A Story of Finding Belonging and Love Through Joining the Church

Monte Holm spent his early years working on a farm in Idaho, and at age 17 moved himself to St. George, Utah, where he worked odd jobs in construction, finished high school, joined the Church, and chose to serve a two-year mission in North Carolina. Following his mission and studying at Dixie State University, Monte co-founded and built a successful financial services business with hundreds of offices across North America. He has served as elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president, and with his wife Lisa served as leaders of the South Carolina Columbia Mission, and have also served on corporate boards and as trustees for charitable organizations. Monte authored the book Expect to Win and he and Lisa are often asked to speak at conventions, universities, and at business, church and charity events. They currently live in St. George, Utah, and have six children and 23 grandchildren. Highlights 02:10 Monte grew up in a fundamentalist community but joined the Church when he was 17 years old. He talks about his conversion story. 06:50 He served a mission at age 19 and was called to North Carolina. He later served as mission president in South Carolina. 08:10 After getting home from his mission he was mentored by a man that he met on the mission in the financial services industry. 09:30 Monte talks about his first leadership experiences in the Church shortly after joining. His Bishop gave him a calling right away and has been one of the most influential people in his life. 12:00 Monte has had the opportunity to serve as an elders quorum president, bishop, and stake president. One of the things that he learned about the most is love. When it’s about the people you serve and not about you, you lose yourself in their lives and not your own. 13:30 Examples of showing love 17:45 Transitioning from being a bishop to stake president. One thing that he learned and that he really felt in this transition was that duty is more important than pleasure. 21:40 Monte served as stake president for seven years due to moving out of the area. He felt like it was his duty to stay for the nine years but had a very instructional calling with a general authority. The Lord has also prepared others to take our place. It’s okay to have changes. 26:50 Transitioning out of being a stake president. 28:30 Monte was called to be a mission president before he was a bishop and stake president. He tells the story of getting called by Elder Holland. 31:00 How being a mission president before being a stake president impacted how he served as a stake president. 33:15 How he handled meetings with young people that were preparing for a mission. Things he did to make sure they were prepared. 35:50 Starting out as mission president in South Carolina. Monte talks about the process of getting prepared and trained beforehand. 38:10 Casting a vision on his mission and missionaries. Aligning your vision with the Lord and the first presidency. 43:40 Reflections on being a mission president for three years in South Carolina. Things that he taught his missionaries. Setting culture through mottos and sayings. 50:00 There are really only two things that inspire people: things that they see and things that they hear. When people see you and hear you being a great leader they will be inspired to do the same. 51:30 Monte’s final thoughts on leadership Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library 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.