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.

Jon 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

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.