From Stake President to Regional Rep | An Interview with Douglas McKinlay

Doug McKinlay has a masters degree from Brigham Young University in
Mass Communications, ran his own successful $35MM company for 17
years, and won national awards for advertising results and
creativity. He has also taught as faculty at Brigham Young
University for 16 years. Doug loves serving his fellow beings. In
the Church, callings have included service as an elders quorum
president, ward and stake Young Men president, stake executive
secretary, stake high council, stake president and counselor,
Regional Representative of the Twelve, mission president, and
bishop. Links BYU Devotional: "The Approachable Master" There is
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thoughts here. Watch on YouTube Read the transcript of this podcast
Highlights 3:10 Introduction and background to Doug McKinlay 4:30
Doug shares his background of growing up in Utah. His career and
leadership experience in the Church. He has served numerous
callings such as stake president, counselor in the stake
presidency, regional representative, and mission president. He is
now 82 years old. 16:00 Getting called as stake president and
calling counselors 20:20 Back in the day they used to fly stake
presidencies into Salt Lake for leadership meetings in the
Tabernacle. President Packer taught that the handbook is the what
of church leadership and the scriptures are the how of church
leadership. 21:50 When he was released as stake president he was
called as a Regional Representative of the Twelve. Douglas explains
the responsibilities and duties of this calling. 28:15 In the 80's
and 90's they had regional conferences for all members and a member
of the twelve would be there. As regional representative he would
organize it. 29:30 As part of his calling, Doug was always there
when a stake president was called and he also helped with training.
32:20 Doug helped President Hinckley find temple sites. 33:40 He
served as regional rep for five years and then was called as
mission president. Douglas describes the process and interviews he
had before getting called. President Faust was the one who called
him. 37:40 Doug was mission president in Tucson, Arizona. The
mission was quite disobedient at the time and it took about a year
to turn the ship around. 40:15 Shifting the mission culture. Making
obedience cool. 42:15 Doug created doctrinal diagrams. Creating
these diagrams helped with visual learning. 45:40 Get out from
behind the desk and do what you proclaim. When Doug was stake
president he figuratively released himself and called himself on a
stake mission for a month. Focusing on mission work they were able
to finally not only reach their baptismal goal but go over it.
49:50 What is your advice on having to get up and speak to an
audience? Be timely and topical, as President Hinckley was. 52:00
He skipped being bishop and went straight to being stake president
but in his sixties he was called as a bishop. 55:00 Doug is now 82
years old and is in a new phase of life. He gets to let others
lead. 55:40 Doug’s final thoughts on being a follower and being a
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