Podcast Summary: followHIM – Doctrine & Covenants 94–97 Part 2 with Bro. Clint Mortensen

Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Clint Mortensen
Focus: "Come, Follow Me" study of D&C 94–97, the value of temples, prophetic guidance, and worthiness

Episode Overview

This episode dives into Doctrine and Covenants sections 94–97, emphasizing the revelations on building temples, worthiness for temple attendance, and personal spiritual progression. Bro. Clint Mortensen joins Hank and John to discuss the relevance of these historical commandments for modern members, the prophetic emphasis on temples today, and reassuring perspectives about worthiness, repentance, and revelation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Revelation Responds to Questions (00:07–02:05)

• Elder Holland taught: "Almost all revelation comes in response to a question." (Clint, 00:07)
• The necessity of taking time to ponder and seek spiritual guidance is highlighted, referencing President Nelson’s and Elder Rasband’s invitations to "give equal time to the Lord," encouraging study, service, and temple worship.

2. Being Accepted by the Savior (02:05–03:29)

• Clint compares worldly acceptance (even referencing ChatGPT's advice!) with divine acceptance found in D&C 97:8:
  • "Hearts are honest and broken."
  • "Spirits are contrite."
  • "Willing to observe covenants by sacrifice."
• Applies the historical context: early Saints' sacrifices in persecution and poverty.

"I love verse 8 of section 97 because it actually teaches us how we can be accepted of the Savior."
— Clint Mortensen, 02:05

3. Divine Architectural Guidance for the Temple (03:29–05:34)

• The Kirtland Temple: Saints had never seen one; they received the design by vision, as recorded by Frederick G. Williams.
• Hank’s analogy: This was ‘virtual reality’ before technology (05:34).

4. Why So Much Emphasis on Temples? (06:00–11:17)

• President Nelson’s focus: 44 talks as President; 338 mentions of "temple".
• Temples link the past (Joseph Smith's day) to the present (President Nelson).
• Scriptural reasons for temples, paralleled with modern prophetic teachings:
  • "My presence shall be there." (D&C 94:8)
  • "My glory shall be there." (D&C 97:16)
  • "You will be endowed with power from on high." (D&C 95:8)
  • Sacrifice, worthiness, and blessings tied to the House of the Lord.

"Jesus Christ is the reason we build temples."
— Clint Mortensen, 09:40

5. President Nelson’s Prophetic Invitations and Promises (12:10–14:54)

• Clint shares how studying President Nelson’s talks has been spiritually transformative.
• President Nelson's repeated invitations:
  • "I urge you to make... an appointment regularly... in his holy house."
  • "I plead with you to counter worldly ways by focusing on the eternal blessings of the temple."
  • "I promise you that the Lord will bring miracles in the temple."
• Emphasis on President Nelson’s persistent promises about temple worship and personal revelation.

"If that does not light your fire... I'm not sure what else will."
— Clint Mortensen, 14:54

6. Temples, Healing, and Relationships (14:54–17:58)

• Citing Dr. Shima Boffin’s testimony: Weekly temple attendance saved her marriage.
• Temples foster healing, stronger relationships, and spiritual power.

7. The Gift of Worthiness and Temple Entrance (20:20–28:47)

• President Nelson: "The greatest gift you could give to the Lord is to keep yourself unspotted from the world, worthy to attend his holy house. His gift to you will be the peace and security of knowing that you are worthy to meet him whenever that time comes." (April 2020 Liahona)
• Early references (D&C 94:8; 97:15): "Ye shall not suffer any unclean thing to come into it.”
• Worthiness is not about inherent value but spiritual readiness via repentance.

8. Temple Recommend Questions & Worthiness (28:47–36:00)

• Clint reads the full list of temple recommend questions as an inspired self-assessment.
• Personal holiness is required—not perfection. “Daily repentance is the pathway to purity.” (President Nelson)
• Elder Cook: “Please don’t see the temple as an unachievable goal.”
• Invitation for anyone concerned about worthiness to meet with priesthood leaders for hope and healing.

9. Exploring Perceptions of "Gatekeeping" (29:19–34:12)

• The role of bishops/stake presidents in temple recommends is not gatekeeping, but helping align individuals with holy standards.
• Worthiness interviews are about grace, repentance, and readiness, not exclusion.

"Seminary teachers are the best repenters."
— Clint Mortensen, paraphrasing Dennis Gibbons, 29:55

10. The Savior’s Patience and Our Next Steps (34:12–48:21)

• Scriptural principle: The Lord asks for a "broken heart and contrite spirit."
• Stories of Saints prioritizing temple attendance as an expression of faith and connection to family, including after loss.
• Message: The Lord celebrates progression, not just perfection.

"What do we learn about Jesus from all these revelations? ...You see people trying and failing and trying and failing... Even the leaders. You see the Lord saying, 'you're forgiven...'"
— John Bytheway, 45:22

11. Practical Encouragement: Progression, Not Perfection (46:03–50:20)

• Emphasizing "the first steps" to temple worthiness—for some, it’s using an existing recommend; for others, starting the process.
• Hyrum Smith’s example: Upon hearing the call, he acted immediately ("grabbed the shovel").

"Maybe the next step ... is ... kneeling down and having a conversation with Heavenly Father."
— Clint Mortensen, 50:20

12. A Unique Perspective from Service and Education (51:01–54:52)

• Clint reflects on decades in Church education and leadership.
• Joy and happiness flow from serving, learning, and drawing closer to the Savior and the Holy Ghost.

"I feel joy walking into the temple as an imperfect person to worship a perfect God."
— Clint Mortensen, 53:00

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Temple Worship:
  "I promise you that as you increase your time in the temple, you will increase and improve your ability to hear Him."
  – President Nelson (shared by Clint, 13:30)

• On Repentance:
  "I've learned that seminary teachers are the best repenters."
  – Dennis Gibbons (relayed by Clint, 29:55)

• On Progression:
  "The Lord celebrates progression, when oftentimes we almost feel like he only celebrates perfection."
  – Clint Mortensen, 44:26

• On Worthiness:
  "It’s not about your worth, but it's about the things that are coming with you."
  – Hank Smith, 39:19

• On Next Steps:
  "Ask the Lord, 'What's my next step?' Because he wants to help you take that."
  – John Bytheway, 46:48

• On Being "On the Team":
  "You've been baptized... you're on the team. Now let's get better."
  – Hank Smith, retelling the conversation with Sage, 49:02

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:07 – Revelation comes in response to questions.
• 02:05 – How to be accepted by the Savior (D&C 97:8).
• 03:29 – Saints receive temple design by vision.
• 06:00 – President Nelson’s focus and data on temple mentions.
• 09:40 – Scriptural reasons and promises connected to the temple.
• 13:30 – President Nelson’s invitations and promises.
• 14:54 – Real-life story: Marriage healing through temple attendance.
• 20:20 – The greatest gift: worthiness for the temple.
• 28:47 – Reading and unpacking temple recommend questions.
• 33:11 – Temple recommend interview as spiritual prerequisite, not punishment.
• 46:03 – Hyrum Smith’s example: act immediately on inspiration.
• 51:01 – Reflections from decades in Church education and leadership.

Episode Tone & Language

The episode is sincere, encouraging, and warm, using stories, humor, and vulnerability to make doctrine relatable. The speakers frequently draw on personal anecdotes, prophetic quotes, and scriptural teachings, maintaining an uplifting and faith-centered tone throughout.

Summary Takeaway

This episode reaffirms the centrality of temples in Latter-day Saint discipleship—both in early Church history and the present. Through prophetic invitations, honest examination, and incremental spiritual steps, everyone is encouraged to claim the blessings of the temple. The conversation demystifies worthiness interviews, highlights the Savior’s mercy and patience, and promotes the perspective that the Lord esteems our genuine progress.

Final Invitation:
"He wants to help you take your next step. Let's choose to get better—together, and with Him."