FollowHIM Favorites • July 21 - 27 • Come Follow Me Released on July 17, 2025

Introduction

In the July 21-27 episode of the followHIM podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the themes of selflessness and integrity as presented in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Come, Follow Me curriculum. Focusing on Section 82, Verse 19, the hosts explore what it means to seek the interest of one's neighbor over personal gain, illustrating their points with a compelling real-life story that underscores the episode's central message.

Exploring Section 82, Verse 19

Section 82, Verse 19 states:

"Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, not himself, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God."

Hank Smith introduces this verse as the foundation for the episode's discussion, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing others' needs and acting with genuine intent to honor God.

The Story of Abel Mutai and Ivan Fernandez

To bring the scripture to life, Hank recounts a poignant story involving Kenyan athletes Abel Mutai and Ivan Fernandez from a cross-country race in December 2012.

• The Race Dynamics: Abel Mutai was leading the race comfortably, showcasing his seasoned experience and past Olympic success. As the race neared its conclusion, Mutai became confused by the surrounding signage, mistakenly believing he had already crossed the finish line. This confusion led him to stop running several meters short of the actual finish.

• Ivan Fernandez's Intervention: Behind Mutai was Ivan Fernandez, who realized that his competitor had inadvertently stopped before the race had truly ended. Determined to uphold the integrity of the competition, Fernandez began shouting at Mutai to continue running. When his verbal encouragement failed to bring Mutai back, Fernandez took physical action, pushing Mutai to ensure he completed the race.

• Post-Race Reflections: After regaining his stride, Mutai went on to win the race, while Fernandez secured second place. When approached by a journalist questioning his actions—"Why did you do that? Why did you let him win?"—Fernandez responded with profound humility:

  "What would have been the merit in my victory? What would have been the honor of that medal? What would my mom think of that? I didn't deserve to win. I did what I had to do." ([02:38])

  This response highlights Fernandez's prioritization of fairness and personal integrity over personal accolades.

Insights and Reflections

Hank reflects on the story, drawing parallels to the discussed scripture:

"I love the integrity every man seeking the interest of his neighbor. It's not that he didn't compete hard. He wanted to take first place and I'm sure he would have had he been faster. Maybe he's saying, look, if I was in that same position, this is what I would want someone to do for me. It's only right."

John Bytheway adds another layer to the discussion by emphasizing personal accountability and the desire to meet familial expectations:

"Be the person your mom thinks you are." ([02:47])

This sentiment reinforces the idea that personal values and the desire to honor loved ones can drive individuals to act selflessly and uphold integrity.

Humorous Takeaway

In a lighter moment, Hank humorously suggests:

"The next time you're running, push the person in front of you. Make sure that they beat you." ([02:59])

While playful, this remark serves to underline the episode's theme of genuinely supporting others, even in competitive environments.

Conclusion and Next Steps

As the episode wraps up, Hank invites listeners to engage more deeply with followHIM by tuning into their full podcast series. He highlights an upcoming session with Dr. Ava Weitzman, who is set to provide fresh perspectives on the verses discussed, ensuring that listeners continue to receive original and insightful educational content.

"We're with Dr. Ava Weitzman this week. She's unbelievable. She walks us through these verses and points out things, John, you and I have never seen before. Then come back here next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites." ([03:00])

Key Takeaways

• Selflessness Over Personal Gain: Ivan Fernandez's actions epitomize seeking the interest of a neighbor by ensuring a fair competition, even at the cost of personal victory.

• Integrity and Humility: Fernandez's reflections post-race demonstrate a deep sense of integrity, prioritizing ethical behavior over accolades.

• Personal Accountability: Striving to be the person others, especially family members, believe you to be can drive selfless actions and uphold personal values.

• Encouraging Selfless Behavior: The hosts use humor and relatable anecdotes to reinforce the message of supporting and uplifting others in various aspects of life.

Connect with FollowHIM:

• Show Notes: followhim.co
• YouTube: FollowHimOfficialChannel
• Instagram: Instagram.com/followhimpodcast
• Facebook: Facebook.com/followhimpodcast

Note: The followHIM Podcast is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions expressed on episodes represent the views of the guest and podcasters alone.

This episode of followHIM masterfully intertwines scripture with real-life examples, offering listeners both inspiration and practical lessons on living a life centered around seeking the good of others and upholding personal integrity.