Connecting the General with the Individual | An Interview with Reyna and Elena Aburto

Reyna Aburto studied Industrial Engineering in her home country, Nicaragua, and holds a degree in Computer Science from Utah Valley University. She owns a translation business with her husband. She has served as the second counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency and is the author of Reaching for the Savior. Elena was born in Utah and served a mission in Modesto, California. She graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in Music from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Currently she is working toward her masters at Utah Valley University, works at a junior high school, and teaches piano. Reyna and Elena co-host the Consecrating Your Life Podcast. Highlights 01:15 Introduction to the episode 03:00 Reyna and Elena introduce themselves and their backgrounds. 05:30 Reyna getting called as a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency 10:50 Getting started in her new calling in the General Relief Society Presidency 12:30 Reyna’s advice to presidencies and the bishoprics working together Put your personal agenda aside Say what you feel in the counsels but then let it go 14:40 Elena shares her perspective on her mother’s calling and they talk about how it changed their family. 17:50 The process of writing a talk for general conference. 21:30 Elena’s shares about her mental health struggles and how it led Reyna writing a talk on mental health. 25:00 All talks must be submitted three weeks before conference. The last three weeks before conference she would prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally because the delivery of the talk is also important. 28:30 It’s much easier to relate to your leaders when they are vulnerable and open up. 38:00 Counsel WITH people and not ABOUT them. Go directly to the people and organizations and ask them what they need and want. 41:00 How would you like me to pray for you this week? This is a question that actually helps people open up and be vulnerable. 44:30 Sit down as friends or as family and counsel together on how you can help a family member or friend. 45:50 Getting assignments as a counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency. Reyna shares the purposes of those visits and sitting down with area presidencies. 50:00 Preparation for speaking at devotionals and stake conferences. It’s different from general conference. Reyna struggled to prepare but has learned to use an outline and rely on the Spirit. 55:10 Being a general leader but wanting to be a personal leader Get there early to greet and hug people Stay at the end if possible and continue to talk with people. Sometimes a hug or small conversation can make a difference for people. 56:50 Elena talks about being an FSY counselor 1:00:00 Be inclusive with your words as you are talking with people and giving talks. By changing a few words you can include everyone. 1:03:15 Elena and Reyna started a podcast called Consecrating Your Life. 1:05:30 Final testimonies on the importance of leadership Links 2023 NorthStar ConferenceConsecrating Your Life Podcast “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!”Reaching for the Savior Read the TRANSCRIPT of this podcastWatch on YouTubeGet 14-day access to the Core Leader Library 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, 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, Dennis B. Neuenschwander, Anthony Sweat, John Hilton III, Barbara Morgan Gardner, Blair Hodges, Whitney Johnson, Ryan Gottfredson, Greg McKeown, DeAnna Murphy, Michael Goodman, Richard Ostler, Ganel-Lyn Condie, and many more in over 500 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.