Leading Saints Podcast

Ardis Parshall is a professional researching that has spend the last 15+ years in LDS Church history. Over those years she has compiled some of the riches LDS leadership stories related to women in the Church. Her work is important because many of these stories have been lost in LDS folklore and need to be heard. She just launched a Kickstarter campaign to help her fund the book project where she plans to compile these stories so they have a place on the LDS Church history shelf. In this interview she tells a handful of stories that leave you wanting more. I am looking forward to my copy of the book so I can hear many other stories. This book won't be a possibility without additional donations through her Kickstarter campaign. Even if you only donate a dollar to her campaign it will still increase her number of "backers" and will further promote the project to others with more resources to pledge. Go pledge! Links from the interview: Ardis' Blog Facebook Page (to stay up to date on the project and see some really cool picture) Have I mentioned she has a Kickstarter Campaign?

This experience comes from the April 1985 General Conference when Elder Marvin J. Ashton talked about his experience learning from a prophet while visiting those in prison: Another lesson was learned from President Kimball as we visited a prison together. One day a few years ago President Kimball said, “Marvin, I’d like you to take me to visit the Utah State Prison.” He remembered that when I was in charge of the Social Services programs for the Church I had had the responsibility for prisoners. I said, “President Kimball, I don’t want you to go to the prison. I am afraid for your safety. There are some men confined there who would do anything to attract attention by embarrassing, injuring, or insulting you. I just don’t want you to go.” That was once when I felt I couldn’t grant his request. He took my advice, and we didn’t go. However, about two months later, D. Arthur Haycock, President Kimball’s personal secretary, phoned me and said, “Elder Ashton, President Kimball wants you to go to the Utah State Prison with him.” The next day we went. My delaying tactic had lasted only a few weeks. I called Warden Morris and said, “May we come and visit you? We do not want anyone to know of our visit. Could we just meet in your office and not go through the minimum, medium, or maximum security places? Perhaps you could invite two inmates with whom President Kimball could visit in your office. Later we could look around the grounds and talk with others.” He agreeably made the arrangements. We traveled to the institution, where about a thousand people are incarcerated. Soon into the warden’s office came two prisoners. I was impressed with how hard the convicts looked—how mean, how sullen. After they were introduced and sat down, I broke the silence by saying to President Kimball, “Would you like to say a few words to these two men?” He said, “Yes.” They both looked steadily down at the floor. President Kimball waited, and finally when one raised his head up a little, President Kimball looked directly into his eyes. Let me just pause for a minute and set the stage. One prisoner had been convicted for murder and the other for manslaughter. Here is a prophet. Here were two hardened criminals. What do you say? What do you do? Do you say, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves? What a waste for you to be in such a place as this”? Those are things that might cross your mind and mine. As I mentioned, as President Kimball caught the eye of one of them, he looked at him with a penetrating stare and said, “Tell me about your mother.” This inmate looked up and told him about his mother. Tears came to his eyes as he talked in detail about his mother. When that was over, President Kimball looked at the other one, who was now paying strict attention. He said, “Young man, tell me what your father does for a living.” The prisoner said, “I do not know where my father is. I never hear from him.” And he went on and on talking openly about his family. I won’t tell you the details, but what a lesson in counseling, interviewing, and kindness was being taught by this great prophet. I learned more about interviewing in those fifteen minutes than in any similar period in my life. No condemnation. No judging. Only displaying a real interest in the person and his circumstances. Before our interview was over, somehow the press found out that President Kimball was there. They were at the door and wanted to get into the warden’s office for an interview and a picture. I remember one of the inmates said, “Mr. Kimball, could I have my picture taken with you?” President Kimball responded with “Why don’t I stand between the two of you, and we will take all three of us at once.”

Great inspiration comes to those that listen to genius. Great minds challenge one to think deeper about the problem in front of them. One of those geniuses is Clayton Christensen. Not only is he a Harvard Business Professor and famous author he is also a Latter-day Saint and former Area Seventy. I enjoy listening to him solve business and leadership problems because it makes me wonder if his answers would be similar if asked to solve similar LDS leadership problems. Clay Christensen and James Quigley (also LDS and a former bishop) were interviewed by The Economist about leadership, corporate culture, and disruptive innovation. I imagine a conversation about innovating home teaching would garner similar answers. Let's see what we can learn... As an Elder's Quorum President or a Relief Society President have you ever had a new idea for solving a problem that should be implemented? Maybe it is regarding how home teaching is organized, or maybe it is regarding your quorum meeting format. Your new idea feels so profound you can't wait to share it with the quorum. When you do share the idea, you see some initial excitement and buy-in, but over a few weeks you see no lasting effects take hold. In reality, what you are trying to do with a new idea is change quorum culture—the way success happens. Clay Christensen knows why this is usually difficult... The Economist asks: What really changes culture in order to allow business to adapt to new innovation? What Leading Saints would ask: What really changes culture in order to allow quorums to adapt to new home teaching innovation? Listen to his answer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k65l6G-ItSM&feature=youtu.be It's not that leaders have bad ideas about home teaching, but rather they don't frame the problem effectively in order for everyone to understand it completely. Your job is to give them a language to frame the problem and then they will be in step with you as a leader. So how is this done?.....How can you effectively change culture in your quorum so that everyone buys-in and executes your idea in a way that will create success (as you have seen it) The Economist asks (directed at Jim Quigley): What do you think works in changing culture in this way? What Leading Saints would ask: What do you think works in changing culture in an Elder's Quorum? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DklR28e24R4&feature=youtu.be   Being the benevolent dictator is difficult. Imagine you have an innovative approach to improving home teaching. Everyone in the group agrees it would be effective but then your meeting ends and the discipline it takes to execute the solution is lacking. The value of the innovative solution is never reached. At this point, many make the mistake of trying to think of a new innovative solution to fix the problem when their real problem is driving the idea "deep into the fabric of your enterprise." In this next clip Clay Christensen teaches us a great principle about home teaching. The Economist asks: How can a manager kill a project that isn't going to work in order to be more effective as a company? What Leading Saints would ask: How can a leader make sure home teaching will be more effective? In his example think of the customer as the home teaching family. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P45s8u3yCgg&feature=youtu.be When trying to improve home teaching do you default to the data? Or do you look at the problems. To create change in home teaching you need to identify the problems people have and how they can be fixed. This is great insight!

Chris Staggs was so kind to sit in the interviewer chair and ask me some questions. With more than 20 How I Lead interviews on Leading Saints I thought it was time to open up personally and talk more specifically about how I lead as a bishop, why I started Leading Saints, and what I see in the future for this organization.

President Rychen Jones is an elder's quorum president in Salem, Oregon. At the time of this interview he had served for 9 months. Listen to this interview in order to hear how he approaches his weekly quorum meeting to make it focused and enjoyable for those in attendance. President Jones' 5 Leadership Principles 1. Great counselors who I trust completely 2. Find, beg for (if necessary) and call great quorum instructors (who do people respond to?) 3. Have a purpose for every lesson and activity (can it be readily identified by a stranger?) 4. Allow room for the spirit to work (ponder teachers for a specific lesson) 5. Never ever feel bound by "traditions" of how things have been done in the past. Periodically ask "why are we doing this? Is it necessary? Is it helping?" Links BatchGEO.com 7 Unbreakable Rules of a Church Meeting

Chad Francom is a bishop in West Valley City, UT. He is also my older brother. I was excited to interview him and hear about what he learned in the last 8 years as bishop. Yes, that right's, he's been bishop for 8 years and counting. He's a remarkable big brother and I am excited to share with you his knowledge in this interviews. Bishop Francom's 5 Leadership Principles: * Delegate or Make Auxiliary/Quorum President's make most decisions that affect their auxiliary/Quorum (with reason) * Make everyone feel loved like Christ would (visit every home/be among the people) * Have Fun/Joke * Relax/Nobody's Perfect * Strengthen Testimonies of Heavenly Father/Christ/Gospel * Bring neck beards back

Steve Willis has served in many leadership capacities in the church including Bishop, Branch President, Stake Presidency, and is currently serving as a Young Men’s President. One aspect that he teaches is how to focus on vital behaviors and how to achieve specific outcomes.  Whether you are a bishop looking to improve your ward’s mission plan or a youth leader trying to increase attendance, focusing on the techniques outlined can help you magnify your calling. In this interview we find some valuable take-aways such as: * Finding the vital behaviors-the most effective actions that lead to our desired results (not all activities are created equally.) * When we zero in on vital behaviors, it creates focus and we realize what needs to be done to influence someone to engage in the behavior we’re looking for. * How to get sensitives topics out-if you can’t talk about it, you can’t fix it! * There must be a balance between being direct and candid, and showing love.  This is done by establishing mutual purpose and respect.

Kreig and Sherry Smith are from Overland Park, Kansas. They are preparing to serve a Leader and Member Support mission in the Brazil, Santa Maria Mission on September 7th , 2015. Following his service as a missionary in Brazil, Kreig and Sherry met in a class while attending BYU. Kreig has a Masters degree in Organizational Behavior and Sherry has a Masters degree in Communicative Disorders. After moving around in their early marriage they moved to Kansas where they raised their family of 4 children. Kreig and Sherry have both served in many leadership callings within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kreig has served as a counselor in a Stake Presidency, as a Bishop, having had 3 counselors serve with him, and also as Elder’s Quorum President and Young Men’s President. Sherry has served in Relief Society Presidencies, including being in two presidencies at the same time, Primary Presidencies and Young Women Presidencies. Key points: * We are not in charge * Helping people live up to their privilege * Connecting the temporal need to the spiritual habit * Calling people other than the “same ten people” * Counseling with those with welfare needs * Evidence-based direct counseling with members * Helping members move from crisis mode to planning for the future Links referenced: Pathway in partnership with BYU-Idaho

How young is too young to have conversations with your children about intimacy and human sexuality? On this podcast, we get the answer from Dina Alexander, President and Founder of Educate and Empower Kids. In the digital age, where a couple of clicks can lead your child to a place he or she shouldn’t be online, it is increasingly important to protect them and educate them about this topic. Dina addresses the need to start the conversation around sexuality and pornography early. In her books “30 Days of Sex Talks,” she outlines age-appropriate ways to broach these delicate topics. Additionally, having “the talk” should not be an event, but regular conversations that create environments of openness. When children know they can ask their parents about anything, they’re armed with tools and better ideas of how to respond when (not if) they’re exposed to immorality. Some things seem like “no brainers” when it comes to intimacy, but so many evil things are being normalized and we need to make sure our children know what is right and what is not. Dina suggests you start where you’re at. If you have some catching up to do, that’s ok, but start the conversations now. If you are in the Salt Lake City area this weekend, consider attending the UCAP, "the biggest conference in the country educating the public about the problems and solutions concerning pornography.” Dina is one of several experts who will be on hand and presenting; more information can be found at the Utah Coalition website. Visit EducateEmpowerKids.org to learn more about Dina and her organization. You can find information about her books as well as tips, articles and tools to educate yourself and empower your family to defend itself against the dangers of pornography.

Few topics are as emotionally charged or require more sensitivity than same-sex attraction. This complex matter touches on the things we care about most: our basic humanity, our relationship to family, our identity and potential as children of God, how we treat each other, and what it means to be disciples of Christ.  - mormonsandgays.org In this podcast, we have an enlightening conversation with Ty Mansfield, President of North Star International, and former bishops Dale, Joseph, and Monte. All of these faithful priesthood leaders experience same-sex attraction (or SSA), and their candid insight is certain to help other leaders gain a better understanding of this challenge. We explore: * what resources are available to church leaders and members alike through the Church, North Star International, and the Voices of Hope Project. * how to help someone reconcile same-sex feelings with the doctrines of a family-centric church * what to say (and what not to say) to someone who experiences SSA, or to a family member of someone who does * how to create a loving, safe, and compassionate environment in your congregation for those who experience SSA Whether you're a bishop, serving in a stake presidency, or an auxiliary or youth leader, you will come away from this podcast with a deeper appreciation for the gospel plan and how there is a place for all of God's children in it. At the North Star Conference, there will be a special leadership track for church leaders to ask questions and learn more about how they can effectively support SSA members in their ward. Register below. Helpful Resouces & Links: mormonsandgays.org North Star International's North Star Conference, (April 23-25, Provo, UT) Voices of Hope Project "What (and What Not) to Say to Someone Who Experiences Same-sex Attraction" Transgender Mormon - The Cultural Hall Podcast Books: Voices of Hope Book In Quiet Desperation A Bigger World Yet

NetNanny is one of the leading software developers in the fight for protecting families from the harmful affects of pornography. NetNanny is part of ControlWatch which is a pioneer in the industry and has more than a million customers world-wide. They have won countless awards because of their work in protecting families and businesses from the evils of pornography. I got the chance to sit down with Clayton Oslter who is the Senior Director of Technology at NetNanny and interview him for the Leading Saints podcast. He is the Young Men's President in his Salt Lake ward and also sits on the board of the Utah Coalition Against Pornography. We discuss some of the following topics: * Obstacles that 2015 technology presents in order to filter pornographic content. * How NetNanny works to enable parents to protect all devices in a home. * Why the family computer is no longer where the big temptation lies. * How to effectively protect accessing negative content on a smartphone. Try NetNanny for FREE

Kristen Jenson is the author of Good Pictures Bad Pictures: Porn-Proofing Today's Young Kids. It is her mission to immunize your children against the destructive and addictive dangers of pornography. She currently resides in Richland, Washington. She grew up in the Boston area and later served a mission to Portugal. She is now serving as a gospel doctrine teacher. In this interview we discuss appropriate ways that parents and church leaders can discuss the sensitive subject of pornography. Her book is a tool to make the conversation more natural and to also encourage children to ask question around the subject so that they see the parent as a resource in avoiding the dangers of pornography. We also discuss the following questions: * Will parents and leaders foster curiosity by speaking to young children about pornography? * When is the appropriate age to start discussing topics of sexuality? * How do you teach children about the healthy side of sexuality? * What are the misconceptions parents and leaders have about the impact of pornography on youth? * What strategies can parents teach to children when they accidentally view pornography?  Links: * Overcoming Pornography (LDS Church resource) * PornProofKids.com * Good Pictures Bad Pictures Book

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaVnqaXOL8w&feature=youtu.be The Food Order Reference Guide is a tools used by bishops, branch presidents, Relief Society presidents, or anyone else that is tasked with filling out an LDS Food Order Form. This reference guide is a 8.5" by 11", durably laminated, 3 page guide. The purpose of this guide is to help LDS leaders more effectively feed families and individuals in need of food. Without this guide it can be difficult to calculate how much food to order that will sufficiently feed a family in need. The Food Order Reference Guide has an easily understandable infographic on the front. This diagram teaches those in need how LDS church welfare works. It teaches those unfamiliar with church programs that food and resources the Church has available come from their neighbor's donations who have fasted for two meals a month and donated the money saved to the fast offering program. Inside the Food Order Reference Guide you will find a layout very similar to the Church's official food order form that gives serving sizes of each item and menu ideas to help family easily cook nutritious meals. It is the mission of Leading Saints to increase leaders' capability in the Church across the world. The more bishop's, branch presidents, and Relief Society presidents use the Food Order Reference Guide, the more the Church will conserve resources and more effectively feed families by giving them the amount of food they are needing. Order one for yourself or for a leader you know and receive free shipping today! Physical description: laminated 8.5" by 11" Shipping: Free Buy multiple reference guides and save. Order Now If you would like to print out just the serving size page in pdf format visit the Food Order Servings Per Container Cheat Sheet

Steven and Rhyll Croshaw live in Mapleton, Utah and are the founders of SA Lifeline, a non-profit organization that helps individuals and couples struggling with pornography or any other type of sexual addiction. They have authored many books and speak around the county (including at UCAP Conference) about the pressing need for greater awareness and education of the negative effects of pornography. In this interview they speak from experience since their marriage was almost lost to Steven's sexual addictions. They tell their story of overcoming this violation trust and how they pieced their marriage back together. They also cover important topics that many church leaders overlook, including: * how to recognize addiction * how to help an individual disclose their addition to their spouse or loved ones * why protections from pornography is more important than prevention * why a bishop shouldn't feel alone when mentoring someone through addiction. They are truly part of a team. Also, they discuss the effects of betrayal trauma. This is referencing the trauma a spouse goes through when they find out about a spouse's addiction. This concept can't be emphasized enough! Church leaders needs to be aware of betrayal trauma and offer support and resources to those affected by it. I strongly recommend this interview to any leader that is mentoring someone through a sexual addiction. Please pass it on to other bishops, stake president, or elder's quorum presidents you may know.  

* "Come down"—this is a phrase very commonly found in the scriptures. It is often used in the context of a request to a leader—requesting they "come down" from their mountain or from whatever state they are in. Daniel pleaded for Saul to "come down" (1 Samuel 23:11 & 20), The Lord "came down" to the valley of Nimrod to speak with the brother of Jared (Ether 2:4). There were even times when leaders refused to "come down" because they were involved in "a great work" (Nehemiah 6:3). And, of course, "God himself [came] down among the children of men." Leaders Must "Come Down" Leadership has a natural tendency to put you on a higher level. Not in terms of pride or prestige, but rather, in terms of perspective. As a leader, you have a unique perspective on the status of the ward or quorum. You have the specific authority or sometimes priesthood keys that give you access to the inspiration that nobody else has. For example, an elders quorum president has access to home teaching reports, attendance reports; he has attended meetings where information about individuals or ward programs are shared. From this exclusive information, the elders quorum president might see a dramatic attendance drop between sacrament meeting and elders quorum meeting. Or while others in the quorum are doing their best to minister, the elders quorum president can look at his ministering interviews notes and notice 5 specific families being forgotten; and if they were noticed, could have a dramatic impact on the ward. Humans tend to generalize their experience or perspective. People think that because they can see an obvious problem, everyone around them can obviously see the problem. As a leader, we then get frustrated why this "obvious" problem isn't being seen and fixed by others in our quorum. It is the duty of the leader to articulate the problem (even the "obvious" problems) so everyone can gain a desire to find a solution. Once the quorum problem is described and the leader invites the quorum to act, those you lead will understand why this is a problem and help you find solutions. In Abraham 3:21 the Lord "[came] down unto [Abraham] to declare unto [him]". Abraham learned important truths of the Lord's plan and learned that he was chosen before he was born." This was an informative experience for Abraham. From this experience, he was able to understand his purpose and take action. He could not have gained this understanding without the Lord "coming down" and articulating it to him. I can understand if this seems frustrating. Do we really need to spoon feed people problems? Do they really not see these "obvious" service gaps? As leaders we sometimes feel like the duty of those we lead has already been explained. We feel they clearly understand their expectation to do their home teaching, or magnify their calling. It's true, there are general understandings that have been drilled into our heads for years (i.e. Ministering, take meals to new moms, fellowship those around you, etc.), but these are simply too general. It is crucial for a leader to explain the more detailed problems that face a quorum or group. These details usually include names of individuals struggling, or unique characteristics of your ward that may not be apparent to the arm-chair quarterbacks casually attending week-to-week. For example, a Sunday School president may know that he needs to keep an eye on things during the Sunday School hour, but he may not know that 20% of the ward is leaving before the second hour begins. Or the youth leader may know he needs to put on a Wednesday activity each week, but he may not realize Brother Larsen in the elders quorum has finally made consistent contact with a less-active family with teenage boys. Communicating from your unique leadership perspective also humanizes the problem, which makes it more likely people will be willing to help fix the ...