Podcast Summary: followHIM: A Come, Follow Me Podcast
Episode: Ether 6-11 Part 2 • Dr. BJ Allen
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. BJ Allen
Introduction
In the second part of their deep dive into the Book of Ether, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway welcome Dr. BJ Allen to explore Ether chapters six through eleven. This episode delves into the themes of pride cycles, the role of prophets, the dangers of secret combinations, and the importance of remembrance in maintaining righteousness. The discussion aims to provide listeners with profound insights applicable to both personal faith journeys and broader societal observations.
The Mercy of Sending Prophets
Dr. BJ Allen opens the conversation by addressing the recurring pride cycle among the Jaredites. He emphasizes that the Lord's decision to send prophets is an act of mercy, offering people continual invitations to repent rather than resorting to destructive measures.
Dr. BJ Allen [00:01]: "If he sends prophets, it's just another invitation to repent."
Hank Smith echoes this sentiment, highlighting the connection between reading sacred texts and receiving divine guidance tailored to individual needs.
Hank Smith [01:24]: "It connects you to God and then he can talk to you in exactly the way that you need."
Secret Combinations: The Root of Downfall
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on secret combinations—organized conspiracies aimed at overthrowing freedom and spreading wickedness. Both Mormon and Moroni attribute the downfall of their civilizations to these secret groups.
Dr. BJ Allen [04:07]: "Secret combinations led to the downfall of the people."
The hosts relate this to modern times, drawing parallels between ancient secret societies and contemporary organized evil. They cite President Ezra Taft Benson's warning about the increasing influence of such conspiracies.
Hank Smith [05:34]: "It's organized evil. It even calls it a wickedness above the wickedness of the whole earth."
The Antidote to Evil: The Word of God
To combat the threat of secret combinations and organized evil, the hosts discuss the importance of the Word of God as the ultimate antidote. They reference Helaman 6:37, where preaching among the wicked leads to the destruction of evil bands.
Dr. BJ Allen [04:25]: "What's the antidote? It's the word of God."
Hank Smith humorously adds a modern twist to this idea, suggesting that incorporating spiritual teachings can solve societal problems.
Hank Smith [04:25]: "Shouldn't be a surprise. They sat them down, they plugged in a Hank Smith CD and they said, listen to this. And it solved the problem."
Human Frailty and Divine Compassion
The conversation touches on human tendencies towards pride and wickedness, illustrating how these traits lead to societal collapse. They reference the Jesuit teachings and Elder Anderson's insights on maintaining spiritual stillness and remembrance amidst rising evil.
Dr. BJ Allen [12:36]: "That's a theme of the Book of Mormon, is the prophets. Tell us. Look, we don't want you to focus so much on evil, but we want you to know enough about it so you know how to avoid it and you can recognize when it's coming."
The hosts emphasize that God's sorrow over human suffering is evident, drawing parallels with the poetic expressions found in Moses 7.
Hank Smith [12:00]: "How is it that the heavens weep and shed forth their tears as rain upon the mountains?"
Righteous Leadership and Prosperity
Dr. BJ Allen highlights the stories of righteous leaders like Shul and Omer, who maintained peace and prosperity by protecting prophets and adhering to divine commandments. The rewards for righteousness are depicted as societal peace, prosperity, and personal well-being.
Dr. BJ Allen [25:56]: "There's one more individual that I want to talk about that we can learn a little bit from in terms of being righteous in times of wicked."
The hosts draw connections between these ancient narratives and modern applications, encouraging listeners to be protectors of prophets and uphold righteous principles in their communities.
John Bytheway [35:17]: "We can do that today. What a great application. We can protect the prophets in our own way."
The Power of Remembrance
A pivotal theme of the episode is the importance of remembering God's works and personal successes to maintain faith during challenging times. Dr. BJ Allen introduces psychological techniques like the "flick back, flick up" method to reinforce positive memories and bolster current faith.
Dr. BJ Allen [17:12]: "It's like man I have to remember that I did it before, I can do it again."
John Bytheway shares Elder Sterling W. Sill's poignant story about an artist who uses his past successes to inspire current confidence, reinforcing the episode's emphasis on the power of remembrance.
John Bytheway [18:20]: "Hang these pictures on the walls of your mind and look at them as you travel the roadway of life."
Lessons from the Jaredites
As the episode concludes, Dr. BJ Allen and the hosts summarize the key lessons learned from the Jaredite civilization:
- Obey the Prophets: Following prophetic counsel is crucial for maintaining personal and societal safety.
- Keep the Commandments: Adherence to divine commandments leads to both spiritual and temporal happiness.
- Intentional Following: Being deliberate in how one follows prophetic guidance ensures alignment with God's will.
- Christ's Compensation: Despite living in a fallen world, Christ offers abundant blessings to those who maintain faith and righteousness.
Dr. BJ Allen [37:48]: "You are enough because Christ is enough."
John Bytheway underscores the importance of being a "light in the darkness," advocating for personal responsibility in upholding prophetic teachings and resisting societal evils.
John Bytheway [39:53]: "We want to be lights that shine in darkness, the ones that the Lord has touched and said, light up."
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with heartfelt gratitude towards Dr. BJ Allen and acknowledgments of the production team. The hosts encourage listeners to engage with additional resources available on their website and social media platforms, reinforcing the episode's themes of remembrance, obedience, and spiritual resilience.
Hank Smith [42:49]: "And teachings of Jesus Christ."
John Bytheway [42:52]: "Turn to him, follow him."
Notable Quotes
- Dr. BJ Allen [00:01]: "If he sends prophets, it's just another invitation to repent."
- Hank Smith [05:34]: "It's organized evil. It even calls it a wickedness above the wickedness of the whole earth."
- Dr. BJ Allen [04:25]: "What's the antidote? It's the word of God."
- John Bytheway [18:20]: "Hang these pictures on the walls of your mind and look at them as you travel the roadway of life."
- Dr. BJ Allen [37:48]: "You are enough because Christ is enough."
- John Bytheway [39:53]: "We want to be lights that shine in darkness, the ones that the Lord has touched and said, light up."
Final Thoughts
This episode of the followHIM podcast offers a profound exploration of the Book of Ether, elucidating timeless lessons on leadership, obedience, and the enduring struggle between good and evil. Through engaging dialogue and insightful commentary, Hank Smith, John Bytheway, and Dr. BJ Allen provide listeners with actionable insights to navigate their spiritual journeys amidst contemporary challenges.
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