Podcast Summary: followHIM

Episode: Genesis 12–17; Abraham 1–2 (Part 2)
Guest: Dr. Jenae Nelson
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Release Date: February 11, 2026

Overview

This episode continues the in-depth discussion on the Abrahamic Covenant and the stories of Abraham and Sarah from Genesis 12–17 and Abraham 1–2. Dr. Jenae Nelson joins hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway to explore themes of waiting on God’s promises, understanding covenants as relationships, the transformative power of hope, and how these ancient stories apply to modern faith journeys. Richly personal and deeply spiritual, the conversation centers on how trusting God’s timing, living covenants, and embracing our unique paths leads us closer to Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God’s Promises and Timing

• Delays in Promises: Both hosts and Dr. Nelson reflect on personal and scriptural experiences where blessings were delayed, drawing from Elder Uchtdorf’s 2010 talk on patience.
  • “God's promises are not always filled as quickly as or in the way we might hope. They come according to his timing and in his ways... I know for sure that the promises of the Lord, if perhaps not always swift, are always certain eventually.” — John Bytheway, quoting Elder Uchtdorf (01:00)
• Personal Testimony: Dr. Nelson shares her own educational and family journey, emphasizing how God’s order is superior to our own.
  • “What if I did it in my order? If I did the education first, there's a chance I wouldn't even have a family... Trust God's timing for you. Even this thing that feels hard right now is blessing you.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (04:10–05:50)

2. Covenant as Relationship, Not Contract

• Ancient vs. Modern Understanding: Dr. Nelson reads from Jennifer Lane’s work, explaining that ancient covenants (berith) were about forming family relationships—not transactional agreements.
  • "Making a covenant in scripture can best be understood as forming a new relationship. Covenants change who we are because they change our relationship ..." — Dr. Jenae Nelson (11:20–13:30)
• Christ as Our Partner: Instead of relying on self or contracts, covenants bind us to Christ, whose grace enables us to endure and transform.
  • “It’s amazing what you can do with being bound to Christ in a covenant.” — Hank Smith (14:42)

3. The Power and Purpose of Hope

• Hope in Waiting: Hope is needed most during trials and delays, not just in moments of happiness.
  • "Hope is something that you need when times are the darkest, when things are the most bleak. Some days hope just looks like I got out of bed." — Dr. Jenae Nelson (50:44–52:15)
• Looking Up: Using the imagery of God inviting Abraham to look at the stars, Dr. Nelson encourages listeners to “look up” in times of darkness.
  • “When it’s dark out, you can see the stars. Sometimes when it’s the darkest, that's when we see the light best.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (54:43–57:20)

4. Embodying the Covenant: Loving-Kindness (Hesed)

• Abraham’s Example: The story of Abraham giving Lot the better land (Genesis 13) illustrates charity and peacemaking—hallmarks of the Abrahamic legacy.
  • “The most important characteristic of being part of Abraham's family is this loving kindness, this charity.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (20:02)
• Generosity and Consecration: Generosity springs from seeing others as God does, cultivated by living without idols and attachments to “gods of this world.”
  • “When you see your fellow beings as you see yourself, it comes naturally that you would want to help them. Our covenants help us do that.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (23:57–26:20)
• Parable of the Two Seas: John shares a metaphor comparing the giving Sea of Galilee with the keeping Dead Sea, spotlighting the spiritual vitality of giving. (26:36)
  • “The Sea of Galilee gives and lives—the other gives nothing... It is named the Dead Sea.”

5. Facing the Right Direction: Spiritual Focus

• The Lesson of Tent Doors: Drawing comparisons to King Benjamin’s people and Lot, the direction we face (toward the temple or Sodom) shapes our journey.
  • “Where is our tent door pitched? Is it pitched toward the temples? What’s my life facing?” — Hank Smith (35:46)
• Identity and Purpose: Wearing the “jersey” of Christ symbolizes entering His team, but requires partnership—commitment, action, and accepting Christ as our coach and guide. (37:13)

6. Faith, Obedience, and Outcomes

• Outcome vs. Relationship-Based Faith: Promised outcomes may not come on our timetable, or even in mortality, but the greater reward is Christ himself.
  • “In the Gospel, when we think about obedience being tied with blessings, we often think about very specific blessings... The Lord is saying, I am your shield and thy exceeding great reward ... The point of covenant is that we get Christ as our reward.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (39:52–41:56)
• Perfection and Repentance: Exact obedience is impossible; faith and continual repentance are what matter.
  • “Nobody did it but Jesus. Jesus is the only one that had exact obedience. But we can keep repenting. And that’s the same idea—don’t give up.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (42:08–44:23)

7. Sarah: Women in the Covenant

• Sarah’s Role and Faith: The episode emphasizes Sarah’s equal role in receiving and waiting for the covenant promises.
  • “It’s not just Abraham that got that promise. It was Sarah. The trust-building required them to not have that promise for a while.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (47:01–49:51)
• Motherhood and Spiritual Legacy: Elder Holland’s quote recognizes the “grand tradition” of women from Eve, to Sarah, down to mothers today.

8. Testimonies and Final Thoughts

• God as the Reward: The scriptural stories are about God’s relationship with us—not just achieving goals, but learning to become like Him.
  • “God is the reward. Christ is the reason that we have covenants. …we should want to emulate Him and follow Him.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (54:43–57:20)
• For Listeners in Darkness or Delay: Dr. Nelson reassures those feeling exhausted, lost, or disqualified that God’s mercy reaches even when we’re at our worst.
  • "When it’s dark out, you can see the stars. Sometimes when it’s the darkest, that’s when we can see the light from the stars the best." — Dr. Jenae Nelson (54:43–57:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• God’s Timing:
  • “God’s promises are not always filled as quickly as or in the way we might hope…if not always swift, they are always certain.” — John Bytheway, quoting Elder Uchtdorf (01:00)
• Personal Fulfillment:
  • “Trust God’s timing for you… Even this thing that feels hard right now is blessing you…” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (04:10)
• Covenants as Relationship:
  • “Making a covenant … can best be understood as forming a new relationship... I am claiming Him.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson, quoting Jennifer Lane (12:30)
• Hope in Darkness:
  • “Hope is something that you need when times are the darkest… Some days hope just looks like I got out of bed.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (50:44)
• God as Reward:
  • “He says, I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward… Can you just see that, Abraham? I know that you want a child… but if you don't understand that I’m your shield, I’m your reward, you’ll miss the point.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (39:52)
• Identity Imagery:
  • “There was something about being on this team, this winning team, that gave these young men and young women a different perspective... When we are joining the Lord’s team … we’re saying something about our identity.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (37:13)
• Faith Beyond Understanding:
  • “If we knew what was going to happen, it wouldn’t be that hard to trust… That’s why God knew that we needed a covenant.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (11:20)
• God’s Generosity:
  • “Abraham is saying that… he is in the business of collecting things of an eternal Nature. He’s in the business of worshiping the true God.” — Dr. Jenae Nelson (22:29)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00] God’s promises—Elder Uchtdorf’s story and commentary
• [04:10] Dr. Nelson's personal story on promises and timing
• [11:20] Covenants explained as relationships, not contracts
• [20:02] Abraham exemplifies loving-kindness (hesed)
• [26:36] Parable of the Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea
• [35:46] The lesson of tent doors—where is your life facing?
• [39:52] “I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward”
• [50:44] Hope in darkness, cultivating hope in hard times
• [54:43] Final testimony—God is the reward, look up, faith in Christ

Summary Takeaways

• God's promises are sure, but rarely immediate—faith means trusting His plan and timing.
• Covenants are about forming a binding family relationship with Christ, not just ticking contractual boxes.
• True hope is cultivated step by step, especially in darkness and delay.
• Generosity, kindness, and charity flow naturally from covenant living and seeing others as God does.
• Our spiritual direction—where we pitch our tent—shapes our journey and who we become.
• Faith should rest not in specific outcomes but in Christ Himself, who is always our shield and reward.
• Both Abraham and Sarah model faith amid waiting; God’s covenant includes and values women’s roles and spiritual legacy.
• Even brokenness and imperfection can become holy ground when offered to Christ—He comes "in the pieces".

This uplifting episode is a rich resource for all believers seeking encouragement and clarity in times of waiting, with practical wisdom for nurturing faith, hope, and charity on the journey to fulfill God’s promises.