Leading Saints Podcast

This is Part 2 of a 2-part podcast. Listen to Part 1 HERE. Sara Newman Sara Newman currently serves as a member of her ward’s Relief Society service committee in whatever capacity is needed. She earned her bachelor's degree in Family Science from Brigham Young University and enjoyed raising five children with her husband. She anticipates “retiring” soon, once her youngest is launched, and is enjoying her new role as a grandmother. She has lived in four states, served as Relief Society president in three different wards, and as Relief Society counselor, pianist, chorister, Cub Scout leader, Primary teacher and counselor, Relief Society teacher, and Gospel Doctrine teacher. Highlights 0:15 Sara speaks on being released from as Relief Society president earlier than she expected. 3:30 “I cried when I got the calling; I cried when I got released. I was surprised by it.” 5:30 Something for leaders to think about is giving leaders more time to transition when a release is coming. It can be very jarring to have a calling and the next day nothing. 6:50 There was no excitement or relief getting released. Just devastation. Sara shares the reasons why she felt so hurt when released. 9:30 Part of the devastation was loneliness and loss of the community she was a part of. Also, not feeling like she was doing a good enough job. 12:30 Looking back Sara can say the time was right to get released because of health challenges that happened. She can see the Lord’s timing but at the moment it was very hard. 13:30 The first weeks after getting released were the hardest. 16:50 The bishopric and other ward council members had a small gathering to thank Sara for her service. It helped her have some closure. 19:20 Sara’s encouragement to other leaders that are also going through a transition after getting released Darren Bush Darren Bush is a husband, father, and paddler who advocates outdoor activities to feel the Spirit. Darren served a mission to southern Italy, met his wife, Stephanie, at Brigham Young University, and completed degrees in Italian and Psychology at University of Wisconsin–Madison after discovering it was the best place in the world. After completing a master’s degree at the University of Rochester the family moved back to Wisconsin where he eventually bought Rutabaga Paddlesports. He has previously served as a bishop, Primary teacher and nursery leader, elders quorum and Young Men president, ward missionary, high councilor, in a young single adult bishopric, and as an executive secretary and financial clerk. Highlights 20:11 Darren Bush, recently-released bishop 22:30 The relationships that were built over the past five years as bishop were gone. 24:00 The day Darren got released made him feel lighter. He didn’t realize how much weight he was holding. However, it was still hard. Missing the people and seeing people’s faces. 26:30 The lost puppy phase after getting released 30:00 Advice Darren was given from his uncle, a former bishop. “Don’t go inactive.” 33:00 We need to separate our personal identity from our calling in the ward. 35:15 Combating loneliness after being bishop 40:45 Darren’s encouragement to the former leader that is fighting loneliness Julie Kiser Julie Kiser is a graduate of Brigham Young University and currently works part-time as a professional organizer and as a part-time administrative assistant to her husband and his financial advising firm. She currently serves as a special needs mutual advisor and a Gospel Doctrine teacher. Past callings include stake YSA Relief Society president, YSA Relief Society advisor, counselor in Young Women, Primary, and Relief Society presidencies, Primary teacher, Young Women advisor and compassionate service leader. Julie has been married for 37 years and has five children. She loves spending time with her husband and family, reading, long walks with friends, traveling, hiking, cooking and baking,

Kurt Francom is the founder and executive director of Leading Saints, manages the day-to-day efforts of Leading Saints, and is the host of the podcast. Kurt graduated from the University of Utah in 2008 with a degree in Business Marketing. He ran a web development company for five years before focusing on Leading Saints full time. Kurt currently lives in Stansbury Park, Utah with his lovely wife Alanna. They are blessed to have three children. Kurt has served as a full-time missionary (California Sacramento), as a bishop, first counselor in a stake presidency, and elders quorum president. This is Part 1 of a 2-part podcast. Listen to Part 2 HERE. Highlights 01:00 Kurt introduces the episode’s topic of feeling hurt when released from a calling. 04:15 Sometimes getting released from a calling is an identity shift and is accompanied by feelings of loneliness or feeling lost. 07:30 Kurt shares his story and leadership journey. Being bishop and in the stake presidency then going back to being brother Francom. The sadness about not being as involved. 14:00 There is a transition period when being released from a big calling. Even years later it can still hurt. 16:20 It hurts not to be called, not to be chosen, not to be the leader. 18:45 It’s ok to hurt and struggle with the transition of not being in leadership anymore. 19:10 Episode takeaways: Remember that closure is crucial Reach out to others for support Surrender your impact and things you started in the ward. The next leader is probably going to change things 23:00 Minister to the bishop who just got released. Help them through the transition. Share your own story. 24:10 Kurt reads a letter from a former bishop that got released suddenly. Links Part 2 of this podcast Is Aspiring Wrong? Finding Purpose in Your Ward After a Heavy Leadership Calling | An Interview with Rob Eaton 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 Saint 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. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 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.

Ben Thatcher is a life-long church member, having grown up in small wards and branches across Texas. He served in the France Paris mission and has degrees in Mass Communication (University of Utah) and Public Administration (University of North Texas). Ben has worked in local government in several cities across Texas and currently is the city manager of Boerne (pronounced Burn-nee), Texas, northwest of San Antonio. He currently serves as bishop of his ward and has also served as an executive secretary, ward clerk, Sunday School president, bishopric counselor, and high councilor. When he is not at city hall or church, Ben can often be found coaching youth baseball in his spare time. He and his wife, Summer, have been married for over 23 years and have four sons. Highlights 02:50 Introduction and background of Ben Thatcher 08:30 What it's like working as a city manager 11:30 Ninety percent of the time our problems can be solved by going and having a conversation with someone. 12:30 Tips for having tough conversations on direction of leadership 18:50 The principle of focus Focus on fewer things Understand your role from the handbook and focus on that 27:10 Ben explains extended ward councils: a yearly, 90-minute council in a new environment 30:30 The engagement principle Applying principles used with employees at church with ward council How to support your ward council Give the ward council a framework 36:00 Are you talking to your members about their progress and how they are personally? 39:15 The importance of personal talents and strengths 42:20 Ben shares an experience he had with Elder Dunn of the seventy and what he was able to learn from him to help him as a new bishop. 44:30 Ben had a rough first year as bishop but he explains how he was able to turn it around and get more help from the ward to help with the youth. 49:30 Ben applies what he has learned as a city manager in his service in the Church. 53:40 Ben’s final thoughts on leadership Links 12: The Elements of Great Managing 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. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, and many more in over 600 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.

Bonnie Oscarson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah but her family moved and lived in several different states as she was growing up. She attended Brigham Young University and majored in commercial art. Bonnie met her husband, Paul Oscarson, when her family lived in St. Louis, Missouri. They are the parents of seven children and have 29 fascinating grandchildren. Paul and Bonnie served as mission president and companion in the Sweden Gothenburg Mission as a young couple and then returned to Sweden in 2009 to serve as president and matron of the Stockholm Sweden Temple. She finally finished her bachelor’s degree from BYU in British and American Literature 41 years after she first began. (She is glad she did it but doesn’t recommend that educational plan.) Bonnie was called to serve as the Young Women general president in April 2013 and released in April 2018. Since her release she is enjoying spending time with those grandchildren and catching up on her reading. Bonnie and Paul recently moved to Provo where they serve as ordinance workers in the Provo Temple and as ecclesiastical leaders in the Provo Missionary Training Center. Highlights 02:15 Kurt introduces Bonnie Oscarson. 03:00 Bonnie talks about her upbringing and background. 8:45 Leadership opportunities. When Bonnie was 25 and her husband was 29 years old, they were called to serve as mission leaders in Sweden. 12:20 Stepping up to a big calling at a young age 18:30 Preparation for her calling as the general young women’s president 18:50 The Lord knows what's coming. Bonnie talks about how leadership callings and going back to school prepared her for what was to come. 23:10 Being called as matron to the Stockholm temple 25:40 Her biggest takeaway from serving at the temple was, “To see the hand of the Lord so clearly.” The daily miracles. 27:30 Getting called to be the general young women's president and choosing counselors 33:00 Feeling inadequate in her new calling and how God pulled her through 34:20 Starting out as the Young Women general president. Do I change things? 40:00 Speaking in conference isn’t hard. Writing the talk is hard. 43:20 What Bonnie learned in her time traveling and visiting other places 45:00 Bonnie’s advice to a new Young Women presidency. Learn how to follow the Spirit. 48:20 Issues and things they focused on when Bonnie was Young Women general president. 54:00 Speaking up in ward council; Women struggling to feel heard in councils 58:15 What Bonnie’s up to today: Serving in the temple and MTC. 59:10 Bonnie’s final thoughts on leadership Links 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, 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. 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.

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in December 2019. Jason Coombs is a Utah native and lives in the Boise, Idaho, area with his wife and 7-year-old twins. They own a chain of substance use disorder treatment centers called Brick House Recovery. Kurt previously interviewed Jason as part of the Liberating Saints Virtual Conference, and for the upcoming Recovering Saints Virtual Conference. Brent Daines was Jason’s bishop from 2006 to 2011. Brent now serves as a stake president, lives in Centerville, Utah, and is the father of seven incredible children and 12 beautiful grandchildren. He is currently the CEO of RLL Insurance and loves to flyfish, ski, and golf in his spare time. Kurt Francom, Brent Daines, Jason Coombs Highlights 06:30 Jason’s story started with an auto accident 07:45 Jason is the grandson of President James E. Faust, and at the time attended church weekly but wasn’t living close to the Spirit. Went to lunch with a friend from work who connected him to a doctor prescribing opioids 12:30 Ignored the warnings in his head but justified his actions and saw the doctor 16:00 The physician was indicted for fraud five months later, sending 139 addicted patients to the street for drugs 22:00 Didn’t believe he had a problem, but had merely been “found out”; marriage failed and was homeless and living in a very dark place 24:30 Incarcerated and in a drug court program but couldn’t stop using 25:25 Brent received a phone call from Jason’s ex-wife and went to see him in jail 28:15 Brent had been prepared by his experience with his brother and was able to see Jason as Christ sees him 32:10 There will be a few people who are greatly affected by you during your time serving as a church leader 36:00 Called President Faust at Jason’s request and learned more about coming to this from a place of love 38:30 Weekly visits from Brent led to hope for Jason, but he was still not ready to commit to change for four years after being released from jail. Brent would still appear at critical points in Jason’s life. 42:00 Brent could still feel Heavenly Father’s love for Jason, even though it seemed his actions were not helping 44:10 Jason made the decision to change after his son was born and in intensive care, but still went through rehab five times before he was able to complete the 12 steps and fully change 47:45 Made a final confession to Bishop Daines, in spite of his fears about judgment and excommunication 50:30 Immersed himself in friendship with others who were actively recovering, made good decisions, and changed his perspective on church discipline; Brent was his advocate through all of this 55:50 The challenge of self-forgiveness and recognizing Jesus Christ as your personal Savior Links Unhooked: How to Help an Addicted Loved One Recover, by Jason Coombs Brick House Recovery Recovering Saints Virtual Conference Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Listen on YouTube Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library, including the Liberating Saints Conference 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. 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,

Kurt Brown hails from Sacramento, California, where his family joined the Church when he was young. He played two years of college basketball, studied Finance and Economics at Brigham Young University, and dropped out senior year to go to Wall Street, where he was a trader on the New York Stock Exchange and the co-manager of an investment fund for 13 years. He started his own firm, TownSquare Capital, in 2018 and sold it to a larger, national firm (Orion) in 2022. In the Church, his callings have included single adult ward bishop, Young Men president, scoutmaster, Gospel Doctrine teacher, elders quorum president, and ward clerk. He served in the Canada Halifax mission. Kurt and his wife, Katie, have been married 16 years and have four children: one biological son, an adopted daughter, and two special-needs foster children they adopted. Kurt and Katie have been called to serve as the mission leaders of the Washington Tacoma Mission starting July 2023. Highlights 03:40 Introduction to Kurt Brown, his childhood, his family joining the church, and his mission. 12:30 Working at wall street, going to college, and playing basketball. 15:20 Slipping away from the church for a time. Kurt’s faith journey and ending up back in Utah. 19:00 Coming back to Utah, getting his life back in order, got married at 35. 21:30 Kurt helped create a mid-singles ward in Provo, Utah and was the bishop of that ward. He talks about what he did to start the ward. 30:00 Establishing positive culture at church. They did this by creating a space that felt like the savior was present. The first weeks they had 120 people and within 5 months they had 500 people attending. 33:30 The experience that people need at church is to feel warm and welcomed. Every Sunday after sacrament meeting they would break into visitors meeting. Kurt shares what they would share with people in those meetings. 36:30 From the very first visitor’s meeting they established the culture. Everyone got vulnerable, shared their stories. Every single meeting was focused on helping people feel hope and the holy ghost. 37:50 There is something powerful about sharing our stories. When hearing people’s stories we need to have as much compassion as the savior would. 40:00 You aren’t the gatekeeper. You are the welcoming committee. 41:30 In three years they never assigned a topic for sacrament meeting. 42:15 Kurt constantly invited people to come see him and unload their pain on him. 43:20 Kurt shares an experience with President Eyring. President Eyring taught that while we are a handbook heavy church, the handbook is not what we are doing. It’s about love, not a checklist from the handbook. 45:40 After serving as bishop, Kurt has been able to see people in a completely different way. He is no longer a harsh judge. 47:50 Creating a bishop’s office that is a place to unload pain and feel hope. 49:00 Too many bishops insert themselves too much in other people’s repentance process. You are not their parole office. You are their advocate. You help carry the baggage. 52:20 Helping people with repentance Setting the framework The people choose their own path to repentance, not the bishop Take the focus off the shame and shift it to creating better self worth 1:02:30 Letting people choose their own path to repentance. What’s meaningful and personal to people is different and that’s why a repentance checklist from the bishop isn’t going to work for everyone. They have to work with the Spirit to find out what they need to do to repent. 1:05:00 Disciplinary council is the last resort. We have to lean to the side of compassion and listen to the Spirit. 1:08:45 Getting in trouble as bishop because he refused to kick anyone out of the ward just because they didn’t live in the boundaries. He felt strongly about protecting ‘the one’ and giving them a home. 1:12:20 Getting called as mission president

Tommy Wilson was born and raised in Georgia. He now lives in Crestview, Florida, and serves as first counselor in the stake presidency. He has also served in the stake Young Men organization and as a bishop. Highlights 02:40 Introduction to Tommy Wilson. He shares about getting called to the stake presidency. 09:00 Tommy describes his area and the demographic of his stake 11:15 Advice to a new bishop 14:15 The personal weaknesses that come to the surface as a bishop. Things Tommy regrets. 21:15 Being vulnerable as a bishop and encouraging others to do the same 25:20 Tommy shares about losing his baby boy. The thing that helped him the most was finding a community that had gone through the same thing. The people around you have more in common with you than you think. Open up and talk to them. 29:15 Tommy’s invitation to his ward to open up and talk. You have to learn to be okay with uncomfortable topics. 32:00 Connecting with people on a deeper level. One on one. 40:40 Not taking yourself too seriously as a bishop 43:40 Tommy shares how he gained his testimony and the first time he felt like God loved him. 46:00 An experience Tommy had feeling the love of God for a man in his ward 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. 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.

Keyth Pankau was baptized a member of the Church about six months after joining the Navy when he was 21 years old. He spent nine years in the Navy, including deployments to Fallujah, Iraq, as a member of a convoy security team, and providing relief immediately following Hurricane Katrina. During this time he obtained a degree in Persian Studies from the Defense Language Institute and a bachelor of science. Keyth continued to serve in the Church between deployments as a youth Sunday School teacher, a Gospel Doctrine teacher, a counselor in the Young Men presidency, and a scoutmaster, along with serving while deployed as a sacrament group leader. Keyth was selected as a Direct Commission Intelligence Officer and switched over to the Coast Guard where he continued a life of travel and service with much shorter trips. He was a dual career track officer (Intelligence/Operations Ashore Response) where he specialized in crisis/emergency management. In the Coast Guard, Keyth also completed his Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a Master of Science in Environmental from Louisiana State University. During this time, Keyth served as a 2nd counselor in a Young Men’s presidency, scoutmaster, Young Men president, second counselor in a bishopric, ward mission leader, and a branch president. When the Baton Rouge Temple was rededicated he started serving as an ordinance worker and continues in that capacity today. He is also the bishop of his ward and has been serving for about a year. Keyth currently works as a civil servant for the Coast Guard and is pursuing a doctor of education in Applied Learning Sciences from the University of Miami. He is the producer, host, and content creator of the podcast "That ALL Might Be Edified: Discussions on Servant Leadership". Keyth and his wife Tiffany have two daughters and one granddaughter. Originally from Washington, Keyth spent about a year in Illinois and met Tiffany in California. They have also served & lived in Georgia, Alaska, and twice in Louisiana, where they now reside. Highlights 02:00 Introduction to Keyth and the episode theme 03:20 Keyth’s background in the Coast Guard, serving as bishop, and his podcast 07:15 Search and rescue and how it relates to church leadership 13:41 The indicators that we can use in the Church to search for the individuals who might need rescue 15:10 Keyth shares a personal experience he has had with a member in his ward. 19:10 Coming together as a ward council to help one individual: Keyth shares how a targeted approach can work in search and rescue. 21:00 Finding the families that need help. How do you do it? What to look for and tools to help. Your ward council is your team. 27:30 Not everyone wants to be rescued. Not everyone is excited to help either. We have to try to help them understand that the Lord wants what is best for them. 33:10 Who are the bystanders in the ward? Who is not active in the Lord’s vineyard? What invitations could we make to them to help them feel the Lord’s love? 37:40 Coming together as a ward council to find people that need invitations 39:15 Helping the bystander. It’s more than just giving them a calling. We need to invite them to do inspired things. Maybe what they need is help finding friends. 41:40 Keyth shares an analogy about boats and making sure they are seaworthy. In the same way individuals have to be ready and "seaworthy" before they can go out and rescue others. 49:20 As a council we have to learn how to ask better questions. What do you like? What works for you? What skills do you have? We have to understand who someone is and what skills they have. Then we can harness those gifts and skills to help them get active in the vineyard. 50:20 Where are you at? How are you really doing? Get used to asking these questions and create an environment where people will answer you truthfully and vulnerably. 54:20 Final testimony on the importance of leadership Links

Jenna Rhoads currently serves as stake activities director, ward nursery leader, and temple ordinance worker. She has loved planning ways to gather the saints, create a fun relaxed environment, and provide a great place for missionary opportunities. Jenna's previous church callings have mostly been with the young women and the youth. She loves Girls’ Camp and has only missed about four years since she was 12 years old. She has also been a Gospel Doctrine teacher, which prepared her to teach four years of Seminary. Jenna and her husband, Daryl Rhoads, have been married for 30 years and raised their family of four in Las Vegas, where they have enjoyed a fun, full life together. She studied education and worked as a substitute teacher before working as a cosmetologist for 17 years. Her next adventure is to get a degree in Business Management so that when her husband retires from the police department they can start a business together. Highlights 02:50 Jenna’s story and background 05:00 Jenna describes her ward and stake in Las Vegas, Nevada. She serves as a stake activities director. 07:00 Jenna describes what she does as a stake activities director and how her calling came to be. She began something called first Friday, which is basically a huge hangout. 12:00 Working with the stake presidency to plan activities and budgeting for the activities 14:40 Ideas for stake activities. Everything from dancing, movie nights, fall festivals, and service projects. 22:15 Jenna’s advice is to not focus on the fluff and remember that you don’t have to do anything extravagant. Each person on the committee had their niche. 25:20 First Fridays were to help the stake gather again after covid. However, they shifted gears and are only doing three stake activities a year and Jenna goes around to the wards and helps them in their ward activities. 28:00 CHARITY. Christ gathered everyone and made people feel like they belonged. It’s charitable to create an activity that makes people feel like they belong. 33:30 UNITY. Come as you are and be a part of it. 36:30 MISSIONARY WORK. It’s easier to invite people to an activity. It’s a more comfortable atmosphere and place to connect. Plus everyone loves free food. 39:50 GIRLS CAMP. Invite people that want to be there. One bad apple spoils the bunch. Jenna shares how they create experiences for the girls. 41:50 Marketing stake activities. Use several ways to advertise. 44:00 What’s next for Jenna’s stake? They want to focus on doing more interfaith activities. 48:00 Jenna shares her final testimony and what being a leader has taught her. 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. 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.

Reyna Aburto studied Industrial Engineering in her home country, Nicaragua, and holds a degree in Computer Science from Utah Valley University. She owns a translation business with her husband. She has served as the second counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency and is the author of Reaching for the Savior. Elena was born in Utah and served a mission in Modesto, California. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in Music from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Currently she is working toward her masters at Utah Valley University, works at a junior high school, and teaches piano. Reyna and Elena co-host the Consecrating Your Life Podcast. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to the episode 03:00 Reyna and Elena introduce themselves and their backgrounds. 05:30 Reyna getting called as a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency 10:50 Getting started in her new calling in the General Relief Society Presidency 12:30 Reyna’s advice to presidencies and the bishoprics working together Put your personal agenda aside Say what you feel in the counsels but then let it go 14:40 Elena shares her perspective on her mother’s calling and they talk about how it changed their family. 17:50 The process of writing a talk for general conference. 21:30 Elena’s shares about her mental health struggles and how it led Reyna writing a talk on mental health. 25:00 All talks must be submitted three weeks before conference. The last three weeks before conference she would prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally because the delivery of the talk is also important. 28:30 It’s much easier to relate to your leaders when they are vulnerable and open up. 38:00 Counsel WITH people and not ABOUT them. Go directly to the people and organizations and ask them what they need and want. 41:00 How would you like me to pray for you this week? This is a question that actually helps people open up and be vulnerable. 44:30 Sit down as friends or as family and counsel together on how you can help a family member or friend. 45:50 Getting assignments as a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency. Reyna shares the purposes of those visits and sitting down with area presidencies. 50:00 Preparation for speaking at devotionals and stake conferences. It’s different from general conference. Reyna struggled to prepare but has learned to use an outline and rely on the Spirit. 55:10 Being a general leader but wanting to be a personal leader Get there early to greet and hug people Stay at the end if possible and continue to talk with people. Sometimes a hug or small conversation can make a difference for people. 56:50 Elena talks about being an FSY counselor 1:00:00 Be inclusive with your words as you are talking with people and giving talks. By changing a few words you can include everyone. 1:03:15 Elena and Reyna started a podcast called Consecrating Your Life. 1:05:30 Final testimonies on the importance of leadership Links 2023 NorthStar Conference Consecrating Your Life Podcast "Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!" Reaching for the Savior 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,