followHIM Podcast Summary

Episode: “Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5 Part 1” w/ Dr. John Hilton III (Jan 19–25: Come, Follow Me)

Date: January 14, 2026
Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
Guest: Dr. John Hilton III

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the “Fall of Adam and Eve” (Genesis 3–4; Moses 4–5), exploring doctrinal insights and practical applications for modern life. Hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway are joined by Dr. John Hilton III, who brings scholarly expertise and devotional warmth. Together, they discuss how understanding the Fall deepens one’s appreciation for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and helps individuals find hope, direction, and spiritual resilience.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Fortunate Fall" and Its Importance

• The Fall as Blessing:
  • Rather than a tragedy, the Fall is presented as a necessary and ultimately fortunate step (the “fortunate fall”) in God’s plan.
  • John Bytheway: “Was it a fall? Yes. Did it move us downward? Yes, but it also moved us forward.” [01:37]
• Adam and Eve’s Role: Reframing perspectives that have unfairly blamed Adam and Eve; emphasizing their courage, wisdom, and necessity in humanity’s progression.

2. Understanding the Fall Illuminates the Atonement

• Quote by President Benson:
  • Hank Smith: “They do not desire the salvation of Christ until they know why they need Christ. And no one adequately and properly knows why they need Christ until he or she understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall…” [03:15]
• Jesus as Redeemer:
  • John Bytheway: “He's not just our celestial cheerleader… When you understand the Fall, then you think, ‘We need this Redeemer.’” [04:04]

3. Embracing Simpler Bible Translations

• Major Policy Update: Church now officially allows and encourages the use of easier-to-understand Bible translations in teaching and study – especially for youth or those who struggle with King James language.
  • John Hilton III: “There’s a gap between what the King James requires and what the average adult can read, let alone the average 14-year-old…” [07:58]
• Comparing KJV and NIV (Colossians 3:5):
  • Hank Smith (KJV): “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth…evil concupiscence…” [11:38]
  • Hank Smith (NIV): “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed…” [12:47]
  • John Hilton III: “Which of these verses are going to help that 15-year-old make the right choice?” [12:59]
• Church-Approved Alternatives: NIV, NRSV, English Standard Version, New International Readers Version (NIRV).
  • John Hilton III: “If there’s one thing you could do to improve your Old Testament study this year, it would be to read a simpler Bible translation.” [20:12]
• Listening to Audio Bibles: Helpful for those who learn better by hearing.

4. Lessons from the Creation Story

a) Spiritual Creation Precedes Physical Creation

• John Hilton III: “Everything is created twice… There’s a spiritual creation and then a physical creation. That gives us a template for our own lives.” [31:32]
• Applies this to personal growth, prayer, setting goals–create spiritually first, act physically second.

b) Big Rocks & Priorities

• John Bytheway: The “big rocks” analogy emphasizes prioritizing the most important things (like Christ) first.
• Avoid crowding out the best things with merely good things.
  • Hank Smith: “Most people will look back… and realize they did not have a great life, because it was just so easy to settle for a good life.” [27:02]

c) Joy and Permission to Create

• Quote from Dieter F. Uchtdorf: “Creating contributes to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness… You don’t need money, position, or influence in order to create something of beauty…” [28:08]
• Everyone is a creator in some way: music, art, family, home, etc.

d) God’s Expectations (Small and Simple Things)

• Emily Belle Freeman as shared by John Hilton III: “God never expected the results of day six on day two… If God were to whisper down from heaven tonight...‘You are already good.’” [40:27]

5. Hiding, Shame, and the Power of God’s Covering

a) Satan’s Tactics: Sarcasm and Ridicule

• John Hilton III: “Satan is not interested in the truth… He wants to plant doubt… That’s the Devil’s trap. From the very beginning.” [43:32]
• Social media is filled with similar ridicule and quick dismissals; truth is “always more complicated and nuanced than a lie.” [45:21]

b) The Temptation to Hide

• Adam and Eve hid from God after the Fall; people today hide through excuses, busyness, justifying, or by outward appearances.
  • John Hilton III: “One of the main effects of the Fall was a tendency to justify our wrongdoing because of the actions of another person…” [51:22]
  • Missionary story about a child honestly relaying her mother’s attempt to avoid the missionaries [53:31]

c) God’s Response: “Where are you?”

• Genesis 3:8: The first question in the Bible; God seeks those who are hiding.
  • John Bytheway: “He knows where you are, he knows what you’re up to, but...He wants to help you. He’s your Father…” [56:35]

d) Fig Leaves vs. Coats of Skins: The Promise of Christ’s Atonement

• Fig leaves represent human attempts to cover shame; God covers Adam and Eve with coats of skins, signifying a deeper, lasting, and divinely-provided atonement.
  • John Hilton III: “You do not need fig leaves when you have a coat of skins. God has given us that through Jesus Christ.” [57:12]
• The “coat of skins” is the first instance of blood sacrifice, symbolizing Christ's Atonement, and points to the temple garment.
  • President Nelson (quoted): “The garment of the holy priesthood reminds us of the veil in the temple… That veil is symbolic of Jesus Christ. When you put on your garment, you put on a sacred symbol of Jesus Christ.” [58:57]

6. Modern Prophetic Perspectives on Adam and Eve

• President Nelson List: “The Book of Mormon affirms...the necessity of the Fall of Adam and the wisdom of Eve that men might have joy.” [49:55]
• President Oaks: “We celebrate Eve’s act and honor her wisdom and courage…” [50:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You and your loved ones are not too lost to be found.” – Dr. John Hilton III [02:26]
• “No one adequately and properly knows why they need Christ until he or she understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall...” – (quoting President Benson), Hank Smith [03:15]
• "He's not just our celestial cheerleader...He's the Lord God omnipotent." – John Bytheway [04:04]
• “If there’s one thing you could do to improve your Old Testament study this year, it would be to read a simpler Bible translation.” – John Hilton III [20:12]
• “God has a plan for you…plans to give you hope and a future.” – John Hilton III, paraphrasing Jeremiah 29:11 [37:06]
• “We must remember that God never expected the results of day six on day two.” – Emily Belle Freeman (as shared by John Hilton III) [40:27]
• “Do we in our lives cover ourselves, metaphorically speaking, with fig leaves? …If my hopes and dreams are bound up in success or looks or health, eventually I'm going to be disappointed. But if I'm secure in a covering from God, that is a peace that will never leave.” – John Hilton III [57:12]
• “You do not need fig leaves when you have a coat of skins. God has given us that through Jesus Christ.” – John Hilton III [57:12]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• The “Fortunate Fall” & Adam and Eve’s role: [01:37–03:15]
• President Benson on understanding the Fall: [03:15]
• Policy change—Bible translations: [07:58–20:12]
• Comparison: KJV and NIV language: [11:38–12:47]
• Discussion of “big rocks” and priorities: [25:46–27:32]
• Creation as a spiritual template/personal story: [31:32–35:16]
• God’s expectations: Good enough now: [40:27]
• Satan's sarcasm and mockery: [43:32–46:14]
• The power of the question “Where are you?”: [55:48]
• Fig leaves vs. coats of skins, temple garment: [57:12–61:37]

Tone and Language

The episode is warm, conversational, full of light academic insights but also extremely approachable for everyday listeners. The hosts and guest use humor, personal anecdotes, and scriptural/latter-day prophetic citations, aiming to inspire and empower listeners.

Summary Conclusion

This episode reframes the Fall of Adam and Eve as an ultimately hopeful, empowering, and necessary event in God’s plan. Drawing from Old Testament chapters, modern revelation, and practical devotional wisdom, it encourages listeners to:

• Understand the importance of the Fall in appreciating the Atonement.
• Embrace learning—with helpful Bible translations—and focus on what matters most.
• See themselves as creators, progressing “line upon line.”
• Recognize God’s proactive pursuit, loving correction, and better covering through Christ.

Listeners are reminded that through Christ, there is always hope, and that everyone is “already good”—God meets us where we are to help us become more.

For further study and resources, check out Dr. John Hilton III’s “Finding Christ in the Old Testament” and the Church’s newly updated guidelines on Bible translation.