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

Leading Saints

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.

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To Be a Friend of Christ: The Life of Marion D. Hanks
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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 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. Learn more and listen to any of the past episodes for free at LeadingSaints.org.

Past guests include Emily Belle Freeman, David Butler, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, Reyna and Elena Aburto, Liz Wiseman, Stephen M. R. Covey, Julie Beck, Brad Wilcox, Jody Moore, Tony Overbay, John H. Groberg, Elaine Dalton, Tad R. Callister, Lynn G. Robbins, J. Devn Cornish, Bonnie Oscarson, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, Ganel-Lyn Condie, Michael Goodman, Wendy Ulrich, Richard Ostler, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill and many more in over 700 episodes.

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