Are You the One? • followHIM Favorites • February 17 - 23 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Podcast Summary: followHIM – "Are You the One? • followHIM Favorites • February 17 - 23 • Come Follow Me"

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Podcast Title: followHIM
Episode Title: Are You the One? • followHIM Favorites • February 17 - 23 • Come Follow Me

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Introduction

In this episode of followHIM, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the heart of missionary work within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focusing on the themes presented in Doctrine and Covenants sections 12 through 17. Titled "Are You the One?," the episode explores the profound experiences and challenges faced by missionaries, drawing from real-life stories to inspire and educate listeners preparing for their weekly Come, Follow Me lessons.

Key Topics Discussed

1. Gathering Israel and Missionary Purpose

The discussion begins with the hosts emphasizing the paramount importance of gathering Israel, an enduring mission for members of the LDS Church. Hank Smith underscores this by referencing President Nelson's teachings, stating, "This is the greatest work you can do," highlighting the eternal significance of missionary efforts.

2. Missionary Challenges and Resilience

John Bytheway introduces a compelling story from Chris Stewart's book, Missionary Miracles, to illustrate the emotional and spiritual trials missionaries often face. He recounts the experience of Chase Gunnell, a missionary serving in Ukraine, who encountered his most challenging day during his mission.

Chase Gunnell's Story:

• Initial Struggles: Chase describes Saturday as "the hardest day I have had on a mission yet," where he faced increased hostility and a sense of futility in his efforts to proselytize, particularly because it coincided with his sister Dana and her husband Nate’s wedding.

• Despair and Determination: Feeling discouraged by unwelcoming interactions, Chase turned to prayer, seeking solace and guidance. He prayed, "Are you doing everything you need to do to find that person He was preparing?" (00:48).

• Divine Comfort and Revelation: At approximately 7:00 PM, Chase experienced a profound spiritual encounter. He received a heartfelt letter from home, symbolizing the love of his family, followed by a deeper connection with Heavenly Father's love. He shares, "This was one of the most touching experiences of my life" (02:45).

• Divine Purpose Revealed: Through divine revelation, Chase learned, "I've prepared a person today and that person is you. You said this is the day that you would show your love to me. I was testing you to see if you really do love me and you passed." This affirmation strengthened his resolve, transforming his perception of the day's hardships (03:00).

Notable Quote:

“The answer I received was Chase. Heavenly Father was preparing you, and that made me think of that beautiful story.” – Hank Smith (03:12)

3. Interpretation of Doctrine and Covenants

The hosts discuss the interpretation of Doctrine and Covenants, particularly focusing on the directive to "bring souls to me" and "be one soul to me." They ponder whether this directive emphasizes missionary work outwardly or introspective personal growth.

John Bytheway muses, "I wonder if he might be just talking about ourselves," suggesting that gathering Israel also involves personal spiritual development (03:12).

4. Encouragement and Inspirational Insights

Throughout the episode, both hosts offer encouragement to listeners who may be preparing for their missions or missionary lessons. They emphasize resilience, faith, and the importance of divine support in overcoming challenges.

Hank Smith reflects on Chase's transformation, noting that despite the initial hostility, "the people that were yelling at me didn't bother me anymore. I knew I was doing the will of the Lord" (02:50).

Conclusions and Takeaways

The episode concludes with the hosts reinforcing the idea that divine support and personal faith are essential in navigating the trials of missionary work. They encourage listeners to trust in Heavenly Father's plan and to seek strength through prayer and reflection.

Hank Smith encapsulates the episode's message by stating, "Heavenly Father said, actually I was preparing you," highlighting the purpose behind life's challenges and the growth that comes from overcoming them (03:12).

Additional Resources

Listeners are invited to explore more in-depth discussions on the followHIM full podcast, available on all major podcast platforms. This episode features insights from Dr. Wendy Ulrich, who provides expert analysis on the discussed Doctrine and Covenants sections.

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

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Note: The followHIM Podcast is an independent initiative and is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The views expressed represent those of the guests and podcasters alone.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

Welcome to Follow Him Favorites this is where John and I share a single story to go with each week's lesson. John, we are in Doctrine Covenants 12 through 17. A lot of sections here. You've told me you have a story, and I'm excited to hear it.

[A]

Yeah, you know, section 15 and 16 are like identical. John Whitmer and Peter Whitmer. And what do we always say about that? Hank? What's the most important thing I could do with my life? And what's the answer?

[B]

Cry repentance unto this people. Bring souls to me.

[A]

So in other words, gather Israel. I mean, President Nelson, this is the greatest work you can do? Well, years ago, Chris Stewart compiled a book called Missionary Miracles. And I just love this story in there. Hank, have you ever had a day on your mission where you thought, okay, well, I didn't accomplish anything today. That was a tough day.

[B]

I had a few of those.

[A]

Okay, so this young man, Chase Gunnell was his name, he was serving in Ukraine and he said, I have to say, Saturday is the hardest day I have had on a mission yet. I knew it would be difficult because Dana and Nate were getting married. Dana was his sister and his best friend. But it surpassed everything I ever imagined. I was sad about not being home. I was determined to work hard and prove why I was out on a mission. My whole mission. I prayed to Heavenly Father to prepare someone for me on that day because that was the day I was going to prove myself. On Saturday, people seemed meaner than ever. I have never had anyone yell at me more than they did on Saturday. We also couldn't get anything started. We did a lot of contacting, stop bys, tried to set up discussions, but to no avail. I was getting discouraged because we couldn't do anything. It was terrible. Then at about seven at night, I finally went into a room and prayed. I asked Heavenly Father if I was doing everything I needed to to find that person he was preparing. I asked him why the people were so mean to me and if there was something more I needed to do. Then I received an answer I wasn't expecting, but it comforted me. I think you would like to hear it. First of all, this is from a letter he sent home. I felt your, his family's love. It was such a wonderful feeling. It was just like I was at home crying and having my family there hugging me and comforting me. It was such a wonderful feeling. Thank you so much. Then the love moved to the love of my Heavenly Father. As you all know, that is such a wonderful feeling and always has the answer. The answer I received was Chase. I've prepared a person today and that person is you. You said this is the day that you would show your love to me. I was testing you to see if you really do love me and you passed. Thank you for your service. After that I just started to cry. My prayers were answered. I can't even begin to say how wonderful it felt. It was one of the most touching experiences of my life. I then went out and the people that were yelling at me didn't bother me anymore. I knew I was doing the will of the Lord. Thank you for your love and prayers. I will always remember that day. So here's the Doctrine and Covenants saying, John Peter, best thing you can do is go out there and get yelled at. Yeah, I love that. Heavenly Father said, actually I was preparing you. So that made me think of that beautiful story.

[B]

I love that when he says bring save it. Be one soul to me. I wonder if he might be just talking about ourselves.

[A]

Right. That could be the soul.

[B]

Beautiful. We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcast. We're with Dr. Wendy Ulrich this week going through each of these sections. She does a fantastic job. You'll love it. Come over there and find us and then come back here. Next week we'll do another Follow him favorite.