M E R I D I A N     M A G A Z I N E

Leadership for Saints, Part 1: Why a Book on Leadership? Why Now?
by Rodger Dean Duncan and Ed J. Pinegar

Our book, Leadership for Saints, is something we’ve talked about for decades. We first served together as leaders in one of the BYU stakes more than 30 years ago. Since then we’ve served in church leadership positions all across North America and in Great Britain. We’ve observed wonderful examples of leadership by the men and women of the Church at every level. We’ve been blessed with excellent models and mentors.

About ten years ago we did a preliminary outline, talked with an editor and even drafted a couple of early chapters. Then a range of church and professional activities diverted our attention. We live in different sections of the United States – one of us in Liberty, Missouri, the other in Utah Valley – so we spoke only periodically. Then in the summer of 2001 each of us had an independent impression that we should return to the book project. In fact, we felt a sense of urgency.

We set other matters aside and devoted ourselves to writing the book. Early reviews have been very positive and the book has received gracious endorsements from Truman Madsen, Hugh Nibley, Stephen Covey, Mary Ellen Smoot and many others whose opinions we value. But we didn’t write the book for applause and we certainly didn’t write it for money. The phrase “poor as church mice” was probably coined to describe people who write for the Latter-day Saint market.

In a nutshell, we wrote the book because it is needed.

Consider what the prophets have said:

President Harold B. Lee – “There is an urgent need for leaders of the Church at all levels to spiritualize their leadership more so that our overarching purposes are not lost in the mechanics of meetings, organizations.”

President Spencer W. Kimball – “ … if we desire to lengthen our stride in the management of the kingdom at all levels of its operation … we must be more willing to expend more of our time, talent, and means in providing leadership training.”

President Ezra Taft Benson – “Yours is a great responsibility in this day when the need for courageous leadership is so urgent. You can become those leaders. ... Our [people] need to develop qualities of leadership. They need to learn the value of staying power—stick-to-it-iveness. They need to learn devotion to duty—the devotion to duty that keeps a good doctor on the job right around the clock in an emergency; the devotion to duty that leads a scientist or a teacher to persevere in a low-paying position in public service because that is where his maximum contribution can be made.”

President Howard W. Hunter – “The need for leadership through the wards and stakes of Zion [is increasing] dramatically. What is needed is not just people of training and skill, but rather we will need a generation of great faith, those who have learned discipline and discipleship. What will be needed is a generation who understand not only how to organize a ward but also how to build faith, how to sustain the weak and faltering, and how to defend the truth.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley – “You can be a leader. You must be a leader, as a member of this Church, in those causes for which this Church stands. Do not let fear overcome your efforts. ... Cast that fear aside and be valiant in the cause of truth and righteousness and faith. If you now decide that this will become the pattern of your life, you will not have to make that decision again. You will put on “the armour of God,” and raise your voice in defense of truth, whatever the circumstances now and in all the years that lie ahead.”

And Elder Neal A. Maxwell of the Quorum of the Twelve has said: “... the Church has no corps of professionals. It must depend upon leaders developed from within the membership as a whole ... the Church’s need is greater than ever now, both in terms of numbers and a requirement for greater devotion and skill ... so must the need for more capable and responsible leadership multiply.”

Notice that in addressing the subject of leadership, the prophets frequently speak in terms of faith, duty, responsibility, devotion, discipline and discipleship. To us, that sounds a lot like covenant.

Effective leadership has always been a vital part of the Lord’s work. As the Restored Church continues to expand at unprecedented rates around the globe, effective leadership is today more critical than ever.

In offering this book on leadership, we acknowledge that we are no different from you who read it. Like you, we are simply trying to do better and be better in our service to the Kingdom of God. In this work we share some of the teachings, nurturing moments and training that people and the Spirit of the Lord have given us. We esteem ourselves no better than anyone else (see Alma 1:26). Yet with a desire to serve and bless, we offer this work with the hope that it will help all who seek to be better leaders.

Leadership is stewardship. Faithful stewards:

·         seek the will of Heavenly Father and share that vision with the people they serve

·         live by every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God (D&C 84:43-46)

·         draw strength from the grace of God and from the infinite and eternal atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ

·         measure every thought and act against the principles of righteousness

·         embrace the counsel to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5)

·         as always, are Spirit-directed in all things

These are not simply “nice” things to do when convenient. They are absolutely imperative. Effective leadership stewards work hard to perfect their own gifts and skills and they constantly acknowledge and seek inspiration from the source of their gifts and skills.

No matter how new or how seasoned you are, you can do better. You can learn more. You can become a better leader—even a great leader as you rely on the Lord and work with all your heart, might, mind and strength.

In our book, from which this Meridian series is adapted, you will find principles and doctrines taught in the scriptures, wisdom shared by our Church leaders, and pertinent ideas regarding human relationships. Our intent is to provide a picture of what you can do as well as what you can become.     

This is about vision and hope. You can become a great leader.

Latter-day Saints who lead come in all sizes and shapes, with a wide range of experience, with many levels of confidence and competence, and with numerous titles. Some are called Mother or Father. Some are called Teacher or Coach. Some are called President or Bishop. Many are simply called Brother or Sister. 

Virtually everything we do as covenant-keepers involves leadership. Great teaching requires leadership. Great missionary effort requires leadership. Great parenting requires leadership.  The Lord's work moves forward as His servants exercise leadership by faith and obedience.                              

Leadership is much less a function of position than it is of influence.  And while it is true that some “leadership traits” come as gifts or inherited attributes, it is also true that effective leadership can be learned. 

In short, if you genuinely want to be a better leader than you believe you are now, you can improve if you (1) faithfully practice correct principles and (2) petition the Lord for the associated spiritual gifts.

Just as our salvation is secured through the fine balance of grace and works, so great leadership is realized through our hard work and the Lord’s merciful bestowal of gifts of the Spirit.

In fact, if you faithfully practice correct principles and make yourself eligible for spiritual gifts, you might even become a great leader. Great leaders are great leaders because they value the results of great leadership and because they are willing to pay the price of continuous improvement.

Leadership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is not just about conducting meetings or “sitting on the stand.” 

At every level, leadership in the Church is about learning how to become an instrument in the Lord’s hands to minister to His children.

Leadership in the Church is about vision and imagination and stretching for greater heights. 

It’s about affirmation and encouragement. 

It’s about teaching and correcting. 

It’s about good listening and good coaching. 

It’s about planning with a purpose and turning good plans into good results. 

It’s about changing lives for the better.

When you become a more effective leader—at home, at church, in the community and elsewhere—your life changes for the better, too.

In the weeks to come, we will share principles and practices that will boost your confidence as well as your competence.

Note: The excerpts of Leadership for Saints posted on Meridian are only a fraction of the contents of this 349-page book. To learn more about this ground-breaking book and to order copies, click here.

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