Doctrine & Covenants 46-48 Part 2 • Prof. Danny Ricks • May 12-18 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Podcast Summary: followHIM Episode on Doctrine & Covenants 46-48 Part 2 with Prof. Danny Ricks

Episode Details:

• Title: Doctrine & Covenants 46-48 Part 2 • Prof. Danny Ricks • May 12-18 • Come Follow Me
• Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
• Release Date: May 7, 2025
• Duration: Approximately 52 minutes

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Introduction to Spiritual Gifts and Wisdom

Timestamp: [00:00 – 00:47]

The episode kicks off with Prof. Danny Ricks introducing part two of the discussion on Doctrine and Covenants sections 46 through 48. The hosts, Hank Smith and John Bytheway, initiate a conversation distinguishing between knowledge and wisdom. John Bytheway humorously illustrates this difference by stating, “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad” ([00:07]).

Danny Ricks further elaborates, “Knowledge is knowing how to play the banjo. Wisdom is knowing when and in what settings to play the banjo” ([00:27]). Hank reinforces that the discussion is centered on true wisdom, not merely doctrinal wisdom found in section 89, emphasizing that wisdom is pursued for its own sake.

Understanding and Utilizing Spiritual Gifts

Timestamp: [00:37 – 02:46]

The conversation delves into various spiritual gifts outlined in the Doctrine and Covenants, including faith to be healed, the faith to heal others, prophesying, discerning spirits, speaking with tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. John emphasizes that these gifts are bestowed by God for the collective benefit of His children ([00:47]).

Hank shares his personal feelings about the gift of speaking in tongues, expressing both admiration and apprehension. He articulates the purpose of these gifts, stating, “The gifts are given so that God can build his kingdom, so that God can come closer to him” ([01:08]). Hank underscores that spiritual gifts should not be used for personal aggrandizement but to further God's kingdom, highlighting Elder Joseph Smith’s insight that “the ultimate design of tongues is to speak to foreigners” ([02:46]).

The Role of Mentorship in Spiritual Development

Timestamp: [02:46 – 07:12]

Danny Ricks shares personal anecdotes about the transformative impact of mentorship in his life. He recalls how mentors recognized potential in him that he hadn't seen himself, fostering personal growth and spiritual development. Danny reflects, “I can remember all of my young men leaders and my bishops... but I remember my mentors, every one of them” ([06:34]).

Hank and John discuss the importance of recognizing and nurturing these gifts in others, drawing parallels to Paul’s analogy of the body of Christ—emphasizing that every individual has a unique and necessary role within the larger spiritual community.

Avoiding Criticism and Fostering Charity

Timestamp: [07:12 – 14:12]

The discussion shifts to the detrimental effects of criticism within the community. Elder Holland’s 2007 talk, “Tongues of Angels,” is cited, encouraging members to avoid verbal and emotional abuse. Hank quotes Elder Holland: “The sin of verbal abuse knows no gender. Bridle your tongue” ([04:43 – 05:06]).

John Bytheway and Danny Ricks explore the idea that criticism primarily harms the critic, not the one being criticized. They reference teachings that discourage criticism unless it is constructive and invites positive change. Danny mentions Elder Oaks’ perspective that avoiding criticism protects the spiritual well-being of the individual, stating, “The primary reason for the commandment to avoid criticism is to protect the spiritual well being of the criticizer” ([13:07 – 13:31]).

Embracing and Utilizing Family History Tools

Timestamp: [14:12 – 35:18]

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the importance of family history and the utilization of modern tools like the FamilySearch app and the Get Involved app. Hank presents impressive statistics on the exponential growth of indexed names over the years, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence in accelerating family history work: “From 2006 to 2013, over 1 billion names were indexed” ([36:39]).

Danny Ricks shares personal insights on how these tools enhance the sense of connection to one’s ancestors and provide a deeper understanding of personal identity and purpose. He encourages listeners to engage with these applications, suggesting that even spending just ten minutes a day can make a meaningful impact: “If everyone spent 10 minutes of their day... what a difference it would make” ([36:36 – 36:39]).

Hank emphasizes that family history work not only preserves genealogical records but also invites spiritual blessings, reinforcing the call to action for listeners to become actively involved in this divine mandate.

Trusting in Divine Agency and Purpose

Timestamp: [35:18 – 46:08]

The discussion transitions to the concept of agency and trusting in God’s plan, as outlined in Doctrine and Covenants section 48. Hank highlights the importance of exercising personal agency: “Do what you want to do. God can exalt plumbers. God can exalt teachers. God can exalt doctors” ([41:36 – 41:37]).

John Bytheway and Danny Ricks address common anxieties related to making life choices, such as career paths and personal decisions. They encourage listeners to rely on divine guidance and trust that God’s plan is inherently good, stating, “Relax. Take a deep breath. As seemeth me good. As seemeth them good. Do what you need to” ([44:03 – 45:25]).

The hosts emphasize that fear of making incorrect choices can paralyze individuals, but reassurances from Scriptural teachings affirm that God’s omniscience ensures that He supports righteous decisions. They encourage embracing God-given agency with confidence and faith.

Personal Testimonies and the Restoration

Timestamp: [46:08 – 50:22]

In the latter part of the episode, Prof. Danny Ricks shares his personal testimony of the Restoration and its profound impact on his life. He underscores the centrality of Jesus Christ in his faith: “Jesus is the Christ. His resurrection's real. He is risen... everything else is an appendage to that” ([48:37 – 48:44]).

Danny recounts how studying the Restoration and church history has strengthened his testimony rather than weakened it, countering narratives that such studies might lead to doubt. He expresses deep gratitude for the Restoration, highlighting its role in providing peace, joy, and an eternal perspective: “The peace that I have, the joy that I can feel in good times because of Jesus Christ” ([48:37 – 48:44]).

Hank and John share personal stories about family history, emphasizing the emotional and spiritual connections that come from preserving and engaging with one’s lineage. They advocate for utilizing available tools to bolster these connections, enhancing one’s sense of purpose and belonging within God’s eternal plan.

Conclusion and Call to Action

Timestamp: [50:22 – 52:00]

As the episode wraps up, the hosts and Prof. Danny Ricks reiterate the importance of engaging with spiritual gifts, family history, and trusting in God’s agency. They encourage listeners to utilize technological tools to further their spiritual and genealogical work, ensuring that the blessings of the Restoration are accessible to all.

John Bytheway and Hank Smith extend their gratitude to Prof. Danny Ricks for his insightful contributions and remind listeners to explore resources available on their website and social media platforms. They conclude with a heartfelt invitation to continue following the teachings of Jesus Christ and applying them in daily life.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.” ([00:07])

• Danny Ricks: “Knowledge is knowing how to play the banjo. Wisdom is knowing when and in what settings to play the banjo.” ([00:27])

• Hank Smith: “The gifts are given so that God can build his kingdom, so that God can come closer to him.” ([01:08])

• Danny Ricks: “The primary reason for the commandment to avoid criticism is to protect the spiritual well being of the criticizer.” ([13:07])

• Hank Smith: “Do what you want to do. God can exalt plumbers. God can exalt teachers. God can exalt doctors.” ([41:36])

• Danny Ricks: “Everything good in my life has come because God restored a beautiful doctrine or principle through the prophet Joseph.” ([48:37])

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This episode of the followHIM podcast offers a profound exploration of Doctrine & Covenants sections 46-48, emphasizing the distinction between knowledge and wisdom, the responsible use of spiritual gifts, the significance of mentorship, the dangers of criticism, and the vital role of family history. Through engaging dialogue and personal testimonies, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, and Prof. Danny Ricks inspire listeners to deepen their faith, embrace their divine potential, and contribute meaningfully to God's kingdom.

Transcript

[Danny Ricks]

Keep listening for part two with Dr. Danny Ricks. Doctrine and Covenants, sections 46 through 48.

[John]

Let's keep going here. I remember either it was four years ago, or I just did this in my own study here. John, that there's a difference between wisdom and knowledge, right? And do you remember? Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. There's a difference between knowledge and wisdom.

[Danny Ricks]

Knowledge is knowing how to play the banjo. Wisdom is knowing when and in what settings to play the banjo.

[John]

Oh, I love it.

[Hank]

And make note, too. This isn't the word of wisdom in section 89. This really is wisdom as in wisdom's sake.

[John]

We could spend a lot of time on every one of these. The faith to be healed, the faith to heal, working of miracles to prophesy, the discerning of spirits, to speak with tongues, the interpretation of tongues. All these gifts come from God for the benefit of his children.

[Hank]

Man. I'd like to make a comment on speaking with tongues. I wish I had it. I don't. It's so embarrassing if people have foreign names. It takes me so long to get into this farmer's mind, like how to say their name. And I try not to be offensive, and I want to get it right. Please help me do this. This is a shiny one. Remember why it's given. None of these gifts are a letterman's jacket with these pins. Look at all of my gifts that I have, and it makes me cool. There's no caste system. These gifts are given so that God can build his kingdom, so that God can come closer to him. And so he freely gives these gifts to the gift of tongues, whether it be Spanish, Portuguese, French, the word. But it also can be the gift of tongues to speak kindly and softly, to speak with people that comfort you. I hope all of us have that friend that we know that we can call. And they speak in a way that the spirit whispers to us and buoys us up and strengthens us. That's a form of this gift as well. But the purpose is to build the kingdom of God. Joseph Smith said, the ultimate design of tongues is to speak to foreigners. And if persons are very anxious to display their intelligence, let them speak so such in their own tongues. The gifts of God are all useful in their place. But when they are applied to that which God does not intend, they prove an injury, a snare and a curse instead of a blessing. So to remember as we receive these, you have to remember the intent in which they were given.

[John]

Danny, I liked what you said there about tongues might not be just languages. It might be the ability to connect with people. And I have seen in my experience, really good teachers who can connect with different age groups. My wife Sarah can connect with children in ways that I just can't. I try to play Candyland with my kids and they just cheat and I get frustrated. And then I've seen John, by the way, teach youth. And you're going, how is this possible? They're entranced by this. That's you, Danny. I watched you teach up at byu, Idaho. So maybe that gift of tongues is also the ability to connect or teach certain age groups. And maybe the interpretation of tongues is that I can understand what that person is trying to say.

[Hank]

Just some thoughts along those lines too. Elder Holland's talk in 2007, Tongue of Angels. There is no place for physical abuse, of course, but verbal abuse. He states, I wish to caution us, if caution is needed, regarding on how we speak to each other and how we speak of ourselves. And it's almost like it's this. We feel uncomfortable in a situation. So someone says something kind, no, no, no, I'm the worst. No, you're not. You're a child of God. You're wonderful. Like, stop. Just say thank you and recognize that you have worth. You don't need to disparage yourself. We certainly never need to disparage anyone ever.

[John]

That is such a fantastic talk. I still remember where I was listening to that talk. I was mowing the lawn. I was crying and laughing and crying and laughing as I'm mowing the lawn. Just a life changing talk. So many of them are the fun part of general conferences. Thinking this next talk might be a talk that I remember for the rest of my life.

[Hank]

Can I read one more excerpt out of Elder Hollins?

[John]

Yeah, let's do it.

[Hank]

Says, today I speak against verbal and emotional abuse of anyone. Against anyone. These things ought not to be. And he says, in that same spirit we speak. The sin of verbal abuse knows no gender. Bridle your tongue. All of us need to bridle our tongues. And no matter what age, every gender, every person, every human. Watch your words.

[Danny Ricks]

There's one that's not mentioned here. I wonder what you guys think about this. There's some people that they may not be able to talk to young people, but they are incredible mentors. When I think of the story of Ammaron coming to Mormon. Mormon Sundays, I was 10 years of age. He came to me. It wasn't like, hey guys, what should I do with my Life. This mentor came to Mormon and said, I perceive that thou are a sober child and are quick to observe the idea of someone that's older that you respect to come to you and say, I see things in you that you might not see in yourself. I don't know what Mormon's reaction was really me. I don't know if Mormon was like unaware that he had the gift of being quick to observe and of being a sober child. But the fact that a mentor comes to you and says that must have been so thrilling for Mormon to hear that. Then he gave him an assignment. I want you to be prepared when you're 24 years old. Brother Pei, my priests quorum advisor treated me like he saw things in me I didn't know that I had. I'm so grateful to have a good mentor in my life. When I was younger, I had good parents and all that, but I had this young men's leader that just really made me feel like there was more in me than I thought I had. Do you know what I'm talking about?

[John]

Didn't you write an article about this?

[Danny Ricks]

I did. I wrote for the Church News. I mentioned something like this and Brother Wilcox looked at me and said, I want to see that article Monday. So I wrote it. Our friend Trent Toon over at the Church News put it in. I can remember all of my young men leaders and my bishops. I can't remember who won the super bowl, who won the NBA championship, who won the World Series, but I remember my mentors, every one of them. What a great gift to have someone like Amaron who would come and say, I see some things in you. I don't even know if you're aware of this.

[Hank]

I met Trent years And years ago, 1999, when I was a freshman at Ricks College and I took a bowling intermurals class because that was the academic rigor I was interested in. Trent and I were on the same team and he's a great man and he's a great bowler. He's a great bowler.

[John]

All right, Trent, if you're listening, we might have to go bowling.

[Danny Ricks]

And that career path took him to a great writer and editor. He does a lot of church news articles for the young men.

[Hank]

He helps us.

[John]

We love him. We love him.

[Hank]

I think John's example is a perfect idea of this discerning of spirits and absolutely what's of God, what's not of God. It's a gift to be able to see in others. You're living evidence of men that had this people that you worked with young men's leaders and bishops that you worked with, that saw in you things that you didn't see in yourself. And look at how that's helped you become what God needed you to become, and then also be able to help use those gifts further on. It's amazing to see the connectivity of all of these gifts. You can't help but think about Paul's beautiful analogy of the body of Christ. You have a place in this. The eye doesn't say to the ear. I have no need of the ear. The nose, I mean, the ridiculous nature of. Can you imagine the nose, like, being like, man? The ear, they don't even sniff. Like, what good are they? They don't even smell anything. Like, yeah, you are needed. Every single person is needed. God disperses these gifts as he wills them to be right. Verse 26.

[Danny Ricks]

All.

[Hank]

All these gifts come from God. You're known by Him. He sees good in you. He sees potential in you. He sees the good that you can do and how important it is to keep these covenants that we make because we receive these gifts through covenant. We receive these gifts through covenant, and then to use those gifts to building the kingdom of God.

[John]

As I'm reading this, I want to combine the two topics. I don't know if the Lord intended that. I hope so. In the beginning, we talked about, don't cast anyone out. Everybody belongs here. And then we talked about gifts of the spirit. And if you combine those two, sometimes we are jealous of other people's gifts, but then we can also be bothered by other people's gifts. I don't like that person. They do this thing. I've experienced the rough end of that a couple of times as I teach.

[Hank]

I'm.

[John]

I'm a touch irreverent. I'm not terrible. Right, John? Just. Okay, I'm terrible. I'm pretty terrible. I feel like the Spirit has told me where the boundaries are. We could probably let the spirit do that with most people's gifts. Maybe we study the ark in places we don't need to try to correct someone.

[Hank]

I think it can be contagious. On my drive down to do this podcast, I've got five kids in the van, and my daughter's so excited and she has energy and she's like, I'm so excited for this. Going to go to a game after this. We're going to this game. One of my other kids kind of mocked her in, like, her excitement of this kid will be anonymous. Why did you do that? Like, you just killed the joy, these gifts that people use. But we can get so blinded by, like, the way that we think it needs to be. Oh, how dare they have this. This is the way that it's supposed to be. How many people in these early days of church, as they come in with their. All their different backgrounds, there's so many things that are preference rather than principle. Preference is not principle. Make sure when we correct, which one were we correcting off of? Whether that be as a parent, as a church leader, Even those that come in off the side that have no stewardship but still want to give their opinion, make sure that this isn't just a your preference thing.

[John]

I love that there's times where I've seen the primary chorister doing their best to get these kids involved, and someone will shut that down so fast. You shouldn't have done that. You shouldn't have said this. Would you say you just killed the joy, knocked the joy out of her? Let's say it again, Danny. Preference is in principle. Are you sure that's not the way it's supposed to be done, or is it the way you don't like it to be done?

[Hank]

Someone's told me this phrase where you can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and some people just don't like peaches. How you administer. How you administer it just might not be people's flavor. And that's okay. If you're a bishop right now and you've got a batch of people that you're not their flavor, tell them, they don't worry. You've got only five years and you'll get a different flavor. Yeah, but let people strive. Let people strive.

[John]

I occasionally have to tell students who want to come up and correct my way of teaching. They'll say, I feel like I need to tell you this. And I'll say, listen, if the Lord wants me to change, he'll tell me or my wife. He's probably not going to tell you. So if so and so needs to do something different and you have no stewardship there, it's probably wise to keep that comment to yourself. John, you've told me before. It takes zero. Zero intelligence to criticize. John, you know the poem?

[Danny Ricks]

Oh, the. The builder poem?

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Danny Ricks]

I passed one day through a little town and saw them tearing a building down With a ho, heave ho and a husky yell. They swung a ball and a sidewall fell. I asked the foreman, are these men skilled, the kind you'd hire if you had to build? Oh, no. He chuckled. No, Indeed, the common laborer is all I need. I can destroy in a day or two what builders have taken weeks to do. I thought to myself as I went on my way, which of these roles have I tried to play? Am I a builder who works with care, strengthening others by rule and square shaping my peers to a well made plan, helping them do the best they can? Or am I a wrecker who walks around content with the labor of tearing down? It's on the hard drive, I guess.

[John]

Yeah, we criticize each other sometimes. People then put their gift on the shelf thinking, I guess it's not a gift, boy.

[Danny Ricks]

Speaking of criticism, Elder Oaks said the primary reason for the commandment to avoid criticism is to protect the spiritual well being of the criticizer, not the person we would criticize. Whoa.

[John]

Yeah.

[Danny Ricks]

Hurts your own spirit.

[John]

We don't realize what spirit we have. You're not critical, Danny. I've known you for a little while now and you're not a critical guy. You're going to go, here's what's good about that person.

[Hank]

You try to because you want that for you. Yeah. I love when mercy is meted out to me and it tastes sweet when I'm forgiven. To give people that benefit, keep going in the doctrine comings 46, verse 9, these gifts that all may be benefited, that's the purpose, that all are benefited. Remember why they're given. If it's negative, you best check yourself a couple times to see if it was really meant to benefit.

[John]

I need to write that down. I really like that. John, you've told me how many times if people are going to change, they're not going to change because you told them to.

[Hank]

I've yet to see the social media post that says, wow, you were right, I've changed my mind.

[John]

I have.

[Hank]

Yeah.

[Danny Ricks]

John Lund wrote a book about the art of giving and receiving criticism. He said criticism doesn't change people. People either change themselves or they're changed by the Holy Ghost. And then he went on to say that criticism actually makes people withdraw. I don't want to be around that. We can criticize somebody and it hurts the relationship. They withdraw from it. And like they say, they're not usually going to say, wow, that's really helpful.

[John]

Oh, thank you for that. They might, to your face, they might go, oh, okay.

[Danny Ricks]

And he says, when criticism is invited, that's another thing. Hey, how did you know? That's a different time.

[John]

But can you help me out here? Yeah.

[Danny Ricks]

We're treading on holy ground. When we start telling somebody something's wrong with them.

[Hank]

I love how the Savior says in verse 33, though, if we're struggling with this, all of us have our challenges that we struggle with as we seek these best gifts. But 33, interesting word choice. He goes, and you must practice virtue and holiness before me continually. If you're feeling the promptings of the Spirit that there's some areas that you need to grow and progress in this, you're in good shape. Just keep practicing. Everyone else has been there. I remember asking my grandpa once, because my grandpa knew everything. Grandpas know everything. And I said, grandpa, how do you know everything? This is before Google. This is before Internet. We had grandpas. And he'd be like, danny, I'm older than you because I'm old. I've experienced these. I've messed up a million more times than you have. I know that if you do that, that's going to be the consequence. I don't know because I'm wise. I know because I've done. And then learn from it and become wise. Hopefully. Keep practicing. If you're a critical person, well, ask God to give you the gift of charity. That's a gift, the greatest of all. We could riff off of Corinthians here. If you have not charity, then it's tinkling brass, tinkling cymbals, who cares? Faith to move mountains. Guess what? If they don't know you're loved, who cares? Keep striving, asking God to bless you, rejoicing that Jesus has forgiven you. I think one of the quickest ways to not be critical is to realize how much you've been forgiven and to rejoice in the forgiveness that's been offered you. If you keep that in the forefront of your mind. And what a beautiful thought when we take the sacrament is, I take the sacrament and remember, like, I'm forgiven. I really am. I'm clean, I'm pure. There's not a better feeling in the world than knowing you're 100% clean with God. And that's only through Christ. But when we remember we are, it's easy to love, it's easy to forgive. It's easier to not be critical. I've had promptings before, and this is so embarrassing. Getting frustrated with one of my kids, man, why are you going to do this? And I've heard the Spirit say, quote, they're a way better boy than you ever were. Good point. He's age appropriate. How many times that's come into our minds, man? This is age appropriate. It's exactly what a 7 year old's gonna do and a 2 year old's gonna do and a teenage girl's gonna do, and you're just fine because of Jesus.

[John]

I occasionally have a youth Sunday school teacher say, they're just out of control. I, I don't know what to do. And sometimes I'll say, listen, puppies bark and bite. And yeah, you can't expect a puppy to be a dog. You're trying to help them, but a puppy's a puppy and it's going to do puppy things. And they kind of go, oh, that's true. Sometimes we, we expect our puppies to act like adult dogs.

[Danny Ricks]

Hank, who was it that helped us the end of the Book of Mormon? Hey, I fear lest the gentiles shall mock at these things. And he kind of paraphrased the Lord saying, mockers mock. That's what they do.

[John]

That's what they do.

[Danny Ricks]

No matter what you do, mockers mock. So don't worry about it.

[John]

Danny, you quoted this earlier, but I'd like to give the entire quote before we end this section to hear what you think about it. This is Marvin J. Ashton. There are many gifts. He gives a list that I think our listeners might think, wait, that's a gift? I didn't know that was a gift. He says, let's review some of these less conspicuous gifts. The gift of asking. The gift of listening. The gift of hearing and using a still, small voice. The gift of being able to weep. The gift of avoiding contention, of being agreeable, avoiding vain repetition. The gift of seeking that which is righteous. The gift of not passing judgment. Of looking to God for guidance, of being a disciple, caring for others, of being able to ponder. The gift of offering prayer. The gift of bearing testimony. And then he goes on, he says, another one. The gift to look to God for direction. The gift to calm. The gift to care. It's a fantastic talk. All the way back in 1987, which shouldn't be that long ago, but I love that. Danny, how do we help people see? No, these are gifts. I'll hear people say, they start to weep and they'll say, oh, I just hate that I cry so easy. And I think that is a gift. I haven't cried since the Jazz lost to the Bulls in 1998. This is a gift.

[Danny Ricks]

97.

[Hank]

Yeah. It's important to remember that every one of these gifts is an attribute that Christ has. Every good thing is God has in perfection. Jesus is a weeper. Shortest scripture. Jesus wept. If you want to be like Christ, you're on your way. If you're a weeper, President Eyring, we can count on it. At general Conference, President Eyring will tap his fingers and weep. There is something about that. I'm with you, Hank. I've prayed for this gift when I've served as bishop because I feel things in here, but it doesn't manifest on my faith.

[John]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And I'm afraid people will think that I'm not sincere or they will think that. They won't know that I do feel I want to help. This is a Christlike gift. It's an attribute of him. Whether it be weeping, rejoice in it. It will help people feel ministered to. If someone's cried with you, then kept that covenant to mourn with those that mourn. Comfort those that stand in need of comfort. There's a bond and a connection that you feel ministered to in a way that I don't know if it can be replicated. Rejoice in these gifts.

[John]

Danny, how often have you, I bet you're a little like me, have envied the gift of keeping your mouth shut, Right? I think John has that gift. He knows when to be quiet. I beg the Lord for that gift. My wife has begged the Lord that I would have that gift.

[Hank]

We were just studying third Nephi 17 in a class, and Jesus has that gift. Remember? After verse one through three, he's like, I'm actually going to be done talking. It's time for me to stop. It's time for me to stop. There is a time that's a gift. One of the biggest things that I've heard, when people have doubts, they don't know who to go to because they're scared of being judged. A gift of listening. Jesus listened. Jesus listened. We're striving to become like him. We need these gifts in every setting. Lift where you stand. Elder Uchtdorf October 2008 Be content, Alma. Oh, that I were an angel. I just need to be content with what I am. Too many times we want one or the other. Elder Uchtdorf says, however, there are those who sometimes struggle with this concept. And when they do, they seem to fall into one of two camps. Either they seek to lead or they seek to hide. They covet a crown or a cave. Those I don't ever want to be a bishop. I want to stay in my cave. Well, guess what? God needs some. And those that like the cave sometimes make good ones. And if you're. I want the crown. I want the crown. All build and lift where you stand. Lift where you stand and rejoice in it. There are more primary teachers in heaven than prophets, so just rejoice in it.

[John]

Yeah.

[Hank]

And I'll tell you this. If Jesus were to come to my ward this Sunday, I don't think he's going to go to gospel doctrine. I think he'll go to the primary, follow in his footsteps. There's no small things because God loves each of us individually. So however you may minister, and it's hard when we see it in ourselves, we want to feel appreciated. Everybody does go vertical. He will help you feel that.

[John]

The primary president in my ward right now, Dani is a friend of yours. Her name is Julie Lewis.

[Hank]

Yes, yes. One of the best humans ever.

[John]

Yeah. If you stop and watch. Sister Lewis is racing around administering the primary program. And I wonder if she thinks, am I doing anything that anybody is seeing? Because that looks like a tough job. So I love that Jesus would not go to gospel doctrine. He would go to primary.

[Hank]

Well, and to ask ourselves this question, too, like, why do we want it? Why do we need it? When he who sees the sparrow fall, we do what we do because we've made covenants with God. We've consecrated. One of the covenants that we make in the endowment in the temple is consecration. I'm giving my time, my talents, my means, my life. Like, do what you want with it. But how twisted is that when we're like, do what you want with it, Lord, but actually I want you to do it this way, though.

[John]

I need this.

[Hank]

Yeah, this is what I need. And he's like, oh, I thought you gave it to me. I thought I could do with it what I needed to do with it. You will become what he needs you to be, and you'll become like him. Keep exercising faith in him. Repent of your sins. Make and keep your covenant. Serve where he asks you to go. Be the best minister in the world. Love your neighbors. You will receive everything. Remember that parable with Jesus and the talents. 5 talent guy makes 10. Well done, good and faithful servant. Come down to the rest of thy Lord. Two talent person doubles it, but he has four. It's a fascinating thought. He doesn't even have what the other one starts with. He still doesn't even have that. It's like, oh, if we're looking at the parable, the slopes with Elder Gilbert, right? That great talk a little while ago, man, but look what you've done. They get the same statement. If you're looking for praise from the world, like, you'll get it sometimes, but you just won't other times. So get over that and just feel good that you're serving the Master that sees all. God sees it. God sees it. And the Spirit can validate to you that he's pleased.

[John]

It has a great idea here in the manual it says your study of spiritual gifts might lead you to ponder what gifts God has given you. How can you use these gifts to bless his children? And this little practice that I often forget. I don't know about both of you. If you have a patriarchal blessing, it likely identifies gifts you have been given. Maybe not every time, but it likely does. So maybe this week is a time to open your patriarchal blessing. I sometimes go a long time without looking at that blessing.

[Hank]

As you think about which ones you have or may have or which ones you want, I think that's a healthy thing to do. I think it's an appropriate thing to do. President George Q. Cannon said this quote, if any of us are imperfect, it is our duty to pray for the gift that will make us perfect. No man ought to say, well, I cannot help this. It's my nature. He is not justified in it for the reason that God has promised to give strength to correct these things and to give gifts that will eradicate them. If a man lack wisdom, it is his duty to ask God for wisdom. The same with everything else. That is the design of God concerning his church. He wants his saints to be perfected in the truth for this purpose. He gives these gifts and bestows them upon those who seek after them in order that they may be a perfect people upon the face of the earth. So seek them. He actually shares another thought on this how many of you are seeking for these gifts that God has promised to bestow? How many of you, when you bow before your heavenly Father in your family circle or in your secret places, contend for these gifts to be bestowed upon you? Interesting verbiage there. Contend with them. Give them to me. I need them. I want them. I have this challenge of this situation, this calling, or this child that I'm trying to help. I need this gift. Father, please. He continues. How many of you ask the Father in the name of Jesus to manifest Himself to you through these powers and gifts? Or do you go along day by day like a door turning on its hinges, without having any feeling upon the subject, without exercising any faith whatever, content to be baptized and to be members of the church and to rest there thinking that your salvation is secure because you have done this? I say to you in the name of the Lord, as one of His Servants, that you have need to repent of this. You have need to repent of the hardness of heart, of your indifference and of your carelessness. There is not that diligence. There is not that faith. There is not that seeking for the power of God that there should be among a people who have received the precious promises we have. This is a call to action. This is how we're going to run our meetings. Everyone's invited, and you better get gifts of the spirit so that we can do what God's kingdom needs to do in these last days. And it's to share this incredible message with the world.

[John]

That is wonderful, Danny. This has been fantastic. You have brought Section 46 to life for me. It wasn't black and white. Now it's in color. Literally, as I was marking along. Let's do these last two sections, 47 and 48. Same month, same year. March 1831. So they got a lot going on.

[Hank]

John Whitmer gets a calling he doesn't want. I think all of us could resonate with that a little bit. There's only time it's happened in this dispensation. I love it. And in the section heading even says, I would rather not do it. Please. I would rather not do it. Is this from the Lord, Please. I want it to be manifest through Joseph the seer, John Whitmer. He's a wonderful soul to study. He does not stay faithful. But be mindful, if you're only going to listen to people that stayed faithful as you study church history, your list is going to get a little short for a while. Rejoice in the good that they did in the season, and let Jesus be the judge. We don't want to dabble in that. Oh, well, too bad that I don't know. No, that's not our place. I don't think any of us feel comfortable walking up to Jesus, tapping him on the shoulder at the judgment bar and be like, hey, I have some thoughts on this guy, if you're interested. No, let's let Jesus do Jesus. So as you study church history, be mindful of that. Your job is not to judge the people in church history. Your job is to take the principles, learn from them, and. And try to live the way that Jesus is teaching them. John Whitmer. Maybe not the best historian, but we're all not the best at certain things. In my opinion, Oliver's a better historian. But Oliver gets called on a mission. John gets called. I don't want to do it, but I'll do my best. We actually own the journal. We haven't owned it for a long, long time. But last year, when the church purchased all those buildings in Nauvoo and the Kirtland Temple and a number of documents we own. So the book is titled Book of John Whitmer, written by commandment. After he left the church. He eventually refused to give it when he got excommunicated from the church. Let me read to you what he wrote in there. I think it's fascinating. We got a lot of access to it with Joseph smith's papers in 2012. But I love this thought. Whitmer wrote in his history, quote, some temporal movements have not proved satisfactory to all parties. Has also terminated in the expulsion of many members, among whom is W.W. phelps and myself. Therefore, I close the history of the Church of Latter Day Saints, hoping that I may be forgiven of my faults and my sins be blotted out and in the last days be saved in the kingdom of God, notwithstanding my present situation. That's quite the way to end the journal. He never came back. Of the Whitmers thrive, David, One of the three witnesses is his brother. John Whitmer helped with the translation. He helped write for Joseph. Remember, learn from him, but don't judge them. Don't judge him. Let Jesus be Jesus, because there's some wonderful things that we can learn. Verse 1 in section 47, Write and keep a regular history. Let's keep in mind, and if this is me justifying my sins, correct me, John and Hank. Okay, But I am not a good, typical journaler. Straight up serious. I have journal entries that are back to back that say, quote, I'm dating a girl named Angela. She's wonderful. I'm excited to see things, where things go. The next entry is, by the way, I married her and we have two kids.

[John]

So it's a good history. One thing led to another.

[Hank]

Yeah, one thing led to another. Don't worry about it. But it worked out gloriously. It worked out gloriously. But there's other things that you can do too. I add pictures to FamilySearch. Add pictures to FamilySearch. That's family history. Some people approach social media as family history. Great. Be open to all the ways that this can manifest. There's apps on your phones now. If it's in your phone, is it still a journal? It absolutely is. Photo books don't limit it. Just to be like, oh, am I writing these things down? I'm sure you can be better than me, but also recognize that I'm. Yeah, it doesn't have to just look like that. There's a myriad of ways that this can look that you can follow the Savior's counsel in this. And we're all grateful for this. I'm grateful for John Whitmer's journal, the history that he wrote. By commandment. There's crosses out. He, like, goes through and edits. After he leaves the church, he goes back and edits some things. He's like, oh, and this is how I feel about it now. Well, I can still learn from that experience too. Keep it continually. I love in verse four, this thought, he says, it shall be given him inasmuch as he is faithful. Interesting notation there. To John, knowing who's receiving this. By the Holy Ghost, by the comforter, the Spirit will help and write down those things. How much would you guys give? I would love you guys mentioned that I'm a descendant of Thomas E. Ricks. I love Thomas E. Ricks, Helped found a number of cities. Cardston, Logan, Vegas. On a mission in Rexburg. I want to know the details of. What did you do every day. If you're like, people would be bored of that. Yeah, they might be, but some won't. And let know now that I love Thomas. I love all my ancestors. I would love to know what you did every day. Write it down. Sometimes we have a tendency to not think we're very spectacular. And we're not. But we have people that love us, that think we are. We have people that love us. My mom, man, she thought I was amazing. Wonderful. My wife and kids think I'm amazing. And they care. So jot down your thoughts, as unspectacular as you might be.

[John]

John, I know you have some videos of your dad you like to show your kids because they didn't know him. At least some of them right.

[Danny Ricks]

Four of my children were born after my dad passed. So we thankfully have his autobiography, which he just started jotting down on a yellow pad one day. And we have those pictures. When Denny was talking there, I thought about the memories app, the family history thing. You just push the button. Plus you can put audio on there. I just recently got to speak at RootsTech and I mentioned this. I would love to hear my mom as a 16 year old talking to her future children. Well, any 16 year old can do that right now. Can push plus on the app and record audio. Hi. One day. It's made family history a lot easier.

[Hank]

Let's keep plugging family history. It invites a spirit into our life that cannot be replicated. And the promised blessings that come from it cannot be replicated. My mom passed away right after my mission. I was 21. Whoa. Heartbreaking. My wife never met her. My kids didn't meet her. And my brother. This was probably about a year ago. My brother sent me an audio file. And I'm embarrassed to say this. I'm saddened to say this. I started listening to the audio file my brother sent, and I was like, who is this? I'm like, this is so familiar. Who is this? It was my mom speaking at my brother's either farewell or homecoming talk. It had been 20 years that I forgot her voice. Heartbreaking. We have the technology now. Take these moments. It takes moments. It's so easy, and it is in the Memories app, but it's also in the family search app. You press the plus button. Ask your local Templin family history consultant, Help them use and use these gifts that they've been given, like we talked about in section 46, and bless the lives of so many.

[John]

If you were born in the 1900s and don't know what an app is, I'm certain you have someone born after 2000 who can show you what an app is and how it works.

[Danny Ricks]

When your identity starts stretching to your whole family, I think it gives you a power and a strength. You're part of a legacy. When I feel connected to my dads and my grandpas and my mom and my grandmas and all of them, it feels like I've got more of a mission and a purpose than without knowing that. And that's why I think family history has such a benefit for every teenager even to say, hey, this is part of me. I love the idea.

[Hank]

I'm teaching a presence of the church class this semester. In love with it. I want to share with you guys some numbers on this. I'm so glad John brought up familysearch. In this app, President Kimball, Section 138 gets put into the Doctrine and Covenants. In 1977, the Family History Library visitors increased from 2,000 a day to 3,500 a day, which is amazing extraction work. So what we call indexing. And if you don't have the Get Involved app, to get the Get Involved app, it's one of the most glorious purposes for AI.

[Danny Ricks]

AI does it instead of yeah, yes.

[Hank]

Oh, it's easy and slick, and it's amazing what's happened. Okay, so for extraction work from 1921 to 2006, think about that number here. 1921 to 2006, 85 years resulted in 900 million names added to a genealogical record. That's amazing. So average 10.5 million a year. Indexing replaces extraction in 2006. From 2006 to 2013, over 1 billion names were indexed. That's amazing. 900 million in 85 years. And then.06 to 13. 1 billion names. A million names per day. That's amazing. Are you ready? I just got the email from FamilySearch. FamilySearch, if you're listening. Some people read the emails and we love them, so keep sending them. We love them because of technology. In 2024, just in 2024, 1.7 billion searchable names were added from historical records hastening the work. 1.7 billion. Remember, 06 to 013 was 1 billion. And that blew the previous 85 years out of the water. Utilize this. Utilize this, please, everybody, get the Get Involved app. If you don't have the FamilySearch app, get the FamilySearch app and engage in this. Spend some of your time. What if everybody spent 10 minutes of their day before they went to their silly apps? And I'm not anti app. You do your apps, do whatever you want. Do your games. I love to play Scrabble with my sister, right? I love it. I lose to her. I'm never happier losing to anybody than I am to my sister. But before I do that, what If I did 10 minutes in one of these apps? I did some tasks. So, tasks, if you're interested. These people index the names, and then they get AI again. Algorithms start doing what algorithms do, and they start checking into those names. They'll flag your ancestors, adding these records. That's history, too. And the Savior wants us to be engaged in this. Keep the church record and history continually. In verse three, it says continually. Man, we live in the greatest day that's ever been. Ever been. Temples everywhere. You get a temple, you get a temple, 20 temples, a conference. It's amazing.

[Danny Ricks]

Tell us what the Get Involved app does.

[Hank]

I've been doing New Zealand names recently. I don't know why, because maybe it's cold in Rexburg and I just want to, like, think about something somewhere else. I click this and AI starts doing what AI does, and I don't get how. I don't know. But this document, there's a name, it says Robert, I click match, Reynolds match, Lynn Match. I just indexed the name, and now an algorithm will take that name and look through all of the family records that it has, and it'll show up as a task. A task on your app. So I'm within my FamilySearch app, they have this beautiful Little checkbox down there that says tasks. And if I click on that, there's this beautiful, wonderful soul named Jane Henderson. I click on the blue circle. Someone did the Scotland civil registration records. I click on it and it says, hey, is this your person? I click match instantly. It's attached. It's amazing. Something cool about the Get Involved app too is once you've done this, I did the same thing. I told my daughter if she did 20,000 names, I'd get her Thai food. And she did it on the bus. She knocked it out in like a week or two. I was like, oh, okay, we're gonna get Thai food. Mangoes and sticky rice. Delivers every time. Just pop on here and this app does something amazing. It'll show me the temples that the people I've indexed have had work done in. I indexed a name named Josh Allen, and on July 21, his name was taken to Saratoga Springs, Utah Temple and did work for. That's amazing. I clicked this. People. 370 people that I've indexed has had work done in the temple.

[Danny Ricks]

I'm hearing President Nelson saying, anytime you do anything that helps anyone on either side of the veil, take a step closer to receiving essential baptismal covenants and temple covenants. You are helping to gather Israel during. Follow him. We just watch Danny gather Israel.

[Hank]

There it is. We lived in the best day ever.

[John]

Oh, that's fantastic. Danny. We have loved today. And we have one section left. What do you want to do with section 48?

[Hank]

There's a line in here, verse three. Inasmuch as ye have not lands, let them buy for the present time in those regions roundabout. As seemeth them good. He says that line three times in the Doctrine and Covenant. As seemeth them good. Because God really lets you use your agency.

[Danny Ricks]

That's an agency line?

[Hank]

Yeah, like, do what you want to do. I've blessed you with intelligence. I've blessed you with experience. Sometimes we're paralyzed with fear that we're going to do something that God doesn't want us to do. When really God, like, listen, what do I major in? What do I major in? Major in what you want to major in. God can exalt plumbers. God can exalt teachers. God can exalt doctors. Do what you want. Do what you seem as good to you. We get paralyzed. What if I make a mistake? Just do something and really, like, I can exalt you doing lots of things now, if it's going to affect your salvation, then yeah, where should I live, man? I can exalt you. In Boise, I can exalt you. In Ghana, I can exalt you. In Australia, I can exalt you. All these places go, we feel like. And it's so dangerous when we have this. Guess the mind of the teacher. Approach with God. I'm afraid to do anything. Like what if I raise my hand and I don't give me what the teacher wants. When really he's like, man, do what you want to. As long as it's good, you're aligned with proper principles. You're within those boundaries that we talked about earlier in this section, man, live your life. Be happy. Be happy.

[John]

It's the brother of Jared. Bring me an idea, I'll make it work.

[Hank]

Move forward. We're already an anxiety filled generation. Then throw on oh, don't mess up God's plan for me. It's God's plan. Danny Ricks isn't going to thwart like what standard of truth right now? Like persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, but you make one bad choice when you're 21 and oh, that's what's going to thwart God. I think he's okay. Learn, make good choices. Found it in correct principles. Realize that not as many things are of salvific nature as you think they are. Keep the commandments, keep your covenants, pray to God and every day, and every day be okay. As seemeth you good. Which lands should I buy? I don't care. It's dirt. God's like, it's dirt.

[John]

It's all mine.

[Hank]

And he has this lands of eternity. We worry about all these things that have such a temporal like that have expiration dates and we're talking to a God that has none. Eternal worlds without end. And we're like, I don't know. Listen, relax as seeming me good. Elder Bednar, be a good boy, be a good girl. Keep commandments. You're fine, Relax.

[John]

Move forward. The Lord will guide you. The Lord will bless you.

[Hank]

Yep.

[John]

Yeah, I like that.

[Hank]

Do the best you can. He says in verse four, save all the money that you can. I love that it's all that you can. It's like this is. It's almost like a casual revelation. Do what you can. I'll compensate. Think about Jesus feeding the 5,000. I'm going to feed everybody. They're like, I can just see them looking in the knapsack being like, what on earth do we don't feed everybody? Got a couple loaves, couple fishes. Do we think that Jesus like, oh, thank goodness you said that many loaves if there had been one less loaf, I would have only been able to do 4,000. Yeah. No. Trust in an omniscient and omnipotent God. Trust in him.

[Danny Ricks]

Man, I feel sick. But. And, and, but if I don't go to class today, maybe my wife is in there and I'll mess up my whole eternal thing if I don't go to class tonight.

[Hank]

Right? The mental gymnastics that we worry about. These, these poor souls, all of them. Young adults, youth. Oh, man. What if I mess this up? Relax. It really goes back to true doctrine. Understood. Is Jesus who you're reading in scripture? That he is. Is God who God is. Relax. Take a deep breath. As seemeth me good. As seemeth them good. Do what you need to. You're fine.

[Danny Ricks]

Jesus says, I am able to do my work.

[Hank]

Yeah. And all these big questions, surprisingly Elder Uchtdorf's talked about, like in President Kimball. Soulmates is a garbage thought. What if I miss soulmates? Choose someone that keeps their covenants. And you like being around. You'll have a great ride. You'll have a great. Right, Elder Uchtdorf. Right. If Harriet had chose someone else, he's like, I'd be sad. But she'd be keeping covenants here. I'd be keeping covenants here now. Thank goodness it didn't work. You know, we're grateful that it works out how it works out. Keep those covenants that you have made with God and you're going to be fine.

[John]

And repent when you don't repent every day.

[Hank]

And then rejoice in it. Joy of daily repentance. Get used to messing up. You're going to be fine.

[John]

I love it. I spend a lot of time with young people. Both of you do as well. That is a prevalent fear. What if I don't do what God wants me to do? What if I go to the wrong college? What if I get the wrong degree? The wrong career? Marry the wrong person. Therefore I will do nothing. That's a satanic tool. What if you mess it up? What if you mess it up when? I love what you're saying. Danny, look who's on your side. You're not going to mess this up. He's not going to go. Ah. Did not see that one coming. Uh oh, we are in trouble.

[Hank]

I wonder how long it'll be in the attorneys. When I look at my sweetheart, I'll be like, what did I do for a living? I don't know. Who cares? Because I've become like him. I'm in the celestial kingdom. With my family, with my loved ones, with God. It's all good. Just keep learning. The purpose of this life is to learn and grow.

[Danny Ricks]

One of the things that I love about the Restoration is not only, okay, now we know there's a God, the first vision. But. But now we find out what kind of being he is. We find out predestination, determinism. We find out what he's really like. We find out how merciful he is. We find out how patient he is. We find out how many times he says, joseph, thy sins are forgiven thee. I'm so grateful that not only he's real and he lives, but what kind of being is He? Oh, we get to explore that through the rest of the Doctrine and Covenants and through the rest of our lives, you know?

[John]

Yeah. Elder Kiron, he wants joy for you.

[Danny Ricks]

He's in relentless pursuit of you, too. Yeah.

[John]

He's not hiding the right answers in some haystack somewhere. Danny, before we let you go, can I ask you a question? Tell us how a boy who grows up on a big farm in Idaho become what you've become. And then second, there may be a narrative out there for some of our listeners that, oh, man, if you really get to know the history of the Church, you're going to lose your testimony. Yet you're someone who's. You've studied the history of the Church quite a bit, and it doesn't seem to have hurt your testimony. It seems to have helped it. So just walk us through maybe a little bit of your life and how you feel about the Restoration. Also, we need to know the name of your sister that keeps beating you at Scrabble. We want to.

[Hank]

Her name is Maria. She is as sweet as she is good at Scrabble. Maria Cottle. Maria Cottle.

[John]

All right, Maria. Thank you for humbling. Danny, what do you think about the Restoration and what it's done for you?

[Hank]

Everything. President J. Reuben Clark. The longitude and latitude of our testimonies of our lives need to be that Jesus is the Christ. His resurrection's real. He. He is risen. He is risen. Because of that, everything else is an appendage to that. Jesus is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, my Redeemer, my Savior. He is the only begotten of the Father. He is the Son of God, and he's redeemed my soul. He's rescued me. So who cares about anything else for this dispensation? He called a boy named Joseph Smith. He talked with him. He is a prophet. I don't have problems with church history. If anything, it makes me feel like I fit in. I'm messy. People will find faults with Joseph. Listen, if Joseph pulls out his resume and I pull out my resume, I know who I'd hire. Like, give me a break. I'm grateful for the restoration. Really, truly. Like, everything good in my life has come because God restored a beautiful doctrine or principle through the prophet Joseph. The peace that I have, the joy that I can feel in good times because of Jesus Christ. All bad times can be okay, and all good times are sweeter because there's an eternal lens to it. But I only know that because of the restoration of truth through prophet Joseph. That's why we know it. The plan of salvation. You kidding me? Heart Source. Do you read section 76? Mercy heart soars. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

[John]

John, what a great day. I am so happy that I received all these recommendations, starting with Julie Lewis, my primary president, all the way through a bunch of teachers of byu, Idaho, and they said, have you not talked to Danny Ricks? What a day. So much.

[Danny Ricks]

What a great day.

[John]

With that, we want to thank Brother Danny Ricks for teaching us today. We want to thank our executive producer, Shannon Sorensen, our sponsors, David and Verla Sorenson. And every episode, we remember our founder. He would love this, John. He would have. He would have loved Danny's enthusiasm.

[Danny Ricks]

He would have loved the fire. Yeah, because he's. He's like that.

[John]

Absolutely like that. We remember our founder, Steve Sorensen. We hope you'll join us next week. We're actually going to talk about those shakers Danny mentioned next week on Follow Him. Thank you for joining us on today's episode. Do you or someone you know speak Spanish, Portuguese or French? You can now watch and listen to our podcast in those languages. Links are in the description below. Today's show notes and transcript are on our website, followhim. Co. That's followhim. Co. Of course, none of this could happen without our incredible production crew. David Perry, Lisa Spice, Jamie Nilsson, Will Stoughton, Crystal Roberts, Ariel Kuadra, Heather Barlow, Amelia Kabwica, and Annabel Sorenson. Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Turn to him.

[Hank]

Follow him.