President M. Russell Ballard and three other Apostles on why and how the Church is governed by councils

<p>This July the Church News is taking readers &ldquo;Inside Church headquarters&rdquo; in a series of articles highlighting the council system of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These councils include <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/first-presidency?lang=eng">the Council of the First Presidency</a> and <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/learn/quorum-of-the-twelve-apostles?lang=eng">the Council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles</a>, as well as executive councils that oversee the work of temples and family history, missionary and priesthood and family. The series explores<a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-07-08/church-councils-president-oaks-eyring-first-presidency-218412"> how revelation guides Church councils</a> and how the principles discovered there can be applied to stakes, wards, families and individual members around the world. In this episode of the Church News podcast, the first in a two-part series, Church News reporter <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sydneywalkerdeseretnews-com">Sydney Walker</a> discusses the series and shares quotes from Church News interviews featuring<a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2018-06-14/inside-the-quorum-of-the-twelve-apostles-what-president-ballard-has-learned-in-over-40-years-of-service-159529"> President M. Russell Ballard,</a> Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2004-10-16/elder-dieter-f-uchtdorf-apostle-2004-94419">Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf</a>, <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2004-10-23/elder-david-a-bednar-apostle-2004-94372">Elder David A. Bednar</a> and<a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2007-10-06/elder-quentin-l-cook-apostle-2007-2-79408"> Elder Quentin L. Cook</a> of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They explain<a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/leaders-and-ministry/2021-07-15/inside-church-headquarters-quorum-of-the-twelve-apostles-218417"> why the Church is governed by councils</a> and what it is like to serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and on some of the Church&rsquo;s executive councils.&nbsp;</p> <p><a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/podcast">The Church News Podcast</a> is a weekly podcast that invites listeners to make a journey of connection with members of <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/?lang=eng">The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints</a> across the globe. Host <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/author/sarahdeseretnews-com">Sarah Jane Weaver</a>, reporter and editor for <a href="https://www.thechurchnews.com/">The Church News</a> for a quarter-century, shares a unique view of the stories, events, and most important people who form this international faith. With each episode, listeners are asked to embark on a journey to learn from one another and ponder, &ldquo;What do I know now?&rdquo; because of the experience. Produced by<a href="https://kellieannhalvo.com/"> KellieAnn Halvorsen</a>.</p>