followHIM Podcast – Doctrine & Covenants 124 Part 2: Dr. Liz Darger

Hosts: Hank Smith (A) & John Bytheway (C)
Guest: Dr. Liz Darger (B)
Date: October 22, 2025
Episode Focus: Exploring the themes of Doctrine & Covenants 124 with an emphasis on temples, proxy work, the inclusiveness of God’s plan, striving in different seasons of life, and the legacy and doctrine of the Relief Society.

Episode Overview

This episode of followHIM delves into Doctrine & Covenants 124, focusing on the significance of temple work—especially vicarious ordinances and their core doctrines—and highlights the inclusive, expansive nature of God’s plan for His children. Dr. Liz Darger offers personal insights on striving through life's different circumstances, the experience and meaning of living single in the Church, and an inspiring history of Relief Society through her family lineage. The episode also discusses the teachings of recent prophets regarding priesthood power and covenants for women, the importance of “doing what you can,” and the enduring spiritual legacy of the Restoration.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Temples, Family History, and Opening Conversations

• *Hank recalls the power of sharing family history and how “Roots” (Alex Haley) sparked curiosity and conversation about heritage and belonging, drawing parallels to using the FamilySearch app at temples (00:00–01:02).

• Quote: “When you can open that up and say, this is my fifth great grandfather... That’s a very intriguing thing for everybody.” – Hank Smith (00:04)

• *Liz shares how serving in the temple or talking about it opens up opportunities for faith conversations, and helps outsiders feel comfortable asking questions about Latter-day Saint beliefs (01:02–01:49).

2. A Different View of God: Baptisms for the Dead & the Scope of Salvation

• *John and Hank underscore how Joseph Smith’s revelations fundamentally reshaped the idea of God, tracing the doctrine of proxy ordinances and the optimism of post-mortal repentance—contrasting with the mainstream Protestant concept of eternal damnation (01:49–05:26).

• Quote: “No parent would ever want to torture their children for eternity. But that is the world that baptisms for the dead comes out of...” – John Bytheway (02:31)

• *Liz reflects on the merciful, loving character of God revealed through restoration scripture and ordinances:
  “Everything that comes afterwards gives us more information about what kind of being God is... such good news.” – Liz Darger (03:03)

3. Inclusivity in God’s Plan & The Beauty of Proxy Work

• *The guests discuss how baptism for the dead reflects the comprehensive, inclusive nature of God's salvation and how it corrects an exclusive or harsh worldview (05:26–06:04).

• *Liz recounts experiences on the NCAA Common Ground committee, finding that non-members see vicarious temple work as “the most beautiful doctrine I’ve ever heard.” (06:04–08:22)

  • Quote: “We believe everybody will have opportunity, some on this earth, some in the next life, but that everyone will have opportunity.” – Liz Darger (06:48)

• *President Oaks’ teachings about activity in the spirit world are cited, emphasizing ongoing opportunity for redemption after this life (07:14).

4. Striving vs. Perfection: The Lord Loves Effort

• *The conversation pivots to D&C 124:49–52, focusing on the Lord releasing Saints from impossible tasks due to persecution, “accepting of their offerings” instead—a principle applicable to all seasons of life and personal effort (10:16–14:37).

• *Liz applies this principle to her own life, sharing lessons learned from balancing work, doctoral studies, and her calling: that striving matters more than outward perfection (11:03–15:59).

  • Quote: “Are we striving and what is in our control? God recognizes that.” – Liz Darger (11:49)
  • Quote: “[Mother Teresa said,] We are not called to be successful in all things. We are called to be faithful in all things.” – Hank Smith (14:54)
  • John references Mark 14 [Mary anointing Jesus]: “She has done what she could.” (15:26)

5. Single Adult Experiences & Belonging in the Church

• *Liz vulnerably discusses feelings of discouragement as a single member, the pain and adjustment as friends marry, and spiritual revelation she received to focus on “sealing her heart to God” (15:59–20:57).

  • Quote: “While you wait for a chance to be sealed to a husband ... seal your heart to me [God].” – Liz Darger (Narrating her revelation, 17:49)

• *She explains her approach: focusing on covenants already made, trusting in God’s timing, and building strong relationships inside and outside family structures (15:59–23:42).

  • *Practical: Liz suggests opening up by asking others “What are you excited about in life right now?” to foster belonging and connection (23:42).

6. Relief Society: Legacy, Priesthood, and Empowerment

• *Dr. Darger shares the history of her great-great-grandmother, Clarissa Smith Williams, sixth General Relief Society President, highlighting her example in leadership, women’s education, and health initiatives. She stresses the power of overcoming complicated relationships and lifting other women, even in challenging circumstances like plural marriage (27:53–35:31).

  • Quote: “We are at our best when we can work through complicated relationships... and truly look for ways to lift and encourage.” – Liz Darger (32:25)

• *She draws connections between Relief Society’s founding principles and section 25 of D&C, as reaffirmed by President Nelson in 2019.

• *Liz reads movingly from President Nelson’s “Spiritual Treasures” talk, underscoring that women, by covenant, have access to priesthood power and spiritual treasures equally with men (43:26–55:42).

  • Quote: “Both covenant-keeping women and men have access to all the spiritual blessings of the Church, or we might say, to all the spiritual treasures the Lord has for His children.” – Pres. Russell M. Nelson (44:32, read by Liz)

  • On learning about priesthood power personally:
    “The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutorial as you seek to understand what the Lord would have you know and do.” – Pres. Nelson (45:46, read by Liz)

  • Personal insight: “For me, now that there is a name for it... I see it everywhere. I see it in women that I serve with... who are functioning with God’s power.” – Liz Darger (50:23)

  • Analogy: “It reminds me, actually, in kind of a silly way, of The Wizard of Oz… Glinda: You have the power. You’ve always had it.” – Liz Darger (48:28)

  • Testimony: “He literally has endowed us with His power. What more incredible gift could there be?” (54:39)

Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Because you have a God who loves you and will give you a second chance. And a third and a 20th and a 490th.” – John Bytheway (08:22)
• “The Lord loves effort and recognizes effort and sacrifice. We can only control what we can control.” – Liz Darger (11:13)
• “Leave her alone. She has done what she could.” – John Bytheway referencing Jesus (Mark 14) (15:28)
• “Seal your heart to me, meaning to God, while you wait for a chance to be sealed to a husband... that was a game changer.” – Liz Darger (17:52)
• “There’s just some things that aren’t found on my land. I built it as close as I could... We just do what we can with what’s on our land.” – John Bytheway, sharing a student’s insight (21:07)
• “We are members of a society that represents Him. What an empowering thought—endowed with God’s power...” – Liz Darger (39:35)
• “As a righteous, endowed Latter-day Saint woman, you speak and teach with power and authority from God, whether by exhortation or conversation. We need your voice…” – Pres. Nelson, as read by Liz (46:05)
• “I can’t unsee it now... I see good women who have made covenants with God and are keeping those covenants, who are functioning with God’s power…” – Liz Darger (50:23)

Segment Timestamps

• Family history, “Roots,” and welcoming faith conversations: 00:01–01:49
• Contrasts in doctrines of salvation and the world Joseph Smith emerged from: 01:49–06:04
• Vicarious ordinances, inclusivity, and President Oaks’ teachings: 06:04–08:22
• The Lord releasing saints from impossible commands & striving principle: 10:16–15:26
• Living single in the Church, “sealing your heart to God”, and focusing on current covenants: 15:59–23:42
• Advice for single Saints and ways to foster belonging: 23:42–27:53
• Relief Society history (Clarissa Smith Williams), women’s leadership, and covenant sisterhood: 27:53–35:31
• Clarissa’s impact, family stories, and generations of Relief Society: 35:31–41:35
• Relief Society, section 25, President Nelson’s October 2019 “Spiritual Treasures,” and priesthood power for women: 43:26–55:42
• Liz’s testimony, reflections, and episode close: 55:42–end

Episode Tone

Encouraging, open, and faith-filled, blending historical narrative with personal reflection and collective experience. The hosts and Dr. Darger foster an atmosphere of learning, candor, and empowerment, particularly regarding the lived experience of single Latter-day Saints and women’s roles and recognition in the Restoration.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The doctrine of the Restoration—including vicarious ordinances and the expansive scope of salvation—offers a radically hopeful, universally inclusive perspective.
• God values our striving and effort, which may look different in every season.
• Every Latter-day Saint, regardless of marital status or circumstance, has critical contributions to make and can find deep fulfillment in covenants already made.
• The Relief Society has a remarkable history of leadership, education, and empowerment; the doctrine of priesthood power by covenant applies to all, especially women, as taught by modern prophets.
• Our personal and ancestral stories deeply connect to temple work and the enormous spiritual legacy available in the Church today.

For further study: Listeners are encouraged to revisit D&C 124, D&C 25, and President Nelson’s October 2019 talk “Spiritual Treasures” for a deeper understanding of the episode’s topics.