God Has the Earth on TiVo • followHIM Favorites • June 2-8 • Come Follow Me
Release Date: May 29, 2025
Introduction to the Lesson
In this episode of the followHIM Podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway explore sections 58 and 59 of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Come, Follow Me curriculum. These sections chronicle the Saints' journey to Missouri, emphasizing the theme of trust in God's overarching plan amidst trials and tribulations.
Hank opens the discussion by highlighting a pivotal scripture:
“[00:03] Hank Smith: 'You cannot behold with your natural eyes... the design of your God concerning what's coming up, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.'”
This verse sets the foundation for understanding how believers are encouraged to maintain faith despite not fully comprehending God’s immediate plans.
The TiVo Analogy: Understanding God's Perspective
To elucidate the scripture's message, Hank introduces an analogy involving TiVo, a groundbreaking digital video recorder of its time.
“[00:45] Hank Smith: 'I learned this lesson, John, with a new technology. You might remember it. It was called TiVo. Do you remember TiVo?'”
John responds by reminiscing about TiVo's functionality:
“[00:56] John Bytheway: 'Yeah. It was like a VCR, but it was digital.'”
Hank elaborates on the advantages TiVo brought to television viewing, such as the ability to record live shows, pause, rewind, and skip commercials—features that significantly enhanced the viewing experience.
“[01:00] Hank Smith: 'You could record live television and you could rewind it right there before you could put a cassette tape in and you could record a show and then later go watch it.'”
Through this technological lens, Hank draws a parallel to spiritual insight, suggesting that just as TiVo allows viewers to see the entire show without missing critical moments, God sees the complete picture of our lives beyond our limited perspective.
A Personal Story: Trust on Game Day
To bring this analogy to life, Hank shares a heartfelt personal story involving a Utah Jazz playoff game and the use of TiVo.
“[01:24] Hank Smith: 'We went through the VHS years. We suffered through commercials... kids see those now on YouTube.'”
He recounts how TiVo enabled him and his friend Lynn to fast-forward through commercials during a tense basketball game, providing a semblance of control and reducing anxiety.
“[02:25] Hank Smith: 'My buddy, Lynn Bowler, he could afford TiVo. He said, do you want to come over and watch Utah Jazz basketball with me?... We can fast forward through the commercials.'”
As the game intensifies with the Jazz trailing by 16 points, the hosts describe the mounting tension and the eventual turnaround where the Jazz clinch a three-point victory. Hank reflects on his calm demeanor during the game's climax:
“[03:45] Hank Smith: 'I just feel good about this. I feel fine about it.'”
Despite the seemingly dire situation, Hank's unwavering faith mirrors the trust believers are encouraged to have in God's plan, even when immediate circumstances appear bleak.
Lessons Learned: Trusting in God's Design
Drawing from his experience, Hank extrapolates the significance of maintaining trust in God's unseen plans:
“[06:35] John Bytheway: 'Great analogy when we think about in the midst of tribulation, before the Second Coming... but we know how this is all going to turn out. We can watch things unfold in a calmer way.'”
Hank encapsulates the lesson with a compelling statement:
“[06:51] Hank Smith: 'Trust that he sees the end. The Lord has the Earth on TiVo.'”
This metaphor serves as a powerful reminder that, much like TiVo captures the entirety of a game, God comprehensively understands and oversees the progression of our lives, ensuring that ultimate outcomes align with His divine purpose.
Conclusion: Embracing Trust and Perspective
As the episode nears its end, Hank and John emphasize the importance of adopting a perspective of trust, especially during challenging times. They preview upcoming content featuring Sister Whitney Johnson, who brings additional expertise to their discussions, enriching the listeners' understanding and application of the Come, Follow Me lessons.
The hosts encourage listeners to embrace the calm assurance that comes from trusting in God's broader vision, even when immediate circumstances seem uncertain or unfavorable.
Notable Quotes
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“[00:03] Hank Smith: 'You cannot behold with your natural eyes... the design of your God concerning what's coming up...'”
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“[01:31] Hank Smith: 'Commercials always came at the wrong moment in the show... you had two and a half minutes to go make popcorn...'”
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“[03:45] Hank Smith: 'I just feel good about this. I feel fine about it.'”
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“[06:35] John Bytheway: 'Great analogy when we think about in the midst of tribulation, before the Second Coming...'”
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“[06:51] Hank Smith: 'Trust that he sees the end. The Lord has the Earth on TiVo.'”
Key Takeaways
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Trust in Divine Insight: Just as TiVo allows viewers to see the entire arc of a show, believers are encouraged to trust that God has a complete understanding of their life's trajectory.
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Calm Amidst Tribulation: Maintaining faith during challenging times can lead to a sense of peace, mirroring how Hank remained calm during the playoff game's intense moments.
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Perspective Over Present Circumstances: Recognizing that current struggles are part of a larger divine plan helps in navigating life's ups and downs with resilience and hope.
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Embracing Technological Analogies: Using relatable technology like TiVo can effectively illustrate and simplify complex spiritual concepts, making them more accessible to a broader audience.
This episode of followHIM provides a rich and engaging exploration of trust, perspective, and divine timing, all through the relatable analogy of TiVo technology. Whether you're preparing for your weekly Come, Follow Me lesson or seeking fresh insights to enrich your spiritual journey, Hank and John's discussion offers valuable lessons on embracing faith amidst life's unpredictable moments.