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Six months ago I found myself sitting in a stake meeting with other members of bishoprics. One counselor from a neighboring ward shared a spiritual thought and quoted a man by the name of Sterling W. Sill. Not only was the quote he shared inspiring but I was also shocked I had never heard of Elder Sill before.
Upon returning home a quick Google search gave basic information that you would find on any past general authority from the 70’s–return missionary, married a saint, former bishop of ten years (kudos to him), assistant to the 12, quorum of the 70 (emeritus 1978). The one highlight that set him apart from his other general authority colleagues was the amount of books he had written–47 books to be exact, and the majority of them focused around leadership principles.
One gem I stumbled upon was a clip of one of his addresses to the Brigham Young University student body. It states everything Leading Saints is all about. The only problem in the world is leadership, the only problem in your ward or quorum is leadership. If we figure out how to solve that problem the rest will fall into place.
Give a listen. (you can download the mp3 HERE)
3 volumes on Leadership
For Christmas my wife surprised me with Elder Sill’s 3 book set on leadership. The inside front panel describes volume 1 as follows: “This book fills a great need among those who are acting in some capacity of leadership, and who wish to enhance the effectiveness of their calling.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.
The 3 volumes are written in a Chicken Soup for the Soul format–short stories and lessons focused around leadership. Read one chapter a week and you will be done with all 52 chapters in a year.
As I make my way through these books, I’ll be sharing various quotes and insights through social media using the hash tag #SillLeadership
Oh, you are so young!! Aren’t we grateful for the resources of the internet. My husband and I were just talking about this very problem, especially after I got an email from a long-time friend who now lives in New Jersey who is experiencing the same problems in her ward. What a challenge for the GA’s who DO training but it never quite filters down in full-strength to the wards and branches of the church.
I have to disagree on the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” comparison. Not even close! Sill’s “Leadership” books are rich with wisdom, not trite little stories. I am always well-fed when I read Sill. No comparison at all.
I discovered him about two years ago. Besides the “Leadership” books, I highly suggest “Lessons from Great Lives” (get the old version – the so-called co-author of the new one nixed half the chapters, though he did add a great chapter on Sill that is definitely worth reading) and his autobiography. Reading his works make the more business-type leadership books look like they just scratch the surface with a few quick lessons. Sill was a great business leader, but his definition of success is very different than $$$.
Elder Sterling W. Sill ordained my father as a Bishop. He served first as Branch President, then Bishop for 22 years straight . I think he was the poster child for implementing the 5 year plan. Of course, his maternal grandfather was a Bishop in Riverton, UT for more than 30 years. Following 6 Bishops in between, it’s my turn.
In one of his books there was a very long poem about a mythical young man trying to pass the tests of the gods to become a god. He did not pass and left dejected. The gods said never had anyone come so close to passing and becoming a god. But they did not tell the young man. The young man never knew that he was so close, and with just a little more effort he would b there.