Podcast Summary: followHIM

Episode: Christmas Part 2 • President Bonnie Cordon • December 22 - 28 • Come Follow Me

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: President Bonnie H. Cordon
Date: December 17, 2025

Overview

In this reflective and heartfelt Christmas episode, Hank and John welcome President Bonnie H. Cordon to discuss the meaning of Christmas through the lens of “The Living Christ,” the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and the unique challenges and blessings of this generation. President Cordon shares personal stories from church leadership and her family, offering practical advice and spiritual encouragement for individuals and families seeking hope and purpose during the holiday season and beyond.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Studying "The Living Christ" Through the Lens of the Atonement

• President Cordon describes her spiritual study practice:
  She details her weekly commitment to study the Atonement of Jesus Christ, often using “The Living Christ” as her guide. What began as finding three atonement references in the document expanded into dozens, illustrating its deeply Christ-centered message.
  Quote:

  “The document is about that glorious gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ to us. It was a study. So that’s an invitation: take The Living Christ, see what it looks like through the lens of the atonement.” (02:06)

• Applying “The Living Christ” doctrinally:
  She dissects key phrases to reveal how each ties back to Christ’s Atonement, resurrection, and ongoing power.
  Example:
  “Even if you just took [the last paragraph], ‘Jesus is the living Christ… He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world…’ what does it look like through the atonement?” (02:28–03:28)

2. The Divinity and Humanity of Christ

• Insights from Hank and John:
  They highlight scriptural sources and teachings (Alma 7, 2 Nephi 9:12) that testify of Christ’s unique duality: mortal and divine, able to endure suffering and offer infinite, eternal sacrifice.
  Quote:

  “He’s half God, not so he can have an easier life. It’s actually so he can have a harder life… so that he could endure more pain than any other human being.” – Hank (03:28)

3. Prophets, Apostles, and Personal Encounters

• Behind-the-scenes with church leaders:
  President Cordon shares what it’s like to work alongside apostles and prophets—describing sacred meetings, discipleship, and their deep concern for the youth.
  Story:
  President Nelson’s admonition: “Teach them to pray.” (09:03)
• Personal reflection:
  She shares a moving experience with the top Church councils, emphasizing their spiritual vision and loving mentorship.

4. God’s Pattern: Battles vs. Babies (Historical Perspective)

• “Battles and babies” sermon:
  President Cordon recounts the Frank Boreham quote, reminding listeners that while the world focuses on major events, God changes the world by sending babies—like the birth of Christ or even future apostles.
  Quote:

  “We fancy that God can only manage his world by big battalions when all the while he is doing it by beautiful babies… That is why long, long ago a baby was born in Bethlehem.” (12:06)

5. The Divine Capacity and Calling of Today’s Generation

• President Nelson’s charge:
  He tells youth today they "have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact… than any previous generation." (15:41, 17:47)
• Satan’s distractions:
  President Cordon identifies technology and distraction as modern “nets” ensnaring our youth, counseling listeners to remember their divine pre-mortal preparation and present-day assignment.
• Scriptures:
  Doctrine & Covenants 138:56 is quoted to underscore pre-mortal preparation and earthly assignments. (18:51)

6. Encouragement Amid Hardship: Light, Life, and Hope

• Facing darkness and despair:
  President Cordon affirms that even leaders experience hardship, referencing her father’s ALS diagnosis and other trials. The key: never miss an opportunity to testify of Christ, and always return to prayer.
• Memorable story:
  Testifying to a young boy, Stuart, on a cruise ship—prompted by the Spirit, she reassures him (and herself) of Christ’s love. (24:23)
• Another story:
  Working with a foster child named Hope, President Cordon testifies “You matter to heaven”—emphasizing the personal way God communicates through scripture and Spirit. (26:24-29:16)

7. The Story Behind “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”

• Hank shares the poem’s history:
  Longfellow’s losses and despair lead to his powerful witness of hope:

  “Then rang the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead, nor doth he sleep…” (30:49–33:06)

8. The Three Levels of Christmas (William B. Smart)

• John recounts the classic Church News essay:
  • 1st Level: Santa Claus, festivities, traditions
  • 2nd Level: Silent Night—recounting Christ’s birth
  • 3rd Level: Easter—Christ’s resurrection, the Atonement
    Quote:

  “None of [the traditions] work without level three.” (34:57–36:26)

9. Advice for Young Adults: Facing the Future with Christ

• Collect people, not just experiences:
  President Cordon encourages students to “collect friends,” bless others, and “connect with things that actually matter.” The “best friend you can collect is the Savior, Jesus Christ.” (37:53–39:05)
• Practical counsel:
  John reminds: “The answer is always Jesus.” Seek peace in Him, not the world. (41:02)
• Trust and patience:
  President Cordon: “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart. That is hard.” (42:24)

10. Personal Reflections: President Cordon’s Family and Legacy

• Her father’s influence:
  President Cordon describes growing up with Elder Harold G. Hillam, his legacy of always saying yes to the Lord, and his emphasis that “the Lord always comes first.” (44:48)
• Touching moment:
  Cordon reads from her father’s final General Conference talk, quoting the closing lines of "The Living Christ" and affirming her testimony alongside his. (47:33–48:16)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The document is about that glorious gift of the atonement of Jesus Christ to us.” – Bonnie H. Cordon (02:06)
• “He is the hope and the light and the life. Sometimes our world is messy, sometimes it’s dark.” – Bonnie H. Cordon (23:58)
• “His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.” – Reciting The Living Christ (02:54, 47:33)
• “We fancy that God can only manage his world by big battalions when all the while he is doing it by beautiful babies.” – Frank W. Boreham, quoted by Bonnie H. Cordon (12:06)
• “The answer is always Jesus.” – John Bytheway (41:02)
• “Collect friends. I want you to collect people. You’re here to bless, not impress.” – Bonnie H. Cordon (39:05)
• “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart. That is hard.” – Bonnie H. Cordon (42:24)
• “God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.” – Elder Hillam & President Cordon (47:33)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |:----------:|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:06 | Studying “The Living Christ” as a witness of the atonement | | 03:28 | Christ: Human, divine, and the infinite atonement | | 06:31 | Working with living apostles: Sacred, behind-the-scenes stories | | 11:46 | “Battles and babies”—God changes the world through small means | | 17:47 | President Nelson’s words to the rising generation: Their divine capacity | | 18:51 | D&C 138:56—Pre-earth preparation and assignments | | 23:58 | Encouragement in messy and dark times, personal stories of hope | | 26:24 | Story of Hope, the foster child: “I want to know I matter to heaven” | | 30:42 | “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”—story and meaning | | 34:05 | The three levels of Christmas | | 37:53 | Addressing students’ anxieties, advice on relationships and future | | 41:02 | “The answer is always Jesus”—lasting spiritual guidance | | 44:48 | President Cordon’s memories of her father, Elder Hillam | | 47:33 | Reading "The Living Christ" and final witness/testimony |

Tone & Takeaways

• The episode is warm, sincere, and deeply personal, blending doctrine, personal anecdote, and practical counsel in a conversational manner.
• All three speakers sincerely witness of Christ, acknowledge the challenges of our day, and offer hope centered on His life and atonement.
• President Bonnie H. Cordon emerges as a humble, wise, and approachable leader, rooting her testimony in everyday experiences and sacred encounters with both God and His servants.

Final Thought

This episode’s heart is the invitation to center Christmas—and life—on the Savior Jesus Christ, to trust in His Atonement, and to seek out ways to deepen our relationship with Him every day. In the words of President Cordon:

“I just hope that we can know Christ better today than we knew yesterday.” (49:06)