1 00:00:02,155 --> 00:00:03,245 - Okay, so you're here 2 00:00:03,265 --> 00:00:05,645 for some great church leadership content. 3 00:00:06,145 --> 00:00:07,445 The podcast is great, 4 00:00:07,545 --> 00:00:10,525 but there's also another piece of content you need 5 00:00:10,525 --> 00:00:12,245 to be enjoying each week. 6 00:00:12,625 --> 00:00:15,845 It is the Leading Saints email newsletter. 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You'd come to Leading Saints. 33 00:01:25,385 --> 00:01:26,485 That's why we exist 34 00:01:26,745 --> 00:01:29,125 to help Latter Day Saints be better prepared to lead 35 00:01:29,265 --> 00:01:31,845 by being familiar with others leadership experiences. 36 00:01:32,175 --> 00:01:34,565 Understand the latest leadership research, 37 00:01:34,825 --> 00:01:37,085 and finding a community to share ideas. 38 00:01:37,465 --> 00:01:40,205 That's why I'm glad you found the Leading Saints podcast. 39 00:01:40,745 --> 00:01:42,605 We hope you will dive into the archives 40 00:01:42,605 --> 00:01:44,805 and visit leading saints.org to find out 41 00:01:44,805 --> 00:01:47,685 what are the top most listened to episodes on the podcast. 42 00:01:48,195 --> 00:01:49,965 Welcome. You're gonna love it. 43 00:02:00,545 --> 00:02:03,045 All right, recording Live from Aspen Grove, Utah. 44 00:02:03,695 --> 00:02:05,765 We're here with the live studio audience. Let's hear it. 45 00:02:08,515 --> 00:02:09,845 Very good. Very good. 46 00:02:10,545 --> 00:02:11,685 So, we are in the midst 47 00:02:11,785 --> 00:02:14,685 of a leading saint retreat called Zion Camp. 48 00:02:15,185 --> 00:02:17,605 And if you didn't know about it, you should listen 49 00:02:17,605 --> 00:02:21,205 to the podcast more 'cause I pounded it over over your head 50 00:02:21,205 --> 00:02:23,405 for a while and in the newsletter and whatnot. 51 00:02:23,405 --> 00:02:24,485 And so it's actually happening. 52 00:02:24,505 --> 00:02:27,845 So we're in October 17th, 17th, 53 00:02:28,185 --> 00:02:30,165 2023, and we're here. 54 00:02:30,165 --> 00:02:31,685 We got one more day of the retreat. 55 00:02:31,865 --> 00:02:36,085 And, uh, how's it going so far? Great. Yes. 56 00:02:36,865 --> 00:02:39,085 All right. And I thought it'd be fun 57 00:02:39,145 --> 00:02:42,165 to record an interview while we're here with a, 58 00:02:42,315 --> 00:02:43,365 with a live audience 59 00:02:43,425 --> 00:02:45,845 and people who actually care other than my mother. 60 00:02:46,145 --> 00:02:47,685 So we'll do it. Now. 61 00:02:48,225 --> 00:02:50,445 We have a special guest, I'm not gonna introduce him yet, 62 00:02:50,465 --> 00:02:53,085 but who in the room could introduce our guest 63 00:02:53,175 --> 00:02:54,325 who's maybe talked with him? 64 00:02:54,905 --> 00:02:56,565 You wanna come do it? We got a mic up here. 65 00:02:56,565 --> 00:02:59,965 Come on up and, uh, introduce George. 66 00:03:00,545 --> 00:03:02,125 - George is a doctor. 67 00:03:02,235 --> 00:03:03,245 - Well, you gotta first introduce 68 00:03:03,445 --> 00:03:04,925 yourself if you want. Well, 69 00:03:04,925 --> 00:03:05,925 - I'm not that important. 70 00:03:05,925 --> 00:03:07,605 - Well, I mean, you're - The, my name's Tammy. Hi. 71 00:03:07,605 --> 00:03:09,525 - Where are you from, Tammy? - I'm from Salem, Oregon. 72 00:03:09,955 --> 00:03:12,805 - Nice. And is your second leading Saints retreat? It is. 73 00:03:13,075 --> 00:03:14,285 - Nice. The first one was just so good. 74 00:03:14,325 --> 00:03:15,405 I couldn't help it. I have to. There 75 00:03:15,585 --> 00:03:16,585 - You go. 76 00:03:16,585 --> 00:03:18,365 Maybe there'll be a third. I don't know. Right there. 77 00:03:18,365 --> 00:03:19,365 Better be. Okay. . 78 00:03:19,855 --> 00:03:21,645 We'll, we'll get it done. All right. Back to George. 79 00:03:21,835 --> 00:03:24,525 - Back to George. George is a doctor. 80 00:03:24,665 --> 00:03:26,085 He currently lives in Florida. Now. 81 00:03:26,085 --> 00:03:28,365 I sound like I'm announcing a game show. . 82 00:03:29,385 --> 00:03:32,205 And George has 11 children. Really? 83 00:03:32,585 --> 00:03:33,645 - George, I didn't know that. 84 00:03:33,905 --> 00:03:35,405 Oh, we got, we got a lot to talk about. 85 00:03:36,205 --> 00:03:37,405 - He's got some amazing stories. 86 00:03:37,945 --> 00:03:39,485 And he's a smart, smart man, 87 00:03:39,505 --> 00:03:41,365 and he's funny and you're gonna love it. 88 00:03:41,515 --> 00:03:43,125 - Okay. Is that all accurate, George? 89 00:03:43,355 --> 00:03:47,005 - It's all I, well, I don't know about funny but , I 90 00:03:47,005 --> 00:03:48,005 - Was - Laughing. 91 00:03:48,005 --> 00:03:49,485 . Awesome. Well, thank you Tammy. 92 00:03:49,785 --> 00:03:52,565 Now, George, I'm, you know, when we put a retreat together, 93 00:03:53,235 --> 00:03:55,605 there's sort of a demographic we expect to show up, 94 00:03:55,605 --> 00:03:58,045 but you're 87 years old, right? 95 00:03:58,295 --> 00:04:00,765 - Right. - And so why a leading Saints retreat? 96 00:04:00,765 --> 00:04:02,125 What, what appealed to you about it? 97 00:04:02,675 --> 00:04:07,485 - When I first read the flyer, it made, I, I'm, 98 00:04:07,625 --> 00:04:09,085 I'm sure the flyer didn't say that, 99 00:04:09,505 --> 00:04:12,205 but it sounded like this was going to be a group 100 00:04:12,265 --> 00:04:13,805 of weirdos, , 101 00:04:14,425 --> 00:04:17,925 - And you were right, - . And, um, 102 00:04:18,715 --> 00:04:20,485 - It's funny, this is so true. Alright. 103 00:04:20,765 --> 00:04:24,245 - I tell people that I have spent my life living 104 00:04:24,595 --> 00:04:27,725 outside the box trying to convince them 105 00:04:27,725 --> 00:04:28,885 that I'm inside the box. 106 00:04:29,065 --> 00:04:32,805 Mm-Hmm. . And it sounded like this was gonna be 107 00:04:33,085 --> 00:04:37,085 a group of people who were also trying to live 108 00:04:37,115 --> 00:04:40,405 outside the box and accomplish change. 109 00:04:40,695 --> 00:04:43,605 Uhhuh . And I'm always for change. 110 00:04:44,295 --> 00:04:49,285 Every place I've ever worked probably has had 111 00:04:49,285 --> 00:04:51,205 to put bridles on me 112 00:04:51,205 --> 00:04:54,765 because , I've always got ideas 113 00:04:55,065 --> 00:04:56,885 and trying to change. 114 00:04:57,195 --> 00:04:58,645 - Yeah. So that, that's interesting. 115 00:04:58,645 --> 00:05:00,765 You said you're outside the box trying to convince others. 116 00:05:00,825 --> 00:05:02,045 You're inside the box 117 00:05:02,225 --> 00:05:03,445 - Trying to convince people. 118 00:05:03,595 --> 00:05:05,165 Okay. I'm living inside. 119 00:05:05,275 --> 00:05:07,325 - Tell me more about that. Like, as, as an example, come 120 00:05:07,325 --> 00:05:10,445 to mind and experience whether work or church or whatever. 121 00:05:11,235 --> 00:05:14,085 - Well, I try to be very conventional at church, 122 00:05:14,905 --> 00:05:18,565 but in the background, I'm usually doing something that is 123 00:05:19,185 --> 00:05:23,485 trying to change the way we deal with people. 124 00:05:24,085 --> 00:05:27,805 I, I'm very aware of people 125 00:05:27,985 --> 00:05:32,285 who are on the fringes of the church 126 00:05:33,065 --> 00:05:36,005 and trying to show them how they can fit in 127 00:05:36,265 --> 00:05:39,805 and that what they're trying to do is, is good 128 00:05:39,985 --> 00:05:42,845 and they just need to stick with it. Yeah. 129 00:05:43,175 --> 00:05:45,445 - Would you say you were, throughout your life, 130 00:05:45,465 --> 00:05:46,485 you were always like that? 131 00:05:47,185 --> 00:05:51,765 - Yes. Well, when I initially I was just very bullheaded 132 00:05:52,025 --> 00:05:55,005 and just kept hitting my head against the wall. 133 00:05:55,465 --> 00:05:59,245 And it's, it was, I can remember very clearly 134 00:05:59,925 --> 00:06:03,685 I had gone to Florida to do my internship 135 00:06:04,305 --> 00:06:07,725 and I received the Mel priesthood there. 136 00:06:08,325 --> 00:06:10,365 I hadn't been a member of the church very long. So 137 00:06:10,365 --> 00:06:11,845 - What, what age were you at this point? About 138 00:06:11,865 --> 00:06:13,245 - 23. Okay. 139 00:06:13,465 --> 00:06:15,445 - So convert to the church in your early twenties 140 00:06:15,905 --> 00:06:16,925 - In - Yes. Okay. 141 00:06:17,425 --> 00:06:19,925 - And it really changed my life 142 00:06:20,145 --> 00:06:23,245 and I began to see that there was another way. 143 00:06:23,825 --> 00:06:27,485 And by putting, uh, Christ in my life, 144 00:06:28,305 --> 00:06:29,765 it caused me to think differently. 145 00:06:30,345 --> 00:06:33,565 And so I started trying to learn 146 00:06:34,545 --> 00:06:36,925 and not just butt heads with people. 147 00:06:37,365 --> 00:06:41,005 Hmm. And, um, it's, it's taken a long time. Yeah. 148 00:06:41,405 --> 00:06:42,725 - even 87, 149 00:06:42,725 --> 00:06:44,165 maybe You haven't mastered it completely. 150 00:06:44,505 --> 00:06:45,845 - I'm still working on it. All right. 151 00:06:46,045 --> 00:06:48,045 I, my bishop will tell you that. 152 00:06:48,545 --> 00:06:50,805 What's he doing here again? . 153 00:06:51,345 --> 00:06:52,365 - And what, what do you mean by that? 154 00:06:52,365 --> 00:06:54,965 Like, uh, what's that experience? 155 00:06:54,965 --> 00:06:58,485 - Well, God has given me a, a really interesting brain. 156 00:06:59,085 --> 00:07:01,805 I have really severe dyslexia. Oh, really? 157 00:07:01,985 --> 00:07:06,685 And so I read maybe 25 books my whole life. Really? 158 00:07:07,315 --> 00:07:08,885 - Even You made it through med school and everything? 159 00:07:09,165 --> 00:07:10,165 - I made it through med school. 160 00:07:10,785 --> 00:07:12,085 - Wow. It was - Very difficult. 161 00:07:12,225 --> 00:07:15,325 And as I look back on it, the hand of God was really there. 162 00:07:16,305 --> 00:07:17,445 So I don't read, 163 00:07:18,345 --> 00:07:22,925 but I am, I have a, a brain that if you give a problem, 164 00:07:23,105 --> 00:07:26,765 and I can probably come up with 17 solutions to it. 165 00:07:27,225 --> 00:07:31,285 So I'm always at the bishop's office with a new idea, 166 00:07:31,765 --> 00:07:35,445 - or 17 - Or 17. Nice. And 167 00:07:35,945 --> 00:07:38,045 - So, and that's interesting, just as I've talked with you, 168 00:07:38,145 --> 00:07:41,165 you know, offline here, just hearing your engagement 169 00:07:41,165 --> 00:07:43,805 and how didn't you say, like, as you found this retreat, 170 00:07:43,805 --> 00:07:45,085 you sort of said, these are my people. 171 00:07:45,115 --> 00:07:47,845 Like Yes. Like you identify as someone 172 00:07:48,185 --> 00:07:49,525 who someone is a natural leader. 173 00:07:49,655 --> 00:07:51,325 Right? Or how would you phrase it? 174 00:07:51,925 --> 00:07:54,165 - I don't really think of myself as a leader, 175 00:07:54,305 --> 00:07:58,685 but I today, I think has made me feel 176 00:07:59,395 --> 00:08:01,165 more like, like a leader. 177 00:08:02,395 --> 00:08:04,085 - Like today being here. - Yes. 178 00:08:04,515 --> 00:08:06,445 - Tell me more about that. What, what do you mean by that? 179 00:08:07,445 --> 00:08:11,445 - , the, uh, exercise where people came 180 00:08:11,745 --> 00:08:15,165 and said what they had noticed 181 00:08:16,495 --> 00:08:19,855 about me was, um, was different. 182 00:08:20,115 --> 00:08:21,775 - It was powerful. Very - Powerful. 183 00:08:22,195 --> 00:08:24,295 - Did you feel like it was, they were saying things to you, 184 00:08:24,295 --> 00:08:25,775 you've known all along, 185 00:08:25,955 --> 00:08:27,255 but just to hear it from somebody else? 186 00:08:27,385 --> 00:08:28,855 Maybe confirm that 187 00:08:29,885 --> 00:08:31,385 - To, uh, some degree, 188 00:08:32,405 --> 00:08:37,345 but I don't really think of, of myself 189 00:08:37,365 --> 00:08:39,105 as a, a real leader. 190 00:08:39,945 --> 00:08:42,305 I do usually try to stay in the background 191 00:08:42,855 --> 00:08:45,825 because people don't like 192 00:08:46,525 --> 00:08:48,065 too many ideas all at once. 193 00:08:48,545 --> 00:08:50,705 Hmm. And they've got an idea. 194 00:08:51,205 --> 00:08:53,825 And so I usually just kind of wait 195 00:08:53,885 --> 00:08:55,805 and see how it turns out. Yeah. 196 00:08:56,035 --> 00:08:57,245 - That maybe goes back to that, 197 00:08:57,245 --> 00:08:59,365 that bullheadedness you've sort of figured out how 198 00:08:59,365 --> 00:09:00,725 to temper a little bit, right? 199 00:09:00,875 --> 00:09:01,875 - Yeah. - Right. 200 00:09:01,875 --> 00:09:05,925 - Yeah. - So at 87 years old, you know, there, 201 00:09:06,165 --> 00:09:08,725 I think a lot of people in your demographic, your peers, 202 00:09:09,475 --> 00:09:11,845 they, they feel the sense of, you know, 203 00:09:11,845 --> 00:09:14,165 the term is feeling out to pasture, right? 204 00:09:14,195 --> 00:09:16,165 Like Georgie lived, lived a good life. 205 00:09:16,165 --> 00:09:20,005 You've had sort of your, your career, your, your high points 206 00:09:20,005 --> 00:09:21,885 of maybe influence in, in the church. 207 00:09:22,225 --> 00:09:23,885 And do you feel that at times 208 00:09:23,885 --> 00:09:24,925 that you're sort of out at pasture 209 00:09:24,945 --> 00:09:25,945 - Or what? 210 00:09:25,945 --> 00:09:26,605 Oh, no. No. 211 00:09:26,745 --> 00:09:29,605 And I tell the bishop, 212 00:09:30,605 --> 00:09:34,565 whenever they call a new bishop, I usually go in 213 00:09:34,565 --> 00:09:38,445 and tell him I may be, you know, 87 or whatever. 214 00:09:38,625 --> 00:09:43,525 And I'm not through, don't classify me as old. 215 00:09:44,525 --> 00:09:48,325 I can still do whatever needs to be done and I wanna do it. 216 00:09:48,585 --> 00:09:51,485 And if you don't find something for me to do, 217 00:09:51,755 --> 00:09:53,485 I'll find it myself, . 218 00:09:54,825 --> 00:09:57,445 And I just, I retired 219 00:09:57,955 --> 00:10:00,205 from practicing medicine about a year ago. 220 00:10:00,835 --> 00:10:04,285 - Wait a minute, , you were 86 221 00:10:04,285 --> 00:10:05,365 years old when you retired. 222 00:10:05,595 --> 00:10:09,045 Yeah. And did they, everybody was good with that? 223 00:10:09,165 --> 00:10:11,685 Like, or was that a hard thing to, were they sort 224 00:10:11,685 --> 00:10:13,245 of helping you maybe think about retiring? 225 00:10:13,505 --> 00:10:14,765 No, they were good about, huh? 226 00:10:15,035 --> 00:10:19,285 - They, um, I've had offers to work since 227 00:10:19,585 --> 00:10:21,485 and it's been hard to turn it down. 228 00:10:21,765 --> 00:10:24,605 I practiced for 65 years and Oh my goodness. 229 00:10:24,905 --> 00:10:28,245 So it's kind of in my nature and, 230 00:10:28,705 --> 00:10:31,325 and you can probably ask, I've given medical advice 231 00:10:31,345 --> 00:10:32,365 to people here, . 232 00:10:32,365 --> 00:10:35,645 Yeah, that's great. So it's, it's hard to stop. 233 00:10:36,075 --> 00:10:38,405 - Yeah. And what type of medicine did you practice? 234 00:10:38,845 --> 00:10:40,965 - I, uh, was trained as a family practitioner 235 00:10:41,505 --> 00:10:44,845 and I did something called functional medicine. 236 00:10:44,985 --> 00:10:47,405 Mm-Hmm. , which is, um, studying 237 00:10:47,925 --> 00:10:50,605 cellular physiology, looking at, uh, 238 00:10:50,605 --> 00:10:53,045 things from a cellular viewpoint rather than 239 00:10:53,125 --> 00:10:54,845 a symptomatic Yeah. Viewpoint. 240 00:10:55,385 --> 00:10:57,285 - So identifying as like this leader, 241 00:10:58,025 --> 00:10:59,965 did you have more formal experiences 242 00:10:59,965 --> 00:11:01,565 of leadership in the church at Bishop 243 00:11:01,615 --> 00:11:03,405 Ricks or anything like that? I've been 244 00:11:03,725 --> 00:11:06,565 - A counselor in the Bishoprick a couple of times. 245 00:11:07,325 --> 00:11:10,405 I think I learned the most from being executive 246 00:11:10,725 --> 00:11:11,765 secretary a couple of times. 247 00:11:12,445 --> 00:11:14,645 Hmm. And, uh, that was my favorite calling 248 00:11:14,645 --> 00:11:16,565 because you have all the power 249 00:11:16,665 --> 00:11:18,325 and no responsibility. . 250 00:11:19,315 --> 00:11:21,685 - Yeah. You're the gate gatekeeper. Right. 251 00:11:21,685 --> 00:11:23,045 - You're the gatekeeper . Right. 252 00:11:23,475 --> 00:11:24,475 - Nice. - And 253 00:11:24,585 --> 00:11:25,685 - You did that a few times or? 254 00:11:25,965 --> 00:11:27,205 - I did it twice. Oh, 255 00:11:27,205 --> 00:11:28,205 - Great. 256 00:11:28,205 --> 00:11:29,765 Yeah. And you've bounced around the country in your career, 257 00:11:29,865 --> 00:11:31,005 you, you mentioned to me, right? 258 00:11:31,305 --> 00:11:34,685 - Yes. Yeah. I've, I lived in China for three years 259 00:11:34,945 --> 00:11:38,045 and I worked and was a CEO of the hospital there. 260 00:11:38,105 --> 00:11:41,445 And I've, um, worked in Boston. 261 00:11:41,965 --> 00:11:44,605 I set up, uh, my, this was my favorite job. 262 00:11:44,745 --> 00:11:48,365 Uh, I set up ICUs in people's homes, 263 00:11:49,225 --> 00:11:51,685 and you can imagine that's expensive 264 00:11:51,905 --> 00:11:54,325 and there's, there's no feeling 265 00:11:54,835 --> 00:11:58,445 exactly like having somebody give you a credit card 266 00:11:58,515 --> 00:11:59,845 with no limit on it. 267 00:12:00,565 --> 00:12:01,565 268 00:12:03,065 --> 00:12:04,065 - Wow. 269 00:12:04,065 --> 00:12:06,165 - It's just, it's a wonderful feeling. Yeah. 270 00:12:07,285 --> 00:12:10,845 - Interesting. So why is a little tangent here, I guess, 271 00:12:10,845 --> 00:12:12,685 but why ICUs in a home? 272 00:12:13,065 --> 00:12:16,005 - Uh, these were family members who were critically ill. 273 00:12:16,155 --> 00:12:18,365 - Okay. And they had the funds to do that. They had the fund 274 00:12:18,435 --> 00:12:19,435 - Okay. 275 00:12:19,435 --> 00:12:22,765 To send up to set up the, uh, ICUs. And so Wow. 276 00:12:23,525 --> 00:12:24,725 I bought all the equipment 277 00:12:24,865 --> 00:12:27,205 and trained all the personnel. Uhhuh 278 00:12:27,285 --> 00:12:28,285 - , Uhhuh . 279 00:12:28,285 --> 00:12:30,685 Now, you originally, uh, returned from, uh, mission service. 280 00:12:31,195 --> 00:12:32,205 Tell, tell me about that. 281 00:12:32,345 --> 00:12:35,205 - My, my wife and I served in the Tampa Mission office 282 00:12:35,945 --> 00:12:38,285 and did, she did the finances 283 00:12:38,505 --> 00:12:40,245 and I did housing. Mm-Hmm. . 284 00:12:40,585 --> 00:12:42,925 - And were you the, also the, 285 00:12:42,925 --> 00:12:45,045 the doctor for the missionaries or? No, 286 00:12:45,385 --> 00:12:48,325 - Uh, I, I gave a little bit of advice, 287 00:12:48,665 --> 00:12:49,765 but advice not too much. 288 00:12:49,875 --> 00:12:52,885 They had a nurse and they have a doctor Uhhuh , 289 00:12:52,885 --> 00:12:54,165 you know, for each admission. 290 00:12:54,345 --> 00:12:56,805 And so I didn't have to get too involved. Yeah. 291 00:12:56,925 --> 00:12:58,605 I would've liked to have gotten more involved 292 00:12:58,605 --> 00:13:02,645 because with functional medicine, we could have done a lot, 293 00:13:02,685 --> 00:13:05,925 particularly with the missionaries with emotional problems. 294 00:13:06,065 --> 00:13:07,765 Mm-Hmm. and things like that. 295 00:13:08,025 --> 00:13:09,885 - Did you see a lot of that - Lock? Yeah. 296 00:13:09,885 --> 00:13:11,965 - Yeah. And how, how did that usually manifest? 297 00:13:11,965 --> 00:13:13,805 Or what, what did you, how were you aware of that? 298 00:13:14,735 --> 00:13:17,165 - Depression. You could see it in their eyes 299 00:13:17,905 --> 00:13:20,685 and you could tell when they were really having trouble 300 00:13:20,915 --> 00:13:23,205 because we were in the mission office, you know, 301 00:13:23,205 --> 00:13:25,165 they were always coming through 302 00:13:26,285 --> 00:13:28,285 and so we got to know a lot of them. 303 00:13:28,395 --> 00:13:31,245 - Yeah. And so your responsibilities were over housing? 304 00:13:31,395 --> 00:13:32,485 - Just housing? Mm-Hmm. 305 00:13:32,525 --> 00:13:33,525 doing leases 306 00:13:33,625 --> 00:13:35,925 and finding apartments Yeah. And things like that. 307 00:13:36,385 --> 00:13:39,205 - And, uh, is that your, uh, first mission then? 308 00:13:39,585 --> 00:13:41,925 - That's the Yes. Our first mission. Great. 309 00:13:42,025 --> 00:13:44,405 - And any, what encouragement do you give 310 00:13:44,405 --> 00:13:45,485 to maybe people in, 311 00:13:45,825 --> 00:13:48,005 in their eighties looking to do that? Oh, 312 00:13:48,185 --> 00:13:51,765 - It, the energy that you feel from the young missionaries, 313 00:13:52,155 --> 00:13:53,805 it's, it's just wonderful. 314 00:13:53,805 --> 00:13:57,405 Mm-Hmm. It, it's, you know, they're so full of energy 315 00:13:57,505 --> 00:14:01,565 and enthusiasm and, and we learned a new language, 316 00:14:02,405 --> 00:14:03,405 - . 317 00:14:03,405 --> 00:14:03,925 Oh, yeah. From the missionaries? Or 318 00:14:03,925 --> 00:14:04,925 - From the missionaries? 319 00:14:05,115 --> 00:14:07,445 - Well, well share that language with us. Oh, 320 00:14:07,685 --> 00:14:10,805 - I, it's left me already , 321 00:14:11,825 --> 00:14:15,205 but you know, just the, oh, I learned, uh, 322 00:14:15,785 --> 00:14:18,125 how you do some sort of salute like that. 323 00:14:18,125 --> 00:14:21,925 That's supposed to be a really, uh, I understand. 324 00:14:22,125 --> 00:14:23,165 I get you. I'm with you. 325 00:14:23,165 --> 00:14:24,405 - Oh, oh, gotcha. - Sort of thing. 326 00:14:24,625 --> 00:14:26,805 So they were, they all laughed 327 00:14:26,805 --> 00:14:28,925 because, you know, this old man is 328 00:14:29,605 --> 00:14:30,605 - saluting them. 329 00:14:30,605 --> 00:14:32,965 Huh. So, that's right. So, nice. 330 00:14:33,265 --> 00:14:35,845 And, uh, that was one you lived at your home? We lived at. 331 00:14:36,205 --> 00:14:38,285 'cause you lived just south of Tampa, right? Or north? 332 00:14:38,515 --> 00:14:40,685 Just north of, okay. Mm-Hmm. What's the name of your city? 333 00:14:40,905 --> 00:14:42,485 - Uh, port Richie. - Okay, cool. 334 00:14:42,705 --> 00:14:45,205 And, and so you were able to commute in and we did. 335 00:14:45,305 --> 00:14:47,445 And it was a, a huge disruption of your life, 336 00:14:47,465 --> 00:14:49,885 but you could still experience a great mission. Well, 337 00:14:50,225 --> 00:14:53,645 - It, we pretty much shut down all 338 00:14:53,645 --> 00:14:55,125 of our other activities Mm-Hmm. 339 00:14:55,165 --> 00:14:58,245 and focused just on the mission. 340 00:14:58,555 --> 00:15:02,165 - Yeah. Yeah. So take me back to, you know, some, 341 00:15:02,165 --> 00:15:04,325 maybe some principles that, some epiphanies 342 00:15:04,325 --> 00:15:08,085 that have stood out here and you applying in, in your life. 343 00:15:08,145 --> 00:15:11,765 As far as like, how did you, what is that the day-to-Day, 344 00:15:11,765 --> 00:15:13,365 other than connecting with your bishop 345 00:15:13,585 --> 00:15:15,525 and giving, sharing ideas and whatnot? 346 00:15:15,525 --> 00:15:17,445 Like, how do you be a leader without 347 00:15:17,445 --> 00:15:19,165 being formally called as a leader? 348 00:15:19,555 --> 00:15:22,365 - Well, I adopted what we've been told. 349 00:15:22,945 --> 00:15:25,565 The Blue Book is just a guideline. 350 00:15:25,995 --> 00:15:29,125 It's not something you have to follow. Mm-Hmm. 351 00:15:29,165 --> 00:15:31,565 . And I found that bishops, 352 00:15:31,665 --> 00:15:32,805 you know, they're swamped. 353 00:15:33,225 --> 00:15:36,605 If you do something and you set it up 354 00:15:36,705 --> 00:15:39,365 and you get it working, and then you go 355 00:15:39,545 --> 00:15:43,645 and ask the bishop's permission, he's most likely to say yes 356 00:15:43,645 --> 00:15:46,885 because he just doesn't have time to say no . 357 00:15:47,275 --> 00:15:51,725 - Yeah. - And so that's kind of what I've done. Yeah. 358 00:15:51,985 --> 00:15:53,725 And just picked an area 359 00:15:54,065 --> 00:15:58,005 or an idea that, oh, this is my chance. 360 00:15:58,545 --> 00:15:59,605 - Go, go for it. George 361 00:16:00,285 --> 00:16:01,285 - . 362 00:16:01,285 --> 00:16:05,085 So I'm trying to build unity in our ward, 363 00:16:05,345 --> 00:16:08,165 and I think we need, back in the old days when we used 364 00:16:08,165 --> 00:16:10,005 to have dinners to raise funds 365 00:16:10,225 --> 00:16:12,205 to build our, the chapel. Yeah. 366 00:16:12,205 --> 00:16:13,245 - The building fund. Right. The 367 00:16:13,365 --> 00:16:14,045 - Building fund. I've, 368 00:16:14,045 --> 00:16:16,125 - I've often thought about, I, I wanna do an episode 369 00:16:16,125 --> 00:16:18,085 where I gather a bunch of eighties bishops 370 00:16:18,265 --> 00:16:20,045 and just talk about like, what was it like, 371 00:16:20,045 --> 00:16:21,525 what did the checkbook look like? 372 00:16:21,525 --> 00:16:23,805 Right. Like Yeah. Or the building funds, like, 373 00:16:23,925 --> 00:16:25,685 'cause back when my dad was a bishop, he had 374 00:16:25,685 --> 00:16:26,965 to stand in front of the ward and say, 375 00:16:27,105 --> 00:16:28,485 we gotta pay utilities folks. 376 00:16:28,485 --> 00:16:29,565 Right. Like, yeah. 377 00:16:29,615 --> 00:16:32,485 - Right. You had not only the building fund, 378 00:16:32,585 --> 00:16:36,685 but you, we paid a certain percentage of the utilities and 379 00:16:36,985 --> 00:16:38,485 - On top of your 10% tithe Right. 380 00:16:38,905 --> 00:16:40,445 - On top of the tithing. Wow. Yeah. 381 00:16:40,905 --> 00:16:44,205 But the unity that we had was really great 382 00:16:44,315 --> 00:16:48,565 because we gathered so often to do activities, you know, 383 00:16:48,585 --> 00:16:52,725 to raise the funds that the side benefit was something 384 00:16:52,725 --> 00:16:54,365 that I think is really missing. 385 00:16:54,595 --> 00:16:57,765 Yeah. Today, the getting together. Yeah. So often 386 00:16:58,165 --> 00:17:01,045 - I was encouraged by Elder gong's recent general conference 387 00:17:01,085 --> 00:17:02,605 talk, you sort of alluded to this as far 388 00:17:02,605 --> 00:17:04,205 as like encouraging activities and whatnot. 389 00:17:04,225 --> 00:17:07,685 But, and really this is a, this is a, a general problem 390 00:17:07,715 --> 00:17:09,205 that I think a lot of wards face. 391 00:17:09,325 --> 00:17:11,605 I mean, I think many of you would say in this room is your 392 00:17:11,765 --> 00:17:13,285 ward need some help with unity. 393 00:17:13,835 --> 00:17:16,005 Yeah. Right. And so, yeah, keep going. So 394 00:17:16,545 --> 00:17:18,165 - My, I've got a lot of ideas, 395 00:17:18,385 --> 00:17:21,485 but the one that I'm really promoting is, uh, 396 00:17:21,505 --> 00:17:22,765 you know, about warm, charming. 397 00:17:23,465 --> 00:17:24,485 - I'm lost, George. What? 398 00:17:24,485 --> 00:17:26,285 Tell me about warm, charming. Anybody here? 399 00:17:26,555 --> 00:17:28,925 - Everybody knows. - Okay. Brazen. Okay. 400 00:17:29,025 --> 00:17:31,885 - You're the first people that I've ever talked to about, 401 00:17:31,915 --> 00:17:33,325 - Well, these are your people, George. So 402 00:17:33,485 --> 00:17:34,485 - . 403 00:17:34,485 --> 00:17:35,205 That's true. That's true. 404 00:17:35,705 --> 00:17:38,205 So what you do is you get a stick 405 00:17:38,785 --> 00:17:40,725 and you carve notches in it, 406 00:17:41,225 --> 00:17:42,925 and then you have another stick, 407 00:17:42,985 --> 00:17:46,165 and you put the first stick down into the ground about 408 00:17:46,165 --> 00:17:47,205 eight to 12 inches. 409 00:17:47,505 --> 00:17:51,645 And then you rub the, uh, stick up and down the notches, 410 00:17:51,825 --> 00:17:55,445 and it creates a vibration in the earth that is similar 411 00:17:55,625 --> 00:17:57,565 to a mo a mole going 412 00:17:57,565 --> 00:17:59,805 through the ground looking for earthworms. 413 00:18:00,145 --> 00:18:02,405 And so the worms know that vibration. 414 00:18:02,465 --> 00:18:05,885 And so they pop up to the grass and you pick up the worms. 415 00:18:06,095 --> 00:18:07,565 - We've taken the Leading Saints podcast 416 00:18:07,705 --> 00:18:08,885 to a whole nother level . 417 00:18:09,105 --> 00:18:10,445 I'm like, so fascinated. Okay. 418 00:18:10,865 --> 00:18:12,165 - So everybody out there, 419 00:18:12,255 --> 00:18:13,685 we're gonna have a national contest. 420 00:18:13,855 --> 00:18:16,925 There is actually the International Federation 421 00:18:16,985 --> 00:18:18,845 of Warm, charming . And, 422 00:18:18,945 --> 00:18:20,485 - Uh, and you're the president, right? 423 00:18:20,485 --> 00:18:21,525 George? Is that ? 424 00:18:22,035 --> 00:18:23,285 - It's my aspiration. 425 00:18:23,555 --> 00:18:24,685 - Okay. All right. All right. 426 00:18:25,025 --> 00:18:26,605 We got a long life ahead of you. So, 427 00:18:26,905 --> 00:18:31,085 - And, uh, so you mark off a three square foot plot. 428 00:18:31,905 --> 00:18:35,605 You have the team, you have the gruber who rubs the stick. 429 00:18:36,025 --> 00:18:39,165 You have the, uh, collector, and then the counter. 430 00:18:39,625 --> 00:18:41,045 And you have, uh, 30 minutes. 431 00:18:41,705 --> 00:18:43,205 - You have to do the certain time of day, or 432 00:18:43,465 --> 00:18:45,605 - No, you can do it anytime. 433 00:18:46,065 --> 00:18:47,685 - So they're scared of the, of the 434 00:18:47,685 --> 00:18:49,005 gopher. Of the moles. Of the moles. Okay. 435 00:18:49,105 --> 00:18:53,965 - Of the moles. And so you, at the end of the 30 minutes, 436 00:18:54,305 --> 00:18:55,565 you count up the worms 437 00:18:55,625 --> 00:18:58,165 and the team with the most worms wins the contest. 438 00:18:58,835 --> 00:19:01,965 - Olympic sport folks. Okay, good. Alright. 439 00:19:01,985 --> 00:19:04,845 So, so keep going. Yeah. Bring us back. So, 440 00:19:05,385 --> 00:19:07,565 - So, uh, this is in England. 441 00:19:07,675 --> 00:19:09,205 It's a big sport. Oh really? 442 00:19:09,205 --> 00:19:12,325 And there's a town in Florida that does it. 443 00:19:12,425 --> 00:19:15,965 And they usually have an attendance of about 5,000 people. 444 00:19:16,625 --> 00:19:20,565 So this is a, uh, little known great sport 445 00:19:21,025 --> 00:19:22,165 - Now, and it's not just a sport, 446 00:19:22,185 --> 00:19:23,165 but they're harvesting the 447 00:19:23,165 --> 00:19:24,645 earthworms to fish, or what? Well, 448 00:19:24,665 --> 00:19:28,485 - No, uh, what this actually used to be a, um, 449 00:19:29,185 --> 00:19:30,885 an occupation in the south. 450 00:19:30,995 --> 00:19:34,885 Okay. Women could actually support their family by, uh, 451 00:19:35,295 --> 00:19:36,885 doing this worm gru. 452 00:19:37,545 --> 00:19:41,845 Wow. And, um, so once they invented plastic worms, 453 00:19:41,985 --> 00:19:43,765 the occupation kind of died out, 454 00:19:44,005 --> 00:19:46,605 although there's still some, some women who do it. Wow. 455 00:19:46,835 --> 00:19:48,845 - Alright. So take us here to, to toward unity. 456 00:19:49,105 --> 00:19:50,245 I'm sort of like, we're, we're 457 00:19:50,405 --> 00:19:51,685 - , so, so we're gonna, 458 00:19:52,015 --> 00:19:53,405 we're gonna have some food trucks, 459 00:19:53,505 --> 00:19:56,885 and we're gonna have, we're gonna invite the, the town 460 00:19:57,545 --> 00:20:01,365 and we're going to get, you know, some other activities. 461 00:20:01,385 --> 00:20:03,885 Oh. And one thing I've thought about was we're gonna have a, 462 00:20:03,905 --> 00:20:07,205 uh, contest, uh, parade for the children. 463 00:20:07,665 --> 00:20:10,205 And the best worm costume wins 464 00:20:10,725 --> 00:20:11,725 - . 465 00:20:12,585 --> 00:20:14,645 We, the, the audience demands pictures, George, 466 00:20:14,945 --> 00:20:16,765 so send them our way 467 00:20:18,115 --> 00:20:19,115 - Away. 468 00:20:19,115 --> 00:20:22,645 So, um, so that's the sort of thing I don't have 469 00:20:22,645 --> 00:20:25,085 to ask the bishop about that. You know, I'm, I 470 00:20:25,305 --> 00:20:26,365 - You can just go do it. Right. 471 00:20:26,605 --> 00:20:28,445 - I got, I've got a publicity chairman, 472 00:20:28,985 --> 00:20:32,285 and we're gonna, um, we're gonna try to do it. 473 00:20:32,385 --> 00:20:34,245 - So is this a publicity chairman from 474 00:20:34,245 --> 00:20:35,605 your ward or from the ward? 475 00:20:36,465 --> 00:20:38,685 So, and you haven't approached the bishop about it, 476 00:20:38,685 --> 00:20:39,725 or you're just gonna do it, or you, 477 00:20:39,955 --> 00:20:43,245 - Once I got, uh, everybody in place and I got the rules 478 00:20:43,585 --> 00:20:46,565 and, uh, got an idea of what we were gonna need to do, 479 00:20:46,675 --> 00:20:47,885 then I went to the bishop 480 00:20:48,185 --> 00:20:50,645 and said, um, this is what I'd like to do. 481 00:20:50,705 --> 00:20:53,565 And he said, okay. Worm grubby . 482 00:20:55,665 --> 00:20:57,565 - And so you have this on the calendar in your 483 00:20:58,055 --> 00:20:59,845 - We're That's the, we're at the state. 484 00:21:00,125 --> 00:21:04,045 I did, uh, involve the ward activities. Okay. 485 00:21:04,045 --> 00:21:06,645 Committee, because I didn't wanna clash with anything else. 486 00:21:06,785 --> 00:21:08,965 And so she's supposed to be setting up the date 487 00:21:09,345 --> 00:21:10,565 as we speak. Wow. 488 00:21:10,785 --> 00:21:11,885 - And do you, so do you have 489 00:21:11,885 --> 00:21:13,125 an official calling in the ward? 490 00:21:13,795 --> 00:21:17,045 - They didn't know exactly what to do with this . 491 00:21:17,265 --> 00:21:22,005 - So , - So we've, uh, been called 492 00:21:22,025 --> 00:21:23,165 as ward missionaries, 493 00:21:23,585 --> 00:21:26,165 but we're, uh, functioning under the bishop 494 00:21:26,385 --> 00:21:28,325 and not the ward, uh, missionary. 495 00:21:28,475 --> 00:21:29,485 Nice leader. 496 00:21:29,545 --> 00:21:32,045 And so I figured that gives me the right 497 00:21:32,045 --> 00:21:33,685 to do just about anything. Yeah. 498 00:21:33,845 --> 00:21:37,165 - sounds like even Worm . 499 00:21:37,905 --> 00:21:40,685 So, uh, tell me about your wife. Like what is your wife? 500 00:21:42,465 --> 00:21:43,805 My wife. Along the same vein or, 501 00:21:44,345 --> 00:21:47,085 - Um, no, she's Italian. 502 00:21:47,425 --> 00:21:50,525 Uh, she's very traditional. She's a good wife. How 503 00:21:50,525 --> 00:21:51,525 - Long you been married? 504 00:21:51,525 --> 00:21:53,725 - Uh, nine years. - Okay. Second marriage. 505 00:21:53,745 --> 00:21:54,925 - Second marriage. Okay. 506 00:21:55,585 --> 00:21:57,925 And she really is tolerant 507 00:21:57,955 --> 00:22:02,325 because pretty much everything I do is different. 508 00:22:02,905 --> 00:22:05,645 And she had a, 509 00:22:05,865 --> 00:22:08,525 she had a very traditional first marriage, 510 00:22:09,065 --> 00:22:13,405 and so she's kind of, oh, we're gonna do 511 00:22:13,405 --> 00:22:14,405 - That. 512 00:22:14,405 --> 00:22:17,325 , she's a lifelong member, or 513 00:22:17,985 --> 00:22:19,885 - No, that's a story. 514 00:22:20,195 --> 00:22:22,885 Well, I guess you can cut it out if it's too long, 515 00:22:22,985 --> 00:22:24,085 but , here we go. 516 00:22:24,145 --> 00:22:26,165 Um, I did obstetrics 517 00:22:26,625 --> 00:22:30,085 and she had her first child by c-section, 518 00:22:30,425 --> 00:22:33,805 and she wanted to have a home birth for the second. 519 00:22:34,305 --> 00:22:38,405 And so she, I was doing home births, and so she came to me 520 00:22:39,025 --> 00:22:41,765 and, uh, I was present. 521 00:22:41,985 --> 00:22:44,525 Uh, I usually say I helped her deliver it, 522 00:22:44,545 --> 00:22:46,205 but she wants to make clear 523 00:22:46,205 --> 00:22:48,445 that she delivered it . 524 00:22:48,905 --> 00:22:50,205 And I was just there 525 00:22:50,555 --> 00:22:51,555 - Attending. 526 00:22:52,225 --> 00:22:55,445 - So then that daughter grew up to be, 527 00:22:56,545 --> 00:22:57,885 we were in the same stake, 528 00:22:58,345 --> 00:23:00,965 and she wasn't a member at the time, but, uh, 529 00:23:01,105 --> 00:23:02,325 - And obviously this was long before 530 00:23:02,325 --> 00:23:03,365 your marriage tour? Long 531 00:23:03,365 --> 00:23:04,365 - Before, okay. 532 00:23:04,365 --> 00:23:04,805 Yeah, 37 years. 533 00:23:05,545 --> 00:23:09,165 So she had had the missionaries come to the door, 534 00:23:09,165 --> 00:23:10,885 but they'd never paid any attention to them. 535 00:23:10,905 --> 00:23:13,325 But because of our relationship, 536 00:23:13,425 --> 00:23:16,925 and she knew I was a member of the church, she invited a man 537 00:23:17,225 --> 00:23:19,525 and she and her whole family joined. 538 00:23:19,945 --> 00:23:22,565 Wow. And so then 539 00:23:23,145 --> 00:23:26,485 it was about 36, 33 years later 540 00:23:26,755 --> 00:23:28,525 that we were both divorced 541 00:23:28,905 --> 00:23:31,765 and she was in, um, Florida. 542 00:23:32,105 --> 00:23:33,925 And she called me 543 00:23:34,265 --> 00:23:38,005 and, well, if there's any, do single people listen to this? 544 00:23:38,265 --> 00:23:39,445 - Uh, every once in a while, yeah. 545 00:23:40,145 --> 00:23:43,525 - So I used to go to, um, the wards 546 00:23:43,945 --> 00:23:45,405 and I'd go to, to the bishop, 547 00:23:45,545 --> 00:23:47,565 and I'd say, my name is George Wootan. 548 00:23:47,705 --> 00:23:49,365 I'm single. I'm looking for a wife. 549 00:23:49,465 --> 00:23:52,325 Do you have any women in your ward that would like to date? 550 00:23:52,645 --> 00:23:54,125 - . He's a charmer. . 551 00:23:56,105 --> 00:23:58,445 - So it's a great pickup line. Yeah. 552 00:23:58,545 --> 00:24:01,245 - And obviously it worked, uh, I'm assuming so, 553 00:24:01,505 --> 00:24:03,165 - Uh, I was in Florida 554 00:24:03,505 --> 00:24:07,925 and I wanted, uh, was gonna go to, um, a town called Largo. 555 00:24:08,345 --> 00:24:10,045 And because I'd heard there were a lot 556 00:24:10,045 --> 00:24:11,405 of single women there, 557 00:24:13,145 --> 00:24:17,365 and I, um, sat down at the computer to get the address, 558 00:24:17,425 --> 00:24:20,405 and I got this impression, go to Odessa. 559 00:24:20,765 --> 00:24:23,645 I, I wanna go to Odessa. It's outside my stake. 560 00:24:23,885 --> 00:24:27,285 I prefer to stay inside the stake, go to Odessa. 561 00:24:27,345 --> 00:24:28,605 So I go to Odessa 562 00:24:28,865 --> 00:24:32,365 and, uh, Bishop, I gave him my line 563 00:24:32,505 --> 00:24:34,445 and he said, um, okay. 564 00:24:34,505 --> 00:24:38,925 He had, think about it, The next week he came by 565 00:24:39,265 --> 00:24:42,685 and, um, he said, well, I thought there was one woman 566 00:24:42,715 --> 00:24:43,845 that would be interested, 567 00:24:43,945 --> 00:24:46,285 but she's just not interested in dating right now. 568 00:24:47,225 --> 00:24:51,005 So I look up and I say, okay, I'm here. He said, come here. 569 00:24:52,025 --> 00:24:54,205 You know? So I went to Sunday school 570 00:24:54,585 --> 00:24:56,005 and, uh, the, um, 571 00:24:56,865 --> 00:24:59,405 Sunday school teacher was really a neat lady. 572 00:24:59,665 --> 00:25:03,245 She was very nicely dressed, knew the gospel. 573 00:25:03,545 --> 00:25:06,725 She had served two missions with her husband, was just, 574 00:25:07,155 --> 00:25:08,645 just an ideal person. 575 00:25:09,345 --> 00:25:11,205 And so I'm sitting there 576 00:25:11,205 --> 00:25:15,045 and all of a sudden in my head goes off this light, birds 577 00:25:15,045 --> 00:25:16,645 of a feather flocked together. 578 00:25:17,345 --> 00:25:21,645 So I went up after Sunday school, my name is George . 579 00:25:22,185 --> 00:25:24,405 Uh, I'm single. I'm looking for a wife. 580 00:25:24,665 --> 00:25:27,125 Do you have any friends that would be interested in dating? 581 00:25:27,825 --> 00:25:29,645 And her eyes got kind of big. 582 00:25:30,065 --> 00:25:31,725 And I said, well, you can talk to your bishop, 583 00:25:31,725 --> 00:25:34,245 because he's called my bishop. And, uh, 584 00:25:35,195 --> 00:25:36,195 - He's clear folks. 585 00:25:36,605 --> 00:25:37,605 . Yeah. 586 00:25:38,425 --> 00:25:41,485 - And so, um, she said she'd think about it. 587 00:25:41,825 --> 00:25:45,765 And so the next week she said, well, I do have a couple 588 00:25:45,765 --> 00:25:47,005 of friends that are interested, 589 00:25:47,105 --> 00:25:49,845 but my daughter-in-Law knows this lady up in Orlando 590 00:25:49,955 --> 00:25:51,805 that she thinks would be perfect for you, 591 00:25:52,585 --> 00:25:53,805 and she's gonna text her, 592 00:25:53,865 --> 00:25:56,805 and if she's interested, she'll give you her phone number. 593 00:25:57,065 --> 00:25:58,325 And so she texted her, 594 00:25:58,665 --> 00:26:03,285 and the way she described me, Lucrecia knew who I was. 595 00:26:03,505 --> 00:26:05,085 Mm-Hmm. . And, um, 596 00:26:05,625 --> 00:26:07,005 - And I imagine you hadn't really had 597 00:26:07,005 --> 00:26:08,405 contact for decades, right? We did, 598 00:26:08,405 --> 00:26:09,245 - Yeah. We hadn't had 599 00:26:09,245 --> 00:26:10,565 - Any, but just remembered who you were. 600 00:26:10,635 --> 00:26:11,925 Yeah. Wow. 601 00:26:12,355 --> 00:26:15,125 - Well, she described me as a doctor with 11 children 602 00:26:15,305 --> 00:26:17,565 who practices some weird kind of medicine. 603 00:26:17,805 --> 00:26:18,805 - , not, not too many 604 00:26:18,805 --> 00:26:20,245 of those running around. Huh? 605 00:26:20,995 --> 00:26:21,995 - Nice. 606 00:26:21,995 --> 00:26:23,085 So, so she knew who I was. 607 00:26:23,145 --> 00:26:27,925 So we, um, we met and, uh, nine days later we were engaged 608 00:26:28,105 --> 00:26:30,725 and we got married a couple of months after that. Uh, 609 00:26:31,025 --> 00:26:32,025 - That's sweet. 610 00:26:32,155 --> 00:26:35,205 Wonderful. And so, uh, going back to this, your, 611 00:26:35,475 --> 00:26:38,965 your wife sometimes just puts up with this, uh, eagerness 612 00:26:39,225 --> 00:26:41,285 to get out there and serve and lead. Yes. 613 00:26:41,475 --> 00:26:43,795 - Yeah. - Yeah. Interesting. All right. 614 00:26:43,795 --> 00:26:45,875 Any other, I'm, I'm intrigued by these ideas. 615 00:26:45,995 --> 00:26:47,755 I know you have a lot of ideas. We can't go through 'em all, 616 00:26:47,895 --> 00:26:51,395 but what other ideas like, uh, have you found effective 617 00:26:51,395 --> 00:26:53,915 and just in your informal role as a leader? 618 00:26:54,545 --> 00:26:56,755 - Well, one of the things, I got off of one 619 00:26:56,755 --> 00:26:59,835 of your podcasts, and I don't remember who was, 620 00:27:00,255 --> 00:27:03,875 but he talked about inviting families 621 00:27:03,875 --> 00:27:05,195 to feed the missionaries. 622 00:27:05,895 --> 00:27:10,475 And if they weren't economically able to do it, the, 623 00:27:11,185 --> 00:27:14,115 they provided the food from the Bishop storehouse. 624 00:27:15,015 --> 00:27:19,475 So we, we've started that program. Wow. And, um, 625 00:27:19,735 --> 00:27:20,735 - So what does that look like? 626 00:27:20,735 --> 00:27:22,235 Like how do you facilitate 627 00:27:22,235 --> 00:27:23,235 - That? 628 00:27:23,235 --> 00:27:25,355 Well, we, we kind, I, that's my role is 629 00:27:25,375 --> 00:27:28,435 to contact the families, find the families. 630 00:27:29,025 --> 00:27:32,715 I've got somebody who's gonna coordinate the calendars 631 00:27:32,905 --> 00:27:35,675 because we're gonna try to do this just with, uh, 632 00:27:35,675 --> 00:27:38,155 part member families and inactives. 633 00:27:38,985 --> 00:27:40,835 Then, uh, I've got five 634 00:27:40,835 --> 00:27:43,275 or six people that are gonna help support the program. 635 00:27:44,215 --> 00:27:45,475 And we'll see. 636 00:27:45,485 --> 00:27:47,395 We're just getting ready to, um, 637 00:27:47,655 --> 00:27:49,075 to start our first families. 638 00:27:49,135 --> 00:27:51,195 - That's great. And it's just a matter of, you know, 639 00:27:51,195 --> 00:27:52,475 making sure that opportunity's available 640 00:27:52,475 --> 00:27:54,835 to everybody in the ward, and even if they can't afford the 641 00:27:54,835 --> 00:27:56,275 food or afford to. 642 00:27:56,825 --> 00:28:00,675 - Well, we have one of the, um, members of the, uh, 643 00:28:00,875 --> 00:28:03,515 I guess he's the assistant ward mission leader, 644 00:28:04,015 --> 00:28:08,235 and he does a calendar for the actives and, uh, 645 00:28:08,265 --> 00:28:09,515 - They pass it around relief side. 646 00:28:09,515 --> 00:28:10,675 Your elders quorum, right? Yeah, Uhhuh. 647 00:28:10,705 --> 00:28:13,355 - Yeah. So we're not, we're gonna coordinate so 648 00:28:13,355 --> 00:28:14,915 that we don't conflict there, 649 00:28:15,655 --> 00:28:19,235 but I'm just trying to focus on the inactives 650 00:28:19,235 --> 00:28:20,435 and part number families. 651 00:28:20,505 --> 00:28:22,955 - Well, that's fantastic. I think it's a brilliant idea. 652 00:28:23,195 --> 00:28:25,835 I mean, fantastic. So tell me, just like, what comes 653 00:28:25,835 --> 00:28:27,675 to mind, just what's your typical Sunday like? 654 00:28:27,835 --> 00:28:30,995 I mean, are you, you say you at times you're sort 655 00:28:30,995 --> 00:28:33,395 of just sit, you know, drop back a little bit 656 00:28:33,455 --> 00:28:34,995 and not put yourself out there too much. 657 00:28:35,055 --> 00:28:37,755 But is there any routines you go through as far as 658 00:28:38,875 --> 00:28:40,355 maintaining that your engagement in, 659 00:28:40,355 --> 00:28:41,395 in leadership in the work? 660 00:28:41,695 --> 00:28:46,235 - Mostly I'm just, as our group talked this afternoon, um, 661 00:28:46,655 --> 00:28:49,595 one of the things that has struck me in studying the New 662 00:28:49,955 --> 00:28:53,115 Testament this year is about how 663 00:28:53,805 --> 00:28:55,915 names were very important to Jesus. 664 00:28:57,095 --> 00:29:01,355 And so I've, um, pounded on my, uh, 665 00:29:01,495 --> 00:29:04,555 elders Quorum President, you know, to, we should, 666 00:29:04,555 --> 00:29:07,155 everybody in the quorum should know everybody else's name 667 00:29:08,135 --> 00:29:09,715 and it's not gonna, 668 00:29:12,365 --> 00:29:13,365 - We'll get there. 669 00:29:13,365 --> 00:29:15,475 Delete that. I like it. I like it. 670 00:29:15,895 --> 00:29:18,115 Uh, and, um, how big is your quorum? 671 00:29:18,895 --> 00:29:21,035 - We have - Average attendance or whatever, 672 00:29:21,355 --> 00:29:23,555 - Probably 40, 50 - Maybe. 673 00:29:23,555 --> 00:29:25,675 Okay. We've got goods size, quorum, good size 674 00:29:25,675 --> 00:29:26,355 - Quorum. Yeah. Yeah. 675 00:29:26,655 --> 00:29:29,275 - No. And you, we were talking in one session, uh, 676 00:29:29,275 --> 00:29:31,315 Jessica Johnson was facilitating, 677 00:29:31,375 --> 00:29:33,995 and we were talking about the leadership traits of Christ. 678 00:29:34,045 --> 00:29:36,715 Right. And then we shared some of our answers. 679 00:29:36,775 --> 00:29:39,075 And you said something that was like, so powerful. 680 00:29:39,075 --> 00:29:40,915 You, you said one of the traits of leadership, 681 00:29:40,915 --> 00:29:43,165 and correct me if I'm off here, that one of the traits 682 00:29:43,165 --> 00:29:45,565 of leadership is that Christ knew people's name 683 00:29:45,825 --> 00:29:47,045 and changed their name. 684 00:29:47,175 --> 00:29:50,605 Right. And I thought, oh my goodness, Christ knows my name 685 00:29:51,065 --> 00:29:52,285 and he's changed my name. 686 00:29:52,675 --> 00:29:53,725 Like, that's so powerful. 687 00:29:53,725 --> 00:29:54,845 Like, 'cause he gives you, 688 00:29:55,105 --> 00:29:56,605 he recognizes your identity today, 689 00:29:57,025 --> 00:30:00,285 and then he'll give you a, a more dynamic 690 00:30:01,155 --> 00:30:02,845 endowed identity later. 691 00:30:02,975 --> 00:30:04,125 Right. That's powerful. 692 00:30:04,475 --> 00:30:07,845 - Yeah. - Any other ideas? George? What are we missing? 693 00:30:08,595 --> 00:30:12,805 - Well, let's see. We're going to, um, I'm looking 694 00:30:12,825 --> 00:30:14,325 for a lady that bakes bread. 695 00:30:14,865 --> 00:30:19,725 And we're going to, um, uh, have one of the youth assigned 696 00:30:20,265 --> 00:30:22,005 for a period of time long enough 697 00:30:22,005 --> 00:30:23,365 that they can learn to bake bread. 698 00:30:24,185 --> 00:30:28,805 And, um, my goal is to bake, uh, six or seven loaves. 699 00:30:29,295 --> 00:30:32,965 We'll do one for sacrament, one for the youth that's 700 00:30:33,595 --> 00:30:36,285 helping, and then give three 701 00:30:36,285 --> 00:30:38,725 or four loaves to the Elders Quorum president 702 00:30:39,225 --> 00:30:43,245 and have him assign some ministers to take that bread 703 00:30:43,435 --> 00:30:47,125 that week and go out and, uh, deliver it. 704 00:30:47,345 --> 00:30:49,445 - Lovely. Building Zion, right? 705 00:30:50,075 --> 00:30:51,245 - Yeah. Food's the answer 706 00:30:52,715 --> 00:30:55,925 - When end doubt go with food. 707 00:30:56,385 --> 00:30:57,765 All right. Usually I don't have this, uh, 708 00:30:57,825 --> 00:30:59,565 all these co-hosts of mine in the room. 709 00:30:59,595 --> 00:31:00,925 What, what question am I missing? 710 00:31:01,025 --> 00:31:03,565 Or anybody wanna ask George a question about his 711 00:31:03,565 --> 00:31:04,845 journey, his experience? 712 00:31:05,715 --> 00:31:07,615 And you gotta come and talk, speak into the mic. 713 00:31:07,855 --> 00:31:09,415 'cause the rest of the world needs to hear you, Adam. 714 00:31:09,595 --> 00:31:11,495 So, and tell you, you gotta say where you're, who you are, 715 00:31:11,495 --> 00:31:13,055 where you're from if you want. But 716 00:31:13,555 --> 00:31:16,175 - Yes, I'm Adam Salisbury from West Jordan, Utah. 717 00:31:16,995 --> 00:31:19,215 And so, George, my question for you is, 718 00:31:19,635 --> 00:31:20,815 did you ever have an idea 719 00:31:20,955 --> 00:31:23,735 or anything that was not taken well by a bishop? 720 00:31:24,435 --> 00:31:25,975 And what was the idea, how'd it go? 721 00:31:25,975 --> 00:31:26,935 And like, how did the Bishop 722 00:31:26,935 --> 00:31:28,255 respond and then how did you handle it? 723 00:31:28,905 --> 00:31:32,695 - Great question. - Well, not too much. 724 00:31:33,895 --> 00:31:36,255 I mean, I don't really remember, 725 00:31:36,995 --> 00:31:40,295 but I know that there have been ideas that I have presented 726 00:31:40,325 --> 00:31:41,855 that they didn't like. 727 00:31:42,195 --> 00:31:46,695 Mostly people are sort of afraid of the, the handbook 728 00:31:47,435 --> 00:31:51,615 and, um, they are, if it's not in the handbook, 729 00:31:52,285 --> 00:31:54,235 it's really tough for 730 00:31:54,235 --> 00:31:55,235 - Them. 731 00:31:55,235 --> 00:31:55,355 Yeah. Because they almost like, 732 00:31:55,355 --> 00:31:56,875 if it's not there, maybe we shouldn't do it. 733 00:31:56,875 --> 00:31:58,595 Right. Because if we should do it, it should be there. 734 00:31:58,595 --> 00:32:01,275 Right. . Right. And yeah, that's a, a trap for sure. 735 00:32:01,975 --> 00:32:04,355 - And I did, I keep telling them, you know, it's, 736 00:32:04,695 --> 00:32:08,595 and I, I think it's hard for some people 737 00:32:09,455 --> 00:32:12,195 to separate the gospel from policy. 738 00:32:13,255 --> 00:32:15,195 And as we can see in, 739 00:32:15,325 --> 00:32:19,475 since President Nelson has been the prophet, you know, 740 00:32:20,055 --> 00:32:21,875 all sorts of policies are changing. 741 00:32:21,935 --> 00:32:24,555 Mm-Hmm. and the gospel is still true. 742 00:32:25,255 --> 00:32:28,475 You know, and, and I'm, I never try to change the gospel, 743 00:32:29,295 --> 00:32:33,515 but the policies, you know, if, if it's gonna build unity, 744 00:32:33,685 --> 00:32:37,515 bring us closer together, you know, uh, create, um, 745 00:32:38,345 --> 00:32:41,645 more unity, unity, then we should try it. Yeah. You know? 746 00:32:41,795 --> 00:32:43,325 - Yeah. And, and again, these aren't, I mean, 747 00:32:43,325 --> 00:32:44,725 every idea you share, these are not 748 00:32:44,725 --> 00:32:46,725 radical approaches to anything. 749 00:32:46,725 --> 00:32:50,045 They're service-minded, they're, you know, innovative and 750 00:32:50,045 --> 00:32:51,045 - Certainly different. 751 00:32:51,195 --> 00:32:54,125 Yeah. But difference is, is good. Yeah. 752 00:32:54,705 --> 00:32:57,565 - Are there others, uh, maybe around your age in your ward 753 00:32:57,625 --> 00:32:58,925 or maybe in your peer group 754 00:32:58,925 --> 00:33:01,525 or whatever that, I mean, what encouragement would you give 755 00:33:01,525 --> 00:33:04,565 that group that any other encouragement come to mind? 756 00:33:05,115 --> 00:33:08,485 - Well, I, I think that you just, uh, you know, you have 757 00:33:08,485 --> 00:33:10,725 to find like-minded people. 758 00:33:11,565 --> 00:33:15,205 I don't expect to find anybody as far out in left field 759 00:33:15,265 --> 00:33:16,725 as I'm , 760 00:33:17,745 --> 00:33:20,685 but you know, they can take a little piece of it. 761 00:33:21,255 --> 00:33:24,165 We've started a men's group, uh, for single. 762 00:33:24,505 --> 00:33:25,645 - Oh yeah. Tell me, tell me about this. 763 00:33:26,625 --> 00:33:29,805 - The eligibility is, uh, being over 40 and single 764 00:33:30,585 --> 00:33:31,605 and, uh, within your 765 00:33:31,725 --> 00:33:32,725 - Ward. 766 00:33:32,725 --> 00:33:33,005 - Within our ward. Okay. 767 00:33:33,785 --> 00:33:37,845 So I found somebody who's interested, he's fits the category 768 00:33:38,025 --> 00:33:40,805 and he's interested in taking just that little piece. 769 00:33:41,745 --> 00:33:44,445 And, uh, that's the way you put it together, is 770 00:33:44,445 --> 00:33:49,085 to find people that will just accept a small bit of the, 771 00:33:49,425 --> 00:33:51,565 the idea and run with that. 772 00:33:52,665 --> 00:33:55,645 And, uh, that's so far that's been very successful. 773 00:33:55,845 --> 00:33:58,725 I, I haven't really gone out 774 00:33:58,955 --> 00:34:00,085 because we've just, 775 00:34:00,305 --> 00:34:03,245 we were just released the 1st of October from our mission. 776 00:34:04,125 --> 00:34:08,845 I really haven't gotten out into the far reaches to, uh, 777 00:34:09,355 --> 00:34:11,005 talk to people who, you know, 778 00:34:11,005 --> 00:34:13,045 really haven't been around a lot. Yeah. 779 00:34:13,505 --> 00:34:16,325 - And so the idea is to gather this specific demographic 780 00:34:16,425 --> 00:34:18,845 and then like what whatcha gonna do, like, 781 00:34:18,845 --> 00:34:21,285 have like gatherings or get togethers or, 782 00:34:21,585 --> 00:34:25,565 - Um, I think the idea is to have a wide variety of choices. 783 00:34:25,745 --> 00:34:27,925 Mm-Hmm. . Because one thing, 784 00:34:28,665 --> 00:34:31,805 not everybody's gonna sign up for Worm Grummy, 785 00:34:32,285 --> 00:34:33,645 - , I'd be there, George 786 00:34:34,045 --> 00:34:35,045 - . 787 00:34:35,045 --> 00:34:37,725 But, um, you know, the different things. 788 00:34:38,185 --> 00:34:41,085 And I think service is key. 789 00:34:41,785 --> 00:34:45,765 Uh, finding ways that we can be of service people like to be 790 00:34:45,765 --> 00:34:49,725 of service and most of them don't, you know, 791 00:34:49,875 --> 00:34:51,085 know how to do it. 792 00:34:51,625 --> 00:34:54,645 And so we're gonna just try to focus on a lot 793 00:34:54,705 --> 00:34:56,725 of little programs Yeah. 794 00:34:56,955 --> 00:35:00,645 That will coalesce and, and bring us all together. 795 00:35:00,795 --> 00:35:02,845 - Yeah. Again, it goes back to that, that community concept. 796 00:35:02,845 --> 00:35:03,925 You're gathering community, 797 00:35:03,925 --> 00:35:06,325 or in other words, you're, you're gathering Zion. 798 00:35:06,325 --> 00:35:08,285 Right? Right. You're creating Zion in your area. 799 00:35:08,425 --> 00:35:10,645 Any other question from the, the audience come up? 800 00:35:11,025 --> 00:35:13,605 Robbie, who are you? Where are you from? 801 00:35:14,555 --> 00:35:17,655 - I'm Robbie Shaq from New Braunfels, Texas. Nice. 802 00:35:17,915 --> 00:35:21,935 And so George, as you talk, uh, you say you're 87 years old, 803 00:35:21,955 --> 00:35:24,575 but you have lived your life in a way that 804 00:35:25,255 --> 00:35:28,655 I think we'd all agree that you have 870 years 805 00:35:28,675 --> 00:35:30,935 of experience in those 87 years. 806 00:35:31,275 --> 00:35:36,095 And so, and you talk about giving lots of ideas 807 00:35:36,675 --> 00:35:38,765 to, to your current leaders. 808 00:35:39,705 --> 00:35:42,765 If you could give any advice not 809 00:35:42,765 --> 00:35:44,285 to your current leaders in your ward, 810 00:35:44,305 --> 00:35:46,525 but to the future leaders of the church, 811 00:35:46,915 --> 00:35:48,005 what advice would you give? 812 00:35:48,945 --> 00:35:51,205 - Ooh, that's a big one. One of them. 813 00:35:51,405 --> 00:35:53,405 I just really can't stress 814 00:35:53,585 --> 00:35:56,405 how important I think names are, 815 00:35:57,425 --> 00:36:01,445 and I think that we need to, to focus on, 816 00:36:01,665 --> 00:36:03,205 um, learning names. 817 00:36:04,065 --> 00:36:07,845 And I liked what was said last night, uh, by, uh, 818 00:36:07,845 --> 00:36:09,725 brother Strong, strong, yeah. 819 00:36:09,955 --> 00:36:10,965 - Jeff Strong, Uhhuh 820 00:36:11,255 --> 00:36:14,245 - About, instead of Brother Smith, 821 00:36:14,425 --> 00:36:16,565 it should be Brother Al. 822 00:36:17,045 --> 00:36:18,285 Hmm. First names. 823 00:36:19,085 --> 00:36:24,045 I mean, we don't address our friends by Good Day, Mr. Smith 824 00:36:24,605 --> 00:36:25,805 , you know, you, 825 00:36:26,025 --> 00:36:27,645 you address them by their first name. 826 00:36:28,425 --> 00:36:30,365 And I think that that's really important. 827 00:36:30,365 --> 00:36:34,685 People, uh, oh, this is, uh, um, one 828 00:36:34,685 --> 00:36:37,845 of my other driving forces is there was a survey 829 00:36:38,435 --> 00:36:40,925 that showed three, two out 830 00:36:40,925 --> 00:36:43,685 of three people in America are lonely. 831 00:36:44,345 --> 00:36:48,205 And the Surgeon General published this big thick thing about 832 00:36:49,015 --> 00:36:50,205 loneliness crisis. 833 00:36:50,515 --> 00:36:53,805 Yeah. And how loneliness is actually killing more people 834 00:36:54,275 --> 00:36:55,445 than smoking did. 835 00:36:55,745 --> 00:36:59,645 Wow. In England, they have appointed the Minister 836 00:37:00,025 --> 00:37:01,885 of Loneliness. Oh, 837 00:37:01,885 --> 00:37:02,885 - Really? 838 00:37:02,885 --> 00:37:03,565 Yeah, I was not aware of that. Wow. 839 00:37:04,655 --> 00:37:06,395 - So it, it's a problem. 840 00:37:07,015 --> 00:37:11,195 And, um, I think that we need to, uh, 841 00:37:11,825 --> 00:37:15,755 find all kinds of ways to make people feel accepted. 842 00:37:16,295 --> 00:37:18,595 And I mean, if you think about it, 843 00:37:19,095 --> 00:37:22,955 if you walk into a building and everybody greets you, 844 00:37:23,335 --> 00:37:27,315 and how's, you know, Sarah and how's the dog doing? 845 00:37:27,935 --> 00:37:31,715 And think, who's gonna leave? Something like that. Hmm. 846 00:37:32,415 --> 00:37:36,275 And, uh, it's up to us to create that, 847 00:37:36,465 --> 00:37:37,475 that atmosphere. 848 00:37:38,215 --> 00:37:42,155 And then I think, uh, it'll, it'll really help 849 00:37:42,415 --> 00:37:44,995 and go a long way to create Zion. Hmm. 850 00:37:45,915 --> 00:37:47,555 - Powerful. Any other questions? 851 00:37:48,255 --> 00:37:49,315 Who are you and where are you from? 852 00:37:50,395 --> 00:37:51,655 - Hi, I'm Donelle Quinn. 853 00:37:51,655 --> 00:37:54,495 I'm from Arizona, and I've loved getting to talk 854 00:37:54,495 --> 00:37:57,055 to George these few days, so thank you for being here. 855 00:37:57,055 --> 00:37:58,135 You've changed my life. 856 00:37:58,955 --> 00:38:01,855 He told me that he's been assigned to reach out 857 00:38:01,875 --> 00:38:04,375 and find all the people on the records that 858 00:38:05,515 --> 00:38:06,735 the Bishop doesn't know about. 859 00:38:06,735 --> 00:38:10,575 Mm-Hmm. And I think you told me there's 950 of them, 50, 860 00:38:10,715 --> 00:38:12,895 and he's been assigned to find them. 861 00:38:13,595 --> 00:38:15,775 So I'm just curious how you're gonna do that. 862 00:38:16,035 --> 00:38:18,255 I'm certain you're going to . I just wondering, I 863 00:38:18,255 --> 00:38:19,695 - Have no doubt it's - Gonna have a, I'm just wondering 864 00:38:19,845 --> 00:38:20,975 what your plan is for that. 865 00:38:21,675 --> 00:38:25,335 - So the first step is, um, we've had a couple 866 00:38:25,955 --> 00:38:30,695 who have been serving an MLS mission in our ward part-time. 867 00:38:31,755 --> 00:38:34,455 So I'm meeting with Thursday 868 00:38:35,425 --> 00:38:37,845 and we're gonna go over all of the information 869 00:38:37,845 --> 00:38:39,645 that they've gathered over the two years, 870 00:38:40,665 --> 00:38:42,925 and, uh, that'll sort of serve as a base. 871 00:38:43,685 --> 00:38:48,645 I found a young man in our ward who, um, is, 872 00:38:48,945 --> 00:38:50,045 has some disability. 873 00:38:50,225 --> 00:38:53,845 I'm not sure what it is, that he likes computers. 874 00:38:54,385 --> 00:38:58,525 And I'm, uh, gonna train him to, uh, 875 00:38:58,545 --> 00:39:02,565 become the tracer of lost persons so that, uh, 876 00:39:02,665 --> 00:39:04,285 we can use the internet. 877 00:39:04,745 --> 00:39:08,325 And somebody gave me an idea today, we do have, uh, 878 00:39:08,325 --> 00:39:12,645 someone in the ward who is an ex intelligence officer, 879 00:39:13,345 --> 00:39:16,565 and he was telling me how, uh, he had tracked down 880 00:39:17,275 --> 00:39:20,085 some people, and so he's got some skills. 881 00:39:20,425 --> 00:39:22,165 And so we're gonna use those skills 882 00:39:22,985 --> 00:39:26,085 to help track down the people to find out, you know, it's, 883 00:39:26,385 --> 00:39:28,445 uh, the list says 950, 884 00:39:28,465 --> 00:39:31,645 but we know that there's not 950 people out 885 00:39:31,645 --> 00:39:33,485 there. And so We'll, 886 00:39:33,595 --> 00:39:35,285 - Because they've either moved or is 887 00:39:35,395 --> 00:39:36,645 - They moved Yeah, they died. 888 00:39:36,995 --> 00:39:39,365 Yeah. You know what? Whatever. Yeah. 889 00:39:39,825 --> 00:39:43,285 And so we'll, we'll narrow that list down and, 890 00:39:43,345 --> 00:39:45,885 and the rest of it's just gonna be a lot of legwork. Yeah. 891 00:39:46,345 --> 00:39:48,805 - And, uh, I'll get you this info later, 892 00:39:48,825 --> 00:39:50,405 but this was a big concern 893 00:39:50,745 --> 00:39:51,965 in the world where I served as Bishop. 894 00:39:52,025 --> 00:39:53,125 We were in a very transient 895 00:39:53,245 --> 00:39:54,365 ward, a lot of people coming and going. 896 00:39:54,505 --> 00:39:57,245 So naturally this unknown list builds up. 897 00:39:57,585 --> 00:40:01,285 And so what a lot of bishops do typically is maybe 898 00:40:01,285 --> 00:40:02,765 around the end of the year, Christmas, 899 00:40:02,765 --> 00:40:04,205 they'll send out a letter right in the mail, 900 00:40:04,585 --> 00:40:06,765 and they'll announce the new church times 901 00:40:06,945 --> 00:40:08,925 and wish everybody Merry Christmas, whatever. 902 00:40:08,925 --> 00:40:10,805 And then they get the, the letters back 903 00:40:10,905 --> 00:40:12,485 and they know, okay, this person's moved. 904 00:40:12,615 --> 00:40:13,965 Often they have a forwarding address, 905 00:40:14,065 --> 00:40:15,805 but that's a lot of stamps. 906 00:40:16,105 --> 00:40:19,205 And it can be a, a big dent on the, the word admin budget. 907 00:40:19,505 --> 00:40:20,965 And so there's services out there that, 908 00:40:20,965 --> 00:40:22,325 there's a company called Melissa Data, 909 00:40:22,325 --> 00:40:23,845 and I don't know if they're still in business, 910 00:40:23,845 --> 00:40:27,325 but there's definitely others where they have a system 911 00:40:27,665 --> 00:40:29,005 for like 15 bucks. 912 00:40:29,305 --> 00:40:32,805 You can submit a spreadsheet of addresses and they go out 913 00:40:32,805 --> 00:40:36,245 and hit the, the mail forwarding database, 914 00:40:36,245 --> 00:40:39,005 which is public data, and then it bounces back with all 915 00:40:39,005 --> 00:40:41,485 of these addresses are, here's the new address. 916 00:40:41,545 --> 00:40:44,085 So, and it it's really cheap that way, so. Oh, that's neat. 917 00:40:44,115 --> 00:40:47,445 Yeah. So you look into that. So any other questions? Yeah. 918 00:40:48,265 --> 00:40:52,405 - Hi, I'm Jessica. During this conference, I made a comment 919 00:40:53,065 --> 00:40:57,365 on the first day about how it's easy to play small 920 00:40:57,365 --> 00:41:00,685 as a woman in the church when you have to take all 921 00:41:00,685 --> 00:41:04,045 of your requests through priesthood leaders. 922 00:41:04,745 --> 00:41:07,485 And you made it a point to find me after the meeting 923 00:41:08,065 --> 00:41:10,245 and one, ask me about my experience, 924 00:41:10,345 --> 00:41:12,405 and then two gave me some great 925 00:41:12,405 --> 00:41:14,285 advice. Do you remember what that was? 926 00:41:14,785 --> 00:41:17,525 - You're the president, you've got the keys, do the work. 927 00:41:18,285 --> 00:41:20,605 - I love that. And that was very powerful. 928 00:41:21,465 --> 00:41:24,645 How can we elevate women's voices in our ward? 929 00:41:25,275 --> 00:41:28,925 - Well, I heard something at the table tonight about having 930 00:41:28,985 --> 00:41:30,525 the Relief Society president 931 00:41:30,525 --> 00:41:33,845 and the elders president sitting on the stand stand 932 00:41:33,845 --> 00:41:34,965 during a sacrament meeting. 933 00:41:35,565 --> 00:41:37,485 I think that that would be good. 934 00:41:37,705 --> 00:41:42,125 We need to publicly display, you know, the roles 935 00:41:43,065 --> 00:41:44,125 and their importance 936 00:41:44,345 --> 00:41:47,765 and certainly, uh, the Relief Society president needs 937 00:41:47,765 --> 00:41:49,405 to be recognized. 938 00:41:49,835 --> 00:41:51,205 - Awesome. Love it. 939 00:41:51,715 --> 00:41:54,245 Well, George, I guess as we, we wrap up here, 940 00:41:54,555 --> 00:41:55,885 just a few things that come to mind. 941 00:41:56,355 --> 00:41:58,405 Just like this retreat experience, 942 00:41:58,405 --> 00:41:59,445 like being with your people. 943 00:41:59,545 --> 00:42:01,605 And I'm honored that I'm one of your people like 944 00:42:01,605 --> 00:42:02,885 that we're kindred spirits 945 00:42:03,465 --> 00:42:05,445 and I wanna, I wanna grow to be George. 946 00:42:05,815 --> 00:42:07,725 Right. And you inspire me. 947 00:42:07,745 --> 00:42:10,965 So like, what does this, anything else you'd say as far as 948 00:42:10,965 --> 00:42:13,285 what this means to you to just be with other leaders? 949 00:42:14,365 --> 00:42:18,485 - I think the thing that this, I've gotten a lot of ideas. 950 00:42:19,645 --> 00:42:22,805 I looked at the ideas, 951 00:42:23,945 --> 00:42:27,405 and I think it's important to know 952 00:42:27,405 --> 00:42:29,765 that there are other people that are trying 953 00:42:29,785 --> 00:42:30,805 to do the same thing. 954 00:42:30,865 --> 00:42:33,725 Mm-Hmm. , it's hard when you feel 955 00:42:33,725 --> 00:42:34,885 like you're the only one. 956 00:42:35,625 --> 00:42:40,085 And, um, I think that this, are we gonna do this next year? 957 00:42:40,685 --> 00:42:42,325 - I only feel calm George . So 958 00:42:43,605 --> 00:42:45,885 - I think it, it's something that's needed 959 00:42:45,885 --> 00:42:48,605 because we are swimming upstream 960 00:42:49,425 --> 00:42:54,245 and it takes a lot to be able to try 961 00:42:54,265 --> 00:42:56,685 to implement, you know, all of this. 962 00:42:57,245 --> 00:42:59,485 I mean, look at the difficulty the Savior had 963 00:42:59,625 --> 00:43:04,285 and trying to, you know, create a Zion 964 00:43:04,905 --> 00:43:06,965 and it's gonna take a lot of work, 965 00:43:07,745 --> 00:43:09,365 but I think it has to be done. 966 00:43:09,675 --> 00:43:14,525 Yeah. And, um, the more we can communicate with each other 967 00:43:14,905 --> 00:43:18,165 and support each other, I think the better off. 968 00:43:18,175 --> 00:43:20,245 We'll, yeah. Our results will be. 969 00:43:20,635 --> 00:43:21,685 - Yeah. Love it. 970 00:43:22,225 --> 00:43:24,885 As I think back on this interaction, like 971 00:43:24,885 --> 00:43:27,845 what I found most inspiring is you just like being willing 972 00:43:27,865 --> 00:43:28,965 to meet with your bishop 973 00:43:29,105 --> 00:43:30,645 and just say like, don't count me out. 974 00:43:30,645 --> 00:43:33,525 Like, I'm not old. I can still give. Right. 975 00:43:34,025 --> 00:43:36,445 And, uh, like, that's so inspiring. 976 00:43:36,505 --> 00:43:38,845 Is that like a, is that a formal appointment? 977 00:43:38,845 --> 00:43:40,925 You said an email in the hallway. 978 00:43:41,105 --> 00:43:42,165 You mentioned that or like, 979 00:43:42,585 --> 00:43:45,525 - No, I go to the office, - You get in that room and 980 00:43:45,725 --> 00:43:46,725 - I get in the room. 981 00:43:46,725 --> 00:43:48,685 I want him to know that I'm serious. Yeah. 982 00:43:48,905 --> 00:43:51,965 And when we moved back to Florida, my wife 983 00:43:51,965 --> 00:43:53,085 and I both went in. 984 00:43:53,355 --> 00:43:56,805 Yeah. And we said that, uh, we're here to do something. 985 00:43:56,825 --> 00:44:00,685 We want to do something. Oh, it was an interesting story. 986 00:44:01,105 --> 00:44:04,085 So we renewed our temple, recommend, 987 00:44:04,505 --> 00:44:06,325 and, uh, then went to the stake. 988 00:44:07,065 --> 00:44:11,365 And, um, this was just like maybe, oh, 989 00:44:12,125 --> 00:44:15,325 I guess, um, not, not even a month, I think 990 00:44:15,325 --> 00:44:17,285 after we had moved back to Florida 991 00:44:18,065 --> 00:44:22,885 and, um, we went into the stake for the second part 992 00:44:22,885 --> 00:44:27,045 of the interview, and the president was about halfway 993 00:44:27,045 --> 00:44:28,125 through the questions 994 00:44:28,705 --> 00:44:33,165 and would you stay afterwards 995 00:44:33,225 --> 00:44:36,845 so we could talk for a few minutes, ? 996 00:44:37,985 --> 00:44:41,965 So that's when he called us on our mission. So, um, awesome. 997 00:44:42,755 --> 00:44:44,645 Then we had something to do. Yeah. . 998 00:44:44,715 --> 00:44:46,045 - Yeah. That's great. That's awesome. 999 00:44:46,595 --> 00:44:49,005 That Well, thank you George. I, I sprung this on you. 1000 00:44:49,035 --> 00:44:50,645 It's not like I've been playing for weeks. 1001 00:44:50,705 --> 00:44:52,605 Uh, George will be here. Well, we gotta interview him, 1002 00:44:52,745 --> 00:44:55,005 but, uh, definitely it, it was meant to be. 1003 00:44:55,265 --> 00:44:57,605 And, uh, thank you. I'm just gonna throw this in here. 1004 00:44:57,945 --> 00:44:59,525 You said as you were walking on stage, 1005 00:44:59,525 --> 00:45:02,285 you were having a tough time coming up the, the stairs here. 1006 00:45:02,305 --> 00:45:04,525 And you said you fell down the stairs on Monday. 1007 00:45:04,865 --> 00:45:05,925 - On Monday morning, and 1008 00:45:05,925 --> 00:45:08,525 - It's, and like on your, like this Monday. 1009 00:45:08,715 --> 00:45:11,365 - This Monday, yeah. - It's, it, it's Tuesday. 1010 00:45:12,005 --> 00:45:15,605 . But you still, but you got 1011 00:45:15,745 --> 00:45:17,965 and nothing's broken doctor, right? I mean, 1012 00:45:18,395 --> 00:45:21,085 - Well, I don't know, but I didn't wanna take, 1013 00:45:21,565 --> 00:45:22,685 I don't wanna find out until 1014 00:45:22,685 --> 00:45:24,645 after the conference is over. , 1015 00:45:24,645 --> 00:45:26,405 - You don't need another one of your colleagues telling you 1016 00:45:26,625 --> 00:45:27,645 you can't go to a conference. 1017 00:45:27,645 --> 00:45:29,125 Right. Well, right. Wow. 1018 00:45:29,475 --> 00:45:30,685 What sacrifice, I mean, 1019 00:45:30,705 --> 00:45:33,645 and so it's just an honor to have you here, so 1020 00:45:33,695 --> 00:45:34,695 - Thank you very much. 1021 00:45:34,745 --> 00:45:35,925 - All right. Last question I have for you. 1022 00:45:35,945 --> 00:45:39,565 As, as you reflect back on 87 years of being a leader, 1023 00:45:40,145 --> 00:45:42,325 how has being a leader helps you become a better 1024 00:45:42,325 --> 00:45:43,685 follower of Jesus Christ? 1025 00:45:44,405 --> 00:45:47,095 - Well, if you're gonna really lead, you gotta, 1026 00:45:47,675 --> 00:45:48,855 you gotta walk the walk 1027 00:45:49,555 --> 00:45:53,855 and it's, you know, takes, you have to think about it 1028 00:45:54,525 --> 00:45:59,095 this year in studying, uh, the, uh, come Follow Me program 1029 00:45:59,275 --> 00:46:02,735 and listening to some of the, uh, podcasts, uh, 1030 00:46:02,875 --> 00:46:04,095 and the YouTube videos. 1031 00:46:04,285 --> 00:46:08,815 Yeah. I made the, uh, decision that I, I'm one 1032 00:46:08,815 --> 00:46:11,735 of those person I love the to-do list, you know, 1033 00:46:11,965 --> 00:46:14,055 I've got a to-do list every day. 1034 00:46:14,155 --> 00:46:18,335 And, but I first got kind of tuned into it, 1035 00:46:18,895 --> 00:46:23,735 I think it was Brother Rogers who gave a talk 1036 00:46:24,155 --> 00:46:25,255 to be or to do. 1037 00:46:26,635 --> 00:46:31,535 And, um, I decided then I needed to work more on the to Be. 1038 00:46:31,875 --> 00:46:34,775 And then this year, listening, um, 1039 00:46:35,325 --> 00:46:37,255 I've decided I wanna become a disciple 1040 00:46:37,995 --> 00:46:39,855 and not just a follower. 1041 00:46:40,675 --> 00:46:45,095 And, um, that's, uh, if you make that commitment, 1042 00:46:45,835 --> 00:46:46,935 you have to make some changes 1043 00:46:47,755 --> 00:46:49,535 and it changes your priorities. 1044 00:46:57,875 --> 00:47:00,695 - The end. That's it for this Leading Saints episode. 1045 00:47:01,015 --> 00:47:02,335 I encourage you to check out some 1046 00:47:02,335 --> 00:47:04,175 of the most popular episodes of the podcast 1047 00:47:04,365 --> 00:47:06,575 that we list at the bottom of the show notes. 1048 00:47:07,035 --> 00:47:09,415 If you haven't listened to all of those, do so now. 1049 00:47:09,875 --> 00:47:12,775 And remember to get on the email newsletter list, simply go 1050 00:47:12,775 --> 00:47:14,615 to leading saints.org/fourteen. 1051 00:47:24,955 --> 00:47:28,175 - It came as a result of the position of leadership, 1052 00:47:28,185 --> 00:47:32,005 which was imposed upon us by the God of Heaven, 1053 00:47:32,145 --> 00:47:35,525 who brought forth a restoration of the gospel 1054 00:47:35,705 --> 00:47:37,045 of Jesus Christ. 1055 00:47:37,745 --> 00:47:41,285 And when the Declaration was made concerning the own 1056 00:47:41,385 --> 00:47:42,405 and only true 1057 00:47:42,405 --> 00:47:44,925 and living church upon the face of the earth, 1058 00:47:45,745 --> 00:47:49,245 we were immediately put in a position of loneliness. 1059 00:47:49,505 --> 00:47:51,205 The loneliness of leadership 1060 00:47:51,715 --> 00:47:54,605 from which we cannot shrink nor run away. 1061 00:47:55,545 --> 00:47:59,325 And to which we must face up with boldness and courage 1062 00:48:00,025 --> 00:48:00,645 and ability.