followHIM Favorites • 24

Summary

Podcast Summary: followHIM Favorites • 24

Release Date: June 5, 2025
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Episode Title: followHIM Favorites • 24

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Introduction

In episode 24 of the followHIM Favorites series, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the significance of humor within religious teaching and personal interactions. Anchored by discussions from Doctrine Covenants sections 60 through 63, particularly focusing on Doctrine Covenants 61:36, the episode emphasizes the Lord’s desire for His followers to maintain joy and a sense of humor, especially in teaching contexts.

Key Topics Discussed

1. The Commandment to "Be of Good Cheer"

• Doctrine Covenants 61:36: John highlights the importance of the verse, stating, “Be of good cheer.” (00:15)

  “Verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one, I say unto all, be of good cheer.” – Doctrine Covenants 61:36

• Elder Holland’s Perspective: Hank references a quote from Elder Holland, reinforcing the imperative to honor the Savior’s declaration to be joyful.

  “We should honor the Savior's declaration to be of good cheer. Indeed, it seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than almost any other.” (03:18)

2. The Role of Humor in Teaching

• Teaching with Joy: John recounts insights from President Packer’s teachings on the vital role of humor for effective gospel teaching. He shares a personal anecdote illustrating the power of humor in the classroom.

  “The Gospel is a happy and a pleasant gospel. ... a good teacher will develop a sense of humor.” – John Bytheway (00:38)

• Personal Anecdote: John describes an incident from his physiology class where a professor’s attempt at humor backfired, resulting in strained relationships and a poor academic outcome.

  “What do you think he's going to do, Hank? ... the class roared with delight. The professor was not amused. We did not thereafter appreciate one another.” (01:15)

3. Differentiating Between Light-Mindedness and Light-Heartedness

• Truman Madsen’s Insight: John emphasizes the distinction made by Brother Truman Madsen between being "light-minded" and "light-hearted."

  “Good light-mindedness is making fun of sacred things, which we just don't do. Light-heartedness, we do that all the time.” (03:27)

• Maintaining Respect: The hosts agree that while humor is essential, it must be employed respectfully, especially regarding sacred subjects.

4. Practical Illustrations of Humor in the Classroom

• President Packer’s Experience: John shares President Packer’s approach to incorporating humor, illustrating that even leaders may face challenges when attempting to lighten the mood.

  “...that was the state president. ... Elder Packer did not laugh one bit.” (02:17)

• President Hinckley’s Analogy: Hank conveys President Hinckley’s comparison of a good sense of humor to a car's shocks, which helps smooth out the bumps of life.

  “A good sense of humor is like the shocks of a car. Keeps things from being a little too bumpy. Makes a smoother ride.” (03:44)

Insights and Conclusions

The episode underscores the essential balance between maintaining solemnity in sacred contexts and embracing humor to foster a more engaging and relatable environment. Hank and John advocate for developing a sense of humor that aligns with gospel principles, ensuring that joy and levity enhance rather than detract from spiritual teachings.

Notable Takeaways:

• Humor Enhances Teaching: A well-placed sense of humor can make lessons more enjoyable and memorable, as long as it remains respectful and appropriate.

• Joy as a Commandment: Embracing joy and cheerfulness is not only beneficial but also a divine commandment that followers are encouraged to uphold.

• Respectful Application: While humor is valuable, it must be applied thoughtfully, avoiding any trivialization of sacred topics.

Conclusion

In followHIM Favorites • 24, Hank Smith and John Bytheway effectively highlight the profound impact that humor can have in religious education and personal interactions. By intertwining scriptural mandates with personal stories and expert insights, the hosts provide a compelling argument for cultivating a joyous and light-hearted approach to teaching and living one's faith.

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Transcript

[A]

Hello. Welcome to Follow Him Favorites this is where John and I are sharing a single story to go with each week's lesson. John, we are in Doctrine Covenants 60 through 63. You've told me that you read a verse and it reminded you of a.

[B]

Great story right in section 61 at the very end, verse 36. And I love that the Lord ends with this because there's some heavy things in some of these sections. Verse 36. Now, verily I say unto you, and what I say unto one, I say unto all, be of good cheer.

[A]

Cheer.

[B]

Little children, I am in your midst. I have not forsaken you. He wants us to be happy. Happiness manifests itself sometimes in a sense of humor. When I was taking the teach seminary classes, they wanted us to read this book, Teaching diligently from President Packer. He said, a sense of humor is powerfully important attribute of a good teacher. The Gospel is a happy and a pleasant gospel. There are times when we may be solemn to tears, but a good teacher will develop a sense of humor. Following are a few illustrations of humor that can be used in the classroom. Then he tells one of his own experiences which was so hard for me to imagine President Packer doing this. To have a sense of humor is a lesson a teacher must learn. When I was attending college, I enrolled in a physiology class. One day during a lecture, the professor asked me to sit up on the high table in front of the room so he could demonstrate the principle of reflexes. What do you think he's going to do, Hank? He took a little mallet similar to the one a medical doctor would use, proceeded to tap me on the knee, expecting my leg to jerk noticeably in the typical reflex action. However, held my leg very rigid and flipped my arm in the air. When he tapped my knee, the class roared with delight. The professor was not amused. We did not thereafter appreciate one another. I was branded as an impudent upstart. And at the end of the semester my grade reflected that categorization. We are all going through this life. It's tough. Maybe I can cheer people up a little bit.

[A]

I want to add to that story then, John, because my father in law, Sarah's dad, when he walked in late to a meeting with President Packer, he walks in. He quickly knew that he was in trouble for being late. He looked around the room at the other stake presidents. He noticed one wasn't there besides him. He walked in and he said, I'm sorry I'm late. I'm President Morby. That's not his name. That was the state president. That wasn't there. They said all the stake presidents laughed except for Elder Packer. He said he looked over at him. He did not laugh one bit. I have to share with my father in law the story of Elder Packer trying to make a joke for that teacher. It came full circle. That's funny. I got to read this quote from Elder Holland. He says we should honor the Savior's declaration to be of good cheer. Indeed. It seems to me we may be more guilty of breaking that commandment than than almost any other. Be of good cheer. It's a commandment.

[B]

Hank. You're really good at that.

[A]

What does the Lord say? Not with much laughter, for this is a sin. I'm like, oh no, I thought you said be of good cheer.

[B]

Thanks for bringing that up. I love the distinction that brother Truman Madsen made. He said there's a difference between being light minded and light hearted. Good light mindedness is making fun of sacred things, which we just don't do. Hank. Light heartedness, Hank. We do that all the time.

[A]

We do that all the time. All the time. It keeps things flight. President Hinckley said a good sense of humor is like the shocks of a car. Keeps things from being a little too bumpy. Makes a smoother ride. We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow him. Get it wherever you get any podcast. We are in section 60 through 63 this week with Dr. Scott Esplin. He's the dean of the religion department at byu. It's pretty incredible what he does with these sections. Come over, join us there and then come back next week. We'll do another Follow him Favorites.