Podcast Summary: followHIM – "Baptism Rocks" • followHIM Favorites • Sep 8-14 • Come Follow Me

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Release Date: September 4, 2025
Focus: Doctrine & Covenants Sections 98–101

Overview

This "followHIM Favorites" mini-episode highlights a single, memorable story to enrich study for the Come, Follow Me lesson covering Doctrine and Covenants sections 98-101. Hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway center the episode around the theme of standing in holy places, using the breathtaking baptismal story of early Latter-day Saint Hannah Last Cornaby as both inspiration and context.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Gathering and Standing in Holy Places

• The hosts introduce the scriptural focus:
  “Behold, it is my will that all they who call on my name and worship me according to mine everlasting gospel should gather together and stand in holy places.” (Doctrine & Covenants 101:22)
• John notes that while some Church history stories feel relatable, others—like Hannah’s—are far removed from modern, comfortable Church experiences.

The Baptism of Hannah Last Cornaby

• John shares the dramatic account of Hannah Last Cornaby’s baptism in Yarmouth, England.
  • Despite antagonistic crowds and real danger, Hannah insisted on being baptized.
  • The environment was anything but peaceful:

    "Before we reached the water's edge, the whole horde was upon us. And my husband baptized me amid a shower of stones and shouts... the stones whizzed around us thick as hail, not one touched us. And we reached home in safety, thanking God for our miraculous deliverance." — John Bytheway quoting Hannah, (00:39–01:13)

  • Both hosts marvel at her courage and faith, contrasting it with their own willingness to avoid such conflict:

    "I just don't go to the meeting if there's a mob around my house. I just say, I'm going to skip it today." — John Bytheway, (01:17–01:23)

"Who's on the Lord's Side?" — The Hymn’s Origin

• John connects Hannah Cornaby’s experience to the beloved hymn, "Who's on the Lord's Side?" (Hymn #260), often sung by Latter-day Saints.
  • Many are familiar with the lyrics, but few know they were written by Hannah Last Cornaby herself—her testimony forged in the crucible of that perilous baptism.

    "The text is written by Hannah Last Cornaby." — John Bytheway, (02:34–02:40)

  • The hosts recite stirring lines from the hymn, emphasizing its message of loyalty and courage in the face of opposition.

Modern Application and Humor

• Hank and John imagine using Hannah’s story as a lesson for present-day converts, injecting gentle humor:

  "The next time someone gets baptized, maybe we'll... say, do you want to replay this? We'll show you what some people have done when they've been baptized. Wow." — Hank Smith, (03:04–03:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hannah’s Boldness and Faith:

  "She wanted so much to be baptized that in the midst they're throwing rocks... but she wanted to say, 'I'm on the Lord's side.' This is being baptized Hannah's way."
  — John Bytheway (02:43–03:04)

• On the Surprising Hymn Authorship:

  "Don't you love it when the backstory fits? I wrote this song about my baptism. She wrote those words, and she was the one that was dodging rocks as she got baptized."
  — John Bytheway (02:40–02:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:04–00:17 — Introduction, sections 98-101 focus, John promises a story
• 00:18–01:20 — Story of Hannah Last Cornaby’s baptism under duress
• 01:21–02:34 — Reflection on standing for one’s faith; introduction to the hymn "Who's on the Lord's Side?"
• 02:35–02:55 — Revelation that Hannah wrote the hymn detailing her own baptism experience
• 03:04–03:15 — Lighthearted imagining of recreating such a baptism in modern times
• 03:15–end — Quick preview of the full podcast episode and next week’s teaser

Conclusion

In this short, impactful episode, Hank Smith and John Bytheway use the harrowing, faith-filled baptism of Hannah Last Cornaby to encourage listeners to stand in holy places, face their own challenges with boldness, and remember the real sacrifices behind familiar hymns. Her story, seamlessly tying together scripture and song, becomes a moving invitation to declare, even amid adversity, "I’m on the Lord’s side."