This is a pattern taken from the book Counseling with Our Councils by Elder M. Russell Ballard

1. Effective Problem Solving
through Councils
A Pattern Taken from the book
Counseling with Our Councils
by M. Russell Ballard
Presented by Jimmy Smith,
owner of MormonMissionPrep.com
October 10, 2013

2. 2
When I read this book, I
noticed a pattern emerging
from the many stories
This pattern stems from my
interpretation and analysis of
Elder Ballard’s examples
Counseling with Our Councils

3. 3
Problem Solving Pattern
Define
Problem
• Awareness
• Escalation
• Assignment
• Discussion
• Definition
Implement
Solution
• Alternatives
• Determination
• Implement
Analyze
Results
• Rinse and
repeat, if
necessary

4. 4
Symptoms of a problem
are revealed
Through data, analysis, a
feeling, or other means
Problem Awareness
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results
All Lego people images courtesy of Flickr user ntr23

5. 5
An event occurs that drives
the need to address the
problem
Mandate from your
boss/leader, customer
complaint, etc.
The problem is escalated to
a council
Consists of a council leader
and council members
Problem Escalation
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

6. 6
Council leader takes
ownership of problem
or delegates ownership
to someone else
Investigation of the
problem
Problem Assignment
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

7. 7
Open and honest
conversation about the
problem
Questions are asked
Ideas are shared
Data is examined
Problem Discussion
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

8. 8
The council searches out
the root cause
The root problem is
clearly defined and
articulated
Root Problem Definition
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

9. 9
Brainstorm potential
solutions that are
specific and measurable
Discuss and evaluate
options
Focus on the desired
results
Solution Alternatives
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

10. 10
Assigned owner
determines best solution
Communicates solution
to the council leader
Gets buy in from other
stake holders, as needed
Council leader decides
on the solution to pursue
Solution Determination
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

11. 11
Do it
Council leader assigns
appropriate individuals
to implement the
solution
Empowerment and
resources provided
Solution Implementation
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

12. 12
Collect data (qualitative
and quantitative)
Return and report
Make sure the solution is
solving the problem
If not, rinse and repeat
Results Analyzed
Define
Problem
Implement
Solution
Analyze
Results

13. 13
Councils do not inherently function this way
It may come naturally for a few people, but not for most
Training and concerted effort is required
This pattern will lead to significantly improved results
I have found this true where I have applied it in my work
Plus we have the testimony of an apostle 
Concluding Thoughts

14. 14
Any Questions?
Thank You!

15. 15
Appendix: Examples and Quotes
from Counseling with Our Councils

16. 16
Problem Awareness An EQP said: “We didn't schedule the [home teaching] interviews as often as we should
have, and when we did try to hold them, most of the home teachers weren't very excited
about coming." p. 128
Problem Escalation "In one of my quarterly interviews with the stake president, I mentioned the problem we
were having." p. 129
Problem Assignment He "said a priesthood leader's duty is to 'sit in council' with his quorum members" and
made some suggestions for the EQ presidency. p. 129
Problem Discussion "In our next quorum presidency meeting, I talked with my counselors about my discussion
with the stake president." p. 129
Problem Definition “The real agenda of the home teaching interview is to agree on the 'next step' to help
each quorum member come unto Christ." p. 129
Solution Alternatives "When we prayed about our decisions at the end of the meeting, we all felt good about
them." p. 129
Solution Determined "We agreed to hold more regular interviews and to try a different approach." p. 129
Solution Implementation "That Sunday, instead of just handing out the new assignments like we usually did, we
interviewed every home teacher who had a new assignment and explained what we were
trying to accomplish." p. 129
Results Analyzed "Since then, I haven't had any trouble getting Gary to come to home teaching interviews.
In fact, he's one of the most faithful home teachers in our quorum." p. 131
Example from Counseling with Our
Councils: Home Teaching

17. 17
Problem Awareness "A large family in our ward experienced a crisis when the father lost his job." p. 15
Problem Escalation "They were reluctant to respond to my offer of temporary assistance." p. 15
"I discovered that they were heavily in debt and were behind on their mortgage." p. 16
Problem Assignment "I took the matter to my ward welfare committee and to the ward council." p. 15
Problem Discussion "Our RS president volunteered to visit with the mother of the family to ascertain their
temporal needs." p. 16
"The EQ president counseled with the father…and worked with him on ways to improve
his employment situation." p. 16
Problem Definition "Following approved welfare guidelines, I inquired about the ability of their extended
family to help through this challenging period in their lives." p. 16
Solution Alternatives "Our RS president … was able to learn that the mother had a brother who was very
wealthy." p. 16
Solution Determined "I counseled with her and eventually received her permission to contact her brother, who
lived in a distant city." p. 16
Solution
Implementation
"Within three days he arrived in Salt Lake City and helped get his sister's financial affairs in
order." p. 16
"Meanwhile, our EQ president was helping her husband to find a steady job." p. 17
Results Analyzed "The family was more secure than they had ever been." p. 17
Example: Family Finances

18. 18
Problem Awareness The bishop "decided to drop in on Mutual opening exercises just to see how things were
going. What he saw frustrated and troubled him." p. 161
Problem Escalation The bishop "couldn't get out of his mind the image of those teenagers behaving so
disrespectfully in the chapel." p. 161
Problem Assignment The bishopric "decided it would be a good subject to bring before the ward council." p. 162
Problem Discussion "The bishop outlined his concerns before the ward council. … 'I honestly don't have any
answers here…I'm really interested in hearing what you folks have to say.'" p. 162
Problem Definition "At the heart of the problem is our love and respect for Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus
Christ." p. 163
"Behaving disrespectfully in the chapel is just an outward manifestation of a much deeper
problem that appears to exist throughout the ward. The greater issue here is personal
testimony." p. 163
Solution Alternatives "If we can strengthen the testimonies of ward members, they will naturally be more
reverent." p. 163
"We need to do a better job of teaching testimony and behavior." p. 164
Solution Determined "I feel especially good about buillding our program on temple worthiness and worship. I
believe that that is precisely the focus the Lord would have us maintain…Now, let's take a
few minutes to develop some specific plans and suggestions." p. 167
Solution
Implementation
"Anything we're going to do sort of begins and ends with this group of people here…if we
do things that are counter to creating a respectful, reverent environment in our
meetinghouse, it won't matter what else we say or do." p. 166
Results Analyzed "The thing that I want to have happen…is for people to be able to walk into the chapel at
any time and feel calm and peaceful and worshipful." p. 165
Example: Youth and Respect

19. 19
Problem Awareness "A bishop I know was concerned about an escalating lack of reverence in his
ward." p. 107
Problem Escalation "A general conference speaker suggested that reverence might be an appropriate
topic for a ward council." p. 107
Problem Assignment "On his next ward council meeting agenda, 'Reverence' was prominently listed for
discussion." p. 107
Problem Discussion The bishop read in the Handbook about his role in ward reverence and "that the
ward council is to 'review progress' and to counsel together regarding 'all ward
programs and activities.'" p. 107
Problem Definition
Solution Alternatives "'I quickly discovered that other members of the council shared my concern, and
they had some excellent suggestions for improvement,' the bishop said." p. 107
Solution Determined
Solution Implementation "Following the inspried counsel of Church leaders and implementing handbook
procedures has made a difference in our ward." p. 108
Results Analyzed "'I am delighted to report that our reverence has greatly improved,' the bishop
said." p.108
Example: Sunday Reverence

20. 20
Problem Awareness "One stake presidency was faced with a dilemma: of the 60 or so young single adults who
lived within the stake boundaries, only about 40 wanted to attend the stake's YSA
branch." p. 88
Problem Escalation "'We weren't exactly sure where they were attending, that was the problem. We wanted
to make sure no one was falling through the cracks, and we wanted to provide a
meaningful program.'" p. 88
Problem Assignment "Under the direction of the stake council, a special task committee was formed,
composed of the stake RS, YW, and YM presidents; four high councilors (over those
organizations)." p. 89
Problem Discussion "The group also discussed current branch membership, potential branch membership, and
the names of the young people who would be eligible to join the branch during the next
four years." p. 89
Problem Definition "During the first meeting, the problem was outlined." p. 89
Solution Alternatives "The information compiled by the task committee was presented to the stake council,
where more candid and open dialogue led to the formation of a plan." p. 90
Solution Determined "The proposed plan was then presented to the stake bishops' council for their sustaining
vote. Concerns and reservations were voiced and then resolved as they counseled
together." p. 90
“All who struggled with the challenges involved received his or her own testimony that in
our stake this is what the Lord would have us do." p . 90
Solution ImplementationThey "began to implement the approved program." p. 90
Results Analyzed "'We had to change some of our own long-entrenched ways of doing things, and that was
painful to a degree,' the stake president said." p. 90
Example: YSA Branch