A conversation with Kirby Heyborne (+video)

“I love those moments when you are teaching a principle and they understand it and they open up their minds for the first time: 'Oh, that’s how that works,'” he said. “It doesn’t get old.”

When it’s time to give out awards, Heyborne goes Bill Cosby and tries to get the kids to say funny things because their responses are absolutely entertaining.

Heyborne also strives to invent cheers that will generate laughter at pack meeting.

“Some fall flat on their face,” he said. “Once for the pinewood derby, one of the cheers was, ‘Vroom, vroom, vroom, there it goes!’ We stuck with it through the whole pack meeting. By the end, the parents were laughing at how absurd it was.”

Final thoughts

Ultimately, Heyborne credits the Lord for all the happiness in his life. When speaking to LDS youths, he encourages them to be faithful in living the gospel, to work hard and trust in the Lord's promises.

“It’s cool to be Mormon. Being a Mormon sets you apart,” Heyborne said. “Knowing that Heavenly Father loves me makes a huge difference. You don’t feel alone. Knowing he cares about me, that he will put me in the right places and will protect me, that he wants me to succeed, knowing those things makes a difference."

Email: ttoone@desnews.com Twitter: tbtoone