Leading Saints Podcast

Greg McKeown has dedicated his career to discovering why some people break through to the next level—and others don’t. He has also dedicated himself to the gospel of Jesus Christ and currently serves as a bishop in Menlo Park, California. From Greg's online bio: "He has authored a remarkable book which was an instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less.  As well as frequently being the #1 Time Management book on Amazon, this book challenges core assumptions about achievement to get to the essence of what really drives success." "McKeown is the CEO of THIS Inc, a company whose mission is to assist people and companies to spend 80 percent of their time on the vital few rather than the trivial many. Clients include Adobe, Apple, Google, Facebook, Pixar, Salesforce.com, Symantec, Twitter, VMware and Yahoo!." In this interview we talk about how the principle of Essentialism apply to his calling as bishop and the culture at-large in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Links: Buy Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less Greg McKeown's Website 7 Unbreakable Rules of a Meeting Liz Wiseman Interviews & Articles on Leading Saints Interview Transcript The following is a rough transcript of the interview. Please excuse the many grammar mistakes or misspelled words. It is our intention to make the transcript available as soon as possible rather than perfect.   Kurt Francom (LS): Today I'm very excited to welcome and author that I've been following his last few books and been following the content he puts online and it's really been life changing and impactful for me and that person is Greg McKeown.. How are you Greg? Greg McKeown (Greg): I'm just doing wonderful. Thanks for having me. LS: Yeah for sure. Now you are in Menlo Park area in California? Greg: That's it. LS: Now you don't sound like you're accent doesn't sound too Menlo Parkian. Greg: I love how that sounded like you said accident. Referring to my accent. LS: No there's nothing accidental about your accent. Greg: I'm from London, England originally and grew up in Leeds and Yorkshire in the north of England. LS: Great so I know there's a long story behind it but generally speaking how did you land all the way in California from London. Greg: Well, it really started right when I came home from my mission and enrolled in Law school and I just was so hungry to feel the sense of mission and to maintain the sense of mission I've felt for 2 years. I just couldn't seem to feel it fully in law and there's nothing wrong with law and lots of important work to be done there but I just could not sense my complete mission there but I was still in it. I was actually, actually this story that's interesting I was reflecting on recently was I went back to visit somebody in the church office building and they said something just curious and in passing said look if you do decide to stay in America you should come and help us with this event and it wasn't so much what they wanted me to do as that question and the assumption of if you didn't have to do what you are doing if you could do something different what would it be? And so I went down the foyer of the church office building and wrote down on a piece of paper, "What would you do if you could do anything?

David Terry is a former Bishop and Stake President in Washington State. David and his wife answered an advertisement in a newspaper to teach English in China. After this experience, they were able to serve in the temple presidency in the Kiev Ukraine Temple. This interview follows the life and service of David Terry, in and out of the church. He shares stories of successful missionary work and tough times learning to lead and help people return to Heavenly Father. David served in the army during the Vietnam War. His story of attending church abroad during the 1960’s is the jumping off point for his continued dedicated service. David served in the Kiev Ukraine Temple Presidency and his wife served as the assistant to the matron. They then returned to serve again as temple workers for 18 months. They currently live in Utah close to some of their children and grandchildren.

Jerry Smith is the author of Schooling the Prophet: How the Book of Mormon Influenced Joseph Smith and the Early Restoration. He is originally from Salt Lake City and served his mission in the Boston Massachusetts area and later returned there to continue his college education. He now teaches in the School of Management at Boston College and also teaches Institute classes in the Boston LDS Institute. He has served as bishop 3 times and in a stake presidency, and in many other Church callings. In this interview we discuss the research that went into his new book and how it relates to the administration of the Church. The following is a brief summary of some of the answers he provided. To hear his complete responses listen to the full episode above. Why did Joseph Smith not quote from the Book of Mormon after he translated it? (15:00) This may surprise you but Joseph Smith rarely quoted from the Book of Mormon after he translated it. This was the same for Brigham Young and for the general membership of the Church during the early restoration. In fact the Bible was quoted 20 times as much as the Book of Mormon. The Bible was such a dominant book of scripture at that time that even the members of the Church mainly quoted from it. Jerry Smith believes Joseph was frustrated by this, as seen in a revelation from the Lord chastising the Church for "treating lightly the things you have received." (Doctrine & Covenants 84:54) Were temple ordinances influenced by the Book of Mormon or by Joseph Smith's exposure to Free Masonry? (22:20) From Jerry Smith's research he is convinced that in the early years of the Restoration Joseph Smith's early vision of the temple worship was not influenced by Free Masonry, but was initially inspired by what he found in the Book of Mormon and in the schooling experiences centered in the Book of Mormon translation period, from 1823 to 1830. From the very beginning when Joseph Smith was receiving "schooling visions" from Moroni, one focus of those visions was the return of the latter-day temple. This set in motion the ongoing search Joseph had in restoring temple worship. He began early on looking to build temples, first in Independence, MO, and then in Kirtland, OH, then in Far West, MO, then Adam-ondi-Ahman, MO and finally in Nauvoo, IL. Obviously, these temples, other than at Kirtland and Nauvoo, were never constructed but it was clear that Joseph felt an urgency to restore temple worship. His restoration of the temple was influenced early by temple worship protocols in the Book of Mormon, as well as in the Bible. Nephi talked about the Temple of Solomon and as a model for his own temple (there are 3 temples mentioned in the Book of Mormon). Jesus' temple worship at Bountiful provided models for priesthood leadership and instruction. The Book of Mormon people also had smaller altar sanctuaries in local communities. Joseph must have been impressed by this pattern of many temples and altar sanctuaries in the Book of Mormon. Dual-Form Worship (28:00) Dual-Form Worship is a term that Jerry Smith uses in his book to point out the unique characteristic that the restored Church has, where we worship in small chapels on the Sabbath and then separately attend the temple on another day. No other Christian church has this form of worship. There is only one mention of the word synagogue in the Old Testament. The Book of Mormon records synagogue worship and temple worship happening side-by-side in many accounts. Why Does the Presiding Authority Take the Sacrament First? (31:30) Joseph Smith recognized the details and protocols that were being followed in the ancient Church in America. One of those protocols is that the presiding authority first takes the sacrament. We see this example in 3 Nephi 18 when the Savior blesses the sacrament and first gives it to his disciples and...

Geoff Thatcher grew up in Farmington, Utah in an LDS home. He is a descendant of the apostle, Moses Thatcher. He served his mission in the Kentucky Louisville Mission. He graduated from BYU in Journalism and now lives in Cincinnati, Ohio where he works with large corporations to help them create attractions and museums to advertise their brands. Geoff Thatcher's calling involves working with all stake public affairs directors in a coordinating council (group of stakes). In the interview Geoff talks about the shift that is happening in the direction we are receiving from the general authorities to use social media and technology more activity to spread the message of the gospel. The following is a summary of some of the points he makes. For a full understanding of his message it is recommended that you listen to the full audio episode. Encouragement from our Latter-day Prophets to use social media and other internet tools Handbook 2 21.1.22 now states: Members are encouraged to use the Internet to flood the earth with testimonies of the Savior and His restored gospel. They should view blogs, social networks, and other Internet technologies as tools that allow them to amplify their voice in promoting the messages of peace, hope, and joy that accompany faith in Christ. Geoff quotes Elder M. Russell Ballard who said in his 2007 address at BYU-Hawaii (the same year the iPhone was released), "With new technological tools, you can further the work of the Lord by joining the ongoing conversation about the Church." This was a big moment for members of the Church to hear from one of the 12 Apostles encouraging them to participate in the conversation online related to the Church. This comment was followed up a few years later by Elder Adrián Ochoa when he said in his 2012 April General Conference address, "the Internet, social media, and other technologies are tools the Lord has placed in your hands to help you exercise your priesthood duties and extend the influence of truth and virtue." Elder Perry later encouraged the same message in his talk, Missionary Work in the Digital Age when he stated "Just as missionaries must adapt to a changing world, members must also change the way they think about missionary work. In saying this, I wish to make it clear that what we, as members, are asked to do has not changed; but the way in which we fulfill our responsibility to share the gospel must adapt to a changing world." Finally, this message came loud and clear from Elder Bednar during the 2014 BYU Education Week when he stated, "I believe the time has come for us as disciples of Christ to use these inspired tools appropriately and more effectively to testify of God the Eternal Father, His plan of happiness for His children, and His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Savior of the world; to proclaim the reality of the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days; and to accomplish the Lord’s work." The Church has come along way and still has some adjustments to make in order to really leverage the available internet tools to effectively spread the gospel. Geoff talked about a personal example of a missed opportunity when he took the sister missionaries out for Cincinnati chili and interacted...

When someone dies in a local ward many families turn to the bishop and or Relief Society president for direction and organization. In this episode I interview Greg Ballard, who is a former bishop and has had 20+ years of experience as a funeral director in Salt Lake City, Utah. We discuss some best practices of conducting and facilitating funerals. To get the most out of what Greg Ballard discusses it is recommended that you listen to the attached episode in its entirety, but here is a brief summary of the big take-aways: 1. Read the handbook This should come as no surprise to any leader. The handbook discusses simple policies that will help guide a leader to have a successful funeral program and one that is in harmony with the spirit of the gospel. This information can be found in Handbook 2, 18.6 and Handbook 1, 17.2.2 2. Create a Funeral Committee The bishop or Relief Society president should not attempt to plan and organize the funeral proceedings by themselves. The funeral experience creates high emotions for the family of the decedent and the funeral experience should be a positive experience for them. Any sign of disorganization or mismanagement can cause frustration with the family. Having a funeral committee of ward members that can help plan the program, prepare the building, assist in dressing the decedent (if needed), and organize the family luncheon. Because theft of the family home is common since funeral details are often published in local newspapers, it is a good idea to have members of the funeral committee monitor the family home so that the home doesn't remain empty and vulnerable to theft. Funeral committees are not only for wards with a higher level of funerals. Any ward could assign individuals to a funeral committee that are trained and ready to help when a ward member passes away. 3. Be ready to recommend a funeral home to the family Many families will not have prearrangements in place for their recently deceased loved one. They most likely will look to the bishop for suggestions and recommendations of a funeral home to use. The bishop or Relief Society president might find it helpful to get familiar with the local funeral homes in the area so that they can confidently suggest one for the family to consider. The leader can assure the family that any funeral home is ready to take their loved one into their care 24-hour a day. They are just a phone call away, ready to serve. 4. Be prepared to educate non-LDS funeral directors LDS leaders living in Utah have the luxury of dealing with funeral directors that most likely have an LDS background or are at least familiar with LDS customs. These funeral directors will easily guide certain details while respecting the customs of LDS funerals. However, if you live in an area where the funeral director is not familiar with LDS customs, it would be nice to have the local bishop or Relief Society president make sure the funeral director is educated on these customs and offer help where needed. 5. It's not required that the family dress the decedent Some family members might feel obligated to dress the decedent. It is not required that family members dress the body. If the decedent was temple endowed and the funeral home is not familiar with the dressing, this is another area where the ward funeral committee can be helpful. 6. Be ready to conduct a funeral with cremated remains When I served as a bishop, a member of my ward passed away and was cremated. At the funeral I found myself a little unprepared with certain details, like how the urn would be displayed during the services. Thankfully the family was patient with me as I discussed with them how they felt most comfortable with displaying the urn. They ended up not even bringing the urn to the chapel. A funeral with cremated remains presents new questions to consider be...

In this episode I interview Scott Newman who has had over 25 years of leadership experience in Corporate American and now shares of that experience by teaching business courses at LDS Business College. One class inparticular that he teaches is called Leadership for Life where he focuses on 5 pillars of leadership. We take time to discuss some of these principles and how they relate to leadership in the LDS Church. The 5 Pillars for Leadership in Life * Jesus the Master Leader * Charting Your Course * Inspired Mentoring * Problem Solving & Improvement * Execution & Evaluation Scott also shares the reason his stake president got rid of the high council table, what his stake has done to improve home teaching, how to leave a legacy as a leader, and many other principles that will have a dramatic impact on how you lead.

Buster Summerhays lives in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He served a mission in Ft. lauderdale Florida 2004-06. He has been married for 8 years, no children yet. He is a former bishop. Enter Buster… Thanks Bishop, but now what? As a newly called bishop in the inner city of Salt Lake, there were a lot of things I didn’t know, but this was one of the questions that worried me the most. I felt that if I gave a member a Bishop’s Order for Commodities (food and supplies, clothing, household goods or an authorization for services) that I should be able to let them know what happens when they go to redeem it. I found that some members were well versed with the Church’s Welfare Resource program, while others had no idea. Visiting the Bishop’s Storehouse I took a few days off of work my first week as bishop and visited Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, starting with the Bishop’s Storehouse. I walked in and told the shift coordinator that I was a recently called bishop and wanted to see what my members will experience when they come to turn in their order. The brother in charge had me first view a PowerPoint that volunteers review before they serve. Although I can’t remember everything I learned, there is one point that stood out to me. It was a small point, but it made a big impact on me. They mentioned that volunteers are to help push the cart around the storehouse and the recipient are to put the goods into their cart. This was to help foster self-reliance. This left such an impression upon me because it taught me that self-reliance does not always mean applying for x number of jobs per week; it could start as simple as putting your own groceries in a cart. The next activity was a tour of the storehouse. They showed me how all of the food was organized on the shelves in the same order as it was on the Bishop’s order form. There was even a particular way recipients and volunteers are to walk up and down the aisles. This reinforced to me the need for order in our lives. Often times members that are looking for assistance when they find their lives in chaos; the order found at the storehouse was an effective example of how our lives can have order. The last thing I did was meet the shift coordinator. I asked him the same questions I asked the coordinators at all of the other locations, which was, “If you had a microphone and could speak to all of the bishops in your boundaries, what would you say?” He offered a few good tips. First, to go back to my office and review the printed dates on the bottom of my orders. He said that often times bishops are writing requests on outdated forms, and that creates a sticky spot for them when they no longer offer that item and have to find a substitute. The second item of value was that it was ok to have members volunteer service hours before receiving their order, all I had to do was make a note at the bottom stating how many hours of service needed to be fulfilled before the order was issued. Deseret Industries My next visit was to Deseret Industries. While there I did the same thing; I asked the store manager what a member could expect when they were coming to fulfill an order that I had completed. He walked me around the store and showed me items they offered, including those that were new or could be requested new, such as jackets. I was amazed at everything they offered! I then moved on to the skills training that the DI offers. They have a wonderful training program to help individuals learn the skills necessary to gain employment. They train for many different skills, ranging from how to understand a schedule, communicating with your manager and co workers to how to drive a forklift or count change back from a cash register. It truly was amazing. They were teaching many skills that most would take for granted. Had I not known about these services,

In this episode I am pleased to introduce you to the voice of Leading Saints Italia, Marco Ferrini. Marco is a bishop in Florence, Italy and got turned on to the Leading Saints podcast last year by another bishop who recommended it to him. He loved the resource so much that he contacted me about doing a similar podcast in Italian. I am excited to extend the Leading Saints brand over to Italy and continue the work of enhancing leadership in the Church. Bishop Ferrini also talks to us about his Italian pioneer heritage. His mother was one of the first members in Italy. He has served in most leadership callings available in the Church and now has had the opportunity to serve as bishop for the last couple of years. Bishop Ferrini's 5 Leadership Principles * “Remember, Brethren, in this work it is the Spirit that counts.” – Ezra Taft Benson - https://goo.gl/zZjtWZ * “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved.” – President Monson - https://goo.gl/5ghC6c * “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 and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” – Mosiah 3:19 * “I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning.” - 1 Nephi 19:23 * “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” – Benjamin Franklin - http://goo.gl/rfzN0W Links: "Do not spend more than two nights a week away from home..." -Elder Robert D. Hales WhatsApp Slack Clash Royale Snapchat Episode Follow Marco on Snapchat @Marcowakko Listen to Marco Rap

Christine Shaw is no doubt an individual on a mission of service. Though she has completed a formal mission with her late husband in Malaysia, she has been on a mission all her life. In this episode she tells of her experience as a Relief Society president and Primary president in a branch that was started with the help of herself and her husband. She tells interesting stories of helping invite Australian aborigines to church and some of the stories of faith that they showed in joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

One of my favorite gospel stories is about the father who brings his possessed son unto the Savior to be healed (Mark 9). After pleading with the Savior's disciples "that they should cast him out; and they could not," the Savior quickly rebuked His disciples. He then turns to the father and says, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." The father's response has lead me to hours of pondering. The father says, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." In the same sentence, it seems that the father proclaims his faith in the Savior and then has a crisis of faith. In the beginning I can hear the conviction in his voice stating an unwavering testimony as he says, "Lord, I believe!" Then doubt snatches that conviction and turns the tone into a plead, "help thou mine unbelief." "Without a Shadow of a Doubt" Testimonies As latter-day saints we experience something similar. We have a culture that highlights those that can stand at the lecterns of the Church and proclaim, "I know the Church is true without a shadow of a doubt!" Such conviction is inspiring, and deep within my own testimony I probably wouldn't hesitate to use such an LDS cliché. I believe... I know... I have a witness... It doesn't matter how we testify. As we testify, we sincerely want to communicate that we have received a spiritual witness and we want others to receive that same witness. It has been decades of "without a shadow of a doubt" type of testimonies, or some form of them, announced from lecterns, tearfully shared in Sunday School, and even testified in bishop's offices. However, my fear is that all these years of conviction has created a culture of "gold-stars-on-foreheads" or honoring those with the right kind of testimony—that you only belong if you have received such a dramatic witness and can stand with a broad chest and speak such words. The general believing membership of the Church didn't intend for this. Of course, everyone sharing their testimony wants all to come unto Christ, and their only intent with sharing such a bold testimony is to produce other bold testimonies. But what about the individuals who showed up on Sunday with a prayer on his or her heart that says, "Lord, help thou mine unbelief?" Do they feel like they are among struggling saints seeking for sanctification? Or do they feel out of place because it seems everyone else has arrived? The Leader Testifies Now what about the local leaders of wards, Relief Societies, or quorums? Of course they have conviction of the gospel truths, and I count myself among them. They don't hand out these leadership responsibilities to the public doubter. The Church needs leaders who can boldly proclaim their witness. And the last thing a leader should do is fake uncertainty of their faith in order to validate those that truly are uncertain. The doubter needs validation nonetheless. They need to know their leader not only understands their struggle to receive a testimony, but that the process of faith they are going through is normal and not a spiritual handicap. So, what's a leader to do? How can the leader make room for those that are not as far down the path of conviction as other members of the ward? Invite Them to Share the Struggle When I was bishop and I found myself initiating the fast and testimony meeting on 1st Sundays of the month by sharing my own testimony, I would make it a habit to invite all to stand and share their version of their testimony—even if that testimony contained overtones of struggle and delayed certainty. It would be refreshing to hear in a testimony meeting the simple words, "I want to believe, but I'm not sure I'm there yet." Or, "I thought there was no room for a shadow of a doubt in my heart, but this week was tough.

Chris Kittle lives in Leesville, Louisiana and works as an oral maxillofacial surgeon (a really awesome dentist). He has been bishop for 2+ years for a military ward. In this episode he shares with us his Catholic background, joining the LDS Church at 19 and then serving a mission in Brazil at the age of 22. Bishop Kittle's 5 Leadership Principles * Be Flexible * Use Your Counselors * Communication, Communication, COMMUNICATION * Follow the Spirit * Listen to Leading Saints Links: Text 2 Group App

Warwick & Samantha Allen live on the east coast of Australia in beautiful city of Brisbane. Warwick is currently serving as the bishop or his ward and his wife Samantha is a great support and has many years of leadership service herself. In this episode we learn about their unique background of gaining a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ while dealing with growing up in a home impacted by divorce. We talked with Samantha about how her single-parent family was supported by her ward. Warwick talks about his awkward experience in the youth program and how it lead him to go inactive in the church for more than 14 years. His story of returning to the gospel will inspire all who listen to it and then how he has developed his leadership ability to lead his ward for the past six years. The Allen's 5... 6 Principles of Leadership: * Lead from Behind * Love Your Counselors * Embrace Your Sisters * Show the Members Your Heart * Impart Confidence and Optimism * Tomorrow is Another Day

From time to time church leaders will counsel with someone in their flock that has concerns and confusion related to how science relates to the Book of Mormon; more specifically how DNA relates to the people talked about in the Book of Mormon. It would be beneficial for all leaders to listen to this podcast interview and also review the links below. This will help leaders to have more confidence when counseling with someone that is having a faith struggle because of a scientific perspectives. Dr. Ugo Perego is currently Director of the Rome Italy LDS Institute. He is a Population Geneticist and has consulted with the LDS Church related to the Book of Mormon and DNA. He contributed to the research mentioned in the Church's Essay about this topic. Dr. Perego is also a bishop in Rome, Italy. Bishop Perego and his wife, Jenna Links: Book of Mormon & DNA Studies Essay Joseph Smith DNA Research Elder M. Russell Ballard CES Talk Foundations of the Restoration Manual Pathway Program A Reason for Faith Book

Mosiah: the Consumate Leader We have learned by sad experience that 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. —Joseph Smith, D&C 121:39 In the history of the world, we're hard-pressed to find more George Washington's. That's part of why he's so revered and even deified. He could have taken a lot more power after the war, like Bonaparte and Cromwell. He didn't. Not only did he not amass power to himself, but he even rejected consolidating too much power in the office of POTUS. The most enduring example of this is probably his refusal to put himself up for re-election for a third term. It set a precedent that was honored for well over a century afterward, and then made law in the 22nd Amendment in 1947. Interestingly, the Book of Mormon has a number of such leaders. If that was the only history you knew (like a Nephite might) you'd probably think these sorts of leaders were somewhat common. The truth is, they're extremely rare, and there's maybe only a few other candidates in all of world history. Book of Mormon Leaders That book starts right off with Nephi, who was so beloved by his people they called kings that came after him 2nd Nephi, 3rd Nephi, and so on. The name "Nephi" literally came to mean "king" or "honored leader" among them. He was able to lead with such unselfish effectiveness, that all his people loved and revered him. He was also able to give up that power, selflessly choosing a righteous successor who was not his own descendant (it appears), before he died. Captain Moroni also comes to mind. He had the hearts and minds of the people, and command of the army. He even marched on the Capital to overthrow the government, when he perceived a lack of ability on their part. But he doesn't go to take over or become dictator, he simply wanted a government that would support the fight for freedom. He had no desire to be supreme ruler. Many others could be listed here as well: Mosiah I, King Benjamin, Alma the Younger, Mormon, and others. They are these selfless leaders who had a great deal of power, but didn't use that power for evil or in selfish ways. They only exercised that power to do the will of the Lord and help their people. They're the ultimate leaders and absolutely deserve studying. Mosiah II Mosiah II stands out in my recent studies. As a king and judge, he's faced with 2 major controversies in his time. The first is when many non-believers are persecuting the members of the Church. His kingdom becomes divided between those who believe and those who do not. The division occurs when many of a new generation grow up. They don't remember king Benjamin and the things he taught, nor did they experience the captivity of Limhi's people or Alma's followers. They turn to wickedness and apostasy. These non-believers commit many sins, and are brought to the priests with witnesses who testify of their iniquities. The priests take them to Alma, because they don't know what to do. This kind of widespread and public wickedness hasn't been a problem among the Nephites before. Alma doesn't know what to do either. So he takes them to Mosiah. In Mosiah 26:11 we read what Alma said to Mosiah: Behold, here are many whom we have brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayest judge them according to their crimes. Now, the typical leader would see this as a problem to be solved, and if he's power hungry (as most are), an opportunity to amass more power. He'd quickly judge these people and thereby set precedent that he's the supreme jud...

This was a fun interview! I had the chance to chat with Kalee and Neal Mortensen, both Arizona natives, who have been living in São Paulo, Brazil for the last 2 years. They have had a unique experience as newly weds in a foreign country while also attending a familiar church. Neal, who served his mission in Brazil, has served as ward clerk and is currently in the bishopric. Kalee is the Young Women president and has learned Portuguese since she has been there. As we learn about their leadership experience we also learn about the status of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Brazil and how their culture influences the day-to-day life of a Latter-day Saint in Brazil. We talk about some of the ramifications sensitive policy changes has had in Brazil, what apps are helpful for Brazilian leadership, and what it's like speaking in stake conference in a 2nd language. Listen in. Links "Things As They Really Are," Elder David A. Bednar Same-Sex Marriage in Brazil Why Youth Leaders Need to Use Snapchat WhatsApp Slack