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Leading Saints Podcast

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Apr 18, 2023 • 57min

Lead by Principle | An Interview with Eric Jenson

Originally from Eagle, Idaho, Eric Jenson earned an MBA from Brigham Young University and has built a successful financial services business that has grown to over 100 financial professionals and more than $1 billion in assets placed under management. He now lives in Denver, Colorado, and works as a father-son team with his two oldest sons. Eric served a mission in Santa Rosa, California, and has served as an early morning seminary teacher, a Gospel Doctrine instructor, and in the elders quorum presidency, but his favorite calling was as the priest quorum advisor. He loves to swim with sharks, ski, surf, mountain bike, hike, travel, play tennis and pickleball—but most of all spend time with family creating once-in-a-lifetime memories over and over again. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Eric Jenson 08:00 Don’t sit around waiting to be picked to be a leader. You are a leader now. Heavenly Father picked you. You were born to lead. 10:00 Eric shares his background. He has had leadership opportunities in his job and in the church. 16:20 Ultimate leadership is helping people achieve their divine potential. It’s about how you serve others and what you do to bring the best out of them. 19:00 Eric shares his personal story of growing up and the culture of perfectionism and the shame and guilt that comes with it. 27:30 How you influence people outside the church, in your job, is just as important as how you influence people in the church 28:00 Make room for everyone in the church. We are all at a different point in our progression and faith journey. 34:00 The gospel and the church are two different things. The gospel is the good news and the atonement of Christ. The church is an entity that helps us come unto Christ and live His gospel. 35:45 Believing vs. knowing. Which is more important? 38:20 Leading those in a faith crisis 46:45 Focus on the doctrine, not the dogma. 47:40 The positive changes in the church and the new strength of youth pamphlet 59:30 Final testimony Links Sheri Dew: "You Were Born to Lead, You Were Born for Glory" Elder Russell M. Nelson: "Perfection Pending" 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 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.
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Apr 12, 2023 • 40min

Being a Forerunner as a Leader | A How I Lead Interview with Laauli Faamausili

Laauli Faamausili serves as bishop in his ward in southeastern Washington state, and has previously served as a Sunday School and Primary teacher. He has a bachelor's degree from Eastern Washington University and works in agriculture. He is a big fan of how Leading Saints has helped him in family, church, employment, and civic service. Highlights 03:10 Introduction to Laauli and his background 05:30 Demographics of the ward Laauli leads 07:15 Getting called as bishop and starting out 10:00 Things he has learned in the last five years of being bishop 12:30 Principle one - Jesus is love 16:10 Balancing administration and ministering 18:45 Principle two - Grace. As leaders we need to ask for grace and give others grace. 24:00 Principle three - The Elias principle. Being a forerunner. You are preparing the way for future leaders. 28:48 Focusing on the youth of the ward 33:00 Using technology and apps as leaders 37:00 Laauli’s testimony 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 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.
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Apr 8, 2023 • 1h 16min

The Leadership of Elder Joseph F. Merrill | An Interview with Casey Paul Griffiths

Casey Paul Griffiths is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham Young University. He served a mission in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before returning home to complete a B.A. degree in History at BYU, an M.A. in Religious Education, and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Foundations. Casey served in Seminaries and Institutes for eleven years as a teacher and a curriculum writer. Casey's research focuses on the history of religious education among Latter-day Saints, the history of the Church in the Pacific, and diverse movements associated with the Restoration. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Latter-day Saint history, including Truth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, and Apostle. He is married to Elizabeth Ottley Griffiths and they live in Saratoga Springs with their three children. Highlights 2:00 Introduction to Casey and his new book 5:10 The background of Joseph Merrill 8:50 Joseph Merrill’s faith journey 19:00 Joseph’s wife had very progressive and feminist views. They had a very powerful partnership together. They were both leaders and innovators. 21:20 The Church then and now 22:55 Different political views within the leaders of the church. They were all able to get along. We shouldn’t be afraid of different views. 26:15 The setbacks in Joseph Merrill’s life led him to what he was really supposed to do. He was called by the church to be the church commissioner of education. He created an institute program to help students reconcile their faith with science and other things they were learning at school. 32:15 Joseph’s life didn’t go as he expected but just as God planned it to be. Casey talks about Joseph’s marriages. 37:00 Joseph Merrill was the founding father of the Institute and Seminary programs that we have today. However, in the beginning there were a lot of obstacles and push back to get it started. 48:00 As a leader you have a dynamic vision for something but there's so much pushback from others. It can feel like maybe it’s not meant to be but keep going! Small changes can bring about big results in the end. 50:45 Education is a spiritual activity. Learning and growing are consecrated activities in the church. 52:15 When Joseph was an apostle he was also called as a mission president in Europe. He was very innovative in his church service. 54:20 Joseph Merrill was Gordon B. Hinckley’s mission president. Joseph mentored Gordon. Because of them, the Church started creating new media. 57:00 It’s important to be innovative in the church. How can we use technology to our advantage? Push the possibilities. 59:55 Revelation comes at all levels. Joseph wasn’t an apostle when we came up with the idea for Seminary and Institute. Revelation doesn’t always come from the top down. 1:01:20 The truths of the gospel don’t change but we can go about doing things or teaching things in different ways. President Nelson is a great example of this. He changed up the way we do home teaching and women can now be witnesses. 1:02:30 We are so lucky to have the journals of Joseph Merrill. His writings show his frustrations and inner feelings that really humanize him. 1:04:20 Joseph tried his whole life to find solutions. He always tried to mix science and religion. In the end, after he lost his 2 wives and daughter, he learned that sometimes things are in God’s hands. Faith is vital and reason cannot fix everything. 1:07:30 Faith is the first principle of the gospel because there are so many things that are beyond our control. 1:08:30 The story of Richard Lyman. He was the last apostle to get excommunicated in our dispensation. Joseph was a great friend of Richard. 1:18:30 The messiness of our history makes it genuine instead of manufactured. Sincerity is more important than eloquence. Links Truth Seeker: The Life of Joseph F. Merrill, Scientist, Educator, and Apostle Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Watch on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader ...
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Apr 5, 2023 • 40min

How I Lead as Elders Quorum Secretary | An Interview with Skyler Droubay

Skyler Droubay has a bachelors degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration from Utah State University, and works at a trucking company, Double D Distribution. He is currently a counselor in his bishopric and has previously served as elders quorum secretary and counselor, Cub Scout leader, and teacher in Sunday School, elders quorum, and Primary (including nursery). Skyler and his wife live in Lehi, Utah, with their two daughters, ages 10 and 8. Highlights 02:30 Introduction to Skyler, former elders quorum secretary 06:30 Skyler shares an experience he had as a youth with an executive secretary that has influenced his time as a secretary. 12:30. The secretary takes care of the clerical and administrative aspects of the quorum to help enable the other members of the presidency to focus on ministering and the more spiritual aspects of the quorum. 14:50 The admin and clerical work is a very important part of the church too. There are many working pieces that go into making a meeting happen. 16:50 Never underestimate the spiritual power of doing temporal things well. You bring spiritual power to your presidency by taking care of the administration. 18:50 Taking notes is the most important part of being a secretary. You are a revelation recorder. Be proud of being the note taker. 23:30 Take the lead on organizing notes with google docs and google sheets. 26:40 Find a template that works for you and go with it. 28:30 Setting up interviews and appointments. Skylar found it easier to call people rather than text. Try to catch as many people as you can at church. 33:00 Don’t underestimate your impact as a secretary. 34:10 Skyler shares his testimony on leadership and coming closer to Christ through his service. 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 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.
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Mar 29, 2023 • 1h 18min

Teaching Through Better Stories in Sacrament Meeting Talks & Lessons | An Interview with Matthew Dicks

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2019. Matthew Dicks is an author, columnist, teacher, storyteller, podcaster, blogger, playwright, and more. He is the co-founder and artistic director of Speak Up, a storytelling organization that produces shows throughout New England as well as a weekly podcast, and the author of Storyworthy. He's also the CEO of StoryworthyMD, where he teaches storytelling online. He consults with Fortune 500 companies, universities, attorneys, entrepreneurs, the clergy, and many more on storytelling and communication. Matthew is a 58-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion and has told stories for a wide range of events, radio shows, and performance venues. He lives in Connecticut with his wife, Elysha, and their two children. Highlights 07:26 With his wife runs an organization called “Speak Up” which puts on storytelling events 08:13 The science of telling a good story, i.e., public speaking in an engaging way 10:15 Basic storytelling principles: Know what a story is: a moment in your life that is transformational and reflects change over time, as opposed to a simple retelling of chronological events. Ask yourself: Am I speaking about a moment in my life that changed me in some way? You can’t really change your audience with a story unless that story changed you. Share something of yourself, that makes you authentic and vulnerable. Being vulnerable to others also makes you safe to others, and they will be more willing to be vulnerable with you. Set out to have your listeners feel like they connected with you in the end. Showing emotion is acceptable so long as you can speak your truth in a clear way. 21:10 Teaching from scripture versus sharing of yourself It is hard for people to care about the scriptural content or lesson unless they can see a relatable example of application from a person they trust. 24:26 Using our own stories versus using “borrowed” stories, e.g., using a story given in General Conference in a sacrament meeting talk Telling your own story is the best way to be authentic. 26:50 Improving our storytelling: “Homework for life”: Before going to bed, ask yourself “what’s the most story-worthy moment of today?” Write it down. Explore why and how the experience changed you. Matt has noticed that he has changed every day of his life, as documented in his “Homework for life” spreadsheet. Frame of the story is most important: what is the end, and what is the beginning? Must have some entertainment value. Jump right into the story. Stay within the story. Remember the story without memorizing–rehearse! Tell the story in “scenes”. How to tell a story “on the spot”: what does something mean to me? Listeners should know how you are different at the end of the story from the beginning. Asking “why?” five times about your storyworthy moments. I.e.: Today I was changed by X experience. Why did X experience change me? Why A? Because B. But, why B? Because C. Why C? Because D. Etc. 55:21 Storytime! 65:49 Reviewing and deconstructing the story 72:25 How storytelling has helped him become a better person Links MatthewDicks.com Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling TED Talk: Homework for Life Speak Up Storytelling StoryworthyMD.com YouTube stories Art of Manliness podcast episode Watch this podcast on YouTube Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast 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, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg,
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Mar 25, 2023 • 1h 2min

Overcoming Come Follow Me Obstacles | An Interview with Shannon Foster

Shannon Foster taught seminary full time for thirteen years in the Salt Lake area. Shannon has a passion for the scriptures and for discovering the best ways for children and youth to learn the gospel. She has written over twenty books to help people study the scriptures and creates helps for people to study and teach the Come, Follow Me chapters in their homes. Shannon and her husband Tyson have two amazing children and she is currently a Relief Society teacher. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Shannon Foster. Shannon provides resources for Come Follow Me and teaching our families. 03:40 Shannon is also known as The Red Headed Hostess. 05:00 Best advice for gathering people What will make this feel special? What will help people feel comfortable? 07:00 If the youth feel like you strengthen them and that you care about them they will return again and again. 08:00 Shannon shares her story and how she started teaching. 13:30 The classroom is not the ideal learning circumstance. While it's a good place, it’s not the best. Parents know their children so much better and can teach them so much better. 16:00 Shannon is the creator of The Red Headed Hostess. It started as a blog and she now has 15 people on her staff. She offers scripture study help for families and for all ages. 18:00 Common obstacles that come with teaching in the home and with Come Follow Me. One of those obstacles is not having enough time and not everyone is home at the same time. 23:50 We all want the picturesque family scripture study and we think we are failing if that's not what it looks like for us. 29:30 How to adjust family scripture study and what to do to stay on track. 31:40 Another big obstacle in family scripture study is that they don’t understand the scriptures. It has to start with the parents. The parents have to learn to love the scriptures. You then become like a fire and want to share that with your family. 34:20 How would you coach someone that is in the beginning stages of trying to get into scripture study and is relying on podcasts and blogs to help them understand? Get a scripture journal Learn to slow down while reading. Remember it’s line upon line. 37:30 We underestimate the youth. Teach your youth to slow down and do their own journaling. 39:30 Advice for keeping a scripture journal. Topical journal Chronological journal 44:45 Making Sunday school or studying with family a more profound experience. Don’t only teach but invite them to act to help them get the evidence they need to know something is true. 58:00 Shannon shares her final thoughts on the importance of the scriptures and what a gift they are to have. 1:03:00 Shannon’s testimony and reflections on her time as a teacher Links TheRedHeadedHostess.com Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 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.
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Mar 22, 2023 • 44min

How I Lead as YSA Elders Quorum President | An Interview with Eli Nelson

Eli Nelson is originally from Seattle, Washington and is studying business at Brigham Young University. He has served as a counselor in an elders quorum presidency, ward temple and family history leader, and as a full time missionary in the Trinidad, Port of Spain Mission. He currently serves as elders quorum president in his young single adult ward in Provo, Utah, and is the soon-to-be husband to Claire Darby. Highlights 02:20 Eli’s background and mission experience 06:10 Getting called as elders quorum president in a YSA BYU ward 10:10 Principle one: Loving the handbook 12:15 Principle two: Finding the balance between magnifying your calling while also being a good peer 16:00 Principle three: Fostering active leadership in the quorum and ward 17:20 Principle four: The oxygen mask analogy. In order to serve others you have to have something to give. You have to take care of yourself first. 22:00 Time management is very important to taking care of yourself. Eli explains what time boxing is and how he uses it to manage everything in his life. 22:55 Principle five: There’s no substitute for a good secretary 25:05 Principle six: Delegation is critical 28:50 Principle seven: Sometimes you need to be a catalyst for change and push programs and initiatives from the ground up 32:30 Principle eight: The proper motives in church leadership are the two great commandments 36:15 Principle nine: Church leadership is 45% administration and 55% ministering 40:45 Eli shares his final thoughts on leadership and testimony. 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 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.
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Mar 19, 2023 • 57min

3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk | An Interview with Richard Nash

Richard Nash spent his career as a writer and a speaker (not always by choice). He worked in management and marketing for Intermountain Healthcare for 35 years and previously served as a speechwriter and jokewriter for political and corporate leaders. He’s a former bishop and has also served as stake Young Men president, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and nursery leader. Most recently he is the author of 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk. His previous book, Lengthen Your Smile, is a best-selling collection of brief stories (most of them funny) that illustrate faith-based ideals. Richard and his wife, Laurie, have three children and four grandchildren. Highlights 02:10 Introduction to Richard and his book, 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk 07:50 Richard’s book was inspired by David O. McKay. 10:40 Principle 1: Have an objective The objective is the message you want listeners to take away from your talk. Keep your objective to one sentence. You are normally assigned the topic but take the time to pray and read and figure out the objective that you need to teach. 14:30 Is your lesson objective clear? How can you make it clear? 16:20 Richard shares his own personal experience of giving a talk and creating a clear objective and an attention grabbing opener. 17:45 Principle 2: Share examples People love stories. They connect with stories. We remember stories more than anything else we talk about. Stories are a way to show our personality. 22:30 Richard shares how he uses his own personal stories to connect with people. 28:00 Tips for sharing stories Keep a journal of your stories. They should be simple and day-to-day things. It doesn’t have to be a huge experience. Reference scripture stories or other people’s stories but bring your own personal experience into it. 32:45 Principle 3: Emphasize application What can people do because of the things that I’ve spoken today? Emphasize how people can apply principles to help them live the gospel every day. 36:00 The typical sacrament meeting talk is on a conference talk. We are putting their talk in our words. What can we do differently? 37:00 Nervousness is part of giving a talk. It makes us humble and gives us the experience of leaning on the Holy Spirit. 45:00 Is humor appropriate in a sacrament talk? 51:00 Tips for preparing a talk when you are assigned a topic or given a conference talk to speak to 53:50 Oftentimes our objective in Sunday School is to cover the material or certain chapters of scripture. We need to take the time to search those scriptures to find an objective that will help people live their lives. 57:15 Write down notes, quotes, and make an outline but don’t write out your talk verbatim. This allows the Spirit to interrupt us and give us guidance. Links 3 Keys to Help You Give a Better Talk BetterTalksLDS.com/ Teaching Through Better Stories in Sacrament Meeting Talks & Lessons | An Interview with Matthew Dicks 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum,
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Mar 15, 2023 • 1h 5min

Leading‏‏‎ Primary Music | An Interview with Sharla Dance

Sharla Dance was finishing her degree in Music Education at Brigham Young University when she took a children’s music class from Susan Kenney. The principles and methods used in that class changed the way she wanted to teach music. When her daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age seven, Sharla delved into research about how the brain learns, Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences, and the body's role in learning as taught by neurologist Carla Hannaford. Since then, some of her research and experience has centered around music in a group setting for special needs children. She also started applying her research to Primary music and has continued to learn and teach workshops, helping church music leaders learn principles and brain research that can make them more effective in teaching children. Sharla has taught piano and voice lessons, group preschool, and school age music classes in her studio, Dance Sing and Play, for twenty five years. She has served as ward or stake Primary music leader in over ten different wards and stakes, and as a youth choir specialist in her stake for twenty years. She has served several times as ward choir director and stake music chair, and is currently first counselor in her ward Relief Society. Sharla is the mother of five children and she and her husband live in Washington state where she is also a full-time caregiver for their daughter who had that brain tumor so many years ago. Highlights 04:00 Sharla is the Primary music leader. A Gospel Doctrine teacher for children through music. She shares her resources with other leaders. 06:10 Sharla shares her background and how she got into music. 10:00 Resources Sharla shares for Primary and why she got her website started 12:50 The overall breakdown of what you should do during music time is to teach three different songs with three different activities and bear your testimony in one or two sentences. 15:50 Each child should be actively involved with a specific song. Help the children use their senses to learn and practice the songs. 22:00 One thing that researchers have found that helps the frontal lobe develop is purposeful movement with a steady beat. 23:30 When children learn music with props, beats, and movements it creates an experience for them and brain hooks that help them remember that song. 24:20 Sharla believes that when we teach a child music with these different hooks that the song will come back to teach the child and to teach them doctrine when they really need it. 26:00 Drilling the words of a song and practicing them over and over is what we commonly see in Primary. However, Sharla teaches that we need to focus on the beat, rhythm, and the melody while singing the words. This is way easier for the brain to connect everything. 30:20 The process of audiation is singing a song in your head. It’s the strongest way to remember a song. Leave out words and have the kids fill them in and sing it out loud. 31:00 Sharla explains why movement while singing and to a steady beat is so important and useful for children. It activates the whole body and turns it into a thinking machine. 34:00 Line upon line is a great way for the brain to learn, especially when we sing the whole song. 37:20 Parents have found that even the children that don’t really participate in Primary are singing at home all the time. 40:00 Sharla does activities that can involve all the children and the songs that they are learning, especially because there is only twenty minutes to do it in. 41:30 Research shows that to keep the attention span of an adult active and attentive we need to change the pace every ten minutes. Children need a change of pace every six to seven minutes. 45:30 The teachers need to be involved in music time too. 46:40 Each child takes in information in a slightly different way and the brain craves variety. We need to teach in different ways to reach different children. 53:40 Bear a short, sincere testimony every week.
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Mar 14, 2023 • 3min

Announcement: Are you feeling called to be there?

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