The Principle of Love | An Interview with Elder Don R. Clarke

Elder Don R. Clarke served as a General Authority from 2006 to
2015, first in the Second Quorum of the Seventy and as president
and a counselor in the Central America Area, later in the First
Quorum of the Seventy. He was assistant Executive Director in the
Missionary Department and Area Assistant for the Utah North, Utah
Salt Lake City, and Utah South Areas. He also served as Director of
Church Hosting and currently serves as an emeritus General
Authority and President of the Great Salt Lake Utah District
(Correctional Facility). Elder Clarke earned an associate’s degree
from Ricks College and a bachelor’s degree in business from Brigham
Young University. He completed a master’s degree in business
administration from Washington State University. His career
included senior executive positions in several retailing companies.
He also served as a volunteer professor of business at Southern
Virginia University and was involved with Ascend Humanitarian
Alliance in beginning microcredit operations in Bolivia. He has
served the Church in various other capacities, including full-time
missionary in the Argentina Mission, president of the Bolivia Santa
Cruz Mission, stake president, high councilor, bishop, stake Young
Men president, and elders quorum president. Born in Rexburg, Idaho,
Elder Clarke married Mary Anne Jackson and they are the parents of
six children. Highlights 01:20 Elder Clarke’s background 11:00
Elder Clarke’s leadership journey 13:00 The people you associate
with are very important. They will impact your life and change your
eternity. 20:45 As a leader, how do you help others improve? Give
them a vision. After they have a vision you help them set goals.
Each person should measure themself according to those goals. 27:15
How do you help people have a vision? Learn how people think. Know
who you are leading. You have to want to know what people think.
You have to create an environment where people can tell you what
they think. 32:45 Five parts of life. If you are good in all these
areas then you have a good life. Relationship with Heavenly Father
and Jesus Christ Family Work or schooling Friends Yourself 35:55
You love people by wanting them to be better. Happy always but
content never “Those that I love, I chasten.” 43:15 Story of
getting called as a General Authority 48:45 Principle of there is
always a better way and Elder Clarke’s experience at Southern
Virginia University 51:10 In leadership, you need to know the power
of the Holy Ghost. 54:40 Elder Clarke talks about his time in the
second and first quorum of the seventy. There are two parts to a
calling. Minister first and administer second. No matter what your
calling is in the church, you are always a minister first. 59:45
You minister to those that God puts in your path. Elder Clarke
speaks of his own experience. 1:02:20 Elder Clarke’s story of his
grandfather, a blind farmer, who was about to lose his farm.
1:05:00 Ministering is a journey not an event. Everybody needs
somebody. 1:09:00 Who you marry and your relationship is so
important. 1:10:30 Adopt people into your family. Invite people to
your home on the holidays. Help them feel loved. 1:12:50 The way
you get close to heaven is to help His children. 1:14:00 Husband
and wife dynamic when the man is in leadership and gone a lot and
the woman is at home with the children. 1:18:15 Elder Clarke shares
his testimony. Links Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcast Get 14-day
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