Building Empathy in Elders Quorum | A How I Lead Interview with Weston Robinson

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Weston Robinson was born and raised in Las Vegas and served in the Ecuador Quito mission. He has since served as an elders quorum president twice, as a Sunday school teacher, an executive secretary, and currently as second counselor in a bishopric. He has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNLV and has worked in manufacturing, grading and demolition with heavy equipment, interior design, and as a light and sound tech for a local comedy production group. He currently works with a law firm and will begin his first year at UNLV’s Boyd Law School next month. He is married to Kyra Ah Quin and his hobbies include reading, writing, anything outdoors, and lifting heavy things.

Highlights

02:50 Introduction to Weston Robinson 06:20 Weston shares his experience as an elders quorum president 07:50 Principle 1: Striving to repent daily, our connection with the Spirit is enhanced and that allows us to discern the needs and concerns of others 10:00 Repentance is more than just changing behavior. It’s turning to Christ and seeing ways we can center our lives on Him. 10:30 How can we repent day to day? 11:50 Weston shares a story and applies it to seeing the needs of others 14:00 Discerning the needs of others requires a lot of conversations. You need to be approachable and open. 16:15 Principle 2: Be a mentor 23:30 Don’t be afraid of being a mentor despite age difference and different life experiences. Know what resources are available and be prepared to know what to share. 24:15 Principle 3: If an elders quorum meeting is properly facilitated then the quorum will engage and the connection will deepen 26:10 How can we facilitate better elders quorum meetings? Can you let go of your outline or notes and lean into the discussion and the organic nature of the Spirit? 28:50 Ask questions and be ok with the silence 29:30 Remember that it’s a quorum meeting not a Sunday School lesson. It’s a place for people to gather and to discuss more sensitive topics. 31:00 Weston shares his personal journey as an elders quorum president. It wasn’t a perfect storybook experience. It was messy and full of ups and downs. Luckily he had brothers to lean on and reached out to his leaders. 40:00 It might sound simple but church is for everyone. No one has a perfect experience at church and many times there are struggles with leaders. Many might choose not to show up but you are welcome as you are.

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