The Leadership of Marion D. Hanks | An Interview with Richard Hanks

Rich Hanks is an author, investor, and adviser to both start-ups
and established businesses. He has served as a board director of
numerous profit and non-profit companies and organizations, and as
a mission president in Birmingham, Alabama. His book, To Be a
Friend of Christ, draws on previously unavailable primary
sources—journals, correspondence, notebooks, and recordings—to
share the first and only authorized biography of his father, Marion
D. Hanks, who served for nearly 40 years as a General Authority.
Links To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks Share
your thoughts in the Leading Saints community. Read the transcript
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Highlights Rich shares personal anecdotes about his father,
highlighting his early calling as a General Authority at just 31
years old and the unique challenges that came with it, including
the absence of an emeritus status at the time. Rich elaborates on
Marion D. Hanks' contributions to early morning seminary programs
and the establishment of the Christus as a symbol of the Church,
emphasizing his efforts to make the Church more relatable and
accessible to the public. The discussion also touches on Elder
Hanks' mission presidency in England, where he worked to reform the
culture of missionary work, focusing on genuine conversion rather
than mere numbers. Rich recounts how his father prioritized the
spiritual well-being of missionaries and the importance of service,
drawing parallels to the teachings of Jesus Christ. Throughout the
episode, Rich reflects on the leadership principles exemplified by
his father, including the importance of being a voice for change
while maintaining respect for Church authority. The conversation
concludes with Rich sharing how his father's legacy has influenced
his own approach to leadership as a mission president, emphasizing
the need to focus on the individuals being served rather than
solely on baptism numbers. Overall, the episode provides a rich
exploration of Marion D. Hanks' life and the enduring impact of his
leadership philosophy within the Church. 02:05 - Who Was Marion D.
Hanks? 02:52 - Elder Hanks' Influence and Legacy 03:42 - Rich
Hanks' Personal Connection to His Father 04:05 - Marion D. Hanks as
a General Authority 05:39 - The Emeritus Status and Its Impact
07:25 - Growing Up with a General Authority Father 08:56 - Marion
D. Hanks' Teaching Innovations 10:51 - The Christus Symbol and Its
Origins 12:47 - Elder Hanks as Mission President 16:55 - Addressing
the Baptism Culture in England 20:55 - Leadership Principles from
Elder Hanks 22:15 - The Importance of Service in Leadership 25:01 -
The Dynamics of Being a General Authority 27:40 - Navigating
Leadership Disagreements 30:12 - The Role of Revelation in
Leadership 32:37 - The Legacy of Service and Community Engagement
39:09 - Personal Reflections on Leadership Principles 43:24 -
Applying Elder Hanks' Principles in Modern Leadership The Leading
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