Podcast Summary: followHIM — Doctrine & Covenants 124 Part 1 • Dr. Liz Darger

Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. Liz Darger, Senior Associate Athletic Director at BYU
Episode Theme: The Nauvoo Era, Doctrine & Covenants 124, Confidence in Sharing the Gospel, Rebuilding, Hospitality, and Endowment of Power

Overview

This episode explores Doctrine & Covenants Section 124—its context, meaning, and relevance—through in-depth conversation with Dr. Liz Darger of BYU. With insight drawn from her background in athletics, leadership, and church service, Dr. Darger joins Hank and John to discuss the Saints’ settlement in Nauvoo, the rebuilding of community and faith after adversity, the importance of “dwelling places” in our spiritual lives, and the call to proclaim the restored gospel both boldly and naturally. Personal stories, humor, and powerful analogies from athletics enrich the discussion, making for an inspiring, practical exploration of this section.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Setting the Stage: Nauvoo & Section 124

• Nauvoo as a Place of Reconstruction and Hope
  • Discussion on the Saints’ transition from Missouri to Nauvoo after great adversity.
    • “It's a place, it's an era, it's a feeling, it's an experience.” — John Bytheway (01:46)
  • Doctrine & Covenants 124 as a blueprint for rebuilding, both organizationally and spiritually, compared to “rebuilding years” in athletics.

B. Introducing Dr. Liz Darger: Integrating Expertise & Faith

• Liz’s Background and Research on Women in Leadership
  • Insight into Liz’s work at BYU, her dissertation, and the concept of “nudges” that inspire leadership, especially for Latter-day Saint women (05:39–09:08).

    “That sense of relational responsibility, I believe is part of us and our covenants. We live in a world that tells us to be selfish, yet our covenants tell us otherwise.” — Liz Darger (08:25)

• Reliance on Divine Nudges
  • Emphasis on how both men and women, and especially young adults, rarely end up where they plan—divine nudges and unexpected opportunities shape spiritual journeys (09:08–09:40).

C. Rebuilding After Loss: Metaphors from Athletics and Nature

• Athletic Analogies: Growth Through Adversity

  • Comparing the Saints’ trials to athletic setbacks—falling and rising again, as with standout BYU athlete Kenneth Rooks (17:27–20:10).

    “What would happen if I fell? What would be my game plan?... He had a game plan for if he fell.” — Liz Darger (18:23)

• The Phoenix Metaphor:

  • Saints as a “burned out forest” regrowing more beautifully. The Provo Tabernacle’s restoration as a parallel (20:10–22:53).

D. Section 124, Verses 1–7: Weakness, Humility, and Fearlessness

• Humility as Strength (23:49–29:30)
  • The Lord’s statement: “I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.”
  • True humility isn’t false modesty, but acknowledgment of the source of all gifts.

    “We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous.” — Liz Darger (25:10)

• Acting on Revelation, Not Just Experience
  • Story from President Bonnie Cordon: Save your experience “in a box”—rely first on revelation (27:22–29:30).

E. Proclamations & Proclaiming the Gospel

• Historical Proclamations of the Church (31:44–38:06)

  • Review of the six proclamations in Church history, including the context and audience of the 1845 proclamation.

    “Therefore, as humble servants of the Lord, we call upon the leaders of nations to humble themselves before God...” — Ezra Taft Benson, quoting the 1845 proclamation (from Liz Darger, 35:15)

• Modern Application: Missionary Work & Everyday Proclamation

  • Sharing stories of missionaries (niece Eva’s testimony, 38:06–39:56), BYU athletes’ Sabbath observance, and natural, respectful sharing of beliefs in professional and collegiate settings.

    “In my everyday life, I can proclaim the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I can find normal and natural ways to connect with other people.” — Liz Darger (47:24)

• Notable Quote from a Missionary:

  "My job is to invite. Everybody has their agency ... But I can control my efforts in inviting everybody I possibly can and helping to support them in exercising their faith and turning to Christ." — Eva, Liz’s niece (40:03)

• Sports as a Unique Missionary Platform

  • BYU’s policies inspire dialogue and respect—e.g., not competing on Sundays, open conversations about faith and Sabbath observance (43:39–47:24).

Memorable Story (44:59–46:31):

Liz arranging to partake of the sacrament while sequestered for NCAA committee duties:

"A sweet bishop in Indianapolis was willing to arrange for me to partake of the sacrament, which was a really neat experience to go and do that. The men that actually blessed the sacrament for me, one of them was a new convert and it was the first time he'd ever blessed the sacrament." — Liz Darger (46:31)

F. Excellence in All Things: Influence through Performance

• Spiritual Success Mirrors Athletic Excellence:
  • “If we don't compete at a high level to win, then the world won't be watching.” — Liz Darger (56:51)
  • Connection between competitive excellence and influence for good, referencing President Hinckley and Daniel’s dietary stand (56:51–57:38).

G. Dwellings that Matter: The Nauvoo House and Temple

• Care for All Kinds of Dwellings (60:05–65:11)

  • God commands to build not only the temple but a “Nauvoo House” (boarding house for strangers):

    “The Lord really cares that people have a place where they can rest, where they can be safe, where they can seek refuge.” — Liz Darger (61:01)

• Hospitality as a Spiritual Principle:

  • Making all feel welcome, parallels to hospitality in modern church settings (visitors, chapels, future Salt Lake temple open house).

• Inclusivity: Creating a Home Field Advantage Spiritually

  • “What are we doing when people step inside to walk that walk, not just talk the talk?” — Liz Darger (66:50)

H. Temples: “Let this House be built...that I may reveal mine ordinances”

• Temples as Places for the Restoration of Ordinances (69:09–74:23)

  • The unique revelation of vicarious work, especially baptisms for the dead, beginning in Nauvoo.
  • The double blessing of temple work—the living and the dead are both blessed, tying into the doctrine of selflessness and unity in salvation.

• Sharing Temple Doctrine:

  • Story of explaining the purpose of temple work and family history to NCAA colleagues with respect and clarity (72:00–74:20):

    “I told them that I did that [received temple ordinances] when I was 25 years old ... now every time I go back, I am able to participate as proxy ... for a deceased ancestor.” — Liz Darger (71:20)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• "That sense of relational responsibility, I believe is part of us and our covenants. We live in a world that tells us to be selfish, yet our covenants tell us otherwise."
  — Liz Darger (08:24)

• "The world is watching because our teams are winning, because our student athletes and our coaches are exceptional at what they do. That then helps provide the platform to give. One of the big reasons why our student athletes and coaches are successful and why they're different is because of our knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ."
  — Liz Darger (56:51)

• "We can be both humble and fearless. We can be both humble and courageous."
  — Liz Darger (25:10)

• On Joseph Smith's evolution after Liberty Jail:

  "From 1820 to 1830, he's a little bit timid. From 1830 to 1840, he's courageous. Then he said, after Liberty Jail, from 1840 to 1844, he is fearless." — Quoting Alex Baugh, by Hank Smith (30:06)

• Chad Lewis story:

  "Chad Lewis said that his vocabulary was religious vocabulary, but he was saying things like, 'I testify that Tom Brady throws true passes.'" — John Bytheway (53:31)

• "If you want to proclaim the gospel using that area, you better be excellent in that area, no matter what it is. That message speaks for itself..."
  — Hank Smith (56:51)

• "It is the duty of a saint of God to gain all the influence they can on the earth and to use it for good."
  — Brigham Young, quoted by Liz Darger (58:08)

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Theme | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:36 | Setting the historical context for Nauvoo (“The darkness of Liberty Jail...”) | | 05:39 | Liz discusses her dissertation on women’s leadership and “nudges” | | 17:27 | Athletics metaphors—"rebuilding years," adversity as growth | | 23:49 | Humility, “weak things of the earth,” and spiritual gifts | | 29:30 | Personal revelation vs. previous experience (President Cordon’s counsel) | | 31:44 | History and power of official Church proclamations | | 38:06 | Liz’s niece’s missionary experience and what it means to proclaim the gospel | | 43:39 | Athletics as a forum for faith—BYU’s Sabbath observance, NCAA, natural missionary moments | | 46:31 | Partaking of the sacrament during NCAA selections in Indianapolis—a unique experience | | 51:58 | Sports as a platform for influence and conversion (stories: John Beck, Chad Lewis, Ella Pope) | | 56:51 | The intersection of excellence, spiritual influence, and BYU’s unique approach | | 60:05 | “Dwellings”—the Nauvoo House and the importance of spiritual hospitality | | 69:09 | The temple, restoration of ordinances, and explaining temple work to colleagues | | 74:23 | (End of Part 1; previewing Part 2) |

Summary Table of Key Doctrines and Applications

| Topic | Key Doctrine or Insight | Application / Analogy | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | Rebuilding after loss | Spiritual growth often follows adversity and “rebuilding year” efforts | Comparing Saints to athletic teams | | Humility and weak things | The Lord shows His wisdom through the humble who rely on Him | Joseph Smith’s attitude, President Cordon’s “box” analogy | | Proclaiming the gospel| All are called to proclaim, in normal and natural ways | Missionaries, athletes, daily life | | Excellence for influence| Excellence in one’s pursuit enables greater audience and influence for good | Athletics and other professions | | Spiritual dwellings | God cares about places of shelter, safety, and spiritual refreshment | Nauvoo House, temple, home, hospitality | | Restoration of ordinances| Temples are for the restoration of lost ordinances and blessings | Temple work, proxy ordinances explained to non-members|

Conclusion

Part 1 of this discussion draws lessons from both history and athletics, showing that the Lord’s work flourishes among the humble, faithful, and diligent—those willing to “rebuild,” accept divine nudges, and let their light shine wherever they are. The call to “proclaim the gospel” is both audacious and attainable: whether in a global proclamation, a PowerPoint for teammates, or quietly honoring the Sabbath amid NCAA duties. Hospitality—both spiritual and physical—remains central, as does the imperative to seek and share divine power through temple covenants.

“Wherever you are, be excellent and let your light shine. That influence will grow.” — Liz Darger (58:08)

Stay tuned for Part 2, with a deeper dive into temple ordinances, blessings for women, and continuing lessons from Nauvoo!