Podcast Summary: followHIM Podcast - Doctrine & Covenants 20-22 Part 2 Featuring Dr. Casey Griffiths

Episode Overview In this engaging episode of the followHIM podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve deep into Doctrine & Covenants Sections 20 through 22 with guest Dr. Casey Griffiths. Released on March 5, 2025, the episode explores foundational doctrines of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), emphasizing the interplay between grace, works, and the evolving structure of the church. Through expert insights, personal anecdotes, and scriptural analysis, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of these sacred texts and their application in modern LDS practice.

1. Reliance on Christ's Merits vs. Human Effort

John Bytheway opens the discussion by referencing the Book of Mormon, highlighting that salvation is solely attainable through the merits of Jesus Christ:

"No flesh can dwell in God's presence, save through the merits of the Messiah." (00:08)

Dr. Casey Griffiths reinforces this by sharing his rendition of the song "I'm Failing to be Like Jesus," which underscores the necessity of relying on Christ's grace rather than one's own efforts:

"I'm going to try to follow him... But that's not the formula for salvation, because I'm going to mess up, come to him, and repent." (01:03)

Michelle Baer adds depth to the conversation by illustrating the transformative power of shifting perspective from self-reliance to Christ-centered faith:

"It's transformative to change to that perspective, to say, hey, I don't have to do everything right. I just have to sincerely strive." (01:41)

2. Grace and Sanctification

The hosts delve into the concepts of justification and sanctification, emphasizing their interrelation and the role of grace in personal growth:

Alma 24:11 is cited to illustrate that repentance is our sole responsibility, while sanctification—the process of becoming pure and holy—flows from Christ's grace:

"Sanctification comes through the grace of our Lord and Savior." (02:58)

Michelle Baer references D. Todd Christofferson, explaining that while justification removes the punishment for sins, sanctification removes their effects, encouraging continuous self-improvement fueled by divine assistance:

"Sanctification gives us a reason to strive to be better, to self-improve, to work towards something." (03:15)

3. Structure and Practices of the LDS Church (Sections 20-22)

a. Priesthood Offices

Michelle Baer provides an overview of Doctrine and Covenants Section 20, detailing the roles and responsibilities of various priesthood offices:

"The priest's duty is to preach and teach and expound and exhort and baptize and administer the sacrament, visit the house of each member..." (46:00)

She emphasizes the active involvement of church members in ministering to one another, fostering a supportive and interconnected community.

b. Ordinances

The distinction between saving ordinances (essential for salvation) and blessing ordinances (for personal and communal benefit) is explored:

Michelle Baer contrasts baptism and sacrament with the blessing of children, noting that while the former are crucial for salvation, the latter serve to invoke God's power for everyday blessings:

"Blessing children is not a saving ordinance. Baptism, the sacrament are both spoken of as being essential." (25:01)

She shares a touching anecdote about blessing a friend's child, illustrating the immediate impact of these ordinances:

"I listened to this little father invoke the power of godliness to bless his child. The baby's fine... that is something that we do also." (28:34)

c. Community Involvement and Ministering

The conversation highlights the church's design as a tight-knit community, where members actively look out for one another:

John Bytheway recounts a story from Stephen Robinson, using the analogy of a father teaching his daughter to swim to illustrate how Christ supports us during times of fear and uncertainty:

"At those times when the Savior grabs us, throws his arms around us and says, I've got you... then together we can learn to live the gospel." (06:22)

Michelle Baer shares personal experiences of ministering within her ward, showcasing the church's role as a supportive family:

"Our church is supposed to be this rollicking family that's all up in each other's business all the time in a positive way." (11:52)

4. Flexibility and Evolution of Church Programs

The hosts discuss how the church adapts its programs to meet the changing needs of its members while maintaining foundational principles:

Dr. Casey Griffiths explains that sections 20-22 serve as the foundation upon which additional programs like Primary, Relief Society, and Seminary are built:

"The Doctrine and Covenants is foundational, but a lot of the revelation happening in the church is taking ideas of the Doctrine and Covenants and adapting them for the circumstances that we live in." (29:06)

Michelle Baer shares examples of how grassroots initiatives, such as the creation of the Primary association by Aurelia Spencer Rogers, have evolved into official church programs:

"The Primary association was started by Aurelia Spencer Rogers because the kids were getting into trouble... it became an official church program." (33:03)

They emphasize the importance of flexibility, noting that while the church's skeletal structure remains intact, its practices are dynamic and responsive to current needs.

5. Role and Attributes of Joseph Smith

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the leadership and character of Joseph Smith, addressing common questions and criticisms:

Michelle Baer presents Joseph Smith as a sincere and imperfect individual, highlighting personal letters that reveal his struggles and reliance on Christ's grace:

"God is merciful and has forgiven my sins... I desire to be with Christ." (56:48)

She urges listeners to view Joseph Smith as a whole person, acknowledging his imperfections while recognizing his pivotal role in establishing the church:

"We need to see them as whole people and love them in that sense." (56:08)

John Bytheway poses a question to Dr. Griffiths about addressing doubts regarding Joseph Smith's character, prompting a heartfelt response about sincerity and divine purpose:

"Joseph Smith was a sincere person... striving and searching and trying to be sincere." (56:47)

Dr. Casey Griffiths adds historical context by sharing stories from church history, illustrating how leaders have exhibited patience, faith, and compassion even amidst adversity:

"Elder Merrill sat there... He didn't give up on this guy. He loved him and he helped him." (46:40)

6. Insights and Conclusions

The episode culminates in reflections on the living nature of the church, emphasizing patience, faith, and the collective responsibility of its members:

Michelle Baer quotes Elder Holland, reinforcing the idea that the church is a hospital for the ill, not a place for perfect individuals:

"The church isn't a monastery for perfect people... more like a hospital for those who are ill and want to get well." (21:00)

John Bytheway and Michelle Baer share personal stories that exemplify the church's supportive and forgiving environment, highlighting the importance of community and continual growth.

Dr. Casey Griffiths summarizes the foundational aspects of Doctrine and Covenants Sections 20-22, reinforcing their enduring relevance:

"The Book of Mormon proves the divinity of the latter day work... the laws governing repentance, justification, sanctification, baptism set forth." (61:04)

Key Takeaways

• Salvation through Christ's Merits: Emphasizing that human efforts alone cannot attain salvation; reliance on Jesus Christ's atonement is paramount.

• Grace and Sanctification: Understanding that sanctification is an ongoing process facilitated by Christ's grace, encouraging continuous personal improvement.

• Church Structure and Ordinances: Recognizing the roles of priesthood offices and the significance of both saving and blessing ordinances in fostering a supportive community.

• Flexibility in Church Practices: Acknowledging the church's ability to adapt programs to meet the evolving needs of its members while maintaining foundational doctrines.

• Joseph Smith's Character: Viewing church leaders, particularly Joseph Smith, as sincere and imperfect individuals whose reliance on Christ's grace is exemplary.

• Community and Ministering: Valuing the interconnectedness of church members and the importance of active participation in each other's spiritual and temporal well-being.

Closing Remarks This episode of followHIM provides a thorough exploration of Doctrine & Covenants Sections 20-22, blending doctrinal insights with personal experiences to offer listeners a nuanced understanding of LDS teachings. Through thoughtful dialogue and heartfelt stories, Dr. Casey Griffiths, John Bytheway, and Michelle Baer illuminate the path to a Christ-centered life within the dynamic structure of the LDS Church.

Notable Quotes

• "It's not 99.99% him. It's all him." – John Bytheway (01:41)
• "I'm failing to be like Jesus. I'm messing up every day." – Dr. Casey Griffiths (01:51)
• "The church isn't a monastery for perfect people. It's more like a hospital for those who are ill and want to get well." – Michelle Baer (21:00)

Resources

• Show Notes: https://followhim.co
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