Leading Saints Podcast

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.

Recognizing that most gospel teaching at home and even at church in their ward was done by women, Garrett decided to include women in the Sunday School presidency. Monica, one of the teaching advisors in the presidency, highlights the success of their approach, especially in addressing the challenges faced by women in implementing Come Follow Me at home. The podcast delves into the structure of their meetings, the proactive nature of their leadership, and the emphasis on Teaching in the Savior’s Way. The dynamic and collaborative nature of their presidency meetings fostered a strong bond among the members and led to better teaching in the ward as a whole.

00:03:06 – Garret’s Background and Role as Sunday School President

00:07:40 – Monica’s Perspective on Serving in the Sunday School Presidency

00:10:19 – Structure and Dynamics of the Sunday School Presidency

00:14:10 – Importance of Being a Difference Maker in Leadership

00:19:22 – Implementation of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents

00:25:13 – Emphasizing Christ-Centered Teaching

00:29:05 – Structure of Teacher Council Meetings for Parents and Teachers

00:34:11 – Importance of Building Relationships and Camaraderie in Leadership

00:36:38 – Proactive Approach to Leadership and Ministry

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Paul McHardy was raised primarily in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to Utah to earn a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Brigham Young University and eventually a master’s degree in Professional Communication from Weber State University. Paul has managed multiple omni-channel marketing teams (SEO, PPC, email, social, and affiliates), and has experience with branding, market research, user experience, and product development. In 2021 he took the opportunity to specialize in search engine optimization by joining Church employment as the Head of Global SEO.

Paul currently lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah, with his wife, Aleta, and three young daughters. He loves athletics, collecting trinkets, music, and BYU sports. He has served in various callings over the years, but has spent most of his adult life as either a Sunday School teacher or in a Sunday School presidency, and currently serves in his stake Sunday School presidency.

This 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

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in November 2019.

Barbara Morgan Gardner is an associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University, and the author of The Priesthood Power of Women. Her research interests focus primarily on women in religious leadership, international education, and religious pedagogy. She holds a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Foundations and a PhD in Instructional Psychology, and did post-doctoral work at Harvard University. Barbara was Institute director in Boston, Massachusetts, serving more than 100 universities and colleges in the area and acting as chaplain at Harvard and MIT. She continues to serve as the chaplain-at-large in higher education for The Church, and on the BYU Interfaith Outreach Council. She and her husband, Dustin Gardner, live in Highland, Utah.

05:40 – Why was the book written? To help women and men understand what priesthood is.

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.

Marla and Nate Christensen are an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor, respectively, working under the supervision of Tony Overbay, LMFT. They work in a private practice setting in Rocklin, California, and share various mental health topics on their podcast “Working Change”. Marla and Nate have been married for five years and have a blended family of seven children ranging in age from 25 to four years old.

Marla has a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. She often works with couples, individuals, and teens. Her primary areas of focus are grief, betrayal, codependency, and life adjustments. Marla is in the Primary presidency in her ward and loves working with young people. She has served in Relief Society and Primary presidencies and taught in Sunday School, Primary, and Relief Society.

Nate has a master’s degree in counseling from Northwestern University and works primarily with adult and teen individuals. He most enjoys working with people on issues he has worked on in his life, including anxiety, depression, addiction, ADHD, codependency, and immaturity. Nate has spent several years as the facilitator for his stake’s Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) group.

In this podcast episode, Marla and Nate 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 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.

How Nate and Marla’s Journeys Led to Becoming Therapists

00:03:31 – Nate’s Background and Struggles with Mental Health

The Importance of the Addiction Recovery Program (ARP)

00:24:21 – The Benefits of the ARP Program for Both Addicts and Partners

Understanding Codependence and Enmeshment

00:33:35 – Exploring the Concept of Codependence and Enmeshment

Navigating Relationships and Dependency

00:40:13 – Marla’s Reflection on Codependency in Past Relationships

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Emma Smith’s previous church callings include serving in the nursery, Primary, Relief Society, and as a Young Women president. She currently serves as the second counselor in the Thames Valley Stake Young Women. Emma has a degree in Acting and Performing Arts, and works in infant, primary, and secondary schools delivering mental health, anti-bullying, and resilience drama workshops for a theatre company. She is a parton for the Child Bereavement UK charity, and most grateful for being a mother and raising her 9- and 14-year-old sons.

Emma shares her experiences and insights on leadership in her local Young Women organizations. She emphasizes the importance of pondering and praying for the young women she served, taking time to understand their needs and interests.

Emma also highlights the significance of building relationships with the youth and recognizing their talents to create meaningful connections. She recounts a touching story where the young women surprised her with cards of love and support during a vulnerable moment, showcasing the reciprocal nature of service and love in leadership roles.

Throughout the interview, Emma reflects on how her time as a leader has taught her patience, love, and the value of serving others. Her journey as a leader in the Young Women organization exemplifies the transformative power of service, connection, and faith in leadership roles within the Church.

00:02:53 – Background and Experience in the Church

00:05:08 – Serving in the Young Women Organization

00:10:36 – Activities and Events for Youth

00:15:39 – Importance of Pondering and Praying for Youth

00:18:31 – Engaging Youth through Vision Boards

00:22:00 – Sunday Meeting Approaches

00:23:36 – Giving Time to Study and Pray

00:24:07 – Personal Story of Vulnerability and Support

00:28:01 – Reflection on Leadership Experience and Personal Growth

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Larry Richman retired in 2022 after working as a Church employee for 45 years. He was a project and product manager for many of the Church’s programs, such as Sunday and weekday programs for adults, youth, and children as well as leader training and tools. He was the director of LDS.org and the Church’s social media efforts from 2003–2008.

Larry has authored over a dozen books and thousands of articles in magazines and websites. As an entrepreneur, he has started several businesses and provided leadership training and consulting for several companies. He has also served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for non-profit organizations. From 2022–2023, Larry served a full-time mission as the executive secretary for the Africa South Area Presidency.

Larry 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:

40:30 Understanding and using the handbook. How strictly does it need to be followed?

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.

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…

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

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.

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Elder Alvin F. “Trip” Meredith III is the president of Brigham Young University–Idaho and a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Prior to his call as a General Authority, President 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.

President 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. President Meredith was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and married Jennifer Edgin. They are the parents of six children.

In this podcast conversation, President 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, President 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.

3:30 President Meredith’s background and journey to becoming president of BYU-Idaho

9:50 Stepping into the role of the president of BYU-Idaho. Elder Meredith didn’t have a background in higher education and everything was new to him. He spent the first 100 days just listening.

15:00 Gathering feedback by doing surveys and speaking with different groups and counseling sessions

18:00 Facilitating a better council dynamic

19:30 President Meredith grew up in a part-member family in Tennessee. He served a mission in Salt Lake City, Utah.

21:00 Being mentored by his mission president. He was a constant example of what good leadership looked like and gave good feedback. He led with great love and high expectations.

22:00 In church leadership we have to be careful that we don’t become caretakers but difference makers.

23:40 A good leader invites people to change and stretch to reach their full potential.

23:55 A characteristic of a good leader is divine discontent.

25:00 President Meredith’s educational and professional background

25:30 Where President Meredith’s leadership experience began

28:50 If President Meredith could go back in time and council himself as a new bishop he would tell himself to focus on the youth and focus on individuals, not just the group.

31:40 Leadership in the Church and in business. Moving around the world.

37:00 Top priorities of a bishop: Wife, children, work, and church call. Family is first.

38:00 The unique experience of being a mission president in Utah. Working with members is vital for Utah missions.

42:30 President Eyring says that there are two things that a leader needs to have.

43:00 How do you approach the rising generation?

46:30 Conveying that the gospel brings joy

48:30 Responsibilities as a member of seventy. Working with stake presidencies.

54:00 Things that President Meredith learned and saw while visiting other stakes

55:10 Why BYU-Idaho?

57:20 President Meredith shares a final experience and what it means to be 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, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Ryan Webb grew up in Tremonton, Utah, and has been married to his wife, KaDawn, for 22 years. They have six children. He has taught within Seminaries and Institutes in Orem, Utah, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Raleigh, North Carolina. He also spent 10 months as the Raleigh Temple Recorder. Ryan has served as a Young Men president, elders quorum president, stake high councilor, bishopric counselor, and currently serves as bishop of his ward.

Ryan discusses his approach to enhancing sacrament meetings by involving the ward council and focusing on creating a worshipful and edifying experience. He shares various creative ideas implemented in sacrament meetings, such as having musical numbers every week, incorporating different languages, and allowing members to share their testimonies on specific topics such as “Why I Believe”—all with the purpose of to strengthening the ward members’ connections to Jesus Christ.

03:10 Ryan Webb’s path in church education. He started with teaching Seminary and is now an Institute director.

06:00 Ryan is currently serving as a bishop. He describes his ward and demographics.

07:10 Ryan’s initial approach as a bishop

08:35 Focus on improving sacrament meetings.

10:20 Implementing changes in sacrament meetings to make people feel more welcome and create a new culture.

12:50 Involving the young women’s president to help make changes in the sacrament meeting and give the young women more chances to serve.

15:50 More ways they have improved sacrament meeting. They threw out the old, cookie cutter ways of doing this meeting and met together to come up with lots of new ideas to worship.

18:20 Music is powerful and brings the spirit. They have tried to have a musical number every meeting.

19:10 Washing away prior tradition because sometimes we feel bound by that tradition. There is power in starting over and just trying new things to see what works. The spirit speaks and can help us create a unique, edifying meeting.

20:30 Involving all the organizations in the ward to do musical numbers. They also involve other churches by inviting their choirs to come and sing in church.

22:00 How they organize sacrament meetings. They don’t do the traditional 10-minute speakers. They normally do shorter talks.

19:11 Involving ward council in sacrament meeting planning.

23:10 Speaking in different languages in sacrament meeting. The whole meeting was short testimonies in different languages.

25:00 Different ideas to create unique sacrament meeting experiences.

27:30 “Why I Believe” testimony meeting. Members had 90 seconds to share why they believe. Members were prepared 3 weeks before and anyone could go up and share.

31:30 Christ-centered sacrament services. Letting people sign up to speak on something that they want to speak on and then connect it to Christ.

35:25 Mother’s Day sacrament meeting

36:30 Establishing a cadence for sacrament meetings

38:20 Ward counsel and involving elders quorum and Relief Society in sacrament meeting planning. Helping the whole ward feel involved in planning sacrament meeting.

40:10 Challenges and lessons learned while trying new ideas

41:20 Improving fast and testimony meeting

42:10 Impact of leadership on personal discipleship

44:00 Ryan’s final thoughts on his leadership experience

The Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints’ mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, and many more in over 700 episodes.

Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.

Brad Agle is a professor of Ethics and Leadership and holds the George W. Romney endowed professorship in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. Brad recently published The Bishop Book, talking about the experiences of serving as a bishop and using quotes from interviews conducted over the past 30 years with former and current bishops, their wives, and stake presidents.

© BYU PHOTO 2010 All Rights Reserved

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 his 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.

3:15 Brad is a professor of ethics and leadership. He has written many academic articles as well as books. He has recently written a book for bishops.

5:40 The story for this book started 34 years ago. The bishop is like the CEO of a ward. He started to study what it meant to be an effective bishop.

9:30 What’s the most difficult thing that bishops go through? It’s not what most people think. It’s getting released.

13:00 How has the focus of the book changed over the past 34 years?

16:55 The bishops in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are a miracle!

17:40 Brad’s experience becoming and serving as a bishop of a brand new ward

21:10 The interview process of bishops for the book. They also interviewed the bishops’ wives.

23:50 Overinvesting in the members. You can’t take away someone’s problem. You are there to help and assist but it’s their problem.

25:00 The different sections and chapters of the book

25:45 Brad’s experience in the Lubbock temple as he was working on the book

27:50 The release of a bishop and how it relates to a retiring CEO. Losing your heroic stature and the heroic mission.

35:20 The heaviness of the mantle and the job

40:30 The dynamic between husband and wife while he serves as bishop. Brad shares an experience of a stake president’s wife.

43:20 Balancing being a bishop and your family life. Don’t neglect your family. Learn to delegate.

47:40 Managing your time well. Being efficient and effective. The calling will take all the time you are willing to give it.

49:10 Brad’s protestant minister friend sent him a little letter about being the perfect pastor.

52:00 Brad quotes President Hinckley

53:00 Brad shares a quote from a former bishop. Be a good counselor and proactively help the bishop to take things off his plate.

58:15 Where to get the bishop book

59:20 Brad’s final advice to bishops. Remember to savor it.

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.