Leading Saints Podcast

Tad R. Callister, an attorney and former General Sunday School President, shares his journey in writing A Case for the Book of Mormon. He discusses how his legal training helped shape his doctrinal arguments and the importance of personal scripture study. Callister emphasizes the role of questioning in learning and the balance between reason and spiritual witness. He also addresses criticisms of the Book of Mormon, highlighting the importance of spiritual testimony alongside archaeological evidence.

Skyler Wilcox is originally from Logan, Utah and is the senior administrator with the Especially For Youth (EFY) program. He has a bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a masters degree in Public Administration, both from Brigham Young University. After working as a counselor and coordinator for four summers, Skyler joined the EFY team full time in 2020. When not at work, he enjoys cheering on his favorite sports teams, including the Jazz, Cougars, Cowboys, and Mammoth. He also loves musical theater and performing on stage. Skyler married his sweetheart Jenny and they have adopted four children through foster care. Previous Church callings include ward clerk, assistant executive secretary, youth Sunday School teacher, and elders quorum secretary. Links EFY: Especially for Youth Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights Overview The conversation centers on how EFY has successfully adapted its model after the Church’s 2019 announcement of FSY (For the Strength of Youth) and what principles leaders can use to create profound, testimony-building experiences for their own youth. Key Insights EFY’s New Focus on Specialized Experiences: EFY still exists but has transitioned from the traditional campus model to running specialized, experiential programs to complement FSY. These include Adventure sessions (like white water rafting and canyoning) and Church History tours, which are designed for youth who thrive in active, challenging, and outdoor learning environments. Connection and Authenticity are Paramount: The most crucial need for youth today is genuine connection. Skyler emphasizes that leaders must be vulnerable and authentic, avoiding an overly enthusiastic or “rah-rah” persona that youth perceive as fake. This realness is key to building trust. Teach the Gospel Directly: Leaders should not shy away from teaching the doctrines of Jesus Christ plainly and straightforwardly. Skyler asserts that youth are not only ready to hear the gospel as it is but actively need it to navigate the complexities of the modern world. Fostering a Sense of Being Known: The new, smaller scale of EFY sessions cultivates a tight-knit environment where youth are known by their counselors as individuals, rather than just numbers in a large group. This personal attention fosters deeper, more impactful faith connections. Inspiring Personal Revelation: Effective teaching is ultimately focused on pointing the youth back to their own personal study and experience. The best teachers share their own personal “aha moments” they’ve gained through scripture study, inspiring youth to develop the habit of seeking and receiving personal revelation for themselves. Experiential Learning as a Faith Catalyst: Activities that are a little uncomfortable or risky (like completing a difficult outdoor challenge) create a “bank” of faith. Skyler notes these experiences teach youth they “can do hard things,” preparing them to rely on the Savior when facing future real-world challenges. Leadership Applications Be Genuine, Not Goofy: Rather than trying to be excessively “cool” or entertaining, leaders should focus on being authentic by finding moments to be vulnerable and share sincere experiences prompted by the Spirit, which naturally builds resonance with the youth. Prioritize Love Over Doctrine: When encountering a youth who is disengaged or struggling, leaders should first ensure they are loving the youth unconditionally. This Christ-like love creates the lasting impact that will open the door for teaching another day, even if not everything can be taught at once. Empower Young Adults: Recognizing the pivotal nature of the young adult years, leaders can look for opportunities to involve them in service and leadership. For instance, EFY has successfully expanded its counselor roles to include married couples, which strengthens the young adults’ own testimonies while giving the youth a powerful, Christ-centered marriage example. 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. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. 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, Benjamin Hardy, 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, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, 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.

Unknown Guest C, an experienced stake leader, shares invaluable insights on serving in the High Council. They discuss how to navigate the open-ended nature of the calling by proactively engaging with ward organizations. The importance of spiritual preparation and the role of the Spirit in their responsibilities are highlighted. Guest C also emphasizes the need for all voices to be heard, helping new councilors overcome feelings of insecurity. They explore practical tools for coordination and the significance of delivering meaningful spiritual messages when working with wards.

Marjorie Nelson Lowder, the youngest daughter of President Russell M. Nelson, shares heartfelt insights about her mother, Dantzel White Nelson. She discusses Dantzel’s profound influence on family traditions, her initial musical pursuits, and her choice to prioritize family over a professional career. Marjorie reflects on their large family's dynamics, the joy of shared singing, and how Dantzel navigated trials with resilience. The conversation also highlights Marjorie's book, inspired by a cherished lullaby from her mother, capturing Dantzel's enduring legacy.

Ernest Lee Davis, an author and leader in the field of servant leadership, focuses on inclusion for marginalized communities. He shares how his personal journey, including an injury and discovering faith, inspired him to write 'Leading in the Lord's Way.' Ernest emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership, discussing how it fosters connection and support for troubled youth. He advocates for meaningful opportunities and representation in the Church, encouraging leaders to actively pursue diversity and create a beloved community reflective of Christ's teachings.

Dan Duckworth, a speaker and writer on leadership, dives into navigating community tragedies within Latter-day Saint congregations. He emphasizes the need for leaders to recognize emotional climates and engage in vulnerable discussions to foster healing. Duckworth shares practical examples of facilitating emotional processing, stressing the importance of creating safe spaces for members. He advocates for a church that supports real-life suffering while framing community unity as an essential aspect of leadership. Together, they explore how genuine connections can rekindle faith in difficult times.

Golden Lund, a former bishop and music instructor from Iowa, shares his journey navigating church leadership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. He opens up about his struggles with mental health, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and the role of community support. Lund discusses the unique challenges faced during his tenure, including the emotional toll of burnout and how vulnerability can strengthen leadership. His insights into ADHD and personal growth highlight the significance of self-care in fostering resilience within faith communities.

In this engaging discussion, Curtis Morley, an 'emotionologist' and author, dismantles myths surrounding pornography recovery. He emphasizes the crucial difference between sobriety—simply abstaining from pornography—and true recovery, which requires understanding and processing underlying emotions. Morley shares insights on overcoming victimhood through emotional empowerment and the importance of community support. He encourages listeners to reframe setbacks as growth opportunities and highlights the journey of breaking free from shame and cultivating authentic emotions.

In this engaging discussion, Jeff Burningham, an accomplished entrepreneur and author of *The Last Book Written by a Human*, dives into the intricate dance between humanity and AI. He argues that while AI enhances efficiency, it can’t replicate human connection, urging church leaders to prioritize genuine relationships. Jeff shares insights on navigating disruption with love and fostering authentic leadership. He emphasizes reflection and personal growth as keys to thriving in a tech-driven world, illustrating the transformative power of compassion and community.

Matt Miles is a Political Science professor at Brigham Young University–Idaho and a co-host of This Week in Mormons and the Latter-day Lens podcasts. Links The Latter-day Lens podcast This Week in Mormons The Metrics of Faith: Rethinking Religion’s Role in US Politics Transcript available with the video in the Zion Lab community Highlights This discussion centers on a research-backed framework for measuring religiosity, moving beyond traditional metrics to focus on the transformative effects of faith on an individual’s life. Beyond the Three B’s: Traditionally, religiosity has been measured by “the three B’s”: Behavior (what a person does), Belonging (their social connections), and Belief (their convictions). Matt Miles argues that these are insufficient measures of genuine faith. The Fourth B: Becoming: A more accurate measure is “religious becoming”—the extent to which a person has been transformed by their faith. This concept suggests that true religiosity is not just about actions but about internal change. Four Aspects of Transformation: Based on his research, Miles identified four universal traits that indicate “religious becoming”: Transcendence (a connection to the divine), Humanity (love for others), Justice (a belief in fairness), and Temperance (humility). Faith and Political Tolerance: The research shows that individuals with higher scores in “religious becoming” are more politically tolerant. They are less likely to view those with opposing political views as a threat, in contrast to those whose faith is measured only by the “three B’s.” Challenges of Genuine Change: The episode highlights the difficulty for leaders and parents in discerning whether someone has truly been transformed by the gospel or is simply going through the motions. Leadership Applications Leaders should focus on teaching a “holistic gospel” that emphasizes the principles of “becoming,” rather than just providing a checklist of behaviors. This encourages genuine internal change over external compliance. The discussion suggests that the Church is effective at teaching “transcendence” (connection to God) but could improve at teaching “humanity” (love for others) and “temperance” (humility). Leaders can apply this insight by creating more opportunities for members to serve others and develop empathy. The research on political tolerance can help leaders foster more charitable and understanding discussions within their wards and stakes, particularly on sensitive topics. 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. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab community. 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, Benjamin Hardy, 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, Coaches Jennifer Rockwood and Brandon Doman, 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.