How the Temple Motivates Latter-day Saints | A How I Lead Interview with Brent Holladay

Brent Holladay was recently released as temple president of the Orlando Florida Temple. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University, and spent the last 26 years of his career working as Chief Information Officer and Chief Deputy Clerk for elected Clerks of Court in Florida. Brent is married to Dana Vorwaller Holladay, who served alongside him as matron of the Orlando Florida Temple and as co-manager of the Orlando Bishops’ Storehouse. He has previously served a stake patriarch, stake president, counselor in the Florida Orlando Mission Presidency, bishop, high councilor, stake clerk and other callings. Brent and Dana currently teach the Valiant 10 Primary class, fondly known as the Primary Temple Preparation class, and he also serves as a ward assistant clerk—finance. They have lived in Longwood, Florida for 43 years and have eight children and 27 grandchildren. Links Share your thoughts in the Leading Saints community Read the transcript of this podcast Get 14-day access to the Core Leader Library Highlights Brent shares his unique experience of being called as a temple president, detailing the process of selection and the responsibilities that come with the role. He discusses the refurbishment of the Orlando Temple and the management of temple workers, emphasizing the importance of creating a positive patron experience while maintaining the necessary administrative functions. Throughout the conversation, Brent recounts several poignant stories that illustrate the transformative power of the temple in the lives of individuals and families. The discussion delves into key leadership principles, starting with the importance of loving others as the Savior does and seeking the gift of charity. Brent shares personal experiences that highlight the need for leaders to see individuals as God sees them, fostering an environment of love and support. He also emphasizes the significance of using barometers, such as the percentage of endowed members with current temple recommends, to gauge the spiritual health of congregations and encourage temple attendance. Brent stresses the need for individuals to be grounded in the temple experience and the covenant path before and after their missions. He concludes with three essential questions that leaders should consider when planning activities, ensuring that they focus on bringing individuals closer to Jesus Christ, preparing them to make and keep covenants, and equipping them for future challenges. This episode is rich with insights and stories that will inspire you to deepen your understanding of temple service as you lead in the Church. 06:31 – Refurbishment of the Orlando Temple 07:14 – Calling as a Temple President 08:57 – Choosing Counselors for the Temple Presidency 10:05 – Setting Apart as Temple President 11:00 – Training for New Temple Presidents 12:05 – Setting Apart Process for Temple Presidents 12:21 – Familiarity with Counselors 13:40 – Responsibilities of a Temple President 14:40 – Ensuring Positive Patron Experiences 16:05 – Role of the Temple Recorder 17:29 – Number of Temple Workers 18:26 – Balancing Administration and Patron Experience 20:34 – Focus on Patron Experience 21:05 – Principle: Loving as the Savior Loves 27:58 – Principle: Barometers in Leadership 30:34 – Importance of Temple Attendance 32:29 – Temple President’s Role in State Conferences 37:06 – Transformational Nature of the Temple 38:34 – Principle: Mission vs. Saving Ordinances 44:37 – Questions for Church Activities 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.