalloyed love. Just before giving His life for us, Jesus taught,
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
I believe that, whatever our gender, the pinnacle of success is to learn to love as Jesus does (see Moroni 7:46-48). And to that end, I see the “burdens” of motherhood as a very generous boost forward.
Childbearing Is a CrucibleWe each experience the burdens of childbearing differently, but they tend to be intense to the point of transforming us and teaching us Christlike love. For myself, with my five babies, I suffered unrelenting nausea from about 6 to 20 weeks. At night, I had recurring dreams that I was sitting at a banquet of food, only to wake up in the morning, weak with hunger and unable to tolerate the thought of eating anything. I frequently felt like I was starving, and I worried about my baby. My doctor told me that was one thing I did not have to worry about. My body would deplete its own resources and hold onto enough food to nourish my baby. In my case, he was right. My babies were born large and healthy, even though their mother spent the first half of pregnancy looking very, very ill.
And then there was birth. I heard birth stories before I was a mother and pushed the traumatic elements aside. People reassured me that I’d forget the worst of it. That’s probably true. But I remember the first time those squeezing pains consumed my world. This was a normal childbirth. There was no back labor, and the baby wasn’t breach. But this did not feel like something my body had been created and prepared to do. It felt wrong and dangerous, and I realized I could die. I thought about how my mother (who did have complicated deliveries) survived this, and her mother before her, and so on, all the way back to Eve. But I also thought about many other mothers who did not. I comforted myself that maternal mortality is negligible in the developed world. But even in a modern hospital bed with a well-trained medical team attending me, I felt I was walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
Then, finally, I had a baby; an innocent who was wholly attuned to me, for whom I had just endured nine months of sickness, discomfort, and alienation from my own body, followed by a brief but intense transition of surprising pain. Each of my little ones was fully, sometimes terrifyingly dependent on me for life as well as for comfort and nurture. And I alone could suckle, comfort, and protect them like no-one else in this world. The love of this precious baby transformed me into a willing sufferer for my child’s sake. My experience differs from other women in the details, but there tend to be a lot of similarities in the general outline. I believe there is significance in Isaiah’s comparing the Atonement to childbirth (Isaiah 53:11) and pointing to a nursing mother’s love as the closest earthly equivalent to the Saviour’s (Isaiah 49:15). I think that says important things about how childbearing speeds us along the way to developing Christlike love.
Other Avenues for Developing Christlike LoveThat is not to say that childbearing is the only peaceable avenue for us to follow Jesus Christ in suffering, bleeding and even grappling with death for the sake of another. The scriptures are full of references to others who learned Christ-like, sacrificial love without bearing children. There was Esther, whose faith and courage led her to risk execution in order to save her entire people. And there were numerous faithful high priests who laboured in the spirit, wrestled in prayer, endured violent persecution, and even put their lives on the line in order to bring souls to God. (It’s interesting that Paul compared his ministry to childbirth, calling his converts “my little children of whom I travail in birth … until Christ be formed in you” [Galatians 4:19]).
What is unique about childbearing is that it’s virtually the only way that suffering, bleeding and risking death for another comes almost by default, decreed by our biology and, at least until the modern day, with very limited avenues for backing out.
Childbearing is a crucible that carves out reservoirs of love in our hearts. It also acquaints us with vulnerability and teaches us something about the value of every human being. When we voluntarily endure pain, privation and even risk our lives to bring life to another, we partake of godliness. As a result, Satan’s lies to diminish that godliness tends to fall rather flat, as long as we do not get entangled in those lies.
Satan’s ResponseIt is not surprising that the enmity between Satan and women goes both ways. If we were going to be fortified against him, he was going to wage war on us. And he would do it in the worst way possible. Not only would he commission his sworn servants against us, but, more importantly, he would mingle his hatred with the true word of God to try and turn our strength against us.
When exactly Satan authored the lie that women were inferior to or less important than men is lost to history. The doctrine has been as pervasive as it is false. Of special note, though, is its tendency to steal credibility from the story of the Fall (because it was Eve who first partook of the forbidden fruit and then persuaded Adam to do likewise) and then to entrench itself among the people of the Abrahamic covenant. For example, according to a podcast with Book of Mormon Central co-founder Dr. Lynne Wilson, the attitude of the Pharisees toward women was extremely demeaning around the time of Jesus Christ. Women were wholly dismissed as temptresses; they were to call their husband’s “rab” (meaning master), to be hidden from view (they must show neither their hair nor their ankles), silent (if a woman’s voice was heard outside of the home, her husband had a religious duty to divorce her), confined to the women’s section of the home, and not even worthy of engaging the conversation of their husbands (in fact, some taught that a man would go to hell if he wasted time conversing with a woman, because he should be studying the law instead and women were the source of temptation). Women were considered so untrustworthy they were not allowed to testify in court. By contrast, Jesus’ treatment of women — His eating and conversing with them, treating them as His disciples, traveling with them, and making them His first witnesses (both of His coming and of His resurrection) — was a shocking shake-up of those norms. Clearly, the misogyny of those who professed to follow Jehovah did not come from Him.
Aligned With the Family ProclamationAs Latter-day Saints, we recognize that the misguided views of Pharisees toward women is not in line with Heavenly Fathers plan. In fact, in the family proclamation we are specifically counseled that although women and men may have different roles in a covenant family, they are equal partners in their roles.
“By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.”
Patriarchy Verses PatriarchToday, the coercive socialization that seeks to keep women “in their place,” and submissive to male authority is generally blamed on the patriarchy. But that’s an oversimplification. And while I agree that patriarchy is oppressive in the forms that it’s been practiced throughout history, I disagree that any of those forms resemble the patriarchal order that the Father established with Adam and Eve.
Patriarch is the key word in both terms. It derives from the Greek patēr, meaning father (or patria, meaning family) and archēs, meaning chief, leader or ruler. From my study, I’m persuaded that the key difference between the two concepts lies in the specific meaning of the word archēs: that it means “leader” in the case of the patriarchal order, as opposed to “chief” or “ruler,” in the case of patriarchy.
Jesus’ Instructive Example of PresidingI realize my analysis runs counter to wording of Genesis 3:19, which tells us God indicated that Adam would “rule over” Eve. But that language was written much later, after Satan had been actively promoting misogyny and unrighteous dominion in all aspects of human life for millennia.
God speaks to us according to our language and understanding. He teaches us line upon line and takes the long view to leading humanity out of darkness. That’s part of the reason that the teachings of the current prophet take precedence over those of the prophets who have gone before. So, I’m inclined to look at the example of Jesus Christ and modern revelation in order to come up with a better understanding of the patriarchal order.
As far as modern revelation goes, I’m surprised that I can’t find the term “patriarchal order” anywhere in the standard works of scripture. The closest I can get is this, from The Family Proclamation, “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness”.
There’s a lot of confusion about what it means to preside. But it would be hard to argue that it means something different from what Jesus demonstrated. His example on this was just as shockingly counter-cultural as His treatment of women. According to Dr. Wilson, a master teacher was so highly esteemed in Jesus’s day that his students might seek to fill the role of his servant in order to spend more time with him. This could be abused, so the pharisees created rules about what sort of duties a disciple would be permitted to fill. He could, for example, feed his rabbi or help his rabbi dress. One thing he could not do, because it was too far beneath him, was wash his rabbi’s feet. It’s no wonder, then, that Peter was horrified when Jesus did for the disciples the demeaning duty that was forbidden for them to do for Him.
On that occasion, Jesus said,
“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 13: 13-15
He then proceeded to Gethsemane and on to Calvary, where he suffered, bled and died on behalf of all those over whom He presides.
From Jesus’ example we learn that presiding is not about being “above” or in charge of anybody else. It was Satan’s plan to force obedience. Jesus presided by serving, loving, and taking upon Himself the responsibility to carve from His own flesh a way for us to return to the Father. He didn’t see any duty as beneath Him. And He reserved His stinging words, not for the woman taken in adultery, not for the publicans and self-acknowledged sinners, but for the scribes and pharisees who used their power to condemn and control.
Leading Us to SanctificationDoctrine and Covenants 121:36-46 teaches that it is the “nature and disposition of almost all men” to abuse the authority with which they’re entrusted. But the priesthood is an antidote to that tendency. It is “inseparably connected with the powers of heaven” and wholly dependent upon “the principles of righteousness.” Presiding does not mean exercising “control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of men” but instead, practicing “persuasion…long-suffering…gentleness and meekness, and… love unfeigned; By kindness, and pure knowledge, which shall greatly enlarge the soul without hypocrisy, and without guile”. There are times when the one who presides needs to reprove, like Jesus when He cleared the temple and reproved the scribes and pharisees. But those times are to be directed by the Holy Spirit and followed by a demonstration of increased love. By following the path of committed, long-suffering love, the one who presides obtains an ‘everlasting dominion” that flows to him forever, “without compulsory means.”
What I have come to believe is that the patriarchal order is God’s system for imbuing His love in His children and building with fathers and mothers a covenantal relationship that redounds in blessings upon our children. Within that order, He gave to women the crucible of child-bearing; and to men, the crucible of priesthood service. Both roles, when embraced with an understanding of what they’re all about, are equal in their power to lead us toward sanctification.
We invite you to continue reading next weeks’ conclusion of “Satan’s War on Women – Part 2 – The True Enemy.”
The post Satan’s War on Women – True Identity appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Part 2: What Sexual Addiction Recovery Actually Looks Like | An Interview with Steven Croshaw and Chris Raleigh appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Part 1: What Sexual Addiction Recovery Actually Looks Like | An Interview with Steven Croshaw and Chris Raleigh appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
Highlights 06:25 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 Links Success Mindsets: Your Keys to Unlocking Greater Success in Your Life, Work, & Leadership
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 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.
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 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,
You’ve probably heard this one before: “The bishop isn’t a therapist!” Typically, this is stated in a way that is somewhat critical of the spiritual counseling model we have in our faith tradition in relation to bishops or other leaders we see as having authority. Someone is experiencing a problem with mental health, finances, marital […]
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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 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.
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 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.
Everyone is going to lead differently. And that’s okay. In fact, it is the way it should be. There is no one secret way of leading that everyone needs to adopt. However, there are specific principles that are implicit to lead in a productive manner. One of those necessary principles is the desire to accept […]
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Everyone is going to lead differently. And that’s okay. In fact, it is the way it should be. There is no one secret way of leading that everyone needs to adopt. However, there are specific principles that are implicit to lead in a productive manner. One of those necessary principles is the desire to accept […]
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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 […]
The post This Isn’t My Father’s Church from the 70’s | A How I Lead Interview with Theron Andersen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
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Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as ward mission leader, elders quorum president, and bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been primary teacher, temple ordinance worker in the Lubbock Texas Temple, and as a scoutmaster just prior to his current calling. He has been married […]
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Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as ward mission leader, elders quorum president, and bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been primary teacher, temple ordinance worker in the Lubbock Texas Temple, and as a scoutmaster just prior to his current calling. He has been married […]
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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.
As a former church leader, I want to speak about those former leaders who are no longer serving in an official capacity. Those years of service were intense! They took a lot of sacrifice and attracted impossible problems at times. But now, being a few years separated from those callings, sometimes we miss being in […]
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As a former church leader, I want to speak about those former leaders who are no longer serving in an official capacity. Those years of service were intense! They took a lot of sacrifice and attracted impossible problems at times. But now, being a few years separated from those callings, sometimes we miss being in […]
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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.
Richard, “Rich” Watson currently resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, just near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, and has an education in psychology, with other degrees in education and social sciences. He has been happily married for over 22 years and has 4 amazing children. Since his […]
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Richard, “Rich” Watson currently resides in Hope Mills, North Carolina, just near Fort Bragg. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years, and has an education in psychology, with other degrees in education and social sciences. He has been happily married for over 22 years and has 4 amazing children. Since his […]
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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 […]
The post Transforming Elders Quorum with 15% | An Interview with Bronco Mendenhall appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Transforming Elders Quorum with 15% | An Interview with Bronco Mendenhall appeared first on Leading Saints.
I’ve thought about doing a newsletter series on talks that should have never been given. What I mean is that there are certain talks that have become very popular to use in ways they were never intended to be used. Or in other words, the prophet, seer, and revelator said one thing and then their […]
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I’ve thought about doing a newsletter series on talks that should have never been given. What I mean is that there are certain talks that have become very popular to use in ways they were never intended to be used. Or in other words, the prophet, seer, and revelator said one thing and then their […]
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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 post Leading by the SPIRIT of the Law or the LETTER of the Law | An Interview with Jason Hunt appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 post Leading by the SPIRIT of the Law or the LETTER of the Law | An Interview with Jason Hunt appeared first on Leading Saints.
A pastor noticed that a parishioner had stopped attending his services. The parishioner evidently felt he was no longer noticed, loved, or missed by his attendance, so he simply stopped coming. The pastor gave it some prayerful thought and paid a visit to the elderly man on a very snowy and cold winter day. He […]
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A pastor noticed that a parishioner had stopped attending his services. The parishioner evidently felt he was no longer noticed, loved, or missed by his attendance, so he simply stopped coming. The pastor gave it some prayerful thought and paid a visit to the elderly man on a very snowy and cold winter day. He […]
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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 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,
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.
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 Elder’s 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? 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,
I’d like to pivot back to a broader topic of the second hour in church. Because of recent messages I have published via the newsletter, a few weeks ago I took a survey about what expectations you have for second-hour Sunday School. Here are the results: You can see the full questions here. From my […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
The post The Holy Spirit’s Influence on Leadership Decisions | An Interview with Robert Millet appeared first on Leading Saints.
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...
Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly […]
The post Standing as a Witness of His Goodness and Love – A Redemptive Relationship appeared first on Leading Saints.
Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly […]
The post Standing as a Witness of His Goodness and Love – A Redemptive Relationship appeared first on Leading Saints.
Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly […]
The post Standing as a Witness of His Goodness and Love – A Redemptive Relationship appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post What the Scriptures Say About Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post What the Scriptures Say About Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post What the Scriptures Say About Leadership | An Interview with Shawn Moon appeared first on Leading Saints.
These newsletter messages are more of a community experience rather than a personal experience for me. As I share perspectives and get incredible replies from many of you, I learn more and gain a deeper understanding of the leadership concepts I discuss here. As we have focused on the bishopric’s responsibilities and roles, there are […]
The post What does the bishopric do? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead as Mission Leader | An Interview with Kathryn Marler appeared first on Leading Saints.
At a recent BYU Education Week lecture, I was reminded of the impact of one voice in challenging times or situations. This presenter was sharing about the life of our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. There were so many touching and inspiring experiences of a life being well lived. A trusted disciple who did […]
The post The Middle of the Wagon Train – Becoming His Trusted Disciples appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Leader’s Role in a Ward Member’s Divorce | An Interview with Noelle McBride appeared first on Leading Saints.
The majority of feedback I get from this newsletter is often positive and in agreement with my somewhat random opinions. But I figured I would share with you one of my most controversial opinions that most of you are going to dislike (or outright hate). So keep your finger on the reply button. Here’s one […]
The post The Imbalance of Youth Programs appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead in a Pageant Presidency | An Interview with John Deacon appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His […]
The post Guiding Understanding As We Teach the Law of Chastity appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Part 2 – Therapy, Narcissistic Leaders, and Healthy Ego | An Interview with Tony Overbay appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Part 1 – Therapy, Narcissistic Leaders, and Healthy Ego | An Interview with Tony Overbay appeared first on Leading Saints.
I have previously highlighted in this newsletter the dynamics that come with a “youth-focused” bishopric, and it has been interesting to get email replies from other organizational leaders. For example, I heard from two different Primary presidency members expressing their frustration that they get very little support or recognition from the bishopric, and this concerns […]
The post Bishopric Orphans appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Creating Friendship & Belonging in Relief Society | A How I Lead Interview with Emma Larsen appeared first on Leading Saints.
Anne is a member of The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints and a survivor of two abusive marriages. Her faith in Jesus Christ is inextricably intertwined with her perspective on the world. Anne provides coaching and filtering services for co-parents who want help with their communication. She strives to build peace in an increasingly […]
The post Focused Shepherding – Caring for the Abused as Well As Their Abusers appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post When Life Doesn’t Seem to Work for Those We Lead | An Interview with Roger Connors appeared first on Leading Saints.
Recently I shared the idea of a bishop going on a “couch tour” in his ward in order to give every household a personal interaction with the bishop sitting in their home and connecting with them. Many appreciated this idea, and others had concerns. The most common critique of this idea can be summed up […]
The post Lead the Ward, Lead the Youth appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Leader Expectation Pain | An Interview with Jody Moore appeared first on Leading Saints.
Andrea Lystrup is a licensed marriage and a family therapist based in Tucson, AZ. She owns a private practice that specializes in helping Latter-day Saint couples and individuals navigate faith, addiction, and sexual intimacy issues. Writing books, articles, and blogs is a passion for her, and her work has been featured in the church Ensign […]
The post When Less Is More: Overcoming Fear Through Boundaries appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post A Closer Look at Grace in the Latter-day Saint Tradition | An Interview with Adam Miller appeared first on Leading Saints.
I always appreciate feedback, good or bad. After last week’s message about the effectiveness of a new bishop visiting every home in the ward, I received mixed feedback. One email said… “Worst advice to a new bishop ever.” This short and simple reply made me wonder… Was my advice really the “worst advice to a […]
The post The worst leadership advice ever appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post How I Lead with Ward Committees | An Interview with Corry Perkins appeared first on Leading Saints.
Miranda H. Lotz is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who usually serves in Primary or Relief Society. She graduated with a BA in History from BYU and has written for The Deseret News and KSL. She’s blessed to serve as a mother and as a military wife. She currently […]
The post Slow To Correct – Quick to Change appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Giving Feedback When Leaders Fall Short | An Interview with Jon McNaughtan appeared first on Leading Saints.
I often hear from brand new bishops asking me for general advice related to their new calling. New bishops run the risk of being swallowed whole by all the administration demands that come with the calling. It’s easy for a new bishop to find himself in a lot of meetings where the bishopric or ward […]
The post #1 advice I give to new leaders appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead in the Ivory Coast | An Interview with Norbert Kalogo Ounleu appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His […]
The post Remember Who You Are – Inspiring Our Youth appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post 2 Latter-day Saint Bishops Executive Produce “The Chosen” | An Interview with Derral Eves and Brad Pelo appeared first on Leading Saints.
At the beginning of ward council most organization leaders are focused on the bishop. What’s he going to say? Any new direction? How long will this go? The meeting hinges on the bishop. This focus doesn’t mean it will be an awful meeting, but will it lead to a closer interaction with the Spirit? Elder […]
The post How Elder Bednar Runs a Meeting or Council appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead as Youth Executive Secretary | An Interview with Michael Albright appeared first on Leading Saints.
This is an update to the podcast episode Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach.
The post UPDATE: Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post Reporting Abuse, Church Helpline, & the Bishop | An Interview with Jennifer Roach appeared first on Leading Saints.
Are Sunday worship services working? That’s the question I’ve been exploring over a series of newsletter messages. This is part 5 and for context you can find a summary of each meeting purpose at the end of this message. In this message I’d like to consider how we can improve the Sunday worship experience by […]
The post Let’s talk about sacrament meeting talks appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Preparing the Youth for Controversial Subjects | An Interview with David Snell appeared first on Leading Saints.
In a recent Leading Saints podcast with host, Kurt Francom, and guest, Ganel-Lyn Condie, I discovered an interesting and inspired view of our earthly responsibilities. Not only did I realize that some of our personal challenges may, in fact, be a gift of stewardship. I was also reminded that stewardship invites humble interactions with ourselves […]
The post Stewardship Verses Ownership – An Invitation to Mindful Discipleship appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post When the Stake President Struggles with Mental Illness | An Interview with Michael and Susan Dayley appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post When the Stake President Struggles with Mental Illness | An Interview with Michael and Susan Dayley appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post Becoming a Master Interviewer | An Interview With David Farnsworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4 acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged […]
The post True Belonging – Our Charge to Connect As a Ward appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Misunderstanding of Repentance | An Interview with David Durfey appeared first on Leading Saints.
Are Sunday worship services working? That is the question I’d like to explore over a series of newsletter messages. This is part 3 and I will share the same introduction as before to stay in context. Obviously, the ordinance of the sacrament is paramount during worship services, but that is only 10-15 minutes of the […]
The post How many have friends at church? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Building Empathy in Elders Quorum | A How I Lead Interview with Weston Robinson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Have you ever tried to small talk before extending a calling? I would not recommend it. When an individual receives a phone call from an executive secretary saying, “Would you be available to meet with the Bishop/Stake President on Sunday?” suddenly that person gets tunnel vision. Nothing else matters in their life until they figure […]
The post How to Extend a Church Calling – Creating a Meaningful Spiritual Experience appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Why God Calls Some as Relief Society Presidents and Others as Cancer Survivors | An Interview with Ganel-Lyn Condie appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 post How Sisters Speak Up in Ward Council | A How I Lead Interview with Sheree Nixon appeared first on Leading Saints.
Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum President, and Bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been Primary Teacher, Temple Ordinance Worker in Lubbock Texas Temple, and as a Scout Master just prior to his current calling. He has been married […]
The post Mourn with Those That Mourn – The Unique Nature of Pandemic Bereavement appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Women Who Are Unsettled With Their Leadership Role appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Helping Others Restore Personal Worship & Connection with God | An Interview with John Eldredge appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Why do women dominate the Leading Saints audience? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Women Who Desire More Influence in Zion appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Simplifying Ministering | A How I Lead Interview with Sarah Randall appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post The Next Phase of Leading Saints appeared first on Leading Saints.
“Become.” “Becoming.” These are important words in Latter-day Saint theology. They help fuel our emphasis on personal growth and development. Here are a few ways that they have been used in General Conference addresses: “Mortality is an essential gift in our journey to become like our Heavenly Father.” (Elder Peter F. Meurs) “A disciple strives […]
The post Becoming More Like Jesus Christ: It Takes Self-Awareness appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Intentionally Designing a Church Experience | An Interview with Mat Duerdon appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post Replacing Worry with Pondering | An Interview with Dan Duckworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
I recently listened to a podcast that was artfully guided by Kurt Francom while receiving inspiring information from Jason Noel. The podcast was, Love, Share, Invite Isn’t Just a Missionary Effort. While I was listening, my spiritual head exploded! Have you ever had a HUGE light bulb moment and then said to yourself – ”why […]
The post An Inspired Tool for Ward Councils – Love, Share, Invite appeared first on Leading Saints.
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, […]
The post Hidden Leadership Principles in the Lives of Nephi & Jacob | An Interview with Joseph Spencer appeared first on Leading Saints.
This episode is a conversation from 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 […]
The post The Power of Connection | How I Lead with Kurt Francom appeared first on Leading Saints.
Gwen Bristol has served in a variety of ward Primary and Relief Society positions, as an organist in some wards, and stake Young Women positions. Gwen provides Habits & Happiness life coaching services and clinical hypnosis (both online and in person). She has also been a freelance writer for the past 19 ½ years, with […]
The post Hypnosis – A Tool to Reinforce Righteous Conscious Choices appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Leadership of C.S. Lewis | An Interview with Crystal Hurd appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Love, Share, Invite Isn’t Just a Missionary Effort | An Interview with Jason Noel appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jenny Parnell Willmore lives in Logan, Utah, USA with her husband James. They have four children and one grandchild. She currently serves as Relief Society president and has taught everything from nursery to Gospel Doctrine. She has a Master of Second Language Teaching from Utah State University and taught Spanish at Snow College, the military’s […]
The post An Opportunity for Learning – Finding Pure Doctrine appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How to Use BYU–Pathway in Your Ministry | An Interview with J. D. Griffith appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead a Spanish-Speaking Ward in an English-Speaking Stake | An Interview with Walter Franco appeared first on Leading Saints.
In part one of this two-part series, we learned a few steps to increase our focus and purpose in this world of information overload and multi-tasking. In part two, we will dive deeper into the mechanics and disciplines that extend our focus and purpose to a higher level. The Psychology of Focus When I left […]
The post Repeat or Evolve – From Focus to Flow – Part Two appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Why Religious Answers Alone Won’t Help Overcome Pornography | An Interview with Clay Olsen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post When the Youth Planned Stake Conference | A How I Lead Interview appeared first on Leading Saints.
So much information bombards our minds these days. We absorb more information than ever before. Let me re-phrase that. We are fire hosed with more information than ever before, but we actually don’t absorb any more – UNLESS – I’ll get to that in a moment. In my early married life, I had a job […]
The post Repeat or Evolve – How to Gain More Focus and Purpose – Part One appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post How Power & Authority Impact Well-Intentioned Church Leaders | An Interview with Brian Klaas appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Is Elders Quorum Working? appeared first on Leading Saints.
Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4 acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged […]
The post Alone in a Crowd – Extending Ourselves as a Companion appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post When Ward Members Struggle with Adult Children | An Interview with Bonnie Lyman appeared first on Leading Saints.
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, […]
The post A Leader’s Vision is Only the Beginning | A How I Lead Interview with Greg and Deborah Stapley appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His […]
The post The Wilderness Before You – Obtaining Your Promised Land appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Defeating Fear, Doubt & Discouragement | An Interview with Dennis Deaton appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Sanctifying Gathered Israel While We Gather Scattered Israel | A How I Lead Interview with Tim Welch appeared first on Leading Saints.
Sports award shows may not be your thing, but you’d likely feel differently if you were basing your opinion on what ESPN calls their “single greatest moment ever.” If you’d been there at their first ESPY awards, you would have called it “unforgettable!” – especially hearing one of the most inspiring speeches ever. The speaker, […]
The post When You Help Others Find Their Why, They Will Find Their Way appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Girls Camp, Grace, and the Bishop’s Office | An Interview with Emily Belle Freeman appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post From Leading Marines to Leading Saints | A How I Lead Interview with Bart Sloat appeared first on Leading Saints.
Sam Tielemans is a marriage and family therapist in Las Vegas, NV. He has spent thousands of hours working with people struggling with depression, anxiety, addictions, or challenges in marriage. He’s certified in Emotionally Focused Therapy and loves working with people! He is one of the professional therapists on the Advisory Board for Leading Saints […]
The post How to Help Members Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Navigating Autism as a Church Leader | An Interview with Michele Portlock appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Creating Safety for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints in the Bishop’s Office | An Interview with Blake Fisher appeared first on Leading Saints.
Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum President, and Bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been Primary Teacher, Temple Ordinance Worker in Lubbock Texas Temple, and as a Scout Master just prior to his current calling. He has been married […]
The post The Resurrection and The Life appeared first on Leading Saints.
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, […]
The post Are You a Command and Control Leader? | An Interview with David Kasperson appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Leaders Helping LGBTQ Latter-day Saints appeared first on Leading Saints.
In a recent interview with Kurt Francom on Leading Saints, Tyler Lefevor, PhD, an assistant professor of psychology at Utah State University and Sam Skidmore, MS, is a third-year doctoral student of clinical/counseling psychology at Utah State University shared insights with Kurt on ways to love and support our LBGTQ+ members. Tyler’s research focuses on […]
The post Understanding, Accepting and Respecting LBGTQ+ Members appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Politics at Church | An Interview with Greg Matsen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The LGBTQ Journey Through the Bishop’s Office | An Interview with Tyler Lefevor and Samuel Skidmore appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which have been in various youth callings. His […]
The post Determining Inspired Actions- Doctrines, Principles and Application appeared first on Leading 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 […]
The post My Approach to Ministering Interviews | A How I Lead Interview with Sharon Kaye Fisher appeared first on Leading Saints.
Adam Ellsworth is currently loving his service as a Teachers Quorum Advisor in Alpine, Utah. He and his wife, Maricel, are enjoying the challenges that come with raising three boys, ages 14, 10, and 10. Professionally, Adam has been practicing law as a patent attorney since 2006. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree at BYU, Adam […]
The post The “Race” of Grace – Leading Others to Trust in Grace appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Being an Essentialism Bishop | An Interview with Greg McKeown appeared first on Leading Saints.
We are at a wonderful time in the dispensation of the fullness of time, there are temples dotting the earth, access to learning through the Come Follow Me course of study and many other resources, opportunities to serve on so many levels and the ability to become our best self. There are also famines, droughts, […]
The post Serving Like Eliezer – Specific Prayers Bring Specific Results appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Keeping Jesus as the Center of Leadership | An Interview with John Hilton III appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Connecting People to Overcome Pornography | An Interview with Chandler Rogers appeared first on Leading Saints.
Stacey Carruth has served as Young Women President and Relief Society President as well as a variety of callings under all the auxiliary umbrellas. Stacey served a mission in Joao Pessoa, Brazil and has had callings with interfaith relationships. Stacey currently helps managing the teaching, transportation, healthcare, education, housing, and cultural adjustment efforts for refugees […]
The post Finding Peace in Our Religious Affiliation appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Teaching Temple Covenants | An Interview with Anthony Sweat appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead as Bishop | An Interview with Neil Henderson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, Cory served a mission in Santa Maria, Brazil, graduated with a degree in accounting from Idaho State University, and lived in Boise, Idaho before settling in Pocatello, Idaho working as the CFO of a local credit union. The father of four, Cory has served as elders quorum counselor and president, […]
The post The Parallel of Physical and Spiritual Health appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Principle of Love | An Interview with Elder Don R. Clarke appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post Modeling Consistent Communication and Purpose | A How I Lead Interview with Daniel Bingham appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church and currently serves in the High Council as the Young Men’s President. Enter Dack… The genesis of my message occurred […]
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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 […]
The post Teaching in the Church | An Interview with Russell Osguthorpe appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead as Young Women President | An Interview with Lisa Valentine Clark appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dan Duckworth is a leadership professional (coach, speaker, teacher) who empowers leaders to transcend and transform culture as they work to make change. He’s also a member of the Leading Saints Board of Directors. Read more from Dan at danduckworth.net. For local leaders in the Church, the past three years have been anything but […]
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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 […]
The post Helping Latter-day Youth Transition to Adulthood | An Interview with Mark McConville appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Leading Empowered and Confident Young Women | An Interview with Diljeet Taylor appeared first on Leading Saints.
Register for FREE to watch the Young Saints Virtual Conference 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 […]
The post Why Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 2 | A Presentation by Dan Duckworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
Register for free at: https://leadingsaints.org/youth
The post How to Develop Youth into Leaders | Peter Vidmar | Young Saints Conf. Clip appeared first on Leading Saints.
Register for FREE to watch the Young Saints Virtual Conference 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 […]
The post Why Testimony is Not the Only Goal for Latter-day Youth—Part 1 | A Presentation by Dan Duckworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
Register for free at: https://leadingsaints.org/youth
The post Latter-Day Saint Youth, Perfectionism, and Shame appeared first on Leading Saints.
Register for free at: https://leadingsaints.org/youth
The post How Does Sabbath Day Worship Impact Youth? | Prof. Mark Ogletree | Young Saints Conference Clip appeared first on Leading Saints.
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The post Where do Youth Struggle with the Gospel the Most? | Al Carraway | Young Saints Conference Clip appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jenny Parnell Willmore lives in Logan, Utah, USA with her husband James. They have four children and one grandchild. She currently serves as Relief Society president and has taught everything from nursery to Gospel Doctrine. She has a Master of Second Language Teaching from Utah State University and taught Spanish at Snow College, the military’s […]
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Register for FREE to watch the Young Saints Virtual Conference 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 […]
The post The Struggles of Youth | A Presentation by Smith Alley appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. […]
The post Connecting with Individuals in Relief Society | How I Lead as a YSA Relief Society President | An Interview with Kessa Merrill appeared first on Leading Saints.
In part one of this two-part series, suggestions were made for finding our own peace in this crazy world. Finding our own “desert,” or inner peace, requires significant effort. My wife and I are building a new home. The outside of the home has a number of stone columns. They are large and require significant […]
The post A Guide to Modern-Day Peace – Part Two – Stonework and Peace appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 post When the Stake President Struggles with Pornography | An Interview with Chris Raleigh appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead as Stake President | An Interview with Randy Lonsdale appeared first on Leading Saints.
I have written much about suicide ideation since the passing of our dear son in August 2020. Mental health is a topic that should be front and center in all our minds and hearts, not just for those who know loved ones and friends who have succumbed to the demons of the day. Living through […]
The post A Guide to Modern-Day Peace – Part One – Voices and Choices appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post “Teach Them Their Identity” | An Interview with Elaine Dalton appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Being an Advocate for Those You Lead | An Interview with Rob Ferrell appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
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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 […]
The post Heaven and Cell: How to Use Smartphones to Teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ | An Interview with Brandon Comstock appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead as Bishop | An Interview with Darren Bush appeared first on Leading Saints.
Steve Donegan is a retired U.S. Army warrant officer. He joined the Army and made this prophetic statement during his initial training: The Army will either make me an alcoholic or a Christian. Luckily, he chose the latter. His Army career took him into many locations in Europe, to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and around […]
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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 […]
The post Giving Your Ward a Story to Tell and Other Ways to Promote Positive Ward Culture | An Interview with Kirk Weisler appeared first on Leading Saints.
Amy is a full-time employee, a full-time family member, and a part time case manager/patient advocate. Her family includes her husband, a tween-aged daughter, and a kindergarten daughter. Amy’s focus has recently been co-producing an environment for her oldest daughter’s virtual learning experience and sending her beloved kindergartener off to school. Other interests include understanding […]
The post Ministering Through A Faith Transition Authority Shift appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Finding the Why of Ward Tradition | An Interview with Nick Greer appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Come Follow Me and the Power of Questions | An Interview with Evan Fitzpatrick appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jill Armijo coaches’ caregivers to prevent burnout through excellent self-care. She provides critical tools that help caregivers create the life they want and deserve while serving others. Jill has found many who need an alternative income and has also developed a business coaching practice to help small business dramatically increase their revenue. Jill lives with […]
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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 […]
The post Principles of Leadership | An Interview with Elder J. Devn Cornish appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
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Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum President, and Bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been Primary Teacher, Temple Ordinance Worker in Lubbock Texas Temple during the first years in operation and as a Scout Master just prior to his […]
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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 […]
The post Leading Individuals with Concerns About the Book of Abraham | An Interview with Kerry Muhlestein appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
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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 […]
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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, a frequent contributor to Leading Saints, and a member of its Board of Directors. Kurt Francom is the Executive Director […]
The post Covid-19, Masks, and Vaccines are Causing Friction in My Ward, Now What? | A Conversation appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Leading Saints in 2022 appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church and currently serves in the High Council as the Young Men’s President. Enter Dack… As we understand the “place” where […]
The post Discovering, Receiving and Sharing Our Prince of Peace appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Stimulating More Personal Revelation in Your Ward With the Gospel Library App | An Interview with Richard Bernard appeared first on Leading Saints.
Have you had a family member, someone you minister to, or someone for whom you have stewardship struggle with anxiety, depression, or a lack of self-worth? At times, it is a challenge for each of us to get sucked into worrying about the future, which can create anxiety. Other times we may be angry, sad, […]
The post Helping Ourselves and Others Find the Great Calm appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Coming Alongside Youth & Young Adults | An Interview with Steve Hitz appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Why We Married in the Temple After 20 Years in Same-Sex Relationships | An Interview With Bennett & Becky Borden appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dack Van Orden was born and raised in Idaho Falls, ID. He currently lives in the Houston Texas area where he and his wife are the parents of three daughters and one bonus daughter. He has served in a variety of callings within the Church, most of which, have been in various youth callings. His […]
The post A New Path Together appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Story Behind Pornography Use | An Interview with Jay Stringer appeared first on Leading Saints.
A sucker’s choice happens any time we come to a fork in the road, and it seems there are only two options. If we choose one, we forgo the other. However, most of the time when we face such a dilemma, if we look a little harder we can find several new options. My wife […]
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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 […]
The post Liberals, Doctrine, & Apologetics at Church | An Interview with Blair Hodges appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Seeing Leadership as a System | How I Lead as Area Seventy | An Interview with Gene R. Chidester appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jeff Borders joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 19, and since then has had many opportunities to serve in various capacities. His wife, Crystyne, was integral to his conversion while they were dating, and he believes her to be one of the best missionaries he has ever met. […]
The post A Place for Technology in Councils and Meetings appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Counseling Together as Disciples of Christ | An Interview with Frantz Belot appeared first on Leading Saints.
In the Church, we often desire and encourage discussion. But discussion without structure can create a meandering or surface-level lesson. Elders quorum and Relief Society classes seem to be especially prone to this pitfall. How can Relief Society and elders quorum teachers—with general conference talks as the subjects of their lessons, and without the prescribed […]
The post Engaging Class Discussions Through Inspired Questions appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Encouraging Women Toward Public Service | An Interview with Rachelle Price and Audrey Perry Martin appeared first on Leading Saints.
Steven Madsen is an attorney living and working in the Washington, DC area. He and his wife have an 18-month-old son. He currently serves as a bishopric counselor, having previously served as a seminary teacher and youth Sunday School teacher. Enter Steve… I recently spent a hot, humid summer day assisting with our ward’s Girls […]
The post Listening to and Learning From Our Youth appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Leading Your Ward When You Travel for Work | An Interview with Ryan Addams appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Church Doctrine, Policy, & Leadership | An Interview with Anthony Sweat appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 grew up in Baltimore, served a mission in Brazil, and earned advanced degrees in history and business. He works for the Church History Department in efforts to encourage outreach […]
The post Making Peace with Questions – Love and Listen appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Incorrect Quotes, Urban Legends, and Magical Thinking at Church | An Interview with Keith Erekson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Chad Nickle has been married to his beautiful wife Barbara for 23 years (on Pi Day, March 14). They have seven children and three grandchildren. He currently works in the insurance industry and is just receiving his Global Risk Management Designation. Chad has served in the elders quorum presidency three times, Young Men presidency four […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
The post How I Led During the Creek Fire | An Interview with Vicki Clason appeared first on Leading Saints.
Steve Donegan is a retired U.S. Army warrant officer. He joined the Army and made this prophetic statement during his initial training: The Army will either make me an alcoholic or a Christian. Luckily, he chose the latter. His Army career took him into many locations in Europe, to Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and around […]
The post Perceptions and Apperceptions – Teaching in the Savior’s Way appeared first on Leading Saints.
“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 post Are Life Coaches a Viable Resource for Latter-day Saints? | An Interview with Heather Rackham appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How My Stake Leads Through Social Media | An Interview with Brooke Reynolds appeared first on Leading Saints.
Julia Hathaway is the mother of seven children ages 4-21. She received a bachelor’s degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development from BYU and says she gets to use her degree every day! When not mothering, Julia enjoys reading, writing, hiking, playing pickleball, practicing yoga and watching romantic comedies. Always eager to learn, she is […]
The post Do Not Run Faster – Keeping a Balance in Our Callings appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post Creating Engagement Through Ministering Interviews | An Interview with DeAnna Murphy appeared first on Leading Saints.
In part one of this two-part series, I identified five important lessons for facing challenges and tragedy through the experiences of a five-man crew on the sailing vessel Grafton. Joan Druett’s book, Island of the Lost, describes their plight when they wrecked on the south part of the island of Auckland. About this same time, […]
The post Shipwrecked – Simple Lessons Learned Through Tragedy – Part Two appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Peculiar History of Calling Leaders in the Church | An Interview with Kevin Tolley appeared first on Leading Saints.
Perhaps it is my love of sailing, having gained my ocean sailing certificate last year, that enthralls me about sailing adventures. Particularly shipwrecks and the true stories behind them. A new friend recently referred me to one of these books, Island of the Lost, by Joan Druett. I imagined the crew and situations as the […]
The post Shipwrecked – Simple Lessons Learned Through Tragedy – Part One appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post The Complexities of Being a Single Adult in the Church | An Interview with Jessica Johnson appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
The post How I Lead in a Mission Presidency | An Interview with Bruce Chang appeared first on Leading Saints.
Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4 acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged […]
The post A Loving and Understanding God – Are We Willing to Evolve? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 […]
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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 […]
The post Putting the Church on the Shoulders of the Next Generation | How I Lead as Stake President | An Interview with Mark Ogletree appeared first on Leading Saints.
Dr. Mark R. Grandstaff, PhD., a former Presidential Advisor and Fellow of numerous leadership think-tanks, is President and CEO of Renaissance-Thinkers, a leadership consulting firm. An emeritus associate professor of History and Institutional Leadership at Brigham Young University, he has lectured at UC Berkeley, UCLA, Oxford, the London School of Economics, The University of Victoria, New Zealand and The University of Maryland, College Park. He assists people in getting to know themselves better through tying their work into their larger life journey — hence, finding a renewed sense of calling and mission, excitement, and satisfaction in their careers and lives. His Church assignments have spanned Ward, Stake, and Area callings. He and his spouse, Amy L. Dixon, Esq., reside in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. He recently served a mission to Germany and as an advisor to the welfare employment department at Church Headquarters. He can be reached at Mark.Grandstaff@gmail.com.
Enter Mark… “Is It I? I am He, and what would you have me do Lord?”
1 Now there came a man of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus, a member of the council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could do the miraculous signs that you do unless God were with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb and be born a second time, can he?” 5 Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus replied, “How can these things be?” John 3: 1-9
Truly…how can these things be?
We learn from Luke in Acts: Acts 10:38
“God Anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, [Indeed he] went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed…, for God was with Him.”
And as Christ was anointed with power it was the same was with His disciples. We are told of the event in Matt 10: 7-8 where Christ admonished them to travel around, and let people know that the kingdom of heaven has come. Take care of the sick, waken the lifeless, get to the root of suffering, and banish the demonic.
And So it is with US His latter day disciples… and…
In order to do this we must feel the promptings of the Spirit…the Holy Ghost or as it says in the Greek Coptic version of the Gospel of Thomas (v3)…we will be impoverished indeed…for we must recognize the Father of light as we are Children of Light.
Unfortunately, we like Nicodemus (often) fail to open our heart and develop sufficient humility (humus or of the earth) to do so.
In (3 Ne 9:20), we read Christ speaking to His people on this continent:
20 And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost…
Is The Holy Ghost Dormant?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell wrote in the July 2002 issue of the Ensign
“that members of the church have received the Gift of the Holy Ghost, but in many… it lies dormant.”
Why is this connection to the Holy Ghost so important? Well because ultimately it is the Holy Ghost which leads us back home to the Father and the Son as we hearken to its council.
As it is revealed in Moroni 7 the spirit of Christ will show us the ways we should go. Elder (Apostle) Charles Penrose and President Marion G Romney would agree when they said that the Holy Ghost is a greater and higher endowment of the same spirit which enlightens every man and woman that comes into the world. Indeed this higher endowment comes through the Spirit of Christ—to our conscience-as we obey the will of the Lord.
We find similar sentiments in DC 93 (vs 36-39) in which we are told that the spirit of Christ is pure intelligence or light and truth which forsaketh the evil one. The verses point out those two things which will darken that spirit which guides us back to God. First, sin. Second, the sins of the father.
Let’s look at them both. In old English “Sin means “to take away…to hide. And what are we hiding from or what is being hid from us? The Father… as nothing impure can enter His presence. From light into the darkness an at-one-ment…a reconciliation must be made in order for us to re-enter that light again…from Darkness into the light constant repentance—or a repentant state of heart allows us to feel when we deviate from the path back to God.
Now what about the idea of the sins of the Father obfuscating the Spirit of Christ. Let me make a quick and somewhat obvious suggestion: Do you remember the story of the rich man who came to see Jesus for advice about what he should do to become a disciple? Christ would tell him and he would go away sorrowfully… I make no judgment upon him as I do not really know the circumstances there. But I do know that Christ told his followers that “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
I believe that it is not a stretch that “by rich man” He meant any human being entangled with possessions… physical, psychological, spiritual—that is all of us. The path to God…at least what I have learned in my life… is found in unbinding the attachments that constitute one’s preferences, desires, or inclinations.” To find God, one has to empty oneself of oneself, to make room for God to enter.
Now How Do We Do This? First, by recognizing who we are and to what we are called in our life. Let me add a caveat here…one person (Carl Jung) who I admire greatly once said…It is not so important that we live the life Christ lived as much as it is to live our life as well as He did His.
So again, how do we do this? Reading from the Gospel of Thomas: The kingdom of God is inside of you, and it is outside of you. [Those who] become acquainted with [themselves] will find it; [and when you] become acquainted with yourselves, [you will understand that] it is you who are the sons and daughters of the living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty.”
To Know…or to dwell in Poverty Let’s look at Christ’s early ministry. Does he know who he is?
1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matt 4: 1-11
Who are you? To what are you called?
Five times on the way to the Cross he is asked the same question…are you who you think you are…self-doubt. Remember we are Children of the Living Father. Christ Remember this foremost.
In the wilderness and here in a lone and dreary world you must—Know who you are and to what you are called.
Here Am I (Sins of the Father—get rid of the baggage) Familial…socio-economic and political systems enculturate us and cause us to see life a particular way.
We must begin to clear it all away.
How? I think through daily meditation and contemplative prayer.
President Russell M. Nelson, Elder Boyd K. Packer and Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf have admonish that we need to find a quiet place daily so that we could cease our thinking and to be still to know that the Father is God.
May I suggest that you start a practice daily of contemplative prayer as some of my Catholic Jesuit and Diocesan friends do.
Pick out a situation in which you were involved in and think about it…write about it. Become introspective…pray for insight…and listen.
But I ask you to consider one difference.
Become aware of your projections. An example of this is took place at the Last Supper:
17 In the evening he cometh with the twelve. 18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. 19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? 20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
Let us know when our hands are in the dish and repent.
Another question lies in the story of Saul’s transformation to Paul in Acts (9:1-20)
4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Who art thou Lord?
What will you have me do Lord? Find out what He will have you do and do It!
So here are 3 things to ask:
- I am he
- Is it I?
- What would you have me to do?
Through this path, I believe, that the Spirit of Christ as refined by the Holy Ghost will lead back to the Father.
Let me end by citing Section 84: 42-47 of the DC. 43
And I now give unto you a commandment to beware concerning yourselves, to give diligent heed to the words of eternal life. (See Bednar, 2011) 44 For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God. 45 For the word of the Lord is truth, and whatsoever is truth is light, and whatsoever is light is Spirit, even the Spirit of Jesus Christ. 46 And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world, that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit. 47 And everyone that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God, even the Father.
Now what about our friend Nicodemus…for him to see beyond his narrow view of the law and his psychological baggage and projections he needed a complete shift in his thinking from birth to death from water to baptism from fire to the Holy Ghost.
Did he have it? I would like to think so…It would be he who stood up for Christ in the meetings of the Sanhedrin. It would be he (among others) who claimed the body of Christ upon the Savior’s death…and it would be his costly embalming spices which the body of the Messiah was wrapped in and from which the Holy Christ would arise.
Like Nicodemus, we in order to truly obtain the Spirit which takes us home, one must be able to make sound judgements and ask tough questions…no harder than these three, however: I am he? Is it I? What would you have me do Lord? The Result: A sacred disciple’s mindset
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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
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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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
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Adam Ellsworth is currently loving his service as a Deacons Quorum Specialist in Alpine, Utah. He previously mentored youth as a bishopric member, quorum advisor, early-morning seminary teacher, and youth Sunday School teacher. Professionally, Adam has been practicing law as a patent attorney since 2006. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree at BYU, Adam graduated law school from Pepperdine University, after which he took a job in Washington D.C. Adam and his family recently moved to Alpine after living in Washington, D.C. for 13 years. He and his wife, Maricel, are enjoying the challenges that come with raising three boys, ages 13, 10, and 10. Hear his How I Lead interview, Achieving the Saviors Vision here.
Enter Adam… I have participated in many leadership training meetings in which someone asks a variation of the question: “How can we give youth ownership over their organization?” Often, someone will respond with a comment such as: “We should stand back and let them run their program. If they aren’t prepared for an activity, don’t step in and save it. Let them fail.”
Based on decades of experience serving with youth, I have observed that when a youth organization is disorganized and “failing,” it is usually the adult leaders who have failed, not the youth. We have failed to teach. We have failed to model what we are trying to teach. And we have failed to persistently and patiently follow-up to ensure the youth understand and can apply on their own what we have taught them. While the focus of this article is on the youth, the same principles apply to any who are young in the faith – whether new converts, newly returning members, or long-time members with little experience in a new calling.
The General Young Men’s presidency teaches the following succinct principles for mentoring our youth:
Be with them. Connect them with heaven. Let them lead.
If we focus on “letting our youth fail,” then failure is what we will get. Don’t “let them fail.” Instead, let them lead.
“Let them fail” mentorship means when our youth presidencies have not prepared an agenda, adult advisors run an abbreviated meeting. “Let them lead” mentorship means when youth presidencies have not prepared an agenda, adult mentors walk them through the process of generating the agenda – even if for the hundredth time – and allow the youth to then conduct their meeting. “Let them lead” mentors utilize agendas effectively in their own meetings, and they model to the youth how an agenda helps focus meetings on what is most important.
“Let them fail” mentorship means when a youth fails to prepare for a week-day activity, adults allow the youth to have an impromptu sports or entertainment activity. “Let them lead” mentorship means when a youth fails to prepare for a week-day activity, an adult mentor helps a presidency reflect on their experience to identify why the activity did not occur and what steps are needed to achieve success.
“Let them fail” mentorship accepts failure itself as a teaching tool. The mentor believes that failure itself will teach our youth how to run an organization. “Let them lead” leadership uses inevitable failures as teaching opportunities to reflect on their experience, to provide feedback, and to model leadership principles that lead to success.
I’ll illustrate with an analogy.
Ninja Warrior Youth Leadership Training My kids love watching “American Ninja Warrior.” I am always impressed by the skill, dedication, and focus of the competitors. In the competition, individuals make their way through a grueling obstacle course. Competitors run along steppingstones and spinning bridges. They traverse pools of water by swinging across ropes or gripping narrow finger-holds. They run up the sides of walls and climb rope ladders. Their strength and determination are inspiring.
Imagine your youth program as an obstacle course. Your youth are the competitors. You are a coach. For the sake of the analogy, imagine your youth are blindfolded, representing their inexperience. How do you help your youth navigate the obstacle course?
Scenario 1 – One and Done Mentorship An adult stands with a youth at the beginning of the obstacle course. The adult tells the youth exactly what they need to do in each phase to make it through the obstacle course. If the youth follow their guidance, they will make it to the end of the obstacle course.
“Walk forward five steps. Then, you will jump quickly – three feet forward and to the right, then three feet forward and to the left, then three more feet to the right. Then, you’ll land on a platform. Walk forward ten paces. Then, jump forward three feet and grab the rope two feet above your head…”
Having taught the youth how to navigate the obstacle course, the adult stands back and lets the youth navigate the obstacle course alone. The youth inevitably fails to follow the adult’s directions exactly. The youth misjudges the distance of a jump and falls in the water. They climb out of the water onto a platform. They inch forward to the edge. They miss the rope and fall back into the water. They bump into obstacles. Since they can’t remember the instructions, they muddle through the obstacle course, splashing through water and bumping into obstacles.
This scenario represents an adult advisor who provides guidance once, and then lets their charges go and fail. Without continuing guidance, youth programs fall into unplanned, or under-prepared, weekly get-togethers. Youth, who lack any experience running an organization, feel discouraged, guilty, or resentful. Failure teaches the youth that they are not up to the task of running a quorum or class. Adults are not modeling leadership, so youth cannot learn how to lead. Youth have no vision of what is possible, and adults are doing nothing to help the youth seek for, or obtain, a vision. This is the most common result of the “let them fail” focus for youth leadership.
Case Study – Failure Leads to Discouragement A young woman friend of ours was the president of her class. She was a responsible, diligent, and faithful young woman. However, week after week, young women in her class would fail to prepare for mid-week activities. Adult leaders allowed the young women to fail. However, they did not help the young woman to identify what was wrong, and they did not provide loving feedback that would help the young woman succeed. As a result, this young woman felt like she was failing as a class president. She felt inadequate, frustrated, resentful, and guilty. Over time, she lost the desire to participate in the Young Women’s organization. She continued to participate out of a sense of duty, but she was unhappy. Unlike this young woman, many of our youth, when faced with repeated failure and frustration, will just stop participating. We are losing youth to “let them fail” leadership.
Scenario 2 – Adult-Directed Mentorship An adult stands at the finish line. As the youth makes their way through the obstacle course, the adult tells them what to do. The youth do not learn what an obstacle is or the different ways they can move through the obstacle course. Instead, the coach handles all the decision-making. The coach tells the youth how to handle each obstacle and shouts encouragement.
This scenario represents a leader who is directing a youth organization. The leader decides what the youth will do and helps them to do it. The youth may feel more supported than in the first scenario, but the youth are not leading. They are not gaining their own vision or learning how to rely on the Lord as they serve. In this scenario, adults are seeking to help the youth have fun and rewarding experiences. But the purpose of youth organizations is not to have amazing activities. It is to help youth to grow in faith in Christ. President Henry Eyring taught this principle when he said,
“Sometimes what seems like the most efficient solution is not the Lord’s preferred solution because it does not allow people to grow… Remember that God’s work and glory is not simply to run an effective organization; it is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”. This is, after all, why He gives His priesthood authority to flawed mortals like you and me and invites us to participate in His work. Our progress is His work!” (“Walk With Me,” General Conference, April 2017).
Case Study – Adult Knows Best I conducted a leadership training meeting once in which we gave youth presidencies and adult leaders time to think of the activities the youth wanted to plan and carry out in the upcoming year. At the end, I asked for feedback. One of the 12-year-old girls commented: “We told the adults what we wanted to do, and the adults kept suggesting we have a Book of Mormon challenge!” This young woman was ready to lead. Her adult leaders, with the best of intentions, were focusing on achievements -what they felt the girls should do – and not leadership -helping the girls obtain a vision and learn to implement it.
Scenario 3, Stage 1- Let Them Lead As the youth makes their way through the obstacle course, a mentor walks alongside. The mentor describes for the youth potential paths through the obstacle course. The mentor asks what the youth wants to do and they give suggestions for how to achieve it. “You are at a water obstacle. There are ropes hanging above the obstacle, but the water is shallow. You could try to go over, or you can go through the water. How do you want to get to the other side?” With advice from a mentor, the youth decides what to do. The youth learns how to navigate the obstacles. If the youth falls off an obstacle, the mentor does not stand silently by. Instead, the mentor provides suggestions for how to improve or options for moving forward.
This scenario represents an adult leader who is allowing a youth to lead. They give options, hear decisions, and give recommendations for how to succeed. Might the youth “fail?” Of course! But the adult does not focus on “letting them fail.” Instead, the adult takes advantage of inevitable failures to reflect on an experience and give constructive and loving feedback. The adult focuses on giving the youth the tools to succeed next time. The focus is on leadership, not “letting them fail.”
Scenario 3, Stage 2 – Youth Obtain a Vision of the Possible Remove the blindfold. The youth can now see all the obstacles in their way. The youth understands how the obstacles can be overcome. The mentor continues to move through the obstacle course with the youth. Without the blindfold, the youth may attempt more challenging obstacles. The mentor may model how to make it through an obstacle or bring in outside help. The mentor continues to provide advice and give encouragement. But the youth can see the obstacle course and decide for themselves how to move through it.
This scenario represents helping our youth obtain a vision of what is possible. As our youth gain more experience, they can come to see clearly what is possible and how to achieve what is possible. From experience, they can accomplish some challenges on their own. With the help of their leaders, they can tackle new challenges with confidence. With preparation and success comes the ability to move up the “hierarchy of needs” and teach higher principles- to turn perception to higher things.
For example, instead of trudging through a Sunday agenda on paper, a youth will understand the purpose of the meeting. Now they will sincerely hope God provides the spirit through an opening prayer. They will be interested in what their peer teacher and advisor put together for instruction and hope to insert their reflections from personal study.
“Let them lead” mentors help youth identify their objectives and learn the structures – meeting agenda templates, clear tasks, and milestones – that will help them obtain their objectives. Adults will help the youth learn the principles necessary for decision-making, providing and receiving feedback, and reflecting. Even when youth experience failure – such as an activity that falls through – a “let them lead” mentor can turn the failure into a success by teaching the youth how to reflect on the experience and receive loving feedback for how to succeed next time.
Case Study – Helping Youth Discover New Possibilities A quorum specialist I know asked an inexperienced quorum presidency what activities they wanted to do. They listed a number of great activities – but they were all activities the boys were familiar with. The specialist went home and prepared a presentation showcasing ten great camping adventures nearby. At the next meeting, this specialist shared the presentation with the boys, and asked them which camping adventures they wanted to do. The boys were excited! They wanted to experience every adventure! A “let them fail ” leader would have been content with a brainstorming session in which youth offer up only familiar activities. This specialist opened the boys’ eyes to exciting possibilities they did not know existed. Over time, this specialist has helped the boys learn what it takes to plan and implement a successful camp-out.
Case Study – Patient and Persistent Mentoring A young women’s adviser shared one of the church-provided training lessons with her class in each presidency meeting to help her young women understand Christ-centered principles of planning and carrying out meetings and activities. For the first few months, in each presidency meeting, the adviser prompted the class president what the next topic should be for the meeting. In addition, every week, the young women’s adviser sent her class secretary a reminder to send reminders to the other young women. Over time, the secretary began running her meetings and activities without prompting from her adult leaders, and sending her own reminders to the other young women. Since the young women were becoming familiar with how to effectively run meetings and activities, the young women’s adviser found she was able to spend a greater portion of her time helping the young women minister to one another.
Case Study – Turning a Failure into an Opportunity for Growth An Aaronic Priesthood adviser organized an epic overnight hike in the mountains around a lake. After hiking a few miles, the group was nearing a climb to a ridgeline. Some of the boys wanted to stop. A few were out of water. A few mentioned that maybe they should turn back. The adult advisor was reluctant to turn back. He had planned an epic hike and he wanted the boys to have a challenging and rewarding experience. He said to the boys: “We can do this. There is water at the top of the ridge.” He was a little frustrated that the boys wanted to turn back from the amazing hike he had planned. One boy replied, “Can we pray about it?” The adult leader relented. The moment this young man started to address his Heavenly Father, the adult leader felt sure they should turn back. After the boy concluded the prayer, one boy said, “I had a feeling that we should turn back.” To which every boy quietly said “me too.” This adult leader could barely contain his emotions and replied, “I agree, let’s go.” So they turned back and returned to camp. That night, the adult leader and the young men had a fireside at which they reflected on their experience. The adult leader expressed to the boys that he did not want to turn around, but then he had the same confirmation in the prayer they had. They reflected on revelation and thanked God for that experience. Although they “failed” to complete the hike, the “let them lead” adult advisor allowed the youth to prayerfully decide on a course of action, reflected on the experience, and provided faith-promoting feedback that turned the “failure” into a “success.”
As we mentor our youth, do not “let them fail.” Instead, let them lead. As we let them lead, we will not be content with unfocused or non-existent presidency meetings, with unorganized mid-week activities, or with adult-driven achievements. Instead, we will turn each failure into an opportunity for success, by helping youth to reflect on their experience, by teaching correct principles to learn from the experiences, and by providing loving feedback for how to achieve success in the future.
Application 1. Stake leaders: Do not be the coach of Scenario 1, providing one training per year and thinking your job is done. Do what DeAnna Murphy did as Stake Relief Society President [here]. Regularly meet with the ward youth leaders in your stake and help them lead the youth. When you are with them, bring a spirit of support and love- lighten their burdens by asking for and doing things they need done. Reflect on their sacrifices and service with them- celebrate blessings and miracles. Bring love without judgment. 2. Bishoprics: Disbanding Young Men Presidencies in 2020 was not just a formality. You are the presidency of the Aaronic Priesthood in the ward. You cannot delegate “presiding.” Be with your youth. Model what it looks like to lead, to delegate effectively, to efficiently run meetings and activities while focusing on Christ. Regularly interview and train your quorum presidents. 3. Youth advisers and specialists: Be with the youth. Model for them how they can seek inspiration to lead their quorums and classes. Assist the bishopric by focusing your energy on two critical areas: Preparation and reflection. Train, and re-train, and re-train, until youth can confidently lead on their own. Be persistent. Be patient-with yourself, with the youth, and with parents.
Youth Leader Note: The object lesson above could be adapted for either an indoor or outdoor youth adviser training meeting. It’s interactive, it’s fun, and it teaches important leadership principles.
The post Don’t “Let them Fail.” Let Them Lead! appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Part 2 – The Therapy Buffet: Helping Individuals Heal Through Therapy appeared first on Leading Saints.
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.
The post Part 1 – The Therapy Buffet: Helping Individuals Heal Through Therapy appeared first on Leading Saints.
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, and Leadership
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
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
The post What Every Leader Should Consider About Community in Their Ward | An Interview with Ryan Gottfredson appeared first on Leading Saints.
Jenny Parnell Willmore lives in Logan, Utah, USA with her husband James. They have four children and one grandchild. She currently serves as Relief Society president and has taught everything from nursery to Gospel Doctrine. She has a Master of Second Language Teaching from Utah State University and taught Spanish at Snow College, the military’s JLTC, and for the past 17 years at USU. Consequently, she has made every teaching mistake in the book. She and her family volunteer every other summer in Colima, Mexico with Project Amigo and she is an interviewer and producer for the LDS Women Project.
Enter Jenny… Classroom habits are not like hairstyles and catch phrases. Instead of being quickly adopted and floating to the top of our collective consciousness, changing the way we teach takes effort and can be emotionally and logistically difficult. It is not unusual for new educational theories and methods to take decades to become common practice.
In the late 1960s, a Swiss psychologist named Jean Piaget became fascinated with how children learn. His studies led him to pioneer what came to be called constructivism. The idea behind constructivism was that students were not empty buckets, and that the job of the teacher was not to fill those students with knowledge and check later to see how much had been lost due to leakage.
Instead, Piaget and his contemporaries proposed that knowledge is constructed. Students take pieces of knowledge and put them together in their own unique way, building on previous understanding, experiences, beliefs, and insights.
Shifting this paradigm in seeing how we learn meant shifting how we taught. “Teacher-centered” classrooms, where teachers simply delivered packages of information to students who received and stored them, tended to produce what the educational philosopher A.N. Whitehead, called “inert” knowledge- knowledge that was stored rather than being used or acted upon.
Instead, constructivists began to argue for a different way of teaching. They imagined a classroom where the instructor took a less central role and was more concerned with facilitating learning, and guiding students in their study and discovery. This approach is often referred to as “student-centered.”
Becoming a Guide on the Side A few years after some of Piaget’s first publications, Professor Alison King coined a couple of terms that I think are wonderful in differentiating between these two kinds of teachers and classrooms. In her opinion, teachers needed to abandon the role of “sage on the stage,” to become a “guide on the side.”
The role of the teacher changed from being a guru sitting on a mountain top, removed from everyday life, knowing all things, and waiting to share wisdom. Instead, the teachers role should evolve to someone who was walking up the mountain with the travelers, stopping with them to point out a wildflower on this side or a lovely view on the other, monitoring the pace of the group and encouraging the stragglers.
Now, consider this quote by Elder Oaks in the manual Teaching in the Savior’s Way:
“A gospel teacher, like the Master we serve, will concentrate entirely on those being taught,” said Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “His or her total concentration will be on the needs of the sheep—the good of the students. A gospel teacher does not focus on himself or herself. One who understands that principle will not look upon his or her calling as ‘giving or presenting a lesson,’ because that definition views teaching from the standpoint of the teacher, not the student. Focusing on the needs of the students, a gospel teacher will never obscure their view of the Master by standing in the way or by shadowing the lesson with self-promotion or self-interest.”
I think that Jean Piaget and other constructivists would be very happy with the picture of a student-centered gospel classroom that Elder Oaks paints.
Traveling With Our Fellow Classmates As an instructor, our role is not to share as much information as possible, to answer all questions, or be the wisest in the room. Our role is to travel with our fellow classmates, perhaps pointing out landmarks along the way and avoiding danger, but mostly helping them help each other construct meaning from the scriptural passages and conference addresses we’re discussing.
That is the way the Savior taught. And it’s also the way he lived.
Christ did not act as a sage on a mountaintop, waiting for us to wear ourselves out only to drop at his feet to receive gems of wisdom. Writers and authorities like Elder Bednar and Brad Wilcox want us to recognize that the Savior is with us at every step, and that the power of the atonement isn’t a prize we win at the end. He is the Guide on the Side, helping us to construct our own testimonies by helping us to put our understanding, experiences, study, and discovery together in a way that can then be acted upon.
In fact, Elder Eyring suggests He may have chosen to learn this way as well; passing up the chance to have an understanding of human suffering delivered in a tidy package and choosing instead to walk the path himself:
“He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience.”
As it says in the introduction of Teaching in the Savior’s Way:
The Savior lived what He taught. In every setting, He was the perfect example. He taught His followers to pray by praying with them (see Luke 11:1–4). He taught them to love and serve by the way He loved and served them. He taught them how to live His gospel by the way He lived. He was always teaching—often in formal settings but just as often in homes and in personal, informal conversations (see Matthew 4:23; Mark 14:3–9).
Here are some ways to make a classroom more student-centered. Note that most of these will require preparing for a lesson in a way that is much different from how we have in the past. Teachers will guide the conversations and class members will help each other develop their own ideas.
Open-ended Questions Frame questions so there is no wrong answer:
- “Tell me about a time when…”
- “How might this information be helpful to…?”
- “Tell me more about the thinking behind …”
- “What are some images/songs/activities that are conjured up?”
- “What other talks/scriptures/anecdotes come to mind?”
Focused Autobiographical Sketches Have class members think of or share a brief description of a successful learning experience they have had related to the scriptures or talk being discussed. For an extra challenge, put a word limit (say…20? 40?) on these and give a couple of minutes to carefully ‘compose’. This helps to focus on the essential elements of that spiritual experience.
Defining Features Matrix List two concepts that have potentially confusing similarities like shame/guilt or worth/worthiness. Share characteristics or quotes that belong to one or the other of the two concepts. Discuss in small groups or as a whole, which characteristics belong to which concepts to clarify their definitions.
Muddiest Point Ask students to share (anonymously, if you prefer) which was the muddiest, or most unclear, point in the lesson, talk, or set of scriptures for that day. Use as jumping-off points for classroom discussions.
Jigsaw Break students into groups, giving each a slightly different task. For example, how would they customize this lesson for: Sunbeams/8-year-olds/teenagers/single sisters/divorced fathers/new converts etc… Which scriptures and anecdotes would they highlight and why? Then, bring the groups back together and have them share.
Create Cognitive Dissonance Challenge students to work faithfully through difficult questions together. Learn as a team how to identify doctrinal misunderstanding and flawed logic. And when that’s not possible, model being comfortable with uncertainty. Something like:
- My uncle has always followed the Word of Wisdom, so why did he get lung cancer?
- Or, I’d like to keep the Sabbath holy, but also want to work in healthcare where having Sundays off isn’t an option.
Uncomfortable Leads to Growth It’s understandable that changing the way we teach will be uncomfortable, especially when we have only known teacher-centered learning spaces. Many of us have not had constructivist theories and methods make their way into the classroom during our formative education. But I believe in the promises of miracles when we, as sisters and brothers of loving Heavenly Parents, help each other to co-construct personal and usable meaning from our experiences, our lesson materials and the words of the Lord.
The post The Guide on the Side: Teaching in the Savior’s Way appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Speak Up, Sister! Helping Women Be Heard appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post How I Lead as a Bishop in Luxembourg | An Interview with Lewis Howarth appeared first on Leading Saints.
Rachel Logan has served in a variety of children or youth-related callings over the past 15 years. She lives in Bakersfield, California with her husband and four homeschooled children. She graduated from BYU with a degree in Biology, which was useful to her as a childbirth educator, doula, and volunteer at animal rescue organizations. She is currently serving as CEO of an EdTech company she founded in 2015. She enjoys studying theology and religion, in particular, contemplative paths, and writing. Her blog can be found at www.apathofmyown.com.
Enter Rachel… “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:17
One of the most important roles we take on as leaders in the church is to be pastors. As it says in our 6th Article of Faith, we believe in pastors. But what does it mean to be a pastor?
Pastors are ministers to the Lord’s people. They diligently keep the commandment to feed the sheep. They watch over and take care of the flock.
We often get hung up on heroic visions of protecting the sheep from ravening wolves, but mostly being a pastor means making sure the sheep are fed and watered every day.
Just that.
Feeding and watering the sheep is the most important and pressing need for the flock, and it’s the pastor’s main duty.
Keeping the Sheep Healthy What does it mean to feed the sheep? How can we ensure we are doing what we can to keep the sheep healthy?
Jesus said he is the bread of life and the living water. We aren’t the ones who make the food or produce the water. God does that. Our job is to point them to the Father, through the gospel of Jesus Christ, and then have faith that the food and water provided will sustain them.
Leadership actually requires quite a bit of faith. Especially now.
Many scholars are calling it the “Fourth Great Awakening.” Some are even calling it the First Great Global Awakening. We’ve seen technology, and the society it supports, change so much over the last 30 years that old methods and ways of being aren’t working as well as they used to. Religion seems to be on the decline. Are men’s hearts failing them?
In 1999, a Gallup poll revealed that 54% of Americans considered themselves religious. Just ten years later, in 2009, a Princeton Survey found that number to be only 9%. At first glance, that seems rather scary. And the headlines those numbers have generated have led many people who care about their religious communities to worry that their sheep are somehow getting lost.
However, if you look closer at the other categories reported in those polls you’ll find that those who consider themselves “spiritual and religious” rose from 6% to 48%. This means that during those ten years roughly 45% of Americans decided to branch out from their religions into a broader conversation that includes many expressions of connection with God. And this trend continues.
I love these numbers. I was taught that the gospel bears good fruit, and to look for that good fruit wherever it can be found. It’s okay to look beyond the borders of our own community and find God touching the world in many beautiful ways. Often this means asking questions about what we’re seeing and reexamining our own beliefs and ways of being so we will be more in line with the ways we see God showing up in the world.
Repentance – A Call to Keep Learning After all, our 4th Article of Faith declares faith to be the first principle of the gospel, and repentance to be the second. According to the Bible Dictionary, “The Greek word of which [repentance] is the translation denotes a change of mind, a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world.” The call to repentance isn’t an accusation of sin. The call to repentance is a pleading to keep learning and choosing to see the world more like our Father does.
So, when I see that 45% of Americans are doing that very thing, I feel hope, not despair. And as leaders, we can better understand what the sheep in our care are experiencing so we can help them in their journey. We must cultivate our faith, our trust in God’s love for his children, and then we must stay open to our own repentance and the repentance of others. We must stay open to how God is working in the world. These are the first two principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Good Fruit of the Gospel If we allow for all of the wondrous ways the divine reveals itself to us, have faith in the good fruit of the gospel, and embrace the growth as it comes, I believe we’ll find that all of the “spirituality” the world is experiencing will enhance and brighten our religions.
Actively feeding the sheep includes keeping our baptismal covenant to mourn with those that mourn, bear one another’s burdens, comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times (Mosiah 18:9).
Spiritual Discomfort Precedes Growing Faith Change isn’t comfortable, which means repentance often isn’t comfortable. That’s okay. It’s part of the process of putting new wine into new bottles. We don’t like it when those we love experience discomfort, but when faced with the transitions that will inevitably accompany growing faith, we have a choice to make. If we forget to feed the sheep and focus on pointing out the wolves, we will only frighten and scatter the flock. As leaders, it is our responsibility to keep our wits about us.
Faith or Fear Let’s bring this home with a real-life example.
Let’s pretend you’re Bishop. The ward Young Women’s President feels strongly drawn towards testifying of Heavenly Father’s love for the young women she serves and often prioritizes positive spiritual experiences that connect the girls to God over presidency meetings or teaching directly out of manuals. She shows up to every activity and volunteers to drive for every temple trip, even though the temple is two hours away.
She attends every ward council and actively participates in supporting all the ward organizations. She bears her testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ frequently in testimony meetings and in other settings. She studies religious topics regularly and can sometimes be edgy in the way she talks about the gospel. She’s doing a good job but doesn’t seem to have a testimony of the “program” of the church, something you feel strongly about.
One day, you’re told by a member of the ward that she’s posted something on social media that seems to be rather negative towards the church. What are you going to do?
You have a choice to make. Faith or fear.
The fearful leader sees wolves around every corner. This Bishop doesn’t read what was posted but calls the Young Women’s President into his office based on the reports alone. He expresses his concern for her. When told that the post in question ended with a testimony of faith, and that she feels fine and is following the light the Lord is leading her by, he tells her that Satan often appears as an angel of light and that she has to be careful. He compares her to Korihor.
He asks her what anti-Mormon groups she’s a part of, and when she tells him she doesn’t belong to any groups except her children’s school groups, he senses some tension and tells her he doesn’t want to debate scripture with her, even though she hasn’t brought up any scriptures.
She can tell he’s trying to help, but it lands flat. She leaves crying, released from her calling, with her temple recommend on probation.
The faithful leader chooses to be open to good fruit and trust the Lord. There are so many ways this can be expressed. Maybe this Bishop doesn’t have access to social media, so he asks the Young Women’s President to share her posts with him so he can learn more. He still has questions, so he asks if they can meet to talk. He can tell she’s nervous when she enters, so he starts by telling her how appreciated she is. They talk about the post. He listens.
He looks for the ways God is guiding her and points out that it looks like she’s really working through some tough stuff. He asks her how she feels about it, and where she feels she’s at in the process. He again reminds her that she is loved, and that he knows Heavenly Father is actively loving and guiding her. Though she expresses differences of opinion on doctrines and even a little confusion over some things she’s not sure about yet, he hears her faith and chooses to trust that she’ll keep looking for good fruit.
He mourns with her over how difficult change can be. He offers to help in any way he can, even if it’s just to talk. He tells her that he can see she’s seeking the Lord, and that the Lord promises that those who seek will find. He stands as a witness to the way God is showing up in her life. He even sees how some of the things she’s talking about, while unconventional, could really help some of the other members of the ward, and he asks if they can talk again in the future. She leaves feeling supported and invigorated to continue to look for the good fruit of the gospel with faith.
Finding Good Fruit Most of us have enough accusing voices running around in our minds. We have enough doubt and enough confusion. What we need is to hear the voice of the Savior reminding us of who we are, that we are created in the image of God, and that when we seek, we will find. We need others to hear us, to mourn with us when it feels like the finding part is slow going, and to hope with us that we will find the good fruit we’re looking for. Fruit made just for us by a loving Father who knows our every need.
As leaders, as pastors, we have the opportunity to be the voice of the divine in the lives of those in our pastoral care. We get to be saviors to those we serve. We get to shine the light on their goodness and encourage them on their personal path. We get to enthusiastically point to living water and triumph with them over every drop they find. We get to put aside our own ideas of what is best and turn each other towards the source of revelation.
“He commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people. And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” Mosiah 18:20-21
We get to be witnesses to how the Lord uses faith and repentance to change lives and transform absolutely everything, even the religions we love.
We get to feed the sheep.
The post Feeding the Sheep – How Faith and Repentance Change Everything appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The post Leadership & the Church News | An Interview with Sarah Jane Weaver appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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Tommie Farrell currently serves as 1st Counselor in the Abilene Texas Stake. He has served as Ward Mission Leader, Elders Quorum President, and Bishop. Favorite callings of his past have been Primary Teacher, Temple Ordinance Worker in Lubbock Texas Temple during the first years in operation and as a Scout Master just prior to his current calling. He has been married to Karen Farrell for 26 years and they have four fantastic children at ages 25, 20, 17 and 13. He has been a physician for 20 years with 15 years of these dedicated completely to the field of Hospice and Palliative Medicine where he gets to care for patients and families with critical illness and end-of-life care.
Enter Tommie… One of the most unexpected and fascinating developments during the pandemic was the rise of ideologies. There were issues involving medical science, social issues and politics that crossed religious lines. For many of us we found ourselves in positions where people we considered to be like us stood on other sides of an issue. As I watched this unfold in my life and the lives of my friends, I, like many of you, pondered on how to navigate this and remain a true friend and, most importantly, remain a true Disciple of Christ. I especially ached when I had any friend let these differences in opinion lead them to question their place in the Church of Jesus Christ.
As I prayed and pondered, I happened upon this thought about our Savior’s earthly ministry that I share humbly for others to accept or reject. It is in regard to how the Savior addressed the scientific/medical, social and political wrongs present while He was here in His earthly ministry.
Spiritual Truths Instead of Medical “Truths” I am a medical doctor. I don’t share this to give my medical advice on any current issues. I say this to share that during the time our Savior walked the earth the medical dogma regarding leprosy was incomplete. Our Savior would have known this. He created humans and understood how disease works. He chose to heal instead of correcting scientific inaccuracies. He didn’t tell the healed to go explain that he had removed the underlying infection that had caused the nerves to fail in the ability to self-protect the body from injury. He didn’t tell them they were now no longer in danger of developing infected wounds that could spread germs to others. He instead asked them to go show themselves to the Priest and keep the traditions of the day that signified they had been healed.
He chose over and over again to heal and focus the subsequent teaching on spiritual truths instead of medical. The woman who had an “issue of blood” (Luke 8:43-48) and had “spent all her living upon physicians” was healed by merely touching the Savior’s garments and connecting to His virtuous power. He did not explain how He had done what medical science of the time could not. Instead, He comforted her and taught, “thy faith had made thee whole; go in peace (v. 48)”
We too can go in peace when it comes to matters of science. One perspective I can share having been a physician for 18 years is that medical “facts” that I had been taught in medical school are now myths and a “truth” shown strongly in a series of studies can later be proven to be an error. This will continue in science. Because of this I would never link my testimony on any scientific matter.
Christ’s Policy of Inclusion Slavery existed in the provinces He taught within, but He did not end this social injustice. There is no doubt that Christ would recognize this as an abomination. It really is a self-evident truth that all of us are created equal. He already felt a love for each of us individually before we came to this Earth. He had offered to come down and be the “great and last sacrifice (Alma 34:10).” God would never have wanted slavery, sexism, prejudice to exist at that time in history or during our own time. But, as done in the council of heaven, He continued during His earthly ministry and did not take away the agency of humans, even in their freedom to harm and exploit each other.
This is not to mean He tolerated us treating each other poorly. He taught in His actions how we should treat each other and did go against traditional norms especially in how He treated and included women, children and people of different social classes. One of the main criticisms consistently levied against Him was His policy of inclusion – see Mark 2:16, Matthew 9:10-11, Luke 5:30.
However, the only slavery He addressed was the slavery sin has over each of us. He came to free us from sin and that was His focus (Romans 6). One experience of our Savior was particularly poignant in teaching this. In Luke chapter 7 it is told that while the Savior ate at the house of a Pharisee a woman who was a sinner came and washed Jesus’s feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. The Pharisee judged both her and the Savior in thinking, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him (v. 39).” Jesus taught the lesson that focused on not who she was but on her example of love, service, and gratitude. He ended the interaction by freeing her from the burden that she carried and simply said, “Thy sins are forgiven (v. 48).”
Treat Everyone With Love and Respect There still exists social injustice in our world. The Lord invites the members of His church to treat everyone with love and respect. Indeed, to enter the temple we must answer the question that our private and public behaviors with family members and others are consistent with the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ. Yet our focus is less on changing society as much as bringing individuals to the Savior through the covenants of the Gospel and letting the Savior change each of us into persons who would respect all God’s children. We don’t look to the Church for social policy, instead we, as a Church, look towards and follow our Savior’s example.
My Kingdom Is Not of This World The governments, both the Jewish and Roman rule, were corrupt. He did not take the time to address or establish a new political system. In fact, He was given opportunities to speak to such and chose not to make this the focus of His teachings. When asked if it was lawful to pay tribute to a government ruler, he gave the reply that separated the worldly and spiritual – “Render therefore unto Cæsar the things which are Cæsar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21).”
Volumes have been written on all the unlawful actions taken when Christ was arrested, tried and crucified. These actions were egregious enough that Jesus could have legitimately protested how He was being treated. But while being unlawfully prosecuted by the high priest, He did not correct the many mistakes being made in Jewish law, instead “Jesus held his peace (Matthew 26:63).” His purpose, once again, transcended teaching a better political system. As He spoke to Pilate – “My kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36).”
Every election cycle leaves a part of society feeling that we are in the hands of the wrong leaders. We could hope that only righteous men and women were elected to government offices, but we also know that there have been no perfectly righteous persons born since our Savior was here on Earth. So, we are left to do as instructed in the handbook at this time – “In accordance with local laws, members are encouraged to register to vote and to study issues and candidates carefully. Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in various political parties. Latter-day Saints have a special obligation to seek out and uphold leaders who are honest, good, and wise (General Handbook 38.8.30).” This leaves it where we will likely find other church members and leaders voting for different political leaders than we do. Whomever is elected should have our prayers that they will be guided by true and virtuous principles. But, just as Jesus did, we continue our service in the Gospel independent of the political state around us. And just as He included tax collectors in His circle of disciples and even as one of His Apostles, we can work with persons who belong to a political group that we may not find aligned to our own.
Do Not Get Distracted From Our Mission Our Savior did not let scientific, social, or political needs distract Him from His mission – to establish the Kingdom of God and perform the work of Salvation. I urge us to not let matters of science/medicine, social practices or politics distract us from what we are about. We are a part of the Gathering of Israel. We hold up the Light and Example of our Savior by living as He lived. Let us not allow the adversary to use those peripheral aspects of this world to become a wedge between us and that core purpose.
What if a statement by a leader, even the First Presidency, leaves you feeling that you are at odds in a matter of science, social policy or politics? I would urge us to not act on this too rashly. Remember that the Lord’s thoughts and ways are higher and different than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). Which means that we as humans may need some time to understand why something does not align with our thoughts. It may not even mean we are wrong, and the leader is right. In the case of our prophets, seers and revelators, it does mean it is the will of the Lord for this time (Doctrine and Covenants 1:37-38). But even if we don’t understand this timing and why we are not aligned perfectly to it, it does not mean we don’t belong in our place in this Church. Remember the countless examples, only a few of which I shared above, where someone could have been deemed out of the correct status to be in the presence of the Savior – whether by infirmity, social status or their position in the political system of the time. He did not judge them based off previous cleanliness, beliefs or status. He accepted them on the willingness they had to be healed and to follow. So don’t judge yourself out of sync with the Lord’s Church based off one particular point of belief.
Paul describes our Savior’s love by stating, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
We should strive to not let anything of this world separate us from His kingdom as found in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
The post The Rise of Ideologies – How Christ Handled Science, Society and Politics appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
- Her favorite Nauvoo Relief Society: Zinah Jacobs Young’s experience becoming a member of Relief Society
- Eliza’s expansion of that idea as she traveled and taught: Relief Society brings women together and gathers their embers in to a flame of fire
- 55:15 Eliza’s letter: “May you have a copious refreshment of the Spirit”; they felt the Spirit as a purifying stream
57:30 The Relief Society president is enlarged as she calls on the sisters to do ministering: Eliza instructed them to go into the homes of the people and re-light the fires of the sisters; meet their needs to provide relief to them.
1:00:30 The influence of otherwise-unknown women leaders
- Jane Lyman’s story and her discourse in At the Pulpit: Charity covers a multitude of sins
- Talk by unknown Eleanor Georgina Jones, about prayer: “Prayer is the key to the statehouse of our understanding.” “There is no pit so deep, no hole so dark, that you cannot reach out to your Heavenly Father in prayer.”
- We need the voices of the people on the margins
1:07:45 These women have become her hosts, sitting with her in difficult times and as she has studied them. They can provide depth as our spiritual sisters.
Links First: 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 Women
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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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
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Heather Berube and her husband, Eric, find joy in their five children and one grandson. As a travel consultant for almost 20 years, she loves to travel and explore with her family and help others do the same. Heather grew up on the West Coast and has served in various music and teaching capacities as well as Young Women and Relief Society presidencies, and ward and stake Primary presidencies. She loves learning and currently serves as a Service Coordinator in South Jordan, Utah.
Enter Heather… As I mentioned in part one of this two-part series, the discussion of pornography use can stir up difficult experiences and emotions in those effected by its use. I do not wish to minimize in any way the pain and damage that pornography use can have on the user, spouse, and loved ones. From circumstances in my family and extended family, I understand the impact of betrayal trauma and difficulty that comes from pornography use and resulting attitudes and behaviors that cause additional harm.
My intent is to share ways we can shine the Savior’s light into the darkness of pornography use, by offering connection, empathy, and hope. Healing is possible as one draws on both the redeeming power and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I cannot speak to this as an expert in any way, only as one who seeks to love and encourage others in their journey, so in this article I will lean heavily on simply quoting very current information and instruction from church leaders, church publications, and church members who are respected experts in the field.
Connection vs Crippling A recent Church News article shared excerpts from Sister Sharon Eubank’s keynote address for the April 2021 Utah Coalition Against Pornography SLC Conference including: “The best way to fight the silence and the secrecy is by linking arms and turning the lights back on — together rather than alone.”
Sister Eubanks suggested five ways to hold productive conversations around pornography:
- Ask what a person needs
- Listen without judgment
- Be with each other
- Don’t compare
- Validate the pain and suffering.”
“Hope is also essential for the healing journey of anyone who has been affected by pornography.” Sister Eubank shared the words of Melanie Holt, a leader of a Utah pornography addiction group, and emphasized that those whose loved one’s struggle with pornography should ‘support them emotionally and let the Savior do His job. So often we don’t want people to have to do the hard things, but they have to do it to progress. Otherwise rescuing people cripples them.’”
Vauna Davis, the Executive Director of Reach 10, an excellent online resource and podcast, advises:
“When I was writing my Master’s thesis on anti-pornography campaigns, I found that the most common advice given to pornography users who want to be free is to go and talk to someone about their problem. It is an important first step, and everyone I have talked to who has found successful recovery has eventually found someone to open up to who made all the difference. As therapist Rory Reid noted, ‘Being truthful frees up energy previously used to maintain secrets.”
In a recent church magazine article, Five Things Worth Knowing about Pornography, the fourth thing is:
“The sooner you talk to someone, the better. If you’ve been viewing pornography, one thing that will help you greatly is probably also something that can feel really uncomfortable: talk to someone. Talk to your parents, older siblings, trusted peers, or another trusted adult. Talk to your Young Men or Young Women leader, or bishop. They’ll help you, not condemn you. The sooner you take this step, the sooner you can really start to heal and change. Yes, there may be consequences, including feeling some embarrassment, but any consequences are going to be better than letting the problem go on and get worse. Some people tell themselves they’ll quit pornography on their own first and then talk to someone about it. The longer it continues, the harder it is to quit. It’s better to talk to someone.”
“Don’t do this alone,” is just one helpful tip former YSA Bishop, Richard Ostler, shares in 7 Tips for Overcoming Pornography Use.
“Connection and friendship can also give you power and help you succeed. You should have someone who can help you keep yourself accountable and see you through your best and worst days. They should support you without judging you. And you could also provide the same support for them. Seek out counsel from your Church leaders or family members. And if needed, a therapist or professional mental health counselor can also help you discover the underlying reasons why you might be struggling with pornography.”
Knowing how to respond can make all the difference to the one reaching out for help and support. In addition to suggesting what not to say, Jenny Spencer explains in this LDS Living article why encouragement is needed and offers good ideas of what to say:
“Encouragement is vital when people are trying hard to break addictive cycles. When they want to continue to move away from pornography and they are trying to repent, they need encouragement because they most likely feel guilty. It is important that we help them focus on bad choices rather than allow them to focus on being a bad person.”
Here are some great encouraging words:
- “I love you, and I will stay by your side to help you win this fight.”
- “I don’t judge you for telling me this. In fact, I admire your bravery in trusting me with this information.”
- “What do you think would be most useful for me to do in order to help you overcome this?”
- “I know that talking to your bishop will help you take an important step in overcoming this. He can help you truly repent.”
- “Please come to me when you are feeling vulnerable or tempted to look at pornography, and we can talk it out.”
- “I won’t judge you when you have setbacks. Just look at how far you’ve come and how much you’ve changed already!”
- “I promise I will not tell anyone what you have told me, unless you want me to.”
- “Let’s work together to find something more worthwhile to put your energy and thoughts into.”
- “How can I help you remove sources of pornography from your life?”
- “I want to have a better relationship with you. Let’s spend more quality time together.”
- “I believe that the Atonement can help you change, and I believe that you can change.”
Empathy – The Contrast to Shame Empathy is likely the antithesis of shame, and is very helpful in unraveling shame, creating and building connection, and offering healing support. Dr Brené Brown’s research and writings offer great insight into the importance of empathy:
“If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can’t survive.” “A brave leader is someone who says I see you. I hear you. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m going to keep listening and asking questions.”
Those who are overcoming pornography use, as well as those who love and support them and are dealing with its effects, need empathy to help them heal. Empathy is a skill that takes some practice. It’s also important to know how to clearly and compassionately communicate when you might need to take a break from difficult conversations. We can learn so much about how to do this in the article Developing the Empathy to Minister:
What Is Empathy? Empathy is understanding another person’s feelings, thoughts, and condition from their perspective rather than our own. Being empathetic is important in our efforts to minister to others and fulfill our purpose as ministering brothers and sisters. It allows us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes.
How Can I Develop Empathy? Empathy requires some understanding of another’s situation. The better we understand their circumstances, the easier it becomes to understand how they feel about it and what we can do to help.
1 – Understand Actively listening, asking questions, and counseling with them and others are important actions for understanding their situation. Learn more about these concepts in previous Ministering Principles articles:
- “Five Things Good Listeners Do,” Liahona, June 2018, 6.
- “Counsel about Their Needs,” Liahona, Sept. 2018, 6.
- “Involve Others in Ministering—as Needed,” Liahona,Oct. 2018, 6. As we seek to understand, we must take time to understand their specific situation rather than making assumptions based on another who had a similar experience. Otherwise, we may miss the mark and leave them feeling misunderstood.
2 – Imagine In our efforts to keep our covenant to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort, we can pray for the Holy Ghost to help us understand what someone might be feeling and how we can help. Once we understand someone’s circumstances, each of us—whether it happens naturally or not—can go through the exercise of imagining what we would think or feel in that situation. Understanding those thoughts and emotions, along with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, can help guide our response to their situation. As we come to understand another’s circumstances and imagine how they might feel, it is important that we don’t judge them inappropriately (see Matthew 7:1). Being critical of how someone got into the situation can lead us to discount the pain the situation is causing.
3 – Respond How we respond is important because that is how our empathy shows. There are countless ways to communicate our understanding both verbally and nonverbally. It’s important to remember that our goal isn’t necessarily to fix the problem. Often the goal is simply to lift and to strengthen by letting them know they’re not alone. This might mean saying, ‘I’m so glad you told me’ or ‘I’m so sorry. That must hurt.’ In every case our response must be genuine. And when appropriate, being vulnerable enough to let others see your own weaknesses and insecurities can create a valuable sense of connection.
But we were never meant to walk the path alone. The Savior achieved perfect empathy, descending below all things so that He would know how to succor us in our afflictions and infirmities (see Alma 7:11–12; Doctrine and Covenants 122:8). He expects each of us to follow His example and show empathy as well. Every member of the Church has covenanted to ‘mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Mosiah 18:9). Despite our own challenges, we are taught throughout the scriptures to turn outward and ‘lift up the hands which hang down, and [strengthen] the feeble knee’ and to ‘make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way’ (Hebrews 12:12–13; see also Isaiah 35:3–4; Doctrine and Covenants 81:5–6).
As we take others by the hand, let them lean on us, and walk with them, we help them stay on the path long enough for the Savior not only to convert them—one of the key purposes of ministering—but also to heal them (see Doctrine and Covenants 112:13).
Hope One more thing from Five Things Worth Knowing about Pornography is:
“There is always hope for someone who wants to break away from pornography. Nobody is ever too far gone. If you have a desire to change, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost will help you. Though your path of healing may not be easy and will likely also include spiritual, physical, psychological, and social changes, the Savior will be there to lift and bless you. He has carried the burden of all of our sins—all of them, including the ones we can’t seem to shake yet. Be patient with yourself and rely on the Savior’s healing power as you improve, step by step. Whether you’re struggling with pornography yourself or are aware of a friend or loved one who is struggling, remember the Savior’s grace and mercy. There is always reason for hope.”
Jill Manning, a licensed therapist shares her testimony of hope:
“…there is hope and there is healing, both for those that are struggling and also those that have been impacted through no choice or fault of their own. And I know this, because every week when I go to my office, and I work with a remarkable group of people that have been honest and vulnerable in earnestly working to overcome this, I see change and I see people thriving and succeeding. …[We] have a truth and true doctrine called the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which also changes people physiologically, spiritually, can change our hearts, change our minds and change our lives. And that’s where I hold my greatest hope, is with the Atonement and those that are sincerely desiring to repent. And with appropriate help, people can overcome this issue, that I know.”
Benjamin R. Erwin of LDS Family Services shared a helpful perspective for those who are striving:
“It takes faith, hope, and time to heal from the patterns of self-deception, isolation, and secrecy that nearly always accompany addiction. We can take counsel from Nephi to “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope” (2 Nephi 31:20) that He can heal—and is healing—us. We need to not give up or decide that because temptations and cravings return, there is no hope in Christ. To those who will not look because they feel no hope, I say that there is hope in Christ. He is the hope of recovery.”
The Newsroom recently shared all that the Addiction Recovery Program has to offer:
“In society and especially in the Church there is so much shame and stigma around addictive and compulsive behaviors. Consequently, people suffer in silence, and it breaks my heart,”
said Ben Erwin, a Family Services therapist and the Addiction Recovery Program manager.
“The Addiction Recovery Program provides a safe place where anyone can find acceptance, compassion, help, support, truth and healing. When you walk into an addiction recovery program meeting, people don’t judge, stare, cast a glance — they warmly welcome you. They’re so glad you came. And they’ll invite you to keep coming back. The Church’s Addiction Recovery Program is about supporting and connecting with each other in overcoming addiction, but it’s also about connecting with the Savior, Jesus Christ. He wants to help us in our trials, and He is the source of healing.”
Visit addictionrecovery.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to find a virtual or in-person meeting. The website also includes stories of hope, videos and support group guides. You can also listen to podcasts of recorded meetings to learn more about what a meeting is like.
Hope in Christ And lastly, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared this inspiring message: “Not one of us has suffered what the other has suffered. However, I believe there is One who has. Each person will have to counsel and pray and work through that with Him. We cannot live without hope. Every one of you needs to have hope. Christ Jesus gives us that hope because in some incredible way, He has in effect been where you have been and felt what you have felt.”
For many working to overcome pornography and its effects, the path forward may seem long and often hopeless. As leaders, family members, and friends we can do so much to love and support them in their healing and growth as we reduce the shame, build open connection and conversation, listen empathetically, and offer sincere encouragement and hope in Christ.
The post Transforming the Pornography Conversation, Part 2: Creating Connection appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 between mortal roles for men and women? While our knowledge is limited, we’ve been shown a divine pattern. Harold B. Lee taught that our Heavenly Father and Mother are “even more concerned, probably probably, than our earthly father and mother, and that influences from beyond are constantly working to try to help us when we do all we can” (“The Influence and Responsibility of Women,” Relief Society Magazine, Feb. 1964).
23:00 What’s the division of roles and responsibilities? Can our Heavenly Mother comfort us? Or is comforting only a role of the Holy Ghost? We don’t fully understand the mechanics of her influence but should treasure our sacred relationship with her in our own heart. However, we only pray to Heavenly Father. This doesn’t devalue her: we can have a relationship with her just as we have with Jesus Christ. The Holy Ghost comforts us as an agent of the Atonement.
27:03 What prophets teach of the roles of earthly mothers help us see the beauty of the divine plan and the different responsibilities of our Heavenly Parents toward bringing us back into their presence. Women conceive, bear, nourish, and train: they’ve been given the power to become co-creators with God. Theirs is the essential responsibility to bring mortality. The priesthood steps in to redeem from this fallen world to bring us back. There’s a painting of hands handing a baby through the veil into a mother’s hands.
32:40 We’ve been given divine and instinctive traits. Did these come from premortal classes? A woman’s essential role to nurture doesn’t diminish what else she can do. It’s liberating to realize we can become like Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. It’s empowering to imagine Heavenly Mother preparing souls for mortality.
37:06 Kurt’s daughter once asked when it would be her turn to pass the sacrament. How do we empower the girls and women in our lives with the truth of the feminine divine? We are instructed in the roles of mortality and redemption in the story of Adam and Eve and the two trees, the tree of knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. Eve first eats from the tree of knowledge which brings mortality. After being removed from the garden, they spend the rest of mortality making their way back to the tree of life through the ordinances administered through the priesthood. They work together as husband and wife: she brings souls in and he works to redeem them through the Atonement. That this mortal phase is a bit more priesthood centered in no way diminishes the role the women play.
39:00 We work our way through the ordinances of the gospel individually: baptism, confirmation, and the endowment process are all personal, but then in the sealing room, every ordinance we have ever made is sealed together in one covenant. We cannot fully exercise our power without the other: we share both the procreative and priesthood powers. Eve was taken from Adam’s rib and so belongs by his side as an equal, never in front or behind.
41:12 The Proclamation establishes our doctrine of Heavenly Mother right alongside that gender is essential to our premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose. Gender is not just a social construct. The relationship of our Heavenly Parents can provide counsel and support for our earthly relationships: they are a married couple. It’s fun to imagine Friday date night: “Do you see that galaxy over there? I created that because it reminds me of you.”
43:50 One area he falls short is thinking that he needs to rest alone when he gets home from work: In the story of the creation, Heavenly Father’s rest is providing for his family. He asks if he is actively working for the salvation of his family.
44:32 These resources reveal there is a feminine divine, and every girl and woman can become like our Heavenly Mother. We can stretch our perspective on her influence in our lives and the eternal plan. We can make her existence more obvious in the Sunday church experience, in the books we write, etc. Leaders can draw the line between the personal revelation encouraged by our prophet and what we present to a general audience. Inferences and conclusions must be rooted in scripture and prophetic teachings. Be guarded by all we do not know.
49:30 Our personal study process is more important than inferences from commentary. Have your own experiences with the scriptures and prophetic quotes. It’s important you have your own personal experiences with the doctrine of Heavenly Mother just as it’s important we have our own experiences with the nuances of the doctrine of the Atonement of Christ. We must be self-reliant in our ability to engage with God and scriptures to come to our own conclusions. We shouldn’t be dependent upon supplemental commentary.
52:35 Vaugn J. Featherstone said, “Sometimes misguided women or men direct our youth away from their divinely appointed role. Worlds without end, men will never be able to bear children. Every young woman may be a procreator with God and carry a little one under her breast either in this life or in the eternal worlds. Motherhood is a wonderful, priceless blessing, no matter what all the world may say. Priesthood ordination is a blessing to men. There are serious consequences when either motherhood or priesthood is abused or laid aside” (“A Champion of Youth”, November 1987 General Conference). As champions of motherhood, we must not become prescriptive in defining motherhood as staying home, which is only one version of it.
53:50 Imagine ministering as empowering others by ennobling the office or father or mother and helping them be the best parents they can be and to build the family. For those whose souls long to be married or have kids, he hopes they can find confidence in the promises, trust that our Heavenly Parents will do what is best for them, and faith that it will happen. He desires them to find hope and courage to take another step forward to the eternal promises. An aching heart can be a sign of the divine potential and nature from your Heavenly Mother. We can lean into the gospel and God.
57:10 Perhaps for things dealing with becoming more like God, we could make reference to Heavenly Parents, but for issues related to salvation, exaltation, and sanctification, we would refer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There is safety in following patterns of general authorities’ uses of Heavenly Parents versus Heavenly Father. Make space for others to explore their own journey discovering understanding about Heavenly Mother.
59:19 Glen L. Pace said, “Sisters, I testify that when you stand in front of your heavenly parents in those royal courts on high and you look into Her eyes and behold Her countenance, any question you ever had about the role of women in the kingdom will evaporate into the rich celestial air, because at that moment you will see standing directly in front of you, your divine nature and destiny” (BYU Devotional, 9 Mar 2010).
Links Mother in Heaven Quotes (PDF download)
Our Heavenly Family, Our Earthly Families | Facebook Live Interview with McArthur Krishna
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast
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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? * 55:31: Appreciate those who are willing to follow, despite the imperfections of the leader. * 57:36: When students are actively learning, it pulls out better teaching from you because the Holy Ghost wants to reach them. The Holy Ghost magnifies you. The same is true for leadership. * 59:00: “When we’re good followers, it makes leaders better.”
Links Mark Mathews’ Meridian Magazine author page
The Melchizedek Priesthood, by Elder Dale G. Renlund
Follow Mark Mathews on Facebook
Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast.
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Heather Berube and her husband, Eric, find joy in their five children and one grandson. As a travel consultant for almost 20 years, she loves to travel and explore with her family and help others do the same. Heather grew up on the West Coast and has served in various music and teaching capacities as well as Young Women and Relief Society presidencies, and ward and stake Primary presidencies. She loves learning and currently serves as a Service Coordinator in South Jordan, Utah.
Enter Heather… The discussion of pornography can stir up difficult experiences and emotions in those affected by its use. I do not wish in any way to minimize the pain and damage that a struggle with pornography creates for those working to overcome, and for a spouse and/or loved ones. From circumstances in my family and extended family, I understand the impacts of pornography, betrayal trauma, and the additional harm that can come from resulting attitudes and behaviors.
My intent is to share ways to shine the Savior’s light into the darkness of pornography use, to help build hope and healing by reducing shame, increasing the understanding and compassion we can offer, as well as testifying of the Savior’s grace. Hope and healing are possible as one draws on the power of Jesus Christ and his healing Atonement.
A quick search of “pornography” on churchofjesuschrist.org yields some recent links along with some older, less optimistic ones relevant to the church’s current position. I cannot speak to this as an expert in any way, only as one who seeks to love and encourage others in their journey. Therefore, I am simply sharing and directly quoting very current, hope-filled resources from church leaders, church publications, and church members who are respected experts in the field.
Understanding Jill Manning is a licensed marriage and family therapist who specializes in pornography addiction and recovery. Manning — who in addition to her clinical work is a researcher, author, consultant, speaker, and activist — noted that it is a diverse group of individuals who struggle with this issue. She stated, “I cannot deny the predominant patterns and correlations that my colleagues and I see and that will apply to many.’
In a Church News Article, Manning identified the following five characteristics that apply to many who struggle with pornography use:
- The first characteristic is a lack of education about healthy sexuality and marital intimacy.
- The second characteristic is pornography use was normalized by someone in their family or social circle. Those who are addicted to pornography often have someone in their family or social circle — a parent, a sibling, a cousin, a close friend, someone in their sphere — who normalized pornography use, Manning said. ‘And the way that lands for them is they erroneously believe that makes it OK; if this person that I love and trust is involved in this, then is OK.’
- Third, Manning has observed that mental health issues are often intertwined with the problem of pornography addiction. In response, these issues should be identified and treated. ‘One study actually found that 75% of those that are struggling with compulsive pornography use have one or more mental health issues that have never been properly diagnosed or treated,’ Manning said. Some of the most common mental health issues could include ADHD, depression and anxiety, bipolar disorder, chemical dependency, impulse control disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder or attachment disorders.
- The fourth characteristic of those who struggle with a pornography addiction is that they had access to pornography.
- The fifth characteristic in those struggling with pornography addiction is the vast majority have experienced trauma of some kind in their background, said Manning. In response, families should promote healing.
Many who deal with pornography addiction have experienced significant trauma — including physical, sexual, or emotional abuse or neglect or something that interrupted the ability to process emotions appropriately in healthy ways, she said. These types of traumas create vulnerability to get sucked into the influence of pornography, which becomes a way to regulate emotions, escape stress or self-soothe loneliness, she added. ‘We should encourage those who need help to heal those traumas and get the support that they need.’
Dr Cameron Staley, a psychologist and member of the Church, shares that often when pornography addiction programs don’t achieve the desired result, one of the main reasons is an over focus on the ‘symptom’ of pornography viewing instead of addressing the underlying problem, not because individuals lack will power or don’t know how to control sexual urges. In an LDS Living article Staley advises that, “Considering pornography as a symptom, and then identifying what’s generating that symptom, can help individuals move forward.”
Shame In her article, “Shame v. Guilt”, Brene Brown defines shame …as the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – something we’ve experienced, done, or failed to do makes us unworthy of connection. So does shame drive porn, or does porn drive shame?
An excellent article in the New Era, “5 Things Worth Knowing About Pornography,” by David Edwards, this question is answered by explaining:
“The shame cycle is one of the adversary’s tools to keep people trapped. Viewing or reading pornographic media may bring temporary pleasure, but shortly afterward come feelings of guilt. These feelings are normal, because every person has been given a conscience, or the Light of Christ, so that we can know good from evil (see Moroni 7:16). Those who have the gift of the Holy Ghost have His warning voice, and they notice when He withdraws. But Satan tries to get us to either dull our spiritual sensitivity or transform our healthy feelings of guilt into destructive feelings of shame.
The difference between guilt and shame comes down to its focus. Guilt is focused on our relationship with God. The scriptures call it “godly sorrow,” which “worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). It’s a good thing because it can lead to real change. Shame, on the other hand, is focused on self—self-image, self-regard, and what others think of us—rather than on how to draw closer to God. Instead of thinking, “I did something bad; I need to repent,” we think, “I’m a bad person, and I can’t change, and nobody could ever love me, including God, so I may as well stop trying.” That’s the cycle: sin can lead to shame, which can lead to self-loathing and despair, which can lead to continued sin.
The shame cycle can be especially strong with pornography. For example, one symptom of shame is embarrassment, which can lead people to hide what they’ve done, including (or perhaps especially) from [a spouse], parents, siblings, and priesthood leaders. That’s what Satan wants. He doesn’t want a pornography user to get help and repent. He wants to keep them trapped, and the shame cycle is one of his best tools for doing just that.”
The shame that comes from pornography is “a paralyzing self-loathing that stops all forward motion with its insistent repetition that we are unworthy failures at the very core.”
It can be easy to get caught up in a cycle of using pornography and shaming yourself. However, you are a son or daughter of God, and you have infinite worth. You’re never beyond the help of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. When you make mistakes, it doesn’t mean that you are a bad person. As Elder Dale G. Renlund taught, ‘God cares a lot more about who we are becoming than about the mistakes we have made’.
Because judgmental and insensitive questions can stir up feelings of shame, here are some examples of what not to say to someone struggling with pornography:
- You know it’s wrong, right?
- You could get over it if you prayed (or read your scriptures, attended meetings, or simply tried) more.
- It’s ok—lots of members struggle with it. • Just stop thinking about it.
- You know you could lose your job or get divorced.
Sharon Eubank shared that “Shame hinders progress and healing and needs to be reduced as much as possible when having conversations about pornography.”
Elder Anthony D. Perkins in his 2017 Southern Utah UCAP keynote address so aptly stated: We need to strive for homes and places of worship that are shame-free zones. Jesus Christ never shamed anyone, anywhere, anytime — EVER.
Addict, Addicted or Addiction Some may think that the labels of addict and addiction are helpful in motivating change. However, for many who are working to overcome pornography, these words can feel less than empowering and can evoke more shame. Experts can’t seem to agree on whether or not pornography use can even be defined as an addiction as noted on Wikipedia: Pornography addiction is an addiction model of compulsive sexual activity with concurrent use of pornographic material, despite negative consequences to one’s physical, mental, social, or financial well-being. However, neither the DSM-5 nor the ICD-11 classify compulsive pornography consumption as a mental disorder or addiction.
Dr. Cameron Staley writes on his website:
“About ten years ago, I began studying the effects of pornography on individuals and relationships. I heard claims all my life about how dangerous, destructive, and addicting pornography was for individuals and families. So I set out to be the first researcher to prove that unwanted pornography viewing was an addiction. But I was wrong…and so were a lot of others. I was stunned when our neurological research in the laboratory did NOT support the belief that unwanted pornography viewing was an addiction. The more I studied the more I realized there were many well-meaning clinicians offering addiction-based treatment for a problem that isn’t even classified as an addiction.
Many people label themselves as “addicted” to pornography. I caution you to not take on that label incorrectly. Most young people who struggle with pornography are actually not addicted. And incorrectly using this label may make it harder to end pornography use because of the shame, decreased hope, and self-loathing that comes with it.”
On the church’s Addressing Pornography website, we read that many people who struggle with pornography may label themselves as addicted. This label can be harmful and misleading if it isn’t true.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks teaches us
“…it is important not to label even intensive or habitual use of pornography as an addiction because that does not accurately describe the circumstances or the full nature of the required repentance and recovery. Having a better understanding of where a person is in the process will also allow a better understanding of what action is necessary to recover.”
Compassion Elder Dallin H. Oaks continues with
“…a word regarding how we treat those who have been ensnared by pornography. All of us need the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Those struggling with pornography need our compassion and love as they follow needed principles and steps of recovery. Please do not condemn them. They are not evil or without hope. They are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. Through proper and complete repentance, they may become clean, pure, and worthy of every covenant and temple blessing promised by God.
Being Unkind Is Never Justified: Sometimes the knowledge that pornography is evil can bleed into our perceptions of others. I know it did mine at one point. When I was younger, I would hear about people who struggled with pornography and my internal reaction would be anger and even disgust. But when my friend told me about her struggles, I was in a better place to comfort her because I had grown more aware of my own sins and weaknesses over the years.”
I’d like to conclude with a closing thought from Elder Dallin H. Oaks about the importance of a close, personal relationship with our Savior:
“Throughout our lives, all of us will encounter material with sexual content. With the guidance of our loving Savior, including the assurance from the sacramental covenants that we may always have his Spirit to be with us (see D&C 20:77), we can always respond appropriately. I testify that this is what we should do to enjoy the blessings of Him whom we worship. As we do, we will more fully receive the peace of the Savior and we will remain on the path to our eternal destiny of exaltation.”
Grace From the Church’s website, we learn that: “Grace is the divine help or strength extended to us through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the grace of God, everyone who has lived will be resurrected—our spirits will be reunited with our bodies, never again to be separated. Through His grace, the Lord also enables those who live His gospel to repent and be forgiven. Grace is a gift from Heavenly Father given through His Son, Jesus Christ. The word grace, as used in the scriptures, refers primarily to enabling power and spiritual healing offered through the mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
Everyone on earth experiences physical death. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, all will be resurrected and will live forever (see 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; 2 Nephi 9:6–13). Because of personal choices, everyone also experiences the effects of sin (see 1 John 1:8–10; Mosiah 16:4). These effects are called spiritual death. No one can return to the presence of God without divine grace. Through the Atonement, we all can be forgiven of our sins; we can become clean before God. To receive this enabling power, we must obey the gospel of Jesus Christ, which includes having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and trying to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ for the rest of our lives (see Ephesians 2:8–9; James 2:17–22; 2 Nephi 25:23; 31:20).
The grace of God helps us every day. It strengthens us to do good works we could not do on our own. The Lord promised that if we humble ourselves before Him and have faith in Him, His grace will help us overcome all our personal weaknesses (see Ether 12:27).
Believe in the Savior’s Healing Power: Jesus Christ can help you in the growing process of repentance, and He has the power to enable you as you strive to overcome pornography. He understands how you feel and is waiting to take that burden from you. Don’t think that turning to Him adds to His burden. He has already paid the price for you. Instead, do your best, come closer to the Savior, and ask Him to help you heal, to change your desires, and to give you more strength to move forward.”
As Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:
“As we continually strive to overcome our challenges, God will bless us with the gifts of faith to be healed and of the working of miracles. He will do for us what we are not capable of doing for ourselves.”
As we transform our thinking and conversations around pornography for ourselves and for our brothers and sisters, we can find and point the way to power and redemption through the grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Part 2 of this article will focus on building community and support for all who are affected by pornography use by offering connection, empathy, and hope. May our strivings reflect Elder Soares wise counsel as we seek to become our best self and treat our sisters and brothers with charity and encouragement as they seek to do the same
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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 scrupulous and rigid in a way that can cause them to react strongly when the gospel equation doesn’t work for them. These rigid thinkers are often the backbone of a unit—cleaning the church on Saturdays and showing up to every activity. We need their loyalty and willingness to work, and so we can validate their good ideas while helping them broaden their perspective, gently.
35:30 Suggesting a break to someone struggling with spiritual exhaustion may be necessary to help them process the reasons they attend church. Instead of asking what will someone miss if they quit, in some cases it may be helpful to say, “Hey, you’re clearly struggling with this. Have you thought about taking a break?” and let them think through the reasons they do or do not want to take a break, or why they feel they can’t.
38:20 Leaders sometimes make assignments when someone expresses feeling spiritually exhausted, and this may not help. People who have been engaged with church know what it means when someone they are not close — like a ministering bother or sister — to suddenly starts coming around. It can feel like box-checking. You can ask them if there is a meaningful way they can serve. Leaders should ask themselves why they are trying to keep someone attending.
42:00 Andrea shared a personal example regarding her bougainvillea plant that froze and all the leaves fell off. Sometimes a plant may need to be printed right to the ground to grow again after being damaged. A bougainvillea that has been damaged will die if it is over watered. Overzealous leaders may unintentionally kill a member’s testimony by overwatering.
45:50 Leaders should be mindful of the power of right now. How can I connect with you or show love for you right now? Drop worrying about the future or fixing a problem. Connect.
Links AndreaLystrup.com
Instagram: @AskAndreaMFT
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!
The post When Church is a Burden | An Interview with Andrea Lystrup appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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Amy is a full-time employee, a full-time family member, and a part time case manager/patient advocate. Her family includes her husband, a tween-aged daughter, and a kindergarten daughter. Amy’s focus has recently been co-producing an environment for her oldest daughter’s virtual learning experience and implementing a hybrid pre-school curriculum in tandem with her kindergarten-aged daughter’s pre-school as a volunteer, part-time pre-school teacher. Other interests include understanding and supporting mental neurodiversity, pastoral ministries/counseling, philosophy, history, leadership, and pasta (who isn’t interested in pasta?).
Enter Amy… Some people who used to come to church may no longer come back to church or come back to church on a different schedule than before COVID hit. Others may have fallen in love with virtual church and mourn if/when wards and branches return to physical attendance as the means of participation. In any case, a main question being tentatively asked is, “What does this look like? What do we do about those who we love who aren’t coming back to a physical church presence and the way things used to be?”
The specifics are likely to vary, but here are some thoughts/tips about how to set the stage so that those conversations around those questions are more engaging, peaceful, and useful.
Respect Autonomy to Preserve the Relationship A person who is not attending church anymore probably gave it some thought before before and during making that decision. It is usually not just a case of “being lazy” because they no longer want to show up. They may be re-evaluating what spirituality looks like for them, how to live the gospel more fully outside the lines that the church, as an organization, has supplied. They may be working through sorting out facts/beliefs/emotions based on new information and experiences. They may not be comfortable because of increased virus awareness, or just not be in a place where the individual getting up and dragging their butt (and the butts of family members) is worth it to them anymore.
Showing respect for their thought-out decision (in and outside of their company) will go a long way to preserving those relationships and keeping the connection with those individuals for if/when things change (especially if it appears that 75% of the decision is based on the person does not want their butt in the pew anymore due to laziness).
Assuming “they got offended” is not necessarily super helpful or connection-building – even if they got offended. It might be that that personal offense was the last straw or played on past trauma/triggers in that person’s life where distance is the best thing for them, right now, as they work through their personal situation.
Do Not Take it Personally Chances are a person’s church attendance has nothing to do the person staying active in the church. Even if it does, stewing over it will not help the situation. If children walked away from the church after their parents did the best that they could to share experiences and answer questions – that is not something the parent could control or change. Having the parent continue to take their children’s apparent defection personally seems to put more guilt on the parents and expands the emotional distance between the parents and the children. A wife is not responsible for her husband’s testimony, activity level or a host of other things or vice versa.
It is easy to take things personally, we are taught we are our “brother’s keeper” since Primary days. I think it is important to recognize that our duty in this area is to care about other humans – about the people around us. We are charged to “keep” their needs and perspectives in our minds instead of just what we need and our perspectives. In a sense, “keeping” our brother or sister in this way validates the need not to take their actions personally – but listen to, think about, and respect their perspective too.
Do Not Try “Fixing the Problem” A good boundary to develop is one where neither side expects the other to fix the problem or be a negative comment sounding board. There are entire boards and groups where either side can safely vent if needed. That is what typing things out and pen/paper is for. Respect the person’s time/energy/connection by venting elsewhere.
Activity levels are not “if only this was fixed…” scenarios, nor should they be. Unearthing or re-phrasing historical facts in a different context can be useful as a resource but is not a game-changer here. Just be willing to embrace that you can still have a relationship of love and trust and that it is not your job to change their mind. It is your job to love them and stay connected to them.
Besides, at the end of the day – it is the Holy Ghost that can “fix the problem” and provide guidance for the other person to live by and grow their testimony by. (Whatever that looks like.)
Creative Solutions When a person stops attending church, they also stop investing time/energy into that group of people to the degree they previously did. Sometimes this is a healing thing, and sometimes not so much.
It matters because it means that people need to be deliberate in planning connective activities to re-vamp the relationship(s). It means thinking about what is wanted from both sides from a social encounter and figuring out sustainable ways to achieve that.
It also may mean integrating virtual options into daily life post-COVID – whether that means a video chat over scriptures, texting to check in with each other as a ministering option, or other options entirely.
Thoughtful Boundaries Whether you are the person walking away from church attendance, or the one holding the bag as it were – thinking about what that looks like and talking to each other about it can minimize resentment.
Person Decreasing Church Activity:
- It is a kindness to the person leaving to respectfully disclose the boundaries of what they can do in a positive frame. For example, maybe the individual is not interested in attending church – but plans to attend the Halloween party with lots of candy.
- It is helpful to have developed a rough transition plan for any callings the person was holding that they will be leaving as they change their level of church attendance.
- It is also helpful to have a rough script for the gossip mill that the person staying can use when questioned about church activity. It should consist of a short statement like, “I talked to so-and-so, and we haven’t seen them because (whatever the person is requesting as the boundary) they are working through some stuff right now. They would like … (x behavior specifics) and will get back to us if they have further questions.”
Person Maintaining Church Activity:
- If someone discloses to you that they are leaving, ask for clarification on areas of stewardship. For example, you may want to ask about the level of church correspondence they want to receive. Or maybe ask if it would be helpful to see if shifting ministering assignments would be helpful for that person.
- Ask about/brainstorm for a rough social script.
- Think about personal boundaries now that the person who is leaving is changing things. It might be worth it still to ask for help in getting the children ready to go to church even if the spouse is not and other courses of action such as planning family activities. What matters most is what feels sustainable to the person maintaining the church activity in the face of change. That person needs to “win” something here too.
Conclusion A person’s altering activity level is not a death sentence. It is an opportunity to ask thoughtful questions, create an environment for deliberate connectedness, and an opportunity to look at setting up sustainable boundaries that both succor and support. Key principles include the autonomy of the individual, creative win-win solution planning, and setting thoughtful, sustainable boundaries. These principles are achieved by asking thoughtful and clarifying questions, finding best practice venting practices, and connecting with others.
The post How We Succor and Support When Church Attendance Evolves appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
The genesis of the book: audiences were taking bits of the final question; the problem was that the answer felt taken out of context. You need the other interview content to add substance to the answer.
15:15 MJ talks about the process of pitching the book idea and the work it entailed. She felt that even if it was not approved to go ahead, she benefited so much from working on this idea and capturing work that was so pivotal in her life. Discussion about a general struggle many dealing with in keeping a journal, and how this caused her to capture this work for her posterity.
16:30 Capturing what has been learned with regards to leadership principles: callings we may receive or jobs we hold, we don’t know if it will be for a short while or long term. Questions we may ask as to what is the long term benefit, or what are we really doing? Is it worthwhile? MJ feels if you look for the purpose in every calling, if you seek for it you will find it.
18:00 MJ learns lessons as she was called to be Primary chorister when she was a senior in high school. How this was a “game changer” for her and she felt loved and appreciated. If we look for the reason for callings we will find it. MJ uses the example of when she was called as a Primary chorister during a very vulnerable period in her life. How this situation evolved for her.
19:45 Tips for Primary chorister-MJ’s service to nursing homes with the Primary children; make it more of an experience.
20:30 All In as a Single Adult: “Nobody plans to be a SA”; MJ has a friend who describes it “you’re trying to be happy in a place where everyone says you shouldn’t be happy”; meaning you shouldn’t be satisfied to be there. Two of the most formative experiences of her life: 1) having siblings leave the church and 2) Being a single adult. She cherishes the time spent being single she would not change it nor take it back and is still learning from this unexpected time. In the broader sense, unexpected events in general provide us with great learning opportunities.
22:00 MJ’s experiences transitioning to attendance at a family ward; her first time attending in person while the pandemic was still going on, and how when it was discovered she wasn’t with a family she was relegated to an area “for singles”. Her seat in the back forced her view to all the families “looking at the goal in front of us” It left her feeling less, and she sees that for someone who is ambivalent about their church attendance, or looking to be offended and looking for a reason to stop attending church, this interaction “could have been it”.
24:10 Nobody intends to offend; MJ points out that there is a responsibility to recognize the motives of the person. Generally people do not intend to offend. However, we also must seek for understanding to be sensitive of others. MJ relates the story of a young man in a SA ward, asking about what he can do as a single young man, but really seeking validation and encouragement. However the answer he received was not as thoughtful as it could have been, missing the mark, because this young man was not really heard. Need to change the dialogue and listen more.
26:50 We can fall back and begin to question our worth and the path that we are on as a consequence of our circumstances. MJ shares the story of her working in the temple and how she was given to know that her efforts were good and satisfactory. Validating. Encouraging. If things are not going the way we want them to, it may be because they are not supposed to be going in that direction. She reiterates that the Lord knows what direction our lives are to go, and we need to trust that.
29:00 KF says an opportunity for YSA leaders is to affirm YSAs and encourage them. Points out that the adversary sees an opportunity and wants to get them (YSAs) “where it hurts”. This is a universal human experience-we ALL can feel “broken”.
29:20 MJ emphasizes we all still should seek for improvement, getting better day by day. If we examine ourselves and we are attending our meetings, fulfilling our callings we know we are doing well and to not so quick to belittle ourselves.
31:00 MJ was serving in a YSA stake RS presidency and observes that while a SA, she observes a “bubble”: everyone she interacts with is single as she is. Conversations revolve around “SA” subjects: dating, “woe is me”, commiserating. When you get out of that bubble, your view opens. As she interacted with the high council members and their wives, who served with her in other leadership positions, inviting her to be with their respective families, made a huge difference to her and her view. She is a huge proponent of making sure that people’s circle of those they interact with are not just of “your demographic”. Rather than being marginalized and identified as “one of those singles” she felt respected, included and was gratified when her opinion was actually sought out and valued.
34:00 People saying “oh you’re so selfish” or “you’re so focused on your career” “you don’t have to others. Contrasts a young mother, for example, who is compelled to serve her family, but MJ observes she’s been the recipient of so much service from other SAs, who step out of their comfort zone, seek out opportunities, even praying “who needs me today?” and do things that are not expected and may be uncomfortable for them.
34:50 Discussion of things that created an environment of helping, service, and awareness of others: MJ shares that the ward she was in previously, that she looks back on fondly, had a mindset of everyone being treated the same; there were no “haves vs. have nots” everyone showed up for others’ birthday parties, everyone was invited and included, no cliques.
36:20 advice regarding ministering (figuring out what people need) bringing it back to MJs own personal stewardship and the 2 sisters she ministered to; she took them to get gelato for Valentine’s Day. During the visit with one of her sisters, the visit was a bit awkward and stilted; however during the trip home, MJ asked about TV shows, the sister stated a program that Morgan also watched and that really opened a door for the two of them to text each other about the show, discuss it. That led to an increase in the comfort level and the sister later asking Morgan for a ride. Transformational change in their interaction. Although there may not be “needs” during a period of ministering to someone, it is huge if you can create an environment where the person feels if they DO need someone, they will call on you. This experience solidified her testimony of ministering. Her testimony of ministering, but also witnesses that it is inspired.
42:00 Other ideas to increase the effectiveness of ministering interviews: create a space that allows open and comfortable discussion. For SAs with roommates, don’t do the interview with roommates around; create a space where it is quiet, intimate and allows for sharing and candid communication. Emphasized the point made earlier that ministering interviews are just as much to check on the person you are interviewing as to see about those who are being ministered to. This provides the opportunity for the RS president to minister to those in your RS quorum. Recognition of layers of ministering, and it is a much deeper concept than we realize.
43:20 Discussion of being called “for a reason” the infusion of purpose; what we do in life. MJ recalls being a new RS pres and being so impressed by the previous sister and her talents: organization and the ability to remember names, greeting new people and helping them to feel welcome; her own struggles with organization and feeling she was not up to the standard of the previous president. After trying to “be like her (previous RS president) MJ realizes “I’m not supposed to be like her” “I was supposed to be like me” and the recognition that she was supposed to be called for that time, with her talents, to fill that calling. She needed to be herself.
46:00 Discussion of the perspective that SAs bring to the church membership as a whole. While people who are married and parents can identify as “I’m a mother” or their service in that vein, SAs have their unique identity and commitment to church participation based upon their arrival from a different point. How can we leverage the power, experience and the resource that they (SAs) are? MJ advises to seek SAs out; even if they do not attend your ward, have you realized you have that resource and used it? For example, do you have someone who has a really interesting job and having them come in and talk to your young women? SAs can experience feelings of being compartmentalized and not contributing? This helps SAs to feel they are not different nor separate; they feel valued as they are bing sought out and asked to contribute to the good of the whole. SAs want to feel useful and be of assistance; to be valued. This also helps encourage feelings of belonging and a part of the community. KF reminds of the previous general conference and a reoccurring theme was that there are a lot of SAs present and they need to be included. For those with good intentions, being super proactive helps to push through the missteps and alienation or failure to be inclusive that can occur. Leaders need to ask themselves “How are we REALLY going to push through and make SAs a part of what we do?” MJ emphasizes that SAs need to also do their part; reach out, extend themselves and get out of their comfort zone with engaging and interacting with their ward. Make it a pleasant experience.
49:15 Thoughts on the intention to create a good example for the youth; our default is to bring in (in the case of YW) women who are married, in the temple, with families; failing to put in women who are committed members of the church who don’t fit that demographic, not married, no children, but nonetheless great examples, participatory, and demonstrate women who are bright, successful, leading gospel centered lives from a different background. MJ had interviewed Mallory Everton, an actress currently on Studio C; ME had a YW leader who was single, working out her salvation and ME looks back on that example with gratitude for the illustration that leader provided for her (ME) as she currently found herself also single and navigating her life as an adult.
52:35 How has being a leader helped you to be a better follower of Jesus Christ? As a leader of a SA ward, MJ observes nothing has changed her more than being a single adult herself. She sees a deeper relation with God, desires to be better and more in tune. All of us desire to not be alone, desire companionship, and developing a closer relationship to God provides us with companionship. Seeking for Christ while in a SA ward was twofold: she wanted to experience that closer relationship herself, but also to be there for others as she (MJ) felt He would be. This knowledge informs how she reaches out, changes how she is kind to others (that she may not otherwise be), participate in ways that you may not have otherwise considered, all driven by a desire to be more like Christ. This also dovetails into a desire to truly fulfill your calling and be the person that God wants you to be and also what Christ would do for them.
Links All In podcast
All In: Exploring What it Means to be All In the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Use code ALLIN6 for 15% off preorders before July 26)
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!
The post Being a Single Adult Does Not Mean You’re Broken | An Interview with Morgan Jones appeared first on Leading Saints.
John Hilton III, is an Associate Professor of Ancient Scripture at Brigham Young University. John’s book, The Founder of our Peace, describes several approaches for following Christ’s teachings and feeling greater peace. One of these approaches concerns fence laws. For additional insights, listen to his Leading Saints Podcast, “Bearded Bishops, Rated-R Movies, & the Honor Code | An Interview with John Hilton III”.
Enter John… Consider the following hypothetical situation:
Alicia goes to the gym each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to work out for an hour. While she could wear fuller length clothing with her garment on underneath, she feels it disrespects the garment to vigorously sweat in it and that it inhibits her workout and athleticism. On her way home from the gym she remembers she needs to run an errand, and swings into the grocery store to buy some needed food for dinner. While walking down the aisle, she bumps into a few of her Relief Society friends. They talk to her but repeatedly make glances at her shorter shorts and non-capped sleeves. One of her friends makes a loving comment saying, “It isn’t necessary to change out of the garment to work out and if I do I always change back into them immediately.”
- Is Alicia doing something wrong in changing out of her garment to work out?
- Is Alicia in error in going to the store after working out?
- Is the Relief Society sister wrong for sharing her opinion or concern?
The Value and Purpose of Fence Laws Your answer to these questions likely depend on how you feel about fence laws. What are fence laws? Let me explain.
The phrase, “fence laws” comes from a collection of Jewish oral traditions, in which early Jewish leaders were told to “make a fence around the Law.” These leaders promoted the idea of creating a protective fence to keep people from getting anywhere close to breaking the law.
I use the term “fence laws” to describe rules, practices, and guidelines put in place to protect core laws (such as loving God and neighbor, the Ten Commandments, and laws relating to our temple recommends.)
If you think about it, fence laws can be very important. Sin and temptation are real and dangerous. Fence laws can provide important protection! Thus, a family might put up a fence law of “only use your computer in a public area of the house” to help people avoid the plague of pornography. It’s not that it’s a sin to use a laptop in a private place, but the fence law helps to prevent possible sins. In this way, fence laws can be very helpful!
But there are challenges with fence laws as well. Sometimes a fence law that works for me, might not work for you. If I aggressively promote my fence law, it may come to feel like an expectation, and for you, burdensome. Even worse, it could get to the point where I begin to start focusing on my fence law as “the law” and judge people based on their adherence to my fences.
When Our Fence Law Creates a Judging Heart Here’s a concrete example (all names in stories are changed in this post).
Brad was zealous in his observance of the Sabbath day. He did not watch television or listen to “worldly” music, and only read church books or magazines on Sundays. He also made sure that he stayed in a white shirt and tie throughout the day. For Brad, these fences were all an important part of keeping the Sabbath day holy. When Brad lived on the east coast, he didn’t notice how other Mormons observed the Sabbath because he did not see them very often outside of church meetings. But when Brad moved to Utah, he was surrounded by Mormons, some of whom acted in ways that Brad did not approve of.
One particularly irritating incident to him was when he saw a member of the bishopric out delivering goodies to ward members on Sunday wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Brad could not believe that a member of the bishopric would show what he perceived to be flagrant disrespect for the Sabbath. There is nothing wrong with any of Brad’s fence laws—each of them could be very helpful in facilitating feeling the Holy Ghost on the Sabbath. However, Brad missed the mark by using his own fence laws to make judgments of others and ironically judged one who was trying “to do well on the sabbath days” (Matthew 12:12).
When we focus excessively on the fence, it’s hard to have peace—and we make it hard for others to have peace also.
Focusing on What is Truly Important It is interesting to note that on several occasions, the Savior violated fence laws that the Pharisees had put in place so that he could focus on the more important work of healing.
For example, when Christ healed the lame man at the pool of Bethesda, he did it on the Sabbath. He could have done it the day before or the day after; this was not a medical emergency. The man had had an infirmity for 38 years! Christ also could have told the man to come back the next day and pick up his bed (respecting a Pharisaical fence law), but instead he specifically told the man to “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” (John 5:8) (carrying his bed violated a Pharisaical fence law). Perhaps Jesus was purposely demonstrating to the Pharisees that their fence laws were excessive. Rather than praise God for this miraculous healing, the Pharisees criticized the man’s actions, saying, “It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed” (John 5:10).
On another occasion, Christ encountered a man who had been blind from birth. To heal the man, Christ “spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay” (John 9:6). Note that the Pharisees had a fence law of not spitting on dirt (and thus making clay) on the Sabbath in order to more fully honor the Sabbath day.
Because Christ clearly possessed the power to heal a blind man without needing dirt and spit together (see Mark 10:51-52), it appears he was deliberately violating a pharisaical fence law. When the Pharisees heard of the healing, some of them declared, “This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the sabbath day” (John 9:16). Think of it! In the face of an absolute miracle, they were preoccupied by a technical violation of a fence law.
Don’t Lose Sight of the Purpose for the Fence Law We could tell more stories about the Pharisees, but are there stories we could tell about ourselves? Here’s another true story:
On my mission, we had a fence law related to music: missionaries could only listen to music that was authored by a church member. Rumors were rampant in the mission about various heavy metal groups that purportedly had at least one member of the band who was LDS, thereby making their music “legal.” My mission president became aware of this issue, and asked my companion and me to create a list of approved music for the mission. We compiled a list of several dozen albums and artists, and I was proud of our resulting list. Surely our fence was much better than the previous one!
We were scheduled to roll out our new list of approved music at a Mission Conference, and printed out a copy for each missionary. I was excited when I learned that a member of the Seventy would be presiding at the Mission Conference. In a meeting with the general authority, prior to the conference, my Mission President told him about this list and the general authority asked to see it. I had some pride in my heart as I handed him the list and thought, “I bet my list will be used in all the missions of the church!”
He looked at the list for a minute, handed it back, and said, “Can I make a suggestion? This is a great list. But there’s one problem. New music will always be coming out and you will need to be continually updating this list.”
I hadn’t thought of that.
“Instead of giving a detailed list,” he continued, “it might be better if you taught a principle. For example, ‘We will listen only to music that would be appropriate in sacrament meeting.'”
That made sense, and the list my companion and I made was never sent to the missionaries.
Both our original rule and the list focused on a fence and ignored the core reason for a rule about music—to help missionaries feel the Holy Ghost. The principle the General Authority suggested was also a fence law but focused us on the purpose of having a rule about music. Listening to music that was appropriate for sacrament meeting was a principle that helped missionaries connect music with the type of spirit it invited into their lives, thus helping them remember the intent of the rule.
Fence Laws Could Cause Us to Miss the Mark At times parents and leaders need to establish and enforce fence laws. But when teaching, do we focus on the fence at the expense of the underlying doctrine? A tendency to be overzealous in creating fence laws for those in our charge (for instance, children and youth we lead) is dangerous because we may become distracted from teaching principles and doctrine that will truly bring the peace that comes from making good choices.
Another challenge with fence laws is that it can cause us to miss the mark by focusing on the fence instead of what matters most. Here’s another story:
Noemi and her family had been recently baptized. During a Relief Society meeting, she was asked to read a verse aloud from the Bible. Noemi did not have a King James Version of the Bible, so she read the verse using a different Bible translation.
Pause the story. The King James Version is the approved English version of the Bible in the church. Thus, in church meetings, this is the version that is typically (but not always) quoted. We might say that this is a fence law to protect us from less doctrinally accurate translations.
Back to the story. As soon as Noemi read from a different Bible version, a woman publicly rebuked Noemi for not using a King James Version of the Bible. In defending the fence law, this well-meaning woman broke the core law of loving her neighbor.
When I saw Noemi after church, she was crying and said she didn’t want to return to church. To Noemi’s credit, she had the courage to keep going to church even after this difficult experience. Nevertheless, this situation should have never occurred. Sometimes fence laws cause us to miss the mark.
Questions to help us Stay Focused on Christ Fence laws have both benefits and drawbacks. I want to be clear—when the prophet or Spirit provides us with fence laws, we should follow them, because following the prophet and the Holy Ghost brings blessings and helps us avoid the very real dangers of sin. At the same time we need to be very careful about 2 things,
- Promoting or enforcing fence laws that go beyond the mark, and
- Being so zealous in defending fence laws that we violate core laws or the Savior’s injunction to “judge not” (Matthew 7:1).
When it comes to fence laws, we can each ask ourselves, “Lord, is it I?” (Matthew 26:22). Do I need more specific fence laws? Fewer? Am I missing the mark? Am I judging? What have been your personal experiences with fence laws?
What have been your experiences with fence laws as a leader in the church? How have you seen fence laws help? How have you seen them hurt? What do you think should have happened in Alicia’s situation, described at the beginning of this post? Things worth thinking about as we all strive to keep our focus on Christ and not on the fence.
Want more? See additional posts from John Hilton III related to his book, The Founder of our Peace, and listen to John’s podcast interview, Bearded Bishops, Rated-R Movies, & the Honor Code.
The post A Fence Around the Law – Safety Net or Beam in Our Eye appeared first on Leading Saints.
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, etc., because they have not met OUR expectations. What is the ultimate result? We want a relationship, so we need to work for those relationships, not the results we think we set. Any expectation you set up, if it doesn’t tighten or strengthen the relationship, it is probably wrong.
56:50 – He is passionate about unity. Diversity is happening all around us. How do we have unity as saints, as community members? Charity looks similar in every country he has visited.
1:02 – Covenants are what unites us as a people. How do we unify others through covenants? It needs to be “preached” constantly and then lived. Not church activities but neighborhood activities. People care more about what we do, not what we say. We can create unity; it takes work. Don’t use “I love you, but….” Love is unconditional.
1:04 – Fear vs. faith. We sometimes let mistakes of the past cloud our judgement, so we make decisions based out of fear and project into the future. The future is unknown, but we often make decisions about an unknown. Faith is the antithesis of fear and should make decisions based on faith. Forget the fear.
1:07 – Narrowness of the way. What are three to four things the Church is most known for around the world? Polygamy, temples, families, Word of Wisdom. Unfortunately it is not known for Jesus Christ. We need to change the narrative, broaden the net, and reach the mandate of the Church spreading through the world. How do we broaden the net with the scripturally defined “narrowness of the way”? How do we use sanctification vs justification? Sit shoulder-to-shoulder with those that are different than us.
Jeff has a podcast called Extraordinary Us: conversations with influential business leaders, sports leaders etc., talking about life and learning.
1:19 – How has being a leader helped you become a better follower of Christ? Failure, dusting himself off and getting up. This leads us to look to the Savior and make our heart more like His. When we lead, we fail. We are going to make mistakes and have an opportunity to rely on Jesus. Anytime we can rely on Jesus, that is the best. That has helped most.
Links Extraordinary Us 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 the comments (you will need to split it up) on the page and we will get it published!
The post Stepping Up to Leadership Opportunities | An Interview with Jeff Burningham appeared first on Leading Saints.
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!
The post How I Lead as Relief Society President | An Interview with Brigette Heller appeared first on Leading Saints.
There are a variety of qualities one might think a “good bishop” should possesses. Enduring faith, abiding patience, abundant charity, a commitment to nurture and strengthen God’s kingdom are just a few to consider. However, in a recent interview with Kurt Francom, Why Recovering Addicts Make Great Bishops, Mike Houghtaling explained how life experiences of leaders help prepare them for a variety of callings. Just as Houghtaling admonishes us to never trust a skinny cook, he also advised that “I would never trust a too holy bishop.”
A Leader That Accepts “Our Story” From the outset, Mike Houghtaling’s candor suggests he’s a leader who’s been where many of us are, plus one who can relate with those who have been dealing with habits, behaviors, or addictions. By openly sharing his story, he’s telling us he accepts our story.
From the tender age of ten, pornography seized much of his life, his preoccupation with it became a hurdle to feeling God’s love, and was a constant battle he fought for decades. He explains,
“Pornography has nothing to do with sex. Porn has no more to do with sex than alcoholism has to do with thirst. An alcoholic does not drink because he’s thirsty.”
In his experience, the underlying issue of addiction is unmet needs.
Being an Outlier Even now, as a grown man in his 60s he admits he still feels like a little boy who just wants to be loved and accepted. While he refuses to place blame on past circumstances, he acknowledges that addictions do work for a very short period of time, thus, allowing some reprieve from the issues in our lives. But as a younger person, bathed in continual guilt and shame, he dismissed the idea that God could love him, leaving him feeling alone and beyond help, convinced that God’s love wasn’t available to him, that he was simply a “bad” person.
While he always felt the gospel was true and considered Christ’s atonement to be efficacious for all, he admits he didn’t feel it covered his sins; he was the outlier.
I wonder if we’ve all been in that state of mind at some point in our lives, ashamed of what’s essentially taking us away from God. While pornography hasn’t been my particular issue, he related how his addiction with pornography would be no different than challenges with anger, hair pulling, gambling, cutting, or always needing to be right, I felt validation.
I remember as a young mom, so full of anger and frustration—at both my kids and myself—crying in my bed. I’d tell God every night how sorry I was for yelling at my kids, for losing my temper, for being such a “bad” mom. I wish I had had his insight back then to help me see that, while we’re all prone to some type of struggle, we’re always worthy of love and acceptance. He doesn’t require—or even want—us to wait until we’ve overcome ourselves.
Loving Ourselves His grace and love are always available for us as we seek healing. Yet it seems that we feel swallowed up in humiliation because we aren’t stronger in our resolve. If we were, perhaps then His atonement would start to work in our lives. But Houghtaling passionately clarifies that this is absolutely never the case. At one point in his odyssey a woman in his ward pointed out, “You know what your problem is? You don’t love anybody because you don’t love yourself.” As dissonant as that may have felt, he recognized the truth in her accusation. The most incredible turn-around came as he began to understand God’s love and started to love himself. He was then able to move forward loving God’s other children. It was when he finally reached rock bottom and started to understand the difference between sobriety and healing that he turned to God and began the 12-step program, which took years.
One Day at A Time I appreciated his honest acknowledgment that, even after all this time, he could still fall. He carries One Day at a Time coins as reminders to both himself and those he shares them with that we all live the gospel just one day at a time.
What a liberating message. We don’t have to overcome ourselves or our addictions today or all at once. I have clung to this idea many times throughout my life as I’ve celebrated more space between episodes of getting angry or gossiping or whatever’s been my current challenge. There is motivating power that comes from minor victories and from making it just one more day.
Wanted – Grace and Connection So what can we do to support those who struggle? They don’t need to be told what they’re doing is wrong, believe me, they already know that. They need our grace and connection, to be embraced, loved, and accepted. Never rejected. Even if we feel awkward or clumsy in our attempts to support, Houghtaling suggests continuing to show them we’re present and care, that we’re here.
4 Steps to Success As we all struggle with our personal challenges, we can face weak moments. Houghtaling suggests four things we can do to help us overcome that moment and future moments that are sure to come.
- Noting what a trigger might be – For him possibly a billboard or magazine.
- Face it – Don’t cringe and look away, acknowledge that she is a beautiful woman.
- Replace it with truth – But she’s not MY beautiful woman, she is someone else’s daughter, wife etc,
- Most importantly—connect in a personal way with someone – This isn’t a time to talk about what triggered you, it’s time to just connect in a meaningful way with someone and that not only gets you through that temptation, it gets you to be relational with someone and that helps meet your needs.
This four step method can help with all kinds of challenges that may “trigger” us to anger, judgement, and more. For example, we may notice someone who looks different than us and we may start to be judgmental of those differences. With this method we just need to acknowledge that we noticed they were different, but our next thoughts need to be on replacing judgement with love or seeking to understand those differences. Step four could included connecting with that person which would allow for better understanding and more.
We All Have Stones in Our Path We can be that friend who is available and who will provide security. “I’m glad you walked this path and recognize some of the stones along the way.” What a comfort for this young member, to have a leader who truly understands what an obstacle-laden course feels like because he’s actually been on the journey himself. Because his own voyage has been rocky, he has credibility with—and empathy for—his fellow travelers as he points them to Christ, our ultimate Healer.
Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4 acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged since 2014. Caron has served in a variety of callings in the Church and is currently serving as the Relief Society President in her Montana Ward.
The post We All Have Obstacles in Our Path appeared first on Leading Saints.
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. Charity is the greatest of all things.
- Follow this advice from Pres. Packer.
- Be an example of Discipleship. Demonstrate what Eternal Marriage looks like (when applicable)
- Teach the Doctrine.
- Love them ALL (This is most important)
- **This advice works in every calling.
30:56 Focus on what is essential in the Eternal Scheme of things.
32:37 What does principle 3 “Love Them All” look like from day to day?
- Sometimes you don’t always like them. Like parenting when you see a child (Child of God) struggling, that’s when you love them most.
- Try to see the Son/Daughter that was purchased with the blood of Christ.
39:38
ADVICE to Stake Presidents to help prepare missionaries?
- Worthiness issues are not the biggest problem. We need to stop being hyper-focused on worthiness and make sure our missionaries can talk to people. There are more emotional problems in missionaries than worthiness problems.
- Missionaries have got to be able to teach the gospel in their own words. They need to understand the WHY’s of the gospel not just the WHAT. Avoid asking missionaries yes or no questions. If you want to know if they have a testimony, ask them an open-ended question that applies the doctrine.
44:04 IDEAS on how to help youth become more comfortable with talking to people.
Have Impact Activities. These activities happen on a rolling schedule. Every youth should have at least one in their 12-18 years. These activities can be TREK type activities that focus on sharing the gospel, feeling the spirit, and articulating those experiences. It isn’t enough to have one sacrament on them where a few kids bear testimony. These experiences should be used throughout their youth to help articulate the gospel, relate it personally, help youth to teach from example and build on those life experiences. Leaders should be giving assignments that make them think.
48:00 Teach the youth ways to deal with depression, anxiety, perfectionism, etc. that they can access on their missions! Too many are used to supports or systems that are outside those of missionaries.
49:07 Principle 2 Teach the Doctrine:
Sometimes it’s hard to nail down what exactly the doctrine is. Go to www.churchofjesuschrist.org. search “Basic Doctrine of Church”, there is a document that lays out all the basics.
We need to focus on the central doctrine, that that is salvational.
52:30 Religious Malpractice = when we go to a religious class and expect to participate (especially a lot) without studying or pondering what’s being taught.
- Come Follow Me and Preach my Gospel have value in that they help us avoid religious malpractice.
- There are no score cards for comments in Sunday School.
58:00 When you teach the doctrine, you connect the dots. Doctrine is the WHY of the gospel. It helps the gospel be something more than a list of rules you shouldn’t violate.
- Doctrine inspires and motivates gospel living.
- It’s no good to memorize a scripture if you don’t know what it means.
60:41 Meekness
Is Meekness avoiding pride? Does it sometimes cause us to shrink in our callings?
- Understand the scriptural meaning of meekness not the thesaurus version. Meekness is NOT weakness. It is D&C 121. It is gentleness, kindness and love unfeigned. It is being willing to submit to God’s will.
66:00 Feelings leading up to a calling…. Address aspiring to callings:
D&C 121 Many are called, few are chosen. Sometimes we have those feelings to know that we are that caliber of person.
Sometimes we mistakenly equate position with righteousness.
68:35 In every calling I have had the one thing that has always manifest is the “goodness of people.”
69:00 Give me the missionary who can serve with any companion or serve in any area. I don’t care if they’ve been a zone leader or district leader or assistant to the president. I want a missionary who will serve. I would choose that type of person over any other kind in any calling.
72:00 Do I serve to make my own legacy grand, or do I serve to do my best for the Lord? Sometimes we need to check our own hearts. If you ask HIM, he will let you know, am I meek enough, or what lack I yet? I can humbly say I aspire to serve the Lord. Not that I aspire to be a Stake President.
75:25 Sometimes when you are released from something “BIG” to nothing, you lose a sense of purpose…any advice?
If it is so much of a culture shock to be released, maybe there is a misplace of priorities. If it’s hard to be home, maybe I wasn’t home enough. Or if I don’t feel connected, then maybe I wasn’t present enough, or maybe I was too focused on admin rather that individuals. Maybe I missed the point? Although a shock to your schedule is normal.
82:17 If I’m not having spiritual experiences regardless of calling, and rely on past spiritual experiences, then maybe I was aspiring to the praise of men. Maybe I need to repent and move forward?
84:00 What if instead of us wearing figurative badges like RS President, EQ President Bishop etc. what if we wore the name of Christ, Disciple of Christ as our badge? How would we be different?
How has being a leader helped you become a better follower of Christ?
1:26:00 It taught me to be a better minister to people. I made the biggest difference by being in people’s homes. The pandemic has hurt us in regard to being in other peoples homes. We need to be back with the saints. Additionally as a leader I have become more compassionate. I have seen that every family, every home, every person there are heart aches. I now understand people better than I did before my leadership experiences. I can now better bear another’s burdens.
Links Brent Top’s Deseret Book page
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!
The post A Life of Leadership | An Interview with Brent Top appeared first on Leading Saints.
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, 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” 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 single medium, and they are not self-serving; we must magnify our talents
50:30 Examples of talents
51:00 How do you lead with your talent? Look at your calling and figure it out
- Learn your duty, then apply your talent to it and magnify the talent
52:45 Equilibrium in life: Use talents to boost your motivation and keep your energy above equilibrium
- Tap the talent to do the things that drain your energy
55:10 Fear of sharing talents is the biggest challenge: Raise your hand
56:25 Quote from author Wallace Wattles: “The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.”
- The best thing you can do for your ward is to develop yourself
59:30 The great paradox of talent: everyone knows your talent except you
- Identify talents for others
- Every calling is an opportunity to discover/develop talents
Links proofleadership.com
thinkreset.com
Connect with Dustin at dustin@proofleadership.com or on Instagram @proofleadership.
Talented : Discovering and Using Your God-given Talents to Find More Joy in Life
Reset: How to get paid and love what you do
Simon Sinek’s concentric circles
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!
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When we are first called to a new position at Church, we may experience a variety of emotions, insights, and concerns. At times we may have had some inclination that the call was coming; however, we rarely feel fully ready to step into this new area of service.
I must confess, I enjoy seeing how Heavenly Father usually mixes up the talents, skills, and personalities of those leaving and entering a calling. I’m confident He doesn’t want a carbon copy of the previous leader; I believe that He is very purposeful in the selection of the new leader; and that they are meant to bring new perspective, strengths and weaknesses to the table that will build on the foundation of previous leaders.
Additionally, it gets really fun in new presidencies as we see the wonderful variety of personalities, experiences, approaches to the gospel, how to lead and, more importantly, how to council with one another.
Is This My “Mission?” It is easy to get caught up in how we think we are supposed to be showing up as we are fulfilling our new calling. Is this an Esther moment,
“…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
Is it a specific “mission” that God needs us to fulfill right now. Or is it a calling that we just need to use our skills and talents to help nurture our part of the vineyard for a time. Or is this a soul growing/stretching opportunity to learn, progress, collaborate, work off some rough edges of our soul and become a bit more of a “new creature” on the other side of the calling. The simple answer….yes! It could be all of these, but if we consider some insights from Dan Duckworth, we might relax a little and just lean into what this new chapter could look like for us and those we touch.
“Wandering” Through Life In a recent interview with Kurt Francom, Why Your Ward Should Wander, Dan Duckworth, a master changemaker and founder of The Crucible Life, shared the importance of learning how to best show up in life’s ever-changing opportunities and circumstances.
Ducksorth suggests that we can evolve from thinking about how we have a “special mission” to perform on this earth to having a flip in our mindset where we:
“realize that your purpose is to wander and you embrace fate. You embrace the circumstances, you say this is where God/history/fate has placed me and my job is to learn how to be who I want to be in this situation.“
This requires some contemplation and personal work in discovering what we want to be in this life. However, as we do that personal homework on a regular basis, then when we are met with a variety of life’s situations, we can practice an insight that Duckworth shares. We can
“…see things as they really are and as they really will be if nothing changes. Then you start to see things that you can change.”
In his interview with Kurt, Duckworth shared the quote came from J.R.R. Tolkien’s, The Fellowship of the Ring, “Not all those who wander are lost.” Duckworth explains,
“You’re here to wander and as you wander you will receive confirmation along the way. The basic question of life, no matter what situation you’re in, is how we live the life you mean to live in that situation.”
Thus, we aren’t wandering aimlessly, we are wandering (or traveling) through life very intentionally and knowing that we have the opportunity to impact other lives in a powerful way.
Growing in Our Callings I think we all would agree that as we serve, our number one goal is to fulfill our responsibility with love, inspiration, and purpose. In an effort to apply Duckworth’s insights on “wandering”, it may help to view our earthly efforts as opportunities to grow and progress.
As we know, plants grow at varying rates depending on how they were planted, how the soil is nurtured and if they receive enough water and light. The same is true when we are “planted” in a new calling. Our spiritual preparation, before and during our service has a HUGE impact on the level of our inspired influence while we serve.
Prior to our most recent calling, we may have been faithfully working to discover how we can best live our life; grow our faith; expand our testimony; and nurture our love of God, family and more. That nurturing is what helped us be ready to be planted in our current calling. Yet, as we strive to continue to grow, and produce fruit to benefit others in our stewardship, we need to continue to be nurtured.
Duckworth reminds us that with each new situation we need to be willing to ponder on this question.
“What is the meaning of my life in this situation. What is the significance. What am I going to become in this situation?”
Then we need to think and act with intention. Whether we are new to a calling, wanting to continue inspired service in an old calling, or seeking to bring our best self to our family, work, or community, there is much to be learned in recognizing that we are wandering and the Holy Spirit is confirming our direction and efforts.
Lifting Others Along the Way As we seek to bring our best self to situations so that we can be that change for good, help lift the hands that hang down and truly fulfill the measure of our creation, we will discover that others are affected by our interactions. Duckworth suggests that,
“When you’re living the life you mean to live, you become a magnetic, moral power, that people look at you and say, ‘Wow, I’m here to find out how to live a meaningful life in every situation and you’re living a meaningful life. Not because I want to copy you but because you’re clearly feeling joy, you’re clearly feeling fulfilled. So, I think I’ll follow you because you might be able to show me how to live like that.’ And that’s a magnetic principle that draws people into you and your influence with them.”
When all is said and done, isn’t it wonderful if we can lead a purposeful, joy filled life, and through our example, invite others to do the same?
So, are you willing to wander a bit more? Are you willing to dig a little deeper to discover what type of life you want to live? Are you willing to live that meaningful life and seek to discover how you can make a difference in the situations that come your way? I suspect your answer is ‘yes’ and that you will be a blessing and gift to all those for whom you wander by. Whether it is a short embrace, or years of love and nurturing, you will make a difference in the lives of others, and your own life, as you live the life you were meant to live.
Beth Young is the written content manager at Leading Saints. She is a convert of 44 years; served a mission in North Carolina; has been married for 34 years to her sweetheart, Bob; has five children and two grandchildren. She raised her family in Texas for 25 years where she served in various capacities in church and in her community. She now lives in Utah and loves writing, teaching and inspiring others to make changes to their physical, mental, and spiritual health.
The post You Are Planted – Now What? appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
- Creating different language for articulating the doctrine instead of the leadership language that is taking over
56:00 Helping individuals find purpose where they are instead of searching for a purpose
58:30 Go do something different to find joy in the situation you are in
Links DanDuckworth.net
CrucibleLife.com
The Purpose Workshop and Stop Asking Why (friends discount)
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!
The post Why Your Ward Should Wander | An Interview with Dan Duckworth appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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Feast upon the words of Christ and say two kneeling prayers every day (9:45)
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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
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Making time for the Lord shows the effort God appreciates
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Love and accept everyone for who they are (14:00)
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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
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Assume that everyone is going through something hard; reach out to everyone because we can all use some love
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You get out what you put in (18:00)
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It can be easier to fall back and not contribute as much
- The Lord loves effort
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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
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Be open to all ideas (21:10)
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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!
The post How I Lead as Seminary Council President | An Interview with Rachel Wagner appeared first on Leading Saints.
Caren McLane has a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Community Health Education from BYU. She met her husband, Todd, her freshman year while at BYU. They are the parents of 5 children and live on a 4 acre “hobby farm” with chickens, cows, and dogs. She volunteers at the library and hospice and has blogged since 2014. Caron has served in a variety of callings in the Church and is currently serving as the Relief Society President in her Montana Ward.
Enter Caron… King Benjamin taught, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” This scripture is also true in reverse. When you are served by your fellow beings, you are being served by the Lord.
Sometimes we worry too much about what we can do or say to help someone. This insight was stressed by Jennie Taylor in her Liahona article, “Finding Blessings in Tragedy.”
“After Brent died, people who just showed up were the most helpful. They were not pushy, they paid attention, and they saw a need. If you feel prompted to serve, do not overthink it. Show up. Drop off a quick note. Don’t worry that your efforts aren’t perfect. Help anyway. Even if you say or do the wrong thing, those you serve will know that you meant, ‘I love you.’ We can all do better at letting people serve us imperfectly.”
Ask anyone who has been through a rough time what has been helpful, and the answers will be as varied as the personalities and circumstances. There is no standard as to what is needed and no guideline as to what will be appreciated. While it’s helpful to have some ideas to consider, ideally, we’d want to act in ways that show our friends we truly know and care about them and that we see their needs.
It’s Okay to Express Love Clumsily Sometimes we act hastily rather than really taking time to discern what might be lacking. Yet other times we hang back, hesitant, almost paralyzed by overwhelm and indecision about what to do. I remember a friend telling me that in her experience, the worst reaction was her indecision. It is almost always better to express love clumsily than to wait until we can execute service flawlessly.
An Inner Circle Friend or Associate It can be hard to know not only what do to but even to know if we’re someone who should do something. What if it’s a ward member or neighbor or teacher at the school, someone we don’t know that well, but we know, how involved should we be? A few friends mentioned that it makes the situation even more difficult when people outside of their normal circles want to be up close and ask personal questions. They wonder where these “friends” have been under normal circumstances. Additionally, it’s awkward for those wanting to help because we haven’t maybe connected more intimately with this family and yet we want to do something to provide support.
There are some people, like my sister and others, who have written blogs about their tough experiences and see this as a way to educate and include others in their journeys. I’m also in this camp, very open and not the type to get offended if someone wanted to touch my belly when I was pregnant. I didn’t care who knew about my health issues and never minded answering personal questions. I thought it was all so interesting and wanted to invite everyone to learn from what we’d been through. However, others prefer to keep things quieter and to have just their closest friends and family involved, this is totally understandable.
It’s been tricky as I’ve had to ascertain if I’m an inner circle friend or just an associate. I honestly don’t always know, and so maybe we just send a note or a text and allow others who are closer to the family do the more intimate work or service. If the person wants more, we can follow their cues.
However, there have been other times I’ve been very surprised that I’ve been able to be a resource to someone I didn’t know that well. Their trial created a way for us to become better friends, or maybe I just didn’t realize that we had a relationship that they valued in that way. We’ve all read stories of ministering sisters or brothers who had visited them for years and met on the doorstep to drop off cookies or to simply speak through the screen door only to be called on when a spouse dies or some tragedy strikes. Stories like those remind me:
- Be kind to everyone,
- Follow through on impulses to create relationships,
- Be consistent,
- Check in on people,
- Find opportunities to develop friendships,
- Respond to promptings no matter how odd or unexpected.
We may have an opportunity to be an answer to a prayer. Or maybe it will be someone else’s turn.
Observe Before We Serve Often when we hear new of a challenge, we’re antsy, anxious to move forward, and wanting to do something. I wonder if we sometimes default, unnecessarily, to going big to show the depth of our love for our friends. We might think we need to bring a meal, when really picking up a soda or pint of ice cream and sitting with them for half an hour on their bed would be more meaningful. We might feel like we need to organize a cleaning group to get their house in order, when really, they want their kids to pull together and learn to be self-sufficient; all they want is to laugh and talk about what’s going on outside in regular life. We may think we need to create an expensive gift basket when really they love the origami Christmas garlands you make and would love a little something beautiful to look at from their bed. We might think we need to make a blanket when really, they just want the lawn mowed. We’d be wise to first pause and observe before we serve.
Mourning With Those That Mourn We can all recall the sentiments of love expressed during challenges, whether we’ve had a major or long-term illness, struggles with depression, a move, complications with children or childbirth, or an emotional or spiritual hardship. The details vary, but we all take turns being on both the giving and receiving side of things. I drew on the experiences of many friends, asking them what has been helpful as they’ve faced difficulties or as they’ve found creative ways to “lift up the hands which hang down…and [strengthen] the feeble knees.”
As covenant members of Christ’s church, we have promised to look for ways to “mourn with those that mourn…and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.” As we strive to keep our covenants, we’re entitled to the Lord’s spirit to guide us as to how and when to serve in meaningful and needed ways.
Based on what I’ve heard from others and experienced myself, I realize there’s no formula for dealing with sad times. But I’ve learned that we can ask for help to see their lives through new or clearer eyes and to notice where we might be able to fill a need using our own strengths and resources.
We can pray to be sensitive to ideas that come to our minds and to be willing to act. But, as with most inspiration, it’s helpful to gather information. It’s generally better to proactively offer a few suggestions of specific help rather than leave a conversation with a vague invitation to have them call you if needed. Coming up with a couple of suggestions can relieve the pressure of having to think about what would be helpful. What sounds perfectly delightful to us might take too much energy or mental exertion for someone who’s not quite their self.
To Cook or Not to Cook So, do we cook meals or not? Among my friends, there was no consensus. And I can understand this. For some, it’s the ultimate gift of sacrifice and nothing could make them feel more loved and lifted. They may enjoy the daily connection with visitors and look forward to trying new foods. But for others this could be anxiety-inducing. They might feel guilty that others spent time and money on them. They might worry that the kids won’t eat it. They might feel self-conscious about how they look, afraid they will be scrutinized or need small talk or have to answer uncomfortable questions. Maybe the suggestion of a gift card, a food basket with an easy to prep meal, frozen meals they can cook themselves, take-out from a favorite restaurant and left on the porch would ease any trepidation.
A friend who is an excellent cook brings tacos as her go-to. She can make anything, and yet she does tacos because most everyone likes them, and they can be personalized. Brilliant. Pizza was my favorite brought-in meal. Several friends mentioned how much they appreciated lunch and having friends stay and eat with them. They said their families could help at night, but it was a welcome diversion to have a friend come mid-day. For some it just feels good to be with close friends and to break up the monotony of convalescing alone.
Conversation…Or Not We can start by at least saying something. Maybe a text, a call, a voice message, an email, a note, but some type of acknowledgment that we’re aware, concerned, and available to talk when they are ready. Some people want space, but we need to keep in mind that that can change with time. Maybe at first, they want privacy or some time alone to process things or to just heal a bit. But knowing that a friend is there, even in the background, can feel so strengthening.
A text with the clause to not worry about writing back, just wanted to say hi, could honestly be just what they need. Eventually they may feel like talking or may need broader support or more interaction with people, but for now we can show that we will continue to be here by tiny check-ins now and then rather than taking offense that they “don’t get back to me” or “they said they’d call me if they needed me, I’ve done my part.” We want our friends to feel our loyalty and for them to know that we will be around for however long we need to be, yet we want to be respectful and tuned in to what that might look like because for some all the attention can feel suffocating.
One friend told me how much she appreciated the visitors who came regularly, even weekly, to see her mom over a span of years as she resided in assisted living. That kind of constancy gave them something to count on and to look forward to, and it showed the depth of genuine friendship. Conversation was important to her. Others might just need companionship without words. Some don’t feel comfortable engaging in person but would appreciate notes or other non-demanding communication.
A friend mentioned how hard it was for her niece when well-meaning people talked about all the things happening in their lives because she couldn’t participate in life the way she used to. This friend kept that in mind and tried to talk about subjects her niece could comment on or have an idea about. She stayed away from things that would make her feel like she was missing out on life because of her illness. And yet others want to hear about the world and what others are doing and what’s going on in “regular life.” And so, once again, we’d be wise to be sensitive and simply ask.
Service That is Needed Just as with meals and conversation, we’d want to get their input because it’s almost always too overwhelming to know what we need when we’re in the middle of something heavy. Creative, personal suggestions that show insight and thoughtfulness are usually welcome. Ideas can come from virtually walking through their lives:
- What it might be like in their home right now,
- What has changed,
- What does their daily schedule look like,
- What might be some tricky times of the day,
- How is daily care being handled,
- How is transportation working,
- What are some current limits,
- What might lift the spirits of the family?
When I was recuperating from giving birth or having a C-section or my mastectomy, I honestly didn’t feel comfortable with how I looked; I didn’t feel that great and was a little self-conscious. I didn’t want people looking at me and analyzing how I was doing. But a few close friends came by the hospital and to the house in the ensuing days, and that touched me so much. I was overwhelmed that they would make that effort and didn’t realize how much love those visits would convey.
I was especially touched that my sisters and mom would take time out of their busy lives to travel across the country to be with me; I can’t think of anything more selfless. People were so generous, not only with their time, but also with the gifts and tokens of thoughtfulness they sent. Here are a few ideas to consider as you strive to meet someone’s needs in a meaningful way.
- Dropping by plants and flowers,
- Giving a soft fluffy robe if they are recovering from an illness,
- Make hats if someone is going through cancer,
- Offer to wash their hair if they can’t do it themselves,
- Paint their nails,
- Have a small group come do brunch and visit,
- Write a letter of encouragement and love or arrange for others to write them also,
- Take one or more of their children to the park or on an “adventure”,
- Take their garbage to the curb,
- Sit and talk,
- Give them or their kids a ride to school/appointments,
- Check-in periodically, when they aren’t ready for an in-person visit,
- Bring a lunch and stayed there to eat with them instead of just dropping it off,
- Hold their hand,
- Play music,
- Watch their baby,
- Go for a walk with them.
Make Time for Them “Some people talk to you in their free time, and some free their time to talk to you.”
Different love languages mean people will appreciate different things. I think no matter what you do to reach out, it will be noticed that you have an attitude that the person being served is not an inconvenience and that you made time for them because of love.
I really appreciated when people followed spiritual promptings. I can’t tell you how many times we needed help and the person best suited for that task showed up on our doorstep. The ways we show love can be so simple yet so meaningful as we use our own abilities and personalities to follow through on inspiration we get.
As a side note, we need to realize that not everyone is filled in the same way, but we all appreciate being thought about and knowing that people want to help. We can be gracious receivers as we humbly accept even awkward attempts to serve us, knowing that most of the time people are genuine in their attempts at showing love.
Throughout our life, we will be presented with countless opportunities to use our talents and blessings to ease the pain and discomfort of those within our circles of influence. As we continue to rely on our covenants and the Spirit, we can calmly ask for guidance, confident that we can be used for good. And by opening our eyes and paying attention to specific needs we’ll come to realize that usually it will be “by small and simple things…that great things [will] come to pass.”
The post By Small and Simple Things – Serving In Spite of Imperfections appeared first on Leading Saints.
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!
The post Why Recovering Addicts Make Great Bishops | An Interview with Mike Houghtaling appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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The Lord’s forgiveness is essentially immediate (10:00)
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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
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14:20 Christ is not interested in punishment, but in progression
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Leaders should do more to build bridges outside the ward community (14:50)
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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
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22:50 The stake’s annual Community Leaders Luncheon for civic and community leaders
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Callings are Rarely about Efficiency or Proficiency (27:50)
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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!
The post How I Lead as Bishop | An Interview with Jordan Romans appeared first on Leading Saints.
Bryan Hughes has studied toxic leadership traits, their conducive conditions, and how organizations can foster recovery after the removal of the toxic leader. As a researcher, consultant, and speaker, he has sought to provide clarity on this often-complicated scenario, and consults and advocates for people-centric cultures. Bryan has over twenty years of executive professional experience in private and public companies, and is currently completing his doctoral dissertation around the subject of toxic leadership. An adult convert to the Church, Bryan has served in a number of callings including bishopric counselor, stake mission president, stake executive secretary, temple ordinance worker, and over a decade as a ward mission leader. Bryan can be reached for more information at LinkedIn.
Enter Bryan… Toxic leadership can be equally as prevalent in our meetinghouses as it might be in our professional offices. While we may assume their presence for toxic leader tendencies wouldn’t carry over into our wards and stakes, this is unfortunately far from the truth. In fact, our lay-ministry is potentially more at risk than other ecclesiastical or non-profit environments; and as such, the parallels with the corporate or professional world are more closely aligned. This is due to two issues: first is that individuals called to serve in leadership positions do not inherently come with professional training in managing their own ego, nor the self-awareness when they may be exhibiting toxic tendencies; and second, because of our geographic bounds and underlying sense of duty, we do not typically walk away from toxic leaders, which would serve as a spotlight on these shortcomings and direct change in a traditional organization. With these challenges in mind, we can review our risks and opportunities in a gospel-setting, and identify opportunities to improve our respective Church culture.
Leadership Typologies Individually, I subscribe to John Maxwell’s definition of leadership in that leadership is our ability to influence people. To that end, each of us are or can be leaders in our wards and stakes. Some may read about toxic leader traits and think of this one bishop or stake president that they know, but in reality we should first look in our own mirror, and then seek to improve the external. With influence as the key attribute, we can and should consider the wisdom found in D&C 121:41. It appears though for many, this is only taken in the context of ministration (Priesthood authority, callings, etc.), and not administration (planning, communicating, organizing). Reviewing this further, we can review more academic definitions of leadership typologies, or styles, for clarity. By definition, a toxic leader is pro-self and actively works for their own benefit and not the benefit of the organization. This may manifest or show in many ways; the more negative of which could include manipulation, triangulation, deflection, and responsibility avoidance.
Toxic leadership should not be confused with abusive or destructive leadership. I highlight this because toxic leadership in our wards and stakes may not appear as negative on the surface. In fact, you could have a highly charismatic leader that has a strong following amongst members. The toxic leader may not intentionally be pro-self, which can make this review complicated. There are certainly narcissistic leaders who hoard authority for their own belief in their own skills, but equally toxic is the leader who does not delegate for fear of failure on behalf of that individual or organization. Rather, we should seek to promote ethical leadership.
Ethical Leadership Ethical leadership is presented and received as fair, consistent, and honest. An ethical leader’s decisions are not always positive, but they are typically supported and respected as the follower believes the leaders’ intentions to be genuine. In a gospel setting, this can be more difficult to judge. Culturally, we act as if every calling extended and every decision made is as if they were written on a Liahona stashed in the bishop’s office. In reality, logic, reason, and past experience also play into decisions. Remember that this can apply to anyone with influence, including those without designated callings to lead. When the ward council meets together and plans an activity, is there a tendency to stick with tradition, or accommodate the desires of a prominent family in the ward, or even a ward council member? Does the bishop not ensure that all at the ward council table have a voice? Are traditions more important than the needs of the individual? Is there an allowance for the individual who is making effort rather than holding everyone in judgment to some legalistic and self-interpreted standard? These are all toxic tendencies that collectively can work against true growth and unity in the ward. Further, our General Church leadership have been begging for us for years to remove not only the unnecessary and inappropriate judgment, but to implement practices that build councils of collaboration rather than the silos of tradition that exist in in many units today.
3 Practices to Overcome Toxic Leadership Even with the best efforts to avoid it, toxic leaders or toxic leadership tendencies will exist systemically or at least periodically. As truly self-seeking and knowingly-toxic individuals are usually rooted out, I’ll focus on our unintentionally-toxic tendencies.
1 – Behavior Modeling A primary method to avoid, and disconnect from any such culture, is to model the behavior more aligned with ethical leadership. As more individuals model the caring but honest, consistent, and authentic influence spoken of in D&C 121, expectations can shift in this direction causing more toxic tendencies to stick out and correct themselves, or as such be corrected. In too many cases, especially where the leader is not intentionally acting in a toxic fashion, the ward or stake population become accustomed and perhaps even excuse this. We don’t stand up and say to a Priesthood or Organization leader that we won’t follow them because of their actions, so instead we tolerate the behaviors. Rather, if we collectively force the issues of collaboration, press for details if we think someone at the table is holding back due to fear or anxiety when they have an opposing opinion, then this becomes what is expected and normal in the organization. When reviewing professional settings, it is possible to have an organization with such a high level of cultural integrity that toxic leaders remove themselves due to discomfort. This is also possible in a Church setting, but in our case we respect the role of the individual called and we instead seek to influence their growth in the role through their improvement and disassociation with the toxic tendencies or behaviors. More practically, if you are in an organization committee meeting and individuals are being excluded (even unintentionally) by a first-to-speak or charismatic leader, then you need to interject and suggest that we hear what so-and-so’s thoughts are. We may even need to reassure them that their voice matters and that we need to hear it! If you are in a ward or stake Council meeting and you observe that someone is being overly deferential to another, then invite them to participate as well. As a leader yourself, are you looking to actively build up others? Even without a calling, if you are the most influential person in the room, then it is incumbent on you to add your light to others. Specifically, are you the first one to greet or even sit with the newly single mother, or the widower, or the person just coming back to Church who reeks of cigarette smoke? Not for your glory, but to bless the individual and in this case, to also set the public example that there are no classes or cliques in God’s kingdom. Use the influence you have to help make introductions, to help others build lasting relationships, and to help them add oil to their lamp. If you are a leader by position, in any calling, then culturally you have a spotlight on you. Yes, you are human too, but you are granted influence by the nature of your positions and it is incumbent upon you to act as Christ-like as possible by lifting others around you, being consistent and authentic, and to ensure everyone has a voice.
2 – Remove Pedestals Potentially the most difficult for us, is the need (culturally) for us to not put individuals on pedestals based on current or past callings. This does not mean we do not respect the role, or degrade the responsibility that they currently have upon their shoulders, but in the Kingdom of God, none of our brothers or sisters are innately worth more to Him than another. Culturally, we are like the brother that stuck around from the parable of the prodigal son. However rather than judging the other brother for being loved, we just believe that there is a hierarchy based on Church experience or perceived faithfulness. Our individual effort and our attempts to magnify callings do matter to the Lord because He knows us, but we should not create artificial social classes based on this information. Doing so only leads to the conducive environment that fosters toxic leadership, and is contrary to the Zion we should strive for.
In practical application, this is hard. We are stuck in traditions that surround callings and tenured families in ward. We should not devalue their contributions, but we should also avoid memorializing them. We do this in many ways that are (often unintentionally) excluding new or returning members of the Church, or even simply new move-ins. Many individuals and families have faced less-than-welcoming scenarios where they didn’t honor the right person or family, or talked to the wrong person or family. We have received significant counsel to cease this behavior as the effects extend beyond the individual judgment, but they also foster a toxic environment that corrupts our ward families, adds to divisiveness and contention, and may directly impact those individuals seeking for a Gospel home.
3 – Don’t Play Small A witness, but perhaps taken-for-granted counsel given by local and general church leaders, is that of our individual divine worth. It is built into the Young Women and Young Men’s themes; it has been shared in conference sessions generally as well as for women and men individually. It is written by proclamation by Prophets, Seers, and Revelators. However, why do we feel that our opinion, voice, effort, or role, is less valuable than another? What evidence or doctrine tells us to ignore the guidance that “…all may be edified of all, and that every man (and woman) have an equal privilege”? this should not be interpreted as advocacy for role or organizational adjustments in the Church, but rather that culturally, we confuse being meek and being weak. Meekness refers to our relationship with God, in humility and seeking His will over our own. Applied in our meetinghouses, this means that collectively we seek to identify and submit to God’s will. President Packer regularly reminded us that revelation comes to councils. Citing experiences with the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve, President Packer shared how each would share their thoughts before collectively pondering on all of the information. President Nelson shared that prior to choosing counselors for the First Presidency that he interviewed the apostles first, then went to the Lord. He said “good inspiration comes from good information”. If this is the counsel we receive, why then do we de-value our role as leaders in the Gospel?
In practical application, we are often deferential to the traditions of the ward or stake, and we regularly give excess honor to the individuals who occupy certain callings. If a bishop, or Relief Society president, or a Primary first counselor, is rolling over everyone else in a committee or council meeting, then step in! We recognize that an individual was called of God to lead in a particular role, but do not apply that same logic to our own called-of-God role. The Priesthood power provided to every calling provides that we can collectively support the work of the kingdom. Even as a non-called leader/influencer, we can support those in positions of authority by not only sustaining as is appropriate, but seeking to educate and advise, with humility, those we support. Specifically, it may not be our individual decision to make, nor do we need to question authority or seek to receive revelation on their behalf, but we can guide. As a simple example, as a ministering brother or sister, you might advise based on your experience and understanding, how a relief society or elders’ quorum could help an individual or family. Just because it’s a new assignment or you haven’t been in the ward long, this doesn’t mean your voice isn’t needed.
Conclusion Toxic leaders, leadership, and cultures, can and do exist in the true Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our faith is made up of people, and people bring with them flaws to overcome. Even unintentionally, we can support and sustain, or even exacerbate conditions that allow toxic leadership to flourish. While mentioned previously, it is again worth noting that this does not apply to only positions such as bishops and stake presidents. Only through an on-purpose effort can we elevate our leadership towards great alignment with what the Lord would have us be in His church.
The post How to Identify, Prevent, and Overcome Toxic Leadership appeared first on Leading Saints.
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 the poor. Christ corrects them by saying that her offering is a good thing. Her story will always be told in memorial of her wherever the gospel is preached. The woman had a relationship with Christ: she knew who he was and loved him. We should do what we do because we love Christ and have a relationship with him.
45:50 When you are justified, you are always perfect in Christ even though you fall short because of the covenant relationship. No matter how many times we don’t read our scriptures or make a mistake, he still loves us. Not being allowed to partake of the sacrament isn’t a punishment.
50:00 Justification without sanctification is pointless, and sanctification without justification is impossible.
53:15 How do we know if we’re saved?
56:50 The Lord requires a heart and a willing mind. When we become his, he can then develop us. Do good because you love the Lord, not to prove yourself worthy and amazing. Christ did the Father’s will because he loves his Father and his children.
Links Perfect in Christ: The Good News of God’s Grace, by Mitchell Taylor
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!
The post Teaching Youth About the Grace of Jesus Christ | An Interview with Mitchell Taylor appeared first on Leading Saints.
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
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We can Hear Him through others as we engage and listen
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Stagnant Water Loses its Purity 7:10
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Involving others to continue to progress
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Don’t Inhale 9:00
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Elder Faust’s advice to recognize that great things happen because of God, not because of what we have done
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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!
The post How I Lead as Elders Quorum President | An Interview with Brad Brockbank appeared first on Leading Saints.
James Olson lives in, BC, Canada. Since returning to Canada with his family after 15 years spread between Alberta, Utah, and Arizona, he has been serving exclusively with the youth as a Young Men’s President and then as a counsellor in the bishopric for past few years. He loves working with the youth, especially now that three of their five kids at home are in the youth program. Simply put, working with the youth makes him happy even though he is not particularly high energy or cool. In the bishopric, he gets to serve with one of his best buddies from his youth, so they get to pick-up where they left off hanging out on Tuesday nights many moons ago. He is a Realtor but being a husband to Cena and dad to Hannah, Emily, Lee, Myra, T-Gibb, and Austin (who is older and out of the house) is what he brags about the most.
Enter James… Has your ward experienced an Aaronic Priesthood restoration sacrament meeting yet? Maybe instead of being trendsetters, our Surrey 3rd Ward in the Surrey, British Columbia Stake is actually just late to an awesome party that many have been attending for years.
Seeing Something Divine If your invitation hasn’t arrived, consider yourself now on the guestlist for an experience that will strengthen your Aaronic Priesthood quorums, beat the boring and mundane out of at least one more sacrament meeting and provide an electro-shock of Spirit through your congregation. As if that isn’t enough, it will also help the adults to appreciate the young men as not being kids with scruffy hair who look at their phones a lot plus help struggling parents to see something divine in their sons for at least a moment.
Aaronic Priesthood Restoration Sacrament Meeting This sacrament meeting is like a somewhat more structured Primary presentation but is is for the Aaronic Priesthood young men. Before you recoil thinking this would not work as a sacrament meeting, I assure you that it does, in fact, stick in the bounds of the Handbook. We are not just handing over the meeting to an organization – it is all assigned out appropriately and approved by the bishop.
Both our 2019 and 2021 versions were AWESOME experiences for the young men and the congregation. Our 2019 incarnation was in-person with a theme being the new-at-the-time Aaronic Priesthood Quorum theme.
Here’s how the meeting could look:
- Assigned one speaker to cover each paragraph,
- Have the young men sing an appropriate musical number (ours was an off-key but powerful number)
- Have the young men recite the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum theme.
The boys beamed afterwards because they knew that they had created a spiritually memorable experience together. They even made more than a couple of the crusty old folk’s cry!
Why This Approach Empowers Our Young Men Perhaps you can relate to what Sunday youth talk assignments can occasionally look like. I “torture” each of these young men annually to give a talk where they stand up in front of a congregation and every eye is on them for five minutes (fine for some, agonizing for others); but it is intimidating because they are flying solo.
However, when presenting in this quorum approach, their confidence is something different and they are more of themselves. We all are more comfortable when we have a “wingman” and their quorum brothers are just that. Then when they are asked to give an individual talk during the year, they can be encouraged to focus on their quorum members in the congregation. That individual talk isn’t quite as intimidating if they just focus their eyes on their quorum friends rather than the entire congregation.
Be Flexible in Your Plan We skipped having an Aaronic Priesthood sacrament meeting in 2020 because the world was still newly upside-down. Thus, there are times when planning this to be an annual meeting may not work for your ward. However, the boys agreed that doing it this year was a good idea because of the impact it had on their lives and the lives of the members in our ward.
You could adapt this Aaronic Priesthood celebration to be an evening devotional instead of a sacrament meeting. Then you could modify your format to include the young men giving demonstrations, creating videos and more.
This year our young men chose the meeting theme to be on temples. They were told that they could share anything that they wanted to share about temples. There were no scripts just testimony and thoughts. Many of the boys submitted something, even some we rarely see. Sure, there was a little false doctrine mixed in but no more or less than a typical testimony meeting.
Pro Tips Coming from someone who has been involved with this only twice, there are a few things we have learned that could be helpful in your planning:
- Let the boys pick and own the theme. If it is meaningful and timely to them, then it is completely authentic, from the heart and invites the Spirit more fully.
- Follow-up with young men and parents in a low-pressure way to keep parents from forcing the kid to give the parent’s talk. Be aware, that whether they are giving a talk or video, they won’t be done until the deadline. (And in the case of videos, it may be a couple of days after the deadline.)
- Have activities and quorum meetings leading up to the devotional/sacrament meeting to get their juices flowing without being in their face.
- Key point – strive to create an environment where no one feels pushed to bear testimony about something they do not actually feel yet.
- Appropriately capture the experience with a picture (2019), video (2021), etc. so they remember it – it will likely be a positive memory and tradition.
This Unique Sacrament Meeting is for All Organizations May I suggest that we dare we try this with our Elders Quorum to breathe similar energy into them? How about sacrament meetings for our ward’s Relief Society, singles, ward mission, temple and family history consultants? Is it possible that a handful of sacrament meetings each year could get a bit easier to organize and perhaps become more interesting? As we seek to plan periodic “group” sacrament meetings with the intent to magnify the various members of organizations, we will be surprised at the results. In the words of poet John Greenleaf Whittier:
“I’ll lift you and you lift me, and we’ll both ascend together.”
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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? The dangers of hiding it include feeling greater shame, not being authentic, and not being able to help others experience the Atonement. Need to know they can still be loved even when others know about their past. Christ helped people overcome shame. Addicts and recovering addicts need each other. Addicts need to hear success stories.
47:00 What does an addict want from a leader? Don’t automatically tell people to leave their addiction story in the past. That adds to the shame of it. Congratulate them and find a way to use their story with struggling individuals. Temptation is harder for the kids now and these women can relate, when perhaps some older people in the ward cannot. The Atonement is real and removes shame so why not talk about it in a positive way? Perhaps listeners will realize they are not hopelessly lost and that they can deal with shame while being healed.
52:13: “Recovering Out Loud”—joint podcast launching June 4. “Create Recovery with the Savior” as resource for church leaders—a 12-step program with LDS in mind. Using Zoom meetings for outreach.
58:16: How has their journey helped them become better disciples of Christ? Progressing from lost and broken to happiness and peace with a good marriage and wonderful children. Increasing loyalty to Christ—through Him there is freedom from darkness.
Links Addiction Recovery Program (ARP)
The Hope Addiction Podcast
Between Monsters and Mercy: An Inspiring True Story of A Soul Lost & Found, by Kelly Thompson
Create Recovery with the Savior (12-step addiction recovery workshop from Cedar Fort)
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The post Helping Addicts Share Their Story | An Interview with Jessica Butterfield & Kelly Thompson appeared first on Leading Saints.