Bringing the Hard Questions to Relief Society | A How I Lead Interview with Kristy Wheelwright Taylor

Kristy Wheelwright Taylor serves as the board secretary for the Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation and helps with transcription and writing on the Wilford Woodruff Papers Project. Her book, Prepare Me for Thy Use: Lessons from Wilford Woodruff’s Mission Years, will be published on May 12 by Deseret Book and BYU’s Religious Studies Center. Kristy has a masters degree in Humanities from Brigham Young University and has worked as an English Instructor at Purdue University, a copy editor, technical writer, travel writer, and historical researcher and writer. She has enjoyed serving in a variety of callings in Primary, Young Women, Relief Society, family history, and the stake communications council; she currently serves as the stake Relief Society president in Trophy Club, Texas. Links Prepare Me for Thy Use: Lessons from Wilford Woodruff’s Mission Years Developing Wilford Woodruff as a Leader | An Interview with Steven Wheelwright Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Transcript coming soon Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights This discussion highlights the Wilford Woodruff Papers project, which aims to compile and make accessible all writings related to Woodruff. Kristy shares her family’s connection to this project and her experiences as a stake Relief Society president in Texas. Kristy emphasizes the importance of unity among Church leaders and fostering doctrinal confidence among women. She encourages open discussions about challenging topics, such as garments and temple recommends, to help leaders feel prepared. By sharing personal stories and insights from Wilford Woodruff, Kristy illustrates how sincere testimonies can strengthen relationships within the Church. She highlights the beauty of the plan of salvation and the joy it brings to those who follow Jesus Christ. 05:03 – Connection to Wilford Woodruff 06:56 – The Wilford Woodruff Papers Project 09:08 – Overview of Kristy’s Book 10:00 – Kristy’s Role as Stake Relief Society President 11:07 – Support from Stake Leadership 11:47 – Changes in Stake Leadership Sundays 12:47 – Demographics of the Stake 12:49 – Engaging with the Wards 14:31 – Building Relationships with Ward Leaders 15:38 – Common Challenges in Relief Society 19:29 – Unity in Leadership 20:36 – Importance of Sincere Testimonies 22:42 – Fostering Doctrinal Confidence 27:26 – Encouraging Open Discussions 29:49 – Addressing Hard Questions 32:24 – Collaborating with Other Leaders 36:21 – Normalizing Difficult Conversations 40:36 – The Role of Problem Solving in Leadership The award-winning 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, Elder Alvin F. Meredith III, 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, Kirby Heyborne, Taysom Hill 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, and many more in over 800 episodes. Discover podcasts, articles, virtual conferences, and live events related to callings such as the bishopric, Relief Society, elders quorum, Primary, youth leadership, stake leadership, ward mission, ward council, young adults, ministering, and teaching.