Show Notes
Every first Friday of the month, Kurt Francom hosts Zion Lab Live, where we review the latest happenings and conversations taking place in Zion Lab and across our online community. Kurt highlights key posts, trending discussions, and new podcast episodes—offering insights, context, and opportunities for deeper engagement.
Jump into Zion Lab: https://app.leadingsaints.org/
In this episode, Kurt and livestream guests discuss the challenges faced by young married adults in the Church, particularly their faith and social dynamics. The conversation also touches on Mother's Day experiences and the importance of intellectual engagement in church settings.
Links & Resources 📱 Download the Leading Saints app: Search "Leading Saints" in the Apple App Store or Google Play 💬 Join Zion Lab and become a Zion Builder at https://app.leadingsaints.org Watch this episode or read the transcript in Zion Lab 📩 DM Kurt directly inside Zion Lab Key Insights
Transition Challenges: Young married adults often experience a shift from a vibrant social life in young single adult (YSA) groups to a more insular lifestyle focused on their immediate families, which can lead to feelings of isolation and apathy towards church involvement. Faith Engagement: Many young couples consciously or subconsciously reassess their commitment to church practices after marriage, with some drifting away from traditional attendance and callings. Social Media Impact: The prevalence of scrolling culture and streaming services can diminish the desire for social interaction, making it easier for couples to retreat into their homes rather than engage with their church community. Mother's Day Observations: The episode highlights mixed feelings about Mother's Day in church settings, with some women feeling excluded or uncomfortable due to personal circumstances, such as loss or infertility. There is a call for more inclusive recognition of all women, not just mothers. Intellectual Engagement: The discussion emphasizes the need for church lessons to be intellectually stimulating while also fostering connection and spiritual growth. There is a tension between providing deep doctrinal insights and ensuring that lessons remain accessible and engaging for all members.
Leadership Applications
Create Inclusive Activities: Leaders can foster community among young married couples by organizing targeted activities that encourage social interaction and connection, helping to mitigate feelings of isolation. Facilitate Open Discussions: Encouraging open conversations about faith and personal experiences can help young couples navigate their spiritual journeys together, reinforcing their commitment to church involvement. Reevaluate Traditions: Leaders should consider the diverse experiences of women in their congregations during events like Mother's Day, ensuring that all members feel valued and included, regardless of their personal circumstances.
00:01:11 - What is a Zion Builder? 00:02:46 - The Role of AI Clerk in Zion Lab 00:03:39 - Discussion on Young Married Adults 00:07:37 - Insights from a Bishop on Young Married Activities 00:11:39 - Engaging Young Families in Church Activities 00:15:12 - The Transition from Single to Married Life 00:18:14 - Challenges of Church Attendance for Young Couples 00:21:05 - Mother's Day Observations and Experiences 00:27:01 - Debate on the Importance of Mother's Day in Church 00:30:33 - The Role of Heavenly Mother in Discussions 00:34:48 - Intellectual Engagement in Church Lessons 00:39:15 - Balancing Intellectual and Spiritual Needs 00:46:08 - Community Sharing vs. Traditional Teaching
"Zion Lab Live" streams every first Friday of the month in the Zion Lab app.
The award-winning Leading Saints Podcast is one of the top independent Latter-day Saints podcasts as part of nonprofit Leading Saints' mission to help Latter-day Saints be better prepared to lead. Find Leadership Tools, Courses, and Community for Latter-day Saint leaders in the Zion Lab comm
More from Leading Saints Podcast
James Fletcher is the founder and chief investment officer of Ethos Investment Management, and has been investing professionally in emerging markets for 20 years. He is also the founder of the global non-profit Young Investors Society, which provides lessons to teens on investing and financial literacy in over 3,000 high schools and 80 countries around the world. James has a bachelor’s degree in Finance from Brigham Young University and also teaches as a BYU adjunct professor in Finance. He has lived in a variety of places, from Boston to Brazil and Los Angeles to Hong Kong, and currently lives in Springville, Utah, with his wife and five children, where he serves as a bishop in the Hobble Creek Springville Utah Stake.
Brigham Young University professor and religious folklorist Christopher Blythe discusses the nature of revelation, spiritual manifestations, and claims to mysticism within Latter-day Saint history and culture. The conversation examines how members and leaders can evaluate personal spiritual experiences, navigate claims of revelation that exceed proper authority, and guard against deceptive influences or speculative practices.
Shawn Vanderhoven is the author of the USA Today bestseller Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World and a Partner at The Wiseman Group, where he leads the executive development practice for senior leaders and rising talent. A collaborator on the New York Times bestseller Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter (Second Edition), Shawn co-designs strategies that help organizations amplify their people, advising leaders at companies like Amazon, Alphabet, Adobe, Microsoft, and Salesforce. He holds a BS in History from Brigham Young University and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Anne, dedicated to helping leaders create the conditions where teams can focus on what matters most.
Davis Smith is the founder, chairman, and emeritus CEO of Cotopaxi, a Salt Lake City–based outdoor gear brand dedicated to poverty alleviation. Raised throughout Latin America, he developed a lifelong commitment to social impact after witnessing economic inequality firsthand. A serial e-commerce entrepreneur, Davis founded several successful ventures, including Brazil’s 2012 “Startup of the Year,” before building Cotopaxi into a global brand that has assisted millions living in poverty. He has served as a Presidential Leadership Scholar and a member of the United Nations Foundation’s Global Leadership Council.
Dave McCann is a veteran sportscaster, play-by-play announcer, and television anchor with decades of broadcasting experience across regional and national media. After graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in broadcasting, he began his career as a college sports reporter for ABC’s Good Morning America before anchoring sports in Las Vegas for nearly 20 years. He later served as an evening news co-anchor for KSL-TV in Salt Lake City and became a prominent media personality for BYUtv, hosting pre- and post-game shows alongside lead play-by-play coverage for BYU football and basketball. McCann also writes sports commentary for the Deseret News and co-hosts the digital BYU sports talk show Y’s Guys. He currently serves as an elders quorum president.