What Type of Leader Should I Be? | An Interview with Elder Clate Mask

Clate W. Mask Jr. served in the U.S. Army Reserve before attending
Brigham Young University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in
English and Spanish, then worked in construction sales in Los
Angeles, California. He taught early-morning Seminary and loved it
so much he chose to leave his job to work full-time for the Church
Educational System. He later earned his master’s degree in
education from California State University, Northridge. He helped
establish Institute classes in Spanish in Arizona and Southern
California and loved bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to life
for his thousands of “star students” over the years. Elder Mask was
a member of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. Prior to his call, he
and his wife, Carol, were mission leaders of the Spain Barcelona
Mission. Following his release as a general authority he and Carol
served as president and matron of the Guatemala City Guatemala
Temple. He has also served as bishop, branch president, stake
Sunday School president, and high councilor. Clate and Carol are
the parents of six children and 28 grandchildren and spent much of
their married life in Arizona. They both served as missionaries in
the Central American Mission and have a life-long love for the
people and culture of Central America. Links There is already a
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Library Highlights Elder Clate Mask, emeritus general authority,
shares insights and experiences from his time as a Seminary and
Institute teacher and a mission president in Spain. He reflects on
his journey of teaching youth and missionaries, emphasizing the
importance of being true to oneself and following the guidance of
the Spirit. Elder Mask discusses his approach to teaching Seminary,
focusing on inspiring youth to emulate Christ and develop a desire
to serve others. He also shares anecdotes from his time as a
mission president, highlighting the challenges faced by
missionaries and the strategies he employed to uplift and motivate
them. Through object lessons and storytelling, Elder Mask instilled
in his missionaries the importance of perseverance, optimism, and
looking for the good in people, drawing parallels to the teachings
of Christ and the examples set by prophets like Brigham Young,
Spencer W. Kimball, Howard W. Hunter, and Joseph Smith. By
incorporating these principles into their daily lives and
interactions, Elder Mask encouraged his missionaries to overcome
discouragement, stay focused on their goals, and strive to become
more Christlike in their actions and attitudes. 00:02:23 - Elder
Mask's Background and Career as a Seminary Teacher 00:11:11 - Call
to Serve as a Mission President 00:18:30 - Leadership and
Connection with Missionaries 00:26:55 - Overcoming Discouragement
and Developing Christlike Attributes 00:36:43 - Teaching the
Pollyanna Principle and Other Object Lessons The Leading Saints
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