• followHIM Favorites • Oct 5 - Oct 12 • Come Follow Me - followHIM

Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: followHIM Favorites – October 5–12 • Come, Follow Me

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Episode Date: October 2, 2025
Scripture Focus: Doctrine and Covenants 111–114

Episode Overview

This short "followHIM Favorites" episode features hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway as they select a key story or principle to help listeners deepen their study of the LDS Come, Follow Me curriculum for the week. In this installment, the spotlight is on a memorable verse from Doctrine & Covenants 111 and its lesson about patience, sequence, and trust in the Lord’s timing.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. A Memorable Verse and Its Message

John highlights D&C 111:11, citing,

“Be as wise as serpents and yet without sin. … I will order all things for your good as fast as ye are able to receive them.”
(00:14–00:28)
Interpretation:
John emphasizes the importance of trusting the Lord’s sequence and timing, pointing out that sometimes people get anxious when blessings or answers don’t come as quickly as they would like.

2. The Power of Sequence: Football Analogy

John tells the story of a Denver Broncos linebacker who intercepted a pass against the Ravens and, in his excitement, dropped the ball just before crossing the end zone:
- The ball rolled out of bounds, resulting in a touchback instead of a touchdown.
- The coach’s advice: “You got the sequence wrong.”
  (00:28–01:35)
Insight:
“Sequences are so critical.” John compares this to the gospel principle:

“Come unto Christ and be perfected in him. It’s not 'be perfect so that you can come unto Christ.' Sequence is vital.”
(01:45–01:58)
Application:
The Lord, like a good coach (or quarterback), knows the right order to receive blessings. We have to be ready receivers—prepared and in the right state, both spiritually and mentally, to receive from Him.

3. The Ability to Receive

Hank’s Perspective:
Building on the analogy, Hank likens spiritual readiness to a football receiver:

“I want to give it to you, but you have to be able to receive. … Are you open? Are you able to receive?”
(02:44–03:00)
Takeaway:
Spiritual blessings, revelation, or growth arrive “as fast as ye are able to receive them.” Readiness and willingness to receive are just as important as the Lord’s desire to give.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

John Bytheway:

“Look, you got the sequence wrong. First you intercept the ball, that’s good. Then you run to the end zone, that’s good. Then you wait for the whistle before you drop the ball.”
(01:40–01:50)
John Bytheway:

“Sequence is vital. And I love that the Lord here says, look, I’ve got this. I will order things for your good as fast as ye are able to receive them.”
(01:55–02:13)
Hank Smith:

“A receiver just doesn’t start running down the field … Are you open? Are you able to receive?”
(02:45–02:58)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:14: John introduces D&C 111:11 as a favorite scripture and its easily memorable "1-11-11" pattern.
00:28: Start of the football analogy that illustrates getting things in the right order.
01:45: Reflection on spiritual sequences—“Come unto Christ and be perfected in him.”
02:44: Hank likens being ready to receive to a football receiver’s preparedness.
03:09: Episode wrap-up and preview for the full podcast interview with Dr. Susan Easton Black.

Summary Takeaway

This episode’s central message is about trusting the Lord’s timing and sequence in bestowing blessings and guidance:

“I will order all things for your good as fast as ye are able to receive them.” (D&C 111:11)

Through accessible analogies and relatable storytelling, Hank and John encourage listeners to be patient, to prepare themselves as ready receivers, and to trust that the Lord knows when and how to bless them—“as fast as ye are able to receive.”

For a deeper dive into the week’s scriptures, check out the full podcast episode featuring Dr. Susan Easton Black.

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Transcript7 lines

[00:03]
A
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 sections 111 through 114. You have the story this week.
[00:14]
B
Hank, There's a verse in section 111 that I've always just loved. It's really easy to memorize. Hank, it's 111-111. You got that down. 11111.
[00:26]
A
It might take me a minute, but I think I can get it.
[00:29]
B
1, 11, 11. And it has this great phrase in it, Be as wise as serpents and yet without sin. And I. I love that the Lord's talking here. I will order all things for your good as fast as ye are able to receive them. What it kind of implies is a sequence that I've got the order right. Sometimes we get things out of sequence. This has happened many times in many different football games, but I remember one in particular. Baltimore Ravens, third and 10. They're backed up to their 20 yard line. They're playing against the Broncos. The quarterback goes back on the Ravens. He telegraphs his pass a little bit like he's saying, I'm going to throw over here. He throws. A Denver Broncos linebacker jumps the route, intercepts the ball. He's just got an easy 20 yard sprint to the end zone. He's run and he's excited to do his touchdown celebration. And he lets go of the ball about this far before, before the end zone. Yeah, his players are jumping on him and he's jumping up and the referees are doing nothing. They're just like, you know, the ball's.
[01:36]
A
Just sitting on the ground.
[01:37]
B
No, it rolled. It rolled into the end zone and then out the side. Then the whistles blew. The referees went like that. Touchback. Ravens ball, first down. You can imagine the conversation with the coach and the player. Look, you got the sequence wrong. First you intercept the ball. That's good. Then you run to the end zone. That's good. Then you wait for the whistle before you drop the ball. You either got to be sure you cross the end zone, then you can do your touchdown celebration. But I've always thought sequences are so critical and there's a lot of them, Hank. Come unto Christ and be perfected in him. It's not be perfect so that you can come unto Christ. No, no, no, no, no sequence is vital. And I love that the Lord here says, look, I've got this. I will order things for your good as fast as ye are able to receive them. He's a good judge of when we are able. He's the one who gets to decide when we're able. We can say, sometimes, heavenly Father, I mess up. Will you please take this? Yeah, I'll take this. I'll order all things for your good.
[02:45]
A
Well, I love that. As fast as you are able to receive them, that's like a football receiver. I want to give it to you. I want to give it to you, but you have got to be able to receive. Think of a football receiver. They're in the right place. They're watching for it. They're ready for it. A receiver just doesn't start running down the field and they're in tune with the Lord is the quarterback. He wants to throw you the ball. Are you open? Are you able to receive? I love it. I love it. Join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcast. We're with Dr. Susan Easton Black this week. She's been teaching this stuff for decades. She does a great job with these sections. Then come back here next week. We'll do another Follow him favorites.