Podcast Summary: followHIM

Genesis 6–11; Moses 8 Part 2 • Bro. Michael Cottle • Feb. 9-15 • Come, Follow Me

Release Date: February 4, 2026
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Bro. Michael Cottle

Overview

In this episode, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, and guest Michael Cottle continue their exploration of Genesis 6–11 and Moses 8 as part of the LDS Come, Follow Me curriculum. They delve deeply into the symbolism of Noah’s Ark, connecting it to modern temple worship, family covenants, and the ways believers can find reprieve from chaos through Christ. The conversation organically blends scriptural analysis, personal testimony, emotional reflections, and practical advice for finding spiritual safety in turbulent times.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Protecting Our Homes as Temples (00:07–04:13)

• Elder David Stone’s Manhattan Temple analogy: Michael reads Elder Stone’s account of the temple’s serene silence amid noisy NYC, comparing the temple’s construction to how we can insulate our lives from worldly influences.
  • "We can create the real Zion among us by limiting the extent to which Babylon will influence our lives." – Elder Stone (Read by Mike, 00:34)
  • The home should mirror the sacredness of the temple; if you wouldn’t show something in the temple, should you have it in your home?
    • "If you wouldn't show it in the temple, would you show it at home? Oh, John, you're killing me." – Mike (02:18)
  • The light tone shifts as the hosts joke about the “guilt trip” induced by this high standard (02:50).

Noah’s Ark as Archetype of the Temple (04:13–10:31)

• The Ark as ‘Axis Mundi’: Hank introduces the concept of the temple (and the Ark) as a connection between heaven and earth, seen in various cultures (03:00).
• Structural symbolism:
  • The Ark’s dimensions parallel the tabernacle and temple, including three levels, evoking celestial, terrestrial, and telestial layers (05:01–06:32).
  • Emphasis on specific instructions from God as patterns for sacred spaces.
• Covenant imagery: Entering the Ark symbolizes entering the covenant—salvation is found ‘IN’ the Ark, not near or around it (06:59).
  • "If we want to be spared the chaos, destruction of this world... we've got to go in into this ark or this covenant. The temple covenants again. It's not the checklist of just going. It's not a matter of just going to the temple, but it's doing with our heart going into this ark as a symbol." – Mike (07:34)
• Profane means "outside the temple": Discussion on how worlds outside the Ark/temple are less sacred; profane (etymology: profanis) = outside the temple (08:42–09:03).

The Power, Protection, and Pain Inside the Ark (10:31–19:32)

• Symbolism of entering (the Ark, temple) repeatedly emphasized: The repetition in Genesis echoes the necessity of entering sacred spaces often for safety (10:31–12:18).
• Personal grief and testimony: Michael shares the loss of his son, connecting the chaos of life (“waters prevailing”) to personal tragedy.
  • The temple is a source of solace and connection, more so for him than visiting gravesites (16:40).
  • "For me personally, if I want to connect, I go to the ark, I go to the temple." – Mike (17:01)
• Grief and faith: The struggle of experiencing both grief and joy; hope in seeing loved ones again because of Christ and temple covenants (17:49–19:45).
• On expectation of reunion:
  • "It's not a hope, even though hope is strong, it's an expectation. It's in the plan." – Mike (19:32)

Repentance and Light in Darkness (21:13–22:58)

• Nephi and Lehi’s prison story as a parallel for dispersing darkness through repentance and faith in Christ (21:13).
  • "That kind of faith becomes that expectation. Those clouds can disperse a little bit, hopefully on some days." – John (22:11)
• A mother’s grief and the unique parallel to Christ’s sacrifice (22:34).

The Ark/Temple as Family-Centered Covenants (22:58–26:13)

• Pres. Oaks and Pres. Nelson on Temples:
  • Family-centered language, the call to shut out the world and reconnect through meaningful rituals and togetherness (24:00).
    • "Remember, what your children really want for dinner is you." – quoting Pres. Oaks (24:53)
  • More temples than ever before signifies God’s intent to save the human family (26:13).
    • "We're dotting the world with these temples so that all the human family can be saved." – Hank (25:18)

Ongoing Creation and Recreation: Baptismal Symbolism (26:13–29:53)

• The repeated creation stories in scripture and temple ordinances show God’s ongoing creative role in our lives (26:53–27:57).
  • "The creation wasn't something that was done and finished and completed. The creation is an ongoing. I am still being created in his image every single day." – Mike (27:23)
• Application to listeners who may not attend the temple: Invite to “try”, come into the ark/temple for safety (27:57).
• The flood as both destruction and baptism, echoing personal and global “recreation” (29:31–29:53).

Christ as the Temple and the Only Means of Salvation (29:53–34:22)

• "In and through" Christ: Language in Mosiah and Alma; entering the Ark/temple is a pattern for coming “in and through” Christ (29:53–33:33).
  • "Only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent." – Mike (Mosiah 3:17, 31:33)
  • The temple must enter and change us:
    • "You go through the temple, but the temple needs to go through you." – Mike (34:22)
• Temple transformation: entering with “sword” (defensiveness), exiting with “plow” (peaceful service) (34:22).

Pitch, Light, and the Brothers of Jared (35:59–39:30)

• Ark windows/‘Tsohar’: Possible reference to shining stones (as in Ether/brother of Jared) or brilliance (“noon”), showing God as source of light in darkness (35:59–39:30).
  • "There really is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's the Lord Jesus Christ himself." – Elder Holland, recalled by Mike (39:30)

Endurance and Recreation after Chaos (41:08–49:00)

• Emergence from the Ark as Deliverance: Noah’s exit is a return to creation/baptismal newness; enduring darkness yields a new, better faith/trust (41:08–43:19).
• Token of the covenant/rainbow: God’s reiteration of the same covenant from Enoch through Noah, as evidence of His faithfulness, encouraging patience and endurance in prayers (43:19–49:00).
  • "Sometimes we get a little bit impatient...But I think, hold on, there's something in the process he wants to see that we're going to still trust him even when it looks bleak." – Hank (43:59)

Tower of Babel: Counterfeit Temple (49:38–54:01)

• Babel as humanity's attempt to find heaven on their own terms, using “slime” rather than divinely-instructed pitch—contrast "God's way" vs. "man's way" (50:27–52:32).
• Babel means “God’s gate”, but is a counterfeit. The tower is a symbol of self-sufficiency vs. humble, covenantal approach (53:04).

Faith, Trust, and the Personal Covenant Path (54:01–59:34)

• Advice for those in faith crisis: Faith = trust, built up over time through experience and exposure to "clouds of witnesses" (scriptures, family, prophets, personal trial).
  • "Faith is a confidence and assurance that God's going to do what he says...As I study the scriptures, I see the evidence and then I practice. I still struggle. And as I'm practicing trying, there's some assurance that comes, that brings peace..." – Hank (54:24)
• If struggling with the Church, at least "hold on" to Jesus Christ as a starting point.

The Sensory Gospel and Sacred Experiences (59:34–62:41)

• God teaches through all senses; intentional temple and Sabbath worship can deepen our awareness of Christ's grace and presence (59:34–62:41).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sanctuary and Sacredness
  • "If you wouldn't show it in the temple, would you show it at home?" – Mike (02:18)
• Temple as Ark
  • "The ark is a perfect archetype here of the temple. Bring your family in." – Mike (07:45)
  • "Come with your wife, come with your son's wives, come with your family. Be alive in the temple." – John (08:23)
• On Grief and the Temple
  • "I go to the temple and I’m passing through that veil...I’m confident and assured that someday I’ll get that opportunity where I’ll pass through the veil and see him standing there, and we’re going to embrace and it’s going to be beautiful and fun. That idea gets me through those dark days because it still crashes down in waves." – Mike (17:18)
• Christ is the Only Means
  • "There's only one that allows you to feel hope and feel joy even in the midst of that grief and sorrow that you're experiencing... It's only in and through Jesus Christ. There's no other name under heaven where salvation can come." – Hank (40:01)
• On Temple Attendance for All
  • "Please try this. Please come into this ark. Come into the temple. Do everything you can to get there." – Mike (27:57)
• The Temple Needs to Go Through You
  • "You go through the temple, but the temple needs to go through you. Right? Needs to be part of the way you think and the way you are." – Mike (34:22)
• Babel as Counterfeit Temple
  • "I love this idea of Babel as kind of a counterfeit temple...Here comes the counterfeit temple." – John (53:04)
• Consolation to Faith Crisis
  • "If my faith is such that I'm struggling with the church, well then maybe I can just hold on to Jesus Christ for right now and I hold on to him. Then I can start learning and understanding a little bit more..." – Hank (54:24)

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• 00:07 – Elder Stone’s Manhattan Temple analogy; protecting your home.
• 04:13 – Noah’s Ark as a temple symbol; measurements, levels, entering in.
• 07:45 – The Ark as archetype for temple/family covenants.
• 10:31 – Entering the Ark/temple as actionable protection; persevering through modern chaos.
• 12:59 – Waters/chaos as symbols for grief and hardship.
• 17:18 – Mike’s personal testimony of loss, healing through temple worship.
• 19:32 – Expectation of reunion with loved ones, not just hope.
• 21:13 – Nephi & Lehi in prison; dispelling darkness with faith in Christ.
• 29:31 – The flood is a baptismal, “re-creation” moment; parallels to personal renewal.
• 33:27 – The “in and through” Christ theme.
• 34:22 – Transformation needed from temple worship.
• 39:30 – Light in the Ark and in the temple represents Jesus Christ.
• 43:19 – The rainbow as covenant token and faith’s evidence.
• 49:38 – The Tower of Babel as a counterfeit temple.
• 54:01 – Counsel for those experiencing faith crisis.
• 59:34 – God uses all senses for spiritual teaching; intentional worship matters.

Conclusion

The episode weaves the ancient narrative of Noah’s Ark into a vibrant tapestry of symbols for the temple, family, community, faith, and endurance. The hosts and guest openly share laughter, insights, vulnerability, and spiritual encouragement. Listeners are left with the charge to “get into the Ark”—to claim the covenants and ordinances that connect us to Christ, protect us from the world's chaos, and bring us power and peace even amid grief.

Final quote:
"Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ...Turn to him. Follow him." – Hank & Mike (64:43–64:48)