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 podcastGet 14-day access to the Core Leader Library