Podcast Summary: followHIM – Doctrine & Covenants 20-22 Part 1 with Dr. Casey Griffiths

Episode Details:

• Title: Doctrine & Covenants 20-22 Part 1
• Host/Authors: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
• Guest: Dr. Casey Griffiths
• Release Date: March 5, 2025
• Come Follow Me Cycle: March 10-16

1. Introduction

The episode kicks off with hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway welcoming Dr. Casey Griffiths, a revered teacher within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). They set the stage for an in-depth exploration of Doctrine & Covenants (D&C) Sections 20-22, emphasizing their significance in the church's foundational structure.

Notable Quote:

• Hank Smith [00:41]: "Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of Follow Him."

2. The Significance of Doctrine & Covenants Section 20

Dr. Griffiths highlights D&C 20 as a pivotal document often referred to as the "Constitution of the Church." This section serves as the foundational handbook for organizing and operating the church, encompassing history, beliefs, and ordinances.

Key Points:

• Historical Pivot: Section 20 marks a turning point where the church's organizational structure is firmly established.
• Christ-Centered Focus: Emphasizes that the church is built upon the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.
• Practical Framework: Acts as an essential guide for church leaders, akin to a "Desert Island" manual.

Notable Quote:

• John Bytheway [01:47]: "Doctrine Covenants 20 has been called the Constitution of the Church. It's sort of the founding document."

3. Historical Context and Organizational Foundations

The discussion delves into the historical circumstances surrounding the revelation and organization of the church on April 6, 1830. Dr. Griffiths explains how D&C 20 integrates teachings from the Book of Mormon and early revelations to establish a robust ecclesiastical framework.

Key Points:

• Organizational Revelation: Highlights the divine instructions received by Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to establish the church.
• Integration with the Book of Mormon: Approximately half of D&C 20 quotes directly from the Book of Mormon, underscoring its doctrinal influence.
• Role of Key Figures: Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery are identified as the first two elders, setting the precedent for church leadership.

Notable Quote:

• John Bytheway [06:03]: "It's sort of Desert island, Latter day Satanism... it's the most basic operating instructions for the church that you can find in any of the four standard works."

4. Foundational Beliefs within D&C 20

Dr. Griffiths and the hosts explore Verses 17-36 of D&C 20, which outline the church's core beliefs. This section serves as a proto-Articles of Faith, detailing doctrines about God, creation, the fall, and the atonement.

Key Points:

• Monotheism and the Nature of God: Affirms belief in an infinite, eternal God who created humanity in His image.
• The Fall: Introduces the concept of the Fall not as an original sin but as a necessary step for human progression.
• Atonement of Jesus Christ: Centralizes the atonement as the means for salvation, aligning with traditional Christian beliefs.

Notable Quote:

• John Bytheway [28:58]: "The fundamental principle of our religion are the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ... Everything else are appendages."

5. Practices and Ordinances Defined in D&C 20

Verses 37-84 focus on the church's ordinances and organizational practices. This segment delineates the procedures for baptism, confirmation, sacrament, baby blessings, and the establishment of church offices such as elders, priests, teachers, and deacons.

Key Points:

• Baptism and Confirmation: Detailed instructions on how and why these ordinances are performed.
• Sacrament and Baby Blessings: Emphasizes their significance in spiritual nourishment and family sanctification.
• Church Offices: Establishes the hierarchy and roles within the church, providing a clear structure for governance.

Notable Quote:

• John Bytheway [24:15]: "It's the constitution of the Church... So remember if you don't have the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, if we don't have the Savior as the center of our worship... everything has meaning because of that."

6. Justification and Sanctification: A Theological Exploration

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to understanding the concepts of justification and sanctification as presented in D&C 20, specifically within Verses 29-31. The hosts and Dr. Griffiths discuss how these terms differentiate between being saved by grace and the ongoing process of personal spiritual growth.

Key Points:

• Justification: Defined as being saved through the grace of Jesus Christ, not by personal merit. It involves a pardon for sins, aligning with traditional Christian theology.
• Sanctification: Represents the transformation and purification of individuals through Christ’s grace, encouraging believers to strive for personal improvement and holiness.
• Common Misconceptions: Addresses the fear-based notion of a "celestial scoreboard," emphasizing a relationship with Christ over a ledger of deeds.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway [54:05]: "Sanctification means, did we actually change something? Like... we are trying to be a better person."
• Hank Smith [63:40]: "I don't live the gospel so I can get into the celestial kingdom. I live the gospel so I'll choose the celestial kingdom when it is offered to me."

7. The Fall of Adam and Eve: Traditional vs. Latter-Day Saints Perspective

The conversation shifts to a reinterpretation of the Fall of Adam and Eve as presented in D&C 20 and its alignment with teachings from the Book of Mormon. Dr. Griffiths contrasts this with mainstream Christian views, presenting the Fall as a planned step within divine continuity rather than a failed plan.

Key Points:

• Fortunate Fall: Introduces the idea that the Fall was not merely a mistake but an essential part of God's plan, allowing humans to experience joy and sorrow and progress spiritually.
• Scriptural Support: References teachings from the Book of Mormon, such as 2 Nephi 2, to support this more nuanced understanding of the Fall.
• The Plan of Salvation: Emphasizes that the Atonement was always part of God's plan (Plan A), not a backup (Plan B), reinforcing the intentionality behind the Fall.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway [43:50]: "If we're saying in Joseph's day... Creation, fall, atonement are what are discussed in the Temple ordinances."
• Casey Griffiths [48:22]: "The atonement was not Plan B, which God came up with to clean up the mess Adam and Eve made of the world, but it was Plan A."

8. Human Fallibility of Church Leaders

Addressing a critical aspect, the hosts discuss Joseph Smith's portrayal in D&C 20, highlighting his human imperfections. This segment underscores the LDS belief in the fallibility of church leaders, emphasizing that they are aided by Christ rather than being infallible themselves.

Key Points:

• Humanization of Leaders: Joseph Smith's struggles and imperfections are openly acknowledged, promoting a realistic view of prophetic leadership.
• Avoiding Perfectionism: Encourages believers to see church leaders as exemplary but not perfect, fostering a more relatable and attainable spiritual model.
• Impact on Belief: Reinforces the idea that the church's strength lies in collective faith and Christ’s atonement, not in the unblemished nature of its leaders.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway [39:14]: "We believe in flawed weak people that are made extraordinary through Jesus Christ."
• Hank Smith [41:00]: "They're not perfect. Because I think some might go into a... they're not perfect... they're still the prophet."

9. Resources and Further Study

Dr. Griffiths shares valuable resources for listeners seeking deeper understanding and study aids related to the Doctrine and Covenants. He highlights the Scriptural Central Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants, available in four volumes through Cedar Fort.

Key Points:

• Scriptural Central Commentary: A comprehensive four-volume commentary that includes the text of D&C alongside scholarly insights.
• Additional Resources: Mentions videos, maps, and short biographies available for free on DoctrineCentral.com, enhancing contextual understanding.
• Encouragement for In-Depth Study: Urges listeners to utilize these resources to deepen their grasp of church doctrines and history.

Notable Quote:

• Casey Griffiths [11:19]: "We've spent the last couple years filming videos at church history sites and other things to allow people to contextualize and understand the revelations."

10. Concluding Reflections

As the episode wraps up, the hosts and Dr. Griffiths reflect on the enduring impact of D&C 20-22 on personal faith and the collective identity of the church. They emphasize the importance of Christ-centered beliefs and the ongoing journey of sanctification.

Key Points:

• Enduring Legacy: Recognizes D&C 20-22 as central to understanding the church's mission and organizational ethos.
• Personal Application: Encourages listeners to internalize these teachings in their daily lives, fostering spiritual growth and community bonding.
• Looking Ahead: Teases the continuation of the discussion in part two, promising further exploration of D&C 20-22.

Notable Quote:

• Hank Smith [70:46]: "Coming up in part two of this."

Conclusion

This episode of followHIM offers a comprehensive and engaging analysis of Doctrine & Covenants Sections 20-22, guided by the expertise of Dr. Casey Griffiths. By intertwining historical context, theological exploration, and practical applications, the discussion provides listeners with a deepened understanding of the church's foundational doctrines and their relevance in contemporary faith practice.

Resources Mentioned:

• Scriptural Central Commentary on the Doctrine and Covenants: Available through Cedar Fort.
• DoctrineCentral.com: Free access to commentaries, videos, maps, and biographies.
• Books by Dr. Casey Griffiths: Available on Amazon and other LDS book retailers.

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This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, providing a coherent and informative overview for both regular listeners and newcomers alike.