Dayton's Legs • followHIM Favorites • January 27 - February 2 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Podcast Summary: followHIM - "Dayton's Legs • followHIM Favorites • January 27 - February 2 • Come Follow Me"

Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Duration: Approximately 4 minutes
Transcript Provided: [00:02] to [03:42]

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Introduction to followHIM Favorites

In the episode titled "Dayton's Legs," hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into a compelling story that aligns with the week's "Come, Follow Me" lesson, specifically focusing on Doctrine and Covenants sections 3, 4, and 5. This segment is part of their "followHIM Favorites" series, where they share impactful narratives to enhance listeners' understanding and application of church teachings.

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The Story of Dayton's Legs

John Bytheway opens the discussion by recounting a touching story related to the scripture:

"O ye that embark in the service of God, see that you serve whom with all your heart, might, mind and strength." ([00:20])

He references a short film titled "Dayton's Legs," which illustrates this scripture through real-life examples within a church setting. The narrative centers around Spencer, the Teachers Quorum president, and his friend Dayton, who has cerebral palsy.

Key Points:

1. Initiating the Triathlon Challenge:

   • Spencer proposes a triathlon to the Teachers Quorum, sparking enthusiasm among members except when considering Dayton's participation.

2. Inclusive Participation:

   • Determined to include Dayton, Spencer devises a plan to accommodate his friend's physical limitations:
     • Swimming: Dayton participates using an inflatable boat tethered to Spencer's waist ([01:00]).
     • Biking: Spencer attaches a trailer to his bike to pull Dayton along ([01:15]).
     • Running: Without the trailer, Spencer pushes it as they reach the running segment ([01:30]).

3. Demonstrating Service with Heart, Might, Mind, and Strength:

   • The episode emphasizes Spencer's unwavering commitment to serve Dayton fully, showcasing true brotherhood and selflessness.
   • A pivotal moment occurs near the finish line when Spencer feels exhausted but is inspired by Dayton's smile to persevere ([02:10]).

Notable Quote:

"I was beginning to run out of strength. And then I saw Dayton smiling. That gave me the strength to be able to run past the finish line." – Spencer ([02:15])

This quote encapsulates the essence of serving selflessly, finding motivation in the joy and gratitude of others.

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Insights and Reflections

Hank Smith reflects on the story, praising Spencer's example and its impact:

"I'd like to meet that guy." ([03:15])

He highlights the attractiveness of kindness and the positive influence such actions have on both the giver and the receiver. The hosts discuss the broader implications of Spencer's attitude, suggesting that such behavior could inspire young men to adopt confidence tempered with compassion.

John Bytheway adds:

"Something about that." ([03:40])

This brief but meaningful exchange underscores the natural appeal of genuine kindness and humility.

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Encouragement to Engage with Additional Resources

The hosts encourage listeners to watch the "Dayton's Legs" film and read the accompanying article in "New Era." They suggest these resources will deepen understanding and motivation to embody the principles of service outlined in the scripture.

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Closing Remarks and Future Content Tease

Hank Smith invites listeners to join the full "followHIM" podcast, where upcoming episodes will feature expert interviews and practical advice, such as Dr. Rob Eaton's insights for missionaries based on his experience as a mission president. This invitation serves to bridge the current episode's message with future learning opportunities.

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Conclusion

This episode of "followHIM Favorites" effectively uses the story of Spencer and Dayton to illustrate the profound impact of serving others with heart, might, mind, and strength. Through real-life examples and heartfelt reflections, Hank Smith and John Bytheway provide listeners with both inspiration and practical insights to enhance their personal and communal faith journeys.

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Additional Resources:

• Show Notes: https://followhim.co
• YouTube Channel: 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.

Transcript

[Hank Smith]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Follow him favorites. My name is Hank Smith. I'm here with John, by the way. This is where we tell a single story to go with each week's come follow me lesson. John. This week we're in doctrine covenant section 3, 4 and 5. You've told me you have a story prepared. I'm excited to hear it.

[John]

Yeah. It's one that some of our listeners might have heard before. This little verse in section four, very oft repeated section, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that you serve whom with all your heart, might, mind and strength. Which sounds like all of you, right? You gotta be all in the church made a little movie years ago called Dayton's Legs. And it all started in Arizona. There was a teachers quorum president whose name was Spencer. I had to look hard to find his name. But the teachers Quorum president said to the teachers Quorum, hey guys, let's do a triathlon. We were always doing that, right, Hank? When we were in the teacher's quorum.

[Hank Smith]

It'S always our first activity of choice.

[John]

Of course, let's do that. All of them were excited, except they had a member of their quorum named Dayton who had cerebral palsy. They were like, well, what should we do for Dayton? And Spencer was like, no, I got it. I'm going to take him as my partner. Oh, well, how are you going to do the swimming part? Well, I'm going to put him in a little inflatable boat and I'll tie a rope to my waist and I'll swim that part with him. Well, how are you going to do the biking part? Well, I've got a trailer. I'm going to hook it up to my bike and I'm going to pull him along in this trailer. Oh, well, how are you going to do the running part? Well, I'm going to take off the trailer and push it in front of me. This 15 year old, I assume this teacher's quorum president takes Dayton and runs the triathlon. The coolest thing about watching the little movie in here, and I just think this kid is serving with heart, might, mind and strength is watching. As they interviewed Dayton's parents. To imagine a teacher's Quorum president who really knows what it means to be a brother in a quorum, takes this brother with him and he says in the article, you'll find a new era article too, that towards the finish line, he says, I was beginning to run out of strength. And then I saw Dayton smiling. That gave me the strength to be able to run past the finish line. And that was the spirit he said, helping us to run past the finish line and finish that race. And I thought, okay, I'm an old guy. This is a member of the teacher's Quorum who's showing me what it means to serve with heart, might, mind and strength, to minister to your brothers, to push Dayton along and watch his parents reaction their gratitude for a brother in the Quorum who knows how to treat somebody and serve with all of this heart, might, mind and strength. So you can find that movie. You've seen it before, haven't you, Hank?

[Hank Smith]

It's beautiful.

[John]

Yeah. Go find Dayton's legs and find a new era article about it as well. It'll motivate you to serve with your heart, might, mind and strength.

[Hank Smith]

John, I love that. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every young man had that type of attitude towards the less fortunate, those who are in a rough situation? There are plenty of young men that are conceited and cruel, but I'm hoping every young man listening decides to be confident and kind.

[John]

Yeah. And when you see this picture of Spencer pushing his buddy, his brother, in the Quorum, you think this is an athletic kid and he could have been conceited or confident and all that. But whenever I show those pictures in a PowerPoint, there's a few sisters out there going, do you have his contact information? I'd like to meet that guy.

[Hank Smith]

Apparently, kindness is attractive.

[John]

Yeah. Yeah. Something about that.

[Hank Smith]

Hey, 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. Rob Eaton. This week he's going to take on Section four. He's been a mission president, so he's going to give a lot of wonderful advice to missionaries. So please come join us over there and then come back next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites.