What Do Men Need From Elders Quorum? | An Interview with Mark Bell

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Mark Bell has over 20 years of experience as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist (CSAT), and has trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART). Mark specializes in helping couples navigate relational and emotional intimacy challenges and much of his work is with men struggling with sexually compulsive behaviors, along with their loved ones affected by those behaviors. He focuses on healthy connections with ourselves, our God, and others in healing.

Mark holds a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern Mississippi and an undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University, and works at the Arizona Family Institute (AFI) where he is also the clinical director. In the Church he has served as a missionary in the Chile, Santiago North mission, a Young Men advisor, Sunday School youth teacher, high priest group leader, scoutmaster, ward clerk, elders quorum counselor, and three times as a bishopric counselor. Mark and his wife Dyan have been married 22 years and have five sons.

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Highlights

Mark Bell shares his insights on the current state of men’s mental health, noting a concerning epidemic of undiagnosed depression among men, which often goes unrecognized due to societal expectations that discourage vulnerability. He explains how men frequently resort to unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as pornography, as a means of escaping deeper emotional struggles. The discussion touches on the stigma surrounding these behaviors and the need for men to connect with one another in meaningful ways. Bell advocates for the creation of supportive environments, such as small group settings within church activities, where men can openly share their experiences and challenges without fear of judgment.

The episode also explores the significance of recreational activities in fostering connections among men, suggesting that engaging in shared experiences can lead to deeper bonds and healthier emotional outlets. Bell emphasizes the necessity of creating spaces where men can be both playful and serious, allowing them to express their true selves, and offers practical advice for church leaders—particularly elders quorum presidents—on how to facilitate genuine connections among members, encouraging vulnerability and open dialogue. The conversation is a call to action for men in elders quorum to seek connection and support, ultimately promoting better mental health and stronger relationships within their communities.

02:30 – Men’s Mental Health Epidemic
04:00 – Undiagnosed Depression in Men
05:30 – The Link Between Depression and Suicide
07:00 – Challenges of Masculinity
09:00 – Compartmentalization of Men’s Emotions
10:30 – Hidden Depression in Men
12:00 – Pornography as a Symptom
13:30 – The Need for Healthy Coping Mechanisms
15:00 – Stigma Around Men’s Behaviors
16:30 – The Importance of Connection Among Men
18:00 – Creating Safe Spaces for Men
19:30 – The Fist of Five Concept
21:00 – The Role of Group Therapy
22:30 – Building Connection in Elders Quorum
24:00 – The Power of Vulnerability
25:30 – Check-Ins as a Tool for Connection
27:00 – The Importance of Confidentiality
28:30 – Designing Connection Therapy in Elders Quorum
30:00 – Effective Check-In Strategies
31:30 – The Value of Recreation and Play
33:00 – Low Maintenance Needs of Men
34:30 – Balancing Doctrine and Connection

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Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill 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, and many more in over 800 episodes.