Podcast Summary: followHIM Favorites – Jan. 19-25 – Come, Follow Me

Episode Title: • followHIM Favorites • Jan. 19 - 25 • Come Follow Me
Date: January 15, 2026
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Scripture Focus: Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5
Main Theme: Experiencing and understanding the Fall of Adam and Eve, personal helplessness, and Christ’s role as our divine rescuer—illustrated through a powerful modern story.

Episode Overview

This episode of followHIM Favorites centers on the scriptural account of the Fall (Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5) and uses a memorable real-world story to deepen understanding of our spiritual predicament and the Savior's role. Hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway reflect on the inescapable nature of the Fall and the ultimate rescue available through Jesus Christ.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Story of Baby Jessica and the Fall (00:02–04:05)

• Hank's Illustration:
  Hank recounts the harrowing 1987 story of Jessica McClure, an 18-month-old girl who fell 22 feet into a narrow well, incapable of rescue by her own power.

  • The well was a mere 8 inches wide, opening to 14 inches, and Jessica was wedged deep inside, singing quietly to comfort herself.
  • Rescuers couldn’t extract her from above—instead, engineers dug a parallel shaft and a tunnel coming up from beneath, a dangerous and urgent operation that took 56 hours.

• Spiritual Comparison:
  Hank draws a parallel between Jessica’s situation and humanity’s fallen state after Adam and Eve:

  • "We come to this earth where we're going to learn these incredible lessons, but we can't get ourselves out. Not only can we not get ourselves out, we don't even really...comprehend where we are and what position we're in." (Hank, 02:59)
  • Just as Jessica needed someone to descend, risk everything, and save her, we need a Savior who “will descend below all things to come here and get us out.” (Hank, 03:10)

• Memorable Quote:

  • "Think about the person who decides that they're going to go down into that freshly dug hole, 20 ft down. ... This could collapse at any moment on you. ... There is one who will descend below all things to come here and get us out." (Hank, 02:07)

2. Emotional and Universal Impact (03:36–04:05)

• John’s Reaction:
  John recalls living through the news coverage as a teenager:

  • "I loved the...effort it took for one toddler, little girl. I love that they went those lengths." (John, 03:36)
  • Both hosts talk about how the world "stood still watching" during the rescue, a testament to the shared human investment in hope and rescue.

• Savior’s Effort Paralleled:

  • "The lengths the Savior would go to come and get us and get us out of a situation we could not get ourselves out of. It's a good comparison." (John, 03:54)

3. Doctrinal Depth: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s Testimony (04:05–05:18)

• Host Reading:
  Hank shares a stirring quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland emphasizing the utter helplessness of humanity and the certainty and power of Christ's atonement:

  "What a plight. The entire human race in free fall. Every man, woman and child in it physically tumbling toward permanent death, spiritually plunging toward eternal anguish. ...The atonement would achieve complete victory over physical death, unconditionally granting resurrection to every person who has ever been born or will be born intothis world. Mercifully, it would also provide forgiveness for...all, conditioned upon repentance and obedience... Jesus Christ, the only begotten son of God, suffered, died and rose from death in order that he could, like lightning in a summer storm be, grasp us as we fall, hold us with his might, and through our obedience... lift us to eternal life." (Elder Holland as read by Hank, 04:05)

• Host Reflection:

  • John underscores the scale and unity of the world's hope during Jessica's rescue as a "type and shadow of our fall and the Lord coming to get us." (John, 05:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Hank Smith (02:59):
  "We can't get ourselves out. Not only can we not get ourselves out, we don't even really...comprehend where we are and what position we're in."
• John Bytheway (03:54):
  "The lengths the Savior would go to come and get us and get us out of a situation we could not get ourselves out of."
• Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (as quoted by Hank, 04:05):
  "...like lightning in a summer storm be, grasp us as we fall, hold us with his might, and through our obedience to his commandments, lift us to eternal life."
• John Bytheway (05:18):
  "I just loved how the whole world stood still watching as they were trying to save Jessica McClure."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:02 – 03:36: Baby Jessica story introduction and spiritual metaphor
• 03:36 – 04:05: John’s reflections and emphasis on global involvement
• 04:05 – 05:18: Elder Holland’s quote on Christ’s atonement and hosts’ closing thoughts

Episode Tone & Style

• Warm, narrative, illustrative: The discussion is story-driven and relatable, with an emphasis on applying gospel concepts to modern life.
• Faith-building and hopeful: The hosts infuse the story and scriptural discussion with optimism and deep testimony.

Closing Invitation

The hosts highlight their full episode featuring Dr. John Hilton III for a deeper dive into the week’s Come, Follow Me chapters and encourage listeners to return for future ‘followHIM Favorites’—promising insights that are “fresh, faithful, and fun.”