Episode Summary: followHIM Podcast - Doctrine & Covenants 89-92 Part 1 with Sister Karen Hepworth

Release Date: August 13, 2025

Introduction and Guest Introduction

The episode opens with hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway welcoming listeners to another insightful discussion on the followHIM podcast. They introduce their guest, Sister Karen Hepworth, a seasoned educator deeply involved in seminary and institute curriculum for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Karen’s extensive experience includes teaching at Pleasant Grove and Orem seminaries, BYU, and the Utah Valley Institute. Currently, she serves as a project manager for institute curriculum and is a member of the Correlation Materials Evaluation Committee, underscoring her profound knowledge of LDS teachings.

Notable Quote:

• Hank Smith [00:12]: "Do you know that saying? It's from section 89, verse 20. You shall run and not be weary. You shall walk and not faint."

Deep Dive into Doctrine & Covenants Section 89: The Word of Wisdom

The primary focus of the episode centers on Doctrine & Covenants Section 89, commonly known as the Word of Wisdom. This revelation, given by Joseph Smith in January 1831, outlines guidelines for physical and spiritual health, presenting a "principle with a promise."

Historical Context:

• Hank Smith provides historical background, explaining that during the early 19th century, the temperance movement was prominent, and alcohol consumption was rampant in places like Kirtland. Alcohol was often safer than the available drinking water, a stark contrast to today’s standards.

Notable Quote:

• John Bytheway [07:34]: "When we think of groups that are conspiring against our health, the tobacco industry immediately comes to mind."

Prohibitions: Alcohol, Tobacco, and Hot Drinks

A significant portion of the discussion explores the prohibitive aspects of the Word of Wisdom, specifically the avoidance of alcohol, tobacco, hot drinks (interpreted as tea and coffee), and strong drinks.

Tobacco Conspiracy:

• The hosts delve into the historical conspiracies surrounding tobacco. They discuss how tobacco companies, guided by advertising firms like Hill and Knowlton, established bodies like the Tobacco Industry Research Committee to deny the harmful effects of smoking. This manipulation extended to funding misleading research and misleading the public for profit.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway [12:14]: "People knew, but they conspired not to reveal what they knew. I've always thought that was interesting to have people know, but to put profit over people."
• Hank Smith [18:25]: "Reminds me of 1604 King James. He called smoking loathsome to the eye, hateful to the nose, harmful to the brain and dangerous to the lungs."

Hot Drinks – Coffee and Tea:

• The conversation clarifies that "hot drinks" refer specifically to coffee and tea, based on historical interpretations by Joseph Smith, Hyrum Smith, and Brigham Young. Modern clarifications from the church extend this prohibition to include vaping, e-cigarettes, and green tea products.

Notable Quote:

• Karen Hepworth [25:20]: "The Lord forbids using tobacco and hot drinks, which church leaders have explained means tea and coffee."

Blessings: Wholesome Herbs, Grains, and Fruits

Transitioning from prohibitions, the hosts highlight the abundant blessings outlined in the Word of Wisdom, emphasizing wholesome herbs, fruits, and grains as divine provisions for physical health and spiritual well-being.

Gratitude and Stewardship:

• Karen expresses deep appreciation for the variety and nutritional value of God's creations, such as fruits and vegetables. She underscores the importance of gratitude and mindful consumption, aligning with the principle of stewardship over one's body.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway [10:59]: "This magnificent creation that the Savior bought with a price so we can have and ultimately present it pure in the celestial kingdom before God."
• Hank Smith [29:10]: "But we don't say, 'we don't clarify all the reasons behind that.'"

Section 59 Connection:

• The discussion extends to Doctrine & Covenants Section 59, which complements Section 89 by emphasizing the use of earth’s vegetation for food, clothing, and other needs, promoting sustainable and respectful use of natural resources.

Notable Quote:

• John Bytheway [41:27]: "Everything is so beautiful, smelling, tasting, looking nutritious."

Modern Implications and Personal Reflections

The hosts and Karen reflect on how the Word of Wisdom serves not only as a health code but also as a guide to spiritual holiness and discipline. They discuss the challenges of adhering to these principles in a modern world filled with ubiquitous substances and the importance of personal accountability.

Stewardship and Personal Responsibility:

• Emphasizing stewardship, they encourage listeners to view their bodies as temples and take proactive steps towards maintaining physical and spiritual health without succumbing to guilt over occasional lapses.

Notable Quotes:

• John Bytheway [45:08]: "I have some brothers that are very ill... But we can strive to be as healthy as we can with what we're currently dealing with."
• Karen Hepworth [36:31]: "Just what you said, Karen. I gotta look after me. I can't control all that. Looking sideways never goes well."

Anecdotes and Practical Applications

The episode is interspersed with personal stories from the hosts and Karen, illustrating real-life applications of the Word of Wisdom. These anecdotes highlight the joys of embracing God's provisions and the struggles of maintaining discipline amidst societal pressures.

Notable Anecdotes:

• Stories of enjoying fresh fruits, the emotional connection to healthy eating, and humorous family interactions regarding dietary habits provide relatable insights for listeners.

Notable Quote:

• Hank Smith [57:24]: "There's no, quote, no food. There is nothing to eat."

Encouragement and Positive Outlook

Concluding Part 1, the hosts reinforce a message of encouragement, urging listeners to focus on their personal journey towards health and spiritual purity. They emphasize that occasional shortcomings are part of the process and that the Word of Wisdom is a guide to uplift and strengthen rather than a source of guilt.

Notable Quote:

• Karen Hepworth [54:33]: "All of us are falling short in areas, but we keep coming back because we feel uplifted and we're thinking, I'm going to make a course correction here."

Closing Remarks and Tease for Part 2

As the episode wraps up, Hank and John hint at the continuation in Part 2, promising to delve deeper into the remaining verses of Doctrine & Covenants 89-92, further exploring the balance between prohibitions and blessings, and addressing listener questions and concerns.

Closing Quote:

• John Bytheway [58:25]: "How are we lively members? If God said, be a lively member of your ward or branch, what does that look like?"

Connect with followHIM:

• Show Notes: https://followhim.co
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• Facebook: facebook.com/followhimpodcast

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this enlightening discussion, where Hank, John, and Sister Karen Hepworth continue their exploration of the Word of Wisdom and its application in today’s world.