Podcast Summary: followHIM — Genesis 3-4; Moses 4-5 (Part 2)

Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway

Guest: Dr. John Hilton III

Episode Date: January 14, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode continues the discussion of Genesis 3-4 and Moses 4-5, exploring themes of the Fall, sacrifice, expectations in a fallen world, the story of Cain and Abel, and how all these stories point to the love, mercy, and centrality of Jesus Christ. Dr. John Hilton III brings insights from restoration scripture and personal experience, helping listeners see both ancient scripture and modern challenges through a Christ-centered lens.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reality and Purpose of a Fallen World

• (00:07) Dr. Hilton begins by reminding listeners that everyone lives in a fallen world, and as a result, hardships and imperfection are to be expected, even when we are faithful.
• Paraphrasing Hank, he shares: “Analyze your expectations before you leave Jerusalem and just walk away. ...If Jesus really was who he said he was, certain things should have happened.” (00:48)

Notable Quote

“Don't be surprised when things are hard. ...There’s some natural results of the fall, and Adam and Eve experienced that.” — Dr. Hilton (01:13)

2. Obedience Without Full Understanding

• Adam and Eve's initial obedience to commandments, such as making sacrifices, despite not knowing why, is a central theme (03:58).
• Dr. Hilton makes this relatable: “Imagine if I told you, burn a $20 bill every day...and you don’t know why. ...Adam and Eve for many days obeyed even when they didn’t know why.” (03:40)
• Faithful obedience sometimes precedes understanding the "why." Sometimes, reasons are revealed much later or not at all.

Personal Experience Shared

• Dr. Hilton shares two stories about spiritual promptings—one with an immediately apparent reason (missionary opportunity at a gas station), and another where the purpose remains unknown (visiting a ward member).

“Some promptings...I think there's a real clear story, like, okay, that's why that prompting came. Other promptings might come, and we're like, I have no idea what that was all about. And that’s okay.” (05:11)

3. Managing Expectations and Facing Hardship

• The podcast discusses the disappointment that can come from unmet expectations, especially when one is diligent but still experiences trials (06:22).
• Dr. Hilton answers: Turn to the scriptures for examples—Lehi, Jeremiah, Mormon, Abinadi—all chose righteousness but still suffered.

Notable Quotes

“Even though we’re fallen, we’re not forsaken. Jesus said, ‘My peace I give unto you...Let not your heart be troubled.’” — Dr. Hilton (07:54)
"If anyone deserves to have things go well, it was [Jesus]. Yet, he was despised, rejected, crucified." — John Bytheway (08:34)
“Because Jesus was forsaken, none of us ever have to be, because he said, ‘I will not leave you comfortless.’” — Dr. Hilton (08:47)

4. The Symbolism and Purpose of Sacrifice

• The original animal sacrifices were meant to point to Christ; obedience to commandment precedes understanding (10:10).
• Elder Maxwell’s insight about sacrifice:

“True sacrifice was never about sacrificing an animal on the altar, but sacrificing the animal in us on the altar.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell (12:56)

Sacrifice Today

• Instead of animal sacrifices, we offer “a broken heart and a contrite spirit”—yielding pride, bad habits, distractions—to draw closer to the Savior (11:56).
• The sacrament table today is “an altar”; we are the sacrifice brought to Christ (12:35).

5. The Fall as a Fall Forward

• Adam and Eve recognize good from the Fall. Eve: “Were it not for our transgression, we never should have had seed...” (14:14)
• The Fall is not just a downward movement but, with Christ, a fall forward/upward—“Adam fell that men might be” (16:21).
• Christ's atonement was always "Plan A," not an emergency response (17:15, 17:46).

Notable Quote

“None of this surprised God, and that’s, for me, a great comfort.” — Dr. Hilton (18:15)
“All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.” — Quoting 2 Nephi 2:24 (18:38)

6. The Story of Cain and Abel: Motives Matter

• Cain and Abel’s offerings—why was Abel’s accepted? Restoration scripture clarifies Cain’s heart and motives (19:04):

  • Cain’s first words: “Who is the Lord that I should know Him?” (Moses 5:16)
  • Abel: “Hearkened unto the voice of the Lord God” (Moses 5:17)
  • Cain loved Satan more than God; offering was about self, not God

• God’s rejection of the offering is not a rejection of Cain; He invites Cain to repent (21:57).

• First secret combination: Satan convinces Cain his sin will be hidden, but in reality, Cain’s crime is infamous (22:10).

• God marks Cain—not in shame, but as protection; even at his worst, God extends mercy (25:23).

Notable Quote

“Are we our brother’s keeper? ...The Savior’s golden rule says we are.” — Dr. Hilton (24:56)

7. Secret Combinations and the Power of Christ

• Secret combinations (sinful conspiracies) begin with Cain and Lamech (Moses 5:49).
• The Pearl of Great Price and Book of Mormon warn consistently against them (26:45).
• Contrast between secret combinations (Satan’s work) and sacred covenants (Christ’s work)—Lamech pursues vengeance and power, Christ offers forgiveness and life (30:38).

Notable Compare & Contrast

“Lamech killed to protect his power. Jesus died to give us power. Lamech boasted of his own strength. Jesus always did the will of his Father.” — Dr. Hilton (30:38)

8. Centering Every Lesson on Christ

• No matter the subject, center on how it points to Jesus Christ (33:03).
• For every story—heroic or villainous—find how Christ is the greater fulfillment or the antithesis (33:30).
• Ask: “Where are we seeing Jesus Christ in here?” (34:27)
• “For every secret combination, there’s a sacred covenant. For every work in darkness, there’s a Savior who invites us to come into the light.” — Dr. Hilton (34:44)

Notable Quote (Elder Holland):

“Love makes us instinctively reach out to God and other people. ...Lust is characterized by shame and stealth and is almost pathologically clandestine.” — Quoted by John Bytheway (35:53)

9. Jesus as the Tree of Life

• The protoevangelium promise: Christ’s heel struck, but He crushes the serpent’s head (37:09).
• Archaeological evidence: Christ’s feet likely nailed through the heel at the crucifixion—Genesis prophecy fulfilled (37:19).
• Christ, crucified on a middle tree, is the literal tree of life (37:41).

Notable Quote

“Because of that, we can deeply rest from our worries because Jesus is the tree of life, because he got up on that middle tree.” — Dr. Hilton (38:40)

Memorable Quotes & Highlights

• “Don’t be surprised when things are hard. ...There’s some natural results of the fall.” — Dr. Hilton (01:13)
• “Obey first, and then got the explanation. Maybe that’s a sequence there that we can hope for when we’re doing things we don’t fully understand.” — John Bytheway (04:17)
• “Faith is required. Let’s jump over to Moses, chapter five.” — Dr. Hilton (01:35)
• “True sacrifice was never about sacrificing an animal on the altar, but sacrificing the animal in us on the altar.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell (12:56)
• “None of this surprised God, and that’s, for me, a great comfort.” — Dr. Hilton (18:15)
• “Are we our brother’s keeper? ...The Savior’s golden rule says we are.” — Dr. Hilton (24:56)
• “Lamech killed to protect his power. Jesus died to give us power. ...For every secret combination, there’s a sacred covenant.” — Dr. Hilton (30:38, 34:44)
• “We are not too lost to be found. God, the creator of the world, he is relentlessly pursuing us.” — Dr. Hilton (40:47)
• “Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.” — Dr. Hilton (43:11)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:07 – Life in a fallen world; expectations and the Fall
• 03:40 – Adam and Eve’s obedience and faith
• 05:11 – Modern stories about spiritual promptings
• 06:22 – Adjusting expectations in trial
• 10:10 – Sacrifice, symbolism, and Christ
• 14:14 – Adam and Eve’s perspective on the Fall
• 19:04 – Cain and Abel: motives and offerings
• 24:40 – “Where is your brother?” and our responsibilities
• 26:45 – Secret combinations and restoration scripture
• 30:38 – Contrasting Lamech and Christ
• 33:03 – Centering lessons on Christ
• 37:09 – Jesus as the fulfillment of prophecy: Tree of Life
• 40:47 – Closing thoughts: fig leaves vs. coat of skins; Christ’s relentless pursuit

Closing Reflections

Dr. Hilton encourages listeners to move beyond superficial “fig leaf coverings” and accept the lasting, merciful covering and redemption found in Christ. No matter where we hide or how lost loved ones may seem, “you are not too lost to be found. God... is relentlessly pursuing us. He says, where are you?” (40:47)

Final encouragement:

"Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ." — Dr. Hilton (43:11)

For Further Study

Show notes and transcript: followhim.co
Consider Dr. Hilton’s book referenced in the episode: Considering the Cross: How Calvary Connects Us with Christ.