Summary4 min read

followHIM Favorites • October 27 - November 2 • Come Follow Me

Podcast: followHIM
Hosts: Hank Smith (“A”) & John Bytheway (“B”)
Episode Date: October 23, 2025
Scripture Focus: Doctrine & Covenants 124

Episode Overview

In this “followHIM Favorites” mini-episode, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway highlight a single personal story to illustrate core lessons from this week’s “Come, Follow Me” study of Doctrine & Covenants 124. The discussion centers on the theme of integrity, using touching real-life anecdotes to inspire listeners to strive for honesty and moral courage, even when no one is watching.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Lord’s Commendation of Hyrum Smith

The discussion opens with John citing a verse where the Lord praises Hyrum Smith:

"The Lord just says the nicest thing to Hyrum. 'I, the Lord, love Hyrum because of the integrity of his heart.' I would like to have a section of the Doctrine and Covenants say that about you."
— John Bytheway (00:16)
- John expresses admiration for this scriptural praise and light-heartedly wishes the same could be said about ordinary people.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s Defining Moment of Integrity

John recounts a defining experience from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin’s youth as a football player:

Key Details of the Story (00:39 – 02:06):
- Elder Wirthlin’s play called for him to carry the ball into the end zone.
- As he was tackled, he found himself mere inches from the goal line, pinned under a pile.
- He could feel the line and was tempted to nudge the ball over (“I could feel it. The goal line was two inches away”).
- He remembered his mother's frequent counsel:
  
  "Do what is right, no matter the consequence. Do what is right and things will turn out okay."
- Rather than move the ball, Elder Wirthlin left it just short of the goal—choosing integrity over glory.
- He concludes:
  
  "More than being a hero in the eyes of my friends, I wanted to be a hero in the eyes of my mother."
  — (Quote as retold by John Bytheway, 01:49)
This story underscores the theme that true heroism is found in private acts of integrity.

Golf Analogy: The Test of Quiet Honesty

Hank chimes in with a golf analogy, referencing his father who was a golf pro:

"What happens if you accidentally touch your ball or it moves? What do the rules of golf say you have to do?"
— Hank Smith (02:07)
- The answer: It’s a penalty, and you must replace the ball (“Many people would be like, oh, no one saw. I’m okay.”).
They briefly reference the story of golf legend Bobby Jones, renowned for his honesty in calling a penalty on himself when no one else witnessed a rule infraction.

The Takeaway: Integrity and Admiration

John reflects that being a hero in the eyes of a parent, or in God’s eyes, is more rewarding than public accolades.

"I want to be a hero in the eyes of my mother."
— John Bytheway (02:25)
- Hank responds enthusiastically:
  
  "I love that. I love that. Let's put that on a t-shirt."
  — Hank Smith (02:39)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

John Bytheway, on the Lord’s praise for Hyrum Smith:

"I, the Lord, love Hyrum because of the integrity of his heart." (00:16)
Elder Wirthlin, as quoted by John Bytheway:

"Do what is right, no matter the consequence. Do what is right and things will turn out okay." (01:42)

"More than being a hero in the eyes of my friends, I wanted to be a hero in the eyes of my mother." (01:49)
Hank Smith, on integrity in golf:

"That's a penalty. It's a two stroke penalty and you can put it back where it was... many people would be like, oh, no one saw. I'm okay." (02:16)
John Bytheway, on the value of integrity:

"Just stories of integrity like that get to you because you were this close? Nope. I want to be a hero in the eyes of my mother." (02:25)

Important Timestamps

00:16 — Praise of Hyrum Smith’s integrity in Doctrine & Covenants 124
00:39 – 02:06 — Elder Wirthlin’s football story illustrating personal integrity
02:07 – 02:16 — Hank’s golf analogy and the Bobby Jones story
02:25 — The “hero in the eyes of my mother” takeaway and shared admiration

Episode Tone & Style

The tone is warm, conversational, and gently humorous, mixing scripture, touching anecdotes, and personal reflection. John and Hank seamlessly trade stories, keeping the content accessible and engaging for all ages, modeling the very principles of faith and integrity they discuss.

Final Notes

The hosts invite listeners to tune into the full episode featuring Dr. Liz Darger, promising more inspiring stories and personal insights.
The episode encourages listeners to apply the principle of integrity in everyday life, seeking to become true heroes in God’s eyes—and in the eyes of those who matter most.

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Transcript13 lines

[00:03]
A
Welcome to Follow him. Favorites. This is where John and I share a single story to go with each week's lesson. John, only one section of the Doctrine and Covenants this week. Section124. And it's your turn for a story.
[00:16]
B
There's a verse in there, Hank, that Lord just says the nicest thing to Hiram. I, the Lord love Hiram because of the integrity of his heart. I would like to have a section of the Doctrine Covenant say that about you.
[00:28]
A
Yeah.
[00:29]
B
I'm not holding my breath. Okay. What a great thing. I know, Hank, that you love elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. I've heard you tell stories about him.
[00:37]
A
Oh, what a great soul.
[00:39]
B
Yeah. There was a time when he was playing football. I mean, I remember the story about the helmet going sideways and his eyes were looking out the ear hole. And he was so funny. There was an experience that he had where he called it a defining experience. The play called for me, Elder Worthland said, a younger elder Worthland to run the ball up, up the middle to score the go ahead touchdown. This is American football. I took the handoff and plunged into the line. I knew I was close to the goal line, but I didn't know how close, although I was pinned at the bottom of the pile so the referees can't see because there's all these people on top. I reached my fingers forward a couple of inches and I could feel it. The goal line was two inches away.
[01:25]
A
So he could, like, feel the paint on the ground.
[01:27]
B
He could feel where the goal line is. Oh. At that moment, I was tempted to push the ball forward. I could have done it. See, everybody's on top of him. Nobody would see. But then I remembered the words of my mother, Joseph. She had often said to me, do what is right, no matter the consequence, do what is right and things will turn out okay. I wanted so desperately to score that touchdown. More than being a hero in the eyes of my friends, I wanted to be a hero in the eyes of my mother. So I left the ball where it was two inches from the goal line.
[02:06]
A
Wow.
[02:07]
B
Hank, your dad was a golf pro. What happens if you accidentally touch your ball or it moves? What do the rules of golf say you have to do?
[02:16]
A
That's a penalty. It's a two stroke penalty, and you can put it back where it was. Many people would be like, oh, no one saw. I'm okay, John. That's an incredible story.
[02:26]
B
It happened to Bobby Jones and he was like, no, I know that ball moved. And I can't deny that ball moved. And just stories of integrity like that get to you because you were this close? Nope. I want to be a hero in the eyes of my mother.
[02:39]
A
I love that. I love that. Let's put that on a T shirt. I want to be a hero in the eyes of my mother. We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it on any podcast platform. We're with Dr. Liz Darger this week. She shares some stories and some personal experiences that really will take your breath away. They're really, really touching. And then we hope you'll join us. Next week, we'll do another Follow him favorite.