Podcast Summary

Podcast: followHIM
Episode: Doctrine & Covenants 106-108 Part 1
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest Expert: Dr. Brent Top
Release Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delves into Doctrine & Covenants sections 106-108, focusing on priesthood organization, personal revelation, and patterns of Church leadership growth during the early Latter-day Saint movement. Hosted by Hank Smith and John Bytheway, the conversation features Dr. Brent Top—a former mission president, BYU religion dean, and long-serving Church leader—who brings historical insights, practical perspectives, and personal stories to this week’s "Come, Follow Me" study.

Main Themes

• Evolution of Church Organization: Early Saints’ journey in understanding priesthood offices and Church structure.
• Personal Revelations: Historical background and application of the revelations received by Warren Cowdery and Lyman Sherman (Sections 106 & 108).
• Ongoing Restoration: The concept that Church organization and revelation continue to unfold.
• Priesthood Keys, Order, and Authority: How Section 107 establishes principles of leadership, authority, and spiritual blessings for all Church members.
• The Power of Strengthening Others: Practical ways to lift those around us through words, actions, and example.
• Personal Application: Why understanding Church organization matters for individual members today.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Historical Background & Approach to Sections 106 & 108

[02:56] Dr. Brent Top:

• Prefers to teach 106 and 108 first together; both are short, highly personal revelations.

• Section 106 (Warren Cowdery):

  • Warren Cowdery, Oliver’s brother—great missionary, but ultimately fell away during strife.
  • "The Lord says... 'Blessed is my servant Warren, for I will have mercy on him notwithstanding the vanity of his heart.' Holy cow. How would you like that forevermore in the standard works for you?" [11:07]
  • Emphasis: Continual faithfulness matters regardless of past good.
  • Children of Light:
    • "Therefore gird up your loins that ye may be the children of light." (D&C 106:5) [12:20]
      • Relevance to all, especially in the context of the Second Coming; be spiritually alert and luminous.

• Section 108 (Lyman Sherman):

  • Sherman was called as a Seventy but released due to prior ordination as a high priest—historical note on priesthood office distinctions.
  • Felt inadequate; sought revelation and received comfort, counsel, and commendation from the Lord: "Wait patiently... you shall be remembered... you shall have right to preach my gospel wheresoever I shall send you." [15:10]
  • Lyman Sherman remained faithful, was called to the Twelve but died before being ordained—tragic yet poignant contrast to Cowdery.
  • "Strengthen your brethren..." (D&C 108:7): Applies to all church members; responsibility to lift and edify those around us.

2. Power of Conversation & Example

[21:00] John:

• Noted connection to 1 Timothy 4:12 and the Greek word "anastrophe" (all aspects of 'being', not just speech).

• Quote:

  • "It's not just what you say to them or about them, but everything you do... That goes back to being a child of light. That light is exuded in what you say, think, do, but most of all what you are." – Dr. Brent Top [21:20]

• Metaphors for the Second Coming:

  • Not a "thief in the night" for children of light—awareness and preparation lead to spiritual confidence (1 Thessalonians 5). [21:46]

• President Nelson & Confidence in Standing Before God:

  • If you're striving to keep covenants, you can—and should—press forward with confidence rather than fear. [22:52]

• "Earnest Money" Analogy:

  • "When the Lord tells you your path is good before me, you're on the right track... it's like earnest money... He intends on saving you. He's serious about saving you." – [24:52] Hank quoting Bob Millett

3. How to Be a Strengthener

[26:44] Host Q&A:

• Hank asks Dr. Top and John Bytheway how they have developed the gift of strengthening others.

  • Dr. Brent Top:

    • Humor and 'good cheer' help, but anyone can learn to focus on building rather than criticizing.
    • "Let's find ways to strengthen and make people feel good rather than criticizing and tearing down... None of us like to be torn down." [28:21]
    • Story: Uplifting words from Elder Uchtdorf and a counselor during a hard time as a mission president fundamentally changed his experience. [33:17]

  • John Bytheway:

    • Relates this trait to his mother: "We couldn't get her to say a bad word about anybody... My mom was pretty saintly." [29:12]
    • Suggests acting on positive thoughts about others—expressing encouragement directly.

• Elder Holland’s "Tongue of Angels" Teaching:

  • "The spirit of the gospel is optimistic... The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down..." [30:10]
  • No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse.
    • Share positive, forward-thinking blessings as in patriarchal blessings—always encouraging, never disparaging.

• Memorable Quote:

  • "A patriarchal blessing is like a roadmap, a guide... identifies your talents and the good things that can be yours... Because of the divine qualities each of God’s children has inherited." – Elaine Jack via John [36:33]

• Hillary Weeks' Insight:

  • "I stopped worrying what people thought about me, and I started worrying what others thought about themselves when they're with me." [38:13]

4. Priesthood Organization and Church Government (Section 107)

[39:35] Hank & Brent:

• This section marks the Lord’s “organizational chart,” enabling the Church to grow and function efficiently.

• The priesthood after the order of the Son of God is the single, all-encompassing priesthood; other offices are "appendages"—they derive power and function only through connection to this authority. [42:40]

  • Analogy: "My arm is an appendage. But you sever that arm from my body, it really doesn't have much power." – Dr. Top [44:40]

• The Melchizedek Priesthood holds the right of presidency—presiding authority over all other offices, enabling administration in all spiritual things.

  • For example: President Nelson could give a patriarchal blessing (that office is enveloped in his priesthood keys). [46:12]

• The First Presidency, Quorum of the Twelve, Seventy, local leaders (bishops, stake presidents, etc.) are all outlined for specific types of service and stewardship.

  • The First Presidency is “preeminent”—all other presidents serve under their direction. [47:00]
  • Local leadership (bishops, stake presidents) connects every member personally to priesthood structure; this orderliness is for the spiritual benefit of individuals and families, not just administrative efficiency. [50:27][57:23]

5. Why Church Organization Matters for Members

• Hank’s question: "Do I really need to know the organizational structure of the church?" [49:55]

  • Dr. Top:
    • Not for a final exam! The point is to understand:
      • Why we sustain leaders (prophets, apostles, bishops, etc.)
      • What priesthood keys and authority mean in practice
      • Why following the order/protocol matters for individuals’ blessing and safety in the Church

• Understanding the presiding role of each quorum, the process for succession, and the delegation of keys helps members better appreciate the protection, inspiration, and personalization in Church governance.

• Memorable Moment:

  • Elder Worthlin at an airport: "We muddle through. We are the traveling High Council. That's really true." – Dr. Top [00:03][41:41]

• Protocol as Doctrine:

  • Stories of apostles deferring to each other based on seniority and presiding status underscore humility and reverence for revealed order. [55:12]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Line upon line, precept upon precept, circumstance by circumstance. We're going to see marvelous things taking place." – Dr. Brent Top on ongoing revelation, [03:34]

• "Be a child of light. That is the phrase that I like. I think that has great relevance to all of us, whether in 1834 or 2025 or whenever the Savior comes." – Dr. Top [12:40]

• "How uplifting... to have the Savior give you nicknames like that." – John Bytheway referring to Christ calling Peter "The Rock" [37:49]

• "If you have a good thought about somebody, why not tell them?" – John Bytheway [29:34]

• "It is the doctrine that gives us the protocol." – Dr. Top on why order, presiding, and keys matter [55:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:15] How D&C 107 marks a new phase in Church organization
• [10:41] Background on Sections 106/108: Warren Cowdery & Lyman Sherman
• [12:40] "Children of light" theme
• [15:10] Lyman Sherman's faith, call, and untimely death
• [21:00] Power of conversation and strengthening others—link to scripture
• [28:21] How to become a strengthener—personal and practical approaches
• [30:10] Elder Holland’s "Tongue of Angels" and positive communication
• [36:33] Importance and power of patriarchal blessings
• [39:35] Detailed exploration of Section 107 and priesthood structure
• [46:12] Explanation of priesthood keys and modern application
• [49:55] Why understanding Church organization matters for members
• [55:12] Protocol and presiding: stories from Church leadership
• [57:23] How priesthood structure personally blesses individuals

Episode Tone and Style

Throughout, the hosts and Dr. Top keep a warm, conversational tone, using self-deprecating humor, memorable stories, and scriptural insights. They model the very principle of "strengthening your brethren in all conversation" by repeatedly encouraging, praising, and uplifting each other.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The revelations in D&C 106–108 aren’t just about "leadership charts"—they’re about God’s intent to bring order, light, and continued revelation for our salvation, both individually and as a people.
• Every member can, and should, adopt the practice of strengthening others—this is foundational to how the Lord organizes His church and cares for souls.
• Understanding how Church leadership functions brings added respect, confidence, and spiritual safety to our lives.
• Positive words and charity in conversation ("children of light") are not just desirable—they reflect Christ’s pattern and promise.