Podcast Summary: followHIM Episode - Doctrine & Covenants 58-59 Part 1 • Sis. Whitney Johnson • June 2-8 • Come Follow Me

Introduction

In this engaging episode of followHIM, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the intricate teachings of Doctrine & Covenants sections 58 and 59, focusing on the challenges faced by the early Saints in establishing Zion in Independence, Missouri. They are joined by guest Whitney Johnson, a renowned management thinker and CEO of Disruption Advisors, to explore themes of expectations, personal growth, and repentance within both secular and spiritual contexts.

Guest Background

Whitney Johnson brings a wealth of experience to the discussion. A graduate of BYU in music, she served a mission in Uruguay, making her a relatable guest for many listeners. Whitney is the CEO and co-founder of Disruption Advisors, where she founded the Disruption Innovation Fund alongside Clayton Christensen, the mind behind The Power of Everyday Missionaries. She also hosts the Disrupt Yourself Podcast, featuring influential guests like Simon Sinek and Brené Brown. Whitney resides in Lexington, Virginia, with her husband, a professor at SVU, and their two children. Her diverse background in both secular business and spiritual service provides a unique perspective on the topics discussed.

Expectations vs. Reality in Building Zion

The episode opens with a discussion on the initial expectations the early Saints had when they arrived in Independence, Missouri. As described in the Come, Follow Me manual, the Saints anticipated finding a thriving community ready to build Zion. Instead, they encountered a sparsely populated frontier with rough settlers, leading to feelings of disappointment and discouragement.

Hank Smith reads from the manual, highlighting the Saints' unmet expectations:

"When the elders of the church first saw the site of the city of Zion, Independence, Missouri, it was not what they expected... they found a sparsely populated outpost, lacking the civilization they were used to, and inhabited by rough frontier settlers rather than Saints." (08:01)

Whitney Johnson introduces a framework from the business world—the S Curve of Learning—to help understand this experience. She explains how the Saints' journey can be seen through the lens of personal and organizational growth, emphasizing that initial struggles often precede significant advancements.

The S Curve of Learning

Whitney elaborates on the S Curve, originally formulated by Everett Rogers to understand the adoption of innovations. She adapts this model to explain personal growth and learning, breaking it down into three phases:

1. Launch Point: The beginning phase where growth feels slow and predictions about success are often inaccurate. This leads to feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

2. Sweet Spot: A tipping point where growth becomes rapid and feels tangible, accompanied by positive emotions as expectations start aligning with reality.

3. Mastery: A plateau where growth slows again, and individuals may feel stagnant, prompting the need to start a new S Curve by taking on new challenges.

"When you are at the first part of the curve, what we call the launch point, your brain is running a predictive model. Most of your predictions are inaccurate about what it's going to look like. So that expectations gap... dopamine drops, and you feel overwhelmed, discouraged, frustrated." (02:10)

Whitney connects this model to spiritual growth, suggesting that the Saints' initial hardships were part of their development towards building Zion. She emphasizes that understanding where one is on the S Curve can help navigate the emotional and psychological challenges that come with change.

Personal and Spiritual Growth through Disruption

The conversation shifts to the concept of disruption, which Whitney equates with repentance—a deliberate process of self-innovation aimed at personal betterment.

"Disruption is a deliberate process of self innovation. You're choosing to rewire your brain... But if you really pull it down to its studs, what is that? That's repentance." (00:03)

Whitney argues that both secular and spiritual growth require disrupting one's current state to embrace new possibilities. This disruption, though often uncomfortable, is essential for meaningful progress.

Hank shares a quote from Edmund Hillary, the first man to summit Mount Everest, to illustrate the endless nature of growth and challenges:

"While on top of Everest... I looked across the valley towards the great peak Makalu... even though I was standing on top of the world, it wasn't the end of everything. I was looking beyond to other interesting challenges." (18:31)

Whitney resonates with this sentiment, highlighting that growth is a continuous journey. She relates it to her own experiences, such as preparing to write a new book and grappling with self-doubt, underscoring the perpetual cycle of growth and renewal.

Learned Helplessness

An important segment of the discussion centers on learned helplessness, a psychological condition where individuals feel incapable of changing their circumstances due to past negative experiences. Whitney explains how early discouragements can lead to a diminished sense of agency:

"Learned helplessness happens where you're in a situation. You try to do something and you get taken down... You think, oh, I guess I can't do it. You sort of stop trying." (42:28)

Hank and John share personal anecdotes illustrating how learned helplessness can manifest in daily life, preventing individuals from taking proactive steps toward improvement. Whitney emphasizes the importance of combating this mindset by fostering a sense of agency and empowerment.

Edward Partridge’s Struggle and Letter

The episode delves into the life of Edward Partridge, the first bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. An excerpt from his letter to his wife, Lydia, is discussed to highlight his struggles in his calling:

"I fear my station is above what I can perform to the acceptance of my heavenly Father. Pray for me that I may not fall." (49:09)

Whitney reflects on Edward's feelings of inadequacy and his journey through repentance and personal growth. She relates his experiences to the broader theme of overcoming self-doubt and embracing one's divine purpose through faith and resilience.

Being Anxiously Engaged

A significant portion of the conversation focuses on the term "anxiously engaged", derived from Doctrine & Covenants 58:27. Whitney breaks down this concept, linking anxiety with active, passionate participation in good causes.

"Be anxious to engage in a good cause, and do many things of your own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." (33:42)

She discusses anxiety not as a hindrance but as a driving force that propels individuals to act and contribute meaningfully. Whitney highlights how being anxiously engaged can lead to surprise and delight in the workplace and religious callings, fostering environments where individuals strive to exceed expectations and make impactful contributions.

John Bytheway adds depth to this discussion by referencing President Nelson's definition:

"The greatest thing you could ever do to gather Israel... is helping anyone on either side of the veil take a step toward receiving essential baptismal and temple ordinances." (37:46)

Whitney relates this to her own work, emphasizing the importance of meeting people where they are and engaging them in ways that resonate personally and spiritually.

Dealing with Tribulation and Maintaining Faith

Throughout the episode, the hosts and Whitney address the perennial question of why life involves so much hardship and tribulation. They reference teachings from church leaders like Elder Holland and Elder Rasband to underscore the idea that tribulations are avenues for growth and deepening faith.

Whitney shares personal insights and experiences, such as dealing with her mother's frailty and contemplating mortality, to illustrate how adversity can strengthen one's relationship with God and reinforce the importance of faith. She underscores the necessity of trusting in God's plan, even when current circumstances cause doubt or pain.

"Sometimes this has happened... laying out an experience that made me think that they were going to have to have these experiences to reach out for God." (27:50)

The conversation acknowledges that while faith can provide a foundation, it doesn't exempt individuals from experiencing sorrow and pain. Instead, it offers a framework for navigating these challenges with resilience and hope.

Conclusion and Teaser for Part 2

As the episode draws to a close, Hank Smith and John Bytheway express their gratitude to Whitney Johnson for her insightful contributions. Whitney provides a glimpse into Part 2 of the discussion, promising a deeper exploration of using "I am" statements for personal transformation, invoking the creative power of these affirmations rooted in Christ’s identity.

"When you say I am, you're invoking this creative power." (59:29)

Listeners are left with a reflective understanding of how expectations, personal disruption, and faith intertwine to shape enduring spiritual and personal growth.

Key Quotes:

• Whitney Johnson (00:03): "Disruption is a deliberate process of self innovation. You're choosing to rewire your brain... But if you really pull it down to its studs, what is that? That's repentance."

• Hank Smith (02:10): "This is set up to be a perfect episode, and I love these two sections."

• Whitney Johnson (02:53): "The framework is called the S Curve of learning... It normalizes the experience. It's very, very helpful."

• Hank Smith (18:31): "Edmund Hillary... mentally worked out a route and how it could be climbed. It showed me that even though I was standing on top of the world, it wasn't the end of everything."

• Whitney Johnson (33:42): "I believe God is a fan of disruption because what he's really asking us to do when we're repenting is to disrupt ourselves so that we can come closer to him."

• John Bytheway (37:46): "Anytime you do anything that helps anyone on either side of the veil take a step toward receiving essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel."

• Whitney Johnson (52:44): "When Jesus asks you and me to repent, he is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit, even the way we breathe."

Resources:

• Show Notes: followhim.co
• YouTube: FollowHimOfficialChannel
• Instagram: Instagram.com/followhimpodcast
• Facebook: Facebook.com/followhimpodcast

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the discussions on expectations, personal growth, repentance, and faith. By intertwining secular frameworks with spiritual teachings, Hank, John, and Whitney offer valuable insights for those seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of building Zion and personal development within their faith journey.