Leading Saints Podcast

This is a rebroadcast. The episode originally ran in July 2020.

David Butler is a religious educator at Utah Valley University. He also cohosts the popular YouTube scripture study channel Don’t Miss This and is the author of many religious books, including Almighty: How the Most Powerful Being in the Universe Is Also Your Loving Father, Redeemer: Who He Is and Who He Will Always Be, and Spirit: The Gift that Connects You to Heaven. David has previously served as a bishop. He and his wife Jenny are the parents of six children.

Links

Don’t Miss This

Instagram: @mrdavebutler

Instagram: @dontmissthisstudy

Books by David Butler

Y Religion podcast

Seekers Wanted | An Interview with Anthony Sweat

Church Doctrine, Policy, & Leadership | An Interview with Prof. Anthony Sweat

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Highlights

Dave shares his journey into teaching, which began unexpectedly during his college years when he took a class on teaching the gospel. Despite initially vowing never to become a teacher, he found himself drawn to the profession, particularly in the context of teaching youth and sharing the gospel. Dave reflects on his experiences as a bishop, discussing how he approached leadership with a focus on people rather than programs. He emphasizes the importance of creating a meaningful sacrament meeting experience that fosters a deeper connection with God, rather than adhering strictly to traditional formats.

Throughout the episode, Dave challenges the conventional norms of church leadership and encourages listeners to question established practices. He advocates for a people-centered approach, urging leaders to consider the needs of their congregations and to innovate rather than simply follow the unwritten rules. The discussion also touches on the significance of the Come Follow Me program, with Dave suggesting that it should be viewed as a resource rather than a rigid program. He encourages families to focus on their unique needs and to create their own meaningful experiences in scripture study, ultimately aiming to foster a deeper love for God and each other.

04:04 – Dave’s Journey into Teaching

06:12 – Unexpected Path to Teaching

10:03 – Balancing Teaching and Leadership

12:26 – Embracing Individuality in Leadership

13:04 – Questioning the Status Quo

20:20 – Focusing on People Over Programs

24:02 – Creating a Meaningful Sacrament Meeting

28:07 – Innovative Approaches to Sacrament Meeting

32:50 – Collaborating with Stake Leadership

36:17 – The Importance of Individual Worship

40:50 – Grace in the Come Follow Me Program

42:43 – Viewing Come Follow Me as a Resource

45:00 – Interview with Anthony Sweat

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, 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, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 800 episodes.

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