Leading Saints Podcast

Why Your Elders Quorum Needs Round Tables | An Interview from Salty Saints

Apr 3, 2025

Join Hayden Holm, co-host of the Salty Saints YouTube channel, and Daniel Oki, an Elders Quorum president from Charlotte, as they revolutionize Elders Quorum dynamics. Daniel shares insights on transforming unengaging meetings into round-table discussions filled with snacks and brotherhood. He candidly reflects on overcoming the challenges of a diverse quorum and re-engaging members through meaningful conversations and anonymous surveys. Their innovative approach aims to reshape church culture while strengthening connections among members.

35:38

Creator website

Episode guests

Daniel Oki

Hayden Holm

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Implementing round table discussions with snacks fosters meaningful connections and socialization among Elders Quorum members, enhancing engagement.

Utilizing anonymous surveys to address pressing issues promotes open dialogue, transforming meetings into a supportive and relevant community space.

Deep dives

The Need for Change in Elder's Quorum

Many participants in Elder's Quorum meetings often experience disconnection, leading them to dread attendance rather than look forward to it. This common sentiment stems from a lack of engaging discussions and meaningful connections among members, resulting in an atmosphere where individuals are not motivated to participate. By exploring alternative approaches, such as implementing round table discussions and incorporating snacks into meetings, the dynamics of these gatherings can be fundamentally transformed. These simple changes foster socialization and create opportunities for more genuine interactions among members, which are essential for building a supportive community.

Intro

3min

Revitalizing the Elders Quorum

14min

Navigating Family and Church Leadership Dynamics

4min

Building Brotherhood in the Elders Quorum

10min

Revitalizing Elders Quorums Through Initiative and Community

5min

What if your elders quorum could be completely transformed? One elders quorum president has a bold new vision that could reshape Latter-day Saint priesthood meetings, service efforts, and quorum unity. Hayden Holm, co-host of Salty Saints, and guest Daniel Ockey—an Elders Quorum president from Charlotte, North Carolina—shares an innovative approach to revitalizing the elders quorum experience. Daniel’s bold new vision could reshape meetings, service efforts, and quorum unity, potentially changing ward culture, ministering, and priesthood responsibilities for the better. This is a rebroadcast of the original conversation from Salty Saints.

Links

Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community
Read the transcript of this podcast
Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library

Highlights

Daniel shares his experiences in his newly formed ward, where he describes the challenges of leading a smaller elders quorum that lacked teachers and faced a diverse demographic, from new fathers to retirees.

Daniel candidly reflects on his own disillusionment with traditional elders quorum meetings, which often felt unengaging and disconnected. Inspired by a Christian men’s group he attended, he implemented a round-table format with snacks to foster socialization and brotherhood among the members. This approach encourages men to bond over food and engage in meaningful discussions, breaking away from the typical lecture-style meetings. Daniel also introduced anonymous surveys to identify the needs and challenges faced by the brethren, allowing for more relevant and impactful discussions during meetings. He shares examples of the types of questions raised, such as concerns about worthiness to take the sacrament and the struggle of helping children return to church.

The episode emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming and engaging environment in elders quorum, where members feel comfortable sharing their struggles and seeking support. Daniel’s initiatives have led to increased attendance and participation, with even members from other wards joining in. He encourages other elders quorum presidencies to seek inspiration through prayer and to be open to change, ultimately aiming to create a more vibrant and supportive community within the church.

01:55 – Introduction to Salty Saints YouTube Channel
02:38 – Interview with Daniel Oki, Elders Quorum President
03:46 – Description of Daniel’s Ward and Elders Quorum
05:05 – Discussion on the Demographics of the Ward
06:43 – Daniel’s Experience with Elders Quorum
08:15 – Changing the Elders Quorum Experience
08:49 – Implementing Round Tables and Snacks
10:43 – Creating a Comfortable Social Environment
12:27 – Importance of Engaging Discussions
13:42 – Anonymous Surveys for Needs and Challenges
15:05 – Addressing Difficult Questions in Elders Quorum
16:15 – Moving Beyond Fluff in Lessons
17:15 – Utilizing Church Resources for Discussions
18:04 – Positive Changes in Elders Quorum Attendance
19:28 – Daniel’s Approach to Leadership and Change
21:09 – Engagement and Feedback from the Relief Society
22:07 – Setting Up and Taking Down Tables
24:07 – Positive Reception from High Priests
25:12 – Sisters’ Reactions to the Changes
26:09 – Advice for Elders Quorum Presidencies
29:34 – Encouragement for Elders Seeking Connection

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.