What I Learned About Leadership When My 2nd Counselor Left the Church

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in October 2016. In August of 2015 I was released as bishop, but my second counselor didn't show up to be released. I was concerned about what he was going through. A few months before that meeting, Heath—my 2nd counselor—disclosed to me the faith struggle he was experiencing. He had been striving to put his doubts to rest and gain a new level of conviction to the restored gospel. I was even more shocked when he and his family removed their names from the rolls of the Church. Thankfully my friendship with Heath has continued. We have had many uplifting conversations over lunch. These discussions were so uplifting that Heath suggested I interview him for my podcast. He was mainly joking, but I liked the idea. It turned out to be a special experience for me. I have learned so much about faith and testimony, and what leaders need to be aware of when members in their ward doubt. I strongly encourage you to listen to the episode above and then share it with a leader and a friend.

Summary

Heath is an immigration attorney in Salt Lake City, Utah. He completed his undergraduate work at Brigham Young University-Idaho before graduating from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. He became active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a junior in high school and later served a mission to Ecuador. He has served as elders quorum president and most recently as second counselor in the bishopric when Kurt served as bishop. He, his wife, and their three kids stopped attending church the day the bishopric was dissolved and in June 2016 chose to remove their names from church records. In this podcast, Heath tells his story of the doubts he had, his struggles with uncertainty, the day he finally got an answer, and how he has begun to feel more at peace since discovering others like him who are struggling with similar issues but who believe in the Church and are still able to serve. Kurt also explores one of the most difficult questions facing leaders in the Church: How to encourage individuals who are struggling in their faith—in their quest for certainty—without discouraging them or putting too much pressure on them to get there.

Links

Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling, by Richard Bushman Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Secular Buddhist Association Why Your "Without a Shadow of a Doubt" Testimony is Hurting Your Leadership Elder Holland’s Secret to Teaching | Sharing the Fire of Your Faith There is already a conversation started about this rebroadcast podcast. Join in HERE. Watch on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this interview Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library

Highlights

8:30 Began to have concerns about certain aspects of church history in 2006 as a student at BYU-I

* Began reading Rough Stone Rolling,