Gathering Israel with the Youth | An Interview with Brad Lowder

Leading Saints Podcast

Brad Lowder is a senior vice president at FamilySearch International. He has experience across media, marketing, advertising, and communications industries, and is an accomplished television producer and screenwriter. Prior to working for FamilySearch, Brad’s career included working in newspaper, radio, and satellite broadcasting where he produced live sporting events. He was also managing partner of two advertising agencies, chief marketing officer of a national franchise, and vice president of marketing and sales for an electronics company. Brad also owned a broadcasting company that created and produced a globally-syndicated radio program.

Brad’s church callings have included serving in a YSA Bishopric (twice), as a stake and ward Young Men president, on his stake high council, as a deacons and teachers quorum advisor, and stake director of public affairs. Brad served in the Germany Munich Mission and has a BA in Advertising from Brigham Young University. His interests include travel, cross country motorcycle trips, hiking, skiing, beekeeping, and spoiling his grandchildren. Brad is married to Marjorie Nelson Lowder and between them they have seven children and thirteen grandchildren.

Links

The Life of Sister Dantzel White Nelson | An Interview with Marjorie Nelson Lowder
FamilySearch Get Involved
Ordinances Ready
“How family stories help children weather hard times”
“The ‘Do You Know?’ 20 Questions About Family Stories”
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Highlights

Brad shares insights into his role at FamilySearch, where he focuses on engaging the rising generation in family history work. He explains how the increasing number of temples worldwide necessitates a greater effort in record acquisition and indexing to support members in their temple work.

Brad emphasizes the significance of integrating family history into the lives of youth, encouraging leaders to empower young people to take the lead in gathering Israel on both sides of the veil. He introduces practical tools such as the “Get Involved” app and the “Ordinances Ready” feature, which make it easier for youth to participate in temple work.

The episode also delves into the psychological benefits of knowing family history, citing research that shows how understanding one’s ancestry can enhance resilience and a sense of identity among youth. Brad encourages leaders to create a culture where family history is a natural part of worship and community activities, rather than a separate event. He shares strategies for incorporating family history into existing programs, making it fun and engaging for the rising generation.

The episode concludes with Brad’s enthusiasm for the potential of family history work to bless individuals and families, reinforcing the idea that this work is not just a task but a joyful and meaningful experience that connects generations.

04:11 – Personal Story: Asking for a Daughter’s Hand in Marriage
08:34 – Day Job: Senior Vice President at FamilySearch
10:06 – Impact of Temple Building on FamilySearch
12:36 – Challenges of Record Acquisition in New Temple Districts
15:14 – Introduction to the Get Involved App
17:00 – AI and FamilySearch: The Future of Genealogy
18:03 – Engaging the Rising Generation in Family History
20:10 – Starting with the Savior: The Foundation of Family History
21:38 – Using Ordinances Ready for Temple Work
22:32 – Adding What You Know: Building Your Family Tree
25:00 – The Experience of Converts in Family History
27:17 – Family Name Assist: Helping Converts Prepare for the Temple
29:10 – Integrating Family History into Church Culture
30:18 – The Importance of Family Stories for Resilience
36:12 – Making Family History a Natural Part of Worship
44:08 – Sharing Family History with Non-Members: A Personal Experience

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, 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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